Next Season’s Maps Last week was very busy for us with BlizzCon, during which we released the next season’s new 1v1 and team maps to the custom games list. They are now available for players to test out before they go live!
Map Pool 1v1 The full map pool for the 1v1 ladder next season will be as follows:
We thought you might like to know why we choose three returning maps for this selection. Abyssal Reef has been consistently popular at the high levels of ladder and professional play while also being quite well-balanced in terms of matchups. That said, it’s also been in the pool for quite a while now. We wanted to keep it for one more season so it could help us to gauge balance in the new patch by acting as a constant variable. Odyssey and Ascension to Aiur, meanwhile, are both strong maps in terms of ladder win rates, and are currently the most popular maps across all divisions by a significant margin, so we thought it’d be good to keep them around for the next season.
good that they keep the good maps longer in the pool though I'm quite disappointed they didn't bring back an old map this time. Akilon Waste or Cloud Kingdom deserve a comeback on ladder.
Eh... I was wondering if they were going to do this.
Not a fan of having maps stay for so long in a pool even with the flimsy excuse of acting as constants for the new changes. Odyssey and Ascension are fine maps certainly, but also not so exceptional as to merit three seasons in the pool. At least it means Acolyte won't be staying, but I really hope this doesn't become a trend.
Happy about abysyal reef, it's probably the best map ever made for lotv. I'm sad they are keeping ascension in the pool, I realy detest how hard it is to attack in the mid game on that map. Also sad about odyssey the gold base is just to easy to secure on that map for zerg I think it would be cool to remove the gold base from odyssey and see how it plays than.
I'm cool with them keeping an older map around like Abyssal, however perhaps if they would've changed the tileset or aesthetics a bit, just to freshen it up without changing the overall design, just so it doesnt feel like we've been playing on this map for years now.
Id like for them to have included Terraform or Coda...... OR A 4 PLAYER MAP..... I know a lot of people hate them but they do add a lot of diversity to the game and I find them very fun to play on even if everyone else does not. Even in base natural maps are very fun haha one less map I have to play TvZ on (Since most zergs hate those maps apparently)
On November 14 2017 03:23 Ryu3600 wrote: Id like for them to have included Terraform or Coda...... OR A 4 PLAYER MAP..... I know a lot of people hate them but they do add a lot of diversity to the game and I find them very fun to play on even if everyone else does not. Even in base natural maps are very fun haha one less map I have to play TvZ on (Since most zergs hate those maps apparently)
I've been wanting them to bring by Terraform for so long
On November 14 2017 03:23 Ryu3600 wrote: Id like for them to have included Terraform or Coda...... OR A 4 PLAYER MAP..... I know a lot of people hate them but they do add a lot of diversity to the game and I find them very fun to play on even if everyone else does not. Even in base natural maps are very fun haha one less map I have to play TvZ on (Since most zergs hate those maps apparently)
they hate the 5 player maps, because most of the time it is a coinflip on who has the stronger starting position.
On November 14 2017 03:23 Ryu3600 wrote: Id like for them to have included Terraform or Coda...... OR A 4 PLAYER MAP..... I know a lot of people hate them but they do add a lot of diversity to the game and I find them very fun to play on even if everyone else does not. Even in base natural maps are very fun haha one less map I have to play TvZ on (Since most zergs hate those maps apparently)
they hate the 5 player maps, because most of the time it is a coinflip on who has the stronger starting position.
On good map it's not more important than a terran having his addons part of/outside the wall or inside his base, is it?
On November 14 2017 03:23 Ryu3600 wrote: Id like for them to have included Terraform or Coda...... OR A 4 PLAYER MAP..... I know a lot of people hate them but they do add a lot of diversity to the game and I find them very fun to play on even if everyone else does not. Even in base natural maps are very fun haha one less map I have to play TvZ on (Since most zergs hate those maps apparently)
Wonder how Battle on the Boardwalk will do since it is the "rush" map, and see how long it takes for it to be swapped out and replaced with a standard map or with another attempt for a "rush" map.
On November 14 2017 05:56 Youngrustler wrote: Wonder how Battle on the Boardwalk will do since it is the "rush" map, and see how long it takes for it to be swapped out and replaced with a standard map or with another attempt for a "rush" map.
For what it's worth the pros didn't hate the map at HSC. They weren't sure about how to play it, but their opinion seemed tentatively positive so far.
Sorry for the stupid question, is it normal that i can't go up on ladder? Is always like this in the last days before the new patch or dunno? Thanks, I'm quite new. By the way, a bit bored of abyssal. Waiting for the new maps, I think battle on the boardwalk is interesting.
On November 14 2017 08:24 Be9he wrote: Sorry for the stupid question, is it normal that i can't go up on ladder? Is always like this in the last days before the new patch or dunno? Thanks, I'm quite new.
Yes, ladder promotions will be locked during the last week of a season. Your MMR will still adjust though and you will get promoted after your placement match next season, if your MMR exceeds your current league.
So just keep playing, the games still help if you want to rank up.
On November 14 2017 08:24 Be9he wrote: Sorry for the stupid question, is it normal that i can't go up on ladder? Is always like this in the last days before the new patch or dunno? Thanks, I'm quite new.
