Starcraft II – Terran Strategy: Reactor Hellion Expand [Guide]

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• Overview
• Build Order
• Strategy

The speed and ferociousness of the Zerg can render any beginner Terran player shaking in his seat. For instance, once zergling speed is researched, early game aggression from the Zerg may seem unstoppable. However, there is one weapon in the Terran arsenal that can fight against this menace. That is the Hellion, and here is a good way to make use of it early in the game.

Overview

The Reactor Hellion Expand build is quite an opener that can become very potent when practiced hard. The point here is to construct a Factory with Reactor to churn out around 2-6 Hellions to both gain map control and buy time to expand and/or transition to other strategies, may it be Siege Tanks or a whole lot of Marines, whatever the situation calls for.

Hellions are fast and capable of roasting light units quite easily. The phrase “line ‘em up” is apt for hellions as they damage whatever is in the line of its flamethrowers. If upgraded to blue flames, they can one-shot drones left and right. For this particular TvZ strategy though, the point is more on creating space and time for you to come with your follow-up strategies without having to worry about Zergling run-bys since you’re engaging your Zerg opponent at his own base. It also forces him to make Roaches and Spine Crawlers, which can be taken out later with a stronger army, whether bio-tank or full mech.

Build Order

Standard

10 Supply Depot
12 Barracks
13 Refinery
15 Orbital Command
15 Marines (only 2)
16 Supply Depot
18 Factory
Reactor on Barracks
Switch Reactor to Factory
When Factory finishes, build 3 Supply Depots
Command Center (Natural)
Standard transitions: Bio-Tank, Three Rax, 16 gas 3OC

Korean Variation

10 Supply Depot
12 Barracks
15 Orbital Command (Base)
15 Marine (only 1)
16 Command Center (Natural)
After 16th SCV – Refineries (both base and natural)
21 Factory
Reactor on Barracks
Switch Reactor to Factory
26 Starport
Tech Lab on Barracks + Second Barracks
Switch Tech Lab to Starport
When Tech Lab on Barracks finishes, research Stimpack (Make Marauders if there are Roaches)
40 Banshees
Stop making Hellions to make way for other units and expansions afterwards

Strategy

The objective is to keep making Hellions and burning Zerglings to a crisp, take out Creep Tumors along the way, and delay that enemy third base. It is quite micro intensive though, but it becomes worth it when you then see when the enemy stops making Zerglings and Banelings and start making Roaches, Hydralisks, Mutalisks, and so on. By that time, you should have another army waiting for him, as well as the resources to make more stuff that will kill his forces off.

The thing about this strategy is that the pros have developed quite a few variations from the basic idea and create some very interesting strategies that have won games against elite Zerg players. Some go on with the harassment route with Banshees, while others go with the safer route of bio-tank or full bio, and some try to stifle the Zerg with positional mech play at times.

It must be taken into consideration that this build is not “bronze proof”, meaning that it is not really ideal for beginners as it requires pretty high APM to pull off. With that said, if there is one build that will help you get better at the game as Terran, then grinding against Zerg with Reactor Hellion Expand can be a worthy enough time investment for some serious practice in the ladder.