Intro:

As a preface to this post, I should disclaim that I generally don’t think all-ins should be standard weapons in your arsenal. However, learning the timings of all-ins is valuable in understanding how to scout them and how to defense them. And occasionally, pulling one out can catch your opponent off guard and can frankly be pretty fun.

Naniwa was crippled at MLG Providence when Leenock exploited this super aggressive 1 base all-in to punish his FFE opening. Let’s take a look at how it’s done.

Strategy and Build Order:

The basic idea is to fake an expansion, cancel it, and hit the Protoss with 10 roaches and 20 speedlings before the 8 minute mark and warpgate / stargate finishes.

14 Gas

14 Pool

15 Overlord

15 Queen / 6 lings / zergling speed

20 Expansion Hatchery

19 Drone

20 Overlord x2

20 Roach Warren

Cancel Hatch

10 roach @ 20/42 supply

Pull off gas, overlord

Stream lings endlessly

Timing

Depending on rush distance and execution, your army should hit between 7:20 - 7:40.

Execution

One of the most critical parts of this build is that the Protoss does not scout your cancelled hatch. Your zerglings must aggressively comb the map to deny scouting. If your cancelled hatch is scouted, the Protoss could easily reinforce his wall with additional cannons and sentries. To do this, place 1 zergling outside his base, 1 at each tower, and the rest patrolling chokes and searching for hidden probes. Kill zealots/stalkers with lings, and do not let him see your roaches.

Assuming you’ve done your job, you should be met with a pretty weak defense when your army arrives. Focus down cannons and pylons with your roaches, and then send in your lings to kill probes once a hole is exposed. If he’s going Stargate, destroy the pylon powering it.

Transitioning:

lol

Links: