New Ladder Maps for '14 Season 1

juicyjames

United States3815 Posts

December 20 2013 23:44 GMT

http://eu.battle.net/sc2/en/forum/topic/9257055793

The snow on the map Polar Night LE

It's gone... The falling snow on this map has been removed and this change has been made in all regions.

We made this change because of issues with the clarity of the playing field for both players and spectators, especially in regards to how it looked for eSports broadcasts.

http://eu.battle.net//sc2/en/blog/12070738
http://us.battle.net//sc2/en/blog/12070738

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Season 1 of 2014 Ladder competition is less than two weeks away, and with it, we’re adding a number of new maps to the 1v1 and 2v2 map pools. We’ve already published the new maps below to the Custom Games list, so after you’ve given them a quick look here, be sure to log in and get a few practice games on each before the season rolls at Friday, Jan 03 12:01am GMT (GMT+00:00) for EU / Friday, Jan 03 8:01am GMT (GMT+00:00) for AM. Before we check out the new maps, David Kim had a few words to share on our current goals with ladder map pools as we head in to the new year:

Current Goals for the 2014 Ladder

We heard your feedback on Alterzim, but we really want to push for map diversity and our data at the highest level of ladder play shows no significant matchup balance concerns. We’re going to try Alterzim in the next WCS season, but because the feedback surrounding this map is important too, we’ll be extra careful in making sure the map works well and take extreme measures if a clear problem develops on this map at the pro level. Thanks for your feedback; it’s great to hear your feelings about Alterzim. Please keep sharing your thoughts with us throughout the next season, and we’ll watch together to see how it turns out. Here are a few of our goals for the ladder pool as we move in to 2014:

We’re still looking to align the WCS map pool with the 1v1 ladder map pool.
- Ever since we heard your feedback in this area and executed on it, this has been a very positive experience and we’d like to continue to align the WCS pool with the ladder.
The 1v1 map pool will still feature seven maps with three or four rotated out per season.
- We strongly believe map diversity in tournaments keeps the game fresh and continues to give pro players more to explore, so we’ll be pushing this area pretty hard.
- We’ve heard some mixed feedback in this area and we’re also aware of our community members who might think rotating out so many maps per season might be too much, but we’ll check how the next season’s map pool goes and tweak this area if needed.
Two of our three team map pools will be changed every season, and each team map pool will still consist of eight maps per season.
- We definitely heard your feedback and agree we could do more on the team maps side.
- In subsequent seasons, we’ll be going with at least two new maps in two of the three team formats per season.
- Because Season 1 will feature two new 2v2 maps, Season 2 of next year will be something like two 3v3 maps and two 4v4 maps, Season 3 will be two new 2v2s and two new 3v3s, and so on.

Please keep in mind that none of this is completely set in stone and that these are just our current plans. We’re sure that some of you will have feedback in this area as well and we’re very much open to suggestions that will positively impact our plans going forward. Now that you’ve got a closer look at our vision for the map pool, let’s take a look at the additions for Season 1.

The 1v1 Map Pool

We're adding three new maps to the 1v1 pool in Season 1, and as always, making additions to the ladder pool means we’ll be removing a few of last season’s maps. Ladder Season 1 will once again feature seven 1v1 maps in total. Here are the maps we’ll be removing, followed by the new additions

1v1 Removals
Bel’Shir Vestige LE
Star Station TE
Derelict Watcher

1v1 Additions
+ Show Spoiler [Daedalus Point] +

+ Show Spoiler [Habitation Station LE] +

We also watched all of the Red Bull games, coordinated with Team Liquid, and realized this was the clear best map among those in the map contest. The way the high yield expansion plays in this map is very unique and different.

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+ Show Spoiler [Heavy Rain LE] +

Now that we’ve unveiled the new maps you’ll be playing on this season, we’re pleased to show you the complete 1v1 map pool for Ladder Season 1 and 2014 WCS Season 1:

Complete 1v1 Map Pool for 2014 Season 1
+ Show Spoiler [Alterzim Stronghold TE] +

We heard your feedback on Alterzim, but we really want to push for map diversity and our data at the highest level of ladder play shows no significant matchup balance concerns. We’re going to try Alterzim in the next WCS season, but because the feedback surrounding this map is important too, we’ll be extra careful in making sure the map works well and take extreme measures if a clear problem develops on this map at the pro level.

