No edit summary |
Tag: Visual edit |
||
| (22 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | Unlike chess and some other games of complete information, |
+ | Unlike chess and some other games of complete information, opening book study is largely ineffective in Prismata due to the random unit set present in each game. However, it can still be helpful to be aware of some common openings. Many aggressive builds are difficult or impossible to overcome if the opponent does not anticipate them and adjust accordingly. Familiarizing oneself with these builds is helpful in finding opportunities to use these tactics and, more importantly, learning to counter them. |
| − | |||
| − | Many aggressive builds are difficult or impossible to overcome if the opponent does not anticipate them and adjust accordingly. Familiarizing oneself with these builds is helpful in finding opportunities to use these tactics, as well as learning to counter them. |
||
The following notation is used for all build orders in this article. These apply to base set units. Random set units will be fully spelled out, unless otherwise noted. |
The following notation is used for all build orders in this article. These apply to base set units. Random set units will be fully spelled out, unless otherwise noted. |
||
| Line 17: | Line 15: | ||
* W: [[Wall]] |
* W: [[Wall]] |
||
| − | The majority of these openings are only available to Player 2, due to starting with an extra drone. In most cases, Player 1 will be one or two gold short when attempting a P2 opening. However, many of the openings do become available to Player 1 if [[Doomed Drone]] is in the set. Examples of this include [[#Delayed Tia Thurnax|Delayed Tia Thurnax]], [[#Turn 4 Rush|Tatsu Nullifier Rush]], and [[#Double Scorchilla|Double Scorchilla]]. |
+ | The majority of these openings are only available to Player 2, due to starting with an extra drone. In most cases, Player 1 will be one or two gold short when attempting a P2 opening. However, many of the openings do become available to Player 1 if [[Doomed Drone]] or, in some cases [[Wild Drone]], is in the set. Examples of this include [[#Delayed Tia Thurnax|Delayed Tia Thurnax]], [[#Turn 4 Rush|Tatsu Nullifier Rush]], and [[#Double Scorchilla|Double Scorchilla]]. |
| + | ==General Tech Progressions== |
||
| − | ==[[Tia Thurnax]]== |
||
| + | These openings do not focus on units from the random set, but are examples of common lines to efficiently build drones and tech structures. |
||
| − | {{Manual unit panels| |
||
| − | Tia Thurnax |
||
| − | }} |
||
| − | === |
+ | ===Natural Conduit=== |
| + | Player 2 has the first opportunity to build a Conduit without cutting Drones. This is particularly advantageous in sets with strong green units, and integral in many common openings. |
||
| − | This is the standard Tia Thurnax rush, available to Player 2. |
||
| − | # ... |
+ | # ...DD |
| − | # ... |
+ | # ...DDC |
| − | # ... AC |
||
| − | # ... Tia Thurnax* (8 gold and 1 Red remaining) |
||
| + | ===Turn 3 Blastforge/Animus=== |
||
| − | ====Replays==== |
||
| + | Player 1 has the first opportunity to build Blastforge or Animus without cutting Drones. |
||
| − | Loss: http://play.prismata.net/?r=4RFmg-NT1UZ - Naked tia, into feral wardens. |
||
| + | # DD |
||
| − | Loss: http://play.prismata.net/?r=z4lYD-odxOQ - Holding Naked Tia & Rhino with base set only |
||
| + | # DD |
||
| + | # DDB |
||
| + | or |
||
| − | ===Chrono Tia=== |
||
| + | # DD |
||
| − | If [[Chrono Filter]] happens to be in a set with Tia Thurnax, it is possible to land a Turn 3 Tia. This is perhaps the most aggressive and risky opening in the game. It is available to Player 2. |
||
| + | # DD |
||
| + | # DDA |
||
| + | ===Big Blue=== |
||
| − | # ... DC |
||
| − | # ... C + Chrono Filter |
||
| − | # ... Tia Thurnax* (4 gold and 1 Blue remaining) |
||
| + | Player 1 can opt for a large economy while wasting very few resources. This is ideal for defensive sets or ones containing strong blue units such as [[Drake]]. |
