Starcraft 2 - Build Order Strategies
In Starcraft, the build order is simply the order in which the player chooses to build structures and units. The number of different possibilities allow a variety of different buildings to be created in a specific progression. This order is consciously chosen by a skilled player and often mistakenly ignored by amateurs.
Build orders come in different varieties and in some cases depend on player's creativity. Build orders depend on the player's race, but more importantly they depend on player's intentions. For example, a micro strategy may require the player to focus on using less worker units to mine minerals or vespene gas. While this will obviously slow down the progress of player's long-term economy, the player will have the advantage of focusing on building offense units quicker (because he would be using minerals on offense units instead of worker units or building structures) and therefore will possibly be able to attack the enemy earlier in the game.
When using this micro approach described above it is also important to send the very first worker unit available from the start of the game to scout the enemy's territory. This will allow you to get a sneak peek at the enemy's build order as well and based on that information you will be able to make better choices as far as your strategy goes. Knowing what the enemy is doing is another important element of a skilled player's strategy.
It is possible to focus on short-term as well as long-term strategies. Build orders relate to the period of time during which the player wishes to execute his next strategy as well as his style of gameplay which is open to improvisation and creativity.
Terran Build Orders
Zerg Build Orders
Protoss Build Orders
Additional things you should know about your build order
None of the build orders are better than others. Think of build orders as a segment of your overall strategy and not something that will guarantee a win. The same goes for other elements of your strategy as a Starcraft player. Playing Starcraft 2 is a lot like gambling. Your ranking will improve as a result of your overall performance and will depend on your knowledge of various elements of the game. Build order is one of those elements. You will lose many games, but you will also win. By avoiding thinking about a build order and what it should be, you are shifting the odds of winning the game over to the player on the opposing team.
Standard build order vs build order improvisations
Just because standard build orders exist doesn't mean that you must follow them exactly to the last detail. One of the fun parts of getting better at the game is doing your own experiments. After all the standard build orders were discovered by other players by playing the game and experimenting. Pay attention to how the enemy reacts to your build and your units. Next time try to think ahead. For example if your enemy has spotted your Zerg Roach units, if that player is smart, he will immediately start thinking about building a counter unit, such as Mutalisk (if he is also a Zerg).
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