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So as we all know, the FFE is a pretty ugly build which delays our tech and leaves us in the dark for the most part as to what the zerg is doing, not to mention it isn't that safe after all considering those zergs who discover the potential of agression. All that just so that toss only starts falling behind in economy later. Of course we all know 3gate FE is even worse.

So here is an alternative I've come up with:

9 pylon
9/10 gate
10 cross scout first
13 forge

-> put on combined zealot and cannon pressure


You can use the zealots to defend cannons warping in, you can use them to pull of a triple pylon block.

If it goes well, you kill him or at least get ahead in economy, if it doesn't you'll have delayed both your nexus and his hatch, but considering your gateway is already up and your tech gets startedd faster you still walk away with a minor victory compared to FFE.

The last game I played using this is linked below, will post more if you want:

www.sc2replayed.com/replay-videos/17343


So, what do you think? Could this be an alternative to the FFE or is it not possible not to be a total bore every single game because zerg won't let us?

Seems like a huge risk to take to me. Then again, I think it's pretty had to cheese Zerg anyway. (Except 3 pylon block, etc.)

21/01/2012 15:02Posted by Snowy

Seems like a huge risk to take to me. Then again, I think it's pretty had to cheese Zerg anyway. (Except 3 pylon block, etc.)

Where is the risk?
You sacrifice a little economy with an almost 100% chance of getting back to even at least and when it goes well he is far behind or even dead.
And if you think 3pylon blovk is fine, well it can be made part of this build.

Ok, you have me interested. Can you post a couple more replays about this build and maybe work out the build orders a bit more?

Ok I'll post more replays as they come along.
I'll see if I have the time today.

21/01/2012 15:37Posted by Vardaine

maybe work out the build orders a bit more?

Well I don't think there is much to work out, you just chrono out 2 zealots and attack.


Edit: I'm thinking about proxying the gate, although I'm not sure that's isn't too all innish.

Works against a fastexpanding terran as well because the zealots will be there before the bunker and at the latest after the first marine:

www.sc2replayed.com/replay-videos/17348

What would happen if you wouldnt build the gate on 9 but on a more economic time, say 12?

9pylon, 12gate, 14 forge and then do the same thing.

Whould you be too late in that case?

21/01/2012 17:08Posted by Vardaine

Whould you be too late in that case?

Yeah I guess it would be too late, 11 might work though on smaller maps like the new 2player map.

I did this on shattered temple to a diamond zerg and beat him, went cannon outside his natural and reinforced with 2-3 zealots, destroyed the natural and then expanded off of this. difference is i built my buildings on the high ground before expanding....and gateway first then zealots.
it works quite well but the 3 pylon trick isnt necessary, just doing early damaging to the hatchery and causing the zerg to use early larva on zerglings rather than drones is enough.

Also you delay there tech so going air as a follow up with +1 zealots is an amazing follow up!!!

http://www.sc2replayed.com/replay-videos/17371

Here is another replay.

The map is Entombed Valley not Shattered Temple, that map name just wasn't in the selection.


Edit:
Could have finished him much earlier if I had dealt better with the counterattack.

21/01/2012 19:59Posted by FumCacial

Also you delay there tech so going air as a follow up with +1 zealots is an amazing follow up!!!

My favorite followup is a warpgate push, since you already have the proxy pylon.

Nice strat, man, I'll try it for sure. I guess at my plat level it will work like a charm.
Cheers for sharing.

Sounds interesting. I'll try it out.

Looks nice.

Surely the correct zerg response is to cancel the hatch and make it at the third instead as soon as they see the zealot. Got any experience vs opponents that try that?

As for vs terran it seems like you would be quite far behind if he did not FE and your attack was blind in that case. How far back does it put you?

Surely the correct zerg response is to cancel the hatch and make it at the third instead as soon as they see the zealot. Got any experience vs opponents that try that?

No they usually don't do that, but if they do, you're ahead.

As for vs terran it seems like you would be quite far behind if he did not FE and your attack was blind in that case. How far back does it put you?

You can block the SCV from finishing the wall with a pylon, and you're only behind 1-3 probes.