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[D] The Sensor/Radar tower

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
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Krowser
Profile Joined August 2007
Canada788 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-03-11 16:51:12
March 11 2010 16:50 GMT
#1
I'm my frantic clicking I always forget about the details, such as upgrading and building the ''other'' buildings.

Did anyone find a really good use for the sensor tower. On paper I think it would be great against any kind of sneak attack. If enemies are coming in the front door, your scouts will spot them anyway.

So, this morning I played a 1v1, TvZ. The zerg plopped a nydus worm right next to my workers and unloaded about 30 zerglings that chewed up half my base. I was ready to call GG until I attacked his base with my MM ball and realised he had no defenses whatsoever, so I won.

BUT, it doesnt change the fact that the nydus worm is extremely dangerous, if not OP, if I dare say so.

I was trying to find a counter because all he needs is sight of my base. The wall-in prevents changelings from coming in. I thought maybe turrets surrounding my base could work well but it takes too many minerals and careful positioning.

So... Provided I constantly keep an eye on the minimap, could the sensor tower save my butt against a sneaky overlord.

On a related topic, I'm colorblind and red is basically invisible to me if matched against green or brown, so... the minimap is not so great for me.
D3 and Pho, the way to go. http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=340709
Shade692003
Profile Joined August 2005
Canada702 Posts
March 11 2010 16:55 GMT
#2
I find that on blistering sands a radar tower is very useful. You can place it in such a way to cover both the entrance of your natural's choke and the rocks backdoor. This way it's really easy to notice a backdoor attempt and forces incoming to your choke.
I hate the post below mine because it feels War3-ish.
Twe3k
Profile Joined August 2009
89 Posts
March 11 2010 16:56 GMT
#3
Main downside is that people can see your sensor tower's Range, and thus can plan around your sensor tower.

As for your issue with nydus canal. I recommend placing Supply depots strategically across your base to give you view of your entire base. that way you will be able to respond the quickest to a nydus worm.

Don't count out turrets they will save you mid game vs muta. but for early game just throw down some well placed SD's and you should be ready for any attacks by z.
Lets Burn! <_/_/_D
Krowser
Profile Joined August 2007
Canada788 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-03-11 17:05:12
March 11 2010 17:04 GMT
#4
Yeah, I notcied that...

Why the hell can other players see the range of my sensor tower??!!?!

If that's the case then shouldn't I be able to see observers?
D3 and Pho, the way to go. http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=340709
Mnijykmirl
Profile Joined February 2010
United States299 Posts
March 11 2010 17:11 GMT
#5
I'm pretty sure it'll be worth the investment in certain situations eventually. If Terran is playing defensive on some point, for example, with Thor or marines vs. mutalisk, that extra response time it would offer could be absolutely vital. It can save your need for so many Turrets. I agree that others should not see its range on the minimap.
Odds
Profile Joined May 2008
Canada1188 Posts
March 11 2010 17:46 GMT
#6
I am not given a warning when Nydus canal pops up.

Why should the Zerg know the exact extent of my radar? =/
Odds.633, AM. Plat level currently. Would love more practice partners, add me, let's play!
Antpile
Profile Joined March 2009
United States213 Posts
March 11 2010 18:31 GMT
#7
I think this thing is incredibly powerful just the way it is. It's like built in maphack for the most part and I don't see why you would ever go a game without making one of these. Once you are on two base, it isn't that hard to find 100 gas and you probably don't need it when you are still on one base due to the fact that you have less area to defend.
Kinky
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
United States4126 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-03-11 18:39:35
March 11 2010 18:39 GMT
#8
In the few times that I've used it, it's helped me a lot. You can spot stray overlords around your base that are planting nydus worms. Just knowing when your opponent is moving out is a big help.
Krowser
Profile Joined August 2007
Canada788 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-03-11 18:48:04
March 11 2010 18:47 GMT
#9
It would be insanely useful to park one next to HIS base if it wasnt for the obvious blue triangle radius telling him exactly where your tower is.

