With TSL over and the Starleagues still in their preliminaries TeamLiquid will still make sure your weekend is filled with StarCraft awesomeness. On the sunday, the TL Arena team will pry your eyes away from the SC2 streams. That's right, another awesome Arena is coming up ~ keep reading for details.
TL-Arena VI - Sunday 14 of March 2010 - 22:00 CET // 17:00 EST // 14:00 PST
Hero of the evening is Oystein. We all know him from the immense hours of streaming he's done for us - most notable his dual-streamed matched vs Infernal - and consequently we know that he's a racepicker. This will add an extra dimension as he can base his choice for what race to play on the handicaps he gets. Another tactical dimension that will be discussed below.
Participation and Maps Again, the TL public will be given a chance to play our Hero. If you're up for it and ranked between D and C+ sign up. Do NOT do so by posting in this topic, but instead click this link and fill out your details. Maps will be picked by the Hero from the iCCup mappack, but he will be required to play on one TL-submitted map. So, got a home-made map you want to see in action, wanna dig up a map you haven't seen in ages? Post in this topic to let us know and a poll will decide which map will be used.
Handicaps Oystein will be playing PvZ, PvT and ZvP. For the handicaps we therefore have 2 sets: One for Protoss, one for Zerg. The individual handicaps from one group will individually be linked up to one from the other group so that, f.e. when he gets handicap #3, it could mean No Forge Ups for Protoss and No Scourge for Zerg. As for TL participation, feel free to suggest both Protoss and Zerg handicaps. After they have been polled, TLP#1 will be linked to TLZ#3, TLP#2 to TLZ#2 and TLP#3 to TLZ#1. The full list of handicaps will be made public soon.
Handicap selection - Poll Our trusted viewers will have noticed that Arena V as organized by deL had a different way of selecting handicaps. We used to have a map that picked a random unit, representing a handicap, but he opted to have an image on-stream (unseen by the Hero), on which the handicaps we randomly numbered. The Hero then picked a number and consequently. Both methods have up and downsides, therefore I'll let you, TeamLiquid, decide which method to use. In the spoiler below I listed some pros and cons of both methods.
I make a numbered list of people as they come in. When it's complete I have my TI-83 pick 8 random numbers and those players get in. It's fair this way.
I played last time, can I play again?
We like giving more people a chance to play so you'll have to sit one out. You can always join the reserves though!
Why wasn't my handicap picked?
It probably won't work as well as you thought, cannot be monitored by the refs, has no show element or is just plain retarded.
Okay then, what makes a good handicap?
There are a couple of things that make a bad handicap.
The offline handicap - "Has to play with ovenmittenslol
There's no way of us to check this (other than trust the Hero) and it either won't show in the games or be so detrimental that he'll just roll over and die right off the bat.
The area-bound handicap - "No maybard/scouting"
Although "base" and "expansion" seem pretty straightforward they really aren't. Also "yeah I was gonna build a building there but I changed my mind" is a pretty good excuse for the examples. The do handicap - "Yeah he's gotta plague his army lol"
Handcaps are mostly about what he can't do. If you tell he has to do something it raises when?/how?/where? questions - which makes the whole thing rather complicated - and if his opponent ggs before he can do whatever it is he has to do does he lose? The undoable handicap - "Can only morph from the left-most larvae"
The sole concept of playing with handicaps is hard. You have to remember what they are and drop some thing you are really really used to. Some things are therefore pretty undoable for a player. On top of that we don't want to go kESPA on his ass when he forgets, but just give him a reminder nudge. Therefore handicaps need to be checkable (i.e. nothing involving supply numbers).
Furthermore keep in mind that we try to go for non match-up specific handicaps.
You say it's on Sunday but the calender says Monday - I'm so confused!
TeamLiquid runs on KST (Korean time). Because of the timezone difference they arrive at their Monday before Europeans or Americans do.
Hey at what time do I get to play? Can I play first?
There is no set time for when you get to play. Adapting to Handicaps is in and of itself a tactical consideration and we leave the Hero the freedom to choose the order in which he plays people. Some Handicaps may prompt him to play vs a certain race first, or he might choose to save his best MU for last.
I didn't get to play, can I default to next time?
The show is about the Hero, not about the fodder. Being selected does not guarantee you a game. The Hero is just required to play you if he wants a full win. If, however, he loses the event is officially over. Of course we ask our Heroes to play some more games (who wants a 30 minute show?) but if we don't get to your it's just tough luck. You're free to enter future Arenas and if you showed up we'll pick you over people who didn't.
