StarCraft 2: 12 Pool Is A ZERG MACRO Build!

[@timbaleno9269]

This guy sees the queen walk on his doorstep and builds an adept. Incredible.

[@yaboyyy4536]

Impeccable game

[@TorzyTheJer]

Having watched almost every video of you commentating on games, this is actually refreshing to watch you play. It's a striking reminder of how much information the players cannot see during the game. It's a reminder for how much challenge there is for the players. Watching your commentator videos almost exclusively, I forget how much we get to see and know as an audience that the players don't know at all.

[@quwarq]

And hearing your thoughts about what you do and why on top of that, based on the limited intel. Good stuff.

[@TheOneYouCantBEAR]

wow. never thought about playing 12 pool without going all-in. thanks for the tip, lowko

[@AD-lr6pc]

How have u not?

[@OigreSier]

Lol mind blowing

[@marlonsolis2272]

It's a nice opener

[@SomeGuy-ty7kr]

... can't tell if sarcasm or not, lol

[@skodavaclav3477]

Also with lair, you can excrete creep with some overlord on other side of the map and allow this way queen to lay down a creep tumor and start spreading creep from behind and or block protoss bases.

[@goodmafiatr3530]

There is also this magical thing called nydus worm

[@natecw4164]

I've been going 12 pool into supply cap into ovie into 8 lings into queen and expand. You don't want to give up the lings but you can typical avoid the scouting worker and either harass the expo or force some units. I realize that's probably sub optimal but I'm plat.

[@natecw4164]

@GlowyBoi Yes but this transitions very smoothly into a macro build with a 3rd that's only 30ish seconds behind. Not near as committed as it used to seem.

[@hoot2416]

@@natecw4164 I've tired this a few times and am liking this concept. It really helps me confidently drone without having to worry about early aggression or cheese. I'm terrible at reacting to cheese. Also plat.

[@marcoz6023]

i like doing this build as well. fends off against dumb cheeses like bunker rush, cannon rush and enemy 12 pool without needing to go all in. we can't all play like serral so i think its ok to be less efficient to have stronger openings

[@lonelydogclub]

I build 12 spawning pools and it sucked

[@TheOneYouCantBEAR]

what's your mmr?

[@danielkang6124]

well obviously you built 11 too many

[@raf74hawk12]

Well it is a macro build, so I guess you just need to brush up on your macro. Make sure that your spawning pools are constantly producing units. :P

[@sheen4813]

@@danielkang6124 whooosh

[@lukefifield4041]

damn the other guys out here getting whooshed. Which, imo made your comment more funny

[@AD-lr6pc]

Thanks for the tutorial! Can we get more tutorials like these where u play a game and explain the general ideo of the build?

[@NewbornStomper]

Thank you Lowko for this wonderful build order. I went from a disappointing 18% wr vs protoss at the start of the season to it being my best matchup in only 1 day with 40 games played. It made me enjoy zerg again.

[@tommimustermannchen2363]

Good content as always. Love to open 12-pool. Best reactions i get, when its scoutet and i pop 3 drones out of that larva...

[@Deathsinger99]

As someone thinking about actually playing some 1v1 I would love some more vids like this with detailed explanations about your thoughts and strategies. It was awesome

[@mso2013]

He has a lot of videos on the topic allreaddy, i can find some for you if you are new to the channel

[@PenguinIceDelta]

If you're also new to the 1v1 I encourage checking out Vibe's B2GM. It's a pretty new player friendly macro build he does it for each race. His KZbin is "vibe lol"

[@ericpiralla]

With you I am improving a lot man: proud to be a Zerg player. Glory to the Swarm!

