Terran Build Orders

8/7/2019 Terran Build Orders

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Terran Build Orders

A build order refers to the order in which you train units and construct buildings.

In this article, I will list the best Starcraft 2 Terran build orders. While there is astandard build order, it may vary slightly (or drastically) depending on the strategy

you want to execute and what the enemy is doing.

Standard Terran Build Orders

The "standard" build order refers to the path you will take if you have no particular

strategy you are planning to execute. Here is the standard order:

10/11: Supply Depot

12/19: Barracks13/19: Refinery

15/19: Orbital Command

17/19: Supply Depot

..and then it is open from there. You will find build orders like this spread around

the internet on various forums, guides, and videos. This build order would be

interpreted to read:

- Build 10 SCVs and while the 10th SCV is training build a Supply Depot

- While the 12th SCV is training build a Barracks- After the 15th SCV finishes build a Orbital Command

- While the Orbital Command is building train a Marine (or build a Tech Lab)

- Build a Supply Depot while the Marine is training and the Orbital Command is

finishing up.

You are required to read between the lines on most build orders. Now, as far as

other Terran build orders are concerned, it really depends on what your enemy is

doing. Here are some common scenarios you will find yourself in and the build

order you can use:

Getting Zealot or Zergling Rushed

If you scout the enemy and determine he is going to Zealot rush, your build order

might look something like this:


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10/11: Supply Depot

11/11: Barracks (hint: 2 SCVs are building at once)

12/19: Marine

12/19: Supply Depot

..and progress from there. The reason you would grab a second Supply Depot so

early is because you generally will need a Barracks and 2 Supply Depots to wall

off the entrance to your base. A single Marine and SCVs repairing your wall can

easily fend off a Zergling or Zealot rush.

However, not all build orders need to be reactive. For example, here is a standard

Marine and Marauder push build:

Marine and Marauder Push

10/11: Supply Depot

12/19: Barracks (add Tech Lab when finished)

15/19: Barracks (add Reactor when finished)


17/19: Supply Depot

From there, have 1 Barracks constantly pump out Marauders and the Reactor

Barracks constantly pump out Marines. Increase your SCV count to 22 harvesters

(2 per mineral node and 3 per vespene gas) and build Supply Depots as needed.

You can quickly turn out 8-10 Marauders and 24 Marines with this strategy. It is

very effective for an early push in 2v2 play. It is also great as an early attack versus

Zerg and Protoss players. I recommend this build if you spot the Zerg going for an

early expansion. It will be nearly impossible for him to counter this attack if he

opts for the early expand build.

It does not work as well versus Terran (since they will be walled in). For Terran

players, I recommend this Terran build order:

Mech Build Order

Mech is a very popular build as it is incredibly effective versus nearly all races. It

involves getting Siege Tanks and Thors, and Hellions, Marines and/or air

units (depending on who you are playing, see below):


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10/11: Supply Depot

12/19: Barracks

13/19: Refinery*

15/19: Marine

16/19: Factory*

16/19: Orbital Command*

17/19: Refinery

18/19: Supply Depot

22/27: Factory

* The build listed above is if you want to produce mech units right away, such as

for an early Siege Tank push. At a larger map, you could get away with getting the

Orbital Command prior to your first Factory. This is a more efficient build but also

leaves you more vulnerable to attack. It is up to you what you want to do.

As far as progressions, you might get a 3rd Factory (versus Zerg) or a Starport

(versus Terran or Protoss). It depends whether you want to go all ground or have

some air control.

1/1/1 - My Favorite Terran Build Order

As Terran now, I prefer the 1/1/1 build order when playing against most players.

This build offers a lot of flexibility and allows the Terran player to move into

whatever counters the enemy's units very easily.

Here is the build order:

10/11: Supply Depot

12/19: Barracks

13/19: Refinery


17/19: Supply Depot

19/27: Factory (as soon as you have 100 gas, throw down the Factory)

19/27: Refinery #2

22/27: Starport (as soon as Factory is finished)

Now, I would recommend putting a Reactor on the Barracks and pumping out

Marines so you have some defense while teching to the Starport. I would also try

to get out a few fast Siege Tanks and a Medivac or two as soon as possible.


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With a few fast Siege Tanks, a group of Marines, and a Medivac or two, you have

a solid, balanced army that will allow you to take down your natural expansion.

Once you get your natural expansion up and running, you can build more units,

tailoring those units to whatever your enemy is building (see the Counters section

for more info).