Handicap: Must research the following upgrades upon the completion of the corresponding buildings: - Sensor Array ( obs sight range ) - Antennae ( overlord sight range ) - Mind Control ( ) - Reaver Capacity - Argus Jewel ( corsair +50 energy ) - Gamete Meiosis ( queen + 50 energy )
The handicapee must not build any previously unbuilt unit-type or building-type before announcing it in the global in-game chat for the opponent to see. Also, once he's announced a unit-type or building-type, then he has to build that next. (So he can't just list every unit and building type at the start of the game and play as normal.)
FYI: Sunday March 14 is the start of Daylight Savings Time in the US. Thus Arena is scheduled for 5PM EDT, 2PM PDT, etc.
I like the map idea better, but only if you have a reset trigger ingame AND the hero is told beforehand to not leave if there needs to be a reset. This eliminates the awkwardness of the regame.
On March 11 2010 01:02 narri wrote: FYI: Sunday March 14 is the start of Daylight Savings Time in the US. Thus Arena is scheduled for 5PM EDT, 2PM PDT, etc.
I like the map idea better, but only if you have a reset trigger ingame AND the hero is told beforehand to not leave if there needs to be a reset. This eliminates the awkwardness of the regame.
Would that be 5pm EST? Sorry not trying to correct but making sure you're saying the US east coast, I don't want to miss this haha.
Zerg Handicap: Hatch everywhere: Can only make an hatch at a expension.
Zerg Handicap: Overload love eachother: Overload can only be around his Hatch or with his main army (no floating around to explore).
Protoss Handicap: I need more energy: Need to upgrade the "more energy" from a units before using it (Crosair, High templar, dark archon). .... Could also apply to Zerg (queen, defiler)
Zerg Handicap Quality over quantity: Cannot take a third before reaching hive. Titanic: Has to sunken rush. Period. Plaguuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu: Dark Swarm is illegal.
Protoss Handicap Spread the love: Cannot have overlapping pylon fields. Hero: Every control group leaving his base to attack must have a probe.
Both: Mo' Money: Must have more minerals then supply for the entire game. Variations could be starting after first pylon/overlord, or after the first five minutes, or after first five minutes/gas instead. Blabbermouth: Must type in at least 30 characters into public chat every minute. An additional 30 characters whenever he takes an expansion.
Oystein suddenly discovers the desire to commentate the game to his opponent through text while playing. Up to you guys to decide how frequently he needs to make a comment.
Handicap: Hero cannot use the keyboard interface. He must send all unit orders by clicking on the ingame UI/right clicking.
Protoss handicap: Hero cannot build second gateway before Templar Archives Hero must mass scouts Hero cannot have more Zealots then Probes
Zerg handicap: Hero cannot fight with hydralisks, they all have to morph into lurker Hero cannot keep overlords in his bace. Hero must always leave at least one larva at each hatch at all times
Handicap suggestion: Hero can be asked for shared vision for 30 seconds at any time, once per game. Observers can time it and tell him to switch it off when time is up.
Expansion Tech - Player must have hydra tech before expanding vs P - Player must get gateway first vZ (This already delays expo) - Player must templar archives before expanding vT
Hopefully, this forces Oy to do some funny builds =)
On March 10 2010 23:16 LuDwig- wrote: map because some idiot for sure will tell him the handicap
We'll take some precautions to prevent this. If we find people even trying there will be consequences
On March 11 2010 01:02 narri wrote: FYI: Sunday March 14 is the start of Daylight Savings Time in the US. Thus Arena is scheduled for 5PM EDT, 2PM PDT, etc.
I like the map idea better, but only if you have a reset trigger ingame AND the hero is told beforehand to not leave if there needs to be a reset. This eliminates the awkwardness of the regame.
Thanks for this - updating op
On March 11 2010 02:32 ProHellZerg wrote: So what channel is TL-Arena VI played in?
We'll announce this in the poll/live topic.
On March 11 2010 05:52 Abenson wrote: Can we get a SC2 Arena?
Feel free to organize it - let me know if you need any help
On March 11 2010 07:23 mtmf wrote: Won't this overlap with Liquibition? Or will it start right after that?
