PartinG's Fast 3 Nexus 8 Gate Push (vs. Terran)

[e][h]PartinG's Fast 3 Nexus 8 Gate Push

Strategy Information

Matchups:

PvT

Type:

Economical, Timing Attack

Popularized by:

PartinG

Overview

PartinG's Fast 3 Nexus build is an opening used against Terran that was popularized by PartinG. It focuses on economy, sacrificing both tech and army in the early game to develop a greatly increased income that will eventually make up for those deficits. This makes it a strong build on big maps such as Daybreak, where rush distances are long and counter-attacks aren't as effective.

There are multiple follow-ups to this opening, the most popular being an 8 Gateway timing attack. The advantage of doing this particular Gateway push is that unlike more common Gateway all-ins from 2 bases, you will be able to improve both your economy and technology whilst also pressuring your opponent at the same time as attacking.

Other follow-ups to PartinG's Fast 3 Nexus build include Twilight Council or Robotics Facility transitions, which are safer against Terran aggression (such as Cloaked Banshees) but aren't able to put as much pressure onto the Terran opponent. This particular article will be dedicated to the 8 Gate Push transition.

Basic Build Order

Basic Build
9 Pylon 14 Gateway 17 Assimilator 17 Nexus 17 Pylon 17 Cybernetic Core 18 Zealot @100% Cybernetics Core: Warpgate Research, Stalker @100% Stalker: Stalker 30 Pylon ~5:45 Nexus, Pylon, Sentry, 2nd Assimilator @100% Sentry: Sentry ~6:30 7x Gateway @75% 8th Gateway, 3rd Assimilator When the proxy Pylon is finished, add the 4th Assimilator. Start warping in units to attack!

Notes

• You should have 38 supply when you build the 3rd Nexus.
• After the initial Zealot/Stalker/Stalker, produce Sentries continuously until you attack.
• Warpgate should finish around the 7 minute mark, when the first 3 additional Gateways are at ~50% completion.
• The 8th Gateway is built at ~7:30.
• The Probe that builds the 8th Gate must be sent out to build proxy Pylons.
• When the proxy Pylons are finished, warp Zealots and Stalkers as affordable and push with your whole army.
• Continue producing Probes whilst attacking.
• Add your chosen tech choice (Robotics Facility or Twilight Council) whilst attacking.

Scouting

Nexus Scout

When using this build, PartinG likes to scout later than usual, normally using the Probe that builds his expansion. It lets him get a slightly better economy, thus letting him build the Nexus slightly faster. If you scout this way, you should check:

• If the Terran player is going for a proxy Barracks all-in: You will need to cancel your second Nexus, add additional Gateways and Chronoboost Stalkers to hold.
• If the Terran player went for a fast Command Center in their natural: You should be able to safely continue this build without having to worry too much about quick aggression from the Terran.
• If you don't see a Command Center in their natural: Try checking up their ramp to see if it was built in their main base. If so, continue with this build. If not, it is safer not go for the 3rd Nexus and instead go for a safer 3 Gate/Robo set-up since they could be going for Cloaked Banshees or doing an early push.

Gateway Scout

To be safer, you can do a more regular Gateway scout. If you choose to scout this way, it is important to check:

• If the Terran player is going for a proxy Barracks all-in: You should scout this in time to avoid placing down the Nexus at all. Immediately add additional Gateways and Chronoboost Stalkers to hold.
• If the Terran player has built a Refinery: If the Terran player has not built a Refinery and their Barracks isn't proxied, you should be safe to continue with this build. If they have built a Refinery then go for a safer 3 Gate/Robo set-up after expanding since they could be going for Cloaked Banshees or doing an early push.

Execution

Notice the way PartinG positions his units on the minimap to spot any incoming attacks

One of the most important steps of this opening is to deny your opponent's scouting. If they can't see what you're doing, they won't be able to change their build towards a stronger economy that will match yours, or towards aggression capable of to punishing your quick expansion.

You will need to position your units to be able to see any scouts coming. On maps like Daybreak or similar, your first Zealot will have to take the Xel'Naga Tower to minimize the amount of paths an SCV could take without being seen. Your first Stalker will need to kill your opponent's scout if it is left in your base and check the path leading to your 3rd base to look for any hidden units or buildings. If you don't find any, you can push further with your first and second Stalker using different paths to spot any pushes by your opponent or any later scouts.

When you push, forcefield any Bunkers so that your opponent can't Repair them. Try to do enough damage to their army to force them to back into their main base whilst trying to kill the highest amount of SCVs possible. When their Stim research finishes, start backing up once you don't have an army advantage or enough Sentry energy left for Forcefields. This is also when you should start to transition by adding either a Twilight Council (for eventual High Templar with Psionic Storm) or a Robotics Facility (for eventual Colossi).

Follow-Up

If your push didn't outright kill the Terran, you're going to have to transition into a standard PvT mid-game. There are two options available to you: Twilight Council or Robotics Facility tech. In both cases, you should be adding double Forges in order to quickly upgrade your units.

Twilight Council

When Stim finishes, add a Twilight Council, then 2 Assimilators and 2 Forges. At this point, if you produced Probes constantly while attacking as indicated, you should have enough Probes to fully saturate all three of your bases. When the Twilight Council finishes, research Charge first and then Blink, and when the Forges finish start both your Weapon and Armor upgrades. As gas allows, build a Templar Archives and use it to make Archons if your opponent is aggressive. When the game starts stabilizing, you can research Psionic Storm, take a 4th base, and consider transitioning into Colossus.

Robotics Facility

When Stim finishes, add a Twilight Council, then 2 Assimilators and 2 Forges. At this point, if you produced Probes constantly while attacking as indicated, you should have enough Probes to fully saturate all three of your bases. When the Robotics Facility finishes, add a Robotics Support Bay and produce Observers for map vision, and when the Forges finish start both your Weapon and Armor upgrades. Add Colossi once your Robotics Support Bay is complete, take a 4th base, and consider transitioning into High Templar with Psionic Storm.

Defense

Banshee

PartinG scouts the Banshee and thus immediately starts building a Robotics Facility

If your opponent opened with Banshees and you didn't realise it sooner, you must start building a Robotics Facility as soon as you scout the first Banshee. This is in case they researched (or are researching) Cloak technology. Make Stalkers defensively to protect your mineral lines and try to take the least amount of economical damage possible.

Whilst this is going on, you should still be pushing your opponent with any other units you can afford. Since they went for a harassment build, they will have less defensive forces than they normally would when your push arrives. This means that your push should at least do economic damage, even if Cloaked Banshees are picking away at your units whilst you attack.

Once your attack is over, you'll have hopefully avoided losing too many Probes, and you can transition to a Colossi follow-up as detailed above. Keep in mind that you have three Nexuses and the Terran will not have three Command Centres, so you can quickly make up small worker disadvantages caused by Banshee harassment.

Barracks Aggression

If you scout that opponent is going for a more aggressive opening such as a 2 Rax Reactor/Tech Lab play, avoid building the 3rd Nexus and add additional Gateways instead. In many ways, you'll be transitioning into a build similar to MC's |Gateway Pressure build, where you get additional Gateways and units before still adding a fast third Nexus.

Replays & VODs

	PartinG	PartinG goes for the described fast 3 Nexus 8 Gate push against Maru, the game continues into the late game.
	Maru
	Date: 2012-10-03
	Patch: 1.5.3	VOD

	PartinG	LucifroN goes for a Cloak Banshee build while PartinG does the 8 Gate Push, without any detection.
	LucifroN
	Date: 2012-12-16
	Patch: 1.5.3	VOD