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Active: 2054 users

Hydralisks - Fixing Zerg's Fundamental Flaw

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Jombozeus
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
China1014 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 16:28:44
February 22 2011 15:52 GMT
#1
The Hydralisk

[image loading]

Feared as massive damage dealers with awesome range and the ability to swarm, the hydralisks have always been the backbone of Brood War Zerg play. The new version of the Hydralisks in Starcraft 2 are the direct tech path for ZvP antiair, ZvZ antiair, and rarely used in ZvT. They serve a role that is much needed in the zerg's arsenal: ranged DPS.

The hydralisk, in my opinion however, is fundamentally flawed. The Zerg creep shenanigans with hydralisks is needed to stop fast hydra busts. On-the-fly mobility for hydralisks will be too overpowered against any type of air play or harass play, and thus the no-creep slowness must be kept in game. The problem arises in another aspect:


Range

Heres the Hydra's stats:

Minerals - 100
Gas - 50
Food - 2
Build Time - 33 seconds
Speed - 2.25
Hit Points - 80
Damage - 12
Range - 5, 6 with grooved spines


What is wrong with its range?

There are two specific situations where Hydralisks are predominantly used. Midgame/Lategame ZvZ and Lategame ZvP.

ZvZ
In the ZvZ matchup, Hydralisks are made to sit behind the roach while they wail damage. The idea works, and is one of the popular builds besides pure roach, and infester roach. They are also usually taken for granted as sudden techswitches into Mutalisks can be very devastating and often game-ending for zergies. They suffer from a low health and slow speed, but this is mitigated by the fact that it has roach buffers and a creep from the opponent's base.

Hydralisks are balanced in the ZvZ matchup.


ZvT
Hydralisks gets melted by tanks and often bioballs, and thus barely ever used in favor of Ling/Bling/Muta/Infester.


ZvP

This is going to strike a nerve.

The ZvP matchup has been deemed as imbalanced by many top pros. The general consensus is that any combination other than Hydra/Roach/Corrupters will straightup lose to Voidray/Colossus. As far as fixing corrupter goes, it is a non-issue with this thread (going to pretend it doesn't exist as an option). The play-by-play is Zerg suiciding corrupters into the Protoss deathball to take out as many Colossus as possible before they die to stalkers and void rays. When this happens, the Zerg tries to remax (or get to pop cap at current Overlord numbers) before the ball comes and hope Hydra/Roach kills Voidray/Gateway. It doesn't work most times.

I believe the problem here lies in the Hydralisks. Why?

1. The Hydras have a range of 6 against the Void Ray's 6. This is an even match in theory, but the problem is that gigantic blob of Stalkers/Zealots and Roaches sitting in front of the hydras. Void rays stack, and hydras require a concave that is impossible because the roaches have already established it. How many times have you, as a Zerg player, targeted the Void Rays with your hydras to have them bunch up, and then the Protoss moves the Void rays back 1 range and the colossus instantly melt your hydras?

2. The Hydras have a range of 6 against the Colossus' 9. The Colossus is the ultimate sniper. They can walk through the protoss ball with ease and thus can dictate range. They usually sit back and wail the roaches and hydras. This works because the massive 3 range difference allows the stalker ball the completely block the hydras from shooting the colossus. If it happens that the hydras can, the colossus can simply move back and choose to melt the roaches.

3. The hydralisks take the position of glass cannons in this matchup. The glass cannon (ie. fire mages in WoW,) are supposed to have tanks and peelers to take damage away from them for them to function correctly. This does not exist in the ZvP matchup in any other form other than the Ultralisks. Whats wrong with ultralisks? They come too late for the 200/200 Protoss deathball, and they clump hardcore. Without proper melee tanks, the roaches are not very efficient at keeping the hydralisks safe as they do in the ZvZ matchup.

Thus, I propose the following.

Grooved Spine increases the Hydralisk's range from 5 to 7, at the increase of build time from 100 seconds to 120 seconds.



What will this solve?


Realistically, it will not affect the ZvZ matchup too much, as roaches are already tanking the damage with great efficiency.