Yes, ladder promotions will be locked during the last week of a season. Your MMR will still adjust though and you will get promoted after your placement match next season, if your MMR exceeds your current leagee.
So just keep playing, the games still help if you want to rank up.
Welcome to TL btw .
Thanks sir!. I'm reading this forum since a year, but never write on it. Thanks again, really helpful!
On November 14 2017 08:24 Be9he wrote: Sorry for the stupid question, is it normal that i can't go up on ladder? Is always like this in the last days before the new patch or dunno? Thanks, I'm quite new.
Yes, ladder promotions will be locked during the last week of a season. Your MMR will still adjust though and you will get promoted after your placement match next season, if your MMR exceeds your current leagee.
So just keep playing, the games still help if you want to rank up.
Welcome to TL btw .
Thanks sir!. I'm reading this forum since a year, but never write on it. Thanks again, really helpful!
If you're curious why it is the way it is, you used to be able to be demoted from your league if you were losing a lot, too. The lock was a feature which tried to promote just focusing on the game, your own play, and your rank within the division you were in. The fear was that people at the end of the season would stop playing if they were risking getting demoted (Since they wouldn't place Diamond at the end if they got demoted to Platinum).
This was removed a long time ago but the season lock was never removed.
In any case, there are lots of things you can do to make the map pool better: - Participate in TLMC testing - Make maps for the TLMC - Support map makers that you like
The Starcraft community is pretty small, so it is hard to excuse the bystander effect any more.
On November 14 2017 10:01 Thaniri wrote: engesser1 is a fan of the #DREAMPOOL I suppose.
In any case, there are lots of things you can do to make the map pool better: - Participate in TLMC testing - Make maps for the TLMC - Support map makers that you like
The Starcraft community is pretty small, so it is hard to excuse the bystander effect any more.
I do agree with this. TLMC voting matters way more than some people might think.
I'm actually surprised Abyssal is staying around. It's a great map and probably my most well received map but it has been around for quite awhile now. Then again, I can't complain because many of the games played on the map are very very very good, especially high level players.
I did figure Ascension would stay around though, I feel the map has slowly started to find a lot of enjoyment from players and the whole balance ratio on it is slowly starting to even out. It use to be like 60%+ ZvP and ZvT rate but now it's all much closer to 50% (think last I looked it was still ~54% win rate?) but still, that's not the end of the world, it does scare me though since many first impressions are zerg late game is too OP which means these already somewhat zerg favored maps might just become even more zerg favored.
Excited for Battle on the Boardwalk, I know many people will dislike it because of 3 reasons, open natural, rush map & backdoor to main, but I hope people give it a shot. I tried to make it somewhat risky early game but then allow mid/end game to turtle a little easier with all the chokes. Whether that's good or bad, I don't know, but it's a change of pace from many other maps. Plus, it's easy to mine the map out since there are only 6 bases per player with 1 being a gold.
I could go into more depth on the other 4 maps, but these are just thoughts on my maps that will be in ladder next season. Plus, it's already 11:30pm and I need to wake up at 6:30am...so yeah.
Either way, hope you guys enjoy next season and as always, shoot me (and any other mappers) some feedback, go ahead and jump into the custom map thread and give your thoughts. It only helps out everybody else better in the long run. =)
ps. Blizz, can I get my Sidian Throwback season with nothing but my 7 ladder maps? I finally accomplished that goal and I couldn't be happier. =) Sure, some of them weren't very well received...*cough Korhal Carnage cough*
Excited for Battle on the Boardwalk, I know many people will dislike it because of 3 reasons, open natural, rush map & backdoor to main, but I hope people give it a shot. I tried to make it somewhat risky early game but then allow mid/end game to turtle a little easier with all the chokes. Whether that's good or bad, I don't know, but it's a change of pace from many other maps. Plus, it's easy to mine the map out since there are only 6 bases per player with 1 being a gold.
I think this is gonna be exactly why that map is gonna be fun. Open bases, late game chokes and small base count will make this map pretty fast paced and aggressive.
What about 2x2 maps? The 2x2 pool of current season is really bad - they remove Moebius Facility XX-1, Magma Mines, Fields of Death, pretty good maps, and added this horrible giant maps, like Overgrown Facility and Flooded City... I know that 2x2 pool is not so important in terms of tournaments and pro-play, but still. It will be nice if Blizzard pay a little more attention to 2x2 pool too.
While i hate losses since brood war, i still hang on to the hopes that one day a really shrewd combination of units and maps will make all this matter.
On November 14 2017 14:46 AneYe-2960 wrote: What about 2x2 maps? The 2x2 pool of current season is really bad - they remove Moebius Facility XX-1, Magma Mines, Fields of Death, pretty good maps, and added this horrible giant maps, like Overgrown Facility and Flooded City... I know that 2x2 pool is not so important in terms of tournaments and pro-play, but still. It will be nice if Blizzard pay a little more attention to 2x2 pool too.
Actually after playing team games for like the first time this week I've decided I'm not going to complain about 1v1 maps again. Seriously wtf is this?
