1 Rax FE

[e][h]One Barracks Early Expand

Strategy Information

Matchups:

TvX

Type:

Opening, Macro, Defensive

Overview

Gasless fast expands, also known as 1 Rax FE or Rax-CC Build is the standard safe opening for maps with a ramp to the main from the natural, i.e. every single map so far. So, one Bunker can defend both the natural Orbital Command and main base's ramp at the same time.

This means with a Wall-Off the opponent cannot charge up the ramp without taking a decent amount of fire from the Bunker. If the SCVs are being attacked retreat them to the Bunker or add another, if you so wish.

Goal

Take advantage of the expansion to gain Economy, the quickest and safest way.

Basic Build Order

Gasless Early Expand
10 - Supply Depot (1) 12 - Barracks (1) 15 - Orbital Command Upgrade 15 - Marine (1) 16 - Command Center (2) 17 - Supply Depot (2) 19 - Bunker (1) 21 - Refineries (1) (2) or Barracks (2) (3)

Notes

• @21 Supply - Go for either Barracks (2) (3) or Refineries (1) (2) for Bio+Bunkers til Medivacs and Stimpack or Refineries for a fast Factory (1), which can lead into Mech.
• To make this build a bit scary, some folks Wall-Off with fast Supply Depot (2) and Marine (2) or place the Command Center (2) in the main, instead right at the natural as the opponent would expect, if the opponent has not scouted your main base yet.
  • To scare the opponent into playing more safely against fast-tech builds or at least has to scout again for Orbital Command (2) with army units

Scouting

• Make sure the opponent has expanded before your Orbital Command (2) has finished to make sure you are not getting rushed. If you are, another Bunker would do well.

Execution

• Bunker Placement: With one Bunker the ramp can be placed in range of the main entrance and Wall Off the top to completely negate rush builds from any easy damage to either the Wall-Off or the Bunker.
  • For wider chokes at the natural these can be covered by two Bunkers and walled off with either Barracks, Supply Depots and/or Engineering Bays depending on the best SimCity for that particular map.

Adaptation

• Rax-Double CC has been a popular counter to Nexus, Command Center and Hatchery First builds, or standard fast expand builds that cannot pressure with an attack, this gives Terran a macro-CC for the extra MULEs and SCV-production that will put you way ahead economically.
• Gas First 1/1/1 and Two Rax openings are the exact oppose that are for rushing and attacking with tech quickly but if you do not do damage to your opponent's worker count you will be behind a fast expand.

Documentation

• List of openings and follow-up timing attacks to 1rax FE & 2rax Pressure FE.
• Griffin's 1Rax FE Guide - featuring mainly the goals and targets for most the game up to 3 bases, focuses on more Barracks and upgrade heavy style.