The Four Gate is the bread and butter of the Protoss starter package, every Protoss should know and master this as it can be used in almost all scenarios and provides you with an easy tech path to whatever you need to counter your opponent. It is strong against nearly every opening expect perhaps 6 pool (depending on when you get your Zealot), and neutral against a mass Marine/Marauder build (you will stalemate and take it into later game).
Build Order:
- 9 - Pylon
- 10 - 2 probes (CB)
- 12 - Gateway (at 150 minerals, may be before 12)
- 12 - 2 probes (CB)
- 13 - 1st Assimilator (3 probes on it immediately)
- 16 - 2nd Pylon *
- 16 - Zealot if playing Zerg, save for the Stalker if not
- 18 - Cybernetics Core (Spend further CB's on Warpgate, research as soon as Core finishes)
- 18/19 - 2nd Assimilator (I use 2 probes here for now, your call on unit composition)
Opening #2 – The Void Ray Rush
The Void Ray Rush (VRR) is a simple opener that has been getting a lot of attention lately because of how easy it is to perform. Every Protoss should have it in their arsenal if for no better reason than to scare their opponents out of an all-in ground army. This build is effective against Zerg especially, but Protoss as well. Despite some small amount of success, it is not that great against Terrans, because it is countered by 3-4 marines (a very common starting build for a Terran).
- 9 - Pylon
- 10 - 2 probes (CB)
- 12 - Gateway (at 150 minerals, may be before 12)
- 12 - 2 probes (CB)
- 13 - 1st Assimilator (3 probes on it immediately)
- 14/15 – 2nd Assimilator (2-3 probes)
- 16 - 2nd Pylon *
- 16 - Zealot if playing Zerg, save for the Stalker if not
- 18 - Cybernetics Core (Warpgate research when it isfinished, don't CB it)
- 20 – Stargate 22 – 2nd Pylon (Voidrays are 3 supply, be PREPARED do not get supply blocked, it will significantly slow your rush)
- 23/24 – Voidray #1 (Push now if you can micro it well) (CB)
- 23/24 – Warpgate Technology, you aren’t always going to finish it with a VR.
- 27/28 – Voidray #2 (CB), push now if you waited.
- 29/30 – Gateway #2, when you can afford it, Gateway #3.
- 30+ - Gateway #4, Warpgate should be finishing, go ahead and transition into a mid game build
