The Season 2 lock will go into effect on Tuesday, July 5 at 5:00 AM PDT.
During morning maintenance on Tuesday, July 19, Season 2 will end and Season 3 will begin.
So, if you like play the Season 2 ladder maps, cherish what time you may have left. Anyone think that we might see a round of bans coming with the new season as well, given the recent very-public drop-hacking of top GM players?
I think that I thought was curious was this:
During the Season 2 lock, you can no longer be promoted or demoted out of your current league or division, and your bonus pool will stop growing.
Does anyone remember if this was the case with the Season 1 lock? I don't remember but I wonder if this is a new thing they are doing for the Season 2 lock?
I'm surprised they're not giving more time for those season 3 maps they revealed. Will they even be tested on PTR? Or have they decided to just wing it and have shorter seasons in case the maps turn out to have some imbalance issues?
We barely had time to play the Season 2 ladder maps. And now we're jumping right into Season 3? Not only that, the new maps to my knowledge haven't been tested yet, and they look so terribly designed...
We barely had time to play the Season 2 ladder maps. And now we're jumping right into Season 3? Not only that, the new maps to my knowledge haven't been tested yet, and they look so terribly designed...
I for once promote these new maps, and hope to get rid with some of those that we have to drag with for so long. Crapstation for example!
My MMR is higher now than my rank but it doesnt matter since the reset in 19th july if I start playing much again then I would be higher rank then now? Or does anyone know how it works?!
Season 2 wasn't short at all, and there's no point making seasons last 8 months.... Map rotation will be welcome and will encourage more people to start ladder again.
On July 02 2011 01:25 gakkgakk wrote: Wonder how they will do the GM league when the new season starts. If you get into it after one placement match or not etc.
according to how they did the GM league last season, they allowed the masters players 2 weeks to get placed into the rankings first then it will reveal who the GM people are for the rest of the season. i assume it will be something like that this coming season as well
On July 02 2011 01:34 chubbiecheeks wrote: according to how they did the GM league last season, they allowed the masters players 2 weeks to get placed into the rankings first then it will reveal who the GM people are for the rest of the season. i assume it will be something like that this coming season as well
Well if they lock the ladder 2 weeks i do think it's to let time to people attempting to get into the new gm league. Remember last season lock was only 1 week long because gm league wasnt ready to get implemented at this time.
What does this mean for you? During the Season 2 lock, you can no longer be promoted or demoted out of your current league or division, and your bonus pool will stop growing. Once locked to a league and division, you’ll still be able to play out your remaining bonus pool and compete for standing within your division until the end of the season, so it’s a great time to enjoy yourself and maybe even push for a better milestone. If you’re looking to move to a different league, though, there’s no time like the present! The Season 2 lock will go into effect in approximately 1 week on Wednesday, 6 July.
The Season 2 lock also means that Season 3 is right around the corner. During morning maintenance on Wednesday, 20 July, Season 2 will end and Season 3 will begin. Season milestone rewards will be locked in at this time, and bonus pools will start over.
Am i the only one who thinks the Ladder should change in the way GM works? Base it on points so people can be removed not just because of inactivity but also bad streaks of loses?
Im happy about the ladder reset though, should be interesting to see who can make their way back into GM!
Oh cool that's exactly during my Winter break that I was planning on getting promoted to masters. If my MMR goes up that high do I get promoted as soon as the new season starts and I play my placement match?
On July 02 2011 01:55 Hoon wrote: Oh cool that's exactly during my Winter break that I was planning on getting promoted to masters. If my MMR goes up that high do I get promoted as soon as the new season starts and I play my placement match?
On July 02 2011 01:43 KiWiKaKi wrote: awesome im saved , i would have get kicked from gm ,allready got 100 bonus pool and going to wsop
lol yeah i was watching you and getting worried. you got up to like 160 then spammed like 20 games and only got +120 because you were winning +3(+3). hahah wtf how does bliz expect you to play 10 games a day just to drop 30 bonus points. and if you lose a game you're worse off than before xD
but guess its time to start using that bonus pool. thank god its not like last time where i had 900 to spend. think i only got up to like 300 which put me in like 35th spot when i should have been top 8 ( this time top 8 should be reasonable :D
I don't know about all of you, but I don't like short seasons. Granted this is only the second season, I just felt that it was too short to get anything accomplished. Season one was just perfect in length, in my opinion. What was that...six months? Half a year. Sounds normal to me. An average sport season is half-3/4 a year anyway.
Not looking forward to the new maps...the ones for season 2 were actually quite bad. Tal'Darim was good but it wasn't even made by Blizzard. Xel'Naga and Metal are the only notable maps that they've made, but it's all from season 1.
On July 02 2011 02:04 CCalms wrote: Time to quit 90 games in a row so I start season 3 with bronze mmr and can go back up to high master with a 70-0 win loss record LOL. Oh, is that BM?
On July 02 2011 02:04 CCalms wrote: Time to quit 90 games in a row so I start season 3 with bronze mmr and can go back up to high master with a 70-0 win loss record LOL. Oh, is that BM?
More than that, its useless and pointless.
Lol you actually have your account suspended/banned by blizzard for doing it.
On July 02 2011 02:04 CCalms wrote: Time to quit 90 games in a row so I start season 3 with bronze mmr and can go back up to high master with a 70-0 win loss record LOL. Oh, is that BM?
It'll take you a looong time to have the MMR equivalent of a Bronze player, and it will rise quite quickly if you win lots in a row.
I rather like the short seasons. It refrshes the map pool, and it is nice to see everythign go poof! No losses no wins no nothing! You can just start rigth back up! Also let's hope they put in a new GSL map!
On July 02 2011 02:04 CCalms wrote: Time to quit 90 games in a row so I start season 3 with bronze mmr and can go back up to high master with a 70-0 win loss record LOL. Oh, is that BM?
Careful, I know you're probably joking but they said about 1-2 months ago that that behaviour can result in a temp ban, and removal of portraits/reset of achievements.
I think Blizz said that Season 1 was abnormally long just to get things up and running with the new leagues being added and what not. I don't remember where this was said, but all future ladder seasons will be this length.
On July 02 2011 03:17 Bio wrote: Does this mean they will be dealing with the drop hackers? I don't want my placement match to get into GM again lost to a drophacker T_T
pretty sure its going to be the same deal as last time. 2 weeks after new season then people get promoted into GM.
has the Point system changed at all? cause last season people were breaking into 4000s and I don't think anyone has broke 2000 yet. Or are they shortening the seasons?
On July 02 2011 04:48 SigmaoctanusIV wrote: has the Point system changed at all? cause last season people were breaking into 4000s and I don't think anyone has broke 2000 yet. Or are they shortening the seasons?
Last season was like ~10months long, this one will be 3.5 months.
On July 02 2011 04:48 SigmaoctanusIV wrote: has the Point system changed at all? cause last season people were breaking into 4000s and I don't think anyone has broke 2000 yet. Or are they shortening the seasons?
Last season was like ~10months long, this one will be 3.5 months.
Season one was almost 7 months, Season 2 is 3.5 months, so will season 3 be 3.5 months or 6 months?
Maybe Blizzard will just make a season whenever they need to change the ladder maps.
On July 02 2011 04:48 SigmaoctanusIV wrote: has the Point system changed at all? cause last season people were breaking into 4000s and I don't think anyone has broke 2000 yet. Or are they shortening the seasons?
Last season was like ~10months long, this one will be 3.5 months.
Season one was almost 7 months, Season 2 is 3.5 months, so will season 3 be 3.5 months or 6 months?
Maybe Blizzard will just make a season whenever they need to change the ladder maps.
On July 02 2011 04:48 SigmaoctanusIV wrote: has the Point system changed at all? cause last season people were breaking into 4000s and I don't think anyone has broke 2000 yet. Or are they shortening the seasons?
Last season was like ~10months long, this one will be 3.5 months.
Season one was almost 7 months, Season 2 is 3.5 months, so will season 3 be 3.5 months or 6 months?
Maybe Blizzard will just make a season whenever they need to change the ladder maps.
Personally I think that seasons of three months seems fitting. It do feel a little short, but that's probably just because the previous one was so long, and four a year seems reasonable. I'm looking forward to see what the final mappack will be.
Why does it take 2 weeks to switch from one season to the other ? I only play ladder and a big part of the fun is trying to reach the top of my league since it's the easiest way to see if I'm making progress, and I love that kind of incentives...a couple of days would be ok but 2 weeks.... Guess I'll go for achievements...
Lets say I am in the diamond league , and I am nearing demotion. When I say nearing demotion , I mean I have lost twenty games in a row, and am facing gold players. If , when the ladder locks , I mass games and beat a lot of diamond players and am playing people at my level again , will those games count? Does mmr change even after the ladder lock? I understand points will , but my question is about mmr.
On July 02 2011 16:43 ticktack wrote: Does your MMR increase during the season lock?
I think it does, the only difference is that you wont be promoted even if your mmr gets the next league level or similarly, demoted. when you play the placement match next season, if you have to be promoted, you will.
On July 02 2011 16:43 ticktack wrote: Does your MMR increase during the season lock?
yup and it can go down too, if i recall correctly. Depending on your performance during the lock, you can end up in a new league during the 1 game placement.
On July 02 2011 15:45 Eurekastreet wrote: Why does it take 2 weeks to switch from one season to the other ?
I'm going to guess that they'll use the downtime to put the new maps/patch on the PTR. Since regular laddering won't be as "exciting", more people should flock to see what's new.
Here's hoping they take out scrap, slagpits and DQ. Last map to be taken out I think could be metal, it's unlikely they'll take out the other maps which are doing okay that are newer.
I'll be going for top 25 once ladder locks I guess.
Hmm, it's easier to get promoted with less games, right? Or does it keep track of all the previous seasons' number of games in calculating the promotion? Either way, my MMR is decently high, been playing a solid number of masters players (currently diamond), this might be the opening I'm looking for in promotion ^_^
Does this mean that some people who recently got promoted into Master league might not get back? Like if there are inactive people who has higher MMR than the newer master league players (like my smurf account) and they play a placement match again thus using up the available spot for the active 2% so that the newer Master league players won't get promoted into Masters untill there are inactive people again.
They said last lock that it was to make players focus more on getting in the top of there group then on getting promoted. That's why they added the extra icons for high placement in your division.
I'd like to get promoted to Masters before the lock, but I can't play at all this weekend so it doesn't look like I'll have time. Season 3 doesn't give me hope of promotion either. The new maps look terrible, and generally Zerg unfriendly. Rush maps, impossible to take a 3rd, close positions and rocks everywhere. Even their 'macro map' isn't that big and will never make it past 3 base.
next season will be for blizzcon placements. top 16 of ladder make it to the blizzcon online qualifiers and then the top 2 attend the event. I think that season 2 was just to fix the ladder bugs and maps while they waited for july.
I like DQ and Slag pits. I have the highest win percentage on those maps. I could do without scrap station thought-- my win percentage there is 38% :-(
On July 02 2011 18:23 shannn wrote: Does this mean that some people who recently got promoted into Master league might not get back? Like if there are inactive people who has higher MMR than the newer master league players (like my smurf account) and they play a placement match again thus using up the available spot for the active 2% so that the newer Master league players won't get promoted into Masters untill there are inactive people again.
Am I wrong in thinking like this?
You're right, but they will quickly become counted as inactive again or be demoted by sucking, so you don't have to worry about being kicked out without justification. This is a totally fair system by the way; if you get kicked out it is really because you're not good enough yet.
as long as grandmasters is locked for active people then i think its good that the seasons are short. i kind of prefer the short seasons anyways. hopefully the maps dont blow
IMO be prepared for more one base timings in ladder than usual the next couple days as players will be desperate to try and get promoted by playing a ton of games. Again, just my opinion and will find out for myself tonight :D
On July 03 2011 12:37 TwentyOneJN wrote: IMO be prepared for more one base timings in ladder than usual the next couple days as players will be desperate to try and get promoted by playing a ton of games. Again, just my opinion and will find out for myself tonight :D
oh no so true >.< hopefully it won't be terribad I know I won't be trying them unless its close metal or shattered vs T
These maps look so boring >.< but whatever, I hardly ladder 1v1 anyway. If the maps were more interesting i might (Map of the Month maps FTW) but whatevr. I guess ill have to make do.
None of the new maps look that cool to me, but it can't be worse than the maps on ladder now so we've got nothing to lose. I'm so glad I made it to masters before the lock. Here's a stupid question but do they always lock the ladder at the end of a season and if so why do they do that?
