Protoss Players
A strategy that I have developed which works very effectively in long ladder games is one in which I call the "defense-carrier" rush. This rush almost guarantees a win in any 1v1 game, as long as you are prepared to play a long game (more than 45 minutes).

The first step is to build up defenses, this is done by building lots of cannons, some zealots and a shield battery.

The second step is to build up as many carriers as you can, so as soon as possible build the stargates.

Once you have 6 carriers you can rush your opponent, with 6 carriers you are almost unstoppable, if your carriers become damaged, just take them back to base and recharge the shields. This attacking and recharging could take a long time, but with persistence it is a guaranteed win for you!

Terran Players
An effective Terran strategy that works in virtually all land maps (unless your opponent does the defense-carrier rush) is the "Tank Rush", this strategy has worked for me in every game up until I created the defense-carrier rush. So assuming your opponent attempts a land rush, this tank rush will easily allow you to win, however if your opponent does the defense-carrier rush, your chances of winning is greatly diminished.

The first step is to wall in your choke point, then pump out about 15 marines, with enough gas build 2 factories. research siege mode. Build an engineering bay and float it to enemy entrance, send 2 or more tanks with marine support to near enemy base. Siege mode the tanks and the engineering bay will spot for the tanks. If enemy has no long range air units such as carriers, you have won!

Zerg Players
The Zergs is a very flexible race to use. If you are playing against a newbie, and want to really impress the newbie, try the "two-minute zergling" rush. To do this rush, send the probes to minerals, then wait until you have 150 minerals, use the 150 minerals to build a spawning pool. now build two more probes and send to minerals, send your overlord to recon. As soon as the spawning pool is ready, pump out 6 zerglings and rush your enemy. This is the fastest rush of all the races, a newbie player will not be ready for a rush this soon so you will win easy.

For long games using Zergs, there are two main strategies. The first is the Hydralisk drop, basically to do this rush, is to build heaps of hydralisk (more than 35) and at the same time research carrying support for overlord. When carrying support is ready, put all hydralisks into overlords and send to enemy resources area. With so many hydralisks attacking and assuming most of your opponents defenses are at their choke point, your opponent is helpless. The crux of this strategy is to make sure your overlord reaches the opponent's base before they get shot down.

The other strategy for long games is the "mustalisks" rush. This rush is very effective in that most opponents will not have air units when you have mustalisks attacking them. However it does require multiple rushes to win and so is a very expensive attack. If your opponent tries the defense-carrier rush, you will need to use Scourges to destroy them. I have found that scourges is a very underused unit on bnet, but I actually find it one of the most effective air units.

Multiplayer Strategies
Yep, and of course there is the multiplayer strategies, the real fun of B.net. I must admit I am getting sick of playing 1v1 ladder games, and am increasingly enjoying playing team games. There is that special satisfaction about working as a team and being able to help each other defeat another team. Well here are some strategies that I have come up with in team games.

Firstly, try and combine your defenses if you have a common choke point, e.g. in the popular The Hunters Map where adjacent bases can have common choke points.

Secondly, attack together with your team mates at one target (base) rather than attacking a separate base each, e.g. it will be very difficult for that one opponent to defend against three enemies, and by the time his/her team mates arrive to help his base, it is too late.

Thirdly, either rush really early with ground units or build up defenses for a long game and go for powerful air units such as carriers. Never attack in mid game as your opponent will either have destroyed you with an early rush already or you will waste all your units trying to break through enemy defences and you will have nothing left when your enemy rushes you with all their power air units in late game. So select allie chat and decide with your team mates whether to rush early or late.

Do you have any cool strategies you would like to add here? Send them to me and I'll post them up.

Email me at [email protected]