||
| − | The Turn 1 play DC is highly unusual and should arouse suspicion. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ====Replays==== |
||
| − | |||
| − | None yet. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ===Delayed Tia Thurnax=== |
||
| − | |||
| − | Compared to the Naked Tia, this opening gets an extra 3 Drones, as well as 2 Tarsiers that attack the same turn as Tia, at the cost of only one additional turn. |
||
| − | |||
| − | The delayed Tia Thurnax build is available to Player 2. |
||
| − | |||
| − | # ... DD |
||
| − | # ... DDC |
||
| − | # ... DA |
||
| − | # ... DDTT |
||
| − | # ... DDT + Tia Thurnax |
||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | This build order was [http://www.reddit.com/r/Prismata/comments/2ojwim/ shared by Pseudoradius] on the Prismata subreddit, where he stated: |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"This gives you 9 Attack on turn 6 and leaves you with 9 Drones. Enough to go double Tarsier or Tarsier + Rhino every turn afterwards. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''This build severely punishes opponents that opt for a high economy strategy. If Thurnax is available, going for triple Drones probably is suicidal."'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | ====Replays==== |
||
| − | |||
| − | Pseudoradius vs. ChoKosoku: http://play.prismata.net/?r=H4T0j-4Nqdf |
||
| − | |||
| − | Pseudoradius vs. DrTasslehoff: http://play.prismata.net/?r=6EY+P-zADjr |
||
| − | |||
| − | ==[[Shadowfang]]== |
||
| − | |||
| − | {{Manual unit panels| |
||
| − | Shadowfang |
||
| − | }} |
||
| − | |||
| − | ===Turn 3 Rush=== |
||
| − | |||
| − | This is an extremely aggressive opening and is telegraphed by cutting a drone on turn 1. It is available to Player 2: |
||
| − | |||
| − | # ... D |
||
| − | # ... AA |
||
| − | # ... Shadowfang |
||
| − | |||
| − | Astute opponents can easily counter this if they recognize it on Turn 1. A common counter is to cut a drone themselves on turn 2 to rush out a Blastforge, then follow up with a Steelsplitter, and later a Wall. Applying minimal but immediate pressure to the Shadowfang rusher will crush the strategy. This counter was even effective prior to the Shadowfang nerf on September 2014. |
||
| − | |||
| − | However, Player 2 is not obligated to follow through with the rush on Turn 2. As Prismata developer Elyot notes, the Turn 1 play can actually be an effective gambit: |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''"The true power of this opening isn't just that you can double animus.'' |
||
| − | ''It's that you can completely switch away and do DDB or DDA if your opponent tries too hard to stop you. If your opponent overcompensates and does something really defensive, you can just NOT go AA and then be ahead."'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | On the other hand, if the opponent does not recognize the Shadowfang rush on Turn 1 and fails to adjust, the rush can still be extremely effective. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ====Replays==== |
||
| − | |||
| − | Hexmage vs. Kulenych: http://play.prismata.net/?r=SkHXV-pTguZ |
||
| − | |||
| − | Argeiphontes vs. Elyot (Scorchilla Cup): http://play.prismata.net/?r=v@QbO-0BfNq |
||
| − | |||
| − | x3degree vs. SrslySirius: http://play.prismata.net/?r=jd9TP-QwY26 |
||
| − | |||
| − | Lunarch Studios - Why We Nerfed Shadowfang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puZ7kcMDZYA |
||
| − | |||
| − | ===RhinoFang=== |
||
| − | |||
| − | Similar to the Delayed Tia Thurnax opening, this build gets out a Shadowfang one turn later than the fastest possible route, but compensates with the resources to play Shadowfang + Rhino every turn. It is available to Player 2. |
||
| − | |||
| − | # ... DD |
||
| − | # ... DD |
||
| − | # ... AAD |
||
| − | # ... Shadowfang + Rhino |
||
