Observatories

A recent post from yesterday has determined that on some maps there will be observatories.

There are observatories that start out as neutral structures which will give large vision radius when captured by a player

This is a new spin on things because these observatories could be great ways to find expansions/spot incoming attacks on your base. Post your views on what these observatories could be used for and what advantages or disadvantages they pose for the different races.

Zerg: Seeing as how zerg have overlords these observatories might not do much in terms of observance since good zerg players send their overlords on patrol anyways.

Protoss: In my opinion they gain the most from this new addition to maps because early game Protoss don't have a form of scouting aside form sending units around to scout the map but this can take awhile because they have to move on foot and around natural barriers.

Terran: Terrans have a new radar observation building that allows them to view a large span of area at the cost of the building being revealed to the enemy (not sure how this works really its still sketchy in my opinion, if you know exactly how this works feels free to post it so the other posters will know exactly how the terran technology works) so in my opinion the observational buildings may not be as useful to terran as it could be.

Obviously capturing these observation points could be very advantageous early game from being able to spot an early rush to getting a slight view of your enemies base (depending on the location of the observation tower). Add in your views about what else these observation towers can be used for. :thumbup:

 

man you are just crankin out the great posts!

i think that these observatories can change the tide of a war, because an observer spying on your base can be killed, ending the spying, but a building relatively close to your base but still a ways outside would take a lot of effort to take down. especially when the owner can see whenever you send a force to take the observatory back.

 

I think it's a great addition to the game, it gives us something more to think about like if they worth investing resources in controling and defending them or not. I think they will be equally advantageous to all races though because one controlled observatory means one place less to use scans on or place overlords/observers.

 

Great post.

I also like to wonder what they will mean to other players. We're already going to be looking for the yellow minerals early game, now there will be these points of authority over the battlefield to wonder about.

Something I considered was Ghosts. Not only can they snipe now, which would work GREAT from a tower vantage... but also if they can see that far maybe they can drop more strategic nukes from the middle of the field (typically nukes are only useful in known enemy bases - too slow to target out in the open and too dangerous to use for defense). Also if zealots or zerglings came to "dethrone" the Ghost, he could call a parachute drop of marines to save his kiester.

 

Maybe a massive detector... might be interesting, since it would make them valuable to get as early as possible, and destroy as well (in case the enemy gets it before you). Would be awesome against Terran and Toss (their cloaked units) and particularly to detect Zerg Nydus Worms.

 

I don't know how useful such a building would be. From my experience, a few well-placed units can cover more than enough ground to warn a player of attacks.

 

Well it depends on the range of the observatory. If the range is greater than the range of the terran's new building (i dont recall the name i just know it gives a large radius of view) then you'll be given quite an advantage because you won't need to use up minerals/gas for the cost of units and you wont have to scout via unit for a large area. Also this could turn out to be a way to make up for the new High Grass Cover that is being given to small units when they're in grass. Perhaps these units will no longer be invisible on screen but visible because of the high vantage view of the observatory.

 

This idea is meh.

I think along with gold minerals Blizzard may be trying to make a good game a tad more complex.

 

I think I like a tad more complex, hopefully some of these new features will make it so there is no strategy that ALWAYS works... or at least to where they work much less often cause the random factor is so big.

Also cool idea above about the Observatory giving vantage on tall grass / tree cover enemies. Perhaps also ranged attack units will do more damage to air? It'd give them a better shot I'd imagine. Hmm.

 

I imagine it may work like a detector, but only for a certain amount area around it. So basically a Giant Observer/Overlord that is able to be captured , but not a Missile Turret as I doubt it can attack, that is stationary. This would keep it balanced ,yet, useful. It may come with a ability similar to the Comsat. Which, would also be useful since we don't know if A. It has an energy supply like the Terran Comsat does. B. If it regens energy quickly or slowly.C. The cost for a Sweep like the Comsat Center. Though if the Observatory has a massive energy supply it would be far more useful to all races. So imo it's an interesting addition to SC, but it was used in W3, so, its a recycled yet interesting idea..Nonetheless there's my two cents on the subject. -ShdwyTemplar Out ^_^

 

I don't recall much detail about the observatory, but when I first about read it I immediately assumed that it was gonna be comsat scan instead of a vision radius, just like how it was in WC3. Whether it works on its own energy pool or is pay-per-view with minerals(gold) like in WC3 is unimportant, I just believe it will be like comsat and the goblin laboratory.

