• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 08:07
CEST 14:07
KST 21:07
  • 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
[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Holy Diver5[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Rough Waters10[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Siren's Call8[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Summer's End9Serral wins HomeStory Cup 2915
Community News
Weekly Cups (Sep 7-12): SHIN, ByuN, MaxPax double down1StarCraft open world shooter announced at BlizzCon98Weekly Cups (Aug 30-Sep 7): herO thrives amid growing schism10Official StarCraft website teases new content ahead of BlizzCon?179Stellar Fest TWO the Moon (Dec 16-20)9
StarCraft 2
General
How do you feel about the StarCraft shooter announcement at BlizzCon 2026? Weekly Cups (Sep 7-12): SHIN, ByuN, MaxPax double down Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool StarCraft open world shooter announced at BlizzCon Balance hotfix patch 5.0.16b (July 16)
Tourneys
RSL Revival: Season 6 - Qualifiers and Main Event RSL goes to London! 2026 Offline Finals Nov 21-22 SC2 AI Tournament 2026 Fall Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament KSL Week #92
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
Nexus Wars 2021 GUIDE [M] (2) Industrial Park
External Content
Mutation # 543 Enhanced Defenses The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 542 The Ascended Mutation # 541 Binary Choice
Brood War
General
BW General Discussion a Announcement on the JEDI Ringing Syncronization issues and can't find games ASL22 General Discussion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/
Tourneys
[ASL22] Ro16 Group D KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 3 [ASL22] Ro16 Group C [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
Replay Review Process - What do you do? Simple Questions, Simple Answers Odyssey Mineral Stack Saturation Game Theory for Starcraft
Other Games
General Games
Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread EVE Corporation Diablo IV
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread Post Your Watch!
Fan Clubs
MarineLorD Fan Club The Creator Fan Club The ShoWTimE Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion! Diablo Animated Series on Netflix
Sports
Football (Soccer) Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List Northern Ireland Global Starcraft
Blogs
[meme] I finally understa…
LUCKY_NOOB
Virtual Romance, Real-Life C…
TrAiDoS
Regacy Esports:Our Goa…
regacyesports
Dreaming of BW patches (mod…
c3rberUs
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 6126 users

Call to Action: April 21 Balance Testing

Forum Index > SC2 General
104 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 Next All
FueledUpAndReadyToGo
Profile Blog Joined March 2013
Netherlands30548 Posts
April 22 2016 09:23 GMT
#1
April 21 Balance Testing source

[image loading]

We’ve published a new Balance Test Map titled “(2)DuskTowers (3.2.2 Balance v1.0)” which contains the following changes that we’d like your feedback on:

Photon Cannon
  • Increase AA damage from 20 to 20 (+10 bio)

Swarm Host
  • Cost reduced from 200/100 to 150/75
  • Supply Increased from 3 to 4

Thor
  • AA damage from splash to single-target
  • Damage altered to 35 (+15 armored) every 2.14 seconds

Banshee
  • Hyperflight Rotors requirement changed from Fusion Core to Armory

Liberator
  • Damage changed to 4 (+3 Light)



We encourage you to head on into the Balance Test Map to test these changes out! To find the Balance Test Map, enter the Multiplayer section and navigate to Custom. The Balance Test Map will be at the top of the list under ‘Top Played.’

We’ve also updated the Extension Mod for balance testing, so that you can play around with these changes on a variety of maps. Those of you who are interested in trying out the Extension Mod can do the following to get started:

Navigate to Browse Maps on the Custom Games menu
Select a map and click the Create with Mod button in the lower right corner
Choose to sort by Blizzard Mods from the dropdown list at the top of the screen
Select the “Balance Test Mod” Extension from the list and then hit Create Game

If you're interested in the StarCraft II Balance Team's reasoning behind these potential changes, you can check out Senior Designer David Kim's Community Feedback Update and his follow up post on the Swarm Host.