This will solve or at least hinder the Protoss deathball. Colossus will have to risk walking into roach range in order to hit hydralisks, and hydralisks will have an easier time adjusting to void ray micro. The hydralisks will still be glass cannons the colossus can snipe, but they are simply easier to work with. Since the Hydralisks are not particularly used for harass due to their speed off-creep, and one can expect them not to be used for drops like marines would be. However, due to the possible forsight of some stupid hydralisk rush/allin, increasing the research time by 20 seconds should be a decent compromise (you wont have hydralisks engage 20 seconds after you research grooved spine now anyways).

The other problem it will resolve is the air superiority of Phoenix and Void ray play. Since mutas and corrupters are crap counters to both units, the queens and spore crawlers are assigned to the nigh-impossible job of keeping protoss air away while the Zerg techs for hydralisks. This should help alleviate some problems Zerg has against protoss air.

On the other hand, maybe hydralisks will be incorporated into more ZvT builds. Currently they usually dont exist in a game of ZvT, because cannons eat hydralisks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They are too slow and they have a hard time doing anything with the standard Terran composition. If their range is increased, an incorporation of them into the standard ling/bling/muta may be beneficial. I really don't know yet and anything would be complete speculation.

====================================

What does TL think of this idea? I would love for any suggestions, criticisms or other comments. But please don't troll the thread with unintelligent whine of balance, and keep the chat about imbalance to a gentlemanly level.

Thanks!
Bagi
Profile Joined August 2010
Germany6799 Posts
February 22 2011 15:55 GMT
#2
The slow speed off creep is one of its defining features, and as such is something I would not touch. This change on the other hand plays well within the "identity" of the hydra, gives them a bit more use/utility in other ways than just raw damage. Their damage seems fine as it is.

I like it, I think it would make the hydra a more interesting unit for sure. Even a range of 6,5 would be a nice buff. I for one love seeing hydras melt that protoss ball.
shawty
Profile Joined June 2010
United Kingdom294 Posts
February 22 2011 15:57 GMT
#3
The logic does seem sound, I am just thinking about how strong they would now be against gateway units though. Hydras already rape gateway units, and adding one extra range might not change too much, but consider how it changed roaches
fIERCEbROSNAN
Profile Joined May 2010
Finland40 Posts
February 22 2011 15:58 GMT
#4
as maps get bigger, the slow hydralisks will become even worse in comparison to other zerg units. even with increased range, being unable to use them for attacking would make them waste of food.
Lingy
Profile Joined December 2010
England201 Posts
February 22 2011 16:00 GMT
#5
I feel like that change could have an effect on zvz.
In theory in zvz, with perfect micro hydra infestor can beat roaches without losing a single hydra, but at this moment it is allmost impossible to do. But with your change this could become so mcuh easier. I realise that there is very rarely a pure roach army, but if you can just trap the hydras behind whilst the roaches a decimated for no damage dealt, then the hydras in the back should be no problem. this isn't necessarily a problem, but it is a change to the matchup .
I have no idea what a good fix would be or if it even needs one.
Hydraliskuuuuhh
RoarMan
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
Canada745 Posts
February 22 2011 16:00 GMT
#6
This really is one of the more thought out suggestions but at the same time I don't feel like the Hydralisk is suffering any huge problems.

The only real problem in my opinion would be it's speed which makes it hard to use but this can be solved practically with tumors and ovie's would speed.

On the other hand Groove Spine is an upgrade ( IMO) that does very little for it's cost. I mean 1 range is good, but I don't feel like it changes all too much.
All the pros got dat Ichie.
darkevilxe
Profile Joined August 2007
Canada346 Posts
February 22 2011 16:01 GMT
#7
hydras dominate everything p has besides templar/colossus, i think it would make them too powerful in regards to their natural "counter"
Jombozeus
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
China1014 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 16:06:17
February 22 2011 16:01 GMT
#8
On February 23 2011 00:57 shawty wrote:
The logic does seem sound, I am just thinking about how strong they would now be against gateway units though. Hydras already rape gateway units, and adding one extra range might not change too much, but consider how it changed roaches


Hydras take at least 8 minutes of gametime to reach a respectable size that can attack a gateway mix. A 4 gate comes about a minute earlier. I think its fair to say hydras should counter gateway units, thats their job and they do it quite well, extra range in an extra 20 seconds should not be an issue. If the protoss stays on gateway units at 8 minutes, they really deserve to lose because its most likely a failed 4gate.


