The problem previously (and I'm sure it's been mentioned) is that many players veto maps based on race (Zergs veto XC, Protoss veto TA, etc) and so when you climb onto the ladder the odds are that you'll play more mirror matchups than anything else. Which only provides a limited amount of fun.
Props to Blizzard for these changes, I hope that the map pool continues to improve, and I sincerely hope that they use more community maps: there are so many excellent underrated maps out there. Plus Blizzard's naming sucks, I want maps to be called something fancy like La Mancha or Outlier or Sin Peaks of Baekdu. Cloud Kingdom is certainly much more fun to say.
On February 10 2012 15:42 IronManSC wrote: Hi guys, I want to clear a few things up regarding Ohana. I've seen a couple people here who seem to think that Ohana is the same one from the Teamliquid Map Contest. This is incorrect.
The current version of Ohana (as used in the ESV Korean Weekly and NASL) is this: + Show Spoiler +
But, as Blizzard mentioned, they and I are working to fix some things before it is revealed in ladder soon, so you can expect the layout to remain the same, with aesthetic updates
Just wanted to get everyone on the right page regarding Ohana! GOGO ESV!!!!
That kinda resembles Bel'Shir Beach, which is one of the prettiest maps ever.
Also the new maps are welcome, they look gorgeous and balanced, whatever that means to whoever is assessing it
props to blizzard. People complain of Blizz not listening to the community, unfairly imo. Their map changes have been pretty solid for the last few seasons. And the big stuff - BNet, etc - is stuff they can't do in a patch/season update anyway. Anyway, gj to blizzard
On February 10 2012 15:51 SeinGalton wrote: Yes! At long last we have a decent map pool!
The problem previously (and I'm sure it's been mentioned) is that many players veto maps based on race (Zergs veto XC, Protoss veto TA, etc) and so when you climb onto the ladder the odds are that you'll play more mirror matchups than anything else. Which only provides a limited amount of fun.
Props to Blizzard for these changes, I hope that the map pool continues to improve, and I sincerely hope that they use more community maps: there are so many excellent underrated maps out there. Plus Blizzard's naming sucks, I want maps to be called something fancy like La Mancha or Outlier or Sin Peaks of Baekdu. Cloud Kingdom is certainly much more fun to say.
Long story short, map vetos are one of the last things used, the match is picked before vetos are even considered.
It's very nice to get Cloud Kingdom, honestly Blizzard should just do everyone(especially aspiring progamers) a favor and only have tournament maps, not the biggest ones if that's what they want. Arid Plateau and close position Shattered Temple/Metalopolis are terrible and just encourage allins time attacks especially from a best of 1 ladder point win perspective. It's not newbie friendly or fun and good for the learning the game, which were the initial intent of Blizzard for these medium/small map with close position spawns allowed.
This is why I like the 2 month seasons, quick map rotation. It was quickly recognized that Arid Plateau was abysmal, and now it's gone already.
Also, now that my year+ permaveto for Xel'Naga is gone I can finally veto Shattered Temple! I think my vetos for next season will be Metalopolis, Shattered Temple, and perhaps Shakuras or Entombed Valley, though I might just only use two vetos. I'm excited for Cloud Kingdom on ladder, I've already played it a few times and it's a ton of fun.
On February 10 2012 14:10 TheRabidDeer wrote: Why wont blizzard keep the neutral depots at the bottom of ramps? Bunker/pylon cheese is so lame and no way to know its coming so you just have to either risk it happening or always have a drone patrol the ramp... =\
Send your second overlord to patrol around the ramp/natural area.
that doesn't help when they block off your ramp entirely. all that overlord does is report back to you that you're royally fucked
When you see the pylon start going up, take a few drones and use this tactic.
If you can react before the 3rd pylon is built it's really great, the scouting overlord really helps. However, get it away once you scout it, as the cannon will focus the ovie first, keep making drones until the first cannon is killed. If he kills more cannons... DO NOT RUSH TO POOL. Keep making drones, you can deal with cannon rush with just drones. By the time he gives up to get more gateway units, you'll have a way better economy.
Also this isn't really the thread for this discussion but I just thought I would help.
Yeah, most people know about that but it only works on some maps in some positions. I haven't tested it on cloud kingdom or korhal yet, but it doesn't work on a fair amount of the current ladder maps.
you can also fairly easily reinforce the wall
Or you can just patrol a drone at the bottom of the ramp, even if you just hold position it in the location a Pylon would go you can stop them from making all three pylons and thus blocking your ramp.
Sorry, I just think that it is retarded that zerg has to keep a drone at their ramp, a drone chasing the probe, and a drone scouting that early in the game just to prevent cheese. Just leave the depot there as intended and things are balanced. They dont need to be so stubborn with their game. First with rocks, then with gold minerals and now with removing depots. Listen to the community that knows what is up and leave things as they are when the map is made for tournament play.
On February 10 2012 15:51 SeinGalton wrote: Yes! At long last we have a decent map pool!
The problem previously (and I'm sure it's been mentioned) is that many players veto maps based on race (Zergs veto XC, Protoss veto TA, etc) and so when you climb onto the ladder the odds are that you'll play more mirror matchups than anything else. Which only provides a limited amount of fun.
Props to Blizzard for these changes, I hope that the map pool continues to improve, and I sincerely hope that they use more community maps: there are so many excellent underrated maps out there. Plus Blizzard's naming sucks, I want maps to be called something fancy like La Mancha or Outlier or Sin Peaks of Baekdu. Cloud Kingdom is certainly much more fun to say.
Long story short, map vetos are one of the last things used, the match is picked before vetos are even considered.
Ah, I didn't know that. Do you know of a specific reason for the large amount of mirror matches or is it just coincidence? (I don't ladder that often but myself and a few fellow zergs hit more ZvZ than anything else. Two friends of mine have both had ladder runs where they 8-10 ZvZ in a row, and against different players. Maybe it's just variance, maybe everyone is switching to Zerg for bitching rights )
On February 10 2012 14:25 TheNessman wrote: Is the maker of cloud kingdom getting any sort of compensation for this? his map is being used around the world at the highest leagues, but this map was interdependently made by a specific individual, who i think deserves A LOT of credit s/he might not be receiving, is this bothering anyone else?
Honestly, if the team keeps this up and Blizzard notices they keep producing amazing maps it could just happen Blizzard hires them in the future for Starcraft 2/other rts. If any of them have a desire to work in the digital arts entertainment then they can point to that map of their competence.
As a protoss player i feel like my 3 exp is really far away from my main, will be hard to defend, so protoss will probably do a lot of 2 base all in on this map.
EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/38XVg.jpg)