Cold keys -Player cannot use hotkeys (f keys not included)
Glutten -players can only increase food when it is maxed out
stone age -players restricted to tier 1-1.5 tech (exactly which units are banned to be determined)
EMP -players forced to play without upgrades (storm, plague, attack ups, defense ups, ect are restricted, lair and hive tech are exempt from the restriction)
The collecter -players must research all abilities in a building (except the + attack, +def, and +shield ups) before building another (this does not apply to hq's- the can be built whenever)
King of the skies -players can only use air units for attack purpouses, ground units only allowed for defense in main and expansions unless ferried to opposing players base. dropships, overloards and shuttles must be used to transport ground units for attacks. corssairs, mutas, wraiths, guards, etc can be used how ever pleased
Turtle pro extreeme (zvz only) -both players must build 4 hatches in main before expanding. after that, game continues on normally
Boots of furry -players restricted to using ground only units. the only exceptions are overs for detection (and food), observers for detection, and science vessles for detection (science vessles cannot be used offensively or defensively, but they are welcom to march with the army). all allowed air units are allowed to get ups on armor/shields
Macro Maniac -players are only allowed to train mineral gathering units for the first 6 minutes of the game. expansions and other tech/unit producing buildings can be built with no restriction.
A complete set -players are not allowed to offensivly attack the opposing player or their expansions untill they have built one of every building that exist for that race (addons for terrin, great spire for zerg, and fleet beacon for protoss are exempt, but may still be built)
The Places I Have Been -players are only allowed to offensively attack with units that are dependent on 4 or more buildings (supply depo/pylon dosen't count, CC, Hatch, and Nexus does)
Verity Is The Spice Of War -players are required to build at least 1 of every unit before offensively attacking (massing is allowed, units that are built from other units [arcons, guards, devourers] are exempted, but can still be built)
Fighting Beside Myself -Players are only allowed to offensively attack with 1 type of unit at any time for the first 10 minutes of the game
The Vision of My Enemy -players required to ally viz for entire match
Twin Tower Complex -players required to build 2 or more of every building that they build before they move on to build another (build a barrack? well build another! mutate a spawn pool?? well mutate another!!) [ccs, hatches, and nexuses are exempt from handicap]
My House Is Your House -players must build their first expansion in their players natural (only on maps where player position is already known like HBR and Destination)
Power Drone!! -for every new commandcenter, hatchery, or nexus built, the player is required to build/ que 4 or more workers before moving on to do other things. (yes, zerg has to wait for that stupid larva to spawn)
well, thats all the ideas i got for now. hope some of them get picked
Friends Share: Every time hero builds a building, he must type the name of the building into in-game chat and press Enter.
-Everything must be spelled/capitalized correctly, or it doesn't count!
Rules of Engagement: Hero cannot attack the enemy at all until one of the enemy's units/buildings (excluding static defense) has attacked one of his units/buildings.
-May run into problems with turtling bad players stretching out the game too long.
Familiar Turf: Hero's units can only move/attack on creep (if Zerg), or within a power field (if Protoss).
Everyone Loves Jar-Jar: Scouts are the only unit that can be produced from the Stargate. Queens are the only spellcaster the hero can build when Zerg.
All Sim City 2: All buildings in each base (excluding extractor/refinery/assim) must be touching another building, so they are built in a chain. (All buildings connected to each other.)
United we stand: All the hero's units outside his bases must be together in one army and cannot be split up.
Food for thought: Hero may not build more supply structures or units until they are supply blocked
???: Hero has to announce when he is taking an expansion and which expansion he is taking
Are past TL arena's posted somehwere or can you only watch them live?
Humiliation Casters only spells available are queen abillities, DA abillities, and halucination
My Precious cannons or sunkens must be touching minerals or gas
HUP HUP HUP for every expo beyond the second, must kill one a nexus/hatchery
patriotic duty after the 7 min. mark of game (if the game lasts 7 min.),the hero has 2 min. to type two sections of the norwegian national anthem unto public chat (if the hero is on vent he has to sing it!)
Really good at building... may not be have more than 3 types difffrent of units at any time (excluding overlords, workers)
ENDURE YOUR LATE GAME HANDICAPS cannot attack an opponent with any unit before 4 min. mark
On March 11 2010 12:51 Fulgrim wrote: All Are past TL arena's posted somehwere or can you only watch them live?
I think they were recorded under Pholon's livestream account for on-demand. Not sure if they were all recorded or if they would all still be there though.
