I've updated my SC2ServerBlocker program to block game servers in SC2. The common use case is if you play on US server but are matched on an Australian one due to opponent(s). Some people experience lag issues, so you might improve your latency/chances to win if you deselect/block some of servers.
In general, I've seen the following during my testing. Regions: EU Only one server, EU Central. It's not listed in the program.
US - US West - US East - US Central - Brazil - Singapore - Australia
Note: my antivirus is suspicious but after scan is complete it says the file is ok. Don't be alarmed. You can check source code for peace of mind.
How it works First, if you don't have lag issues, you don't need to use this program. If you get a laggy game, I suggest you use "Ctrl+Alt+F" in the laggy game to see what server you're on. Example: If you're playing on US but on the top left corner (after you execute "Ctrl+Alt+F") you see a non-US server, e.g. Australia, then it's a good candidate for blocking so you're not matched on this server again if it's laggy for you. Here is a screenshot of top left corner where game server is specified as well as ping: + Show Spoiler +
On December 28 2020 23:25 Elevenst wrote: How does it work?
I've added a section to explain. Thanks for feedback.
How it works First, if you don't have lag issues, you don't need to use this program. If you get a laggy game, I suggest you use "Ctrl+Alt+F" in the laggy game to see what server you're on. Example: If you're playing on US but on the top left corner (after you execute "Ctrl+Alt+F") you see a non-US server, e.g. Australia, then it's a good candidate for blocking so you're not matched on this server again if it's laggy for you. Here is a screenshot of top left corner where game server is specified: + Show Spoiler +
As to how it works technically (not functionally, that's explained above ^^): looks like the application defines firewall rules using the netsh tool that comes with windows. So basically the tool saves you typing stuff like this by hand in the cmd.exe shell:
On December 29 2020 00:27 _fool wrote: As to how it works technically (not functionally, that's explained above ^^): looks like the application defines firewall rules using the netsh tool that comes with windows. So basically the tool saves you typing stuff like this by hand in the cmd.exe shell:
On December 28 2020 22:50 LaughNgamez wrote: Handy tool I recommend everyone use if you get tilted by high ping like me :D
Why Blizzard never included a base option to play only on local servers beats me.
I mean they did--they just chose to make 'preferred servers' not apply from Masters and up (possibly due to ladder qualifier abuse like what Polt and Hydra were doing).
Though given the prevalence of people blocking servers Blizzard absolutely should make it apply to everyone again (and change it so people can select multiple servers). Since right now people that don't block servers are at an unfair ping disadvantage against people that do.
Just messaged you about this again last week or so. Thanks for updating it again. You might not be aware of how many people actually use this, including a lot of GM players
On December 29 2020 13:50 -Kyo- wrote: Just messaged you about this again last week or so. Thanks for updating it again. You might not be aware of how many people actually use this, including a lot of GM players
Yes, I remember. I've updated the program since I replied to you. There is now a confirmation message when you click Block/Unblock buttons (it was so confusing and I don't know why I didn't do it initially). Also I've added missing IP addresses of Australia and Taiwan, I guess they've got updated at some point. I think it's good to update. Thanks for feedback!
How do you determine the IP addresses of new servers as they are added?
Since the IP addresses of the servers will change and you may not always be around to update this app, it would be very helpful to be able to determine what the IP's of a given server region are.
On December 30 2020 01:22 Therapist. wrote: Thanks for doing this!
How do you determine the IP addresses of new servers as they are added?
Since the IP addresses of the servers will change and you may not always be around to update this app, it would be very helpful to be able to determine what the IP's of a given server region are.
Applies to US and KR regions only (EU has only one type of server, EU Central): First, you need to go to Options -> Language and Region. Then, select "Pick Game Server on Lobby Creation". Screenshot: + Show Spoiler +
This way, when you create a custom game, you will have the following list of servers: + Show Spoiler +
Pick server of your interest from that list (e.g. Brazil) and create a game. You could add AI as your opponent. When game is created, run Wireshark (packet sniffer program) and look for UDP traffic. You should see similar exchange of traffic like below: + Show Spoiler +
Tip: close as many applications as possible beforehand to reduce noise. Note: above traffic exchange isn't specific to any game server, I'm unable to host a game at the moment. It's just an example how it could look like. Required programs: Wireshark - https://www.wireshark.org/
I might create a quick configuration file for next update where people could add IPs manually which will be useful when they change.
On December 30 2020 01:22 Therapist. wrote: Thanks for doing this!
How do you determine the IP addresses of new servers as they are added?
Since the IP addresses of the servers will change and you may not always be around to update this app, it would be very helpful to be able to determine what the IP's of a given server region are.
Applies to US and KR regions only (EU has only one type of server, EU Central): First, you need to go to Options -> Language and Region. Then, select "Pick Game Server on Lobby Creation". Screenshot: + Show Spoiler +
This way, when you create a custom game, you will have the following list of servers: + Show Spoiler +
Pick server of your interest from that list (e.g. Brazil) and create a game. You could add AI as your opponent. When game is created, run Wireshark (packet sniffer program) and look for UDP traffic. You should see similar exchange of traffic like below: + Show Spoiler +
Tip: close as many applications as possible beforehand to reduce noise. Note: above traffic exchange isn't specific to any game server, I'm unable to host a game at the moment. It's just an example how it could look like. Required programs: Wireshark - https://www.wireshark.org/
I might create a quick configuration file for next update where people could add IPs manually which will be useful when they change.