[@espernova228]

Thanks Lowko I never got cannon-rushed again

[@michalvodicka5123]

As a Toss player I can confirm this is the best opener for Zerg in ZvP :D I ecounter this a lot. At 10:45 you are very far ahead compared to other builds, because toss didn't start nexus yet. It is supposed to be complete now. From the toss perspective: 1. As toss you must actually stop making probes. You need faster pylon and zealot and additional building (unless walling with pylon, I do not recomment). 2. Usually either 1 building or 1 zealot dies. I didn't find a way to prevent it, even if your first probe goes for pylon, you wont get out range unit on time. 3. For walling I go 2 gateways in front and cybercore in behind. So the second gateway is the exposed building and so if it is destroyed, Im not as much slowed. 4. I always go for two adepts counter attack after this.

[@polaristheprotoss6]

In my own Protoss experiences, the 12 pool allows for an early lead for a macro game, and is hella annoying, good to see lowko has been utilizing the power of the 12 pool!

[@bryteofficial]

Bro I have missed you and SC2 since August 2020... but you my friend have not aged a day. :)

[@theanti-hypemonitor9079]

ive been playing alot of 12pool in my zvp on plat since my return some weeks ago. its really really good.

[@kirbs0001]

I think if 12 pool becomes meta, we'll see a return to pheonix rush. But I guess it'd be easy enough to add a spore to the mineral line

[@b2spirit86]

I do 13 pool and only produce 4-6 lings. It works still awesome against cannon rush and proxy rax

[@miguelrainho9994]

I cant play this game, my pc cant even run this game but noneless, I love it

[@alinmas4238]

Surely it could run on very low graphics?

[@miguelrainho9994]

@@alinmas4238 On those very same grafics my pc is capable of frying eggs. And WiFi is mostly the problem.

[@alinmas4238]

@@miguelrainho9994 damn :/

[@lightdx7008]

My pc sucks. No graphic card at all and my wifi isn't the best. Buy it can play the game even online. My previous one wasn't any best but it could also run it, just with less FPS.

[@Eidenhoek]

There's a similar thing I've heard from in chess, that it's easier at the intermediate level to learn tactics and aggression rather than broader strategy (which, while...well, all sorts of stuff happens at the elite level, OBVIOUSLY strategy matters). Also in shorter time controls.

[@ingrudmessenger1193]

Hey Lowko. :) I'm not sure where to get them but i can really recommend to cast the replay of Clem vs HeroMarine from the "Biggest loser" tournament. Harstem did cast it but i would not mind at all watching it again with you commenting on it, and it's a really awesome best of 5. Especially the first game, but really all 5 are worth watching.

[@TheAzManiac]

Been using this on ladder by sheer conincidence i played six protoss in a row. I went 6-0. Lowko is a geniud.

[@jamesmay1900]

Wow, this helps a lot. Thanks mate!

[@tinkerblade197]

AlphaStar knew all the time... First time I saw queen pushes was with AplhaStar

[@techhead1304]

Oh wow, when this dude lost their void ray they had over 1K minerals and 700 gas in the bank. And still 1 gateway, 1 stargate, no army?

[@true_xander]

euЯopean ladder is mostly 2k gold pro-gamers when Serral and Reynor are offline.

[@stanislavmigra]

@@true_xander yes and comment section is full of 6k GMs, right?

[@jacobsvensson8193]

@@stanislavmigra It's very easy to have the "brain" of a 6k mmr player and realize the mistakes people makes while spectating if you have watched 1k+ pro games in your days. Executing it however...

[@alwolf7431]

I think the opponent is used to having 2-3 stargates and only 1x of the the before Stargate. When the Cybercore was destroyed, he blue screen'd and took a while to recover.

[@canebro1]

Any build can be anything. You could also do hatch hatch pool and then all in ling flood. It just depends on how you want to play it.

[@Karttibone]

I mean yeah. In the end any attack you do just has to propel you further ahead in economy than your opponent while putting him behind. If you can do that with lings sure (I really doubt though you'd be able to after 3 basing first).

[@klaustrotter3069]

Can you maybe do a similar video with ZvZ? This was a really nice one for ZvP with the steps and way of thinking you included

[@donttazemebro96]

Dam just when i needed it thanks lowko 😉

[@michaelperazzola4439]

queen march does some pretty good from your game and some others you've casted....keep slayin Lowko!