We’d like to remind you that feedback based on playtesting is the most helpful information you can share with us at this time. We kindly ask that you spend some time playing games on the test map before offering your thoughts on the changes listed above. We look forward to hearing your feedback and please remember that none of these changes are final.
Facebook Twitter Reddit
Neosteel Enthusiast
Gullis
Profile Joined April 2012
Sweden740 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-04-22 09:40:22
April 22 2016 09:39 GMT
#2
The game already have so many "special circumstance" balancing like the photon cannon buff, adding one more wont change anything... So I guess I am fine with that one.

I dono about the swarm host change... If I ever have to play against nydus+swarm host harass I might kill myself.

Thor, I like the direction but will it help against broodlords and tempest? I don't so..

banshee change, nope... we already have enough of this.

Have no opinion on liberator change.. For me (on dia level) I never build them for their damage vs armored air units anyway.. it is maybe different on higher level?
I would rather eat than see my children starve.
MockHamill
Profile Joined March 2010
Sweden1798 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-04-22 09:44:03
April 22 2016 09:41 GMT
#3
Thor change is good but Thor needs more range if order to be able to fight Tempest/Carriers/BroodLords. Their anti-air DPS should also be higher.

Also, if Protoss goes air and Terran counters by going Thors, he can easily switch back to Immortals and collect a free win.

I forsee a huge problem in TvZ with this change though. If Zerg goes mass Corruptors, Liberators will not work any more. So Zerg can go around killing your based with mass Corrupters faster than you can catch them with your Thors.

I guess going for a base trade will be a viable option though.
Magus.421
Profile Joined November 2011
France159 Posts
April 22 2016 09:55 GMT
#4
I don't like the swarm host changes. I can't afford to have 20+ supply useless in my midgame. How am i supposed to use this ?
No whine, just play.
PinoKotsBeer
Profile Joined February 2014
Netherlands1387 Posts
April 22 2016 10:03 GMT
#5
On April 22 2016 18:41 MockHamill wrote:
Thor change is good but Thor needs more range if order to be able to fight Tempest/Carriers/BroodLords. Their anti-air DPS should also be higher.

This indeed, it should (imho) just outrange a lib (without range upgrade) and be equal to a broodlord to justify the cost and supply it requires.
http://www.twitch.tv/pinokotsbeer
Wafflelisk
Profile Joined October 2011
Canada1061 Posts
April 22 2016 10:04 GMT
#6
Wow, that cannon change is huge against mutas. Can't wait to see how base trades will play out
Waffles > Pancakes
FueledUpAndReadyToGo
Profile Blog Joined March 2013
Netherlands30548 Posts
April 22 2016 10:23 GMT
#7
On April 22 2016 18:55 Magus.421 wrote:
I don't like the swarm host changes. I can't afford to have 20+ supply useless in my midgame. How am i supposed to use this ?

Yeah I don't really see how this will make the useful again. The whole point is that they are too much dead supply when there are no locust, now they will be more but cheaper dead supply

Maybe there will be some midgame timing Snute will find out or something
Neosteel Enthusiast
KOtical
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany451 Posts
April 26 2016 06:27 GMT
#8
that thor change is bs. now thor is totally useless. with air splash it would at least countered mutas. and every massive air unit counter the thor. broodlords and tempest just destroy the thor.
Beelzebub1
Profile Joined May 2015
1005 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-04-26 07:05:19
April 26 2016 07:04 GMT
#9
Welp, Mutalisks are now relegated to 8 being made in ZvT to stop drops with Liberators being specifically designed to kill them, and being relegated to 0 being made in ZvP because of Phoenix openers being standard and cannons stomping them in numbers under 10 (which would just ensure more Phoenix were being cranked out in response so cannons being more effective is just the nail in the coffin).

Awesome, now one of the most skill cap based units in the game is useful for harassment defense in one match, an opener in it's mirror match up while being virtually extinct in the other.

Talk about that balance though!

