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Overlord placement

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
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taarna
Profile Joined June 2010
United States61 Posts
June 25 2010 18:39 GMT
#1
Early game positions are important.

Midgame positions have some flexibility, especially as overlords become used for transport, gain speed, spew creep, etc.

Late game positions are less important since there will be so many overlords and creep tumors ideally.

Besides the above, what are the most important early/mid/late positions for overlords for each map.

Pics would be nice. Does anyone have a link to a gallery of all the maps?
Krissam
Profile Joined April 2010
Denmark189 Posts
June 25 2010 18:49 GMT
#2
On all maps, I like having one positioned behind me enemies natural so I can just see a bit in front of the minerals so I can see when they expand.
I like having them on every highground you wont be able to see without air units/scans, especially on LT where you have a highround over pretty much every mineral node on the map.
If you can chill, chill!" - TLAF-Liquid´Tyler
Wolf
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Korea (South)3290 Posts
June 25 2010 19:25 GMT
#3
Always put your overlords over high ground near opponents' bases, naturals, wherever you can. You really want to focus on the natural so that you can know when your opponent is going to expand. Also putting them near towers allows you to know if your opponent is taking the tower (but it's better to put a zergling there instead).
Commentatorhttp://twitter.com/proxywolf
TL+ Member
figq
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
12519 Posts
June 25 2010 19:40 GMT
#4
On June 26 2010 03:49 Krissam wrote:
I like having them on every highground you wont be able to see without air units/scans, especially on LT where you have a highround over pretty much every mineral node on the map.
This. For example:
[image loading]
If you stand next to my head, you can hear the ocean. - Day[9]
Saracen
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States5139 Posts
June 25 2010 19:40 GMT
#5
Early Game
1. Overlord to the inside of his base - this sees exactly what he's doing early game
2. Overlord to their natural choke - this sees exactly when he's moving out
3. Overlord to a remote edge of his base - this should be sacrificed at an important tech timing to see his tech choice
4. Overlord to the back of his natural - this sees his natural expansion timing
5. Overlord to natural cliff - for Kulas Ravine and Lost Temple

Mid Game
6. Overlord to each possible expansion - this delays expansions with spread creep
7. Overlords around his base - this detects possible drops and is useful if you plan on using the nydus worm (careful if he has air superiority)
8. Spread the rest over the map to get as good of a map vision coverage as possible.
Wyrmkin
Profile Joined June 2010
United States12 Posts
June 25 2010 19:44 GMT
#6
Also, try putting an overlord at all the expos on the map. In ZvT or ZvP drop creep so it can delay expansions from going down until they get something over to that expansion to kill it. In ZvZ don't drop creep because you don't want to be doing them any favors, and you will have easy intel on their new expos. This is especially important on maps with island expos, and even more important vs Terran since its easier for them to expand to those islands.
AdahnSC
Profile Joined March 2010
United States376 Posts
June 25 2010 19:52 GMT
#7
early game is VERY dependent on the race and tech your opponent is going. basically be as aggressive as possible with overlord scouting without losing an overlord (or getting proxied) This is very important if you dont get the speed upgrade later on because two overlords near your opponents base early means two chances to sack overlords for a scout later on.

the problem with middle game positioning is (especially vs a terran player) you will get picked off by vikings or other air if you're not very very careful. Basically it means you need the overlord speed upgrade if you want good overlord positioning mid game.

Late game I'm not so sure on where to put your overlords. on the one hand 100 minerals for a scout late game is great, but on the other hand you can easily make due with creep tumor vision if you haven't been slacking in that department. probably you just want overlords to cover islands and air routes.
Actua
Profile Joined May 2010
Canada101 Posts
June 25 2010 21:44 GMT
#8
In the early game, I always have overlords lying around his base ready to get in and die for the swarm to get som e good scouting. Behind his nat, and really, anywhere you can fit em in to see as much as you can.

Also, posting em around important chokes/places he'll most likely use to move his army is essential to know the when/where/how of his army.