[image loading]

+ Show Spoiler [Daedalus Point] +

+ Show Spoiler [Frost] +

+ Show Spoiler [Habitation Station LE] +

+ Show Spoiler [Heavy Rain LE] +

+ Show Spoiler [Polar Night] +

+ Show Spoiler [Yeonsu] +

The 2v2 Map Pool

In addition to the changes being made to the 1v1 map pool, we’re also making changes to the 2v2 map pool. Below, you’ll find the list of removals, along with a description of each map that we’re adding.

2v2 Removals
Reflection
The Bone Trench

2v2 Additions
+ Show Spoiler [Avalanche] +

On Avalanche, your team will start in a fortress that flows into another expansion area that’s easy to defend. There are four expansion locations available in these two safe spots, and we expect more buildup and macro type of gameplay on this map. The remaining expansions in the top left and bottom right corners of the map should also be easier to defend than most other 2v2 maps we have. We expect lots of mid to late game play on Avalanche and feel it will be fairly straight forward to work together with your ally on this map.

[image loading]

+ Show Spoiler [Crooked Maw] +

Due to the very close rush distance between mains, and the destructible rocks that protect mid-map expansions, we’re expecting a lot of early game action on Crooked Maw. However, because the primary ramp leading into the main base is fairly narrow for a 2v2 map, it’ll also be possible to play a more defensive playstyle as well. We’re hoping to encourage early aggression and fast gameplay experiences but not necessarily short matches.

[image loading]

Complete 2v2 Map Pool for 2014 Season 1
Avalanche
Crooked Maw
Geosync Quarry
Graystone Ravine
Isle of Slaughter
Reclamation
Resupply Tanker
Hunting Ground

All five of the new maps have already been published to the custom games list in order to give you a chance to check them out before the season roll. Feel free to fire up a few games on the new maps and let us know what you think in the comment section below. Once Season 1 begins at Friday, Jan 03 12:01am GMT (GMT+00:00) for EU / Friday, Jan 03 8:01am GMT (GMT+00:00) for AM each of these maps will appear in matchmaking queues for competitive play.

Good luck and have fun on the 2014 Season 1 ladder!

Previous Thread: (Tentative) WCS/Ladder 2014 Season 1 maps
Related Thread: Season 6 Lock Incoming

1v1 Maps

Poll: Impressions of Daedalus Point?

Approve (320)

60%

Disapprove (171)

32%

Neutral (38)

7%

529 total votes

Your vote: Impressions of Daedalus Point?

(Vote): Approve
(Vote): Disapprove
(Vote): Neutral

Poll: Impressions of Habitation Station LE?

Approve (304)

65%

Disapprove (121)

26%

Neutral (41)

9%

466 total votes

Your vote: Impressions of Habitation Station LE?

(Vote): Approve
(Vote): Disapprove
(Vote): Neutral

Poll: Impressions of Heavy Rain LE?

Disapprove (244)

51%

Approve (169)

35%

Neutral (65)

14%

478 total votes

Your vote: Impressions of Heavy Rain LE?

(Vote): Approve
(Vote): Disapprove
(Vote): Neutral

Poll: Impressions of Overall 1v1 Map Pool?

Approve (203)

50%

Disapprove (148)

36%

Neutral (58)

14%

409 total votes

Your vote: Impressions of Overall 1v1 Map Pool?

(Vote): Approve
(Vote): Disapprove
(Vote): Neutral

2v2 Maps

Poll: Impressions of Avalanche?

Approve (85)

75%

Disapprove (20)

18%

Neutral (9)

8%

114 total votes

Your vote: Impressions of Avalanche?

(Vote): Approve
(Vote): Disapprove
(Vote): Neutral

Poll: Impressions of Crooked Maw?

Disapprove (74)

58%

Approve (38)

30%

Neutral (15)

12%

127 total votes

Your vote: Impressions of Crooked Maw?

(Vote): Approve
(Vote): Disapprove
(Vote): Neutral

Poll: Impressions of Overall 2v2 Map Pool?

Disapprove (67)

52%

Approve (43)

34%

Neutral (18)

14%

128 total votes

Your vote: Impressions of Overall 2v2 Map Pool?

(Vote): Approve
(Vote): Disapprove
(Vote): Neutral

ejozl

Denmark3561 Posts

December 20 2013 23:49 GMT

New mappool looking good, still sad about Belshir though

Gullis

Sweden740 Posts

December 20 2013 23:52 GMT

I am skeptic towards Daedalus. The main+ second and third looks really boring.
Habitation looks interesting.
Heavy rain looks interesting but I am skeptic. Something feels off about it... Maybe its something new and innovating that will revolutionize map making forever!

