"Never ‘REALLY’ piss me off."
-Heartcutter
|
| PvZ on Silent Vortex | | | Author: | | | IP: | 1Cust64.XXXX | | Date: | 05/05/02 06:05 | | Game Type: | Starcraft | | Labels: | none | | Report Rating: , # of Ratings: 3, Max: 10, Min: 6
Lifetime Rating for mick: 7.8627 |    | |
|
Let's just begin -
Stormbeast starts in a dusky North Western position with chosen Protoss, while Shock_U decides he wants to colonize his Zerg in the great South East. Both clone thier workers and start thier typical ZvP/PvZ builds.
Stormbeast begins a Pylon on 8 supply and sends the Probe to scout eastward, following with 10 Gate, 13 Gate, 13 Pylon - setting up Zealot production from 2 Gateways.
Shock_U opts for a Hatchery at 9 supply, placing it in his natural expo to the left. A Spawing Pool comes on 12 and gas on 14, just in time for Stormbeast's Probe to catch an eyeful or 5.
Shock_U sends 4 Drones to his now functioning expansion, attacking(but not killing) the deviant Probe en route, inadvertantly giving Stormbeast awareness of the expo.
During this time Stormbeast, not wanting to be outresourced starts on gas and an expansion of his own.
Shock_U, having sent Overlords respectively to the top right and bottom left start positions, used the process of elimination and sends a dozen speed upgraded Zerglings north-west. Stormbeast's wandering Probe comes in contact with a few of the lings, alerting him to the impending attack. He is already pretty much prepared for it, but makes a few last minute adjustments with his Zealot wall.
Stormbeast's Zealots fail to hold the line. Shock_U sends his Lings further inwards discovering the second Zealot walled ramp. Again the Zealots fail to keep out the Zergling intruders. Shock_U's Lings now head for the main Nexus, dry of probes due to an earlier maynard to Stormbeast's natural expansion.
The Zerglings kill a few probes before dying to Probe/Zealot micro.
Both players are still focused on the big picture, Stormbeast playing it safe by getting Templar tech which is just as well, for Shock_U's Spire has now finished morphing.
Shock_U adds some power to his main by placing a Hatchery and later two Sunkens at his initial ramp at the same time ordering a single Drone north to colonize the top right natural. Stormbeast fortifies his own natural expansion, placing cannons either side of his Nexus, and making do with a single Cannon and Archon at his main.
Shock_U sends out his new Mutalisk pack along with a detatchment of Zerglings. They head through the centre of the frozen lake but pause outside one of its small isles. The Mutalisks break off north in an attempt to flank Stormbeast's expansion.
Shock_U's Mutalisks go hard out on the expansion, attacking the 2 Cannons head on and preventing a third from finishing its warp. Stormbeast pulls an Archon from his ramp to fend off the Muta threat. Shock_U sees it and retreats internally, hovering above the ridge between both Protoss bases before meeting up with thier Zergling companions, who are now engaging the Zealot wall.
Stormbeast's Zealots pop every last Zergling so Shock_U once again exploits the separate bases, hugging the ridge and harrassing the Protoss Expansion. Stormbeast somehow misplaced his army temporarily, eventually getting an Archon at his expo. The Mutas feel it better to avoid Archon contact and head left towards Stormbeast's Main Nexus which is now guarded only by a single Cannon. The Mutalisks quickly destroy the Cannon, leaving an open mineral line. Stormbeast, under pressure, brings all 3 Archons to the Nexus. Shock_U now decides it's time to bug out, and retreats south with his 6 remaining Mutalisks.
Quiet time rears its ugly head once again, so let's take a look at the map -
Shock_U has began gas mining at his newest expo(top right natural), and seems eager to take the Main just above it. Back at home he adds another Hatchery and a Queens Nest.
Stormbeast feeling confident, places a dozen Zealot/High Templar on the top island and starts warping in a Nexus and Pylon.
Break over, back to the action.
Thanks to a very well placed Overlord, Shock_U is able to see every step of Stormbeast's Expansion attempt, and he's not gonna take it lying down. He brings in another wave of Muta/Ling.