[@baktiy.s.1065]

Back when zerg's late game could contend comfortably against ultimate Skytoss army, players say 'Attack early and don;t let zergs get to late game.' Then protoss got multiple buffs while zergs got various nerfs to their late game, and now it's protoss' turn to get early attacks, rushes, and all-ins before the game get to 12 minutes mark. How the turn tables.

[@fabianarvaez32]

A queen push against every protos player. Very nice advise

[@ssshadowsss495]

I'm really glad you are having fun doing other content but I find it funny that I watch your professional games and it takes me 2 or 3 minutes to realize I'm watching you play instead of you commentating. Love your content keep up the good work. Unfortunately I can't really focus on your game play so I always just skip it and listen to your game commentating instead.

[@rolandoaguilera3114]

How do you rapidly build an extractor? Select drone press B + E?

[@younggullchae2828]

this guy is amazing in any race

[@roanen5285]

I feel so ashamed for turtling into skytoss XD

[@michalvodicka5123]

13:04 toss is floating 1910 minerals and 851 gas? :D Lowko did you arrange this match?!?

[@seylawaldron]

I think it was game over when you realize your opponent doesn’t spend his $ and just afk’s 😂

[@Str8Wildcat]

Try 12 gas 12 hatch and 11 pool. Pull off gas at 100 for speed. Start ov at 17 and it, the hatchery and pool will finish at the same time. Ling flood is gg vs protoss 100% wr over 5 years now. Edit: 2 queens for injections and a spore at 3:15 Protoss will gg out before you hit 50 supply.

[@Jay-ef2hi]

>100% wr over 5 years now Hahaha

[@tomosko2669]

Nice intro: hhhhhhhhhhh uuuhah uhaaahh :D

[@UrbanKovac]

Man dat destruction animation of the overcharged battery is hawt. Have you peeps noticed? 😲😃

[@Reskrox]

What if you tried killing the stargate instradnof trying to kill the probes at the start? Would've that worked?

[@dylanhunt3855]

Lowko, you’re my Zerg Jesus.

[@Kotaztrafee]

12 pool toss every time! I like to get gas at 11 and get speed asap.

[@QueenDaenerysTargaryen]

I wish I could play, but no maps so I cannot. 🔥🔥🔥

[@dietrichpriebe9279]

Massing muta isn't as effective as you might think daenerys.

[@laloforce9363]

I agree to being agressive against protoss op! I recently changed to 2-1-1 and I no longer die to cheese bs

[@DareDevilMB44]

I have found that most of my wins were from being very aggressive against all 3 races. I normally lose when I try to play a standard macro. I feel like Protoss and Terran just have to A move in late game and are far more forgiving on Micro mistakes, and to me Zerg requires a lot more specific responses with casters. I am in Silver league, and I know the counters to most unit compositions, it just feels like it is outside of my skill level to tackle. I can only do like 120APM average, max. I get beat by dudes with 40APM in battles.

[@Merumya]

Well, Id say it has a lot to do with being in control, when you are aggressive. You attack when you feel confident (and over time you will learn when you rightfully are), when you macro on the other hand, the opponent may choose the time to fight and it may be more favorable to him. Also you may get used to builds that lead to a certain timing, while players on your level still are very bad at reacting and adapting and being attacked throws them off really hard.

[@theanti-hypemonitor9079]

same here, really. i tend to overdrone really heavilly.

[@DareDevilMB44]

@GlowyBoi I’ll have to disagree to a point my dude. When I A move my army (which I use a build order for) they get vaporized by turtle players. Also you can’t just stick to a build if you’re opponent is building to counter your unit comp (or they are running cheese). Scouting is important to know what they are doing. Casters are very important to break turtle players. Blinding cloud on siege tanks and planetary or yoinking colossi and carriers is important if you want Hydras to not just get deleted. It doesn’t matter how many you throw at someone’s wall if you don’t have the proper tools.