You can also play this build very effectively off of 1 base. A few Siege Tanks and

a Marine ball can make for a very effective early push. You will have to scout and

take the best opportunity to attack.

Tweaking Terran Build Orders

Please note that these Starcraft 2 Terran build orders are not absolute. In other

words, they can be modified. Here are some things to consider:

Sometimes you will want units early. In this situation, build unit producing

buildings sooner (naturally). Here are some situations in which you might want

faster units.

- Small map (more likely to be rushed)

- Your enemy is attacking hard and early (such as a Roach push)

- Your enemy is going for a fast expansion or tech and has no units

Sometimes you can put off getting units until much later in the game. This is

optimal for building up your economy and in the long run will get you more units.The downside is you are open to an early push. Here are some situations which you

might opt for a more economical build:

- Big map (less likely to be rushed or found early)

- Your enemy is walled in (another Terran player)

- Your enemy is teching up and not likely to attack soon.

Conclusion

When in doubt, go with the classic Terran build order listed at the beginning of thisarticle! Additionally, try out some of the build orders you will find in a variety of

articles around this site.


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Starcraft 2 3 Rax Build Order

The Starcraft 2 3-Rax build order is not only one of the most effective Terran

openers, it is also one of the most exciting.

The 3-Rax build is perhaps the most aggresive opener the Terrans have in theirarsenal in Starcraft 2.

It involves going for 3 early Barracks with two Tech Labs so you can quickly

research upgrades and push out.

There is are a lot of ways you can do this push, but below is my favorite build

order.

3 Rax Build Order:

9/11: Supply Depot

12/19: Barracks (train 1 Marine as soon as it is done then attach a tech lab;

research Concussive Shells as soon as it if finished)

13/19: Refinery


17/19: Barracks (tech lab as soon as it is done)

17/19: Supply Depot

..continue to pump SCVs

19/27: Stimpacks25/27: Barracks #3 (with Reactor)

..continue to pump SCVs, Supply Depots, and infantry. Grab Combat Shields on

the second Barracks when you have the resources.

This build order is not set it stone - you can change it depending on whether or not

you need units earlier. You can delay the third Barracks for a bit as well if your

enemy is applying early pressure (this will give you more money for Marines and

Marauders).

You will also need to get a lot of saturation going (3 SCVs on each gas, 22-24SCVs harvesting minerals, and constant MULEs) to keep all 3 Barracks producing

units and to have money for Supply Depots to keep up with production.

Continue to train units and push out as soon as Stimpack has finished.

Continuously train units and rally them to an appropriate spot so you can continue

to reinforce your army. Stim up and go-in once ready.


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Stim-packs are also mandatory when pushing on Protoss, as you will need to push

up their ramp quickly, otherwise you risk getting cut off by Sentries.

When assaulting a Protoss base that is being guarded by sentries, you will want to

keep your units at the base of the ramp and send 1 Marine at a time up the ramp.

This will give your Marines and Marauders vision to attack the units.

Keep an eye on Sentry energy levels and when they drop below the amount

required for Force Field, stim and push up the ramp. Do not be afraid to use a

Scanner Sweep to see if you can push up the Protoss player's ramp. Just make sure

you do not stim and commit up the ramp unless you have a clear shot at it.

If the Protoss player is very defensive, simply camp out in front of their base,

limiting them to 1 base. Meanwhile, at home, take a second base, tech up, and

build out your base. You can tech into Medivacs, 3/3 weaponry, and even add afew Vikings to your army to protect against Colossi.

If the Protoss player will not come out to take his expansion, you will win the

game easily.


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2 Rax Fast Expand Terran Build Order

Best Against: Protoss

Maps: Any

Leagues: All

The 2 Rax Fast Expand is easily one of the best and most effective strategies to use

in 1v1 matches against Protoss Players.

In fact, this Terran build order is the go-to build for a majority of Diamond players

in TvP match-ups.

The basic premise behind this strategy is getting to expand quickly while getting

just enough units to stop an early 4-Gate that typifies most of Protoss play.

The benefit of this build is that the expansion is that once you have secured your

expansion, you are in a great position to win the game.

Additionally, no matter what build your opponent opens with, you can almost

always open with this build. As a result, this build has become nearly universal for

TvP match-ups.

Below, you will find the exact build order and some related strategies:

Build Order:

10/11: Supply Depot

12/19: Barracks

14/19: Refinery

15/19: Orbital Command (or 16/19 - personal preference)

16/19: Marine (need to kill off scouting worker as soon as it spawns)

17/19: Supply Depot

17/19: Tech Lab on first Barracks

17/19: Barracks


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20/27: Marauder

20/27: Concussive Shells (research Stim or Combat Shields when this finishes -

see strategy sections for more details.)

