[Official] SRF Starcraft II Thread

[poehalcho]

Stephano lost 0-2 to MMA :[
The last foreigner is defeated once again :[

edit:
holy crap Alive vs Nestea g1 was fcking epic

[poehalcho]

ugh, my new devision name is gay D:
Prelate Romeo >.<

At least I finally have some motivation to get out of silver D:

[poehalcho]

AWWWW YEAAAAAAAHHH
Gold league promotion finally!! I guess having a gay division name really did it XD

New Division: Kogg Oscar!

Hope the platinum opponents really start streaming in now. I've beaten like 2 out of 6 so far so I'm looking forward to it .
I was going on a pretty major win streak versus all these golds and silvers >.<. 15-2 in the last 4 days D:

[SM-Count]

Nice, especially since the leagues are harder now that the lower level players are leaving, waiting for dota2/d3

[poehalcho]

Tbh I was hoping for a promotion to plat, would've been nice.
Still I'm quite happy for being able to reach my goal: get to Gold before unlocking the ghost portrait .

What are your best/worst maps?
According to SC2Gears Metalopolis is my best map, but personally I feel the most comfortable playing on Shakuras Plateau. I feel zerg-proof on this map, and TvP is currently my best matchup so that doesn't scare me much either.

Ohana seems to be my worst map. Personally I think my entombed valley play is bad as well :/. It's all great on 2base, but there's really no good position for a third to take as a terran on either map. Both feel kinda zerg-favored to me.

[SM-Count]

I play random, there are no worst maps :/

[poehalcho]

o.o really? nice : D
there was a time I wanted to try playing random but I never got to it. Maybe if I get stuck in ladder one day or bored of terran

[poehalcho]

Blizzard announces Battlenet upgrades for HotS :O.
This looks REALLY good O__O

Spoiler!

Developer Update with Production Director Chris Sigaty
by Chris Sigaty
May 7, 2012 9:00 AM PDT

Greetings fellow StarCraft II players! The past couple weeks have been amazing for the StarCraft II community. At the Dreamhack Open we saw the Swedish "Spoon Terran," Thorzain, triumph over GSL champion Polt in front of a hometown crowd in an amazing series. That same weekend, the Major League Gaming Spring Arena finals went to best of 7 games to see DongRaeGu victorious against MarineKing, avenging a loss in the Winter Championship. Looking ahead, Team Liquid StarLeague 4 was just announced here and is already getting a lot of excitement from the community. And finally, we have exciting news coming out of Korea as KeSPA and OnGameNet commit to all-new StarCraft II leagues, joining GomTV's GSL and GSTL to create an all-new StarCraft II eSports landscape. Add all of that to the 2012 Blizzard World Championship Series, and the StarCraft II community is already off to an epic 2012 in what could be the most exciting eSports year yet.

In the midst of all this great community news, we want to announce some of the exciting things we’re working on this year for StarCraft II. Here's a list of some of the features we are planning to release at or around the launch of Heart of the Swarm:

Multiplayer resume from replay
Global Play
Multilanguage support
Clan/group system
Unranked matchmaking
Multiplayer replay viewing

Let's go into more detail on each of these, starting with multiplayer resume functionality. We know how important eSports is for the StarCraft II community, and it’s important to us too. For some time now we have been discussing ways to improve StarCraft II to ensure that tournaments both large and small run as smoothly as possible. While we are discussing many different improvements, we've heard your feedback and are creating a way that games can be continued if they are ended prematurely during an eSports event. We have been investigating solutions to this issue for some time, but we expect to offer the ability to resume play from a replay at or around the launch of Heart of the Swarm.
Some of you may have read details about Diablo III Global Play, which will allow Diablo III players to create characters in different regions from their home region so they can play with friends in other parts of the world. We know this is something StarCraft II players have been asking for, and we’re working hard to make it available along with multilanguage support, at or around the release of Heart of the Swarm. We’ll have information as we get closer to Heart of the Swarm’s release.

