Terran Counter To Carrier Play

[e][h]Terran Counter To Carrier Play

Counter Information

Matchups:

TvP

Type:

Technique

Game:

Starcraft: Broodwar

This article discusses possible counters to Protoss Carrier play. For the article about performing this opening build see Protoss Vs. Terran Guide

The Terran has no real effective method of dealing with Carriers, therefore it is suggested you do not allow the Protoss to get the resources needed. Destroying expansions, especially gas is important and using your Vultures to scout out possible expo points is vital. Should the Protoss ever be in a position where they are amassing Carriers, however, here are a few pointers on how to kill them.

1. Mass Goliaths
Goliaths are the main counter that one typically uses against Carriers. It's still tricky to use but is generally considered the most effective, especially if you plan to build a normal mech army off the back of it once the Carriers are dealt with. Get the Charon Booster upgrade, as well as armour and weapon upgrades. You would probably need at least 20 unsupported Goliaths to take down a sizable Carrier group. If Carriers are attacking the base, instead of focusing them right away the player may choose to stay back with Goliaths and wittle down the interceptors. Then when the number of interceptors is sufficiently depleted go for the Carriers. In any case, focusing down interceptors depletes the protoss of minerals and build time. If you can deal with the Carriers this way, your Factory infrastructure built for the Goliaths will allow you to easily transition into a strong mech army that the Protoss will likely not have an answer to.

2. Wraiths
Wraiths are useless without their cloak, so get both cloaking and Apollo energy upgrades. You will probably want a few starports generating Wraiths to speed up production. These starports can also be used to build Science Vessels for no.3. Use ComSat Station Scanner Sweeps to take out any observers, or keep a missile turret nearby to run away to when the Carriers start attacking back. The Science vessels supporting the wraiths can also be used as detectors. Take advantage of the relative slowness of the Carrier by using the Wraith's speed to its full advantage.

3. Science Vessels
EMP the Carriers. This helps a lot in blowing them up. Science Vessels can also be used to detect Observers against your Wraiths, and if you have any leftover energy you can Defensive Matrix some of the Wraiths/Goliaths taking damage.

4. Ghosts
Ghosts are extremely useful against Carriers. A few Ghosts can severely turn the tide of a battle with lockdown. Be careful not to click on the interceptors, or the ghost may only lockdown the interceptor, missing the Carrier. Don’t restrict Lockdown to just the Carriers — if a particular unit is annoyingly countering your forces (say, a Reaver or something) then lockdown it too. The main issue with Ghosts, however, is they're relatively expensive and time-consuming to build tech. If you're already getting Science Vessels, then it shouldn't be a major issue, but if you are primarily focusing on Goliaths over Wraiths then getting Ghosts will be costly.

5. Valkyries
They probably could be used against large stacked groups of Carriers, but Carriers have very high armor, making Valkyrie's multiple small rockets attack difficult to effectively kill Carriers. Interceptors themselves are also immune to splash damage, meaning the main advantage Valkyries have with their multiple rockets is actually useless against the Interceptors themselves.

6. Marines
Marines can be an effective choice against Carriers, such as in this game, Mini vs Mong. It appears the best situation for you to use Marines against Carriers is if the Carriers are caught being produced very early, when Protoss cannot commit as much resources to ground forces or other tech, such as Reavers, yet.