Has there been any statement about maps being removed from the pool to make way for new ones? If any are they would probably base on it number of vetos and what practice leaguers are playing...casual audience my arse.
People end up inactive a lot over time, I find it more fun to be in a division with active players instead of just having like 6 people out of your 100 using their bonus pool.
Also, last Season I was #1 Gold when the season switched, and the new season just put me in Platinum right away... Hoping this time around being like top 1% Plat just puts me in Diamond when we replace
Wow I misread the quote on the lock as During Season 2, you cannot be promoted/demoted and your pool will stop growing. I was baffled hardcore and about to make a rage comment.
Anyways, I hope they keep maps like Shattered Temple and Metalopolis forever, as they are definitely great maps that should not be replaced (make it no close pos probably?) For that person talking about not having time to play with Season 2 maps, it is not like they were that awesome or something. Tal' Darim is decent, but I do not see a reason to keep the others. Out of the four popular maps, Shakuras, Tal' Darim, S Temple, and Metalopolis, I am betting that one to two of those maps will be cut, unfortunately.
Maybe in season 3 i'll finally play more haha. I remember when season2 was announced and i thought "fuck yeh, LETS PLAY". Managed to do it for a week before going slack again
I haven't won once in ZvP on Taldarim Altar and Typhon Pearks is reeeeeeeally hard for ZvP because of all the layers. If one of those maps is ditched, I'm happy
I like the shorter seasons - had no time to play ladder during season 2 due to work, planned on starting again during summer....now there's all the more reason when a new season is starting and I don't have to worry about the annoyingly high bonus pool inflated ratings of everyone.
Also season 2 maps are bad (slag pits, delta quadrant, backdoor gulch, crap station..), season 3 maps can't be worse by all means.
On July 03 2011 18:19 Probe1 wrote: Just get rid of close positions and god please fix those season 3 maps.
Apparently David Kim is considering getting rid of close position maps entirely with Season 4, since they don't work. I don't know why he's putting maps like that in for Season 3 when he knows they're not great, but I imagine it's because Blizz is a huge-ass company that takes FOREVER to make even simple decisions (if you don't work with large companies, dude, you don't even fucking know how slow they are).
On July 03 2011 18:19 Probe1 wrote: Just get rid of close positions and god please fix those season 3 maps.
Apparently David Kim is considering getting rid of close position maps entirely with Season 4, since they don't work. I don't know why he's putting maps like that in for Season 3 when he knows they're not great, but I imagine it's because Blizz is a huge-ass company that takes FOREVER to make even simple decisions (if you don't work with large companies, dude, you don't even fucking know how slow they are).
On July 03 2011 19:39 MockHamill wrote: I think Tal'darim Altar will be cut. I know it is popular here but Blizzard wrote it was the maps with the most downvotes.
Realyl it has the most downvotes? There are far worse maps in the pool atm, i kinda like TalDarim. Slagpits or crapstation just gotta go.
On July 03 2011 19:39 MockHamill wrote: I think Tal'darim Altar will be cut. I know it is popular here but Blizzard wrote it was the maps with the most downvotes.
Realyl it has the most downvotes? There are far worse maps in the pool atm, i kinda like TalDarim. Slagpits or crapstation just gotta go.
1 base all in's obv not working on tal darim so many retards downvote it because they want their all in to work, because why would i learn how to play when t here is this all in :D ?
My comp broke on the 17th of march and i have not played any SC2 since (aka no season 2 games..including the placement)..so if i dont play my placement game for 1v1 in season 2, do i have 5 placement games and a reset mmr in season 3, or 1 placement and my mmr from season 1 or what?
Plus since I have a comp again can I just do my placements for my team games in season 2 and keep our mmr from season 1 into season 3? (dont want them to lose their mmr just cause my comp broke).
On July 03 2011 19:39 MockHamill wrote: I think Tal'darim Altar will be cut. I know it is popular here but Blizzard wrote it was the map with the most downvotes.
oh my god NOOOOOOOOOOOO this cant be! arghhhhh, I hope you are not right. Why Blizzard doesnt make some poll of which maps we want to have in pool?
On July 03 2011 19:39 MockHamill wrote: I think Tal'darim Altar will be cut. I know it is popular here but Blizzard wrote it was the map with the most downvotes.
This could lead to an interesting socio-economic debate...democracy can only function - in theory - if the majority of the people are capable of understanding the subject they are voting on
This aside, I'm not too worried about Tal'darim. Blizz has explicitly stated they want to maintain the 3/3/3-system of rushbased, "normal", and macro-based maps. So noobs who only want to all-in each and every game can downvote the macro-maps....nobody gets hurt. If such thing was to determine which maps Blizz provides, then we would be playing 9 different versions of steppes of war.
On July 03 2011 19:39 MockHamill wrote: I think Tal'darim Altar will be cut. I know it is popular here but Blizzard wrote it was the map with the most downvotes.
This could lead to an interesting socio-economic debate...democracy can only function - in theory - if the majority of the people are capable of understanding the subject they are voting on
This aside, I'm not too worried about Tal'darim. Blizz has explicitly stated they want to maintain the 3/3/3-system of rushbased, "normal", and macro-based maps.
You are forgetting that Blizzard explicitly called Slag Pits a macro map.
So, if you like play the Season 2 ladder maps, cherish what time you may have left. Anyone think that we might see a round of bans coming with the new season as well, given the recent very-public drop-hacking of top GM players?
Top GM players? Am I wrong in thinking that most of these hackers used trial keys to make new accounts under the nicks of well-known pros such as LiquidHaypro and then use drophack on those accounts? And that it was not the real pros themselves
On July 03 2011 19:39 MockHamill wrote: I think Tal'darim Altar will be cut. I know it is popular here but Blizzard wrote it was the map with the most downvotes.
This could lead to an interesting socio-economic debate...democracy can only function - in theory - if the majority of the people are capable of understanding the subject they are voting on
This aside, I'm not too worried about Tal'darim. Blizz has explicitly stated they want to maintain the 3/3/3-system of rushbased, "normal", and macro-based maps. So noobs who only want to all-in each and every game can downvote the macro-maps....nobody gets hurt. If such thing was to determine which maps Blizz provides, then we would be playing 9 different versions of steppes of war.
So do Blizzard think that we currently have 3 macro maps? As far as I can see we have Tal'Darim and then Metalopolis and Shakuras can be, depending on which spawns you get. Thats not really 3 when you consider that 2 of them become the most rush favouring maps in the pool with certain spawn positions.
So, if you like play the Season 2 ladder maps, cherish what time you may have left. Anyone think that we might see a round of bans coming with the new season as well, given the recent very-public drop-hacking of top GM players?
Top GM players? Am I wrong in thinking that most of these hackers used trial keys to make new accounts under the nicks of well-known pros such as LiquidHaypro and then use drophack on those accounts? And that it was not the real pros themselves
You're absolutely right, but the fakers then faced some real pros on ladder and drophacked them. I saw a fake LiquidHuK facing iNcontroL on his stream and I'm sure many more genuine pros have faced the hackers.
On July 03 2011 19:39 MockHamill wrote: I think Tal'darim Altar will be cut. I know it is popular here but Blizzard wrote it was the maps with the most downvotes.
Realyl it has the most downvotes? There are far worse maps in the pool atm, i kinda like TalDarim. Slagpits or crapstation just gotta go.
1 base all in's obv not working on tal darim so many retards downvote it because they want their all in to work, because why would i learn how to play when t here is this all in :D ?
The rocks on the third make it a bit annoying for Zergs against Toss IMO.
i havent looked over the new 2v2/3v3 maps but some of them are just horrible this season
maps where even your natural has destructable rocks is kinda shitty if you play zerg. for this reason alone im really happy to see so many new maps in the pool
I haven't had time to play 1on1 ladder (and basically sc2 at all) since April, so my bonus pool is stuck to a quadrupillion points. I'm in top 10 Plat though, but my MMR should be diamond, since I only face Diamonds and Masters every now and then. This season change might be good, since I could be placed to diamond right away, once I did my first placement match, hopefully. Looking forward to it!
I thought i'd read that Tal Darim was one of the most downvoted maps but I didn't want to be spreading (possibly) false information around. That said, as soon as I saw the new 'macro' map that Blizzard have designed I immediately thought that Tal Darim would be replaced. I don't imagine Blizzard likes having maps that aren't designed by them in the ladder pool.
That said, I'm only going to ladder during the lock so I don't get demoted, (haven't laddered in 8 weeks). Playing customs games on fixed maps is so much better than ladder because you can remove dumb things like close positions and third rocks on Tal Darim. Might be interested in laddering next season depending on what the feedback is like on these new maps.
On July 03 2011 21:55 BlindGamer wrote: HEHEHEEHEHEHEHE got to masters yesterday, awesome timing for the ladder lock
Grats =D, and for the people complaining about tal darim possibly being scrapped (personally dont agree with this), you must consider that the overwhelming majority of players are in lower leagues and the sheer size of the map makes it difficult to play if you don't have the mechanics to manage multiple bases.
And of course blink stalker allins >< which I haven't seen as many of lately.
MMR still changes, so if you screw around too much you'll get demoted for S3 :p
Just hope we get some decent Protoss maps and some of the worse ones are removed from the pool. Sucks we only have one good map and so many painful ones.
Seeing how GM works (really hard to get up there if not among the first 200), I'm happy it ends. Seasons should be shorter, or change the GM criteria. Having it longer than this ~3,5 months would be dumb.
On July 03 2011 21:55 BlindGamer wrote: HEHEHEEHEHEHEHE got to masters yesterday, awesome timing for the ladder lock
Grats =D, and for the people complaining about tal darim possibly being scrapped (personally dont agree with this), you must consider that the overwhelming majority of players are in lower leagues and the sheer size of the map makes it difficult to play if you don't have the mechanics to manage multiple bases.
And of course blink stalker allins >< which I haven't seen as many of lately.
well just down vote it if you cant macro on it, just as people who like to macro don't play on delta quadrant.
On July 02 2011 01:29 Mysti_ wrote: If they cut maps, they'll cut the less popular ones, blizzard aint that dumb.
So hope they'll cut Slag pit, scrap station and delta quadrant <.<
You say Blizzard aren't that bumb, but Delta Quadrant was cut from Tournaments back in like October and that never got cut for season 2. So I'm not placing any bets on how dumb Blizzard might be
These short seasons could mean...that blizzard is losing a lot of battle.net players. You almost have to reset the seasons after you lose so many players, otherwise you have to much deadweight from unplayed accounts taking up the higher ranks and too novice players advancing fastly just because they accumulate bonus points.
ive only been in sc2 since halfway through S2, im hoping that scrap station will be taken out of the 1v1 pool personally, never got to grips with the map, looking forward to the S3 maps from what i have seen!
I really like slag pits and Backwater gulch. I dont know why , But i would hate to see them go. Nothing really in particular I like about the maps , I just love playing on them.
Season 3 still feels a bit rushed in, I would have preferred it if season 2 had been longer, especially since the revealed new maps look like no improvement whatsoever to the current map pool.
On July 04 2011 00:00 Jimbooo wrote: I really like slag pits and Backwater gulch. I dont know why , But i would hate to see them go. Nothing really in particular I like about the maps , I just love playing on them.
slag pits is horrible, you can never get a vz on there because every zerg has it downvoted and in any macro game theres no bases to take ; /
On July 04 2011 00:00 Jimbooo wrote: I really like slag pits and Backwater gulch. I dont know why , But i would hate to see them go. Nothing really in particular I like about the maps , I just love playing on them.
You crazy!! Shit Pits, is terrible, such a bad map, Delta Quadrant is terrible it is almost as bad as Jungle Basin,
The maps they should keep and add on top of is, Meta, Xel'Naga, Shakarus,Teldarium and Typhoon. then they should add some GSL maps, like Dual Sight, Test Bug Terminus Crevesse
then blizzard should add say 3-4 of there own maps and give us 5 veto's with a map pool of like 12-15 maps that would make laddering so much more enjoyable. Nothing is more annoying then getting the same map like 5 times in a row.
On July 02 2011 01:09 kawaiiryuko wrote: Does anyone remember if this was the case with the Season 1 lock? I don't remember but I wonder if this is a new thing they are doing for the Season 2 lock?
The season length is fine. I'm more concerned with the newer maps.. they weren't even tested.. this could be hell.
