The video is in Bulgarian. This page sums it up in English.
Bulgarian Protoss Kaloyan Dimitrov (Zelias) on PvP and PvT: beating a Manner Pylon and 2 Gateway rush, low-ground Gateways, 2 Stargate Carriers and the 2v2 meta.
- Clear a Manner PylonManner PylonA Pylon built in the opponent's mineral line to block a patch and slow their mining. in your minerals with your first Zealot, without panic.
- A Gateway on the low ground saves 6–7 seconds of walking to the enemy.
- Put the Reaver back in the Shuttle as soon as it fires.
Try these in your next game
Tick a lesson once you have practised it.
How many hits?
Check the numbers from this episode, or try any pair of units. Armour comes off every hit, then the damage type scales what is left by the target's size. Shields take full damage.
Brood War base stats against one target: no splash, bounce or Chitinous Plating.
What this episode covers
- Grast opens episode 10 on Protoss and introduces the guest Kaloyan Dimitrov (Zelias).
- The Protoss as the firstborn of the Xel'Naga, their telepathic link (the Khala) and their expensive units.
- The first replay, a PvPPvPProtoss versus Protoss. between Zelias and his opponent on the four-player map Fighting SpiritFighting SpiritA four-player map and one of the most played 1v1 maps in Brood War..
- How to deal with a Manner Pylon in your mineral line with your first Zealot and Dragoon microMicroControlling individual units in a fight: focus fire, pulling back hurt units, spreading out..
- Holding a two-Gateway rush with Reaver and Shuttle, then counter-attacking the enemy economy.
- The second replay, a PvT between Zelias and the Bulgarian Terran Mukja on Fighting Spirit.
- A forward Gateway on the low ground to save walking time for the first Zealots.
- The move to two Stargates and Carriers, backed by Observers for scoutingScoutingSending a unit to see what your opponent is building and where. and map control.
- Zelias joins live and talks about his path since 1998.
- How the 2v2 format and its strategy differ from the 1v1 meta.
- Zelias on control groupsControl groupsCtrl + a number key saves the selected units or buildings to that key; press it to select them again, twice to jump the camera there. Up to 12 units per group., Reaver handling and the Dark Archon in the late game.
Test yourself
4 quick questions on this episode.
1. How many Zealot attacks kill a Marine?
A Zealot hits for 2 × 8 = 16 per attack and a Marine has 40 HP: three attacks.
2. How much time does a low-ground Gateway save?
The Zealot reaches the Terran base sooner, so the pressure starts earlier.
3. What does Zelias move to against Mukja?
On a stable two-base economy he builds two Stargates and keeps watch with Observers.
4. How should you answer a Manner Pylon in your mineral line?
The workers mine another patch while the Zealot kills the Pylon.
Questions this episode answers
What is a Manner Pylon and how do you counter it?
Protoss builds a Pylon in the opponent's mineral line, blocking a mineral patch and slowing the workers. Move the trapped Probes to another patch and send your first Zealot to destroy the Pylon.
Why does Zelias build a Gateway on the low ground against Terran?
It shortens the walk to the Terran base and saves about 6–7 seconds for the first Zealot, so the pressure on the Marines and SCVs starts earlier.
Why bring a Probe along with an early Zealot against a Marine?
A Zealot needs three attacks to kill a Marine. If a Probe adds one or two hits, the Marine dies after just two Zealot attacks, which makes the attack noticeably faster.
Why is the 2v2 meta different from 1v1?
In 2v2 race combinations and early aggression are far more dangerous. It takes different coordination, synchronised rushes and adapting to two opponents at once.
Full summary
Episode 10 is a Protoss special with guest Kaloyan Dimitrov (Zelias), one of the most successful Bulgarian Protoss players of the first generation. It is for beginners, intermediate and competitive players who want to sharpen their micro, positioning and the specific PvP and PvT fights, and to hear more about the history of the Bulgarian Brood War community.
The first half analyses two of Zelias's games on Fighting Spirit. In a close PvP his opponent opens with an early Manner Pylon and a two-Gateway attack, and Zelias neutralises both with precise Dragoon and Reaver micro. In a PvT against the Bulgarian Terran Mukja he places a Gateway forward on the low ground and later moves to two Stargates and Carriers.
In the second half Zelias joins live to talk about starting in 1998, how the 2v2 meta differs from 1v1, Dark Archon and Reaver mechanics, and his advice on a steady economy and control groups.