Protoss Build Orders - The Four Gate

Poster Sirix on the official Starcraft II forums has put together a guide to help players master different build orders for the early to mid-game Protoss players. There are many different ways the game can be taken so I will start with my favorite and one of the most versatile builds he has to offer The Four Gate.

Things to note in these Sirix made posts CB means Chrono Boost the time speeding ability at your Nexus, and build steps with a * highlight possible different steps depending what race you are playing against.

Also for those who are unfamiliar with how build orders are written the numbers 12, 13, 14/15 and such represent the amount of supplies used you should have when going to complete the specified action.

Opening #1 - The Four Gate

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:

1. 9 - Pylon
2. 10 - 2 probes (CB)
3. 12 - Gateway (at 150 minerals, may be before 12)
4. 12 - 2 probes (CB)
5. 13 - 1st Assimilator (3 probes on it immediately)
6. 16 - 2nd Pylon
7. * 16 - Zealot if playing Zerg, save for the Stalker if not
8. 18 - Cybernetics Core (Spend further CB's on Warpgate, research as soon as Core finishes)
9. 18/19 - 2nd Assimilator (I use 2 probes here for now, your call on unit composition)

Post 20 estimates (these are rough as you are leaving the rigid early phase):

1.  * 19/20 - Stalker (T or P) / Zealot (Zerg)
2. 22 - 2nd Gateway
3. 23 - 3rd & 4th Gateway
4. 24/25 - 3rd Pylon
5. 26 - Warpgate finishes, transform your Gateways and build a 4th and 5th Pylon, you will now be using up exactly 1 Pylons worth of supply each warp in (4 units x 2 supply = 8 supply) so it is important to be planning ahead with your Pylons.
6. 26+ - Warp in your first set of 4 units (sentry, zealot, 2x stalkers is a good start). Mix your composition up, don't go sentry heavy, 2 is a good number.

The push: After your second warp in you should be at 42-45 supply (10-12 army units), take a probe with your army and start moving across the map. Create a proxy pylon near their base, if you are certain begin pushing before the pylon completes, if not, wait for wave 4 of units (wave 3 should have been created back at your base and should be moving to reinforce your army, do NOT WAIT to use your warpgate cooldowns).