[@jasonackermann4171]

Hey Lowko! Just got back into SC2 after KZbin suggested some more of your videos to me. Does the 12 pool still work after the most recent patch? If so, how do you follow up after the most recent patch. Thanks and keep up the great work 😊

[@adoaso]

Ey nice playing yo

[@gemeper7973]

Finally you're game play on KZbin :)

[@flrn84791]

Ah, damn queen march sounds good, but without transfuse off creep probably not so great anymore :D

[@jacobsvensson8193]

I literally did nothing but this vs Protoss about 6 months ago when EVERYONE went into super greedy expansions. Just forcing them to delay the expansion and spend money on walling off and getting them completely off their build order is good enough even if you don't deal any direct damage

[@Acesoloism]

Think 12 pool is considered cheese but as long as you don't all-in with lings, it is not a cheese. I do agree this will win most of ZvP as most protoss players struggle with the early game the most (In my opinion at least). This is definitely a ladder build that is very successful, but like all builds, there are drawbacks. I wouldn't be surprised if Protoss players start playing safer once 12 pool becomes more popular.

[@rekipeter4217]

It's a really good zerg build because it requires a very specific response from the toss and if they don't do it, they either die or fall really really behind. Playing safe is not an option though. You have to expand fast, but you have to do it the right way

[@Acesoloism]

​@@rekipeter4217 I do agree that they cannot just play safe as playing safe could mean many different responses from toss. What I mean is that toss players in the ladder might start opting for going for a wall off in their main instead of trying to go for a wall off on the natural now. Though that is techincally inferior and makes it harder for the toss to get their natural up, but this would make it nearly impossible for zerg to get much done with the first few lings. Though I am not sure who will end up ahead with this kind of start, I am assuming zerg will still be in a better positon than the toss (unless of course the toss goes for a one base all in). It is an interesting match up that will take more time for players learn from.

[@Yourneighbor1112]

I tried playing vs instead of coop. Without the powers you feel so limited, and the pressure feels immense, more than that It feels harder to play casually for fun. But I still watch videos about it. It's better to watch than do I feel.

[@jacobsvensson8193]

Ladder anxiety is very real... I got to Masters 2 back in 2012 and Diamond 2 again in 2020 but quit playing completely both times because it was getting too stressful. Decided to start playing again a week ago but try out a different race for once after probably having 3-4k+ games played with Zerg without having played more than 10 1v1 games with any other race... So now I'm a Protoss scum - the very same I've spent 10+ years despising. Have just been playing 25~ games vs AI so far, won every game in a row up 'til the hardest level which I now have played 10~ games against going 50/50. I think it's time to try out the first ladder game tonight

[@PenguinIceDelta]

Try Vibe's B2GM guide, it's pretty easy/straightforward, and chaining wins together helps beat anxiety

[@Naomi-ig1vz]

Why click randomly though in beginning so many click I pace my play on my clicks

[@haoxus9413]

What's that lobster Lenny skin?

[@enriquegarciacota3914]

Alas, queens don’t transfuse off creep any more

[@maximedanjou7927]

Lowko learning from Lambo’s youtube.

[@ohqo7958]

Even pro players like Dark play 12 pool + proxy hatch. That justisfies me doing it in every single ZVP.

[@true_xander]

Lowko, this time your opponent was fully legitimate vegetable, so nothing to be pround of winning here

[@matheusnunes970]

Is it possible to use fast ovs to carry your queens?

[@LowkoTV]

Yeah, it's possible, but requires additional tech

[@matheusnunes970]

@@LowkoTV Thank you. I don’t play, just watch. Sometimes their reasoning escapes me

[@DericG]

Have been dominated by 12 pool by very long time :P as a protoss player

[@trijirogaming]

Lowko has been watching a Lambo Guide LUL

[@LowkoTV]

Yeah it's great

[@adamkovar5870]

Hey Lowko, when doing a push like this why don't top tier players bring a single overlord with them to poop creep allowing the queens to spawn creep tumors on their doorstep?