It's also a scare not knowing what maps they will replace with the new ones. By god, if it's not SS, Delta, and Slag/Typhoon/Backwater, I might kill myself. And they need to fix close spawns -_-
Close positions are not bad. It forces players to not be greedy. What is bad about that?
Could close positions be better? Yes.
I miss the old shakuras map where the "close spawn" was when you had destructible rocks behind you. Yes, you could be greedy and expand like crazy. But they could also just kill the rocks and f'king kill you if they wanted. Same with Scrap Station.
Close positions are not bad--hard to defend positions are. More rocks, more "small mineral patches" in the vein of BW would be good.
On July 04 2011 01:35 ODieN wrote: Do you think Blizzard intended for Season 2 to be this short? Or are they just cutting it short because of all the drop hackers?
They said that Seasons after season 1 will be shorter than season 1. They said 3-4 months, and that's what we getting.
On July 04 2011 01:33 lorkac wrote: Close positions are not bad. It forces players to not be greedy. What is bad about that?
Could close positions be better? Yes.
I miss the old shakuras map where the "close spawn" was when you had destructible rocks behind you. Yes, you could be greedy and expand like crazy. But they could also just kill the rocks and f'king kill you if they wanted. Same with Scrap Station.
Close positions are not bad--hard to defend positions are. More rocks, more "small mineral patches" in the vein of BW would be good.
Usually in close spawns, it leads to 1-2 base all ins/gimmicky plays. This has been discussed to death, sure you could use some variety, but I myself and i'm sure plenty of others don't like to be forced into gimmicking/alling in.
On July 04 2011 01:35 ODieN wrote: Do you think Blizzard intended for Season 2 to be this short? Or are they just cutting it short because of all the drop hackers?
Na, I don't think so. Talk about season 3 maps had started a lot earlier before the hacking became popular. It just seemed short because season 1 was hella long.
Personally I think 3months is kinda sort, I rather they have it at 4months for each seasons' length. Also they should announce like this, this, and this month we will be resetting the ladder. That way there's no surprises and we see it coming.
I like the short seasons, it helps to weed out all the people that don't play to keep the divisions fresh/active. It will be interesting to see what maps are taken out(if any at all). I personally hope they get rid of Delta and Typhoon. Does anyone know if they will ever rotate maps back in from previous seasons?
Yes bonus pool reset. Everything is reset EXCEPT your MMR (match making rating for those who don't know) so therefor, you will stay around the same area
On July 03 2011 19:57 paddyz wrote: My comp broke on the 17th of march and i have not played any SC2 since (aka no season 2 games..including the placement)..so if i dont play my placement game for 1v1 in season 2, do i have 5 placement games and a reset mmr in season 3, or 1 placement and my mmr from season 1 or what?
...
Ive been overseas for all of season two so Im in the same boat. Havent played a placement match. Will season one mmr carry over to season three?
i thought everyone started with a set bonus pool? didnt know it was put to 0? also, have they released an actual list of what maps are gonna be in the pool? i know theres 4 new ones but surely they cant just add them into the current one? i already have 4 maps in the current pool i hate, and i could easily take 2 or more out of this one.
why dont they just remove DQ, slags and scrap as they know few people use them, or at least give us more vetos? if they just add 4 more maps, surely they have to give another 2 vetos or something
It seemed like this season was so short! Oh well, I can't wait for the new maps. I'm wondering why Delta Quadrant is still in the ladder pool. I've had that on veto forever.
On July 03 2011 19:39 MockHamill wrote: I think Tal'darim Altar will be cut. I know it is popular here but Blizzard wrote it was the maps with the most downvotes.
Realyl it has the most downvotes? There are far worse maps in the pool atm, i kinda like TalDarim. Slagpits or crapstation just gotta go.
No there isn't. Slagpits sucks, but its not rigged. Taldarim is rigged for PvZ. Its 100% forge expand and it is almost a guaranteed win. Scrapstation is awesome, I enjoyed it with all races when I was random
On July 04 2011 04:47 Pinna wrote: Welcome, even more anti-Zerg maps! Gotta love the Blizz hatin' on Zerg. Or not directly on Zerg, but on macro overall.
Gotta love the endless zerg complaint. 10 years from now you'll still hear zergs blaming losses on balance. Oh and if by macro you mean "don't pressure me with anything until the 15 minute mark", then yes macro sucks. I get blamed for cheese all the time doing 5 marine pressure off 1 rax fe.
On July 03 2011 19:39 MockHamill wrote: I think Tal'darim Altar will be cut. I know it is popular here but Blizzard wrote it was the maps with the most downvotes.
Realyl it has the most downvotes? There are far worse maps in the pool atm, i kinda like TalDarim. Slagpits or crapstation just gotta go.
No there isn't. Slagpits sucks, but its not rigged. Taldarim is rigged for PvZ. Its 100% forge expand and it is almost a guaranteed win. Scrapstation is awesome, I enjoyed it with all races when I was random
what?! have you played PvZ on tal darim? forge expand isnt in anywaya a garanteed win for toss any zerg who knows how to play properly with just expand 5 times, tech like mad, or roach all in or nydus. Any of those are pretty much garanteed wins for zerg imo
Well im happy, i guess, new map pool will be nice, but if they don't fix the hacking going around, they will probably have to lock everything again until they figure out. But, with about 3 weeks til the new season, here hopinh they fix some shit!
Season 2 was way shorter than Season 1, however I think the length of Season 2 is actually how long Blizzard wants the seasons to be. Season 1 was extended simply because of it being the game-launch season.
On July 02 2011 01:29 Mysti_ wrote: If they cut maps, they'll cut the less popular ones, blizzard aint that dumb.
So hope they'll cut Slag pit, scrap station and delta quadrant <.<
yes, if these were removed from the map pool i would be satisfied. I was trying to think why scrap station would still be in the pool then i remebered steppes, blistering sands, kulas ravine, and incineration zone and was like oh right thats why it stayed so long.
if only bliz would add the gsl maps instead of their own new maps (1 macro map... srsly?): it would require less work from bliz (= better HoS) and more happy campers (sc2 players)...
On July 04 2011 09:57 Firetail wrote: Shortest season so far. I wonder if in the future there will be shorter seasons.
I feel as if that Season 3 is unorganized or rushed since Season 2 was short, new maps introduced without some sort of testing, etc.
Eh, I guess I can get placed into a higher league now.
It was the second season...if anything season 2's length will be indicative of how long a typical season will be, since Season 1 was from the beginning of the game's release.
On July 04 2011 04:47 Pinna wrote: Welcome, even more anti-Zerg maps! Gotta love the Blizz hatin' on Zerg. Or not directly on Zerg, but on macro overall.
Gotta love the endless zerg complaint. 10 years from now you'll still hear zergs blaming losses on balance. Oh and if by macro you mean "don't pressure me with anything until the 15 minute mark", then yes macro sucks. I get blamed for cheese all the time doing 5 marine pressure off 1 rax fe.
Not actually. By macro I mean a map where you can go 3+ bases, on these new maps you cant. They made, if I remember correctly, 2 rush-maps, 2 "normal"-maps which are rush with rocks, and 1 "macro"map. You could say that those rush-maps are like close positions on metalopolis, where as "normal" are close-by-air with rocks between your mains. Of course it shouldn't be close, but still almost.
I don't even know how to do any Z 1-2 base all-ins, guess I should learn to do couple.
On July 04 2011 04:47 Pinna wrote: Welcome, even more anti-Zerg maps! Gotta love the Blizz hatin' on Zerg. Or not directly on Zerg, but on macro overall.
Gotta love the endless zerg complaint. 10 years from now you'll still hear zergs blaming losses on balance. Oh and if by macro you mean "don't pressure me with anything until the 15 minute mark", then yes macro sucks. I get blamed for cheese all the time doing 5 marine pressure off 1 rax fe.
Not actually. By macro I mean a map where you can go 3+ bases, on these new maps you cant. They made, if I remember correctly, 2 rush-maps, 2 "normal"-maps which are rush with rocks, and 1 "macro"map. You could say that those rush-maps are like close positions on metalopolis, where as "normal" are close-by-air with rocks between your mains. Of course it shouldn't be close, but still almost.
I don't even know how to do any Z 1-2 base all-ins, guess I should learn to do couple.
Don't worry your rating might drop a bit but if you can beat a terran or protoss on a rush map you'll be able to beat them easily on a standard map (like MLG or GSL map pool) so see it as an advantage.
I'm suprised that the season 2 actually lasted 3-4 months. Normally Blizz is always off-schedule I'm glad that season 3 approach... I just hope that the ladders will be fixed by then.
On July 04 2011 04:47 Pinna wrote: Welcome, even more anti-Zerg maps! Gotta love the Blizz hatin' on Zerg. Or not directly on Zerg, but on macro overall.
Gotta love the endless zerg complaint. 10 years from now you'll still hear zergs blaming losses on balance. Oh and if by macro you mean "don't pressure me with anything until the 15 minute mark", then yes macro sucks. I get blamed for cheese all the time doing 5 marine pressure off 1 rax fe.
Not actually. By macro I mean a map where you can go 3+ bases, on these new maps you cant. They made, if I remember correctly, 2 rush-maps, 2 "normal"-maps which are rush with rocks, and 1 "macro"map. You could say that those rush-maps are like close positions on metalopolis, where as "normal" are close-by-air with rocks between your mains. Of course it shouldn't be close, but still almost.
I don't even know how to do any Z 1-2 base all-ins, guess I should learn to do couple.
Don't worry your rating might drop a bit but if you can beat a terran or protoss on a rush map you'll be able to beat them easily on a standard map (like MLG or GSL map pool) so see it as an advantage.
Not really. Rush maps play so differently--you can barely take a safe third, and your opponent can give you hell for trying--but he can't at all. So if you practice mostly on "rush"maps, you'll have no idea how to stop a competent P/T who goes for the long game on a "standard" map. You might be better at fighting 2-rax/4-gate, but bad at combating late game mech pushes/hellion play/deathballs/etc.
I don't feel season 2 was too short... in fact I would argue it was about perfect. These maps are starting to get stale. I welcome season 3 as a refreshing change.
gahahaha season lock is the greatest especially with grandmasters. I got #1 by not playing games as you need like an 75% winrate to stay even without bonus pool in GM...
On July 04 2011 12:21 WarFest wrote: Fack....no. 1 diamond trying to get into masters. And Season 2 goes into lock -.- Nice...
Your MMR will still go up, might as well keep laddering. If anything Season 3 coming is good because sometimes your MMR will be Masters level but the game will still need you to play more games before promoting you to "be sure" or something. Having that one placement is kind of like an instant evaluation of where you belong.
On July 03 2011 18:19 Probe1 wrote: Just get rid of close positions and god please fix those season 3 maps.
Apparently David Kim is considering getting rid of close position maps entirely with Season 4, since they don't work. I don't know why he's putting maps like that in for Season 3 when he knows they're not great, but I imagine it's because Blizz is a huge-ass company that takes FOREVER to make even simple decisions (if you don't work with large companies, dude, you don't even fucking know how slow they are).
Does Blizzard pay attention to BW at all? I'm sure an in-depth analysis of recent BW maps would show that you can make great maps with close position spawns, it just takes time and you can't be lazy.
I'm all for non 15 second rush distances, but the close/far position dynamic is an exciting part of BW games and it could be the same for Sc2.
Also, you can't be afraid to have more open areas and see how the metagame adapts.
On July 04 2011 08:02 Dr.FuzzyBallz wrote: PLEASE Keep Xel'naga, if no Xel PLEASE KEEP METALOPOLIS!!
metaloplis should become legend that never gets removed from the 1v1 ladder.
I think they are getting rid of maps that can have close spawns
Not at all, they said they are gong to keep close spawn maps, for players who like "rushing" or basically to say there will be still some games that would be set up to be quick ending, and mainly micro battles, or cheese fests.
They have to keep that to, have variety cant always be macro, yes you can do that on macro maps, but this way you are forced too, it be suicidal trying to go expo first etc.
EDIT: Either way doesnt mean metal needs to be removed, just remove its close spawn.
Wonder how the new map pool turns out, really hope blizzard will pull there heads out of there asses and remove the 5 maps that i won't mention here but everyone knows who they are :/
On July 04 2011 17:21 Banglings wrote: People are commentating on season 2 being short. I think Blizzard didn't really consider the first few months of SC2 part of the first season.