Edit:

Can you plant a nydus worm off a comsat scan?
D3 and Pho, the way to go. http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=340709
Koffiegast
Profile Joined February 2010
Netherlands346 Posts
March 11 2010 18:49 GMT
#10
On March 12 2010 02:46 Odds wrote:
I am not given a warning when Nydus canal pops up.

Why should the Zerg know the exact extent of my radar? =/



Scout his base?
Notice a lot of army isnt on his perimeter
A barfing sound once the nydus starts to pop up and you got like 10 secs before any unit comes out of it. Ow and you can destroy it before it does so. And even then about 2 or 3 units/sec come out of it, so if you destroy it quickly only a few units will be in your base. As T it should be easy to cover your plateau with say 2 tanks.
Wut
BlasiuS
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States2405 Posts
March 11 2010 20:09 GMT
#11
On March 12 2010 02:46 Odds wrote:
I am not given a warning when Nydus canal pops up.

Why should the Zerg know the exact extent of my radar? =/


actually you ARE given a warning. The roar from the nydus worm can be heard anywhere on the map.
next week on Everybody Loves HypnoToad:
rifi
Profile Joined February 2010
United States74 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-03-11 22:49:24
March 11 2010 21:03 GMT
#12
I find the sensor tower very useful vs muta harass. Makes it way easier to position my marines when I know when and where the attack is coming from.
avilo
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
United States4100 Posts
March 11 2010 21:08 GMT
#13
sensor tower is never going to be used at top level. Ever. It's unnecessary as pros already have map awareness, and it's also 100 vespene wasted.
Sup
zomgzergrush
Profile Joined August 2008
United States923 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-03-11 23:25:53
March 11 2010 23:24 GMT
#14
On March 12 2010 06:08 avilo wrote:
sensor tower is never going to be used at top level. Ever. It's unnecessary as pros already have map awareness, and it's also 100 vespene wasted.


Because terrans have developed how to make overlords so their airspace is scouted at all times. Also they know how to make invincible scouts that have no gaps in vision that can see the number of units close to your base at all times...scouts that don't die before you get an accurate headcount... forcing the nme to position their army in less favorable places in order to conceal numbers, especially close positions.
Bronze skipping straight to Diamond in 40 games retail release. Bnet 2.0 ladder really takes it's sweet time to think about that league placement.
Mystlord *
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States10264 Posts
March 11 2010 23:35 GMT
#15
The Sensor Tower is actually pretty good late game. You'd be surprised as to how good the thing is if you just place it at your expos. However, it's hard to spare the gas to build them, but they're really good when paired with a Planetary Fortress because it gives you a much greater warning time to rush your army over to defend.
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.
Half
Profile Joined March 2010
United States2554 Posts
March 12 2010 02:14 GMT
#16
On March 12 2010 02:04 Krowser wrote:
Yeah, I notcied that...

Why the hell can other players see the range of my sensor tower??!!?!

If that's the case then shouldn't I be able to see observers?


You can see observers...they have a distortion effect.
Too Busy to Troll!
Stropheum
Profile Joined January 2010
United States1124 Posts
March 12 2010 03:06 GMT
#17
On March 12 2010 02:04 Krowser wrote:
Yeah, I notcied that...

Why the hell can other players see the range of my sensor tower??!!?!

If that's the case then shouldn't I be able to see observers?

Observers can't see a mile in every direction.
Feefee
Profile Joined November 2009
Canada556 Posts
March 12 2010 04:21 GMT
#18
I used a sensor tower tank push against a hydra army once^^ Just hopped towers forward one by one. They're the new spider mine when it comes to map vision
Trenan
Profile Joined February 2010
United States14 Posts
March 12 2010 04:37 GMT
#19
I feel the sensor tower is best used when your opponent goes air tech. Having a sensor tower on opposite sides of your base gives you a fairly large heads up when they intend to move in on you. I also find it great for keeping overlords away, since ill just shoot them down if they hang around the towers range. There are also several maps that the sensor tower can not be flown around since the range reaches the corner of the map, since most players do not move units inside the sensors range it gives you a good indication of where they will strike letting you mass defenses in that area.

I really do dislike seeing the range on the minimap/fog of war. I think it is okay to see the range, but id rather you see it via scouting.
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