24/27: Marauder #2

24/27: Reactor on 2nd Barracks (as soon as it finishes)

24/27: Command Center (build this inside your base and move out later)

24/27: Supply Depot

26/27: Marauder

(..training Marines, Marauders, and SCVs)

31/35: Barracks (or Factory - depending on strategy - see below)

Note: I like to get an early Marauder + Concussive Shells as you can micro around

any Zealots and outright kill any Stalkers that might come for some early harass.

By about 7:00 (or 7:30 if you build Orbital Command in your base first), you

should land your Command Center at your expansion.

2 Rax Fast Expand Strategy

Now, what happens here is up to the player. There are two possible variations:

Defensive Option

If your opponent opened up with 4 gate and did not expand, once he sees your

expansion he is practically guaranteed to move out. Otherwise, he will fall behind.

By the 7:00-7:30 mark when your expansion lands, your opponent is likely to

already an army larger than yours with 4 Warp Gates up and running since he didnot invest all those resources into a Command Center (or more for an Orbital

Command).

Note: If you scout a 4-Gate, research Combat Shields (+10 HP for Marines) as this

is a good talent for defending your expansion.


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As a result, you will need some defense. If you scout 4-Gate and see no expansion,

you need to put down 2-3 Bunkers at your Command Center. You may also want

to land your 3rd Barracks outside your natural (or build a Factory here) as this will

prevent the Protoss player from moving out.

Do not be cheap and forgo the Bunkers if your opponent does not have an

expansion. If he is even half-way good he will push out after seeing your early

expo. With Bunkers, you will be safe to build out your expo which will put you at

a huge advantage by the 10 minute mark.

If I decide to defend my expansion rather than push out, I recommend teching into

a Factory at ~31 supply count instead of grabbing a third Barracks.

In short, if you go for a fast expand and your opponent does not, and you

successfully defend this expansion, you have won the game.

Note: On maps with backdoor rocks, be sure to keep an eye on them. If the Protoss

player decides to destroy them around the 7 minute mark, you will want to throw

up a Bunker here and move your army into position to block the ramp. A 4-Gate

timing push up your back door can be deadly if it goes unnoticed.

Offensive Option

If your opponent manages to scout your expansion and sees your Command

Center, there is an equally probable chance that he will go for a fast expansionhimself. This is actually not a bad situation at all for the Terran player.

What you will want to do in this situation is grab a 3rd Barracks at ~31 supplies

and throw on a Tech Lab and continue to pump Marines and Marauders. Once you

are at about 45-50 supply count, push out.

Note: As soon as you scout the second Nexus being thrown down, grab Stimpacks

at your Tech Lab.

This may not seem like a large army, but grabbing a Nexus does two things for theProtoss player. First off, it really cuts into their army size (4 Zealots will go a long

way early in the game).

Secondly, and most importantly, the entrance to natural expansions is very wide.

Any good Protoss player will not let you push with MM early in the game because

he will split your army with Force Fields if you try to push up his ramp.


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Since even the most favorable maps for Protoss need several forcefields to block

off the entrance to the natural, this makes invading the opponent's base as a Terran

player much easier.

The truth is that Marines and Marauders (especially with Stimpacks) utterly

annihiliate tier 1 Protoss ground units (Stalkers, Zealots, and Sentries). Resource

for resource, the Terran ground army is far superior in the early game.

By grabbing an early expansion, the Protoss player makes himself very vulnerable

to a push which would normally be prevented thanks to Force Field. While you

may not end the game here, you can put a huge dent in the Protoss player's army

and force him to create more Tier 1 ground units.

This prevents the Protoss player from both teching up and from saturating his

second expansion. Meanwhile, you will be winning in the resource war (since yourunits are better) and you can afford to use some resources for SCVs and tech

thanks to MULEs.

Long Game

In both situations, you can tech up based on what your opponent does. In nearly all

TvP match-ups, MMM will consist of the bulk of your army.

As the game moves on, add 3 Vikings for every 1 Colossus the Protoss player has.

Add a few Ghosts for EMP if High Templar enter the field. Add Siege Tanks inonce you take your 3rd expansion to provide some static defense and map control.

Conclusion

The 2 Rax FE build is one that all Terran players should master for any TvP

match-ups. It truly is one of the most powerful build orders in the game and you

can use it in practically any TvP game.

Terran Build Orders

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