The Terran race has adaptable soldiers and is usually well balanced. This provides them with the most choices during a confrontation. To counterbalance this adjustability, the Terrans have the most complex way to extract minerals and Vespine gas. Since your SCVs extract minerals, Vespine gas, and produce structures and heal soldiers, resource gathering tends to decline as you utilize your SCVs for other projects. The difficulty in mineral and gas gathering is why developing the Mule quickly is the focus of a successful Terran build order. For 20 seconds, a Mule can gather twice as many minerals as an SCV, and that makes it an extremely effective early game strategy. Well thought out use of the Mule can offset the disadvantage Terrans have vs. the other races when it comes to mining minerals.

Terran Build Orders for an Early Mule

To get a Mule as early as is possible, you'll need to:

1. Construct nine SCVs as early as is possible, then build a Supply Depot.

2. After 2 more SCVs (11 total) obstruct your ramp by making a Barrack and another Supply Depot.

3. Be certain that an SCV unit is working your Command Center all the time.

4. As soon as the Barrack is completed, choke off the ramp by constructing an additional Supply Depot.

5. Upgrade your Command Center to Orbital Command immediately after your Barracks is built. You should have a total of 14 SCVs so you'll have sufficient minerals to perform the upgrade as soon as the Barracks is done.

6. Construct a Refinery, then two more SCVs to get gas.

7. To protect yourself from offensive troops, produce 3-4 Marine units.

8. Make an additional Barracks and additionally, make certain to accumulate 50 Vespene gas to hook up a technology lab to your first Barracks.

9. When the Orbital Command Center is finished with the upgrade, cast a Mule on the closest mineral patch and keep building SCVs.

Terran Build Order Advice Against Zerg Opponents

To prepare for a Zerg ground rush, prepare for either a Zergling Rush attack or an all out Zergling attack. A massive Hydralisk attack together with Roaches is another possibility. With use of the Terran build order of two Barracks, one Supply Depot, and then additional Barracks as well as perhaps an upgraded Academy, Terran's can generally protect themselves from these Zerg attacks.

You should defend against the Hydralisk and Roach or Hydralisk and Zergling offensives by constructing Marines, Firebats, and if necessary, Siege Tanks. Against Zerglings alone the use of Firebats should suffice. Build Bunkers right outside the enemy's town right after you win a confrontation. Use SCVs to fix the Bunkers as they get hit by the enemy. While Terran's have a common strategy of turtling and taking benefit of their excellent defenses, they will at some point be swamped by the opponent due to the fact that they cannot compare at generating enough minerals and gas.

Terran Build Order Tips Against Protoss Attackers

A common Protoss offensive maneuver is to set up a massive Zealot attack. The most effective way to prepare for this is to use both offensive and defensive Bunkers and to make certain you have built a minimum of 4 Barracks. As always, be sure to spy on your enemy continuously, especially early in the war. Discovery of a Cybernetics Core or a Robotics Facility means your Protoss foe is attempting to produce Reavers. If you see Reavers, utilize your Wraiths to attack them. You can even do this if the Reavers flee into their Shuttle - simply attack the Shuttle with your Wraiths too. Attack the Reavers from far away with your Siege Tanks, initially setting them in Siege Mode dropped near the center of your town. Make sure you are far enough away that the Reavers cannot return your attack but you can reach them. As a last resort, use Marines to attack them. Make sure the Marines cast Stim Packs and are spread out so can't be taken out together.

Since Lockdown only works on mech troops (and therefore doesn't help at all when fighting the Zerg), it is extraordinarily effective when fighting almost all Protoss units. It's especially effective when facing groups of Carriers. A strong offensive tactic when facing the Protoss is to continue building Supply Depots and Barracks. Make sure to never stop building SCVs as you do this. While building your base and the other buildings, it is very important to erect them tightly and packed together. If your buildings are constructed close enough together, you should be able to construct a Bunker to cover them. Then put four Marines inside. Don't stop building SCVs, Barracks and Marines. Using this Terran build, you won't have to collect Vespine gas until later in the battle.