I feel like that change could have an effect on zvz.
In theory in zvz, with perfect micro hydra infestor can beat roaches without losing a single hydra, but at this moment it is allmost impossible to do. But with your change this could become so mcuh easier. I realise that there is very rarely a pure roach army, but if you can just trap the hydras behind whilst the roaches a decimated for no damage dealt, then the hydras in the back should be no problem. this isn't necessarily a problem, but it is a change to the matchup .
I have no idea what a good fix would be or if it even needs one.


A tier 2.5 unit composition should technically beat the 1.5 roach. Youre also going to need a crapload of energy on your infesters, which is pretty much impossible.
HowardRoark
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
1146 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 16:05:25
February 22 2011 16:04 GMT
#9
I like your idea, really much. But I do not think we even need to increase the research time.

May I theorycraft some aswell: I would love to remove the corruptor completely and let Broodlords evolve from Mutalisk. Instead of the corruptor I want a scourge like non-splash bonus-to-massive unit. Spectatorwise I think this would add a lot to ZvP. It could be expensive, and do good damage. This would create Plaguuuh-moments, will it hit the Colloss or will it get sniped.
"It is really good to get the double observatory if you want to get the speed and sight range for the observer simultaneously. It's a little bit of an advanced tactic, and by advanced, I mean really fucking bad."
Darneck
Profile Joined September 2010
Sweden1394 Posts
February 22 2011 16:05 GMT
#10
Increasing the roaches range by +1 changed loads and the same thing would probably happen with the hydras. More range = easier to get a bigger concave and also the possibility for a bigger one which would equal a lot more dps.
me_viet
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Australia1350 Posts
February 22 2011 16:06 GMT
#11
On February 23 2011 00:55 Bagi wrote:
The slow speed off creep is one of its defining features, and as such is something I would not touch. This change on the other hand plays well within the "identity" of the hydra, gives them a bit more use/utility in other ways than just raw damage. Their damage seems fine as it is.

I like it, I think it would make the hydra a more interesting unit for sure. Even a range of 6,5 would be a nice buff. I for one love seeing hydras melt that protoss ball.



lolwut, i prefer to think of the slow speed off creep is something blizzard screwed up.

Almost every unit that was ported over from bw has kept their original role. For T and P.

Meanwhile Z gets units that are names the same, but are different.

ie, Ultras now being anti-armour splash as well as tank.

Zerglings with dps nerf to make Banelings instant damage more pronounce.

Hydras are now more like defender units than anything.


Give hydra back the speed upgrade from bw and all will be swell. (doesn't even have to increase on-creep speed). It's even slower than the infestor which is a fat slug that oozes shit while moving.


Just look in that trailer. Hydras are like these crazy things that are charging in. In-game, the slug would be faster than them =\
Tatari
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States1179 Posts
February 22 2011 16:07 GMT
#12
On February 23 2011 01:00 RoarMan wrote:
This really is one of the more thought out suggestions but at the same time I don't feel like the Hydralisk is suffering any huge problems.

The only real problem in my opinion would be it's speed which makes it hard to use but this can be solved practically with tumors and ovie's would speed.

On the other hand Groove Spine is an upgrade ( IMO) that does very little for it's cost. I mean 1 range is good, but I don't feel like it changes all too much.


Let's not forget how +1 range Roaches absolutely changed almost everything about Zerg...
A fed jungler is no longer a jungler, but a terrorist.
bokeevboke
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Singapore1674 Posts
February 22 2011 16:09 GMT
#13
I think this thread will get closed.

But tbh Hydra is the only unit that concerns me now. I think its totally ok to remove them from the game.
Its grack
theSAiNT
Profile Joined July 2009
United States726 Posts
February 22 2011 16:09 GMT
#14
I've always felt grooved spines to be a lacklustre, expensive upgrade. This is supported by most Zerg pros not taking it immediately it's available unlike other Lair upgrades like Roach and Baneling speed. It's probably important to have once there's a sizeable roach ball in front of your hydras but a buff to it would certainly help deal with the vP matchup without really changing the others. (It might have an effect on ZvZ but it's hard to say)
Jombozeus
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
China1014 Posts
February 22 2011 16:09 GMT
#15
On February 23 2011 01:07 Tatari wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 23 2011 01:00 RoarMan wrote:
This really is one of the more thought out suggestions but at the same time I don't feel like the Hydralisk is suffering any huge problems.