On July 02 2011 01:29 Mysti_ wrote: If they cut maps, they'll cut the less popular ones, blizzard aint that dumb.
So hope they'll cut Slag pit, scrap station and delta quadrant <.<
I don't have any such faith. They once removed Shakuras and kept Delta.
Pretty sure they removed Shakuras to rework it. Hence now there is no longer a backdoor breakable by rocks.
Then Shakuras would be different when they brought it back. They just silently removed it for a long time, and suddenly they just added it back (completely unchanged and didn't even fix the pylon-bug). (They even commented shortly before the first version returned and said Shakuras was a boring map, meaning it had too few rocks, no close spawns, no gold bases that could be blocked by rocks so Blizzard deemed it boring.) They then later removed it once again and days later added the new Shakuras.
Pretty sure they just removed it because they found it boring, community cried because the only decent map got removed, Blizzard realized they needed macromaps and re-added it. :p
But there must be something about Delta Quadrant that Blizzard just completely loves (or maybe it's very popular in lower leagues?), because it's the one map that basically EVERYONE at least gold or above thinks is really shit. It's like Incineration Zone, it took a day and everyone realized what a piece of shit map that was and Blizzard did the right thing and removed it. But DQ has now outlived two ladder-seasons, hope it doesn't get a third.
Ighox covered it, yeah. It's also completely inexplicable that they advertised Slag as a macro map. I suppose on cross it's okay, but close has shorter rush distances than steppes of war. I feel bad playing against Zergs on that map.
On July 04 2011 17:33 edc wrote: I swear, if I lose my placement match and end up in a lower league I will be very, very angry.
Placement maps are less to re-evaluate your skill and more to see who is still active. That one game does not have an big impact on your MMR. But even if you stay in your league, you will probably be set in another tier of that league, which better reflects your true skill.
Blizzard have always been about the community aspect of their games. So I htink they know already what maps we want to stay and go. The majority of us all love Tal Darim for example, and Metalopolis has always been a favorite, but what really keeps my hopes high is the fact blizzard have seen custom maps, for example, MLG shakuras and have seen changes made for balance sake (the back door rocks which were a nightmare for a macro zerg) and now shakuras has been taken off to be enhanced. Small things like this honestly give me the confidence let blizzard do as they please and most of the time, It'll work for me. I don't know about the rest of ye, but I think these maps, though we haven't seen them yet, will be pretty solid and hopefully balanced.
Otherwise, it's gonna be as ridiculous as scrap station, what do i know
I doubt that Blizz will remove maps like Tal Darim, because they MUST know by now, that the bronze noobs don't guarantee longevity of starcraft 2. Bronze players come and - now - mostly go, and they will lose interest if the game won't survive on a competitive level.
As far as I know, no RTS has ever survived to even see the day of its first expansion without some catering to the "hardcore, competitive" fanbase. And Blizz surely knows that. By scaring away the hardcore fans, they would inevitably also use the casual players.
On July 04 2011 20:42 sleepingdog wrote: I doubt that Blizz will remove maps like Tal Darim, because they MUST know by now, that the bronze noobs don't guarantee longevity of starcraft 2. Bronze players come and - now - mostly go, and they will lose interest if the game won't survive on a competitive level.
Even if all current Bronze players would leave, there still would be Bronze players as this is how the ladder works.
So one should not lightly disregard what 20% of the active users have to say. Since we have map vetos, it should be no issue to have maps tailored for a specific league in the pool.
On July 04 2011 21:38 kyriores wrote: They will probably cut all the small/medium maps so that the early and especially the late game is even easier for zergs in tvz.
Actually, they are adding 4 rush-maps, which 2 have rocks, and one macro map, to help those Terrans rush their Zerg opponents early, making ZvT earlygame even more of a living hell if the T uses hellions. Also, Blizzards balance team has said that they are looking into ZvT lategame, is Z imba or not.
On July 04 2011 21:38 kyriores wrote: They will probably cut all the small/medium maps so that the early and especially the late game is even easier for zergs in tvz.
Actually, they are adding 4 rush-maps, which 2 have rocks, and one macro map, to help those Terrans rush their Zerg opponents early, making ZvT earlygame even more of a living hell if the T uses hellions. Also, Blizzards balance team has said that they are looking into ZvT lategame, is Z imba or not.
What I said about hellions: They are not imba, I am just not skilled enough to defend them.
I don't say I'm super skilled either, but watching even pro ZvT games that proceed to the 13-14 minute mark without a clear favorite is just painful to my eyes.. The macro of zergs is crazy after some point and the ease of taking extra expos while denying the Teran's is pretty absurd. So I think you have to do some early damage as T just to be able to create an army which will allow you to get SOME map control and go into a balanced late game. Watch the recent Destiny vs Bomber match (game 1 I think) to see what I mean... Dead infestors everywhere, still he couldn't defend his 3rd and 4th.
Btw good spine crawler placement and not making drone-trains will help you a lot vs early hellions.
Also I'm glad if blizz actually introduces smaller maps again!
On July 04 2011 22:42 Garnet wrote: less than 24 hours to burn ~700 bonus pool. Shhhhh.
I assume you can still use your bonus pool points after the season lock, the bonus pool does not grow anymore after the lock. So you have some more time
On July 02 2011 01:26 Mysti_ wrote: Season 2 wasn't short at all, and there's no point making seasons last 8 months.... Map rotation will be welcome and will encourage more people to start ladder again.
If the season is too long the performance at the beginning of the season starts becoming irrelevant to the standing at the end.
It would be nice if we could play the new maps before, but everyone is in the same situation.
I think I saw somewhere before on the blizzard forums (official blue note), that each season is gonna be around 3 months long (4 quarters). Each season ends with a 2 week lock, and then the next season starts right after that. In my opinion, for the people stuck in their division for whatever reason have a better chance at ranking up when new seasons start. This is smart on Blizzard's part! As for the new maps; everyone's on level playing field.
Haha, adding that map into the ladder would be horrendous. It would totally screw mech Terran for a start, sicne you'd never be able to set up a decent siege line. Could be fun for some customs, mind, but laddering's hard enough as it is without a map like that taking up everyone's veto.
On July 04 2011 21:38 kyriores wrote: They will probably cut all the small/medium maps so that the early and especially the late game is even easier for zergs in tvz.
Actually, they are adding 4 rush-maps, which 2 have rocks, and one macro map, to help those Terrans rush their Zerg opponents early, making ZvT earlygame even more of a living hell if the T uses hellions. Also, Blizzards balance team has said that they are looking into ZvT lategame, is Z imba or not.
What I said about hellions: They are not imba, I am just not skilled enough to defend them.
I don't say I'm super skilled either, but watching even pro ZvT games that proceed to the 13-14 minute mark without a clear favorite is just painful to my eyes.. The macro of zergs is crazy after some point and the ease of taking extra expos while denying the Teran's is pretty absurd. So I think you have to do some early damage as T just to be able to create an army which will allow you to get SOME map control and go into a balanced late game. Watch the recent Destiny vs Bomber match (game 1 I think) to see what I mean... Dead infestors everywhere, still he couldn't defend his 3rd and 4th.
Btw good spine crawler placement and not making drone-trains will help you a lot vs early hellions.
Also I'm glad if blizz actually introduces smaller maps again!
Well, why is the macro of the Zergs crazy after some point? Terrans do little to nothing to stop it growing. Usually at least on my ladder (diamond) after Terrans initial hellion push fails, he doesn't use them at all anymore, even if the game goes to 30+ minutes. Couple of hellions are SO GOOD at burning through workers, and they do it so fast, that even creating 6 hellions (2 per base) will do some serious damage, has he spines or not. Also marine drops will do wonders if you drop more than 1 base at once. Maybe drop 1 medivac to fourth, 1 to third and 2 to main. That takes some crazy apm to defend all places with minimum losses! ( This is based on my personal experience, even with mutas denying drops )
I haven't watched the Destiny vs Bomber game, but did Bomber make any ghost? If not, that might be the problem why infestors did wonders, Terrans haven't learned to use ghosts yet. They are so awesome, emp vs infestors to make them useless and snipe vs blords and ultras to make them useless. Remember, Zerg has no anti-energy unit so only way to counter this with Z is to neural parasite ghost and emp his allies.
Of course defending future expansions with T is a nightmare, at least vs mutas. But you DO have 2 super effective building upgrades which you NEVER get unless you are ahead. Turret +range and building +armor. They actually help a LOT.
Also, marauder drops are super effective if they dont have mutas closeby, because marauders destroy tech so easily.
Of course, as a complete macro Zerg, I hate small maps. I would love to be able to get the spines ready on my nat before the enemy army arrives if I scout it leaving their base.
On a serious note: with regards to the lock - bonus pool, does that mean it'll stop increasing for the Season 2? i.e. once 3 starts it'll still work the same way?
Does anyone have a confirmed time on 07/05/2011 on when the Season 2 lock will be starting? EDIT: Nevermind, didn't read thread's description thoroughly.
On July 04 2011 21:38 kyriores wrote: They will probably cut all the small/medium maps so that the early and especially the late game is even easier for zergs in tvz.
Actually, they are adding 4 rush-maps, which 2 have rocks, and one macro map, to help those Terrans rush their Zerg opponents early, making ZvT earlygame even more of a living hell if the T uses hellions. Also, Blizzards balance team has said that they are looking into ZvT lategame, is Z imba or not.
What I said about hellions: They are not imba, I am just not skilled enough to defend them.
I don't say I'm super skilled either, but watching even pro ZvT games that proceed to the 13-14 minute mark without a clear favorite is just painful to my eyes.. The macro of zergs is crazy after some point and the ease of taking extra expos while denying the Teran's is pretty absurd. So I think you have to do some early damage as T just to be able to create an army which will allow you to get SOME map control and go into a balanced late game. Watch the recent Destiny vs Bomber match (game 1 I think) to see what I mean... Dead infestors everywhere, still he couldn't defend his 3rd and 4th.
Btw good spine crawler placement and not making drone-trains will help you a lot vs early hellions.
Also I'm glad if blizz actually introduces smaller maps again!
Well, why is the macro of the Zergs crazy after some point? Terrans do little to nothing to stop it growing. Usually at least on my ladder (diamond) after Terrans initial hellion push fails, he doesn't use them at all anymore, even if the game goes to 30+ minutes. Couple of hellions are SO GOOD at burning through workers, and they do it so fast, that even creating 6 hellions (2 per base) will do some serious damage, has he spines or not. Also marine drops will do wonders if you drop more than 1 base at once. Maybe drop 1 medivac to fourth, 1 to third and 2 to main. That takes some crazy apm to defend all places with minimum losses! ( This is based on my personal experience, even with mutas denying drops )
I haven't watched the Destiny vs Bomber game, but did Bomber make any ghost? If not, that might be the problem why infestors did wonders, Terrans haven't learned to use ghosts yet. They are so awesome, emp vs infestors to make them useless and snipe vs blords and ultras to make them useless. Remember, Zerg has no anti-energy unit so only way to counter this with Z is to neural parasite ghost and emp his allies.
Of course defending future expansions with T is a nightmare, at least vs mutas. But you DO have 2 super effective building upgrades which you NEVER get unless you are ahead. Turret +range and building +armor. They actually help a LOT.
Also, marauder drops are super effective if they dont have mutas closeby, because marauders destroy tech so easily.
Of course, as a complete macro Zerg, I hate small maps. I would love to be able to get the spines ready on my nat before the enemy army arrives if I scout it leaving their base.
Bomber had plenty of ghosts.
While I don't mind large maps per se in TvZ, it's more the huge open spaces that make it really tough personally for pushes. On maps like shakuras, hugging the middle top/bottom cliffs by the towers is really helpful, so I hope the new maps balance those kinds of things.
On July 04 2011 21:38 kyriores wrote: They will probably cut all the small/medium maps so that the early and especially the late game is even easier for zergs in tvz.
Actually, they are adding 4 rush-maps, which 2 have rocks, and one macro map, to help those Terrans rush their Zerg opponents early, making ZvT earlygame even more of a living hell if the T uses hellions. Also, Blizzards balance team has said that they are looking into ZvT lategame, is Z imba or not.
What I said about hellions: They are not imba, I am just not skilled enough to defend them.
I don't say I'm super skilled either, but watching even pro ZvT games that proceed to the 13-14 minute mark without a clear favorite is just painful to my eyes.. The macro of zergs is crazy after some point and the ease of taking extra expos while denying the Teran's is pretty absurd. So I think you have to do some early damage as T just to be able to create an army which will allow you to get SOME map control and go into a balanced late game. Watch the recent Destiny vs Bomber match (game 1 I think) to see what I mean... Dead infestors everywhere, still he couldn't defend his 3rd and 4th.
