Zerg Counter to Bunker Rush

[e][h]Countering Proxy Barracks

Counter Information

Matchups:

ZvT

Type:

Techniques

Game:

Starcraft: Broodwar

There are two main ways to execute a Bunker Rush. Performing a Bunker Rush with many SCVs is an all-in build because it hurts the Terran's economy severely. It can also be executed with only one or two SCVs, which allows this build to transition into mid-game. While the strategy for dealing with both variations is similar, you can afford to use many more Drones to try to defeat the former. Use greater restraint against the latter.

Countering

Generally, you'll deal with two builds: either a 2 Barracks or 1 Barracks rush. Naturally, a 2 Barracks rush is more powerful, meaning it isn't a huge setback to lose a few Drones. The same applies with how many SCVs Terran brings to the rush. The following is a Wiki-adapted version of Day[9]'s recommended post[1] for countering Bunker Rushes.

There are several things you should keep in mind when facing a Bunker Rush:

• Stop producing Drones at 13/17 so you can have three Larvae for Zerglings when your Spawning Pool finishes.
• Pull eight or nine Drones to your natural to fight off the Bunker Rush. One shot from eight or nine drones kills a Marine.
• Make sure the Overlord at your expansion isn't vulnerable; losing it will slow down your Zerglings which can easily lose you the game.

From here, follow-up in this order:

• If he builds his Bunker too early (long before his two or three Marines are there) focus and kill the Bunker. Alternatively you can attack the SCV building the Bunker with your Drones but it's easier to attack and kill the Bunker quickly.
• If he rushes you with Marines too early (one or two Marines and few SCVs) focus on microing your Drones to snipe the Marines.
• If he rushes with two or three Marines and a lot of SCVs (six or more) then he is aiming to cause heavy economic damage by killing your Drones that try to stop the Bunker Rush. In this case it's often more effective to have your Drones run past the Bunker and stop any more Marines from entering the Bunker. This way, when you accumulate eight to ten Zerglings you should be able to break the Bunker and SCVs at your natural with your Drone and Zergling force.
• If he rushes with an even larger force he won't have the resources to make the Bunker. Therefore, you should play exactly the same as the previous situation, and keep in mind that his Bunker probably won't be finished by the time you attack.

After this, you will usually follow with a standard 3 Hatch Lurker/Mutas game, or possibly a 3 Hatch Speedling attack to abuse his late Academy tech.