The only real problem in my opinion would be it's speed which makes it hard to use but this can be solved practically with tumors and ovie's would speed.

On the other hand Groove Spine is an upgrade ( IMO) that does very little for it's cost. I mean 1 range is good, but I don't feel like it changes all too much.


Let's not forget how +1 range Roaches absolutely changed almost everything about Zerg...


+1 range roaches changed a LOT about zerg. Mostly because they are now more viable earlygame. The roach had a fundamental problem with range that needed solving, and the hydralisk, as I believe, now has one arisen too. The roach change turned out to be a change for the better, isn't that a promising sight?
RoarMan
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
Canada745 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 16:09:54
February 22 2011 16:09 GMT
#16
On February 23 2011 01:07 Tatari wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 23 2011 01:00 RoarMan wrote:
This really is one of the more thought out suggestions but at the same time I don't feel like the Hydralisk is suffering any huge problems.

The only real problem in my opinion would be it's speed which makes it hard to use but this can be solved practically with tumors and ovie's would speed.

On the other hand Groove Spine is an upgrade ( IMO) that does very little for it's cost. I mean 1 range is good, but I don't feel like it changes all too much.


Let's not forget how +1 range Roaches absolutely changed almost everything about Zerg...

Oh of course but that didn't require an upgrade or any research that cost 150/150

I'm not saying Grooved Spine is useless, I just haven't seen or played too many games where getting Grooved Spine just in time saved anyone from Blink Stalker Push or helped end the game.
All the pros got dat Ichie.
SmoKim
Profile Joined March 2010
Denmark10305 Posts
February 22 2011 16:09 GMT
#17
could you imagine a speed upgrade for Hive tech? mmmmmh <3
"LOL I have 202 supply right now (3 minutes later)..."LOL NOW I HAVE 220 SUPPLY SUP?!?!?" - Mondragon
Hypatio
Profile Joined September 2010
549 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 16:11:44
February 22 2011 16:10 GMT
#18
I think I suggested this shortly after release here and on b.net forums and everyone said I was a troll and retarded, etc. etc.

I also showed through experiments that the stalker is much more cost effective than the hydralisk.
TheResidentEvil
Profile Joined September 2010
United States991 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 16:11:19
February 22 2011 16:10 GMT
#19
Zerg has a fundamental flaw and its hydra range???

Sorry no. If zerg has a fundamental flaw, it definitely isnt the range of the hydralisk.
DarkRise
Profile Joined November 2010
1644 Posts
February 22 2011 16:11 GMT
#20
Can you please stop making this kind of topics? Anything that is balance related should be posted on bnet forums and not here.
MoreFaSho
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States1427 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 16:16:54
February 22 2011 16:11 GMT
#21
On February 23 2011 01:00 Lingy wrote:
I feel like that change could have an effect on zvz.
In theory in zvz, with perfect micro hydra infestor can beat roaches without losing a single hydra, but at this moment it is allmost impossible to do. But with your change this could become so mcuh easier. I realise that there is very rarely a pure roach army, but if you can just trap the hydras behind whilst the roaches a decimated for no damage dealt, then the hydras in the back should be no problem. this isn't necessarily a problem, but it is a change to the matchup .
I have no idea what a good fix would be or if it even needs one.

Umm, it's really not impossible to do, first you fungal, then you a-move the hydras, they stay out of range of the roaches. The thing is if you can get hydra infestor in ZvZ without dying, you're already so far ahead. I do like the idea of buffing the hydra, but I think this would make hydras too much beter than infestors in ZvZ because you could stack them behind so many roaches.