Btw good spine crawler placement and not making drone-trains will help you a lot vs early hellions.
Also I'm glad if blizz actually introduces smaller maps again!
Well, why is the macro of the Zergs crazy after some point? Terrans do little to nothing to stop it growing. Usually at least on my ladder (diamond) after Terrans initial hellion push fails, he doesn't use them at all anymore, even if the game goes to 30+ minutes. Couple of hellions are SO GOOD at burning through workers, and they do it so fast, that even creating 6 hellions (2 per base) will do some serious damage, has he spines or not. Also marine drops will do wonders if you drop more than 1 base at once. Maybe drop 1 medivac to fourth, 1 to third and 2 to main. That takes some crazy apm to defend all places with minimum losses! ( This is based on my personal experience, even with mutas denying drops )
I haven't watched the Destiny vs Bomber game, but did Bomber make any ghost? If not, that might be the problem why infestors did wonders, Terrans haven't learned to use ghosts yet. They are so awesome, emp vs infestors to make them useless and snipe vs blords and ultras to make them useless. Remember, Zerg has no anti-energy unit so only way to counter this with Z is to neural parasite ghost and emp his allies.
Of course defending future expansions with T is a nightmare, at least vs mutas. But you DO have 2 super effective building upgrades which you NEVER get unless you are ahead. Turret +range and building +armor. They actually help a LOT.
Also, marauder drops are super effective if they dont have mutas closeby, because marauders destroy tech so easily.
Of course, as a complete macro Zerg, I hate small maps. I would love to be able to get the spines ready on my nat before the enemy army arrives if I scout it leaving their base.
Bomber had plenty of ghosts.
While I don't mind large maps per se in TvZ, it's more the huge open spaces that make it really tough personally for pushes. On maps like shakuras, hugging the middle top/bottom cliffs by the towers is really helpful, so I hope the new maps balance those kinds of things.
so 14 days to get 50 more points at least to get to 1000 points and also fix my broadband as my puppy bit through the cables running to my broadband!!!
No, after this morning/tonight points will be locked and bonus pools cleared. For the next two weeks we'll be stuck in whatever position we are in for each league as games won't add or subtract points. Only our MMR will be affected, which we can't see anyway. After 14 days, Season 3 starts and there's the one match to play before players are placed into new divisions and possibly leagues based on the MMR that was changing in those two weeks.
On July 05 2011 18:06 Xivsa wrote: No, after this morning/tonight points will be locked and bonus pools cleared. For the next two weeks we'll be stuck in whatever position we are in for each league as games won't add or subtract points. Only our MMR will be affected, which we can't see anyway. After 14 days, Season 3 starts and there's the one match to play before players are placed into new divisions and possibly leagues based on the MMR that was changing in those two weeks.
What, no? You have totally misunderstood everything.
Bonus pool will not be cleared, it will just stop growing.
And games WILL add/subtract points.
The only change is that leagues will be locked, and bonus pool will no longer grow.
On July 05 2011 18:06 Xivsa wrote: No, after this morning/tonight points will be locked and bonus pools cleared. For the next two weeks we'll be stuck in whatever position we are in for each league as games won't add or subtract points. Only our MMR will be affected, which we can't see anyway. After 14 days, Season 3 starts and there's the one match to play before players are placed into new divisions and possibly leagues based on the MMR that was changing in those two weeks.
Did you just make this up?
Totally wrong in every way possible.... Why do people just talk what ever pops into their head on forums.
Bonus pool will no longer grown (you can't get more of it) You will gain / lose points for ladder wins / losses (no change) Your MMR will still change (no change) You are unable to get promoted / demoted leagues for two weeks. (This promotion/demotion will happen when you play your qualifier for season 3 should you require moving)
On July 05 2011 18:25 JustWatch wrote: So i will have the chance to be promoted on my placementmatch if I win the majority of the games during the lock? or is mmr gonna be unaffected?
Yeah, if you win majority of your games on lock and up your MMR enough, you will be promoted on S3 placement match.
Wow this season was sooo short I hope they demote the players that did not play this season and allow the players that did play and did well in their leagues to be promoted into higher ones.
On July 05 2011 20:51 TravisMcNasty wrote: Wow this season was sooo short I hope they demote the players that did not play this season and allow the players that did play and did well in their leagues to be promoted into higher ones.
On July 05 2011 18:16 PraetorianX wrote: Does this mean a new balance patch will come at July 19th?
Iirc, all previous season switches have been accompanied by a balance patch. Correct?
All of them? As in all of ONE season switch? :p Lol I think that one case was coincidental, I'm sure they would have released patch notes if they planned to make a patch for the new season..
I don't know if this has been posted already. can't find it anywhere at least. How does this affect the GM leagues? will they be completely redone or will they basically stay the same.
On July 06 2011 00:00 Pwere wrote: Completely redone, so people who dropped out due to inactivity (i.e. Idra) will be back in due to the sheer size of their MMR.
Might as well take this as an opportunity to get back into SC2 ladder since I fell so behind.
Only thing thats really a mental block for me is that I feel like my control group setup is bad. I do fine with it and could easily make masters with it, but I feel in the long run it'll eventually slow me down, and the fact it takes so long to relearn control groups I'm hesitant to switch. (ex. 1-cc, 2-main army, 3-production, 4+ other army/units).
Can anyone suggest an optimal control group setup for Terran?
On July 06 2011 01:03 Razith wrote: Might as well take this as an opportunity to get back into SC2 ladder since I fell so behind.
Only thing thats really a mental block for me is that I feel like my control group setup is bad. I do fine with it and could easily make masters with it, but I feel in the long run it'll eventually slow me down, and the fact it takes so long to relearn control groups I'm hesitant to switch. (ex. 1-cc, 2-main army, 3-production, 4+ other army/units).
Can anyone suggest an optimal control group setup for Terran?
1 and 2 army. 3 cc, 4 rax, 5 factory, 6 starport, rest are free for ebay/tech labs, etc
On July 06 2011 01:03 Razith wrote: Might as well take this as an opportunity to get back into SC2 ladder since I fell so behind.
Only thing thats really a mental block for me is that I feel like my control group setup is bad. I do fine with it and could easily make masters with it, but I feel in the long run it'll eventually slow me down, and the fact it takes so long to relearn control groups I'm hesitant to switch. (ex. 1-cc, 2-main army, 3-production, 4+ other army/units).
Can anyone suggest an optimal control group setup for Terran?
1 and 2 army. 3 cc, 4 rax, 5 factory, 6 starport, rest are free for ebay/tech labs, etc
I was thinking 1,2,3 army, 4 cc, 5 production, 6+ anything. Also, why bind rax / fact / starport separately?
On July 06 2011 01:45 PoopLord wrote: What happens if you aren't in a league and the ladder is locked?
As in, you're still doing placement matches? The system will still place you in a league, it's just that you won't be able to get promoted or demoted right after.
Guys a question, what happens if you make a new account and start playing during the lock out? do your placement matches not count and you don't get placed in any league during this?
I just got a new account and i want to know if i should play today (just got it) or wait till the lock out its over QQ.
On July 06 2011 02:06 TanKLoveR wrote: Guys a question, what happens if you make a new account and start playing during the lock out? do your placement matches not count and you don't get placed in any league during this?
I just got a new account and i want to know if i should play today (just got it) or wait till the lock out its over QQ.
I did this last season, you will just get placed in the initial league from placement (most likely will be platinum or diamond) and then you are stuck there til the lock is off, then you will move to where you are supposed to be
On July 06 2011 02:06 TanKLoveR wrote: Guys a question, what happens if you make a new account and start playing during the lock out? do your placement matches not count and you don't get placed in any league during this?
I just got a new account and i want to know if i should play today (just got it) or wait till the lock out its over QQ.
MMR will still let you play im sure it will place you though
On July 06 2011 01:03 Razith wrote: Might as well take this as an opportunity to get back into SC2 ladder since I fell so behind.
Only thing thats really a mental block for me is that I feel like my control group setup is bad. I do fine with it and could easily make masters with it, but I feel in the long run it'll eventually slow me down, and the fact it takes so long to relearn control groups I'm hesitant to switch. (ex. 1-cc, 2-main army, 3-production, 4+ other army/units).
Can anyone suggest an optimal control group setup for Terran?
1 and 2 army. 3 cc, 4 rax, 5 factory, 6 starport, rest are free for ebay/tech labs, etc
I was thinking 1,2,3 army, 4 cc, 5 production, 6+ anything. Also, why bind rax / fact / starport separately?
W/e u want dude, that's why hotkey keys customizable, we all have preferences.
I bind separately so you don't have to tab twice to get starport etc.
On July 05 2011 18:06 Xivsa wrote: No, after this morning/tonight points will be locked and bonus pools cleared. For the next two weeks we'll be stuck in whatever position we are in for each league as games won't add or subtract points. Only our MMR will be affected, which we can't see anyway. After 14 days, Season 3 starts and there's the one match to play before players are placed into new divisions and possibly leagues based on the MMR that was changing in those two weeks.
That is about as wrong as wrong can be. Don't spread misinformation
You'll still have your bonus pool if you have some - it just won't GROW anymore. And yes, games will still matter in terms of winning and losing points. You just wont' be able to be promoted or demoted until next season.
On July 06 2011 03:07 stormchaser wrote: NA BNET servers are down right now for a service update. I'm assuming this is the beginning of the season lock.
i hope the new maps will play out well. I'm a little sad I was on vacation all last week I didn't realize the season was locking so soon. I wanted to get my second account to masters but I didn't have time in 1 day to do it. Woe is me.
The lock was supposed to start at 9am, but my bonus pool seems to have been still growing all day. I haven't been able to check in game, but my battle.net page has listed my bonus pool as going from 279 around 8:00a PDT up to 284 now at 4:00p PDT. Has the lock actually started?
Edit: Now that I'm in game, I see the expected 279 bonus pool. Battle.net must be reporting inaccurately, since it said I was up to 284 when I shouldn't have been, and was not.
On July 06 2011 08:29 SEANSYE wrote: God, why can't Blizzard just give us the GSL maps...
Who says they aren't? When season 2 started, didn't they show off a handful of maps they made (which ended up as Backwater Gulch, Typhon Peaks and Shattered Temple), and then just slipped Tal'darim Altar in?
I wasn't keeping up with the news amazingly well at the time, but I don't recall them announcing Tal'darim Altar before. They were only announcing their own maps. So if they do that again, then we might get some of the good tournament maps as a surprise on July 19 with season 3.
Ladder locked Give me another week and I would have moved up to diamond. Last season I got into gold about 8 hours before the ladder locked. Couldn't pull of the same feat again I suppose.
Do somebody knows if the European ladder will be locked after some maintenance (like ~3:00 or 9:00 AM (like US isn't it ?)) or just at 00:00 (so it means that ladder is already locked) ?
On July 06 2011 09:53 Heregellas wrote: Do somebody knows if the European ladder will be locked after some maintenance (like ~3:00 or 9:00 AM (like US isn't it ?)) or just at 00:00 (so it means that ladder is already locked) ?
Will there be a balance patch to accomany this season change like the season one? If they do plan on doing anything I hope its right as the season ends so it doesn't screw with people's initial ratings/leagues
On July 06 2011 10:11 zJayy962 wrote: Will there be a balance patch to accomany this season change like the season one? If they do plan on doing anything I hope its right as the season ends so it doesn't screw with people's initial ratings/leagues
Since they didn't do any balance changes on the PTR lately (that I'm aware of, at least), I assume this season update / patching will only contain new maps.
Im excited for who the new GM players will be. They mix em up right? Correct me if Im wrong. Maybe Artosis will finally make it in there! Here's hoping!
I am a bit sad. I just moved and thus haven't been able to play as much as I still don't have net in the new place. Went back to old apartment over weekend and laddered hardcore especially yesterday before ladder lock. Got promoted to masters in 4s and worked my butt off to get there in 3s as that was the last mode still in diamond....and sadly I just didn't make it.
Oh well, a new season and new adventures to be had. Season 2 didn't feel all that special to me as I vetoed 2 of the new maps. However my girlfriend gets back from Spain on the 23rd and is planning on taking up SC2, so my project for season 3 is to get her to diamond.
