For beginner Protoss players, knowing the best Starcraft 2 Templar Archives tactics can be critical for success. Every newcomer to the game has to learn the various key points on his race's technology tree, and this one is no different. Protoss players who want to make use of their High Templar units will be well-served by taking the time to learn about the important benefits provided by this structure, and when they should be built.
That's because the Archive is a requirement for unlocking the powerful High Templar that so many Protoss players favor in different situations. It is also an essential building for the Psionic Storm upgrade that can be provided to those Templar.
Since the Archives are required for creating High Templar, they are something that most Protoss focus on around the mid game as an alternative to Colossus. The key for the Protoss player is to understand the best times for focusing on their creation. This, of course, depends to a large extent on the enemy's race and current strategy. Some basic assumptions can be made in early game play, however.
For example, Terran opponents will sometimes focus on creating an army comprised of Marauders, Medivacs, and Marines, so that they can attempt the MMM Rush strategy. Protoss players who face Terran opponents can prepare for this by building enough Zealots, Stalkers and Immortals in order to defend their bases, while strategically placing cannons to defend against any rush that the enemy may decide to attempt.
Once the Protoss commander has established this basic defense, he can then turn his attention to building his Tech to the required Archive level. A quick tech build would be building a Gateway, followed by a Cybernetics Core. A second Gateway and the Twilight Council are then built. Finally, a third Gateway is built, with the Archives being constructed immediately thereafter. A forge needs to be built at some point in order to research unit upgrades and to build cannons.
If aiming for a chargelot/Archon build for example, Charge should be researched with the Psionic Storm upgrade being dela[censored] as Archons will mostly be used for splash damage instead. Four or more Templar can then be created, along with a handful of Sentries. Along with the horde of units that have been defending the bases, the resulting army will usually be more than sufficient to devastate the opposition's army although it can be countered.
There are similar base holding strategies that are appropriate for use in combat against Zerg, Terran or other Protoss opponents, and all are designed to allow the player the time he needs to develop his Tech Tree to Archive level. Many of these strategies rely on a heavy concentration of basic units in the early stages of the game, with a few cannons thrown in for good measure.
The important thing for the Protoss player to recognize is that his High Templar will never see the field of battle unless this structure is warped in first. That makes defense of the main base an absolute priority for every Protoss commander. Fortunately Protoss players who are familiar with various Starcraft 2 Templar Archives tactics will have a much easier time managing that early-game build progression.