[@xnzszxsl9588]

block the gap to surround the zealot and kill the gateway and the game

[@dmign]

can you post the replay please.

[@oboy03]

Is this good vs Terran?

[@mattadorable]

So basically, on the ladder in 2021, assume Protoss will cheese you and in the off chance they respect you, you should be fine because they're probably going to turtle

[@trijirogaming]

Where in the hell was his Warp Gate???

[@AlexanderCsorba]

New Lowko video let’s goo!

[@condotiero860]

classic case of 'more shit counters less shit'

[@aaronm5091]

Do you expect a queen nerf incoming because of the march popularity?

[@LowkoTV]

Nah, it's just a shift in the meta that's good against the greedy Stargate openers. Plenty of Protoss builds can counter it.

[@KamilBiela1]

I dont play sc for long time anymore, but recently you popped in my recommended on yt and I'm loving the content, I can rate it 9/10 - if you start doing funday monday like day9 used to I'm 10/10 :D - jk of course ;)

[@claytonbourne8967]

Lowko's playing against silver barcodes in this one lol I kept wondering where the dudes army was. Then during the replay. Look at that bank!

[@Jay-ef2hi]

Yeah, no way this is masters lowko. I'm only in silver league and I'm way better than these guys!

[@claytonbourne8967]

@@Jay-ef2hi do not cite the deep magic to me witch, I was there when it was written. I know sarcasm when I see it lol. I'm D2, not saying I'm better. Just have a hard time believing M1/GM would have a bank like that at 6-7 minutes

[@Edward-d5f]

Did that guy fall asleep? 3k bank lol

[@michaelcraven2554]

12 pool best macro build NA

[@JG-ti7id]

12 pool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MACRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEYA

[@Tyrouge222]

i would love lowko to commentary 2021 GSL S2 Code S RO16 Group B dream vs dark, especially second game, sick game, love ur vid btw :)

[@thevoid3348]

I LOVE YOU LOWKO

[@shybard]

Macro 12 pool is based.

[@ImakeTanks]

game would have been over if he stayed attacking the wall and sent more lings over

[@-mako-6018]

i wonder, why is it called "12" pool? i'm one of those people that watch Lowko's video cause of Lowko and i enjoy SC2 but know nothing about it, so i always ask myself why its called that

[@PenguinIceDelta]

You start with 12 workers and at 12 supply (each worker is 1 supply) you make a spawning pool which is what's needed for zerglings and other tech. It's generally accepted as a powerful opener as it can end the game if the opponent either didn't wall.. or left the wall open

[@theKINGxx]

Эээээй! Где хэлоу май нэйм из ловко?! Токсик стример! (шучу=)

[@sierraq217]

Bly: *I told u*

[@FantasticForce23]

Anything Zerg does is a macro build. They can roach all in, or 12 pool, doesn't really matter when they can drone up like lightning and tech switch anytime they get attacked. You can spend 5 minutes building up an attack avoid scouting, and zerg can just plop 1 building and counter you. Latest Protoss nerf makes it really imba, not sure how to fix it, but surely zerg is op.

[@brickiscool3004]

Hello everyone my name is Lowko and welcome back to a professional match of Starcraft 2. Now what I got for you today is a Zerg vs Protoss.

[@nekocityman4130]

i am a noob, 12 p it is

[@csmlouis]

SkytossFan?? What a macrobaiter.

[@Alexander-wb5sc]

12 pooled the other day as silver league, and best a master league. GG, "Good timing" use two drones as scouts and attack the wall builders. Other then that zerg is unplayable. Gg

[@harrypothead]

i 12 pool everytime NOOB

[@jonnhw]

did this dude cheese to his current rank? why was his play non existant? or is this just toss things? LUL

[@goraps]

Is this bronze league? Lol

[@htamerursavas]

Yeah a macro without even scouting. Lowko says: Hey thats my opponents probe to scout me. Then i have to 12 pool rush. U r better than this we know that.

[@raf74hawk12]

He had his pool down well before the probe got there

[@watching6528]

1st comment