3 Reaper Expand (vs Terran)

[e][h]3 Reaper Expand

Strategy Information

Matchups:

TvT

Type:

Opening

Overview

A two-Barracks pressure with three Reapers in sync with a relatively quick expansion. This build is a soft counter to a gasless 1-Barracks Fast Expand which has become more and more popular recently. Properly microed, your poke can do sufficient damage by killing Marines, SCV's, and even Hellions to gain you a lead entering midgame. You can also gain a good deal of scouting information and transition into the midgame with fast infantry upgrades from double Tech Labs.

Basic Build Order

Basic Build Order
10 Supply Depot 12 Barracks (Before 12th SCV) 13 Refinery 15 Orbital Command Upgrade 15 Marine (Build one, then Tech Lab) 16 Barracks (Proxy this second Barracks in your Natural, like a Makarax) 17 Tech Lab on Barracks #2 17 Reaper 18 Supply Depot 19 Tech Lab on Barracks (#2) 20 Command Center 20 2 Reapers (#2 and #3)

Notes

• This build allows you to strongly outmicro a player with weaker control, but can be defended against properly by a good player who has used a safe build.
• Reapers are purely harassment units, you must transition immediately into a more stable composition, usually Bio.
• If your enemy has produced a Siege Tank or multiple Marauders, you will be unable to continue pressure and should instead preserve Reapers for map control.
• Be wary of Banshee counters. This is usually scoutable during your harass.
• A powerful transition is adding another two Barracks, a Factory-->Reactored Starport and two Engineering Bays.
  • This allows you to take a reasonably quick 3rd base and defend it safely while dropping.
  • Alternatively, you can hit a timing attack with +1/+1, Stim, Combat Shields, and Medivacs if you feel your opponent is being too greedy.

Amateur Replays

• Standard Execution
• Heavy Damage into a timing attack
• Winning outright with the 3 Reaper attack