Starcraft 2 Protoss vs Protoss Strategies
The Protoss vs Protoss match-up is the most static match-up in all of Starcraft 2. There is very little variation in builds and most matches will go the same way simply because one build outshines the rest. In this Starcraft 2 Protoss guide, you will find out what that build is and get some Starcraft 2 tips that you can use to help gain an advantage over the competition.
Starcraft 2 Protoss vs Protoss Strategies – The 4 Gate
Almost all Protoss vs Protoss match-ups in Starcraft 2 come down to the 4-gate. This involves getting out a Gateway at 12 supplies, an Assimilator at 13-14 supplies, a Cybernetics Core as soon as your Gateway is done, and then saving up for 3 Gateways, dropping them all down when you have the money.
Most 4-Gates use in between 19 and 22 Probes, and most 4 Gates only use 1 Assimilator. This is because you need to spend all your resources on units, and 19-22 Probes is all you need to fund constant production off of 4 Warp Gates.
While this article is a good starting point, if you are serious about getting better at Starcraft 2, we recommend HotKeyIt, the only guide created by pros. You can get it by clicking here.The general strategy for an offensive 4-Gate is to just get 19 Probes, Chrono Boost out Warp Gate technology, make a proxy Pylon, and start warping in tons of Stalkers and Zealots. Sentries are rarely used when it comes to offensive 4-Gates, though they can be used if you are on the defensive.
Most players however make the bulk of their army Stalkers. This is because Stalkers are much faster than Zealots and can easily kite Zealots. You only need to make enough Zealots to deal with your opponent’s Zealots; you can let the Zealots fight each other and use your Stalkers to pick off your opponent’s Stalkers.
That is the general idea behind 4-Gate micro; just keep warping in Stalkers, avoid Zealots, and focus down Stalkers. Run from Zealots, stop after a second or two to shoot, run again, and repeat this process.
A lot of what happens in the 4-Gate comes down to micro, but there are a few things you can do to influence the outcome of this battle depending on your strong points.
If you are good at Stalker micro, you want to be the offensive one in this match-up. Go right for 19-Probe 4-Gate, proxy, and go in with your Stalkers. Chrono Boost your Gateways regularly and keep pushing out Stalkers. If your micro is good you will win every time. Even better, you can tech into Blink, and if your Blink micro is good that will make you even better.
On the other hand, if your Stalker micro is not so good, another option is to build a few Sentries and use Force Fields to hold off the ramp from the 4-Gate, while building a quick Robotics Facility. Immortals put a quick stop to Stalkers, even Blink Stalkers, as long as the forces are somewhat equal.
Large Maps: Protoss vs Protoss Strategies
On larger maps, sometimes the 4-Gate is hard to pull off just because it can take awhile to scout out your opponent. This is especially prevalent on some of the newer large maps that have been popular as of late.
What you can do in this situation is go for 2-Gate 1-Robo opening, allowing you to get early Immortals (good vs Stalker-heavy 4-Gate) or even racing to Colossus. The Colossus is the premiere unit in PvP late-game, simply because the Protoss have no real counter to it.
Vikings and Corruptors are the Terran and Zerg answer to the Colossus. The Protoss has no true air-supremacy unit; while the Void Ray does do bonus damage against the Colossus, it has a relatively short range and is way too expensive to be cost effective. Terran and Zerg players can throw away Vikings and Corruptors to take out Colossi simply because Vikings and Corruptors are so cheap. Void Rays are expensive, so you cannot sacrifice them to take out Colossi.
Both of these are viable Starcraft 2 Protoss vs Protoss strategies, but only on a sufficiently large map or when you scout that your opponent is not going for a 4-Gate. However, if your opponent is not going for a 4-Gate, you definitely want to go for a 4-Gate as that is a guaranteed and easy win!
You now have a good idea of how to play the Starcraft 2 Protoss vs Protoss mirror match. It is very straight forward and 99% of your matches will come down to one or both players opting to 4-Gate. Master and perfect this build and you will start winning these matches easily.
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