We continue to read your passionate requests for clan support. We can confirm that we are building a clan/group system that will be released with Heart of the Swarm. We also intend to have our first version of unranked play so you will have the ability to match-make against like-skilled players without having to affect your ladder ranking while you practice off-race or experiment with a new build order.

We'll also be offering a beta sneak peek of Heart of the Swarm to attendees of the MLG Spring Championship on June 8–10 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Additionally, we will be releasing news in the next few weeks about how your participation in the upcoming Arcade (1.5) beta can win you chances to get into the upcoming Heart of the Swarm multiplayer beta test.

It’s shaping up to be an amazing year for StarCraft II. Can you believe that Flash will soon be competing in StarCraft II? Before we sign off, we wanted to call attention to a newly created StarCraft II magazine, GLHF magazine, created by a passionate group of StarCraft players. The first issue features some high production quality in our opinion and is well worth checking out. See you online!
The StarCraft II Team

http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/536696 ... _2012#blog

This is the best news they've ever mentioned since anti-alias!

[SM-Count]

So........ they're finally bringing back stuff they had in 1998! Sweet.

On another note, I can't wait to boot up pro replays where we go "holy shit I could've won from that position" (special shoutout to nestea vs mvp blizz inv) and actually play it.

[Azilius]

So........ they're finally bringing back stuff they had in 1998! Sweet.

On another note, I can't wait to boot up pro replays where we go "holy shit I could've won from that position" (special shoutout to nestea vs mvp blizz inv) and actually play it.

Ehh unless you had the actual opponent to load the saved game with you I don't think you can draw a conclusion as such. I imagine that playing against another pro is so drastically different from your and my play (assuming you aren't a pro <.<) and the decisions made were probably for a good reason.

[SM-Count]

So........ they're finally bringing back stuff they had in 1998! Sweet.

On another note, I can't wait to boot up pro replays where we go "holy shit I could've won from that position" (special shoutout to nestea vs mvp blizz inv) and actually play it.

Ehh unless you had the actual opponent to load the saved game with you I don't think you can draw a conclusion as such. I imagine that playing against another pro is so drastically different from your and my play (assuming you aren't a pro <.<) and the decisions made were probably for a good reason.

Assuming they make it like sc1 you can play any saved game as long as you have the safe file, what used to happen is you create a lobby with a saved game at a certain point in a game, your friend comes in, then you hit play and you take over for one player and your friend for another. I assume this is the same thing (granted Blizz has been extremely incompetent at implementing 1998 features so I don't know why I'm assuming this) where you load a replay in a lobby, check some check box and then drag a timer bar to where you want to start, have your friend hop in the lobby and then boot up the game.

If your friend doesn't have the replay then they download it just like they'd download a map if they don't have the map. The only thing is that at least one of you would need the pro replay, which isn't hard, tourneys and pro release replay packs all the time.

I wasn't talking about playing against a pro from a replay, I meant ppl were saying a bronze player could've taken over for Nestea and beat MVP, so you can have a bronze play zerg and a gm play terran and see what happens. I don't mean I boot up the replay and the other player continues doing what he's doing.

[Azilius]

What I meant to say is at the absolute top level the difference from a rank 1 NA GM is still very significant. So even if you could get a bronze player to beat a GM player, I don't think a bronze player could beat a consistent code S player (MVP/MMA for instance). I think even a GM player might have trouble doing it.

It may be doable after seeing the replay in full and knowing everything that's going on so you can make perfect decisions..but that's much different imo

[DinoNuggets]

You guys have any idea around what time the expansion is gonna come out? Havent really been playing much SC2, so i dont know if any huge changes have happened?

[poehalcho]

You guys have any idea around what time the expansion is gonna come out? Havent really been playing much SC2, so i dont know if any huge changes have happened?

If I am not mistaken it just got delayed to 2013. It's unofficial but not really surprising.
They stated they would release 2 things in 2012, which ends up being Mysts of Panderia and Diablo 3...

