• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 14:52
CEST 20:52
KST 03:52
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt2: News Flash1[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt1: New Chaos0Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - Presented by Monster Energy9ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT30Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book20
Community News
Weekly Cups (March 16-22): herO doubles, Cure surprises3Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool48Weekly Cups (March 9-15): herO, Clem, ByuN win42026 KungFu Cup Announcement6BGE Stara Zagora 2026 cancelled12
StarCraft 2
General
Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - Presented by Monster Energy What mix of new & old maps do you want in the next ladder pool? (SC2) Potential Updates Coming to the SC2 CN Server Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book herO wins SC2 All-Star Invitational
Tourneys
RSL Season 4 announced for March-April Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament StarCraft Evolution League (SC Evo Biweekly) WardiTV Mondays World University TeamLeague (500$+) | Signups Open
Strategy
Custom Maps
[M] (2) Frigid Storage Publishing has been re-enabled! [Feb 24th 2026]
External Content
Mutation # 519 Inner Power The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 518 Radiation Zone Mutation # 517 Distant Threat
Brood War
General
[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt2: News Flash Pros React To: SoulKey vs Ample ASL21 General Discussion RepMastered™: replay sharing and analyzer site KK Platform will provide 1 million CNY
Tourneys
[ASL21] Ro24 Group C [ASL21] Ro24 Group D [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [ASL21] Ro24 Group B
Strategy
What's the deal with APM & what's its true value Fighting Spirit mining rates Simple Questions, Simple Answers
Other Games
General Games
General RTS Discussion Thread Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Darkest Dungeon Path of Exile
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
G2 just beat GenG in First stand
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread The Games Industry And ATVI European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books Movie Discussion!
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2026 Football Thread Cricket [SPORT] Tokyo Olympics 2021 Thread General nutrition recommendations
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
[G] How to Block Livestream Ads
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Money Laundering In Video Ga…
TrAiDoS
Iranian anarchists: organize…
XenOsky
FS++
Kraekkling
Shocked by a laser…
Spydermine0240
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1217 users

Sensor Tower?

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 Next All
AndrewTo
Profile Joined February 2010
United States40 Posts
March 05 2010 08:18 GMT
#1
I'm wondering if it's efficient to use these when you can just send out a few scvs in random directions to scout for flanks and/or backstabs... has anyone found an efficient way to use the sensor tower? if so, please elaborate! where did you place it, was it worth its cost, etc.
Railz
Profile Joined July 2008
United States1449 Posts
March 05 2010 08:22 GMT
#2
I usually put it on the very edge of my main cliffs, or at cliffs off to the side of my expansions. If you plan on trying to go mid game, ie get an expansion going before them, it is pretty integral to know incoming attacks so you can adjust accordingly. It is NOT used for offensive/timing attacks at all.
Did the whole world just get a lot smaller and go whooosh?_-` Number 0ne By.Fantasy Fanatic!
Mikilatov
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
United States3897 Posts
March 05 2010 08:26 GMT
#3
I like the sensor tower, I really do, but I never see myself getting them. They are damn expensive. I think they're 125/100 or something.

Specifically I can see them being extremely useful in long TvT's, especially consdiering the fact that they all seem to be turning into mass-air battles, and positioning matters to a huge degree.
♥ I used to lasso the shit out of your tournaments =( ♥ | Much is my hero. | zizi yO~ | Be Nice, TL.
Floophead_III
Profile Joined September 2009
United States1832 Posts
March 05 2010 08:39 GMT
#4
Sensor tower is a complete waste ATM. I'm not paying gas for something I can use an scv for. I can see it being useful perhaps mid-late tvz if they're playing burrow abusive. Other than that, pretty freaking useless. If it cost only mins I'd probably use it, or even 50/50 or something, but not 100 gas LOL
Half man, half bear, half pig.
Mikilatov
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
United States3897 Posts
March 05 2010 08:53 GMT
#5
On March 05 2010 17:39 Floophead_III wrote:
Sensor tower is a complete waste ATM. I'm not paying gas for something I can use an scv for. I can see it being useful perhaps mid-late tvz if they're playing burrow abusive. Other than that, pretty freaking useless. If it cost only mins I'd probably use it, or even 50/50 or something, but not 100 gas LOL


