The Importance Of… Creep Spread

The Importance Of… Creep Spread.

Creep spread is crucial in every matchup of the game. Below highlights the basics of why creep is important to keep in mind and its purposes in each match up.

Versus Protoss

Having a good creep spread allows advanced knowledge of unit composition, enemy movements for better unit positioning, and overall map control. In the early to mid game, a solid creep spread can allow the knowledge of a potential Robotics Bay play, if the Protoss chooses to attempt to contain the creep. In the mid to late game stage, the more vast the creep spread the better, as it helps to control the map, and gives that speed advantage to the ground forces of the Zerg.

As a Protoss, an Observer is crucial. If there is no counter to the continual creep spread, the Zerg will always have eyes on the movements of the enemy, and be able to counter effectively due to the advanced warning. Early game, to show that there is a Observer out has potential to be a mistake, because then it can immediately alert the Zerg to the Protoss having a Robotics bay. This can give the Zerg a better ability to counter the potential Immortal or Colossus play. Given, the Robotics Bay is not scouted by this time. If it is scouted, containing creep should be a priority.

Versus Terran

Zerg versus Terran follows along the same guidelines as against Protoss. It allows advanced knowledge of unit composition, enemy movements for better unit positioning, and overall map control. These matchups can be short games, or they can be long and drawn out. Creep should be considered a necessary thing in each type of game. In this matchup, more than the other two, Queens become a crucial role early on. With the additional Queens to counter early harass, comes a much better opportunity for spreading creep.

During the early to mid game, spreading creep aggressively can force the Terran to utilize scans. When doing this, it lessens the number of Mules that they can call down, which hurts their economy, even if it is ever so slight. If the game goes long term, this slight advantage can help you gain the advantage. It can also force a Raven, and if this is still in the early to mid game stages, that gas used could be potentially detrimental to other upgrades or unit production for the Terran.

As a Terran, containing creep is crucial due primarily to the speed of the Zerg ground units. Zerglings, Banelings, and Roaches having increased speed on creep allows for much better engagements against a Terran army than off creep. A lot of times the Zerg will wait to attack until the enemy is on creep, as it is much more effective. As a Terran, scanning is worth the cost to contain the creep early to mid game. But late game I believe a Raven is a much better investment overall, given the macro of the player is good.

Versus Zerg

Zerg versus Zerg is as messy as a dropped bowl of spaghetti. And the same can be said when it comes to creep spread for this match up. Depending on who you talk to, some will say that creep is not needed or worried about in Zerg versus Zerg at all. The reason for the follows the mentality of “Why give the enemy faster access to my base?” Others say it is crucial in every match up regardless.

In the early game, this matchup relies heavily on specific timing for whatever the build is more so than the other two matchups. Because of this, I feel that creep spread is put on the back burner most times. Additional Queens are not added into the early to mid game play as often as in other match ups, because they are essentially not needed. As such, creep spread is not pushed for like normal.

But there are instances of when a Zerg will go for a standard creep spread. For instance; if the Zerg is laying down a lot of creep spread, it means that they want advance warning of when you are about to attack. This could be because they are going for a greedy build, or because they are going for a fast teched unit (i.e. Mutalisk, Hydra, etc), and aren’t building enough early to mid game defensive units to ward off an attack. The creep would allow advanced warning that would give them a bit extra time to start production of units to counter the oncoming attack.

I hope that some of these thoughts have provided a different view of the importance of creep spread and its purpose in each matchup. Thank you for reading. Your comments and feedback are greatly appreciated.

Twitter: @TopherParolini