Hider
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Denmark9448 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-04-26 07:12:18
April 26 2016 07:11 GMT
#10
AA damage from splash to single-target
Damage altered to 35 (+15 armored) every 2.14 seconds


They need to increase attack range as well so it can actually attack against Tempest/Broodlords. Also buff its movement speed and reduce damage vs ground to compensate.
Railgan
Profile Joined August 2010
Switzerland1509 Posts
April 26 2016 07:15 GMT
#11
Didn't even know this was happening :O
Grandmaster Zerg from Switzerland!!! www.twitch.tv/railgan // www.twitter.com/railgansc // www.youtube.com/c/railgansc
Scrubwave
Profile Joined July 2010
Poland1786 Posts
April 26 2016 07:21 GMT
#12
--- Nuked ---
Hularuns
Profile Joined November 2014
United Kingdom37 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-04-26 07:29:17
April 26 2016 07:26 GMT
#13
Liberator change is very interesting since they have replaced vikings, but this should change things.

Photon cannon change is confusing as fuck, protoss needs better defence, yeaaa. And Phoenixes are an incredibly good answer to mutas as well as blink stalkers being good against corruptors.

Swarm Host changes are full on facepalm. It wasn't so much the cost of swarm hosts that was stupid, it was the fact that they were so much supply. They need to be 2 supply. and 200/100, maybe then they can be worth getting, but they fill such a niche role that they can't take up potentially 1/3rd of a zerg's army supply for a bit of harassment every minute.
k
deacon.frost
Profile Joined February 2013
Czech Republic12133 Posts
April 26 2016 07:51 GMT
#14
On April 26 2016 16:26 Hularuns wrote:
Liberator change is very interesting since they have replaced vikings, but this should change things.

Photon cannon change is confusing as fuck, protoss needs better defence, yeaaa. And Phoenixes are an incredibly good answer to mutas as well as blink stalkers being good against corruptors.

Swarm Host changes are full on facepalm. It wasn't so much the cost of swarm hosts that was stupid, it was the fact that they were so much supply. They need to be 2 supply. and 200/100, maybe then they can be worth getting, but they fill such a niche role that they can't take up potentially 1/3rd of a zerg's army supply for a bit of harassment every minute.

The problem is that Phoenix is the only answer and thanks to increased economic start and delayed tech you have to open with SG every fucking time. Which means no diversity and "creativity" in PvZ.

Though the problem is probably in the second section too - phoenix opener is simply good. You make damage to Zerg eco, scout Zerg, stop their scouting. If they want diversity in PvZ they need to address the problem of SG opener being too good vs. the rest. As I am a pessimistic person I am expecting a nerf to Protoss to boost the creativity ><
I imagine France should be able to take this unless Lilbow is busy practicing for Starcraft III. | KadaverBB is my fairy ban mother.
Cricketer12
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States14003 Posts
April 26 2016 08:10 GMT
#15
the banshee change is scary
Engage, Zero target Engage, Engage, Kagari target Engage, Engage.
Dingodile
Profile Joined December 2011
4139 Posts
April 26 2016 08:21 GMT
#16
looks like they dont want to see air units for a while.
cannon buff is a huge buff vs mutas and medivacs.
Grubby | ToD | Moon | Lyn | Sky
egrimm
Profile Joined September 2011
Poland1201 Posts
April 26 2016 08:25 GMT
#17
On April 26 2016 17:21 Dingodile wrote:
looks like they dont want to see air units for a while.
cannon buff is a huge buff vs mutas and medivacs.

buff is only vs. AA bio so dmg buff does not affect Terran at all.
sOs TY PartinG
Cricketer12
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States14003 Posts
April 26 2016 08:31 GMT
#18
On April 26 2016 17:25 egrimm wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 26 2016 17:21 Dingodile wrote:
looks like they dont want to see air units for a while.
cannon buff is a huge buff vs mutas and medivacs.

buff is only vs. AA bio so dmg buff does not affect Terran at all.

