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http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/forum/topic/11674147788
http://eu.battle.net/sc2/en/forum/topic/9694049643
Before we begin, I’d like to point out these changes are for a test map. There seems to be some confusion when we’ve tested changes in the past that all the changes we are testing are going to be patched into the game. This is simply not the case. Please keep this in mind as you consider and respond to the change-list.
Mothership Core vision radius decreased from 14 to 9
We currently feel this would be a helpful change, but we’re worried that a vision radius decrease doesn’t really nerf the highest end Protoss players who are positioning the Mothership Core perfectly already. We’ll talk to professional Protoss players about this one once the test map goes live.
+ Show Spoiler [In-Game MsC Change Image] +
Blink cooldown increased from 10 to 15
This is a more direct nerf that affects all Protoss players. If Blink play continues to be problematic, this is the sort of thing we’d want to have tested and prepared to put in the game.
+ Show Spoiler [In-Game Blink Change Image] +
Widow Mine splash damage component deals 40 + 40 shield damage
We’ve seen some games against Protoss where Widow Mines are used, and they are very exciting to watch, whether they’re just Widow Mine drops or Widow Mines in combination with the Terran army (while sniping Observers). We feel like both of these strategies could use a bit of help. The Widow Mine potential against Protoss basic units will be unchanged for direct hits, but we’d reduce the number of indirect hits required against units like Stalkers, Zealots, or Sentries. Also, when using Widow Mine drops against Protoss, the chance of splash damage one-shotting Probes will increase slightly.
+ Show Spoiler [In-Game Widow Mine Change Image] +
Tempest ground weapon damage increased from 30 to 30+30-to-structures
We still think this is a good change, and we want to see more testing with it. If Tempests gain more ability to wear down Zerg defenses, Zerg players will be less incentivized to play a completely defensive style. Surprisingly, we’ve gotten a lot of feedback that proxy Tempest rushes are too strong right now, and this change would make that strategy even stronger, but we’ve been watching all of the major tournament games, and we still don’t think it’s being used enough (or being used at all). If you can identify some games where the best of the best pro players have successfully used this strategy against a formidable opponent, please let us know. We’d like to check out such games and analyze them.
+ Show Spoiler [In-Game Tempest Change Image] +
Hydralisk delay between attacks decreased from .83 to .75
This would increase Hydralisk damage output against all targets by about 10%. Our stance on Hydralisks needing a buff in TvZ and ZvZ hasn’t changed. Additionally, the trend toward Protoss being stronger than Zerg has continued. We need more time and results to draw conclusions on the most-recent balance patch, but we’d like to be prepared to help Zerg here if it’s necessary.
+ Show Spoiler [In-Game Hydralisk Change Image] +
Again, none of these are final; we’re just testing these changes. We do this so that potential changes are tested and ready if another balance patch is needed. We do not aim to have every single change we test go into the live game. We'll be releasing a test map later this week, but until then, your feedback here is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Mothership Core vision radius decreased from 14 to 9
We currently feel this would be a helpful change, but we’re worried that a vision radius decrease doesn’t really nerf the highest end Protoss players who are positioning the Mothership Core perfectly already. We’ll talk to professional Protoss players about this one once the test map goes live.
+ Show Spoiler [In-Game MsC Change Image] +
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/pqe8NzA.gif)
Blink cooldown increased from 10 to 15
This is a more direct nerf that affects all Protoss players. If Blink play continues to be problematic, this is the sort of thing we’d want to have tested and prepared to put in the game.
+ Show Spoiler [In-Game Blink Change Image] +
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/S1KaHD7.gif)
Widow Mine splash damage component deals 40 + 40 shield damage
We’ve seen some games against Protoss where Widow Mines are used, and they are very exciting to watch, whether they’re just Widow Mine drops or Widow Mines in combination with the Terran army (while sniping Observers). We feel like both of these strategies could use a bit of help. The Widow Mine potential against Protoss basic units will be unchanged for direct hits, but we’d reduce the number of indirect hits required against units like Stalkers, Zealots, or Sentries. Also, when using Widow Mine drops against Protoss, the chance of splash damage one-shotting Probes will increase slightly.
+ Show Spoiler [In-Game Widow Mine Change Image] +
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Wp2waeJ.gif)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ld2vXT3.gif)
Tempest ground weapon damage increased from 30 to 30+30-to-structures
We still think this is a good change, and we want to see more testing with it. If Tempests gain more ability to wear down Zerg defenses, Zerg players will be less incentivized to play a completely defensive style. Surprisingly, we’ve gotten a lot of feedback that proxy Tempest rushes are too strong right now, and this change would make that strategy even stronger, but we’ve been watching all of the major tournament games, and we still don’t think it’s being used enough (or being used at all). If you can identify some games where the best of the best pro players have successfully used this strategy against a formidable opponent, please let us know. We’d like to check out such games and analyze them.
+ Show Spoiler [In-Game Tempest Change Image] +
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/dFAqzOM.gif)
Hydralisk delay between attacks decreased from .83 to .75
This would increase Hydralisk damage output against all targets by about 10%. Our stance on Hydralisks needing a buff in TvZ and ZvZ hasn’t changed. Additionally, the trend toward Protoss being stronger than Zerg has continued. We need more time and results to draw conclusions on the most-recent balance patch, but we’d like to be prepared to help Zerg here if it’s necessary.
+ Show Spoiler [In-Game Hydralisk Change Image] +
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/K582qDG.gif)
Again, none of these are final; we’re just testing these changes. We do this so that potential changes are tested and ready if another balance patch is needed. We do not aim to have every single change we test go into the live game. We'll be releasing a test map later this week, but until then, your feedback here is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Poll: Impressions on Mothership Core Vision Decrease?
Approve (1834)
84%
Disapprove (263)
12%
Neutral (77)
4%
2174 total votes
Disapprove (263)
Neutral (77)
2174 total votes
Your vote: Impressions on Mothership Core Vision Decrease?
Poll: Impressions on Blink cooldown increase?
Approve (1163)
50%
Disapprove (974)
42%
Neutral (170)
7%
2307 total votes
Disapprove (974)
Neutral (170)
2307 total votes
Your vote: Impressions on Blink cooldown increase?
Poll: Impressions on Widow Mine splash increase vs shields?
Approve (1344)
66%
Disapprove (513)
25%
Neutral (180)
9%
2037 total votes
Disapprove (513)
Neutral (180)
2037 total votes
Your vote: Impressions on Widow Mine splash increase vs shields?
Poll: Impressions on Tempest ground damage increase vs structures?
Disapprove (880)
45%
Approve (669)
34%
Neutral (423)
21%
1972 total votes
Approve (669)
Neutral (423)
1972 total votes
Your vote: Impressions on Tempest ground damage increase vs structures?