Edit:
I would say my biggest problem with the hydra right now is the thin timing in both non-mirrors combined with mobility. Hydras are actually very powerful as you can see in some ZvP timings before colossus are out, but as soon as the army has colossus support you'd almost rather have a roach in your army which is kind of sad. I think even a buff to the way creep worked could make them incredibly powerful such as letting tumors spawn other tumors 5 seconds faster (even without changing spread speed). This would make it almost unchanged at low level, but strong players could show even more ridiculous creep spread.
I always try to shield slam face, just to make sure it doesnt work
Mash2
Profile Joined February 2011
United States132 Posts
February 22 2011 16:12 GMT
#22
I don't see this happening. At Blizzcon, didn't Dustin Browder talk about how they are very skeptical to buff any unit that can attack both air and ground? He mentioned that as one of the reasons why they don't want to buff the stalker if I'm not mistaken. Add on the fact that the hydra is one of the highest dps units in the game and you have a recipe for a unit that most likely won't receive a buff.
"Quite often the flood of history is undammed or diverted by the character and actions of one man." - Pat Frank, "Alas, Babylon"
mytent
Profile Joined December 2010
United States156 Posts
February 22 2011 16:13 GMT
#23
Um.

Of course voids and colossi should counter hydras. That's high cost tier 2.5/tier 3 units . -___-

I never understood when Zerg or Terran complain about losing to a Toss who techs up to hts/colossi/carriers/etc, while they stay on roach/hydra or marine/marauder.

.....

You really need to think before complaining about WHY tier 3 > hydra.
Sm3agol
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States2055 Posts
February 22 2011 16:13 GMT
#24
On February 23 2011 01:04 HowardRoark wrote:
I like your idea, really much. But I do not think we even need to increase the research time.

May I theorycraft some aswell: I would love to remove the corruptor completely and let Broodlords evolve from Mutalisk. Instead of the corruptor I want a scourge like non-splash bonus-to-massive unit. Spectatorwise I think this would add a lot to ZvP. It could be expensive, and do good damage. This would create Plaguuuh-moments, will it hit the Colloss or will it get sniped.

I personally think that scourge would really turn zerg completely around. As it is, zerg really has no effective options vs Protoss air, and really don't match up well with T either, due to marines and massive viking range. I think that a baneling like air unit would be amazing.
CidO
Profile Joined June 2010
United States695 Posts
February 22 2011 16:14 GMT
#25
1. The Hydras have a range of 6 against the Void Ray's 6. This is an even match in theory, but the problem is that gigantic blob of Stalkers/Zealots and Roaches sitting in front of the hydras. Void rays stack, and hydras require a concave that is impossible because the roaches have already established it. How many times have you, as a Zerg player, targeted the Void Rays with your hydras to have them bunch up, and then the Protoss moves the Void rays back 1 range and the colossus instantly melt your hydras?

You can't expect to win a match up in a counter (soft or hard) based game by having less options available to you than the opponent. Yes Hydras and Roaches melt gateway units, that's obvious, but now you're bringing up the protoss player has Colossi and Void rays? That is two different tech paths for them to take, whats to stop you from getting corruptors? Is Colossi/Void Ray balanced? That's not my call to make, but you can't say it's unbalanced based on using just roaches and hydras.

2. The Hydras have a range of 6 against the Colossus' 9. The Colossus is the ultimate sniper. They can walk through the protoss ball with ease and thus can dictate range. They usually sit back and wail the roaches and hydras. This works because the massive 3 range difference allows the stalker ball the completely block the hydras from shooting the colossus. If it happens that the hydras can, the colossus can simply move back and choose to melt the roaches.

Right and again, corruptors are the counter to that. You're not going to ever win a even or slightly in your favor fight of hydras vs colossi, thats like expecting to win a immortal vs roach, it's a counter amigo. Roach burrow micro helps, I'm not saying it's the solution to colossi/voidray, but once you're at 2/2 roaches are very cost effective.

3. The hydralisks take the position of glass cannons in this matchup. The glass cannon (ie. fire mages in WoW,) are supposed to have tanks and peelers to take damage away from them for them to function correctly. This does not exist in the ZvP matchup in any other form other than the Ultralisks. Whats wrong with ultralisks? They come too late for the 200/200 Protoss deathball, and they clump hardcore. Without proper melee tanks, the roaches are not very efficient at keeping the hydralisks safe as they do in the ZvZ matchup.

Roaches again are your tanks.