With PSI Storm and 1+ attack for Zealots, the Zerglings last all of 2 seconds. Shock_U's Mutalisks back off for a second but re-engage, picking on the Templars and a still warping Cannon. With no anti-air whatsoever, the Mutalisks focus on the now finished Nexus.
Well Stormbeast's backup troops arrive just in time... just in time to see 9 Mutalisks retreating.
Stormbeast calls a Probe into the centre. Upon arrival he is given the task of warping in a new Nexus along with a couple of Cannons.
4 Zealots pulled out of defense from the Mutalisk attack set about searching corners of the map for Zerg Expansions. First exploring the empty main to the lower-left, then the diagonally opposite, top-right Main.
The 4 Zealots discover a relatively bare Zerg expansion. Shock_U's Mutalisks quickly shoo the Zealots back to the Icy centre.
Stormbeast sees an opportunity and goes for it, sending a dozen Zealots along with Archon/Goon/Temp support. The Protoss ground force tears through the ungaurded expansion unhindered. Shock_U sets up 2 creep colonies, but they are of no use, sharing the Hatcherys fate. Mutalisks are brought in, but retreat as the base falls and a PSI Storm brews.
Stormbeast pulls his troops back to the centre island, killing several Muta on the way, but ignoring Shock_U's expo at the top-right natural!?
Mere seconds later, Stormbeast's attention is once again focuses on his natural expansion where it seems that Shock_U has sent a small group of brand new Hydralisks. Zealots are dispatched to deal with the Hydras, but not before losing a number of Probes.
The number of bases stand at 3 per player.
More quiet time as both players regroup and rethink strategy.
Stormbeast's main force gathers on both sides of the middle expansion. With his main and natural running close to empty, this expo is Stormbeast's biggest income source for the time being.
Shock_U having reached Hive tech, morphs 9 Ultralisks. The Chitinous Plated/Anabolicily Synthesised Ultras join 2 dozen battle ready Hydralisks in the marshalling area of Shock_U's base.
Stormbeast sends a single Corsair to the mid-right of the map. The Corsair then follows orders to scout the Zerg base and if need be, sacrifice itself for the good of the conclave.
Within several seconds it is discovered and under attack. Stormbeast catches a flash of an Ultralisk Cavern, then confirming the existence of Ultras at the cost of the Corsair. Reaver tech begins at the top-left Protoss base.
Up North, Shock_U again attempts to expand to the Top-Right main. Just as his naked hatchery finishes, 7 Zealots storm in thanks to a tip off from a squealing Probe. 350 minerals down the drain for Shock_U.
Shock_U decides it's time to remove the shrink wrap from his Ultralisks and loads them into several nearby Overlords. The drop squad heads West along the rim of the frozen lake. Doing it tougher are the Hydralisks, forced to cross the icy lake with 2 main concerns,
the Protoss, who are little more than a stones throw away and,
getting their tails stuck to the ice, good luck finding warm water in this place.
real funny, idiot
Stormbeast rallies a medium sized force of ground troops just to the right of the bottom island. Realising his lack of scouting around the bottom-left bases, he sends a Corsair Westward to investigate.
Before the Corsair gets a chance to head South, it encounters numerous Overlords coming North - Shock_U's suprise drop is no longer a suprise. The Overlords retreat to the Hydralisk swarm nearby, who are seconds later involved in a skirmish with Protoss ground troops.
Shock_U unloads his Ultras, quickly crushing the outnumbered Protoss and boosting morale among the rest of the Zerg.
Shock_U REloads his Ultralisks and continues with his original plan. The drop squad heads for the bottom of Stormbeast's main, Hydralisks rush up the left side of the lake - contending with Protoss resistance, and even some recently morphed Mutalisks join in the fun, flanking from the top-middle of the map.
To see the drop click here
The horrific attack is fought off with the all too common Probe/Zealot/Dragoon/Archon/Dark & High Templar/Reaver/Corsair combo.
During a short lull from fighting, Stormbeast sends a Probe to start a Nexus at the bottom-left main only to find a half-baked Zerg Expansion already occupying it. The Probe heads a little higher to the natural where a Hatchery has just begun to morph.
