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FE 4 Starport Banshee Build
From Liquipedia StarCraft 2 Wiki
FE 4 Starport (vs. Protoss) a.k.a The Anti-Colossus build
Terran's secret weapon: The Flying DT
Strategy Information
Creator(s):
Matchups:
TvP
Type:
Opening
Popularized by:
Overview[edit]
A mid-game Sky Terran style build for aggression and surprising the Protoss usual Colossus-based death-ball. With early Bio-centric pressure the opponent will be expecting the normal Marine, Marauder, Medivac follow-up but instead the Terran uses four fast Refineries to four Starports producing Banshees to catch the opponent with a poor unit composition for Starport units, outright dominating a poorly prepared opponent expecting a Bio style Terran.
Goal[edit]
The goal of this build is to reach a critical mass of Banshees before the opponent can prepare enough anti-air units or Phoenix to counter Starport units. The tech switch to four Starports is done after expanding, but Banshee production time does not make the attack as swift as some may prefer. Viking numbers can be mass-produced faster making this build slower than the current standard 14 Viking (enough to 1 shot a Colossus); but this allows for a much easier transition to Battlecruisers - and Banshees with cloak are more maneuverable than Vikings.
Build Orders[edit]
Basic Build Order |
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At this point, you have to deny scouting with your Thor/Raven. After;
|
Notes and Scouting[edit]
- This build opens with a 2 Rax FE with Bunkers, read more on that here: 2 Rax Bunker FE and allows for solid early aggression stopping
- Need to take Refineries as soon as you can to support all the Starports and addition tech, spend all excess minerals on Marines and Marauders after producing from Starports.
- Ship Armor allows for Battlecruisers to tank damage better as they are high health and armor units.
The dust clears, and all that's left are 8-10 cloaked Banshees wreaking havoc in the enemy base. The engagement should last literally 20 seconds tops. GG. More Banshees and Marines should be following this up for a quick and easy clean up. Colossi problem solved.
- Spend excess minerals on Marines and Marauders.
Execution[edit]
- Use Ravens to hunt for any Observers and attack Colossus with Banshees cloaked. No detection for the opponent will make the battle go very poorly for them.
- Start the extra Starports after you are sure the opponent will not scout them
- Three rounds of Banshee production then go have fun at the opponent's base
- In case your Raven dies and you managed to save a few Marines, keep a few scans handy. You do not need the extra minerals from the MULE.
- Against Stargate
An initial two or three Battlecruisers before any Banshee will make the initial attack devastating against a Phoenix counter and Void Rays will be destroyed quickly by Marines.
With Void Rays, they are expensive units and slow so chase down stray Void Rays with Marines it will be worth the trade. Ttheir army composition is not nearly as scary as Phoenix-based one, pump out a couple rounds of Vikings to deal with them and do not let them flank Battlecruisers.
Transition[edit]
- Battlecruiser Tech
When you move out with 4Port Banshee push, add a 3rd Command Center and Fusion Core; be sure to start upgrading Ship Plating as soon as the Armory is finished. Three mining bases are needed to support Battlecruisers from all four Starports, and prevent the build from turning into a slow-paced all-in. It's all about finding the right mix of Battlecruiser to Banshee ratio. General rule of 2 Banshees and 2 Battlecruisers with Marines and Marauders is economically sound.
Documentation[edit]
- [1] - Initial topic by Synystyr detailing the build in full
Replays and VODs[edit]
Pro Games
- LiquidJinro vs NSHoSeo_san - http://www.gomtv.net/2011gslsponsors3/vod/65132
- TLO vs Grubby - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXaaB46dtAg
- TLO vs Socke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxIM6IZ-rSU
- TLO vs Farmer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1VXb_DoHfc
VODs
- Synystyr vs Thomas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aeFc5Ommzs
- Synystyr vs Cryptic - http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/12361326
Replays
Battlecruiser Replay Pack:
Standard 2 RaxFE+Bunkers:
- http://www.mediafire.com/?wq4gns2v8bmw3ou (MASS BC vs HT/Stalker!! MUST WATCH!)
- http://www.mediafire.com/?11fd1lm6akc5kdf (vs 3 Gate Sentry Forcefield push)
- http://www.mediafire.com/?q8z7yniqhc9idv3 (vs DT Rush)
- http://www.mediafire.com/?o6ekblh96jpaugb (vs HT Rush)
- http://www.mediafire.com/?myhb67vvt4bk7dv (vs Gateway+Storm)
- http://www.mediafire.com/?6sn5gw29na5m9pk (vs Gateway+Storm)
2 RaxStim into 4 Port Banshee Play:
- http://www.mediafire.com/?t6waq1w2y860gpl (vs Phoenix/Colossi ft. BATTLECRUISERS!)
- http://www.mediafire.com/?2sl7gr66j9g6mq3 (New Map)
- http://www.mediafire.com/?542dsk9knvy66lf (New Map2)
- http://www.mediafire.com/?p129g9sg7x22w89 (beating 4 Gate)
- http://www.mediafire.com/?biegq7bqeqra6s3
- http://www.mediafire.com/?vdb363i5kja8537
- http://www.mediafire.com/?jgqq5cfn6g3lk50
- http://www.mediafire.com/?wxns928xnr1bbod
- http://www.mediafire.com/?fy4qlhv9445ki8t
Losses:
- http://www.mediafire.com/?x5s7r3f8c9p2nbm (maphacker, but shows proper unit counter)
- http://www.mediafire.com/?3c4k8a6tlca0ph4 (how NOT to dodge storm and throw a win away)