Drake

Germany6146 Posts

December 20 2013 23:54 GMT

i like all new maps expect habitation, its just broken

DifuntO

Greece2376 Posts

December 20 2013 23:54 GMT

Bel'Shir is gone woohoo!,although Heavy Rain looks similar

Habitation should be fun to play and watch games on.Daedalus i'm not sure.Doesn't seem that interesting.

Dingodile

4139 Posts

December 20 2013 23:58 GMT

I can't find daedalus point and heavy rains on EU Server.

Zheryn

Sweden3653 Posts

December 20 2013 23:59 GMT

Woahh gotta go online and check them out!

Edit: Tried out Daedulus Point, are Blizzard trolling us? Distance between the ramp and the natural main building is extremely long, then the natural area is almost as big as the main area, and at the end of it there's like a 4 force field wide ramp or something. It's worse than Antiga Shipyard and Metalopolis.

Basically you can't do anything other than 10/12/13 pools with early speed all ins in ZvZ. Queens blocking ramp are sooo far away from the hatchery, and it's impossible to wall off anything. Easiest map veto I've done in HotS. About to look at the other map now.

purakushi

United States3308 Posts

December 21 2013 00:04 GMT

Yes please to more maps (4) rotated out per season.
They should have 8 maps, so they can rotate half of them out.

Anything to try and keep SC2 fresh. Experimental maps are very welcome.

NewSunshine

United States5938 Posts

December 21 2013 00:08 GMT

And so we get another Korean map named like a weather forecast.

Eatme

Switzerland3919 Posts

December 21 2013 00:09 GMT

#10

Heavy Rain looks fun. Since I'm not a terran player I'm not sure but Heavy Rain and Daedalus Point looks somewhat good for terran and they need a bit of a boost, if not in balance I guess maps can do alot. But again I do not know what I'm talking about.

Ctesias

4595 Posts

December 21 2013 00:10 GMT

#11

Finally Bel'shir gone.

Looking forward to seeing more of Habitation Station.

ZAiNs

United Kingdom6525 Posts

December 21 2013 00:19 GMT

#12

Good additions, Alterzim and Polar Night are awful though. Hopefully they'll both be gone in Season 2, along with Yeonsu.

Qikz

United Kingdom12071 Posts

December 21 2013 00:29 GMT

#13

On December 21 2013 08:59 Zheryn wrote:
Woahh gotta go online and check them out!

Edit: Tried out Daedulus Point, are Blizzard trolling us? Distance between the ramp and the natural main building is extremely long, then the natural area is almost as big as the main area, and at the end of it there's like a 4 force field wide ramp or something. It's worse than Antiga Shipyard and Metalopolis.

Basically you can't do anything other than 10/12/13 pools with early speed all ins in ZvZ. Queens blocking ramp are sooo far away from the hatchery, and it's impossible to wall off anything. Easiest map veto I've done in HotS. About to look at the other map now.

Or maybe you can come up with a strategy which involves an early pool and isn't all in.

Maybe it's good that maps force different strategies so every game plays out differently.

SidianTheBard

United States2475 Posts

December 21 2013 00:30 GMT

#14

Well, at least they didn't butcher Habitation Station so that makes me happy lol. I see they removed all the single LoSBs I had around the map. It's nice that they took out the LoSB at the natural and made that spot a little bigger because otherwise it could be bunker rushed.

Also appears they took out some doodads, /cry. Although that's probably for the best because it does have a ton of them in the map. It'll help out the players with not as good of PCs.

Just so glad they didn't add a bunch of rocks and change up a ton of stuff.

Daedalus looks fairly standard, huuuge ramp into the natural and it seems very open, zergs gonna love that.

Zheryn

Sweden3653 Posts

December 21 2013 00:31 GMT

#15

After trying out both maps I don't even understand why Blizzard keeps trying to make their own maps. The Blizzard map is an absolute joke (could just as well be a map taken from WoL beta), but the GSL map is very well done. It has a perfect distance main to natural, so overlords will just be able to spot 10p lings coming out. The distance between ramp and natural is perfect, defendable but not as easy on like Frost. The natural itself has a perfect width, possible to wall off with 3 of 3x3 buildings + a unit (like on Bel'shir), with a standard distance to the natural building.

The rest of the map feels a bit like a 2 player version of Red City, but not as choked up. Both thirds are quite open, almost a little bit too open. You certainly won't go 3 nexus of 1gate on this map. Rocks and collapsable rocks makes it possible to have the entire middle section walled off quite early, but protoss might still feel like it's hard to secure a third base. Personally I prefer to watch games on maps where there aren't 3 very safe bases tho, so I think it'll be nice. I think this might be quite a good zerg map so I'll not downvote this one!