The idea that something is wrong with hydras is correct, but you can't possibly expect balance changes based off the ideas you brought to the table. It's been talked about before in other threads what they need (offspeed movement upgrade/+20 hp upgrade/+increase the range upgrade by one) but you've got to remember that hydras shred gateway units if properly used and they're not the end all unit to be used and just pumped out without any support.
:P
ZeGzoR
Profile Joined April 2010
Sweden307 Posts
February 22 2011 16:14 GMT
#26
On February 23 2011 01:09 SmoKim wrote:
could you imagine a speed upgrade for Hive tech? mmmmmh <3


I have sex dreams about that !
yeah yeah im going
Jombozeus
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
China1014 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 16:16:21
February 22 2011 16:14 GMT
#27
On February 23 2011 01:13 mytent wrote:
Um.

Of course voids and colossi should counter hydras. That's high cost tier 2.5/tier 3 units . -___-

I never understood when Zerg or Terran complain about losing to a Toss who techs up to hts/colossi/carriers/etc, while they stay on roach/hydra or marine/marauder.

.....

You really need to think before complaining about WHY tier 3 > hydra.



Try killing colossus voidray with brood lord / ultralisks.... With no antiair.


@CidO, I'm basing this on IdrA and Artosis' comment. They may be wrong, but I'll take their word for now. Corrupters do NOT counter either units in the death ball.
whatthefat
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States918 Posts
February 22 2011 16:14 GMT
#28
I see a potential problem in ZvZ. Muta/ling/bling is in an extremely precarious balance with roach/hydra/infestor. Basically, the only reason the former is still viable in response to the latter is because banelings are so effective against hydras. Increasing the range of hydras would allow banelings to be much more easily sniped off from behind the roaches.
SlayerS_BoxeR: "I always feel sorry towards Greg (Grack?) T_T"
Elefanto
Profile Joined May 2010
Switzerland3584 Posts
February 22 2011 16:15 GMT
#29
On February 23 2011 01:13 mytent wrote:
Um.

Of course voids and colossi should counter hydras. That's high cost tier 2.5/tier 3 units . -___-

I never understood when Zerg or Terran complain about losing to a Toss who techs up to hts/colossi/carriers/etc, while they stay on roach/hydra or marine/marauder.

.....

You really need to think before complaining about WHY tier 3 > hydra.


You need to learn something about Starcraft.
This is not Warcraft, where the "tier" stage of the unit defines the strenght of the army.
wat
MrMotionPicture
Profile Joined May 2010
United States4327 Posts
February 22 2011 16:15 GMT
#30
On February 23 2011 01:09 SmoKim wrote:
could you imagine a speed upgrade for Hive tech? mmmmmh <3

That is what I was thinking. A Hive tech speed upgrade would help out immensely in the late game.
"Elvis Presley" | Ret was looking at my post in the GSL video by Artosis. | MMA told me I look like Juanfran while we shared an elevator with Scarlett
RoarMan
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
Canada745 Posts
February 22 2011 16:17 GMT
#31
On February 23 2011 01:13 mytent wrote:
Um.

Of course voids and colossi should counter hydras. That's high cost tier 2.5/tier 3 units . -___-

I never understood when Zerg or Terran complain about losing to a Toss who techs up to hts/colossi/carriers/etc, while they stay on roach/hydra or marine/marauder.

.....

You really need to think before complaining about WHY tier 3 > hydra.

Lol what are Zerg's tier 2.5/3 air options? Brood lords? K Brood Lord vs Void Ray let's go.

And Ultralisks do laughably poor against Protoss, they die to 4 zealots T_T

On February 23 2011 01:09 SmoKim wrote:
could you imagine a speed upgrade for Hive tech? mmmmmh <3

Yea but then what would Blizzard release in HoTS without new units?
All the pros got dat Ichie.
brentsen
Profile Joined November 2010
1252 Posts
February 22 2011 16:21 GMT
#32
Well, I am not too sure about that. It would change quite a lot. Hydras would then outrange stalkers and also marauders (and marines by 2), that could be quite important. Also that would make them immensly effective against air units.
mytent
Profile Joined December 2010
United States156 Posts
February 22 2011 16:22 GMT
#33
On February 23 2011 01:15 Elefanto wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 23 2011 01:13 mytent wrote:
Um.

Of course voids and colossi should counter hydras. That's high cost tier 2.5/tier 3 units . -___-

I never understood when Zerg or Terran complain about losing to a Toss who techs up to hts/colossi/carriers/etc, while they stay on roach/hydra or marine/marauder.

.....

