[nirvAnA]

The new season starts on 1st May and we say goodbye to three maps including a long time favourite and hello to three new ones. All of the maps above have already been published to the custom games list so you can check them out before the season begins.

1v1 Map Removals

• (2)Daybreak
• (2)Newkirk Precinct
• (4)Korhal City

1v1 Map Additions

1. (2)Derelict Watcher TE
2. (2)Klontas Mire TE
3. (4)Zerus Prime TE

(2)Derelict Watcher TE


(2)Klontas Mire TE


(4)Zerus Prime TE


Dreamhack begins

I also noticed something super cool in the Starcraft 2 client. Great job Blizzard! The streams are live now!

Dreamhack Brackets | NASL Stream | dreamhack TV

[pXtAYY]

don't like the look of Klontas Mire TE that much, feels like scrap station :C, other 2 look okay not really sure about Zerus but we'll see.

[CleighMoores]

I'm super curious to see how matches play out on Derelict Watcher, with the LoS + horizontal expansions. Zerus Prime looks like a slimmed down Whirlwind begging for air heavy play, not sure about Klontas Mire though...are the spawns supposed to be top left & right?

[Lokth]

Love the look of these maps.

RIP Daybreak, longest running ladder map around.

Quick Comments

	CleighMoores:	Farewell Daybreak, I hardly knew thee <3
	DarthBruton:	I loved daybreak. Both as a zerg and a competitive player.

[rezyn8]

Prolly one of the best wallpapers I have seen in a while - pity I have a dual screen setup. here it is in 1920x1080: http://i.imgur.com/7FLRBLv.jpg

Quick Comments

CleighMoores:

That feel, bro :( #DualMonitorProblems

[VB_Blake]

Zerus Prime kinda reminds me of Shakuras Plateau. Still, these maps look interesting!

[syfSoundwave]

Star Station needs forced cross. Sad that Daybreak is gone, happy that Korhal City and Newkirk Precinct are gone. Unfortunately, these 3 new maps are probably all god awful because Blizzard are horrible at map making.

[Matt93]

I like Zerus, Klontas feels like xel'naga for some reason and I hate starstation so I dislike derelict watcher by default.

[nirvAnA]

the maps looks so aesthetically good, especially the green one which looks like an evil face. i think too much of (4)Zerus Prime TE is taken up by lava tho

[asdfSchnitzel]

Zerus Prime reminds me of Cloud Kingdom a lot actually :O

[DarthBruton]

This is my (somewhat bad) gold level analysis of the new maps.

Derelict Watcher
This map peaks my interest. A quick and easy 3rd and 4th base is quite tempting for all races, especially Zerg. Terrans will find that the nearby expansions easy to defend with tanks. Zergs can expand like crazy so this will need to be countered by the other races. I'm unsure how Protoss will find this map. It is wide open with few choke points for the big AoE damage dealers but the potential for hidden bases, forward pylons and hidden tech is amazing. Once again the nearby bases will be very tempting and easy to hold for the Protoss. I am expecting fast games on this map unless nothing happens, in which there will be a huge macro games.

Klontas Mire:
This map will have everyone frowning. I think it would be right to assume that you would spawn Top Left and Top Right. Terrans will enjoy this map with the easy to defend entry to their base and the VERY short drop distance. Protoss have that close 3rd base that is always important and will have difficulty holding against Zerg as I can't see how they would forge fast on this map but anyone who can prove me wrong will be much smiled upon. Zerg will be torn apart by the dropping potential so they will need to be aware a majority of the time. I'm not sure how the small "bridge" between 3rd bases will used by all of the races. I can expect Zergs will love it against a bio army that is trapped in there. Protoss can just stick colossi in there for huge am-mounts of splash plus storms from high templars will be deadly. Terrans can easily wall off and defend with tanks. This map will be hard for Zerg players to get used to but once they are they won't have too much difficulty.

Zeros Prime:
This one has to be my favorite out of them all (being a Zerg). The ability to quickly expand to a 3rd, 4th or 5th base will be huge for all the races but Zergs that abuse this will be winning almost most of their games if they can defend well. Protoss have a wide open 3rd base but expanding to their natural will be easy. Terrans have easy defense and long drop paths but numerous ones and those who can multitask will destroy opponents who can't handle multiple drops. Most of the engagements will happen at the open 4th base or wide 3rd base ramp, this will favor a skilled Protoss or a tank heavy Terran. Zerg that can use mutilisks well will have some fun with the closeness of the bases and the ability to appear and disappear will be very annoying for their foes.

All in all, these three maps are aesthetically pleasing but I'm not sure how balanced these maps will be to the three races. Derelict Watcher and Zeros Prime are going to be short, quick games or long macro ones where Klontas Mire will be very quick paced but a glimmer of potential for macro.

And last but not least, I think I speak for everyone when I say this. R.I.P. Daybreak. You will be much loved (or hated) by all and hopefully you can continue your run in competitions around the world!

[rezyn8]

Edited wallpaper for Dreamhack background if anyone is after it (1920x1080): http://i.imgur.com/nKtYfiM.jpg