Terran Build Orders

A build order refers to the order in which you train units and construct buildings. In this article, I will list the best Starcraft 2 Terran build orders. While there is a standard build order, it may vary slightly (or drastically) depending on the strategy you want to execute and what the enemy is doing.

Specific Terran Build Orders

3 Rax Build Order (good aggressive opener)

2 Rax Fast Expand (standard high-level Terran vs Protoss build)

Macro CC Build (great vs Zerg players who like to macro)

Standard Terran Build Orders

The "standard" build order refers to the path you will take if you have no particular strategy you are planning to execute. Here is the standard order:

10/11: Supply Depot
12/19: Barracks
13/19: Refinery
15/19: Orbital Command
17/19: Supply Depot

..and then it is open from there. You will find build orders like this spread around the internet on various forums, guides, and videos. This build order would be interpreted to read:

- Build 10 SCVs and while the 10th SCV is training build a Supply Depot
- While the 12th SCV is training build a Barracks
- After the 15th SCV finishes build a Orbital Command
- While the Orbital Command is building train a Marine (or build a Tech Lab)
- Build a Supply Depot while the Marine is training and the Orbital Command is finishing up.

You are required to read between the lines on most build orders. Now, as far as other Terran build orders are concerned, it really depends on what your enemy is doing. Here are some common scenarios you will find yourself in and the build order you can use:

Getting Zealot or Zergling Rushed

If you scout the enemy and determine he is going to Zealot rush, your build order might look something like this:

10/11: Supply Depot
11/11: Barracks (hint: 2 SCVs are building at once)
12/19: Marine
12/19: Supply Depot

..and progress from there. The reason you would grab a second Supply Depot so early is because you generally will need a Barracks and 2 Supply Depots to wall off the entrance to your base. A single Marine and SCVs repairing your wall can easily fend off a Zergling or Zealot rush.

However, not all build orders need to be reactive. For example, here is a standard Marine and Marauder push build:

Marine and Marauder Push

10/11: Supply Depot
12/19: Barracks (add Tech Lab when finished)
15/19: Barracks (add Reactor when finished)
16/19: Orbital Command
17/19: Supply Depot

From there, have 1 Barracks constantly pump out Marauders and the Reactor Barracks constantly pump out Marines. Increase your SCV count to 22 harvesters (2 per mineral node and 3 per vespene gas) and build Supply Depots as needed.

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You can quickly turn out 8-10 Marauders and 24 Marines with this strategy. It is very effective for an early push in 2v2 play. It is also great as an early attack versus Zerg and Protoss players. I recommend this build if you spot the Zerg going for an early expansion. It will be nearly impossible for him to counter this attack if he opts for the early expand build.

It does not work as well versus Terran (since they will be walled in). For Terran players, I recommend this Terran build order:

Mech Build Order

Mech is a very popular build as it is incredibly effective versus nearly all races. It involves getting Siege Tanks and Thors, and Hellions, Marines and/or air units (depending on who you are playing, see below):

10/11: Supply Depot
12/19: Barracks
13/19: Refinery*
15/19: Marine
16/19: Factory*
16/19: Orbital Command*
17/19: Refinery
18/19: Supply Depot
22/27: Factory

* The build listed above is if you want to produce mech units right away, such as for an early Siege Tank push. At a larger map, you could get away with getting the Orbital Command prior to your first Factory. This is a more efficient build but also leaves you more vulnerable to attack. It is up to you what you want to do.

As far as progressions, you might get a 3rd Factory (versus Zerg) or a Starport (versus Terran or Protoss). It depends whether you want to go all ground or have some air control.

1/1/1 - My Favorite Terran Build Order

As Terran now, I prefer the 1/1/1 build order when playing against most players. This build offers a lot of flexibility and allows the Terran player to move into whatever counters the enemy's units very easily.

Here is the build order:

10/11: Supply Depot
12/19: Barracks
13/19: Refinery
15/19: Orbital Command
17/19: Supply Depot
19/27: Factory (as soon as you have 100 gas, throw down the Factory)
19/27: Refinery #2
22/27: Starport (as soon as Factory is finished)

Now, I would recommend putting a Reactor on the Barracks and pumping out Marines so you have some defense while teching to the Starport. I would also try to get out a few fast Siege Tanks and a Medivac or two as soon as possible.

With a few fast Siege Tanks, a group of Marines, and a Medivac or two, you have a solid, balanced army that will allow you to take down your natural expansion. Once you get your natural expansion up and running, you can build more units, tailoring those units to whatever your enemy is building (see the Counters section for more info).

You can also play this build very effectively off of 1 base. A few Siege Tanks and a Marine ball can make for a very effective early push. You will have to scout and take the best opportunity to attack.

Tweaking Terran Build Orders

Please note that these Starcraft 2 Terran build orders are not absolute. In other words, they can be modified. Here are some things to consider:

Sometimes you will want units early. In this situation, build unit producing buildings sooner (naturally). Here are some situations in which you might want faster units.

- Small map (more likely to be rushed)
- Your enemy is attacking hard and early (such as a Roach push)
- Your enemy is going for a fast expansion or tech and has no units

Sometimes you can put off getting units until much later in the game. This is optimal for building up your economy and in the long run will get you more units. The downside is you are open to an early push. Here are some situations which you might opt for a more economical build:

- Big map (less likely to be rushed or found early)
- Your enemy is walled in (another Terran player)
- Your enemy is teching up and not likely to attack soon.

Conclusion

When in doubt, go with the classic Terran build order listed at the beginning of this article! Additionally, try out some of the build orders you will find in a variety of articles around this site. 

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