You really need to think before complaining about WHY tier 3 > hydra.


You need to learn something about Starcraft.
This is not Warcraft, where the "tier" stage of the unit defines the strenght of the army.


Lol. You're joking right?

So... Lings beat mothership. M I rite? (note the big chunk of sarcasm)

Oh and ps. You guys can get corrupters - incredible anti air - before hitting tier 3.

But really. Not many Zerg go for higher tier tech play. Even infestors aren't seen much intournamejt games, let alone ultrLisks and broodlords.

Something to aim for in future army compositions?
blue001
Profile Joined January 2009
106 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 16:27:25
February 22 2011 16:23 GMT
#34
I already doubt this guy's authenticity when he talks about hydralisks in brood war. He says they are never used in ZvT and are used as anti-air in ZvZ, however, this is opposite from the truth. They ARE seen in ZvT especially with plague against bionic/vessel AND especially against mechanical. They are NOT used in ZvZ except the occasional 0.1% hive tech game where they become better with defilers.

Yea I saw how u edited ur post ..
Jombozeus
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
China1014 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 16:27:34
February 22 2011 16:24 GMT
#35
On February 23 2011 01:21 brentsen wrote:
Well, I am not too sure about that. It would change quite a lot. Hydras would then outrange stalkers and also marauders (and marines by 2), that could be quite important. Also that would make them immensly effective against air units.


Yes that is why I am also skeptical of this proposed change. This would make Hydra/Ling particularly effective. That is the reason why I tried to offset that with an extra 20 seconds research time. This combined with the fact that they are already slow without creep in the early game, will take forever to reach the enemy's base. They are however the direct counters to stalkers, marauders and marines already anyways, and we do not see any hydra rushes. This is because hydra do not come out until tech 2/3 can be reached by terran and protoss.

@blue001
Sorry I did not mean to link SC:BW with the comments about each matchup. The comments are about SC2. I didnt really want to go indepth with brood war other than as flashy italic text. will edit to make it more sensible.

@mytent

The corrupters are NOT good against the voidray/colossus combination. Check out Idra and artosis' post.
mytent
Profile Joined December 2010
United States156 Posts
February 22 2011 16:28 GMT
#36
On February 23 2011 01:17 RoarMan wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 23 2011 01:13 mytent wrote:
Um.

Of course voids and colossi should counter hydras. That's high cost tier 2.5/tier 3 units . -___-

I never understood when Zerg or Terran complain about losing to a Toss who techs up to hts/colossi/carriers/etc, while they stay on roach/hydra or marine/marauder.

.....

You really need to think before complaining about WHY tier 3 > hydra.

Lol what are Zerg's tier 2.5/3 air options? Brood lords? K Brood Lord vs Void Ray let's go.

And Ultralisks do laughably poor against Protoss, they die to 4 zealots T_T


Yeah. Go broodlords against voidrays. I hope I see you on na ladder. Easiest win I'll ever get.

Now, if you want to stop being a retard...

Colossi is tier 3. What's it's strength? Splashing ground. Ultralisk is the Zerg equivalent. And broodlords are like the Zerg carrier. Obviously both are inferior to the Protoss version I'm some ways, eg colossi do distance splash, broodlord speed is horrible... But perhaps you should actually try aiming for these compositions or something different, before saying that the hydralisk is broken.

Demus
Profile Joined May 2010
Netherlands305 Posts
February 22 2011 16:28 GMT
#37
on the ZvZ: it used to be 3 range vs 6, and infestor hydra wasn't that dominant either. It just takes too much gas to really get going in any other situation than one with very small chokes. Currently it's 4 vs 6, and the difference is almost neglectible, but 4 vs 7 shouldn't be that much different than the old 3 vs 6.

The main benefit hydras would have vs gateway units would be that forcefields become less effective due to the range, but then again, if the zerg is up to hydras, the toss could have either robo tech (not that usefull) or zealot charge which should help a lot.

in ZvT, the hydras will still melt to tanks. Hydras will be more helpfull against terran mass air though, and might actually prove a counter to BC's once more
vdek
Profile Joined May 2010
United States267 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 16:31:08
February 22 2011 16:29 GMT
#38
On February 23 2011 01:14 whatthefat wrote:
I see a potential problem in ZvZ. Muta/ling/bling is in an extremely precarious balance with roach/hydra/infestor. Basically, the only reason the former is still viable in response to the latter is because banelings are so effective against hydras. Increasing the range of hydras would allow banelings to be much more easily sniped off from behind the roaches.