PLEASPLEASEPSSEASSLEAPEL!!! hero must post commentated first person vods of all the games played along with 3 comentated replays showcasing and explaining 3 unique builds that the hero excells with
On March 11 2010 12:51 Fulgrim wrote: All Are past TL arena's posted somehwere or can you only watch them live?
I think they were recorded under Pholon's livestream account for on-demand. Not sure if they were all recorded or if they would all still be there though.
Do a TL forum search for TL Arena, then click on the [Results] posts and I know they have a link to the VOD. At least, they did for the iNc and Leg episodes.
On March 11 2010 11:07 Captain Peabody wrote: Friends Share: Every time hero builds a building, he must type the name of the building into in-game chat and press Enter.
-Everything must be spelled/capitalized correctly, or it doesn't count!
[/i]
Rofl, i can see that on a ZvT typing "Infested Command Center" and the challenger like "Haha what a noob, infested sux. Wait...FUUUUUUU"
Handicap: Live Report Everytime he makes a unit or building that he has not made before, he must type its complete name in the chat with capitalization on each word. So first drone he makes he has to type "Drone". First expo he makes and he must type "Nexus" if he is protoss. First DT he makes he has to type "Dark Templar". etc etc.
Edit: I see Captain Peabody had something similar in mind.
On March 12 2010 04:43 Darkn3ss wrote: Handicaps: For PvZ/PvT
It never rains in Southern California (INRSC): NO PSI STORM!!!
For ZvP.
Shady Bee's Knee's: No Swarm
Let's see him pull THAT off! ^^
lol wouldn't no swarm be more harder in zvt? no swarm in zvp is pretty doable, in alot of my games zvp i don't even need to use swarm/get to it.
and... when i signed up for this thing I chose zerg, but i'm actually a race picker like oystein. but I might play fully P because I did zvp/zvt but I wanna do pvp/pvt cause I feel confident in it now
Uhmmm because there will be NO ZvT... He plays PvT so "NO STORM" will apply to PvZ and PvT...
This isn't about you! (Unless you're Oysten...) lol
Swarm IS USEFUL in ZvP and Oystein uses it A LOT... So I believe "NO SWARM" (in addition to other handicaps) will be a tough challenge!
PS I also don't exactly know what you mean by being a racepicker and playing PvP/PvT but in Arena you won't get to racepick ^^
5 Minute Man The game will have a timer. Alternation every 5 minutes. First 5 minutes, Hero may not attack. Second 5 minutes of the game, he can attack. Third 5 minutes, he can't attack again. Repeat/Alternate.
0-5 Hero cannot attack, only defend. 5-10 Hero may attack again. 10-15 Hero may not attack. Etc.
If the Hero is attacking at a changeover time, he must pull out, and return to his base.
Diplomat
The fodder/public player person will be able to command the Hero to ally him for 30 seconds, one time during the game. We'll give the player a command such as "DO EET NAOW!!". When the command is sent, the Hero must ally the player for 30 seconds. The Hero may still use spells, and attack manually using the attack command.
30 seconds may not sound long to some of you, but if the player times it right before an attack, he can do LOTS of damage to the Hero's base, or army. It can also be used when the Hero is raping the player, and the player needs 30 seconds to recover and D up.
Haha Pholon was right, the people of teamliquid are cruel. You guys must really want my head on a platter as a lot of these handicaps would be crushingly bad on their own, not to even speak of if they are in coherence with other handicaps. For example winning a game with the super micro handicap would be virtually impossible after the early game :p
On March 11 2010 13:39 puppykiller wrote:...patriotic duty after the 7 min. mark of game (if the game lasts 7 min.),the hero has 2 min. to type two sections of the norwegian national anthem unto public chat (if the hero is on vent he has to sing it!)...
ROFL. Nice one there.
Lethargy: May not get speed-upgrades. (Much more painful for Zerg than Protoss though)
manner handicap : he have to manner pylon/creep colony himself if map allows it before the 15 food mark :D i havent read all the pages not sure if its not suggested yet ;D
EPT![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Pholon/Arena/final_small_rev1_banner.jpg)
Oystein. We all know him from the immense hours of streaming he's done for us - most notable his dual-streamed matched vs Infernal - and consequently we know that he's a racepicker. This will add an extra dimension as he can base his choice for what race to play on the handicaps he gets. Another tactical dimension that will be discussed below.
Loki II
![[image loading]](/staff/Pholon/boom.png)