In a case of premature attackulation, Shock_U mounts two successive although unsuccessful rushes against Stormbeast's top island expansion. Hydralisks first, doing very little against Zealots and Cannons, followed by Mutalisks who are stormed down in mere seconds.
Back at the bottom-left, Stormbeast shuttles a Reaver to the natural, denying yet another Zerg expansion. Heading that way also are a small group of Dark Templar and Dragoons. As the first few Protoss units ascend the initial ramp, they are attacked from behind by a slightly larger group of Ultralisks and Hydralisks.
Shock_U neglects Overlords for detection, forcing a temporary Zerg retreat.
Shock_U reengages, but heads for the bottom island where Stormbeast has started warping a Nexus. Stormbeast's ground troops have already relocated to the expo and use the ramp to thier advantage, buying some time.
Shock_U looks to have the upper hand until Stormbeast's Goon/Reaver reinforcements arrive, winning the battle.
Things settle slightly for a moment, Shock_U manages to snag the top-right expansion(finally) but his unit count falls dangerously low. He sets up a small Hydralisk drop, sending it to the bottom island.
The drop fails miserably due to the overwhelming Protoss presence.
 space 
Stormbeast sets up an expansion at the bottom-left natural and sends 2 nearby goons take a look at what seems to be a fully operational Zerg main just below. Stormbeast brings in his trusty Reaver joined by heavy Goon reinforcements. Shock_U puts up a decent fight using all proximal forces to try and salvage the expo but the Protoss are just too powerful. With this most recent loss, Shock_U has been vanquished from the entire left half of the map.
Stormbeast looks to have control of the game - Shock_U is down but not out. He scrapes together a mediocre group of Hydra/Ultra and without wasting too much time, rushes the bottom island expo. Stormbeast is caught off guard and hurridly brings in much needed backup. The Dragoon and Dark Templar reinforcements tip the scale in favour of the Protoss.
Just as one attack is over, another begins! This time at the bottom-left natural which is very important to Stormbeast's economy. A couple of Overlords drop 8 Hydralisks, killing 3 Zealot guards and a small number of Probes. A shuttle containing 2 Reavers comes to the rescue, taking out the remaining Hydras.
Shock_U once again pulls something out of nothing, coming up with a reasonable Muta/Ling force. They come out fighting hard, smashing 5 Goons just outside the ramp.
Like a beacon for trouble, the bottom island expansion is once more the target of focussed Zerg fury. The Muta/Ling meet with heavy Protoss opposition and are infact countered near perfectly.
Starting a new offensive trend, Shock_U orders a separate attack on the top island expo with ~15 Hydras. This expansion has no minerals and very little gas remaining so even though the attack was stopped, it was kind of a half victory : \
Stormbeast is still content on playing it safe. He expands to the bottom-left main and adds more troop protection to the bottom island. This gives Shock_U plenty of time to stockpile a hefty Zerg ground force consisting of Zerglings/Hydras/Ultras. They rally just below Stormbeast's island expo but in a change of strategy, head for the bottom-left bases while half a dozen Lings infiltrate the top-left natural, now nothing more than a few unused buildings.
Unable to mobilize his troops in time, Stormbeast loses both expansions, starting a Pizza Hut effect. Shock_U now for the 5th time attacks the bottom island expansion.
The Zerg swarm continues on its destructive path, wiping clean the top island before taking part in a deadly face off between the majority of both players' forces.
The ensuing battle is very bloody and casualties mount quickly on both sides. Stormbeast, outnumbered by far, uses impressive Reaver micromanagement to make up for the lack of units.
Surrounded only by ice and blood, the few Protoss survivors celebrate their efforts.
The victory is shortlived, Stormbeast takes a glance back at his main before letting a tear drop from his eye,
Both players say a hearty GG. Stormbeast leaves the game followed by the 4 open-jawed observers giving Shock_U a few seconds to bask in the serenity. "I'm not sure he knew what serenity meant, I think he just like to say it."
Check the stats here or download the replay
|
|
|
|
Home
Forum
Starcraft Tournaments