I have never seen anyone go Muta/Ling/Bling in ZvZ...

On February 23 2011 01:28 mytent wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 23 2011 01:17 RoarMan wrote:
On February 23 2011 01:13 mytent wrote:
Um.

Of course voids and colossi should counter hydras. That's high cost tier 2.5/tier 3 units . -___-

I never understood when Zerg or Terran complain about losing to a Toss who techs up to hts/colossi/carriers/etc, while they stay on roach/hydra or marine/marauder.

.....

You really need to think before complaining about WHY tier 3 > hydra.

Lol what are Zerg's tier 2.5/3 air options? Brood lords? K Brood Lord vs Void Ray let's go.

And Ultralisks do laughably poor against Protoss, they die to 4 zealots T_T


Yeah. Go broodlords against voidrays. I hope I see you on na ladder. Easiest win I'll ever get.

Now, if you want to stop being a retard...

Colossi is tier 3. What's it's strength? Splashing ground. Ultralisk is the Zerg equivalent. And broodlords are like the Zerg carrier. Obviously both are inferior to the Protoss version I'm some ways, eg colossi do distance splash, broodlord speed is horrible... But perhaps you should actually try aiming for these compositions or something different, before saying that the hydralisk is broken.




Zerg Tier 3 is a lot harder to reach than Protoss or Terran Tier 3 IMO.
Ghin
Profile Blog Joined January 2005
United States2391 Posts
February 22 2011 16:29 GMT
#39
There's something wrong with the hydralisk, but I think it's more to do with how fat and expensive they are rather than their range.
Legalize drugs and murder.
Joementum
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
787 Posts
February 22 2011 16:30 GMT
#40
I would not consider this a fundamental flaw. This is a more of a balance problem than a fundamental flaw. If you want a fundamental flaw, look at Spawn Larvae. Now there's a fundamental flaw.

Terran gets MULEs that they can use whenever they want and always reap the benefits, even if they forget to use one when the time comes.

Protoss gets chronoboost, which helps a ton when researching items, but even if they forget to use a chronoboost here or there, they can always use all their energy whenever they want.

Meanwhile, Zerg gets spawn larvae, which if they forget to use, fucks them over completely. Oh, you forgot to spawn larvae while microing your units in a huge 200 food battle? GG then...

I went off-topic a bit . I would love to see Hydras range go to 7. I never use them over roach because roaches are just so much more cost efficient, but adding another range would surely make me want to use them more often.
A marine walks into a bar and asks, "Wheres the counter?"
iGrok
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United States5142 Posts
February 22 2011 16:30 GMT
#41
Bringing back Scourge would fix this completely ^^
MOTM | Stim.tv | TL Mafia | Fantasy Fighting! | SNSD
Yoshi Kirishima
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States10366 Posts
February 22 2011 16:35 GMT
#42
TL is not a place for balance suggestions.

The hydralisk is obviously underused but it has its uses. Remember how Idra used to always get them especially P? No matter how many Colossi there were. With good micro it can be "used" although perhaps not as good as other combinations.

Hydralisks can also do well against bio; they out - dps marines and especially marauders and have more HP and range than marines. They'll need a little to tank for them, of course, like lings or roaches however.

7 range hydralisk would be too game changing and not many units should have over 6 range... although again we shouldn't be talking about this on TL
Mid-master streaming MECH ONLY + commentary www.twitch.tv/yoshikirishima +++ "If all-in fails, all-in again."
whomybuddy
Profile Joined August 2010
United States620 Posts
February 22 2011 16:37 GMT
#43
ZvZ hydra is good against muta
ZvT not much use for hydra since queens can pretty much defend against banshees
ZvP Hydra literally destroys gateway units. Good against Pheonix and voidray. They move a bit slow but not a problem if you have good creep spread.
=>Hydra is good no need to buff or nerf
Roaches all the way way way.
Plexa
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
Aotearoa39261 Posts
February 22 2011 16:38 GMT
#44
Please post these types of threads on bnet. Thanks.
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