The Terran vs Protoss matchup can be kind of tricky. If you get too greedy in the beginning and fast expand it can be really hard to hold off a Protoss 4 Gate push. If you go for a 1 base all-in (like a 3 Rax) and a good player defends it you’ll be dead in the water heading into the mid game and surely lose. So what’s a Terran player to do?
The 2 Rax Expand Opening – Terran vs Protoss
I’ve been wanting to change my Terran vs Protoss strategy (the one I use most anyway) to a more aggressive build that allows me to attack a bit sooner, but still not sacrifice my economy. The strategy I’ve been using most lately is a 1 Barracks fast expand into 3 Orbital Commands quite early, which is quite vulnerable to 1 base timings.
So I did some looking around and whaddya know, Day [9] just did a daily about the Terran 2 Rax expand opening against Protoss. Perfect!
I think this build is just what I’m looking for because it pressures the Protoss early on when Marines and Marauders are most powerful (in small numbers) and it still allows you to get 2 bases (sometimes 3) relatively quickly. It’s a fun Terran build order and a great middle road strategy between all-in and heavy macro.
2 Rax Expand Build Order
The whole point of the 2 Barracks expand build order is to get 2 Barracks up really fast (1 w/ Tech Lab, 1 w/ Reactor), start pumping units and upgrading your infantry, then throw down an expansion fairly early. It’s not a fast expand build, so your push needs to do some damage against a Protoss player that does fast expand to keep yourself in the game.
You’ll build 1 Marine out of your first Barracks, then add a Reactor on it while you build Barracks #2. When second Barracks is done add a Tech Lab to it. Research Concussive Shells first and constantly make Marines & Marauders. Like usual, you should constantly be making SCVs and building Supply Depots so you don’t get supply blocked.
Here’s the basic 2 Barracks Expand build order:
10 Supply
12 Barracks
13 Refinery
15 Orbital Command + Marine
16 Barracks + Reactor on 1st Barracks + Supply Depot
2 Marines
Tech Lab on Rax when finished
Marauder + Concussive Shells upgrade
ATTACK when 1st Marauder comes out (should have 5 Marines) + Rally Barracks to enemy base
Research Combat Shield when Concussive Shells finish
Build 1st Expansion @ 400 minerals
@7:45 – 8:00 – 2nd Refinery + Factory + Stim Pack
Barracks
Starport + Reactor on Factory
Engineering Bay
2 Barracks as you take expansion (Total 5)
Swap Starport & Factory+ Build 2 Medivacs
@~11:00 – ATTACK (w/ 2 Medivacs & Stimpack)
From here it’s up to you!
2 Barracks Expand Opening Strategy
As the game goes on, you’ll have to react to what the Protoss player does to stay ahead. If you do some good damage with your first 2 attacks, try to get your third base out at around 13:00. Don’t necessarily go for the kill unless it’s a sure thing. Once you get ahead, you can expand and get even further ahead to ensure your victory a few minutes later in the game.
During your attacks, make use of kiting as much as you are able. With Concussive Shells you will be able to kite Zealots very effectively, so do your best!
When you get Medivacs out, be sure to use them to your advantage. If you see that his army is massed up in front, load up your Medivacs and drop into the back of his base. This will throw your opponent off a bit and potentially put your army in a much better situation than if you were to try to engage up a ramp.
Engaging in any tight spots is dangerous since Sentries can Force Field units and trap them. If this happens you can load the trapped units up into the Medivacs and retreat for a few seconds, then attack again when the Force Fields wear down. You can also feel free to load up and attack the front once his units run into his base to defend your drop.
The 2 Barracks expand is very versatile and can be flexible where you need it to be. Since you are being aggressive, you’ll know what your opponent is up to, so you can react as needed.
If you see a Robotics Facility and a Robotics Bay in their base, then you can bet on Colossi coming out. So build another Starport or 2 and pump out some Vikings to quickly deal with the Colossi in your next engagement. If you see Immortals coming out you can go Marine heavy to make them ineffective. Another option is to build a Ghost Academy and get some Ghosts out to EMP the Protoss shields to help your engagements.
Learn More About The 2 Rax Expand Opening
Like I mentioned earlier, I found this build and analysis on the Day [9] Daily, which if you haven’t heard of you should definitely check out! It’s an hour long show where he goes through several games of Terran players using this build and explains how the games play out. If you want to learn more about it, click here to watch part 1 of the daily.
If you have any questions about it, let me know in the comments below!
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