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Matchup guide - PvZ

Protoss vs Zerg: counters and game plan

Every common Zerg plan in PvZ, the Protoss answer, and one current opening. Open the live tool to tag scouted units and tighten the read mid-game.

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Scout and contain

Opening: Stargate into Oracle/Adept control

Gateway expand, Stargate, Oracle pressure, third Nexus, Twilight or Robo follow-up.

Goal: Use Oracles to scout drones, deny creep, and keep Zerg honest while your third starts.

First five minutes

  • Probe checks pool timing and third hatch.
  • Oracle counts drones and lair timing.
  • Adept shades create map vision more than all-in damage.

Scout for

  • Fast Roach Warren
  • No third hatch
  • Early lair with low drone count

Transition: Archon/Immortal/Chargelot is stable; add Storm, Disruptors, or Skytoss if Zerg turtles.

More current PvZ builds on Spawning Tool (Harstem 5.0.16 PvZ and Stargate listings)

Zerg plan: Zergling, Baneling, Mutalisk

Ling bane muta

Surrounds, counterattacks, and mineral-line air control.

Archon Storm with Phoenix or Blink coverage

Core:

ZealotStalkerArchonShield Battery

Tech switches:

High TemplarPhoenixColossusObserver

Upgrades: Charge, Storm, Ground armor

Fight it right

  • Archons erase Banelings and keep Mutas from diving.
  • Phoenix patrols stop Muta snowball before it starts.

Do not drift into this

  • Do not let Zealots run ahead of Archons into Banelings.
  • Do not take a fourth without cannon or battery coverage.
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Zerg plan: Roach, Ravager, Queen

Roach ravager

A durable mid-game shove that breaks static defenses with bile.

Immortal Sentry before greed

Core:

ImmortalSentryStalkerShield Battery

Tech switches:

DisruptorArchonWarp PrismOracle

Upgrades: Warp Gate, Ground weapons, Charge

Fight it right

  • Force fields split Roach Ravager so Biles cannot hit everything.
  • Immortals must shoot from behind a buffer, never first in line.

Do not drift into this

  • Do not take a naked third against fast Roach Warren signs.
  • Do not stand still under Corrosive Bile.
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Zerg plan: Hydralisk, Lurker, Viper

Hydra lurker

Range control, burrowed zones, and spellcaster picks.

Disruptor Immortal with permanent observers

Core:

StalkerImmortalObserverZealot

Tech switches:

DisruptorHigh TemplarTempestCarrier

Upgrades: Observer speed, Blink, Ground weapons

Fight it right

  • Observers are part of the army supply. Replace them before moving out.
  • Disruptors force Lurkers to unburrow and punish Hydra clumps.

Do not drift into this

  • Do not attack into Lurkers from one narrow angle.
  • Do not let Vipers abduct your only detection.
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Zerg plan: Brood Lord, Corruptor, Infestor

Brood corruptor

Slow late-game air that crushes ground armies without anti-air control.

Tempest Carrier with Storm underneath

Core:

StalkerArchonHigh TemplarObserver

Tech switches:

TempestCarrierVoid RayDisruptor

Upgrades: Air weapons, Storm, Ground armor

Fight it right

  • Tempests pick Brood Lords before the ground army has to move.
  • Storm protects Tempests from Corruptor dives and Infestor support.

Do not drift into this

  • Do not fight Broods with only ground units.
  • Do not let Vipers pull Tempests one at a time without feedback.
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Counter any Zerg unit

Deep-dive pages for each Zerg unit you might scout in PvZ.

ZerglingBanelingRoachRavagerQueenHydraliskLurkerMutaliskCorruptorOverlordOverseerViperInfestorSwarm HostUltraliskBrood Lord

Other matchups

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