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Yes I'm still alive - if any still remember me

These days I enjoy being a dirty casual sc2 viewer watching PiG's stream or snute or TLO stream when i can spare the data cap. ^^
First all how awesome was WCS global finals very exciting games.

Unsurprisingly LotV was announced and we got to hear and see some things about the multiplayer and it got me excited for the future of sc2. I just wanted to take some time to raise a discussion - in general terms - about the changes and additions. Meaning; not going to talk about the stats and how something may be UP or OP etc but more about how it may change gameplay and new or changed units role.


So given my hate of protoss I will start with their changes

Disrupter
This unit gets a rating of somewhat blizztarded. I think it has potential but generally speaking having invulnerability as a gameplay mechanic is a copout and as shown in the video if it can move while invulnerable it will have its stats nerfed to a point where using the unit will be extremely niche - ie maybe one or two all in timings or just not used. Or it will go the other extreme and be stupidly overpowered, definitely very hard to balance like this but if once the charge is activated the mine becomes immovable then you have a possibly interesting zoning unit.
This unit could be a possible complimenting defensive measure against zerg all ins with new ability for them to break force field and it will be able to keep a sizable radius and damage stat to make it something that looks and feels cool to use especially when it hits big.
It will also be able to retain use as a harassing unit in conjuction with warp prism where it can be very effective if timed with a distracting frontal push

Immortal change is something suggested by QXC way back in WoL days and I think it adds interesting gameplay making a boring counter unit a little more interesting.

I like the general changes to air units making them more useful and incorporate more potential micro (carrier) and less plain hard counter-y (tempest) and definitely like the slight change to warp mechanic

I do think that oracle could do with a reskin and I kinda feel like that and the disruptor aren't in line with protoss design and they are both basically just orbs... come on blizz.

Will have to see what the second unit will be for protoss but overall they are looking okay




Love the changes and new units all round.
Lurker is an interesting and fun zoning, space control and siege unit and the ravager.... drool.
The ravager finally makes the whole gateway or gateway immortal army vs roach ling or roach hydra a 2 way micro affair. Instead of it being about trying to set up the attack so you a-move from as many angles as possible in the largest open area as possible then see how good protoss deal there is now the ability to have some ravagers in to break FF and give zerg options / things to do in the battle beyond target firing any close sentries.
Not sure if the nydus work changes will mean much because you can still kill it while its doing its roar animation before any units can get out but do like the idea of them encouraging use of nydus
Swarmhost get a rating of somewhat blizztarded as they certainly do need to give them a new role now that lurker is the siege unit im not sure how they will fit into the game and what reason zerg would have to building them

overall thinking that zerg is looking more exciting than ever with options that died due to HotS changes possibly being viable again (broodlords) while not being a return to BL infestor is great to see.



Herc gets a rating of very blizztarded:- why? Its like a hellbat maruader reaper mine. I like the idea of having this unit allowing for some interesting and exciting / micro heavy manoeuvres I think this unit will be near impossible to balance due to its potential utility. In early game it can act in the same role as the reaper but with the potential to be more annoying but hits later. Its a very tough unit as blizzard want it as something that can be used mid game to jump into a ling bane army and deal splash / soak up bane hits which might make it too strong early game and if they try to balance it for early it may not see use in mid game.
If blizzard look to take out mines (please oh god do that) this would be a great and interesting unit that would fill a role and be fun to use and watch - viewers would be able to see the unit jump into the fray to take out as many ling bane as possible in a blaze of glory and unlike mines it wouldn't be a case of the pro zerg wasn't paying attention for half a second and now the game is over because of a single unit. This would also allow for the reaper to keep its role and the herc to remain a strong unit that could be used in all in timings and in solid mid game though it will still remain similar to hellbat just with a blink like ability

Cyclone this rates a I don't even on the blizztardation meter
Lets assume they balance all the stats so its isn't stupidly weak or super overpowered its a boring unit that goes against pretty much all the other changes and the new design philosophy in LotV
I cannot fathom this unit leading to interesting gameplay, decision making or micro and goes back to the mindset of lets make a unit to hard counter this other unit and thats its only role.
Its so damn boring to watch
This unit needs a re-think to give it an interesting hook thats in line with all the other changes going for more micro and more interesting moment-to-moment decision making

I like the change of being able to pick up tanks in siege mode as I can see some annoyingly awesome micro possible which will make for tough and exciting games - at least to watch.
Banshee speed seems good as an upgrade but any changes to banshee aren't really necessary I think
Other changes are meh - can see they want more BC use but I don't think its anything more than an addition for those few games where it gets used in a tournament being cast and the casters can get super excited because the BC just appeared there instead of flying there or it gets used to retreat damaged BC and thus makes yamoto cannon obsolete

Overall terran is looking pretty terrible in my opinion. I really hope they look at removing some units like the mine (I don't even like the unit from a spectators POV but that is another blog altogether)


Changes to the econ I like - can't fault their idea of encouraging more expansion more often to force you to open yourself up to defending more locations. More workers to cut down on the starting time also a good move but will have to wait and see if this will make proxy gates/rax non viable as Scarlett says or if they will just look different

I am actually looking forward to ZvP in LotV though dreading ZvT but will have to wait and see
What are your thoughts? Im guessing lots of people will disagree about my views but such is the way of the internet. :P