[PureStr]

You guys have any idea around what time the expansion is gonna come out? Havent really been playing much SC2, so i dont know if any huge changes have happened?

If I am not mistaken it just got delayed to 2013. It's unofficial but not really surprising.
They stated they would release 2 things in 2012, which ends up being Mysts of Panderia and Diablo 3...

D3 FTW, can't wait!!!
I can wait another year or so for HOTS.

[Azilius]

With the HoTS beta around the corner I wouldn't be surprised if it's released in line with christmas or early Q1 2013. To be honest though Blizzard should be working to push it out earlier with Christmas being a last resort. I think they've finally noticed how powerful ESports is and with LoL's massive success it seems Blizzard is going to pull their heads from out of their asses and nurture SC2 a lot more. The question is will it be too late =\

[poehalcho]

I don't think they should push it. Blizzard are slow because they give quality. People whine a lot about it none the less, but Blizzard is definitely one of the most caring companies out there. If blizzard rushes the game it will just cause a shitstorm. People are getting used to the slowness anyway, they're starting to understand and expect it and that's fine.

I'm slightly confused as to how LoL is a real competitor against starcraft It's an entirely different game... If there's anything it's competing with it's Dota2. Moreover with the BW era ending (in case you didn't see on TL, a lot of the pros seem to be switching over now) a lot of people will switch over to watching/playing sc2.

You even could more or less state that Starcraft 2 only just began now.

[Azilius]

I wasn't referring to the games genre when I said taking over. I'm aware LoL isn't an RTS therefore it can't be better than SC2 in that way, but my point was that SC1/SC2 were considered the most popular ESport (of all genres) and then LoL rushed in and took over the #1 spot in South Korea, and now in the world...

The revenue increase due to exposure for that game was probably a wake up call for Blizzard to make sure they notice how big ESports is getting =\

[poehalcho]

LoL took the #1 spot in Korea o.O?? Must've missed that...
Hmmm, but I can see where you're coming from. Moreover since WoW finally slowly started to decline I can only imagine them focussing their attention on getting big money from SC2 and D3.

[poehalcho]

Oh Wow. This is just amazing :O

patch 1.5 notes (HUGE)
http://www.reddit.com/r/starcraft/comme ... _notes_15/

Arcade screenshots
http://www.reddit.com/r/starcraft/comme ... coming_ui/

[vietxboy911]

I have more fun watching commentaries now than I do playing the game.. I think its because I think too much and cant enjoy while I play lol :p

[SM-Count]

From a Korean interview HotS is expected to be released early next year, first quarter. Which probably means third quarter next year, just a rumor though, granted it's a rumor from the Korean leagues.

[poehalcho]

GSL finals Game 5, did anyone see that HOLY SHIT O____O

Spoiler!

edit:
Here's a vid

Spoiler!

[Azilius]

Lmao can't believe it even worked against a terran..

Can't wait for that shit to be removed t.t

[poehalcho]

it should be noted that half of squirtles dudes were stuck on an island.

[Stress]

Lmao can't believe it even worked against a terran..

Can't wait for that shit to be removed t.t

Archon toilet is retarded, indeed. Usually, TvP doesn't come down to an Archon toilet, but in ZvP, it's a different story. The matchup itself is retarded, at the moment. 99% of games go like this:

Protoss opens Forge Fast Expand, and then he either two base all-ins (7 gate +2 blink, 6 Gate Immortal, 6 Gate Void Ray, etc.), or does some light pressure on the Zerg third and then expands with Sentry/Immortal. Then, Zerg pressures with Ling/Roach and tries to deny the third, while taking a fourth base and teching to either Mutalisks or Infestors. Zerg then builds a million spine crawlers and goes towards Hive Tech, Brood Lord/Infestor, gradually trading Roaches and Zerglings for more Corruptors/Infestors/Broodlords. Protoss only has an answer to that army, namely the Mothership, together with Templar tech. If the Vortex hits, Protoss wins. If it doesn't, Zerg wins. ZvP is so stupid. >.<

EDIT: By the way, if anyone here is on the EU server and wants to hang out or play some practice games, hit me up: Locutus.261. Rank #1 Diamond Protoss pushing for Masters, in case that makes any difference. I can offrace Zerg and Terran at Diamond level as well.

