[ArtOfProtoss]

Another thing too big for one post!

"Quick" Guide to early drop defense PVT.

The terran drop is a popular PVT build. Without dropships, in my opinion, the PVT matchup would heavily favor T. P would control the tempo of the game, forcing T into attacks and vulture raids that would be ineffective. Because of this, T often uses dropships. The first time you can see these dropships is if T uses the tank drop rush. T builds one factory, adds a machine shop, then builds a starport and researches siege.

For P to counter this, he must first have observers. His first observer should scout the drop. The second, upon recieving this information, should immediately go to P's cliff. Also, you should cover your main's minerals with 3-4 dragoons, they should be facing in the direction of the potential threat and near the bottom of the screen. Finally, you add a shuttle. All this should be undertaken in a matter of seconds.

Now, there is simply the execution. If T goes to your cliff, then flys away, then you you immediately expand regardless if your shuttle is incomplete. Your observer should make sure he has actually fled and is not fooling you. Even if he comes back shortly, your nexus will have developed enough life points to last until your shuttle has completed. It shouldn't even get very damaged.

Now, if he opts to park tanks on your cliff before you expand, wait for the shuttle to emerge and load it up with goons, then immediately expand. If the dropship hasn't dropped it's payload but is simply hovering, then you can expo slightly before you would in the other situation. Regardless, once you have the shuttle full of goons your expansion should be underway. If he drops his tanks on your cliff once you have the shuttle and sieges, then simply drop your goons on top of the tanks. If he unsieges, then pick up the goons and bring a group of goons right up to cliff, then pepper him from below with the group of goons and above with the dropped goons. Alternatively, you could drop the goons out of the tanks sight, then ferry up more, then rout him. Rember: Two goons lose to two tanks, especially if T micros well.

After you repelled the first assualt, then you must watch to see if he'll add another dropship to his army. If his expansion is late, assume he has. While keeping your main guarded with three goons, now pushed up against he edge of the platue to prevent tanks being dropped and gaining establishment, either you should add two more dragoons to your cliff, or you should build 2-4 zealots for a zealot shuttle. Regardless, you should move your observer out past your cliff and set it on patrol. If you see the dropships with this oberver, then you have a better chance to respond.

Also be aware he might try to drop your main and your cliff at the same time. If he does this, then he will drop the cliff tanks surreptiously. Either set your goons on patrol, or spread them lightly to prevent this. Your observer should show you where he's dropping so you can bunch up your units before he comes.

He will also try to drop his main attack tanks sneakily. Either he will drop the tanks in an secret area, then move them into position and siege from the unguarded side, or he will fly them recklessly over your goons and park them on the unprotected side aiming for probes instead of goons. So, make sure to put on goon on the other side and place pylons in places where their is fog of war.

Mid-game drops are also deadly. Especially to attack expansion with a complement of vultures. If he has two ships, then build one zealot shuttle, but if has three or more add one or more zealot shuttle and upgrade speed.

As said above vultures will be the complement of his drop. So if you see a group of vultures moving in a suspcious direction (such as a main), then you should know he is going to drop that place. Precautions must be taken. If he has two dropships, then keep the choke of the main blocked to prevent vultures, and keep 5-6 goons near the nexus.

Also, it is important to keep that observer by your cliff patrolling. It is also preferable that you add another observer by the cliff opposite your mineral and gas's natural cliff.

Random notes:

If you see goliaths in mid-game, then resond by putting extra defense on your cliff. He might be trying a goli/tank drop.

If you see a fast wraith, then watch your cliff closely for turrets and concealed tanks. He might be trying a psuedo-turbonewbie. Either that, or he thinks he is defending a reaver drop or dt drop.

If he drops with more than 3 ships, and you cannot defend it, then you should consider attacking his main.

Comments are encouraged. Was my writing style easy to follow or hard? Did I go too in depth? Is this too newbie for you guys? Etc...