On July 06 2011 11:23 R3demption wrote: Im excited for who the new GM players will be. They mix em up right? Correct me if Im wrong. Maybe Artosis will finally make it in there! Here's hoping!
I think the plan is to wait about a week after season 3 starts (with no GM during this week) and then put the top 200 into GM. So it will mostly be the same, but there will be some changes within the bottom section of GM.
I can get easy into master 1:1 and currently I have something like 14-3 diamond. I wonder how much games I should play before being promoted master ? =)
10 mores ? 20 mores ? 30 mores ? I expect 2:1 win ratio.
On July 06 2011 23:05 lyrlian wrote: I thought when ladder locks, you wouldnt be able to go form rank 5 in diamond to rank4 in diamond for example, guess I was wrong.
The whole point of the ladder lock is so you can move up ranks in your own division. Blizzard wants the last 2 weeks to be a race to get your rank up. If you get promoted or demoted, your rank changes where you'd have to work to get your rank up again which would be stupid if you change leagues, say the day before the end of the season.
On July 06 2011 23:05 lyrlian wrote: I thought when ladder locks, you wouldnt be able to go form rank 5 in diamond to rank4 in diamond for example, guess I was wrong.
It just means no promotions/demotions. You can still move around within a division though.
Season 2 came to an end quickly due to the rumors of players (even GM league players) cheating, using drop hacks, map hacks, etc. This is an iron fist approach to cleansing these players from the ladder. I expect to see a list of bans before Season 3 begins.
On July 07 2011 01:19 Fusor wrote: Season 2 came to an end quickly due to the rumors of players (even GM league players) cheating, using drop hacks, map hacks, etc. This is an iron fist approach to cleansing these players from the ladder. I expect to see a list of bans before Season 3 begins.
Ah good call on the ban-wave. I'm expecting the next ban-wave to hit most of the portrait-farmers as well. That will be great!
On July 07 2011 01:19 Fusor wrote: Season 2 came to an end quickly due to the rumors of players (even GM league players) cheating, using drop hacks, map hacks, etc. This is an iron fist approach to cleansing these players from the ladder. I expect to see a list of bans before Season 3 begins.
At the end of season 1, Blizzard said that seasons should only last 3 months. I don't think they ended it prematurely at all. Season 1 was just longer than they planned. From here on out, it should be only 3 months per season.
i lost my placement for season 2 cause my dumb ass researched hall instead of warpgates in a pvp (fucking 4 gates) and was demoted from dim to plat... now that its locked i can get my mmr up and burn through my 999 bonus pool in time for the new placement
Hey im not really sure on how the whole ladder lock and new season works. IT seems to me if you play well during the ladder lock and win your placement its easier to get promoted than it would be mid season. Is that correct? If not what is the point other than new maps of the new season?
On July 07 2011 04:45 austinholan wrote: Hey im not really sure on how the whole ladder lock and new season works. IT seems to me if you play well during the ladder lock and win your placement its easier to get promoted than it would be mid season. Is that correct? If not what is the point other than new maps of the new season?
The point is to lock divisions to give people a reason to fight for that #1 spot. Right now, I'm #3 gold and have been on a really good streak lately against platinums. Without this lock, I have no reason to fight for #1, since it's much more likely that I just get promoted and end the season as mid platinum. Whether or not it's preferable to end the season as #1 gold or #55 platinum is debatable, but Blizzard implemented this system to let people play out remaining bonus pools and fight for top spot, knowing they won't just end up promoted and end up with a middle spot. If my fighting means my MMR slides into platinum range, then I'll get placed there at the start of season 3.
On July 07 2011 04:45 austinholan wrote: Hey im not really sure on how the whole ladder lock and new season works. IT seems to me if you play well during the ladder lock and win your placement its easier to get promoted than it would be mid season. Is that correct? If not what is the point other than new maps of the new season?
The difference is that you can't be promoted now. However, when you can, you will if you deserve it.
the point of the new season is to clear inactive players from divisions, to let the bonus pool stay small(not zomgwtf 6k bonus) so new players can "compete" in the ladder as well, and to create a solid 'division' for the map usage and the patches.
Nop, it's not easier. When the league resets is looks like it was easier, but if you were promoted in the placement match, you'd be promoted anyways during the two week ladder block.
On July 07 2011 06:23 Lysenko wrote: Oddly, I noticed last night that I was continuing to accrue bonus points after the ladder lock. Has anyone else noticed this?
I haven't gained any bonus pool points sense yesterday when the ladder locked.
On July 07 2011 06:23 Lysenko wrote: Oddly, I noticed last night that I was continuing to accrue bonus points after the ladder lock. Has anyone else noticed this?
On July 07 2011 06:23 Lysenko wrote: Oddly, I noticed last night that I was continuing to accrue bonus points after the ladder lock. Has anyone else noticed this?
I haven't gained any bonus pool points sense yesterday when the ladder locked.
Even though the bonus pool points don't seem to be increasing, I notice that I still get bonus points from ladder wins. Bug?
On July 06 2011 08:29 SEANSYE wrote: God, why can't Blizzard just give us the GSL maps...
Who says they aren't? When season 2 started, didn't they show off a handful of maps they made (which ended up as Backwater Gulch, Typhon Peaks and Shattered Temple), and then just slipped Tal'darim Altar in?
I wasn't keeping up with the news amazingly well at the time, but I don't recall them announcing Tal'darim Altar before. They were only announcing their own maps. So if they do that again, then we might get some of the good tournament maps as a surprise on July 19 with season 3.
On July 07 2011 06:23 Lysenko wrote: Oddly, I noticed last night that I was continuing to accrue bonus points after the ladder lock. Has anyone else noticed this?
I haven't gained any bonus pool points sense yesterday when the ladder locked.
Even though the bonus pool points don't seem to be increasing, I notice that I still get bonus points from ladder wins. Bug?
That's what the ladder lock does. Bonus pool would stop growing and leagues are locked. If you still have some bonus pool left to burn off, then you will get points as normally.
EDIT I: Basically, it gives you a bit more incentive to rank up in your division. Since the players at the top tend to play more, their bonus pools are most likely spent.
EDIT II: Please disregard this post. Excalibur_Z to the rescue!
On July 07 2011 06:23 Lysenko wrote: Oddly, I noticed last night that I was continuing to accrue bonus points after the ladder lock. Has anyone else noticed this?
It looks like the in-game display when you queue for a match correctly freezes your bonus pool amount, but it's actually still accruing. So even if it shows 0 bonus pool, play games anyway because you may still have bonus pool that's accumulated and continues to accumulate since the lock!
I'll bring this up with Blizzard today in case they're not aware.
On July 07 2011 06:23 Lysenko wrote: Oddly, I noticed last night that I was continuing to accrue bonus points after the ladder lock. Has anyone else noticed this?
I still am as well.
I have been accumulating a bonus pool as well today. Not sure why exactly, but I plan on keeping an eye on it throughout the day.
On July 07 2011 06:23 Lysenko wrote: Oddly, I noticed last night that I was continuing to accrue bonus points after the ladder lock. Has anyone else noticed this?
It looks like the in-game display when you queue for a match correctly freezes your bonus pool amount, but it's actually still accruing. So even if it shows 0 bonus pool, play games anyway because you may still have bonus pool that's accumulated and continues to accumulate since the lock!
I'll bring this up with Blizzard today in case they're not aware.
Damn, I was hoping they'd give the new maps some time on the PTR so there'd be a chance that they wouldn't get put on the ladder. The new maps are pretty much as bad as last season's. At least they might finally take out Delta Quadrant.
I am exceedingly annoyed. A week or so ago, I picked up sc2, beat a high gold, beat 3 high plats in a row, and then it faced me against only gold league, where I started losing for absurd reasons (ex. My account got hacked during a ZvZ on scrap) and now I'm scared to ladder because of drop hacks. So now i'm going to be gold next season On a happier note, yesterday/two days ago I won 7 2v2 games in a row with a silver league partner. We were facing and beating plats, and we were like "Dangit, promote us!" and then I remembered the ladder was locked Edit: 300th post ;D
On July 07 2011 20:56 TheAwesomeTemplar wrote: (ex. My account got hacked during a ZvZ on scrap) and now I'm scared to ladder because of drop hacks.
If you're gold, keep playing. Drop hacks are exceptionally rare in gold league -- I've played maybe a hundred games since the drop hack problem cropped up recently and have not once been drop hacked.
On July 07 2011 20:56 TheAwesomeTemplar wrote: I am exceedingly annoyed. A week or so ago, I picked up sc2, beat a high gold, beat 3 high plats in a row, and then it faced me against only gold league, where I started losing for absurd reasons (ex. My account got hacked during a ZvZ on scrap) and now I'm scared to ladder because of drop hacks. So now i'm going to be gold next season On a happier note, yesterday/two days ago I won 7 2v2 games in a row with a silver league partner. We were facing and beating plats, and we were like "Dangit, promote us!" and then I remembered the ladder was locked Edit: 300th post ;D
you're In gold dude. It doesn't matter if u win or lose you should just be focusing on improving. There's like little to no drop hackers in lower leagues like out of 10 it would be 0.3. If u were masters wear drop hacking would be relevant than yeah sure u can stop laddering but you're gold, don't worry about it
On July 07 2011 20:56 TheAwesomeTemplar wrote: (ex. My account got hacked during a ZvZ on scrap) and now I'm scared to ladder because of drop hacks.
If you're gold, keep playing. Drop hacks are exceptionally rare in gold league -- I've played maybe a hundred games since the drop hack problem cropped up recently and have not once been drop hacked.
I must be out of the loop, I didn't even know that the drop hack was so widely in use... I'm in masters and have not dropped yet, hope Blizzard handles it before season 3 starts.
I've been watching high-level player streams and I haven't seen a single drop hack since Tuesday maintenance nor been drophacked in any of my games. Was the exploit fixed?
Anyone else notice a certain shift in ladder games since ranks froze? It could just be me but i'm seeing all sorts of crazy strategies now that the ladders locked. I had a toss rush chargelots on one base. A zerg baneling bomb my mineral line in zvz, and a terran went some wonky ghost rush into fast nukes. (first time i've seen a nuke in 1v1 ladder) Something tells me the next few weeks will be good for the meta game.
On July 07 2011 20:56 TheAwesomeTemplar wrote: I am exceedingly annoyed. A week or so ago, I picked up sc2, beat a high gold, beat 3 high plats in a row, and then it faced me against only gold league, where I started losing for absurd reasons (ex. My account got hacked during a ZvZ on scrap) and now I'm scared to ladder because of drop hacks. So now i'm going to be gold next season On a happier note, yesterday/two days ago I won 7 2v2 games in a row with a silver league partner. We were facing and beating plats, and we were like "Dangit, promote us!" and then I remembered the ladder was locked Edit: 300th post ;D
Not trying to be a jerk but if you're gold, losses and hacks are the least of your worries. You have a loooong way to go -- play customs, play ladder, watch and analyze replays, watch streams. Your record is literally useless at this point.
We’re aware of an issue where bonus pool points were still being assigned to players despite the season lock being in place. This has caused some players to be removed from the Grandmaster League due to the requirement to keep their bonus pool under a certain amount. We’ve already addressed the issue and stopped any additional bonus points from being distributed, and are now working on a process to place Grandmaster players back into the Grandmaster League.
We’ll provide more information as soon as it’s available.
On July 07 2011 04:53 Zephirdd wrote: Nop, it's not easier. When the league resets is looks like it was easier, but if you were promoted in the placement match, you'd be promoted anyways during the two week ladder block.
i dont think this is at all true, in fact probably the opposite. As Excaliber said in another post all the inactive players get "removed" in a since so someone has to fill those spots. those spots will be filled with higher caliber players
ahhh i wish i could find that post
EDIT: Never mind. found the post and misunderstood it
my goal this next season is to again get over 1000 points in diamond and poss masters. Had same goal last time but after getting to 950 points I havent played properly in like 6 weeks, so managed to win 3 out of 4 to get to 1030 points!! Hoepfully I will get ahead with my uni course and actually get more time to play!!!
I enjoy shorter seasons because im not in masters yet i feel like it gives me a fresh start, i also feel like its a good time for the game because it gets re-evaluated and refreshed
Season 1 = 4k points on high ladder accounts...season 2 = 2k? weird i would prefer have more points, tends to be a more specific way to see someones ladder position, but im not crushed new maps woot!