[poehalcho]

I'll use this video as an excuse to say that I added you Stress

[poehalcho]

Redbull battlegrounds:
http://www.teamliquid.net/video/streams/Day%5B9%5D

[poehalcho]

I jsut lost vs a diamond woop woop

[poehalcho]

New HotS stuff!!!


PvZ

TvZ @ 2:09:10
http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/live#sc2


Quick Facts:

Spoiler!

*I'm trying to pretend I'm a reporter. If you want me to ask a player something, report on a situation, have something very specific about HOTS you want me to try out I'll do my best to get it done and report back. Let me know guys and by the looks of things, gals. *

Protoss Unit Update Protoss received units that made Protoss feel more like angry, powerful aliens from outerspace.

*Tempest *Feels like a flying Immortal. Has a +12 range upgrade at the Fleet Beacon

*Mothership Core *You can make this unit as soon as you have the gas for it, not even a Gateway requirement. However, this unit is stationary and can only be moved to other Nexi with a special ability Abilities

Mothership Mothership upgrades from MOthership core; has a new ability that freezes all air unit

-eleoport moves Core to a different nexus

-Energize can refill all energy to any unit or building including the Nexus (Does not affect shields)

-Purify Cannon lasts 20 seconds and acts like a Chalupa Canon from Nexus Wars

-Mass Recall recalls units back to base

*orgot the name of this unit, DOH! *

-Cloak can cloak all units within an AOE range for 60 seconds

-Entomb targets a minneral field and encases minneral patches in a breakable shield, entombed patches cannot be mined

-Preordain targets any enemy structure and uses the structure to grant vision and detection for the casting player

Zerg Unit Update

*I played a couple more games. Here's an Update:

*Blinding Cloud turns all ranged attacks in to melee attacks.

*The Swarm Host Upgrade increases the lifespan of the swarm critters by 10 seconds (Akin to being able to increase the length of an infested Terran

*Swarm Host critter thing can attack AIR AND GROUND! HOLY **** (I'll learn the name next game)

*Hydra moves around like a boss with the upgrade.

*Ultralisk comes with a charge ability no upgrades required. When you select an Ultralisk an AOE dotted circle appears and the Ultralisk will start charging once it reaches the circle. It will definitely take some APM and practice to get the mechanics of the new charge ability down

*Game timer has moved to right hand corner

*New building and creep animations - They look way better for zerg

*Viper can leech health from your own buildings for energy, gets a grappling ability that works and friendly and enemy units

*Hydra speed upgrade +50%

*Burrowed banes can no longer move underground

*Terran has mines that show up as a dot that is white, right, and shiny, about the size of two nuclear missile warning dots. They launch from the sky. Great for economy harass and unit clumps

I'm very scared as a terran... Only my new widow mines shine a ray of hope...

I was actually thinking it doesn't look too bad. The game seems to playing with smaller battles now,
but I also just heard that zerg still has infestors which in my book makes them incredibly OP right now. Can you imagine. Abduct colossus and Neural it D:

EDIT
specifics:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmes ... _id=343491

additional info:
http://www.reddit.com/r/starcraft/comme ... on_thread/

Costs and stuff:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmes ... _id=343635

More additional info:
- You can load 4 Widow mines in a Medivac
- Thors are still in. With Ultra's loss of Frenzy 250mm cannons will finally have a real use!
- In HOTS, low pylons no longer power high ground. I think this is a good decision overal. It will FORCE a little bit more creativity out of the protoss while killing silly strats such cannon rushes and 4gates. Hopefully we'll see some serious use of the warp prism from now on. (imo they should remove the warpgate transformation and allow warpins only through warpprisms while lowering build times when making units the normal way, I think that will be a general improvement to the game's design)

Spoiler!