• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 17:07
CEST 23:07
KST 06:07
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners7Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview12TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection7Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview7[ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies21
Community News
ZeroSpace at Steam NextFest - Last free demo8Weekly Cups (June 8-14): Clem and Solar double, PTR tested0RSL: S6 Finals played at BlizzCon 202611Douyu Cup 2026: $20,000 Legends Event (June 26-28)10[BSL22] Non-Korean Championship from 13 to 28 June4
StarCraft 2
General
StarCraft II 5.0.16 PTR Patch Notes may 26th Daily SC2 Player Grid - feedback wanted TL Poll: How do you feel about the 5.0.16 PTR balance changes? Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview Updates to The Core/Core Lite for v5.0.16?
Tourneys
Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2) GSL CK #4 20-21th June Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League Douyu Cup 2026: $20,000 Legends Event (June 26-28) Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
Work In Progress Melee Maps [D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3
External Content
Mutation # 530 One For All The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 529 Opportunities Unleashed Mutation # 528 Infection Detected
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ vespene.gg — BW replays in browser Data needed BW General Discussion VPN experiences
Tourneys
The Casual Games of the Week Thread [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [ASL21] Grand Finals [BSL22] Grand Finals - Sunday 21:00 CEST
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Relatively freeroll strategies Creating a full chart of Zerg builds Why doesn't anyone use restoration?
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread ZeroSpace at Steam NextFest - Last free demo Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread ZeroSpace Megathread
Dota 2
Looking for a Dota Mentor Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia {D-2} Late to making 20.06.2026 memorable [p]94718
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread [H]Internet/Gaming Cafe Tips and Tricks The Games Industry And ATVI UK Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The HerO Fan Club! The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [TV/BOOK] *SPOILERS* Game of Thrones Discussion
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Formula 1 Discussion Cricket [SPORT]
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Facing Challenges in Mobile App Development
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How To Predict Tilt in Espor…
TrAiDoS
An Exploration of th…
waywardstrategy
I'm an arrogant trash talke…
FlaShFTW
Gauntlet SC2: A Retrospectiv…
Ctone23
Why RTS gamers make better f…
gosubay
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 8035 users

HotS Balance Update - April 9

Forum Index > SC2 General
339 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 15 16 17 Next All
The_Templar
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
your Country52798 Posts
Last Edited: 2015-04-09 20:21:31
April 09 2015 19:19 GMT
#1
[image loading]

In recent months, we’ve been testing the biggest balance changes yet for StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. After gathering and reviewing your feedback from the three separate Balance Test Maps that explored these changes, we are ready to move forward with a new balance update. You can expect to see the following adjustments applied to Heart of the Swarm multiplayer today.

Zerg

Swarm Host
  • Cost modified from 200 Minerals and 100 Vespene to 100 Minerals and 200 Vespene
  • Supply cost increased from 3 to 4
  • Movement speed increased from 2.25 to 2.95
  • Swarm Hosts now require the Burrow research in order to burrow
  • Swarm Hosts no longer collide with Locusts

Spawn Locusts – This ability has been reworked
  • Auto-cast removed, Spawn Locusts must now be manually cast.
  • Spawn Locusts cooldown increased from 25 seconds to 60 seconds
  • Casting Spawn Locusts no longer requires a Swarm Host to be burrowed

Locust
  • Weapon speed increased from .8 to .6
  • Locust duration increased from 15 seconds (+10 seconds with Enduring Locusts) to 25 seconds

Infestation Pit
  • Enduring Locusts – This upgrade has been removed
  • New upgrade: Flying Locusts - Allows Locusts spawned by Swarm Hosts to fly. Flying Locusts can use Swoop to land and attack
  • Requires Lair
  • Cost is 200 Minerals, 200 Vespene, 160 seconds
  • Allows Locusts spawned by Swarm Hosts to fly. Flying Locusts can use Swoop to land and attack
  • Swoop: Orders the Locust to land at the targeted location, allowing it to attack

Viper
  • Blinding Cloud range increased from 10 to 11


Terran

Raven
  • Point Defense Drone duration decreased from 180 seconds to 20 seconds


Protoss

Tempest
  • Bonus damage versus massive air units decreased from +50 damage to +14 damage.


Source
Facebook Twitter Reddit
ModeratorI am still alive, somehow
TL+ Member
The_Templar
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
your Country52798 Posts
Last Edited: 2015-04-09 19:22:02
April 09 2015 19:20 GMT
#2
Poll: Opinion on Swarm Host/Locust Changes?

Approve (379)
 
61%

Disapprove (178)
 
29%

Unsure/No opinion (61)
 
10%

618 total votes

Your vote: Opinion on Swarm Host/Locust Changes?

