Why do Protoss open adept in PvT?

I see a lot of pros do this and I do not get it. I NEVER build adepts vs Terran. I would choose an extra stalker over an adept every day of the week.

Racking my brain these are the only reasons I can think of:

  1. Using shade to get that last hit on the reaper. But I would argue that an extra stalker is just as good.
  2. You really need that extra 25 gas that you would have spent on the stalker. Even though the stalker is going to scale better going into the mid game.
  3. Worker harass. The pros only build 1 but I will admit it does help them pick off the SCV building the command center on low ground but a stalker is arguably just as good. I never saw it before but seeing Trap send out his first Adept with a probe into the Terran main to get probe kills was legit though… better than trying to 3 shot SCVs.
  4. The real reason I think is scouting. You can shade into the main and even if it dies, it can likely get a worker kill. And even if you don’t get in the main, you can safely go up the ramp with the shade and not get ambushed. Good for vision and scouting early on.

i think it’s just a better scout. and since they have the apm to control it properly they can usually use it better than your average ladder player.

They’re a better scout, can usually slip by a bunker to harass the natural early-on, and they build faster than Stalkers, which can mean the difference between life and death for a Probe from the first Reaper.

Scouting is why but stalker sentry is quite popular these days in high leagues because the scouting is more reliable and can be repeated.

I thought the same thing but when I looked it up, no… they are the same.

I see the advantages but even with pro level control, I just see more value with the stalkers. I don’t think its super sub optimal at all. Its near even with the adept having its own advantages. Like you mentioned, easier to get past the bunker and scout/get scv kill.

I always build a stalker over an adept as well.

You don’t really need to scout Terran since they all do the same mindless build. 1-1-1 quick mine drop.

It also gets to the opponent’s base MUCH quicker and safely. Let’s say there’s a widow mine around. Well the adept can just shade past it. Hellion runby? Shade away. Shades also get you to the opponent’s base MUCH quicker. If you have good micro, the adept is a great choice.

However, I always choose stalker anyway. Every day of the week. It’s simpler to micro, and it’s also effective in its own way in dealing with the reaper. It’s also fast and durable against hellions. It also scales better. The main issue is you can’t shade by things. So if there’s a widow mine or bunker at the front, you can’t really get past it without losing the stalker.

There are tradeoffs to everything. The pros can pull off adept openers really well and you listed most of the reasons as to why they do it. I’m still going to keep opening stalker though.

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I didn’t realize that the overall speed for the adept was faster… I figured the Stalker would get there in about the same amount of time since its normal walking speed is faster but I guess the shade is just that good.