2v2 Strategy with Zelias: Race Combos and Maps

The video is in Bulgarian. This page sums it up in English.

2v2 in StarCraft: Remastered with Bulgarian expert Zelias: race combinations, Irradiate on an ally, maps without a third gas, the high ground and scouting.

Try these in your next game

Tick a lesson once you have practised it.

• In 2v2 always scout both opponents early, so a synchronised rush or a hidden proxyProxyA building placed outside your base, near the opponent, for an early attack. doesn't catch you out.
• Use Zerg + Terran synergy: cast Irradiate from a Science Vessel on your ally's Archon or Mutalisk and send it into the enemy's biological army.
• On 2v2 maps without a third gas (such as Luna) favour Terran and Protoss combinations (Siege Tanks and Dragoons) that need less gas to mass.
• Take and hold the high ground: shooting uphill misses about half the time, a huge tactical advantage.
• Coordinate build orders with your ally: one player can take the early pressure with fast units (Zealots, Zerglings) while the other techs.
• When you play RandomRandomLetting the game pick your race, so your opponent doesn't know it until they scout you. in 2v2, use the early-game uncertainty to push your opponents into playing safe.

What this episode covers

1. Grast opens episode 23 with news: a new ladderLadderRanked online matchmaking: you are paired with opponents of a similar rating. season, Blizzard's new patch and the Bulgarian national team abroad.
2. Grast comments on the ASL semi-finals in Korea (Zero vs Rain and Soma vs Light).
3. The guest Kaloyan Dimitrov (Zelias) joins to share his long experience in competitive 2v2.
4. The main differences between 1v1 and 2v2: team race combinations and how they work together.
5. A 2v2 on Luna with the team of Kenzy (Zerg) and Aldaren against their opponents.
6. How maps without a third gas (such as Luna) shape the economy and favour combinations with Terran and Protoss.
7. 2v2 games on Requiem, Clayfields and Bubbles, and the importance of the high ground and positioning.
8. Combined microMicroControlling individual units in a fight: focus fire, pulling back hurt units, spreading out., such as a Science Vessel casting Irradiate on an allied Archon or Mutalisk to damage the enemy.
9. Why constant scoutingScoutingSending a unit to see what your opponent is building and where. matters in 2v2, to spot early aggression and hidden proxy buildings.
10. Zelias and Grast close with practical advice on drilling build orders and 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..

Test yourself

4 quick questions on this episode.

Questions this episode answers

Full summary

Episode 23 is a guide to the team format, two against two: strategy, synergy between races and what makes 2v2 different. It is for beginners, intermediate and competitive players who want to understand the 2v2 meta, coordination between teammates and the importance of the map.

The guest is Kaloyan Dimitrov (Zelias), one of the most experienced 2v2 players in Bulgaria and Europe. With Grast he goes through the key differences between 1v1 and 2v2, focusing on race combinations: Zerg + Terran (Mutalisks with Irradiate from Science Vessels), Protoss + Terran (Zealots and Dragoons with Siege Tanks) and Zerg + Protoss.

Looking at games by the European 2v2 specialists Kenzy and Aldaren on maps such as Luna, Requiem and newer clan maps (Clayfields and Bubbles), they explain how map layout, control of the high ground and the presence of a third gas shape the game. The second half covers scouting, stopping proxy strategies and the discipline of executing timing build orders.

Players mentioned

Keep learning

• EP 10: Protoss with Zelias: PvP, PvT and 2v2
• EP 18: Ultimate Weapons: Battlecruisers, Nukes and 2v2
• Scout your opponents before the match with Repalyzer