This just in, we wanted to add some flavor so all medivacs are infested...and they randomly spawn rocks.
Engage, Zero target Engage, Engage, Kagari target Engage, Engage.
Khalimaroth
Profile Joined September 2010
France71 Posts
April 26 2016 08:32 GMT
#19
When i read all the community feedbacks, i thought the problem was the ZvP, with a midgame too strong for the Zerg and a late game too strong for the protoss (if i resume).
I dont understand how the cannon change and the swarmhost change are supposed to fix this.^^

I understand why a liberator cant be a counter to corruptors, so ok for them^^; but about terran, i thought, again by the read of the community feedbacks, that the problem was the TvT tankivacs' domination, but, nothing new about that?
Trop'inzust
egrimm
Profile Joined September 2011
Poland1201 Posts
April 26 2016 08:35 GMT
#20
On April 26 2016 17:31 Cricketer12 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 26 2016 17:25 egrimm wrote:
On April 26 2016 17:21 Dingodile wrote:
looks like they dont want to see air units for a while.
cannon buff is a huge buff vs mutas and medivacs.

buff is only vs. AA bio so dmg buff does not affect Terran at all.

and they randomly spawn rocks.

Terran force fields confirmed?
sOs TY PartinG
1 2 3 4 5 6 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
IntoTheTV X SOOP
11:00
Monthly #1 - Day 1
Cure vs SHINLIVE!
herO vs Solar
Percival vs Classic
ByuN vs Rogue
IntoTheiNu 1497
CranKy Ducklings SOOP45
Rex28
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Lowko367
Rex 28
StarCraft: Brood War
Bisu 1677
Shuttle 1270
Horang2 1178
Hyuk 734
firebathero 729
EffOrt 374
Snow 321
Larva 305
Light 248
Mini 247
[ Show more ]
Rush 163
Last 145
Zeus 125
Pusan 99
ZerO 98
Hm[arnc] 75
Mong 57
hero 47
Killer 46
Sharp 33
ToSsGirL 33
sSak 25
Aegong 17
sorry 13
Sacsri 12
JulyZerg 6
NotJumperer 2
Britney 0
Dota 2
Gorgc1880
Dendi953
Counter-Strike
byalli1184
zeus132
markeloff107
edward24
Other Games
singsing1725
olofmeister826
B2W.Neo767
DeMusliM253
Pyrionflax213
Sick133
Mew2King108
QueenE40
ArmadaUGS18
ZerO(Twitch)2
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick858
[ Show 10 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Berry_CruncH241
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Jankos1912
Upcoming Events
OSC
9h 53m
Replay Cast
11h 53m
IntoTheTV X SOOP
22h 53m
Replay Cast
1d 11h
GSL
1d 22h
Replay Cast
2 days
GSL
2 days
Shopify Rebellion Sundays
3 days
Spirit vs Mixu
Replay Cast
3 days
Afreeca Starleague
3 days
Shine vs Rush
[ Show More ]
WardiTV Weekly
3 days
Monday Night Weeklies
4 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
Afreeca Starleague
4 days
Light vs EffOrt
PiGosaur Cup
5 days
Kung Fu Cup
5 days
The PondCast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Acropolis #5 - TRS
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Big Dog Cup 2026 Div 1

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 3
K-JUNGMAN
ASL Season 22
Super Anchor Qualifying S3
CSL 2026 AUTUMN (S22)
Acropolis #5
Calamity Invitational
Logitech G Play Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #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

Upcoming

Acropolis #5 - GSA
Acropolis #5 - GSB
Acropolis #5 - GSC
SC4ALL II: Brood War
HSC XXX
Stellar Fest 2: Lunar Cup
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
Copium Cup
PGL Major Singapore 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 6
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026
IEM Beijing 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 5
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
1win Private Club #2
Thunderpick World Champ. '26
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
1win Private Club #1
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.