Starcraft II: Protoss Strategy Compendium: The Zealot Rush

This strategy works well on small 2 player maps, but can work on 4 player maps if opponent spawns at a nearby location. The concept is simple: overrun your opponent with mass Zealots before he even knows what's going on.

Build Order:

• probe
• probe
• probe
• pylon
• probe
• probe
• gateway
• probe
• pylon(proxy)
• probe
• gateway(proxy)
• gateway(proxy)
• probe
• pylon
• gateway(proxy)
• probe
• forge

Because a Cybernetics Core costs extra resources (and requires you to build Assimilators), I would NOT recommend building one in order to research the Warp Gate ability. Speed is everything in this strategy and you want to pump those Zealots out quickly in order to put pressure on your opponent early on. Focus all your resources on building Gateways and Zealots.

As soon as you have 2-3 Zealots move towards your enemy's base. If you're going in to harass, go for the resource gatherers! Try not to lose any Zealots while you do so.

Secure a forward position and build those proxy gateways/pylons. The reason why you want proxy gateways in addition to you pylon is because you do not have the luxury to research Warp Gate. The closer you put those Gateways to the enemy base, the closer your reinforcements are as well. Keep your proxy base hidden! Choose a strategic location on the map where you think the opponent won't notice it right away. When he does, it should be too late.

Try distracting your enemy by making hit and run attacks into his base, that way he won't have time to scout for your proxy base.

Never stop pumping out Zealots; you should have a constant stream of them coming out to bolster your attack. Never let up on the pressure either.

If you cannot break through the opponent's defense within the first 8-10 minutes of the game, you might want to consider moving on to another strategy. Don't keep building Zealots if your opponent keeps countering them with Roaches/Hellions/Stalkers or even air units. Just retreat with the remaining Zealots and switch your build order. Chances are your opponent is teching in order to get those strong second/third tier units. You should probably start teching too.