On July 09 2011 06:53 Werk wrote: Season 1 = 4k points on high ladder accounts...season 2 = 2k? weird i would prefer have more points, tends to be a more specific way to see someones ladder position, but im not crushed new maps woot!
well do note that season 1 lasted 9 months compared to the 4-5 of season 2
So hope they'll cut Slag pit, scrap station and delta quadrant <.<
I think 95% of all players have downvoted these 3 maps. So Blizz really should remove them.
You'd think, but you'd be wrong. Believe it or not, but TL doesn't come close to representing a majority of players in most subjects (this being one of them). Granted, I would love for those 3 to be rotated out, but I don't think that much of a majority definitively hates them as much as you (and others) claim.
Starting the new season on the 26th is a good idea on Blizzard's part. When I heard it was going to be on the 19th, I was curious as to why they chose not to wait until the 1 year anniversary.
So hope they'll cut Slag pit, scrap station and delta quadrant <.<
I think 95% of all players have downvoted these 3 maps. So Blizz really should remove them.
You'd think, but you'd be wrong. Believe it or not, but TL doesn't come close to representing a majority of players in most subjects (this being one of them). Granted, I would love for those 3 to be rotated out, but I don't think that much of a majority definitively hates them as much as you (and others) claim.
I think you are perfectly spot on! I think a lot of people forget how small TL really is when it comes the amount of users Blizzard has on Starcraft 2.
So hope they'll cut Slag pit, scrap station and delta quadrant <.<
I think 95% of all players have downvoted these 3 maps. So Blizz really should remove them.
You'd think, but you'd be wrong. Believe it or not, but TL doesn't come close to representing a majority of players in most subjects (this being one of them). Granted, I would love for those 3 to be rotated out, but I don't think that much of a majority definitively hates them as much as you (and others) claim.
I think you are perfectly spot on! I think a lot of people forget how small TL really is when it comes the amount of users Blizzard has on Starcraft 2.
Wow, I never thought of it like that..I'd assume that most masters and diamonds would at least lurk tl but even then I believe Thats only 20% or less of the na population.
26 July now? Yay! I've been unable to play due to internetlessness at home, so I'm really glad that this gives me an extra week to get back into top 8. Think I need to double my points to get to number 1 though :-/
Noooo lol! I was intentionally avoiding playing (since Sunday) because I am pretty sure my MMR is within masters, and I was hoping to be promoted straight in after the ladder reset.
I guess now is the perfect time to custom with practice partners.
Any news on what maps are being rotated out? If it's Slag, Backwater, Delta, and Scrap, we'll all be in a good spot. If they rotate out Shakuras, Tal'Darim, Typhon,and XNC (which is probably more likely), I won't be laddering this season and will probably play customs.
Metalopolis (old, intermediate) The Shattered Temple (half-new, intermediate)
Xel'Naga Caverns (old, intermediate)
Backwater Gulch (new, intermediate)
Typhon Peaks (new, intermediate)
Shakuras Plateau (half-new, macro)
Tal'darim Altar (GSL/New, macro)
My prediction is that the old maps will get removed. Specially Delta Quadrant and Scrap Station. I wouldn't be surprised if Tal'Darim Altar LE would be replaced with another "LE" (non-Blizzard) map. It would be cool actually =)
Metalopolis (old, intermediate) The Shattered Temple (half-new, intermediate)
Xel'Naga Caverns (old, intermediate)
Backwater Gulch (new, intermediate)
Typhon Peaks (new, intermediate)
Shakuras Plateau (half-new, macro)
Tal'darim Altar (GSL/New, macro)
My prediction is that the old maps will get removed. Specially Delta Quadrant and Scrap Station. I wouldn't be surprised if Tal'Darim Altar LE would be replaced with another "LE" (non-Blizzard) map. It would be cool actually =)
Interesting. I am 90% sure Typhon was meant to be a macro map, the third is sooo easy to take. Backwater was also definitely a rush map and Slag was supposed to be "intermediate".
My predictions:
1v1 Test 1 2 3 4 in DQ, XNC, Metalopolis, Slag out. Tal Darim, Shakuras, Typhon, Temple, Backwater all stay.
The main change I can see them making to this would be switching temple and slag. Slag is seriously the worst map I have ever played on and I can't wait to be rid of it. I'd play a hundred on steppes or delta quadrant before Slag.
On July 19 2011 18:19 DoofUndance wrote: .. I've secured a 3rd place in my division. Now I HAVE to play to stay ahead of the 4th guy.
I'm trying to clinch first in my division as just a personal goal, but that's the only reason. You should be doing the same. Your rank in the division essentially means jack squat come July 26th. I hope you're not killing yourself over it
Looks like the patch today fixed the bonus pool issue as well. The game client stopped accruing bonus pool on Jul 5th as planned, but the website was still listing the bonus pool going up at the usual rate. And I hear if you hit 0 bonus pool in game, you'd still gain bonus pool according to the website's numbers.
As of today, the website lists the same as the game client. I never got below 0 bonus pool (got down to 88). Does anyone know what happened to people who got below 0 and gained the extra hidden points? Were those just stripped away?
On July 20 2011 04:56 visual77 wrote: Looks like the patch today fixed the bonus pool issue as well. The game client stopped accruing bonus pool on Jul 5th as planned, but the website was still listing the bonus pool going up at the usual rate. And I hear if you hit 0 bonus pool in game, you'd still gain bonus pool according to the website's numbers.
As of today, the website lists the same as the game client. I never got below 0 bonus pool (got down to 88). Does anyone know what happened to people who got below 0 and gained the extra hidden points? Were those just stripped away?
I doubt anything happened. At the end of the day, points don't mean anything, and come the 26th they REALLY don't mean anything.
On July 20 2011 04:56 visual77 wrote: Looks like the patch today fixed the bonus pool issue as well. The game client stopped accruing bonus pool on Jul 5th as planned, but the website was still listing the bonus pool going up at the usual rate. And I hear if you hit 0 bonus pool in game, you'd still gain bonus pool according to the website's numbers.
As of today, the website lists the same as the game client. I never got below 0 bonus pool (got down to 88). Does anyone know what happened to people who got below 0 and gained the extra hidden points? Were those just stripped away?
I doubt anything happened. At the end of the day, points don't mean anything, and come the 26th they REALLY don't mean anything.
While most of TL considers the points to mean nothing, Blizzard clearly thinks otherwise, considering how they've set up the end of season locks to allow players to spend those points to try and earn the best rank possible.
Since I never spent below 0, I never got any of those hidden points. I'm currently #4 in my division. If the #1 person spent the extra 200 or so points before the lock happened, then I'm at a huge disadvantage to catch up. That goes against the way Blizzard wanted this to work.
On July 20 2011 04:56 visual77 wrote: Looks like the patch today fixed the bonus pool issue as well. The game client stopped accruing bonus pool on Jul 5th as planned, but the website was still listing the bonus pool going up at the usual rate. And I hear if you hit 0 bonus pool in game, you'd still gain bonus pool according to the website's numbers.
As of today, the website lists the same as the game client. I never got below 0 bonus pool (got down to 88). Does anyone know what happened to people who got below 0 and gained the extra hidden points? Were those just stripped away?
I doubt anything happened. At the end of the day, points don't mean anything, and come the 26th they REALLY don't mean anything.
While most of TL considers the points to mean nothing, Blizzard clearly thinks otherwise, considering how they've set up the end of season locks to allow players to spend those points to try and earn the best rank possible.
Since I never spent below 0, I never got any of those hidden points. I'm currently #4 in my division. If the #1 person spent the extra 200 or so points before the lock happened, then I'm at a huge disadvantage to catch up. That goes against the way Blizzard wanted this to work.
If you're at 0 it means you have already spent the 200 the other guy has. Everyone has the same overall bonus pool.
On July 20 2011 04:56 visual77 wrote: Looks like the patch today fixed the bonus pool issue as well. The game client stopped accruing bonus pool on Jul 5th as planned, but the website was still listing the bonus pool going up at the usual rate. And I hear if you hit 0 bonus pool in game, you'd still gain bonus pool according to the website's numbers.
As of today, the website lists the same as the game client. I never got below 0 bonus pool (got down to 88). Does anyone know what happened to people who got below 0 and gained the extra hidden points? Were those just stripped away?
I doubt anything happened. At the end of the day, points don't mean anything, and come the 26th they REALLY don't mean anything.
While most of TL considers the points to mean nothing, Blizzard clearly thinks otherwise, considering how they've set up the end of season locks to allow players to spend those points to try and earn the best rank possible.
Since I never spent below 0, I never got any of those hidden points. I'm currently #4 in my division. If the #1 person spent the extra 200 or so points before the lock happened, then I'm at a huge disadvantage to catch up. That goes against the way Blizzard wanted this to work.
If you're at 0 it means you have already spent the 200 the other guy has. Everyone has the same overall bonus pool.
Edit: Sorry for the original snappy tone. Today is not being kind to me. No need for me to lash out at others, though.
No, I didn't.
On Jul 5, season 2 locked and bonus pool *should* have stopped accruing. If you were at 200 on Jul 5, you should have only had 200 more for the remainder of the season. There was a bug, though, so that bonus pool *was* still growing. It just wasn't displaying properly in game. It was, however, displaying the extra bonus pool on the website. If you "emptied" your bonus pool in game (so it said you had 0 bonus pool when hitting find match), you could still gain this hidden bonus pool normally.
As of today, this seems to have been corrected. Last night, my bonus pool was listed around 300 on the website, and 88 in game. Today it is 88 on the website, even though I haven't played since Sunday night. So this roughly 210 hidden bonus pool was stripped from my account, since it never should have been there.
But what happened to the people who did spend it? Did they lose points equal to the spent bonus pool that they never should have had? If not, they got a free 210 or so points that I cannot get, which pretty much means the only way I'm surpassing them on the ladder is if I'm significantly better than them.
On July 20 2011 04:56 visual77 wrote: Looks like the patch today fixed the bonus pool issue as well. The game client stopped accruing bonus pool on Jul 5th as planned, but the website was still listing the bonus pool going up at the usual rate. And I hear if you hit 0 bonus pool in game, you'd still gain bonus pool according to the website's numbers.
As of today, the website lists the same as the game client. I never got below 0 bonus pool (got down to 88). Does anyone know what happened to people who got below 0 and gained the extra hidden points? Were those just stripped away?
I doubt anything happened. At the end of the day, points don't mean anything, and come the 26th they REALLY don't mean anything.
While most of TL considers the points to mean nothing, Blizzard clearly thinks otherwise, considering how they've set up the end of season locks to allow players to spend those points to try and earn the best rank possible.
Since I never spent below 0, I never got any of those hidden points. I'm currently #4 in my division. If the #1 person spent the extra 200 or so points before the lock happened, then I'm at a huge disadvantage to catch up. That goes against the way Blizzard wanted this to work.
If you're at 0 it means you have already spent the 200 the other guy has. Everyone has the same overall bonus pool.
Read again. Please. I began to type again to explain it, but realized I already did in my original question.
Does any one know the answer to what should have been an extremely simple question?
Everybody gets the same bonus pool. Let's say Player A went down to 0 bonus pool on lock day, Jul 5, and stopped playing. The bonus pool was erroneously still accumulating during the lock until I think Jul 7, so let's say 25 points were added. The client doesn't update that, but the website still does. If you look at Player A's web profile it shows he has 25 bonus pool.
Now let's say Player B went down to 100 bonus pool on lock day then stopped playing. The game client on Jul 7 would show 100, but the web profile would show the accurate 125.
If the client patch today corrects for those added points, then A would show 25 and B would show 125 in-game.
EDIT: Oh I see what you're saying now, after reading your edit. You're saying that those bonus points were actually taken out of the system. In that case, those people who spent it all would drop by the amount added.
On July 20 2011 04:56 visual77 wrote: Looks like the patch today fixed the bonus pool issue as well. The game client stopped accruing bonus pool on Jul 5th as planned, but the website was still listing the bonus pool going up at the usual rate. And I hear if you hit 0 bonus pool in game, you'd still gain bonus pool according to the website's numbers.
As of today, the website lists the same as the game client. I never got below 0 bonus pool (got down to 88). Does anyone know what happened to people who got below 0 and gained the extra hidden points? Were those just stripped away?
I doubt anything happened. At the end of the day, points don't mean anything, and come the 26th they REALLY don't mean anything.
While most of TL considers the points to mean nothing, Blizzard clearly thinks otherwise, considering how they've set up the end of season locks to allow players to spend those points to try and earn the best rank possible.