Just gonna make sure you retreat em all or hide em all if theres any phoenix, viking or mutas coming to cut your losses.
blackodd
Profile Joined April 2010
Sweden451 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-06-26 08:17:57
June 26 2010 08:14 GMT
#9
[image loading]

Lost Temple

1: their base: You can hide an overlord on the high ground just at his mineral line. If you play against zerg the zerg can however just move their overlord and kill your overlord with queen.
You have to be careful with this overlord vs terran also, since marines are pesky
Perfectly safe vs protoss
natural: same thing, more safe if you move this as your first overlord

2: opponents army will almost always move from tower to tower so this position is critical.. these overlords might die a lot though, but it's usually worth it

3: the lower 3's sees both the gold exp and any potential air harass coming, transports etc.
you might want to have more ovvies at the upper 3 if you play against terran - tank drops are annoying

basically cover air space and high ground with ovvies, creep tumors fixes the rest
For I am the Queen of Blades. And none shall ever dispute my rule, again...
TheNomad
Profile Joined April 2010
United States134 Posts
June 26 2010 08:50 GMT
#10
I personally wouldn't send too many out so early, if an annoying Terran decides to get an overlord sniping viking to roam the map then you can lose a lot of vulnerable ovie's early game before speed.
savysmith
Profile Joined April 2010
Canada44 Posts
June 28 2010 06:22 GMT
#11
I try to keep some of my overlords mobile as this can sometimes result in a longer lifespan. For example, patrolling back and forth between the gold expansions on metalopolis will allow you to cover both with just one overlord. And if you position the patrol commands just right, you're overlord will barely appear on the opponent's minimap. I do this with the overlord assigned to watch the opponent's natural as well, moving it into sight range and out again. Keeping the overlord's moving might delay the time I learn of an enemy expansion by a few seconds, but it greatly increased map coverage.

On scrapstation, I'll also plant an overlord within range of the rocks closest to the enemy to keep tabs on any plans to break them down.

Also, there are some places to absolutely avoid when placing overlords. Most importantly, avoid clustering any "extra" overlords in any one place. I always try to keep my supply at least one overlord more than I need so I don't get supply-blocked if one get's sniped. But losing a flock of a dozen overlords that you tried to "hide" in a corner of the map would be disastrous. And if you have to cluster them somewhere, then do it in your base, over your mineral line and surrounded with spore crawlers. This will give the overlords some protection while also helping to protect some drones.
Before you set out on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
sinn
Profile Joined May 2010
United States132 Posts
June 28 2010 10:07 GMT
#12
Since the beta's down, now would be a good time to go and research great positions. Pretty much every pro/top tier zerg player has amazing OV placement - if you really want solid OV spots for every matchup, try watching some replays of higher-level players. Artosis recently released a huge replay pack - his OV placement is spot on.
Lighioana
Profile Joined March 2010
Norway466 Posts
June 28 2010 10:15 GMT
#13
On June 26 2010 04:40 figq wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 26 2010 03:49 Krissam wrote:
I like having them on every highground you wont be able to see without air units/scans, especially on LT where you have a highround over pretty much every mineral node on the map.
This. For example:
[image loading]


You need an overlord at the rocks.
And forgive me nothing for I truly meant it all
sinn
Profile Joined May 2010
United States132 Posts
June 28 2010 10:18 GMT
#14
On June 28 2010 19:15 Lighioana wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 26 2010 04:40 figq wrote:
On June 26 2010 03:49 Krissam wrote:
I like having them on every highground you wont be able to see without air units/scans, especially on LT where you have a highround over pretty much every mineral node on the map.
This. For example:
[image loading]


You need an overlord at the rocks.


And an overlord between the enemy's base and the islane. And one that can see just the edge of the minerals at the enemy's expansion.
Lighioana
Profile Joined March 2010
Norway466 Posts
June 28 2010 10:19 GMT
#15
On June 26 2010 17:14 ayadew wrote:
[image loading]

Lost Temple

1: their base: You can hide an overlord on the high ground just at his mineral line. If you play against zerg the zerg can however just move their overlord and kill your overlord with queen.
You have to be careful with this overlord vs terran also, since marines are pesky
Perfectly safe vs protoss
natural: same thing, more safe if you move this as your first overlord

2: opponents army will almost always move from tower to tower so this position is critical.. these overlords might die a lot though, but it's usually worth it

3: the lower 3's sees both the gold exp and any potential air harass coming, transports etc.
you might want to have more ovvies at the upper 3 if you play against terran - tank drops are annoying

basically cover air space and high ground with ovvies, creep tumors fixes the rest


Overlords near the towers are easy kill because of the vision provided by the towers. If you place them on the other two highgrounds you see the middle AND the areas hidden by "fog" (what's the name of that?) so it's hard to sneak anything without seeing it.
[image loading]
And forgive me nothing for I truly meant it all
figq
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
12519 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-06-28 12:10:17
June 28 2010 12:02 GMT
#16
On June 28 2010 19:18 sinn wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 28 2010 19:15 Lighioana wrote:
On June 26 2010 04:40 figq wrote:
On June 26 2010 03:49 Krissam wrote:
I like having them on every highground you wont be able to see without air units/scans, especially on LT where you have a highround over pretty much every mineral node on the map.
This. For example:
[image loading]


You need an overlord at the rocks.


