StarCraft II Q&A - Batch 33: ScreenCraft

Over the past week since the Zerg announcement, we've had many requests for an EPIC battle screenshot, thus I'm happy to present our 'Psi Onslaught' to the community for this latest ScreenCraft batch.

Make sure to make your screenshot requests for our future ScreenCraft batches here:
http://www.battle.net/forums/thread.aspx?fn=sc2-general&t=628588&p=1&#post628588

Also, we are always in need of good questions to guide the latest in StarCraft II discussions. Add your questions to our community questions request thread:
http://www.battle.net/forums/thread.aspx?fn=sc2-general&t=475993&p=1&#post475993

Chat with Devs: After the Zerg release, I have been asking Dustin what types of changes are being made to the other factions during this process, and one of the most interesting ones that have been added has to do with the Terran Ghost. In order for the Terrans to counter the various new casters that have been introduced to all sides in StarCraft II, the Ghost can now detect units with energy in a 30 yard radius. This passive ability works similarly to the Sensor Tower, revealing their location even within the fog of war. This ability could also no doubt open up some interesting assassination type single player missions as well with the Ghost.

ScreenCraft: Psi Onslaught
http://www.starcraft2.com/screenshot.xml?s=76

As requested by the community, the Protoss have brought their heavy hitters in this psi onslaught upon a developing Zerg base. In retaliation, the Zerg counter with a ravaging pack of Ultralisks and Zerglings upon the advancing Templar army. While the epic battle begins, the Protoss player cleverly sneaks a group of Stalkers to raid the Zergs economy as well.

As always, feel free to give the Devs and I a w00t if you are enjoying the batches, especially the new sections like the ScreenCraft section we've added.

---StarCraft II Q&A Batch 33: ScreenCraft---

1. What upgrade type (assuming these are returning) is the Viking using? Vehicle or ship? (Or perhaps infantry?) (TheWarCenter.com)

The Viking is built from the Starport again and will use ship armor rather than vehicle armor.

2. What will Zerglings be able to do against new Jackal? (www.starcraftcz.com)

Attacking Jackals efficiently with Zerglings will take a bit of micromanagement, making sure that Zerglings are spread out or attacking from different directions. The Jackals hit points have also been reduced from 125 to 75 with a slight increase to their speed. This will make them more vulnerable to Zerglings if you can get them close to surround the Jackals.

3. If a unit is being produced at a Protoss building while it becomes unpowered, does it continue production or pause until re-powered? (Battle.net) Blazur

If a Protoss building becomes unpowered, all production including research at that building will pause until re-powered.

4. In lieu of the Nydus Worm, will the Zerg Overlord maintain its "Ventral Sacs" upgrade? Will the Ultralisk have any sort of unit carrying capacity? (starcraft.org)

Currently, the Overlord's original Ventral Sacs ability has been taken out. With the introduction of the Nydus Worm, the Zerg will have more than enough mobility to keep their enemies on their toes. On that note, the Ultralisk will not be able to carry units.

5. To what degree will StarCraft II allow for remapping - limited remapping a la Warcraft III, or complete remapping of key bindings?
- Excalibur_Z (teamliquid.net)

We are planning to support key-mapping for StarCraft II. The extent of the ability for remapping keys is still to be determined. Even in current experimentations, we have found that there are often many issues with conflicting key bindings as there are very few open unmapped keys to be swapped in and out.

---End of Transmission---


Bonus 400 minerals for a great post

 

Look at all those Archons... hmm that zerg is going down ;D

I'm quite sure question 3. has already been asked and answered in a previous batch. The new Ghost ability sounds interesting but I'm a little concerned about pumping the Terran full of detection beyond the fog of war. But this latest addition makes sense and I like it.

Extremely poor batch on the whole.

 

The Ghost's ability to detect units with energy sounds really cool.
And look at those High Templars floating! I thought they were a little more earthbound.

A little too short batch though.

 

What is the building above hatchery (to the left of evolution chamber)? Is it for nydus worm?

 

I wonder what that building next to the evolution chamber is...it looks a lot like a grounded Corrupter

 

It could be almost anything. The Warren, or perhaps the Roach prerequisite.

 

finally the ghost's fancy goggles actually have some use

 

I think it's the Ghost's psyche in action, not his goggles.

 

This is just BS. They can't go anywhere on island/space platform maps!
I think Blizzard is holding back a lot of information about the Zerg at the moment.

 

So the new ability for the ghost is interesting, I am not sure how useful it will be, it will be interesting to see how the ghost's new versatility is used once more people get a hold of the game.

I am pretty sure that nydus worms can cross anything and everything but space, and are completely undetectable, so it doesn't seem like that big of a problem, and instead of using 10 overlords for a drop all you need is one nydus worm now.
Edit: Also, archons and high templars need to be more ground-bound. They are too floaty.

 

That's the problem. Now the Zerg can't expand anymore in space maps without bridges. They are impossible to play now.

 

No no no!
That is redicules! A terrible change! Why!!

http://www.starcraft2forum.org/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=47&topic=6767.0

This makes them much less useful and just sorta lame...

 

Only dissapointment wit this batch Especially with the viking and jackal (dont like this unit)

The ghost thing...meh...its a nice idea and all, but I dont think it will come along.

But assassin missions do sound very attractive.

 

meh, nothing special this time :'(

The screenshot is good atleast, the ghost new ability sounds promising..

 

YAY for a new batch!!, WOOT.

 

Awwwh dang this news is so good but it has it's bad sides , I don't think they should take out the Overlord's carrying ability, it just be strange. Zerg adapt and add not get rid of it just really doesn't make sense(Unless it gains another ability like something better). Theres like barely any Starcraft strategies that can be used in Starcraft II or any that's staying. anyways W007!!!! Thanks for the information.

 

They are, its just the poor shadow/directional lighting script.

 

Ghost reporting, target 50 meters away. Taking the shot, target nuetralized.

 

nice!
i like the new ghost ability!!!
i hate how the viking went back to the starport
i think the HT are floating tooooo much. just hovering abit on the ground is nice.

overall...not a really good batch...but atleast they gave us something..so good job blizzard =]

 

I think that they could give the overlord the ability to carry only a couple of units and that would make up for the lack of getting to space platforms