Since I never spent below 0, I never got any of those hidden points. I'm currently #4 in my division. If the #1 person spent the extra 200 or so points before the lock happened, then I'm at a huge disadvantage to catch up. That goes against the way Blizzard wanted this to work.
If you're at 0 it means you have already spent the 200 the other guy has. Everyone has the same overall bonus pool.
Read again. Please. I began to type again to explain it, but realized I already did in my original question.
Does any one know the answer to what should have been an extremely simple question?
Everybody gets the same bonus pool. Let's say Player A went down to 0 bonus pool on lock day, Jul 5, and stopped playing. The bonus pool was erroneously still accumulating during the lock until I think Jul 7, so let's say 25 points were added. The client doesn't update that, but the website still does. If you look at Player A's web profile it shows he has 25 bonus pool.
Now let's say Player B went down to 100 bonus pool on lock day then stopped playing. The game client on Jul 7 would show 100, but the web profile would show the accurate 125.
If the client patch today corrects for those added points, then A would show 25 and B would show 125 in-game.
EDIT: Oh I see what you're saying now, after reading your edit. You're saying that those bonus points were actually taken out of the system. In that case, those people who spent it all would drop by the amount added.
You sure it only went to July 7? I was watching it go up by the usual amount all the way until yesterday.
On July 20 2011 04:56 visual77 wrote: Looks like the patch today fixed the bonus pool issue as well. The game client stopped accruing bonus pool on Jul 5th as planned, but the website was still listing the bonus pool going up at the usual rate. And I hear if you hit 0 bonus pool in game, you'd still gain bonus pool according to the website's numbers.
As of today, the website lists the same as the game client. I never got below 0 bonus pool (got down to 88). Does anyone know what happened to people who got below 0 and gained the extra hidden points? Were those just stripped away?
I had 0 bonus pool, but I didn't magically keep gaining it during ladder lock, as one data point. All of my matches were bonus pool free.
On July 20 2011 04:56 visual77 wrote: Looks like the patch today fixed the bonus pool issue as well. The game client stopped accruing bonus pool on Jul 5th as planned, but the website was still listing the bonus pool going up at the usual rate. And I hear if you hit 0 bonus pool in game, you'd still gain bonus pool according to the website's numbers.
As of today, the website lists the same as the game client. I never got below 0 bonus pool (got down to 88). Does anyone know what happened to people who got below 0 and gained the extra hidden points? Were those just stripped away?
I doubt anything happened. At the end of the day, points don't mean anything, and come the 26th they REALLY don't mean anything.
While most of TL considers the points to mean nothing, Blizzard clearly thinks otherwise, considering how they've set up the end of season locks to allow players to spend those points to try and earn the best rank possible.
Since I never spent below 0, I never got any of those hidden points. I'm currently #4 in my division. If the #1 person spent the extra 200 or so points before the lock happened, then I'm at a huge disadvantage to catch up. That goes against the way Blizzard wanted this to work.
If you're at 0 it means you have already spent the 200 the other guy has. Everyone has the same overall bonus pool.
Read again. Please. I began to type again to explain it, but realized I already did in my original question.
Does any one know the answer to what should have been an extremely simple question?
Everybody gets the same bonus pool. Let's say Player A went down to 0 bonus pool on lock day, Jul 5, and stopped playing. The bonus pool was erroneously still accumulating during the lock until I think Jul 7, so let's say 25 points were added. The client doesn't update that, but the website still does. If you look at Player A's web profile it shows he has 25 bonus pool.
Now let's say Player B went down to 100 bonus pool on lock day then stopped playing. The game client on Jul 7 would show 100, but the web profile would show the accurate 125.
If the client patch today corrects for those added points, then A would show 25 and B would show 125 in-game.
EDIT: Oh I see what you're saying now, after reading your edit. You're saying that those bonus points were actually taken out of the system. In that case, those people who spent it all would drop by the amount added.
You sure it only went to July 7? I was watching it go up by the usual amount all the way until yesterday.
Blizzard's sticky about the bonus pool hotfix is dated Jul 7, so I'm not sure about it, but it could be a separate web bug.
On July 20 2011 04:56 visual77 wrote: Looks like the patch today fixed the bonus pool issue as well. The game client stopped accruing bonus pool on Jul 5th as planned, but the website was still listing the bonus pool going up at the usual rate. And I hear if you hit 0 bonus pool in game, you'd still gain bonus pool according to the website's numbers.
As of today, the website lists the same as the game client. I never got below 0 bonus pool (got down to 88). Does anyone know what happened to people who got below 0 and gained the extra hidden points? Were those just stripped away?
I had 0 bonus pool, but I didn't magically keep gaining it during ladder lock, as one data point. All of my matches were bonus pool free.
Hmm... I may have heard wrong, then. I never got below 0, so I never saw how that worked out, but I remember reading somewhere (maybe further back in this thread), that people were still gaining bonus pool after it hit 0, based on that hidden pool. If that wasn't actually happening, then them stripping out the bonus pool on the website really does nothing except display correct numbers on the site.
On July 19 2011 18:19 DoofUndance wrote: .. I've secured a 3rd place in my division. Now I HAVE to play to stay ahead of the 4th guy.
I'm trying to clinch first in my division as just a personal goal, but that's the only reason. You should be doing the same. Your rank in the division essentially means jack squat come July 26th. I hope you're not killing yourself over it
Yes it is a personal goal for me also. Being in top three for this season means my personal goal for the next season has to be number 1 or promotion.
I hope I don't encounter too many proxy 2 gates near the end of the season
On July 19 2011 18:19 DoofUndance wrote: .. I've secured a 3rd place in my division. Now I HAVE to play to stay ahead of the 4th guy.
I'm trying to clinch first in my division as just a personal goal, but that's the only reason. You should be doing the same. Your rank in the division essentially means jack squat come July 26th. I hope you're not killing yourself over it
For season 1 i was fighting for #1 in my diamond division until tthe very end. I pmed the other guy to thank him for the interesting race to the top as he had passed me with like 3 hours to go and was on a 7 game winning streak. He claimed he wasn't playing for first but he suddenly tilted, lost 4 and i took a 50 point lead with an hour to go. He logged off and blocked me forever...
That has been the ONLY time i felt like blizzards method to the ladder actually felt correct in that you are competing directly with those in your division...otherwise everyone is a random person...i wish the matchmaking system matched you up more often against people in your own division for this purpose...oh well, more seasons and patches to look forward too.
On July 21 2011 02:26 sTYleZerG-eX wrote: So why is season 3 not hear yet?
Oh and do ur win and losses get cleared when season 3 starts?? and start from 0 - 0 That sucks if so because I have like 560 wins and 480 loss
Yes they do get cleared, but people are still able to view them by clicking on "last season" in your profile.
Oh boy, thats gonna be so terrible haha. I used to be diamond in season 1, came back to starcraft 2 3 days ago (after like 5-6 months) so after the 1 placement match I got placed into diamond and now I'm getting my butt kicked so hard.
Hey guys, quick question. I'm currently in platinum right now. Theoretically, if I had a high enough increase in my MMR during the duration of the ladder lock, could I be promoted straight into Masters after 1 placement match in season 3? Is it possible to skip a league?
On July 21 2011 03:49 JavaChip wrote: Hey guys, quick question. I'm currently in platinum right now. Theoretically, if I had a high enough increase in my MMR during the duration of the ladder lock, could I be promoted straight into Masters after 1 placement match in season 3? Is it possible to skip a league?
On July 21 2011 03:49 JavaChip wrote: Hey guys, quick question. I'm currently in platinum right now. Theoretically, if I had a high enough increase in my MMR during the duration of the ladder lock, could I be promoted straight into Masters after 1 placement match in season 3? Is it possible to skip a league?
Yes.
I don't think you can be placed straight into Master's league. I recall hearing talk about high the highest you can be placed is Diamond, and then get promoted into Master's.
On July 21 2011 03:49 JavaChip wrote: Hey guys, quick question. I'm currently in platinum right now. Theoretically, if I had a high enough increase in my MMR during the duration of the ladder lock, could I be promoted straight into Masters after 1 placement match in season 3? Is it possible to skip a league?
Yes.
I don't think you can be placed straight into Master's league. I recall hearing talk about high the highest you can be placed is Diamond, and then get promoted into Master's.
Yeah, back in patch 1.2! You just can't place into the highest league available, which now is Grandmaster. So yes you can place directly into Master now.
Sorry if this was already asked and answered, but will there be a 2 week startup time to determine your new league again? Or lets say my MMR is high enough for grandmaster will I be put in grand master straight away after the first placement match? Or will it be like last season where everyone had two weeks to increase their MMR before grand master was put in place?
On July 21 2011 04:52 ZpuX wrote: Sorry if this was already asked and answered, but will there be a 2 week startup time to determine your new league again? Or lets say my MMR is high enough for grandmaster will I be put in grand master straight away after the first placement match? Or will it be like last season where everyone had two weeks to increase their MMR before grand master was put in place?
The two week period only applies to GM qualification, it doesn't apply to any other leagues.
On July 21 2011 04:52 ZpuX wrote: Sorry if this was already asked and answered, but will there be a 2 week startup time to determine your new league again? Or lets say my MMR is high enough for grandmaster will I be put in grand master straight away after the first placement match? Or will it be like last season where everyone had two weeks to increase their MMR before grand master was put in place?
The two week period only applies to GM qualification, it doesn't apply to any other leagues.
Anyone know what specific time the new season starts, like what time in the morning? I want to get a head start and get a good spot before everything is filled up (don't know if this is actually how it works).
I'm not sure if this was addressed but, for this season, is promotion/return to the GM league locked for 2 weeks again? (meaning GM league will be unlocked 2 weeks after July 26th?)
SEA Season 3 came up at 12:00pm local time, on the 26th. After several hours maintinence. So if that's the normal maintinence time it will probably come up after that, or perhaps at midday the same as SEA.
So looks like I will have to start playing again tommorrow!!! Shame they dont go live on the same day, but oh well, looking forward to playing the new maps and trying to reach my goal of Masters. Really cant see it happening, the moment I get momentum of playing like 2-3 days in a row and see an improvement I wont be able to play for like a week
On July 26 2011 17:59 Owl wrote: so which maps got removed in season 3?
Delta Quadrant, Slag Pits, Metalopolis and Scrap Station.
Why remove Metalopolis?? Its one of the most balanced map out there!
actualy blizzard says even with close positions its like 60%+ for zerg, so no its actualy not balanced at all, but they say it may return one day with balance changes
On July 26 2011 17:59 Owl wrote: so which maps got removed in season 3?
Delta Quadrant, Slag Pits, Metalopolis and Scrap Station.
Why remove Metalopolis?? Its one of the most balanced map out there!
actualy blizzard says even with close positions its like 60%+ for zerg, so no its actualy not balanced at all, but they say it may return one day with balance changes
On July 26 2011 17:59 Owl wrote: so which maps got removed in season 3?
Delta Quadrant, Slag Pits, Metalopolis and Scrap Station.
Why remove Metalopolis?? Its one of the most balanced map out there!
actualy blizzard says even with close positions its like 60%+ for zerg, so no its actualy not balanced at all, but they say it may return one day with balance changes
No they didnt, they said taldarim is 60%+ zerg.
Overall balance has also proven to be an issue on Metalopolis -- even factoring in close position spawn issues. It’s among the least balanced maps currently in the ladder pool, and along with Scrap Station (also being removed) and Tal’darim Altar, has a heavy (60%+) bias toward zerg at the highest levels of play.
ALONG with those 2 maps, has a 60% bias, that means, not that those 2 maps have that win pct.
On July 26 2011 20:12 LightWireEX wrote: anyone know how long till NA is back online? :O
Well the message is saying it will be back online @ 11:00AM PDT, which is 2:00PM Eastern (and you can do the math for Mountain/Central)
remeber that this is 11:00am BST
Blizzard standard Time. which means it could take significantly longer
Haha :p Yep, They'll probably accidentally shut down the servers that are updating when they are at 99.999(repeating ofc.)% and have to restart it, then blame it on Technical Issues (Though this is a Technical, they wont admit that they did something to that extent of fail) ambiguously.
EPT
( this time top 8 should be reasonable :D
![[image loading]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RbyavnOjCtI/SXd0PuZ0OvI/AAAAAAAABA4/-ZTFQPYdVWA/s400/how+about+no.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3318/135w.png)
