Mid Game Tactics with Protoss
Once you reach the mid game stage, after making the ABSOLUTE MUST
UPGRADE (Zealot speed at the Citadel) Protoss players have to decide
whether to go for an air force of Scouts, a lot of Templars, a Reaver Drop,
or some combination thereof. What you choose depends on your
opponent and how the game is going at that point. If the enemy is Zerg
and going with Mutalisks, you want to get Psionic Storm and a bunch of
Templars quickly. Build a few Photon Cannons around your town and
perhaps some Shield Batteries with some Dragoons. Also build a Shuttle.
If you can beat back the first couple of Mutalisk attacks with Dragoons
and Psi Storm you should strike back quickly. Use your Shuttle and drop
a couple Templars and perhaps a Reaver in the opponent's base. Storm
the worker units and let the Reaver go to work. Should that prove
successful, the game is in the bag. Send in Zealots/Dragoons to clean up.
Another possibility is that your opponent is Terran and going defensive.
Use Reavers to try and break through the frontal defenses and then
stream in Zealots. Or if possible, drop Reavers in the back of the Terran
town and strike the workers directly. Against Terran be sure to have
Photon cannon defenses near your harvesters as well as a couple of
Observers with Dragoons. The threat of cloaked Wraith attack is too great
to ignore. Don't get caught up with building all Zealots or pay the price! Psi
Storm also works wonders against Wraiths.
In a one on one game, it's not such a great idea to try and build a huge
force of Scouts. They are expensive and slow to build, and too easily
countered with masses of Hydralisks, Dragoons, or Goliaths. Throw in the
area effect spells like Psi Storm and Ensnare to worry about and you're
talking about a risky proposition. Still, a handful of Scouts is always nice
to have, though for Overlord hunting or just general air cover. Now in team
games, going whole hog on Scouts may prove to be a VERY nice
complement to your teammate's plans. It all depends, but nothing
provides better air cover than a full group of Scouts. Hunt down enemy
Overlords or transports with them while your teammate concentrates on
providing the punch from the ground.
Like the Terran Dropship, the Protoss Shuttle can be a terrible menace to
enemies. Upgrade their speed and you've got a transport that can get in,
get out of, and outrun trouble. A couple of Shuttles filled with Zealots can
ruin your opponent's economy. Mix in Reavers or Templars into the mix
and you have a strategist's dream. Protoss may have the strongest units,
but they don't have to be the dumbest, so use the Shuttles to avoid nasty
chokepoints. Don't play into your enemy's hands. Proper use of fast
Shuttles will allow you to dictate the game to your enemy.
How does the late game change your strategy? Read the next section for
details.