• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 09:06
CET 15:06
KST 23:06
  • 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
SC2 All-Star Invitational: Tournament Preview3RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview8RSL Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2
Community News
BSL Season 2025 - Full Overview and Conclusion3Weekly Cups (Jan 5-11): Clem wins big offline, Trigger upsets4$21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7)15Weekly Cups (Dec 29-Jan 4): Protoss rolls, 2v2 returns7[BSL21] Non-Korean Championship - Starts Jan 104
StarCraft 2
General
SC2 All-Star Invitational: Tournament Preview Stellar Fest "01" Jersey Charity Auction Weekly Cups (Jan 5-11): Clem wins big offline, Trigger upsets When will we find out if there are more tournament SC2 Spotted on the EWC 2026 list?
Tourneys
SC2 All-Star Invitational: Jan 17-18 OSC Season 13 World Championship SC2 AI Tournament 2026 Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament $21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7)
Strategy
Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 508 Violent Night Mutation # 507 Well Trained Mutation # 506 Warp Zone Mutation # 505 Rise From Ashes
Brood War
General
BW General Discussion BSL Season 2025 - Full Overview and Conclusion [ASL21] Potential Map Candidates BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ StarCraft & BroodWar Campaign Speedrun Quest
Tourneys
[BSL21] Non-Korean Championship - Starts Jan 10 Small VOD Thread 2.0 Azhi's Colosseum - Season 2 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2 Simple Questions, Simple Answers Game Theory for Starcraft Current Meta
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Beyond All Reason Awesome Games Done Quick 2026! Nintendo Switch Thread Mechabellum
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
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
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
My 2025 Magic: The Gathering…
DARKING
Physical Exercise (HIIT) Bef…
TrAiDoS
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
How do archons sleep?
8882
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1169 users

Trick to spot obervers without detection

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next All
Rekiv
Profile Joined April 2010
Great Britain27 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-09-03 15:34:10
September 02 2010 16:17 GMT
#1
It's easy to spot a moving observer without detection since it creates "ripples" on the ground, but when they're not moving sometimes it's impossible to spot one until you've built a detector unit/building.

This may be old news but I couldn't find another thread on this topic. If you feel there may be an observer in your base or hovering above your army, and you don't have detection available, all you need to do is zoom in and out using the mousewheel. The motionless observer will appear to move against the terrain and the "ripple" effect will be visible as if it were moving across the terrain.

Hope this helps some of you and, like I said, this may be old news but it still is a useful little trick to keep unwanted observers from hiding in your base or above your army.


**EDIT**

It seems an existing post about this topic was created some time ago and I somehow missed it and I apologise. Even so, since this topic is still under discussion I shall post the youtube video that was posted under Ironclown's original post:

Kow
Profile Joined May 2010
United States32 Posts
September 02 2010 16:18 GMT
#2
Brilliant. Alternatively, you can bring your own units under it to see the warping effect.
WniO
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States2706 Posts
September 02 2010 16:18 GMT
#3
On September 03 2010 01:17 Rekiv wrote:
It's easy to spot a moving observer without detection since it creates "ripples" on the ground, but when they're not moving sometimes it's impossible to spot one until you've built a detector unit/building.

This may be old news but I couldn't find another thread on this topic. If you feel there may be an observer in your base or hovering above your army, and you don't have detection available, all you need to do is zoom in and out using the mousewheel. The motionless observer will appear to move against the terrain and the "ripple" effect will be visible as if it were moving across the terrain.

Hope this helps some of you and, like I said, this may be old news but it still is a useful little trick to keep unwanted observers from hiding in your base or above your army.

fucking glitchers...
jk... sorta
aka_star
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United Kingdom1546 Posts
September 02 2010 16:18 GMT
#4
nice tip, I might have to try it out.
FlashDave.999 aka Star
ckw
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States1018 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-09-02 16:20:13
September 02 2010 16:19 GMT
#5
It's really the only way I know DT's are coming sometimes and same with observers. It's not a new trick but this post may actually bring some light to some people that may have not known. Sometimes, if you watch pro matches, you'll see people scan observers to kill them because they saw the ripple.