| − | # ... Shadowfang + Rhino |
||
| − | # ... etc... |
||
| − | |||
| − | ====Replays==== |
||
| − | |||
| − | SrslySirius vs. Rheb: http://play.prismata.net/?r=GqcB7-Vxn37 |
||
| − | |||
| − | Slight variation S,frostbite instead of first S,R : http://play.prismata.net/?r=KX1H3-LbMrO |
||
| − | |||
| − | ==[[Tatsu Nullifier]]== |
||
| − | |||
| − | {{Manual unit panels| |
||
| − | Tatsu Nullifier |
||
| − | }} |
||
| − | |||
| − | ===Turn 4 Rush=== |
||
| − | |||
| − | The Tatsu Rush is extremely effective against Blue and Red strategies. However, it is easily countered by Gauss Cannons, which are naturally resistant to breaches. |
||
| − | |||
| − | This build order is available to player two. |
||
| − | |||
| − | # ... DD |
||
| − | # ... DD |
||
| − | # ... DAA |
||
| − | # ... Tatsu |
||
| − | # ... Tatsu |
||
| − | # ... Tatsu |
||
| − | # ... Tatsu |
||
| − | |||
| − | ====Replays==== |
||
| − | |||
| − | Srslysirius vs. Medar: http://play.prismata.net/?r=fXn1E-m0LB+ |
||
| − | |||
| − | iminaBearSuit demonstrates the Tatsu rush: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWkW-AuJIS4 |
||
| − | |||
| − | ===Delayed Tatsu=== |
||
| − | |||
| − | This opening grants the player enough resources to get a Tatsu Nullifier and a Wall each turn. Unlike a typical Tatsu Rush, this strategy can not be defeated simply by buying Gauss Cannons or other breach resistant attackers. However, it is a few turns slower. |
||
| − | |||
| − | The Delayed Tatsu can easily overwhelm opponents that do not manage to mount early pressure. This opening is available to Player 1. |
||
# DD |
# DD |
||
| Line 165: | Line 50: | ||
# DDD |
# DDD |
||
# DDDB |
# DDDB |
||
| − | # DAA |
||
| − | # Tatsu + Wall |
||
| − | # Tatsu + Wall |
||
| − | # Tatsu + Wall |
||
| − | # Tatsu + Wall |
||
| − | |||
| − | If [[Drake]], [[Omega Splitter]], or [[Odin]] are also in the set, this may catch opponents off-gaurd, as the build initially resembles a standard Big Blue opening. |
||
| − | |||
| − | Player 2 can use a similar build order, resulting in additional drones. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ====Replays==== |
||
| − | |||
| − | Kulenych vs. zzz: http://play.prismata.net/?r=FQZaA-ird99 |
||
| − | |||
| − | ==[[Iceblade Golem]]== |
||
| − | |||
| − | {{Manual unit panels| |
||
| − | Iceblade Golem |
||
| − | }} |
||
| − | |||
| − | ===Double Blade Rush=== |
||
| − | |||
| − | Like most aggressive builds, the Double Blade Rush punishes opponents that opt for a greedy economic opening, or are slow to mount 6 points of attack. |
||
| − | |||
| − | This opening is available to Player 2. |
||
| − | |||
| − | # ... DD |
||
| − | # ... DDE |
||
| − | # ... DDD |
||
| − | # ... BBA |
||
| − | # ... Iceblade Golem x2 |
||
| − | |||
| − | Much like the [[#Delayed Tatsu|Delayed Tatsu]], this opening resembles a typical large economy build for the first 3 turns. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ====Replays==== |
||
| − | |||
| − | None yet. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ==[[Wild Drone]]== |
||
| − | |||
| − | {{Manual unit panels| |
||
| − | Wild Drone |
||
| − | }} |
||
| − | |||
| − | ===Mass Economy=== |
||
| − | |||
| − | When Wild Drones are available, it is possible to go for a super economy more efficiently than with regular drones. |
||
| − | |||
| − | Either player can spam Wild Drones, but the build order is more natural for Player 1: |
||
| − | |||
| − | # 1 |
||
| − | # 1EE |
||
| − | # 11 |
||
| − | # 11EE |
||
| − | # 111 |
||
| − | ''The unit Wild Drone is denoted by 1'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | ====Replays==== |
||
| − | |||
| − | Will vs. Timex: http://play.prismata.net/?r=aGUHg-txnf7 |
||
| − | |||
| − | ==[[Scorchilla]]== |
||
| − | |||
| − | {{Manual unit panels| |
||
| − | Scorchilla |
||
| − | }} |
||
| − | |||
| − | ===Double Scorchilla=== |
||
| − | |||
