Batch 43 is up with some new interesting information. Karune talks about ZvZ matchups as well as some new art changes including apparent updates for the Stalker and Nomad (you can see the design we reported in March here) Karune also mentions the upcoming gaming event at Leipzig. For those who don't know about the upcoming gaming event at Leipzing it takes place from August 21-24. Enjoy the batch! As mentioned in previous conversations, the development team is working extremely hard on the single player campaign, which we will be talking in more detail about at a later time. In the meantime, questions will be 'light' over the next couple of batches, to give the Dev Team ample time to work on their latest design challenges. There are also many preparations being made for both the Games Convention coming up in Leipzig, as well as BlizzCon, to make sure the StarCraft II community definitely gets their feed of info. Nonetheless, in this batch we were able to talk a bit more with Dustin and our balance designer to look into the current Zerg versus Zerg match up towards the end of our Q&A. Enjoy! As always, feel free to give the Devs and I a w00t if your enjoying these Q&As! ---StarCraft II Q&A Batch 43--- 1) What happens if a Nullifier targets a Colossus with the Anti-Gravity ability? (garmgarf battle.net) When Anti-Gravity is used upon a Colossus, the Colossus will still be immobilized and lifted up, which will still allow it to be hit by units that can attack air targets. Colossi will not be able to shoot while under the effect of Anti-Gravity. 2) How many critters will there be available and will they have attack animations? (SatanicLaser battle.net) There will be critters, but there have not been any detailed discussions yet about their attack animations. On that note, there is a possibility that BlizzCon panels may fill the community in a bit more on what type of critters there will be. 3) Can the Infestor infest any building, or only specific ones, such as Barracks or Gateways, if the Protoss can be infested? (Son_Of_Korhal Battle.net) This is actually a mechanic they are currently testing quite a bit. It is undecided if the Infestor will be able to infest Protoss or Zerg buildings, as there are gameplay and lore reasons which support many different options. Either way, at the end of the day, the development team will choose an option that will be balanced and fun in terms of gameplay for multiplayer. 4) What units are currently undergoing major art changes? (starcraft2forum.org) There are several artistic revisions every week, though the two newest units to get some artistic updates are the Nomad and the Stalker. The Terran Nomad is getting a complete artistic redesign from any versions the community has seen thus far. Furthermore, the Protoss Stalker is also being updated to look more similar to the concept art piece as seen here: http://starcraft2.com/art.xml?s=6 5) How do Zerg vs Zerg games play out in SC2? Is it still mostly a battle of mutalisks and zerglings or have the new units changed things around? Ideas (teamliquid.net) ZvZ (Zerg vesus Zerg)matchup usually opens up in 2 different ways, Zerglings or Roaches. Aggressive players can use Zerglings mobility to take control of the early game, whereas going Roaches is more of a defensive strategy. Zergling vs. Roach relationship is such that for cost, Zerglings wins out in the open, Roaches win at chokes, but in mid/late games when numbers are greater, Roaches can stand up to or even beat Zerglings for cost out in the open. Hydralisks dont have much use in ZvZ early game, as they are more of an anti air unit in StarCraft II. The tier 2 battle continues with Banelings that can dominate Zerglings, but with micro, Zerglings can actually come out ahead in Zergling vs. Baneling battles. Similarly, Lurkers counter Roaches for cost, but Roaches have the mobility advantage. Mutaliks counter Zerglings/Roaches since these units cant hit air. Whats different in StarCraft II is that Hydralisks counter Mutalisks extremely well, meaning something like Roach/Hydralisk combo can stand up to the classic Zergling/Mutalisk combo. Also, another great way to fight vs. mass Mutalisks is to tech to infestation pit (same tech level as the Spire), and make Corruptors or Infestors. Infestors have the disease ability that is great for fighting vs. units that clump really well such as the Mutalisk, and Corruptors are Zergs anti air air unit. Due to the fast pace of the ZvZ game, most games dont end up in tier 3, but ultralisks, with their cleave attack, or swarm guardians that use swarms to soak up a lot of ground vs. ground damage are great options if the game does happen to go into tier 3. Overall, StarCraft II has a variety of options even in a mirror match such as Zerg vs. Zerg. Players can use different unit compositions to counter the classic Zergling/Mutalisk strategy that is a still powerful but not the only option. ---End of Transmission--- Source: Battle.net
i really like question 5, because just from reading it, you find that both Roaches and Hydralisk are Tier 1, and that the Lurker are moved back to their old place. overall an ok batch with lots of love for the zerg players. XD and @ Jon: i guess thats strike 2, i have only one shot left , and after looking at your example, the hardest part for me would be the 3-5 sentences, cuz i just like to get straight to the point and not decorate it that much. hmm.
Why whet our appetite to the graphics changes and not show a single picture of them? And where's screencraft? Did the printscreen button break or something (which must've happened like 10 batches ago)? I'm tired of all the text walls, I want to see SC2.
Question 5 is really revelatory!! The Zerg Vs Zerg game sounds pretty dynamic. Original SC. it was always the combo of mass lings and some mutas that seemed to win (couple scourge thrown in). Seems like they have properly nerfed the Muta WITHOUT making usless ALA corsairs or valks. I like the idea of Hydralisks being able to overpower mutas, they sucked again mutas before, due to the mutas superior mobility and strength. Looks like its shaping up nicely. And if this is any indication, Zerg was the most far behind race in terms of balance, and now it sounds like its almost in a retail level of balance...we could expect with the Beta any week now... Hopefully at Leipzeig, but Blizzcon as the latest!!
Prodigal, don't get our hopes up Q1: Okay? Everything else: Awesome! Sounds like Zerg is finally starting to shape up. I'm also glad with the mention of critters and art changes. I'm usually more interested in the little things, so these two announcements made me particularly happy
Like the confirmation of the Achivement system was not a frenquently asked question. Damn Blizzard for just ignoring the subject! >< @ kuvasz : I told you that usualy I am completely agreeing with you. Let us see those screencraft, they were up for 2 Q&A and then gone
yay new gameplay design for stalkers. Im really glad that they look more like the concept art now. =]