On November 14 2017 13:31 SidianTheBard wrote: I'm actually surprised Abyssal is staying around. It's a great map and probably my most well received map but it has been around for quite awhile now. Then again, I can't complain because many of the games played on the map are very very very good, especially high level players.
I did figure Ascension would stay around though, I feel the map has slowly started to find a lot of enjoyment from players and the whole balance ratio on it is slowly starting to even out. It use to be like 60%+ ZvP and ZvT rate but now it's all much closer to 50% (think last I looked it was still ~54% win rate?) but still, that's not the end of the world, it does scare me though since many first impressions are zerg late game is too OP which means these already somewhat zerg favored maps might just become even more zerg favored.
Excited for Battle on the Boardwalk, I know many people will dislike it because of 3 reasons, open natural, rush map & backdoor to main, but I hope people give it a shot. I tried to make it somewhat risky early game but then allow mid/end game to turtle a little easier with all the chokes. Whether that's good or bad, I don't know, but it's a change of pace from many other maps. Plus, it's easy to mine the map out since there are only 6 bases per player with 1 being a gold.
I could go into more depth on the other 4 maps, but these are just thoughts on my maps that will be in ladder next season. Plus, it's already 11:30pm and I need to wake up at 6:30am...so yeah.
Either way, hope you guys enjoy next season and as always, shoot me (and any other mappers) some feedback, go ahead and jump into the custom map thread and give your thoughts. It only helps out everybody else better in the long run. =)
ps. Blizz, can I get my Sidian Throwback season with nothing but my 7 ladder maps? I finally accomplished that goal and I couldn't be happier. =) Sure, some of them weren't very well received...*cough Korhal Carnage cough*
Ascension is a great map, but its just too vanilla for my taste, i'm super excited about battle on the boardwalk tho.
On November 14 2017 13:31 SidianTheBard wrote: ps. Blizz, can I get my Sidian Throwback season with nothing but my 7 ladder maps? I finally accomplished that goal and I couldn't be happier. =) Sure, some of them weren't very well received...*cough Korhal Carnage cough*
I actually liked Korhal carnage (after I think the first iteration). Made for epic games if it got to late game. It's decently popular for FFA on the arcade still.
I'm excited for Battle on the boardwalk but I guess many people will insta-veto it without even trying. No matter the balance, it's probably the most beautiful map of this map pool.
Just like some guy said up there - I also miss "Cloud Kindgom" there. Actually I liked Mech Depot and Ascention to Aiur, so I am glad that they removed the most of the rest maps, even I have to say goodbye with Mech Depot. I guess the result is satisfying but I haven't tried the new maps yet.
On November 14 2017 01:31 ArtyK wrote: We wanted to keep it for one more season so it could help us to gauge balance in the new patch by acting as a constant variable.
Tsk tsk tsk my dear Blizzard... Constant variables they said.. /nerdrage
On November 14 2017 08:24 Be9he wrote: Sorry for the stupid question, is it normal that i can't go up on ladder? Is always like this in the last days before the new patch or dunno? Thanks, I'm quite new.
Yes, ladder promotions will be locked during the last week of a season. Your MMR will still adjust though and you will get promoted after your placement match next season, if your MMR exceeds your current leagee.
So just keep playing, the games still help if you want to rank up.
Welcome to TL btw .
Thanks sir!. I'm reading this forum since a year, but never write on it. Thanks again, really helpful!
If you're curious why it is the way it is, you used to be able to be demoted from your league if you were losing a lot, too. The lock was a feature which tried to promote just focusing on the game, your own play, and your rank within the division you were in. The fear was that people at the end of the season would stop playing if they were risking getting demoted (Since they wouldn't place Diamond at the end if they got demoted to Platinum).
This was removed a long time ago but the season lock was never removed.
Actually, it was to create a last minute competition on the division leaderboard while the divisions were locked down.
It was totally stupid then and it's totally stupider now.
As a zerg player i actually really enjoy this map pool lol, my only veto would be catellena and potentially battle of the boardwalk. im only disappointed that we dont see mech depo making a comeback.
On November 15 2017 00:59 Digitalz1 wrote: As a zerg player i actually really enjoy this map pool lol, my only veto would be catellena and potentially battle of the boardwalk. im only disappointed that we dont see mech depo making a comeback.
EPT![[image loading]](http://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/blog_header/fx/FX1RCDMSBNAV1508365002471.jpg)
![[image loading]](https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/page_media/ID5IMNAYS9PP1508365212968.jpg)
![[image loading]](https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/page_media/0R4DPENP781I1508365215216.jpg)
![[image loading]](https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/page_media/VZKJSFLO7ISL1508365214066.jpg)
![[image loading]](https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/page_media/QCZD4SY7LWFY1508365212942.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/commons/images/a/a9/Abyssal_Reef_LE.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/commons/images/1/1a/Ascension_to_Aiur_LE.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/commons/images/f/fe/Odyssey_LE.jpg)
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I'm both worried and excited, but way more excited right now tbh.![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/commons/images/7/75/Orbital_Depot_0.1.jpg)