I think the observatory will be more or less equally valuable to all races. With the addition of sensor and radar domes as well as the neutral observatory, I think it means Terran will lose the comsat. While radar dome is no doubt a powerful recon tool and will have its uses, it will surely not be something low tech that you can get early on. And ovie scouting isn't very effective in the beginning, they're too slow before speed upgrade and is actually more risk having many of them out patrolling early on.

I believe the real question is how will the observatory be controlled. Do you need just one unit next to it to take control and utilize it? It would have to be ground unit only, otherwise Zerg players will automatically send ovies straight to the spot on every map with one.

If merely any ground unit can take control and make use of the observatory, I imagine Zerg players can burrow a single Zergling next to one. Burrow is a tier 1 upgrade, so for a good while, P and T won't be able to do anything about it, other than to take over completely and build turrets/cannons.

Protoss and Terran would have the advantage on being able to easily fortify a position at any observatory by building cannons, turrets, bunkers, or even other buildings there.

The exact details of the observatory are yet unknown and it raises a lot of questions, but it will surely play an important role in games on maps with one. With the observatory and golden minerals, Blizzard is setting the stages for many battles. They seem to be encouraging an even more offensive game pace and proactive play styles, yet not all of it is centered around early-game textbook rushes. Either way, turtling in the home base or having poor recon skills/habits will hurt players more than ever.

 

didnt the radar dome only reviewed units in the fog of war on the minimap? not actual vision
in contrast with these observatories

 

Yes, those domes are going to create markers to represent troops in it's radius as they approach in the fog of war. So you don't actually get to see it but you will know what is going on outside your walls. Where as with an Observatory, you can physically see and target each unit that passes by it's gaze.

I'm very pleased with this idea. I think it's a good strategic addition and imagine they will put them mostly on cliffs or strange choke points where they will give a signifcant advantage. If they just put them out in the middle of every map then it's usage will be broken. Sure it's unfair if someone starts closer, but it's random who that person will be.

On a side note, the sight of that Terran Gatling Turret made me wet myself with joy. It's the first unit I thought of for a sequel, years ago. Hopefully they'll keep it in.

 

Not necessarily if the don't provide full-time vision and have active scans instead. And just out of map balance, a more central location with scan ability sounds more likely.

Unless it has been confirmed otherwise, I am more and more inclined to believe that it will be scan over vision radius.

 

Good point, it's far too unclear at this point to decisively claim that it's an active sight radius boost when it might scan as you believe. I personally think it's the former but you very well could be right, and depending on which way will determine how it's used I suppose.

 

I dont like the ideals of the terrans addons that can lift the fog of war layer and show buildings. thats not really fare. it will show u expanding every freaking time and all he has to do is get close and un seen and build like 3 or 4 thors in a dark spot that your not looking at. Terrans might be a bit over powered.

 

Umm... i2new@aol.com, what are you talking about? I think you need to slow down a little bit there big guy.

The sensor/radar domes are not addons first of all. Only two addons have been revealed so far and they ain't it.

The sensor/radar domes do not lift the fog of war. They merely show enemy units on the minimap within a certain radius.

There has been no word of Terran anything that reveal enemy buildings to you. Whether the domes will plot enemy buildings on the minimap as well as units is unknown, there has been nothing that specific yet.

"Get close and un seen" is not nearly as simple as you make it sound, especially if your also building 4 huge units the size of buildings, and the larger buildings at that.

Now how did you come up with all that and get straight to the conclusion that Terran might be OP?

It's "idea" not "ideal" by the way. And welcome to the forums.

 

wow remy. that was some welcome.

@ i2new, the sensor dome and radar dome aren't like comstat stations without energy, as the sensor dome is just a detector, probably with a high sight range, and the radar dome puts a dot on your minimap where enemies in its range are. it probably doesnt reveal cloaked units in FoW too.

 

that's so cool. sort of like radar or sonar or something, lol.

 

The Protoss have Observers though! They don't move on foot, they are invisible, and they are confirmed to be in StarCraft II. They are better for scouting than Overlords, if you ask me. If they are killed, it doesn't hurt your supply limit and they are much harder to spot.