I don't think an SCV can consistently scan a huge area for enemy troop movement via land or air, especially not over cliffs and empty air areas. Positioning and pre-emptiveness can COMPLETELY turn a game around.
♥ I used to lasso the shit out of your tournaments =( ♥ | Much is my hero. | zizi yO~ | Be Nice, TL.
Mystlord *
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States10264 Posts
March 05 2010 09:03 GMT
#6
I haven't found a good use for the Sensor Tower yet. It's better to just build depots everywhere for vision, because if you're going to build a sensor tower at the edge of the cliff to scan for drops, you'll probably regret wasting that 100 gas on a sensor tower that would be better served on something better like upgrades.
It is impossible to be a citizen if you don't make an effort to understand the most basic activities of your government. It is very difficult to thrive in an increasingly competitive world if you're a nation of doods.
raga4ka
Profile Joined February 2008
Bulgaria5679 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-03-05 09:14:34
March 05 2010 09:06 GMT
#7
I always use it at the edges of my bases to detect a possible counter attack . I still haven't used them for offensive purposes yet . I don't know if it's worth it or not but it's pretty useful and it helps you gain map control . if it costed less gas i would see myself using it a lot more .
ShadowDrgn
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States2497 Posts
March 05 2010 09:07 GMT
#8
The silliest part of sensor towers is that your opponent can see the sensor radius. Did someone at Blizzard feel that the tower was so imba that it needed a built-in weakness like that?
Of course, you only live one life, and you make all your mistakes, and learn what not to do, and that’s the end of you.
raga4ka
Profile Joined February 2008
Bulgaria5679 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-03-05 09:15:01
March 05 2010 09:12 GMT
#9
On March 05 2010 18:07 ShadowDrgn wrote:
The silliest part of sensor towers is that your opponent can see the sensor radius. Did someone at Blizzard feel that the tower was so imba that it needed a built-in weakness like that?


lol they can ? I hope they can't see tank's range as well ....
Kleander
Profile Blog Joined November 2006
United States334 Posts
March 05 2010 09:18 GMT
#10
yeah at first i didnt know what it was, i thought it was a bug, like someone pinged the map and it froze like that... but sensor tower is super useful on maps like kulas ravine, you can hide them in nooks and send scv's to watch towers, its pretty damn awesome how much ground you can cover
Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy. 지지 Guess who's learning Korean
Mikilatov
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
United States3897 Posts
March 05 2010 09:23 GMT
#11
Yeah I have to agree, your opponent seeing the radius is kinda sucky.
♥ I used to lasso the shit out of your tournaments =( ♥ | Much is my hero. | zizi yO~ | Be Nice, TL.
Vexki
Profile Joined February 2010
Australia36 Posts
March 05 2010 09:34 GMT
#12
Sensor towers are an amazing scouting tool, you're pretty much building your own Xel'Naga watchtowers. It doesn't matter that you can't really see what exact units the opponent is using, you see a big blob of red heading towards your base from some direction and get ready to defend. Four sensor towers can pretty much cover an entire map, showing you exactly where your opponent is at any time.

On maps like scrap yard, the range is big enough to detect an air attack AS it leaves the opponents base, it can also detect if the opponent takes the island expansion, or if they're destroying the destructible rocks.

Gas isn't a problem if you go bio, you can sustain MnMnM off 1 base of gas, or mech if you get a lot of hellions.

Offensively, if you're setting up a contain and you're throwing down turrets, why not also throw down a sensor tower? It's close enough to the opponents base that you can pretty much see how many production facilities they have, and if they have enough units to hold you off if you were to just run in there.
P00RKID
Profile Joined December 2009
United States424 Posts
March 05 2010 09:41 GMT
#13
Hmm I don't know about letting the opponent see the sensor tower's radius. Perhaps they should only be able to see the radius line if they have a detector there. Otherwise its a big tip off.
"Does your butt hurt? 'cause you fell from heaven once the cast was over?" Artosis
PredY
Profile Joined September 2009
Czech Republic1731 Posts
March 05 2010 09:55 GMT
#14
build one on the edge of your main on scrap station. it will save your ass from various drops and you can also see the island expo.
http://www.twitch.tv/czelpredy
Odds
Profile Joined May 2008
Canada1188 Posts
March 05 2010 10:11 GMT
#15
Your opponent should really only be able to see the radius if he's scouted the tower itself. =/
Odds.633, AM. Plat level currently. Would love more practice partners, add me, let's play!
CharlieMurphy
Profile Blog Joined March 2006
United States22895 Posts
March 05 2010 11:25 GMT
#16
sensor tower would be good on straight island map, or if the person is doing air/drop only.
..and then I would, ya know, check em'. (Aka SpoR)
Mente
Profile Joined December 2009
United States288 Posts
March 05 2010 11:48 GMT
#17
I only see sensor towers being really useful in tvt. I've had no desire to build them in any other matchup.
Solomon Grundy want pants too!
Unentschieden
Profile Joined August 2007
Germany1471 Posts
March 05 2010 11:53 GMT
#18
I don´t think People realise how broken this would be if the Radius wasn´t revealed. That is the ONLY reason why Terrans don´t cover the map with them, they would be easy enough to hide otherwise. Only getting (!) is not as big of a limitation as you´d think, You always get air/nonair as well as Movementspeed. Plus there is always the context of what you know about the Enemys Tech (Terrans have scan, there is no excuse NOT to know).
There is also the factor that even though the enemy knows about the Towers he doesn´t know anything else. If the Terran manages to have mapcontrol and Resources enough to set up 2 or 3 he is pretty much set in terms of Map awareness, the opponent has no choice but to go stealth units. He can´t send Harrassment forces since they would be discovered by the Tower too early and the Terran could react. He can´t send his mainforce since then the Terran would sacrifice the Tower and go for the Main/Expansions.

