StarCraft II Q&A - Batch 24

[img width=630 height=137]http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1729/qa1sw6.jpg[/img]​

Here we are with our latest batch, answering a little something different for each fan site. Furthermore, one of the most talked about subjects in the community is about the Thor and what will happen to this robust unit. Luckily we've tracked down Dustin for his latest thoughts about this unique Terran unit.

Chat with Devs: The Thor has been the unit that just hasnt quite fit in, in terms of role, but it might have found its own little place it can call home. After the Devs tried out several things with the Thor, including making it a super unit, they have now decided to have it replace the Cobra, as the heavy and air unit counter. Additionally, they may be adding a new mechanic, in which the Thor will need to be killed twice, once to make it immobilized, due to its large size, and then the second time to kill it for good. When immobilized, the Thor will still be able to fire at ground and air units. Additionally, while the Thor is immobilized, a SCV can repair it back to full health, having it regain mobility.

As always, feel free to give the Devs and I a w00t if your enjoying these Q&As!

1. Will there be a way for fan sites to parse replays uploaded to their website so they can pull information such as race, player names, map, etc.? (www.vilegaming.com)

Exact details have not been finalized, but we do plan to create a much more robust way of being able to search and share replays in game.

2. The Soul Hunter was considered a good counter unit against the Zerg; why did you remove the Soul Hunter from StarCraft II?

There were a couple of reasons, but one of the more important ones is that it was difficult to make it easily readable in big battles when the Soul Hunter had upgraded. Another reason is that this unit was way too targeted against the Zerg, since they have so many low hit point units, as opposed to other factions.

3. Has the Merc Haven been removed since the Reaper is built from the Barracks? If so, whats replacing it (if anything)? (www.Starcraft-Source.com)

The Merc Haven has been brought back in for the current build. It currently needs a Factory as a prerequisite, and is a prerequisite building to build Reapers from the Barracks.

4. Will "Unlockable Content" be included with the game, such as Art Packs, Secret Maps and Missions, Extra Units, and Special Sounds and Movies? (www.starcraftzone.com)

We are exploring the possibility of having various types of art unlockables, which may include some in-game decals.

5. Is it possible to build Phase Cannons, turn them into energy and then move them across the map to your opponents base or an expansion, redeploying them using a Phase Prism? (www.starcraft2.com.au)

Yes, this tactic will be possible.

6. How does a Zerg Overlord fly? (www.gamereplays.org)

To fly, the Zerg Overlord uses gas sacs (filled with helium) combined with a weak telekinetic psi-ability for lift and motive power.

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Bonus 400 minerals for a News Find

 

Lol I've just posted a tactic using this mechanism.
And I am confused.. they put back the merc heaven, I think it will be removed 24124 times and will be brought back again

By the way, nice Q&A

 

I like the new idea for the thor. It's excellent. Makes it even more stronger.

 

Look at the reapers tech tree now. First Barrack, then factory, then merchaven, then it can be build in barrack...

 

Wow somehow I didn't read that! nice, but I think after the "first kill" it will be able to fire only in a single direction.

 

am i reading this correctly, but didnt they just say that they took out the cobras?

 

Yeah, but made thor aa. Perhaps viking can go back to factory?

 

Immobilized Thor? Sounds like an all new idea but wouldn't it be obvious that the enemy would try to leave it crippled (and not kill it) to use the supply (which will be quite a lot) but be almost useless?

Another question, who asks those questions that don't have a url next to it?

 

Oh my God....

Completely avoided all of our questions again!

Anyway.... I hope this means the Viking has moved back to its rightful spot.

 

People on the internet. But maybe not from a specific site?

 

Good Q & A. Cool new development with the Thor. Kuvasz, I imagine you wouldn't want to leave an immobilized Thor around because the enemy can repair it and bring it back to full strength.

I was always pretty neutral to the Cobra, so I don't really care one way or the other, but now that it's gone maybe we'll see another new unit.

I also always had imagined that gas and psionic power had to do with the Overlord's flying ability... but it's neat to know for sure.

 

Nice, very interesting, and i kinda laughed at the last question, its good to know how it flies ^_^
and the new mechanic for the Thor hmm, i would say it would be interesting and since it should be a strong unit as a result this unit has good support, this kind of unit is very good and many siege tanks could kill this Thor quicker than other units of course, so siege tanks should be the best opportunity for this kind of unit :good:

 

hmm so whats replacing the Cobra?

 

According to Blizzard, the Thor is replacing the Cobra. Hopefully though they add another new unit to keep the number up.

 

Couldnt it be predator back, viking to factory?

 

wow. thor is going to be a heavy anti air unit. i think it can still hit ground targets with its main guns. guess will be seeing rockets flying at the back of the thor.

cobra gone? hhhmmmm... dont tell me their bringing back the vulture. hell no. this is sc2. i still want a new terran hovering unit though.

i have a question.. Will there be new static base defenses added to the game for each race? i hope its AOE and maybe an aerial building. How many total units will there be for each race? (i hope this one gets spotted).

back immobilized? so when will this happen? when the thor hits 1/4 or 1/2 of its hp? hope the thor has still strong ground attacks.

thor super unit? nah. it would suck lorewise. i wanna see hordes of thor marching. 8)

 

Awesome....

what was supposed to be a "fast" unit now replaced by the Turtle of Turtles.

 

Zeratul - I believe each race will approximately have the same base defenses. There will be minor tweaks of course (Phase Cannon for Protoss, Sensor Tower added to Terran), but more or less they are the same.

Blizzard also said they aim to keep the unit count about the same as the original Starcraft. This means we should expect to see around thirteen units, maybe one or two more tops.

 

i dont want to play the same old turrets bunker canons spores etc for defense. maybe an upgrade will do with a change of visuals on the building too. NEW static base defense is what sc2 is lacking. =\

13 -15 units? 15 sounds enough. but i want it to be 16 at least.

 

The MS can attack both land and air now (Karune said) meaning that its AtG capacities are slightly weaker. ...And Thor as an GtA?
Now it is MS<Thor instead.

The Thor gotta do some crazy GtA damage + have a fair range to compensate its speed.