Improving PvZ Balance: Discussion Needed - Page 2

The first type of response would be to review a group of changes, saying what you like and don't like:

For example, in my case, (regarding I.A) I really don't want Hydras to become weaker. I like them as-is for not only ZvP, but ZvT, and ZvZ. So I favor putting Zealot build time down by 4 or so, as opposed to making Hydras worse in this regard. Photons becoming a medium unit means things like Zealots, Lings, Marines remain the same to them, while explosive units like Mutas, Tanks, Goons, Hydras would do less damage to the HP part of them--and Vultures (concussive) would kill them more easily. Similarly, shifting Zealot shields to HP makes Zealots stronger in all of these cases as well. Would PvT be ruined as a result? If not, it seems like a good change if what you want to do is make those kinds of fights shift slightly. That's how I feel about point A of Problem I.

A second kind of post would say which points you feel are the best kind to look at, and again giving details on what you think will work and why:

But I actually like points B, C, and D more than A. A is subtle and dangerous, whereas I'm more confident that DA's, especially Maelstrom, pretty much are not going to break other matchups even if raised to the point where they effect PvZ earlier and more substantially. And I think like this: A DA is really like two casters because it's two units, and gaswise it's like 1.25 High Templar. Why, then, not make it able to cast spells 25% more often, at least? In other words, cut it's spell energy costs to about 75% of what they were, rounding to Blizzard-style multiples-of-fives type numbers: Mind Control for 110; Feedback for 35; Maelstrom for 75. When Blizzard made Mind Control they were way too scared of it being "awesome." Clearly, it is anything but. I might favor moving it down to something like 75. On the other hand, Feedback might already be fine at 50, and I don't really like a caster that simply makes other casters useless (kind of how I don't like Restoration making Parasite useless).

My second favorite is point D because it doesn't scare me much as far as ruining other matchups. Faster Templar movement (still slower than the Protoss army, but able to walk up to you and storm without being as obvious going to clearly die for it) and de-nerfing Storm seem like no-brainers.

I also would like Reaver to be more of an option for pros, who I feel avoid it because it has been overly nerfed and has a horrible, unreliable AI. But I tread carefully here because if the Reaver is made too strong it will be horrible for PvT. If I knew PvT better I might dare to suggest Reavers coming out a little earlier (by being cheaper or having tech cheaper, for instance). But instead, I say, just improve their AI a little so scarabs are reliable and controlable, and leave the rest the same.

Those first two kinds of replies seek to improve the answers to Problem I and lay the groundwork for answering Problem II. A third type of response would be to flat out state what your bet is for answering Problem II. So I would go with DA spell reduction, the Templar movement and Storm de-nerf, the Zealot shift and Photon mediumize, and a weak Reaver AI fix. Then others would come back and say how this set is too strong and would ruin the matchup, etc.

Finally, if I had more ideas for things that effect PvZ without hurting other matchups, I would include them here.