EDIT Never mind, I didn't read the OP correctly, I am talking about something different
Being weak is a choice.
ViRtU4l
Profile Joined April 2010
France114 Posts
September 02 2010 16:19 GMT
#6
Old news for me, I always rage when terrans destroy my obs when it's not moving...They should fix that or maybe make the effect less visible, especially when obs cost 100 gas each now TT
Snowfield
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
1289 Posts
September 02 2010 16:19 GMT
#7
Yeah, i use this alot, it's a good tip for people who don't know about it.

You get a very keen eye for observers after a while
Zozo
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Brazil2579 Posts
September 02 2010 16:20 GMT
#8
THANK YOU
EGM guides me
cocosoft
Profile Joined May 2010
Sweden1068 Posts
September 02 2010 16:21 GMT
#9
On September 03 2010 01:17 Rekiv wrote:
It's easy to spot a moving observer without detection since it creates "ripples" on the ground, but when they're not moving sometimes it's impossible to spot one until you've built a detector unit/building.

This may be old news but I couldn't find another thread on this topic. If you feel there may be an observer in your base or hovering above your army, and you don't have detection available, all you need to do is zoom in and out using the mousewheel. The motionless observer will appear to move against the terrain and the "ripple" effect will be visible as if it were moving across the terrain.

Hope this helps some of you and, like I said, this may be old news but it still is a useful little trick to keep unwanted observers from hiding in your base or above your army.
Yes I was aware of this :>, kind of nifty.


On September 03 2010 01:18 OneFierceZealot wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 03 2010 01:17 Rekiv wrote:
It's easy to spot a moving observer without detection since it creates "ripples" on the ground, but when they're not moving sometimes it's impossible to spot one until you've built a detector unit/building.

This may be old news but I couldn't find another thread on this topic. If you feel there may be an observer in your base or hovering above your army, and you don't have detection available, all you need to do is zoom in and out using the mousewheel. The motionless observer will appear to move against the terrain and the "ripple" effect will be visible as if it were moving across the terrain.

Hope this helps some of you and, like I said, this may be old news but it still is a useful little trick to keep unwanted observers from hiding in your base or above your army.

fucking glitchers...
Show nested quote +
jk... sorta
This is not cheat -__- Why would they have it semi invincible then and not completely a la wc3.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
ckw
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States1018 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-09-02 16:22:06
September 02 2010 16:21 GMT
#10
On September 03 2010 01:19 ViRtU4l wrote:
Old news for me, I always rage when terrans destroy my obs when it's not moving...They should fix that or maybe make the effect less visible, especially when obs cost 100 gas each now TT

No way dude it's like that for a reason and it's worked for BW since implementation. Atleast you'r scouts don't cost 100 + speed upgrade + Lair + not invisible + supply loss when it's killed
Being weak is a choice.
Najda
Profile Joined June 2010
United States3765 Posts
September 02 2010 16:21 GMT
#11
Spotting the ripples isn't that hard, but to be constantly zooming in and out to check for ripples because an observer MIGHT be there seems pretty extreme and like it would do more damage to you than if you found the observer after the 5th try or whatever.
Schtrudel
Profile Joined August 2010
Romania56 Posts
September 02 2010 16:21 GMT
#12
I think the scroll thing is brilliant , the oher is old news and obvious
Schtrudel 678 add me for practice/friend to play with http://eu.battle.net/sc2/en/profile/502495/1/Schtrudel/
RyuChus
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Canada442 Posts
September 02 2010 16:21 GMT
#13
Great I already can see your obs by doing the same thing it's not a new thing.
I have an announcement to make, "Moo!" That is all.
jaack
Profile Joined June 2009
United States30 Posts
September 02 2010 16:27 GMT
#14
Nice i'll have to give this a shot.
No Xbox and no starcraft make Jaack go..something something....
junemermaid
Profile Joined September 2006
United States981 Posts
September 02 2010 16:29 GMT
#15
On September 03 2010 01:21 Najda wrote:
Spotting the ripples isn't that hard, but to be constantly zooming in and out to check for ripples because an observer MIGHT be there seems pretty extreme and like it would do more damage to you than if you found the observer after the 5th try or whatever.