(Vote): Approve
(Vote): Disapprove
(Vote): Unsure/No opinion


Poll: Opinion on Viper Changes?

Approve (261)
 
45%

Disapprove (229)
 
40%

Unsure/No opinion (85)
 
15%

575 total votes

Your vote: Opinion on Viper Changes?

(Vote): Approve
(Vote): Disapprove
(Vote): Unsure/No opinion


Poll: Opinion on Raven Changes?

Approve (381)
 
66%

Disapprove (177)
 
30%

Unsure/No opinion (23)
 
4%

581 total votes

Your vote: Opinion on Raven Changes?

(Vote): Approve
(Vote): Disapprove
(Vote): Unsure/No opinion


Poll: Opinion on Tempest Changes?

Approve (284)
 
51%

Disapprove (191)
 
35%

Unsure/No opinion (78)
 
14%

553 total votes

Your vote: Opinion on Tempest Changes?

(Vote): Approve
(Vote): Disapprove
(Vote): Unsure/No opinion


ModeratorI am still alive, somehow
TL+ Member
Shield
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Bulgaria4824 Posts
Last Edited: 2015-04-09 19:25:32
April 09 2015 19:22 GMT
#3
Bye, awesome PvP late game. Welcome back mass colossi PvP.

Raven

Point Defense Drone duration decreased from 180 seconds to 20 seconds


As if mech wasn't bad enough. :D
OtherWorld
Profile Blog Joined October 2013
France17333 Posts
Last Edited: 2015-04-09 19:22:49
April 09 2015 19:22 GMT
#4
RIP Glorious, exciting and skillful late-game ZvP, 2013-2015. I'll miss you.
and there's a random center tag at the top of the OP Templar sniped
Used Sigs - New Sigs - Cheap Sigs - Buy the Best Cheap Sig near You at www.cheapsigforsale.com
The_Templar
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
your Country52798 Posts
Last Edited: 2015-04-09 19:23:22
April 09 2015 19:23 GMT
#5
On April 10 2015 04:22 OtherWorld wrote:
RIP Glorious, exciting and skillful late-game ZvP, 2013-2015. I'll miss you.
and there's a random center tag at the top of the OP Templar sniped

I made the OP in two minutes, give me a break
ModeratorI am still alive, somehow
TL+ Member
Big J
Profile Joined March 2011
Austria16289 Posts
April 09 2015 19:25 GMT
#6
I guess they always need a "queen-patch" a year before the next expansion. Let's see if they are willing to balance this time or let the game rot like 2012.
Heyoka
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Katowice25012 Posts
April 09 2015 19:26 GMT
#7
damn it's out, didn't realize the PDD duration change was so huge.
@RealHeyoka | ESL / DreamHack StarCraft Lead
ejozl
Profile Joined October 2010
Denmark3503 Posts
April 09 2015 19:26 GMT
#8
Swarm Hosts no longer collide with Locusts

This is the only thing I disagree with. I was already getting my passion back to go on the ladder, this patch furthers that
SC2 Archon needs "Terrible, terrible damage" as one of it's quotes.
BaneRiders
Profile Joined August 2013
Sweden3630 Posts
April 09 2015 19:29 GMT
#9
Looking forward to seeing flying swarm hosts next
Earth, Water, Air and Protoss!
sc2chronic
Profile Joined May 2012
United States777 Posts
April 09 2015 19:31 GMT
#10
i guess this helps us ease into lotv for the new units. still dont approve of anything regarding swarm hosts but beating a dead horse
terrible, terrible, damage
kaluro
Profile Joined November 2011
Netherlands760 Posts
April 09 2015 19:32 GMT
#11
On April 10 2015 04:26 Heyoka wrote:
damn it's out, didn't realize the PDD duration change was so huge.


It was well needed though.
Putting down PDDs infinitely with a 3 minute duration was way out of whack, it basically made a terran army completely invulnerable.
www.twitch.tv/kaluroo - 720p60fps - Remember the name! - Don't do your best, do whatever it takes.
ZeroCartin
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Costa Rica2390 Posts
April 09 2015 19:32 GMT
#12
wtf that Viper buff is HUGE
"My sister is on vacation in Costa Rica right now. I hope she stays a while because she's a miserable cunt." -pubbanana
OtherWorld
Profile Blog Joined October 2013
France17333 Posts
April 09 2015 19:32 GMT
#13
On April 10 2015 04:29 BaneRiders wrote:
Looking forward to seeing flying swarm hosts next

I want ground-based Brood Lords too d:
Used Sigs - New Sigs - Cheap Sigs - Buy the Best Cheap Sig near You at www.cheapsigforsale.com
Spect8rCraft
Profile Joined December 2012
649 Posts
April 09 2015 19:34 GMT
#14
Well, it's still an end of an era.
stuchiu
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
Fiddler's Green42661 Posts
April 09 2015 19:34 GMT
#15
Poll: Best name for the patch?