| − | Because of Player 2's ability to buy a natural conduit on turn 2 (a common line in any set), the Double Scorchilla opening is frequently seen when the unit is available. |
||
| − | |||
| − | # ... DD |
||
| − | # ... DDC |
||
| − | # ... DA |
||
| − | # ... Scorchilla x2 |
||
| − | |||
| − | An alternative line is to delay the 2 Scorchillas and threaten them on subsequent turns, while building Tarsiers. Like so: |
||
| − | |||
| − | # ... DD |
||
| − | # ... DDC |
||
| − | # ... DA |
||
| − | # ... DDTT |
||
| − | # ... Option to Scorchilla x2 |
||
| − | |||
| − | ====Replays==== |
||
| − | |||
| − | None yet. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ==[[Asteri Cannon]]== |
||
| − | |||
| − | {{Manual unit panels| |
||
| − | Asteri Cannon |
||
| − | }} |
||
| − | |||
| − | ===Turn 4 Rush=== |
||
| − | |||
| − | This opening seeks to play an Asteri Cannon at the earliest possible opportunity. It is available to Player 2. |
||
| − | |||
| − | # ... DD |
||
| − | # ... DDC |
||
| − | # ... DC |
||
| − | # ... Asteri Cannon |
||
| − | |||
| − | The natural conduit on turn 2 is extremely common in all sets, but the cut drone and extra conduit on Turn 3 should clearly signal the Asteri rush. The rush requires one to store 4 gold, allowing Asteri Cannon to be played with only 12 drones. |
||
| − | |||
| − | This build order is very aggressive, not only due to the damage provided by Asteri Cannon, but also because its Forcefields allow the player to spend less on defense. However, this comes at the cost of cutting multiple drones and usually results in an initial economic disadvantage. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ====Replays==== |
||
| + | ==External Links== |
||
| − | None yet. |
||
| + | *[https://prismatalibrary.blog/2018/01/20/common-openings/ Common Openings - The Prismata Library], a blog post by 307th. ''(January 20th, 2018)'' |
||
Latest revision as of 05:17, 22 May 2018
Unlike chess and some other games of complete information, opening book study is largely ineffective in Prismata due to the random unit set present in each game. However, it can still be helpful to be aware of some common openings. Many aggressive builds are difficult or impossible to overcome if the opponent does not anticipate them and adjust accordingly. Familiarizing oneself with these builds is helpful in finding opportunities to use these tactics and, more importantly, learning to counter them.
The following notation is used for all build orders in this article. These apply to base set units. Random set units will be fully spelled out, unless otherwise noted.
- A: Animus
- B: Blastforge
- C: Conduit
- D: Drone
- E: Engineer
- F: Forcefield
- G: Gauss Cannon
- R: Rhino
- S: Steelsplitter
- T: Tarsier
- W: Wall
The majority of these openings are only available to Player 2, due to starting with an extra drone. In most cases, Player 1 will be one or two gold short when attempting a P2 opening. However, many of the openings do become available to Player 1 if Doomed Drone or, in some cases Wild Drone, is in the set. Examples of this include Delayed Tia Thurnax, Tatsu Nullifier Rush, and Double Scorchilla.
General Tech Progressions[ | ]
These openings do not focus on units from the random set, but are examples of common lines to efficiently build drones and tech structures.
Natural Conduit[ | ]
Player 2 has the first opportunity to build a Conduit without cutting Drones. This is particularly advantageous in sets with strong green units, and integral in many common openings.
- ...DD
- ...DDC
Turn 3 Blastforge/Animus[ | ]
Player 1 has the first opportunity to build Blastforge or Animus without cutting Drones.
- DD
- DD
- DDB
or
- DD
- DD
- DDA
Big Blue[ | ]
Player 1 can opt for a large economy while wasting very few resources. This is ideal for defensive sets or ones containing strong blue units such as Drake.
- DD
- DDE
- DDD
- DDDB
External Links[ | ]
- Common Openings - The Prismata Library, a blog post by 307th. (January 20th, 2018)