I have to admit, I don’t really understand PvP. Nowadays, the community agrees that Protoss is the most build order-focused, so there must be some structure in there. Here’s my shot at updating this section with some trends in Protoss play, which will appear on the Protoss Strategy page.

Protoss versus Protoss

PvP is volatile. It’s the only matchup where 1 base play is standard. Because of that, build orders and scouting are very important to ensure that you counter builds and attack effectively.

The Build Orders

First up is a 1 Gate Robo. This build allows you to transition smoothly into Colossi and counters Blink Stalkers. Depending on what your opponent does, you can get more Gateways to hold off aggression or get a Nexus.

1 Gate Robo

• Standard opening
• 19 Zealot
• 22 Assimilator
• 23 Warpgate
• 22 Stalker (Chronoboost, kill Probe scout)
• 25 Pylon
• 26 Robotics Facility (after clearing the scout)
• 28 Mothership Core (cut Probes until you get a 2nd base)
• Gateway x2 OR Nexus (depending on the scout)
• 5:20ish Observer when the Robo is done
• 6:00 Nexus (or Gateway x3 if you’re worried, then Nexus 8:00)

Notes on this build:

1. This is the easiest of the 3 builds here to execute and play safely. Get Stalkers against Stargate openings, extra Gateways and Photon Overcharge against Gateway all-ins, Observers against Dark Templar, and Immortals against Blink Stalkers.
2. You can probably delay your scout unless you’re worried about a Proxy 2 Gate
3. You can follow this up with Colossi by putting a Robotics Support Bay down before 10:00. Otherwise, just about any composition should work out of this opening as well

Speaking of which, here’s a Stargate opening if you want to harass.

PvP Stargate Opening

• 9 Pylon
• 11 Chronoboost
• 13 Gateway
• 13 Chronoboost
• 15 Assimilator x2 (2 in each until Cybernetics Core)
• 17 Pylon
• 18 Cybernetics Core
• 19 Zealot
• 23 Warpgate, Mothership Core, Stargate
• 25 Pylon
• 4:40 Stargate units

Some notes:

1. There are a lot of ways to go with an early Stargate, including Proxy Oracle, Phoenix, and Void Ray all-ins
2. I don’t recommend you proxy to start, but if you do start proxying, watch a few pro games on that map to see where you should place them
3. The hardest part about a Stargate opening is the transition. You can expand, tech (Blink), or go all-in. It just depends on what you scout and how the pressure goes

Finally, Blink Stalkers. Unlike the builds above, this build is best used as an all-in.

Squirtle’s Blink Stalkers

• 9 Pylon
• 11 Chronoboost
• 13 Gateway
• 13 Chronoboost
• 15 Assimilator x2 (2 in each until Cybernetics Core)
• 16 Chronoboost
• 17 Pylon
• 18 Cybernetics Core
• 21 Stalker, Warpgate
• 23 Mothership Core (Chronoboost)
• 25 Pylon
• 26 Twilight Council
• 27 Stalker (cut Probes)
• 29 Blink, Gateway x2, Stalker
• 31 Gateway

Notes:

1. Feel free to skip the scout. You’re all-in on this, so you probably won’t see anything that will change your mind
2. If you’re really worried, start a Zealot on your Gateway and cancel it at the last second to get a Stalker instead
3. It’s an all-in, so cut Probes when you’re saturated
4. High ground vision is pretty important, so get your Mothership Core across with the Stalkers and Probe (for the proxy Pylon)
5. Alternatively, you can go for Dark Templar by turning the Blink tech into a Dark Shrine

Some of what you’re up against and what you can do

1. Dark Templar rush. Have an Oracle or a Observer on hand, and you should be okay. A common transition out of DTs is Archons, so watch out for Zealot/Archon followups. If you defend it, however, you can safely expand since usually DTs are just to stall
2. Blink Stalkers. Immortals own Blink Stalkers, so don’t get caught off-guard
3. Skytoss. Very popular nowadays. You can go for the Phoenix wars and just mass tons of those until you have air superiority, then switch into Void Rays. You can also just go ground and get to High Templar/Archon quickly
4. Robo. This usually shifts into Colossi heavy builds, with High Templar and air for the late game