And an overlord between the enemy's base and the islane. And one that can see just the edge of the minerals at the enemy's expansion.
Yep, the earliest ones are just to signal for the earliest rushes (which are not through the rocks, that happens a bit later). For the rocks I prefer spreading creep. Expos are scout's duty.
If you stand next to my head, you can hear the ocean. - Day[9]
Bluedraqy
Profile Joined April 2010
Denmark496 Posts
June 28 2010 12:24 GMT
#17
"fog" (what's the name of that?

Fog of war, yes =)
CharlieMurphy
Profile Blog Joined March 2006
United States22895 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-06-28 14:08:53
June 28 2010 13:04 GMT
#18
hold on let me get a post with all the maps up, I'm high level diamond btw.

It might actually be a good idea to send 3rd lord towards their base if you plan on sacrificing it to scout around early mid game or so. In that case, add 1 to each placement.
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
Note that the placements are often moving around in a small area or poking in every so often. And I might swap around 1, 2, or 3 depending on what's happening. Generally the further away/less safe path to the spot is, from me positionally, the earlier I put a lord there.

Doing 4 player maps now..

Actually, some of the 4 player maps (metalopolis) are totally different for every positional angle and luck based on scouting. so I'll just put dots where overlords are likely to go. You're just going to have to figure out when it's safe for each place etc.
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
I may have forgotten a couple dots here and there, but most of the stuff is mirrored.
Metalopolis should get rid of the middle ramps of the gold bases.
..and then I would, ya know, check em'. (Aka SpoR)
fosh.ger
Profile Joined June 2010
Germany14 Posts
June 28 2010 13:44 GMT
#19
On June 26 2010 17:14 ayadew wrote:
[image loading]


@ayadew: Where did you get this great .jpg of LT. Is ist possible to have one for the other (important) maps too?
"I think the surest sign that there is intelligent life out there in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us." (Calvin)
Zoltan
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States656 Posts
June 28 2010 13:50 GMT
#20
nice work guys- this will be useful for both playing as zerg and ol sniping vs zerg.
'HOW LONG HAVE THOSE REAPERS BEEN KILLING MY PROBES?!?!
Lighioana
Profile Joined March 2010
Norway466 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-06-28 14:04:00
June 28 2010 14:03 GMT
#21
On June 28 2010 22:50 Zoltan wrote:
nice work guys- this will be useful for both playing as zerg and ol sniping vs zerg.

Oh no! What have we done!
And forgive me nothing for I truly meant it all
FC.Strike
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States621 Posts
June 28 2010 14:07 GMT
#22
On June 28 2010 23:03 Lighioana wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 28 2010 22:50 Zoltan wrote:
nice work guys- this will be useful for both playing as zerg and ol sniping vs zerg.

Oh no! What have we done!


Yeah, the first thing I thought about when this thread was made was all of my overlords getting sniped >.<
--------------------------> My Smiley Face Disagrees, Your Argument is Invalid -------------------------->
taarna
Profile Joined June 2010
United States61 Posts
June 28 2010 15:32 GMT
#23
On June 28 2010 23:07 FC.Strike wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 28 2010 23:03 Lighioana wrote:
On June 28 2010 22:50 Zoltan wrote:
nice work guys- this will be useful for both playing as zerg and ol sniping vs zerg.

Oh no! What have we done!


Yeah, the first thing I thought about when this thread was made was all of my overlords getting sniped >.<


LOL I'm a zerg player and was curious if I was missing any good spots, but my other motivation was to hunt them with Vikings when I play around with Terran. *0*
figq
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
12519 Posts
June 28 2010 17:38 GMT
#24
Eventually they'll know, and eventually we'll have to evolve our placement strats, so why postpone the development?
If you stand next to my head, you can hear the ocean. - Day[9]
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