Right you are, you don't wanna be zooming in and out every 5 seconds looking for a potential obs.. However, it is useful in a few situations. I use this trick on my army when I'm about to do some kind of maneuver / attack. Just zoom in and out a few times near your army. It's a quick check to see if hes watching you.
the UMP says YER OUT
Thoreezhea1
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States532 Posts
September 02 2010 16:30 GMT
#16
GJ, and TY
What the Fu- REAPERS?!
Rekiv
Profile Joined April 2010
Great Britain27 Posts
September 02 2010 16:30 GMT
#17
On September 03 2010 01:19 ckw wrote:
It's really the only way I know DT's are coming sometimes and same with observers. It's not a new trick but this post may actually bring some light to some people that may have not known. Sometimes, if you watch pro matches, you'll see people scan observers to kill them because they saw the ripple.

EDIT Never mind, I didn't read the OP correctly, I am talking about something different



I guess it could work against DTs too, but then again they're usually on the move which defeats the purpose if the trick. Although it's a common tactic to create 2 or more DTs and only send one of them into a base at a time whilst leaving the others out of detector range on hold position. The idea of this is to waste a scan and then just send the rest in.
MoreFaSho
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States1427 Posts
September 02 2010 16:31 GMT
#18
Yea, if you're getting ready to push out, you definitely want to do this trick, I'm going to try to incorporate this, should be pretty helpful.
I always try to shield slam face, just to make sure it doesnt work
Pking
Profile Joined May 2010
Sweden142 Posts
September 02 2010 16:31 GMT
#19
Thanks for the tip, I guess it should also work by rotating the camera.
Plexa
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
Aotearoa39261 Posts
September 02 2010 16:32 GMT
#20
Clever nice find
Administrator~ Spirit will set you free ~
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
12:00
Bonus Cup #1
uThermal498
IndyStarCraft 286
SteadfastSC126
MindelVK28
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
uThermal 498
Lowko483
IndyStarCraft 286
SteadfastSC 126
BRAT_OK 104
MindelVK 28
StarCraft: Brood War
Sea 6593
Rain 3619
Calm 3452
Horang2 1021
EffOrt 923
BeSt 879
Rush 379
ggaemo 316
firebathero 251
Mong 194
[ Show more ]
Last 168
Zeus 136
Hyun 117
Bonyth 99
Hm[arnc] 86
Mind 80
Aegong 76
Pusan 76
Killer 74
Nal_rA 71
Barracks 57
JYJ 47
Free 46
Shuttle 42
zelot 39
910 37
ToSsGirL 33
Sexy 23
Terrorterran 22
HiyA 21
Yoon 17
scan(afreeca) 15
GoRush 15
Bale 13
SilentControl 12
Sacsri 8
Dota 2
Gorgc4589
qojqva1872
syndereN278
XcaliburYe248
League of Legends
rGuardiaN48
Counter-Strike
zeus761
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor212
Other Games
singsing2074
B2W.Neo1441
crisheroes360
Pyrionflax342
Hui .132
Fuzer 110
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick2391
StarCraft 2
WardiTV1091
ComeBackTV 181
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 13 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV451
League of Legends
• Jankos3396
• TFBlade917
Upcoming Events
AI Arena Tournament
5h 54m
BSL 21
5h 54m
Mihu vs eOnzErG
Dewalt vs Sziky
Bonyth vs DuGu
XuanXuan vs eOnzErG
Dewalt vs eOnzErG
All-Star Invitational
12h 9m
MMA vs DongRaeGu
Rogue vs Oliveira
Sparkling Tuna Cup
19h 54m
OSC
21h 54m
BSL 21
1d 5h
Bonyth vs Sziky
Mihu vs QiaoGege
Sziky vs XuanXuan
eOnzErG vs QiaoGege
Mihu vs DuGu
Dewalt vs Bonyth
Replay Cast
1d 18h
Wardi Open
1d 21h
Monday Night Weeklies
2 days
The PondCast
3 days
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
5 days
Big Brain Bouts
6 days
Serral vs TBD
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Escore Tournament S1: W4
Big Gabe Cup #3
NA Kuram Kup

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
CSL 2025 WINTER (S19)
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
OSC Championship Season 13
SC2 All-Star Inv. 2025
Underdog Cup #3
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S1: W5
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
HSC XXVIII
Rongyi Cup S3
Nations Cup 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League Season 23
ESL Pro League Season 23
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
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.