The sensor Towers are definetly not bad but people need to get compfortable with the gas restrictions.
Aerox
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
Malaysia1213 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-03-05 12:27:17
March 05 2010 12:26 GMT
#19
On March 05 2010 18:41 P00RKID wrote:
Hmm I don't know about letting the opponent see the sensor tower's radius. Perhaps they should only be able to see the radius line if they have a detector there. Otherwise its a big tip off.

I like the idea of using the detector to spot the sensor tower's area of detection but instead of a constant radius line, a viewable sonar wave that goes off every 3-5 seconds or something. It allows fast units to dodge the detection if they move out of the area before the sonar hits them and while not letting the enemy know instantly the exact edge of the detection area unless they move slow while watching the ground. The sonar wave speed will of course be adjusted.
"Eyes in the sky."
MidKnight
Profile Joined December 2008
Lithuania884 Posts
March 05 2010 12:38 GMT
#20
On March 05 2010 19:11 Odds wrote:
Your opponent should really only be able to see the radius if he's scouted the tower itself. =/


+++++++++
1 2 3 4 5 6 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 8m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
LamboSC2 364
BRAT_OK 75
ROOTCatZ 52
Vindicta 39
ForJumy 13
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 23391
EffOrt 1069
ggaemo 333
Soulkey 240
firebathero 124
hero 87
Aegong 22
GoRush 15
Bale 10
Dota 2
Gorgc10929
qojqva1352
Counter-Strike
allub293
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King107
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu494
Khaldor407
MindelVK5
Other Games
Grubby3843
Liquid`RaSZi1739
B2W.Neo1368
KnowMe302
crisheroes162
ToD158
Hui .113
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1992
BasetradeTV133
StarCraft 2
angryscii 42
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 25 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Berry_CruncH154
• musti20045 25
• Adnapsc2 17
• Reevou 7
• maralekos3
• intothetv
• IndyKCrew
• Kozan
• Migwel
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• blackmanpl 43
• Airneanach40
• HerbMon 26
• RayReign 18
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV591
• lizZardDota241
League of Legends
• Jankos5265
• Nemesis3831
Other Games
• imaqtpie1025
• Shiphtur210
Upcoming Events
BSL
8m
Replay Cast
5h 8m
Replay Cast
14h 8m
Afreeca Starleague
15h 8m
Light vs Calm
Royal vs Mind
Wardi Open
16h 8m
Monday Night Weeklies
21h 8m
OSC
1d 5h
Sparkling Tuna Cup
1d 15h
Afreeca Starleague
1d 15h
Rush vs PianO
Flash vs Speed
Replay Cast
2 days
[ Show More ]
Afreeca Starleague
2 days
BeSt vs Leta
Queen vs Jaedong
Replay Cast
3 days
The PondCast
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
RSL Revival
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
RSL Revival
5 days
BSL
6 days
RSL Revival
6 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-03-27
WardiTV Winter 2026
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
CSL Elite League 2026
CSL Season 20: Qualifier 1
ASL Season 21
Acropolis #4 - TS6
2026 Changsha Offline CUP
StarCraft2 Community Team League 2026 Spring
RSL Revival: Season 4
Nations Cup 2026
NationLESS Cup
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual

Upcoming

CSL Season 20: Qualifier 2
Escore Tournament S2: W1
CSL 2026 SPRING (S20)
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.