EPT![[image loading]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CM809rKWoAAiV0C.jpg)
Thanks for your feedback across the board and for your ideas on what to test next on the Balance Test Map. While we’re not sure that there are clear issues in these areas so far, we do see merit in getting some more potential changes tested soon in case a balance update is needed. Like we’ve been doing since the release of LotV, we want to be more aggressive in testing out various changes so that we can act quicker when problems actually arise. We would like to remind you once again not to panic however, because these changes are not necessarily even close to final for an actual balance patch to the game. We just want to work with everyone to test and learn about the effects of various changes before making final decisions.
With that said – let’s examine some of the changes we’d like to experiment with in an upcoming Balance Test Map.
Ravager Corrosive bile damage changed from 60 to 45 +15 bio
This is the first proposed change. This was the best suggestion we saw this week from the community, and we agree completely that it could be a good change for a few reasons.
- In ZvP, this type of change will definitely help Protoss against early/mid Ravager pushes while on defense.
- In ZvT, with the Ravager shots nerfed heavily against mechanical units like Siege Tanks, we may be able to try out the Siege Tank Siege mode pick up removal.
- In ZvZ, there will be no change to the unit, which is great since we want to continue to see a variety of units in the matchup.
Liberator ability range down by 1, but give it back with the upgrade
This change was included mostly due to the ZvT case. The biggest issue we see of making the Ravager change in this matchup is the strength of Liberators. We hope that a change such as this one will help Zerg deal with early Liberators with Spore Crawlers or Queens, until they get the proper defenses out.
Medivacs can’t pick up Siege Tanks in Siege Mode
Although sieged pickup has increased micro and early aggression, as many of you point out, removing this ability seems good for three reasons:
- This ability takes away from the cool factor of Siege Tanks having a clear weakness vs. strength compared to other units in the game.
- The advantages/disadvantages of mech vs. bio is lessened due to this change
- This change will give us some room to increase the damage of Siege Tanks, which we agree could have positive effects in terms of Siege Tanks really fulling their fantasy.
Currently in the game, Terran bio-play can have the fire power of Siege Tanks without sacrificing mobility. This seems to be a main reason to play bio instead of mech. By removing this ability, and giving more strength to the Siege Tank, we wonder if we can have this clear distinction between the two playstyles appear once again.
Siege Tank damage increased from 35 (50 vs. armored) to 40 (60 vs. armored)
We wanted to locate numbers that would specifically buff the Siege Tank heavily vs. certain units and not others. For example:
- Siege Tanks’ relationship against Marines won’t be changed too significantly, but Marauders that just used Stim Pack to close in on Tanks will be heavily nerfed by this change.
- Roaches won’t be affected as heavily, but the number of shots it takes to kill Ravagers is changed from 4 to 3.
- Against Protoss, this will change the Siege Tanks’ relationship against most ground units, but we wonder if this is a good thing since Protoss is the most resistant to Siege Tank attacks already.
What’s Next?
Please remember that we just started playtesting these specific numbers this week internally, so feedback regarding both the high level direction of these changes as well as specific number suggestions will definitely be good to get everyone’s thoughts on. Also, please note that none of these changes are final and there’s no need to overreact. Let’s work towards having the best set of changes for the next Balance Test Map!
Poll: Ravager Corrosive bile damage changed from 60 to 45 +15 bio
Good Change (465)
77%
Bad Change (69)
11%
No Change Needed (40)
7%
Wrong Change (31)
5%
605 total votes
Bad Change (69)
No Change Needed (40)
Wrong Change (31)
605 total votes
Your vote: Ravager Corrosive bile damage changed from 60 to 45 +15 bio
(Vote): Good Change
(Vote): Bad Change
(Vote): Wrong Change
(Vote): No Change Needed
Poll: Liberator ability range down by 1, but give it back with the upgrade
Good Change (387)
66%
No Change Needed (106)
18%
Wrong Change (54)
9%
Bad Change (43)
7%
590 total votes
No Change Needed (106)
Wrong Change (54)
Bad Change (43)
590 total votes
Your vote: Liberator ability range down by 1, but give it back with the upgrade
(Vote): Good Change
(Vote): Bad Change
(Vote): Wrong Change
(Vote): No Change Needed
Poll: Medivacs can’t pick up Siege Tanks in Siege Mode
Good Change (403)
63%
Wrong Change (106)
17%
Bad Change (85)
13%
No Change Needed (46)
7%
640 total votes
Wrong Change (106)
Bad Change (85)
No Change Needed (46)
640 total votes
Your vote: Medivacs can’t pick up Siege Tanks in Siege Mode
(Vote): Good Change
(Vote): Bad Change
(Vote): Wrong Change
(Vote): No Change Needed
Poll: Siege Tank damage increased from 35 (50 vs. armored) to 40 (60 vs. arm
Good Change (412)
69%
Bad Change (114)
19%
Wrong Change (37)
6%
No Change Needed (37)
6%
600 total votes
Bad Change (114)
Wrong Change (37)
No Change Needed (37)
600 total votes
Your vote: Siege Tank damage increased from 35 (50 vs. armored) to 40 (60 vs. arm
(Vote): Good Change
(Vote): Bad Change
(Vote): Wrong Change
(Vote): No Change Needed
