subject: Some Crucial Starcraft Zerg Strategy Tips [print this page] Those Damn Sentries Those Damn Sentries
Any Starcraft Zerg Strategy that pertains to fighting a Protoss in Starcraft 2 has to first talk about a way of killing Sentries. The Sentry is a Protoss unit introduced in SC2 and it has proven to be a rush killer in many Zerg vs. Protoss matches.
Similarly to the original game, the Zerg are still good at early rushing. However, the Protoss can now counteract a Zergling rush with Force Fields. This is a Sentry ability used to great effect by Protoss players to either completely block access to their base or to split up a swarm of Zerglings.
You have to keep in mind that your Zerglings are only powerful when there are lots of them and when they surround an enemy unit. If they are kept at bay, then ranged units can pound them into the ground in no time flat.
So depending on the first pieces of information you gather on what your opponent is building you have to make a quick decision. If you're met with Sentries then it's time to stop making Zerglings and switch either to Roaches or Hydralisks.
Roaches or Hydralisks?
The answer to this question can only come from constantly scouting your enemy. They are both good ranged units but each of them has their strengths and weaknesses.
Roaches
You can make Roaches faster than Hydras and they are cheaper as well. They do great base damage against ground units, have a lot of hit points and are also well-armored.
Now that last characteristic, while sounding good might prove to be a great disadvantage against the Protoss player. Stalkers and especially Immortals will do extra damage to armored targets. This means that your Roaches will be quickly obliterated when dealing with those two types of units.
The Protoss can make Stalkers pretty quickly so by the time you get there with your Roaches he might already have enough to survive your attack. On the other hand, the Roaches work great against Zealots and Sentries, thanks to their powerful ranged attack and large pool of hit points.
Hydralisks
These take a little longer to produce and cost more than Roaches, but they are a viable counter to certain Protoss units. While it is true that they have less hit points and do less damage than the Roaches, they do have a longer range and can also fire at air units. Also they are not armored which makes them a great counter to Stalkers. Their longer range only makes them even more effective against Sentries.
Don't Let Him Expand
In order to thrive as a Zerg you need access to a lot of resources. Getting a lot of gas, especially from the mid-game forward is crucial. In order for you to expand at your leisure you need to keep close tabs on your enemy and hinder him from expanding. Constantly scout his base and harass his scouts. As a Zerg it is also important to keep an eye out for incoming attacks so make sure that you keep some Zerglings close to his base in order to observe any troop movements. This strategy might prove to be his downfall as you might be able to breach his defenses and swarm into his Probes.