Firekanin Patch (64)
 
42%

Firecake Patch (31)
 
21%

HotS April 9 Patch (26)
 
17%

Lillecakin Patch (22)
 
15%

Lillekanin Patch (8)
 
5%

151 total votes

Your vote: Best name for the patch?

(Vote): HotS April 9 Patch
(Vote): Lillecakin Patch
(Vote): Firekanin Patch
(Vote): Firecake Patch
(Vote): Lillekanin Patch


Moderator
UberNuB
Profile Joined December 2010
United States365 Posts
April 09 2015 19:37 GMT
#16
Might as well remove the SH completely, and tell Zerg players, "We don't care about your inability to combat death-ball armies; all-in, or GG."
the absence of evidence, is not the evidence of absence.
Dodgin
Profile Blog Joined July 2011
Canada39254 Posts
April 09 2015 19:37 GMT
#17
It's the end of an era!
Deleted User 137586
Profile Joined January 2011
7859 Posts
April 09 2015 19:37 GMT
#18
I can't imagine that we are going to have well-balanced months ahead of us. The game was in a nice state. But at least HotS games are going to be more exciting for a bit as everyone wants to observe the outcome of this major patch.
Cry 'havoc' and let slip the dogs of war
Solar424
Profile Blog Joined June 2013
United States4001 Posts
April 09 2015 19:40 GMT
#19
Probably going to be the last major balance patch for the next 6 months/until LotV release. Which is a shame, because this will absolutely destroy late-game ZvP. Zerg will have to end the game with the first push or just die to deathball.
gdarky
Profile Joined August 2014
Latvia78 Posts
April 09 2015 19:41 GMT
#20
Will GSL & SSL use old version of SC2?
1998-2003 ex-sc player under nickname SoL.Dark.wS
1 2 3 4 5 15 16 17 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 13h 53m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
WinterStarcraft551
ByuN 544
ZombieGrub93
UpATreeSC 88
Railgan 62
JuggernautJason24
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 2761
Soulkey 331
ggaemo 138
actioN 90
Rock 22
League of Legends
Doublelift25
Counter-Strike
fl0m10914
summit1g6015
byalli674
Heroes of the Storm
Trikslyr62
Other Games
Grubby2735
singsing1997
FrodaN595
Beastyqt574
shahzam461
B2W.Neo319
Liquid`Hasu276
PiGStarcraft250
C9.Mang0207
ROOTCatZ111
KnowMe78
Mew2King78
Livibee63
Day[9].tv27
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream4002
Other Games
gamesdonequick1667
StarCraft 2
angryscii 30
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hupsaiya 64
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• FirePhoenix16
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Counter-Strike
• imaqtpie748
• Shiphtur126
Other Games
• Day9tv27
Upcoming Events
WardiTV Spring Champion…
13h 53m
GSL
14h 53m
Maru vs ShoWTimE
Classic vs Reynor
herO vs Lambo
Solar vs Clem
BSL22 NKC (BSL vs China)
21h 53m
XuanXuan vs Jaystar
Mihu vs Messiah
eOnzErG vs Dewalt
Bonyth vs Jaystar
TerrOr vs Messiah
XuanXuan vs Mihu
eOnzErG vs Jaystar
Replay Cast
1d 2h
WardiTV Spring Champion…
1d 13h
GSL
1d 14h
Patches Events
1d 19h
BSL22 NKC (BSL vs China)
1d 21h
Dewalt vs Messiah
Bonyth vs Mihu
TerrOr vs XuanXuan
eOnzErG vs Messiah
Jaystar vs Mihu
Dewalt vs XuanXuan
Bonyth vs TerrOr
Replay Cast
2 days
WardiTV Weekly
2 days
[ Show More ]
Monday Night Weeklies
2 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3 days
The PondCast
4 days
Douyu Cup 2020
5 days
Oliveira vs Trap
Jieshi vs XY
soO vs FanTaSy
TY vs Coffee
Douyu Cup 2020
6 days
Neeb vs Impact
MacSed vs Cyan
Scarlett vs Kelazhur
INnoVation vs Dear
Liquipedia Results

Completed

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Heroes Pulsing #2

Ongoing

IPSL Spring 2026
Acropolis #4
CSCL: Masked Kings S4
YSL S3
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSL Season 21: Qualifier 1
SCTL 2026 Spring
Maestros of the Game 2
WardiTV Spring 2026
Murky Cup 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026

Upcoming

CSL Season 21: Qualifier 2
CSL 2026 Summer (S21)
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Revival: Season 6
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
HSC XXIX
Douyu Cup 2026
BCC 2026
Light HT
Heroes Pulsing #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.