Bulldog (vs. Terran)

[e][h]Bulldog Rush

Protoss trying to break a Terran choke

Strategy Information

Creator(s):

Unknown

Matchups:

PvT

Type:

Strategy

Popularized by:

Unknown

Overview

The Bulldog Build Order is a relatively aggressive opening, which sacrifices a better economy in order to enable the Protoss to break Terran defenses early on. It is a more commiting variation of the 10/15 Gateway Build.

Build Order

"Bulldog"
8 - Pylon 10 - Gateway 11/12 - Assimilator 13/14 - Cybernetics Core 15 - Pylon 17 - Dragoon 20 - Dragoon Range 20 - Gateway 20 - Dragoon 22 - Pylon 24 - 2 × Dragoons 29 - Robotics Facility 29 - 2 × Dragoons 33 - Pylon 33 - 2 × Zealots 37 - Pylon 38 - Shuttle 40 - 2 × Zealots
How To: Read Build Orders

Execution

The Build Order does leave out Probe production at several points. This makes the overall economy weaker, but enables the Protoss to produce more units than usual, as well as a faster Shuttle. Consequently, the scouting with a Probe should be delayed, until the Cybernetics Core will be built. Furthermore, one Probe can be taken out of the Assimilator once the Robotics Facility is being built, as Gas mining has a lower priority. The Probe can be sent back again if an Observatory is needed.

For the actual execution the Protoss can deal with Terran in the usual way, deny scouting early on and harass the Terran choke with his initial Dragoons. However, it's pivotal that Dragoons survive, ideally with no damage taken. Around the six minute mark, the Protoss should already have six Dragoons, one Shuttle and four Zealots. With this force the first timing window opens. If the Terran has no Spider Mines, an attack can be started. The Shuttle is used to take out Siege Tanks in Siege Mode hidden in further distance, while the Dragoons clean up the rest of the Terran's forces. It isn't mandatory that the Shuttle survives this attack, as long as it can unload the Zealots. If the Terran already has Mines, the attack should be delayed another minute, in order to obtain an Observer. Moving into a mine field is not recommended.

As follow up, the Protoss usually expands while attempting the Natural Break. In a scenario in which the Terran is able to defend barely, the Protoss will come out on top. If the Terran can defend without huge economical losses the Protoss will be behind and face a situation, in which the Terran has faster attack windows and will most likely lose to an aggressive counter attack.

If the Terran suffers from more damage, the game might turn out even and the ordinary mid-game play can be followed.

Counters

Since the Build Order allows Protoss to build a larger attack force early on it is a good counter against 2 Factory Builds. In addition, Siege Expand openings can be denied, if the Terran doesn't fortify his position, or doesn't scout the Build Order in time.

If the Terran however does fortify his position well enough, he will most likely soft counter the Protoss. Whenever the Protoss army is destroyed, the Terran will obtain full control over the maps in the minutes after the initial attack. It is doable to come back into the game.

Notable Maps

Any Map with wide chokes, preferrably without ramps, will support this Build Order. Examples for good maps would be

• Longinus
• Python
• Medusa

Notable Games

	GuemChi	from Shinhan 08-09 Proleague
	UpMagiC
	Date: 2008-10-08
requiem	Patch: 1.15.3	VOD

	Stork	from 2009 Proleague all-stars, commentary by NukeTheStars
	Fantasy
	Date: 2009
medusa	Patch: 1.16.1	VOD

	JangBi	In this game bulldog is used to attack the third instead of the natural. So in this game everything happens much later than in the build described above.
	Flash
	Date: 2011-08-26
Gladiator	Patch: 1.15.3	VOD