Any update on this? Apparently today the western server changed his IP range
Edit: Here is the list of ip ranges what I could find so far for the Western Server, maybe there is more than this 37.244.3.144 37.244.3.146 37.244.3.148 37.244.3.151 37.244.3.202 37.244.3.208 37.244.3.211 37.244.3.212 37.244.3.214
Can you check it for yourself and, if its possible, update your sc2blocker software? It is very usefull to use Thanks!
On January 04 2024 17:15 jimminy_kriket wrote: How did you figure out that the server IP's changed?
When is block, the server its show with 9999ms in the preferred game server menu. Yesterday, Western in my client was with the normal ping, allowing to me create lobbys even when i was manualy bloking that server
through some janky reverse engineering and using previous comments as a guide, I've managed to block Brazil, Singapore, and Australia once again. I can't for the life of me figure out how to block US West though. When I try my entire game wont connect to servers at all and I can't log in.
On January 25 2024 00:52 chrusher97 wrote: why do i sometimes get australian server even tho i specified I want us central only? Is that a glitch
If you're using the program, the program is out of date. Happens to everyone you gotta use Wireshark and manually grab the IPS and create outbound rules in your firewall to block the usp scopes.
okay so Brazil seems to be the only server which broke through my block. AUS and SING searches still get cancelled. Very strange.
edit: did the wireshark thing again and got brazil blocked again... might just have to make this a daily thing to scan and block the server ip. sigh.... singapore too slipped through. I guess I will just have a 5 minute chore now for every ladder session. It's worth it to have an enjoyable few hours without lag. The things we have to do... sigh... and other RTS are talking about global matchmaking. makes me want to puke. i am incapable of playing with lag because i get so tilted i cant even move my units without breaking concentration from the delayed response.
Forgive me if this is incorrect, I'm a noob when it comes to this stuff, but I used wireshark to look at everything I was connecting to, hosted a game on BR and I located this IP - 18.228.90.183 - When using whatismyip it comes up as BR so I blocked it, and now I'm not connecting to BR anymore.
On February 24 2024 09:04 HeavenSC wrote: Forgive me if this is incorrect, I'm a noob when it comes to this stuff, but I used wireshark to look at everything I was connecting to, hosted a game on BR and I located this IP - 18.228.90.183 - When using whatismyip it comes up as BR so I blocked it, and now I'm not connecting to BR anymore.
I think there are 2 new BR servers, because I got in a game later. Haven't bothered to check a 2nd time
On February 24 2024 10:43 jimminy_kriket wrote: Singapore being part of NA server has got to be the dumbest thing ever.
This is Blizzard we're talking about, they mixed russia and EU on their other games where people were A: refusing to speak the server language and B: saying nazi stuff all of the time.
On February 24 2024 10:43 jimminy_kriket wrote: Singapore being part of NA server has got to be the dumbest thing ever.
This is Blizzard we're talking about, they mixed russia and EU on their other games where people were A: refusing to speak the server language and B: saying nazi stuff all of the time.
On February 24 2024 10:43 jimminy_kriket wrote: Singapore being part of NA server has got to be the dumbest thing ever.
This is Blizzard we're talking about, they mixed russia and EU on their other games where people were A: refusing to speak the server language and B: saying nazi stuff all of the time.
is russia not part of eu...?
They have servers where people are obligated to speak English and servers where people are obligated to speak Russian. They merged the latter into the former and mixed the matchmaking together (for people on the same team and chat/voice channels) with no provisions for having a common language. The amount of abuse that we got from them as women / lgbt+ people was pretty much off the scale as well.
On February 24 2024 10:43 jimminy_kriket wrote: Singapore being part of NA server has got to be the dumbest thing ever.
This is Blizzard we're talking about, they mixed russia and EU on their other games where people were A: refusing to speak the server language and B: saying nazi stuff all of the time.
is russia not part of eu...?
They have servers where people are obligated to speak English and servers where people are obligated to speak Russian. They merged the latter into the former and mixed the matchmaking together (for people on the same team and chat/voice channels) with no provisions for having a common language. The amount of abuse that we got from them as women / lgbt+ people was pretty much off the scale as well.
That sounds terribly managed, not to mention the unsavoury stuff which sucks.
Maybe not all of their games historically, but surely at least some may have benefitted from a Europe West and a Europe East? Perhaps it’s SC having notable players from there forever altering my perception, and not reflective of the actual player population.
This program has caused an issue in 2v2, where bots simply run a queue script and block all the servers resulting in games after 4K MMR ( if the bots are loaded ) to not start at all.
Even if the tool itself no longer works, the Windows-built-in "netsh" command still works, and the syntax looks unchanged. I think it's mostly a matter of finding the IP that you want to block, and insert that in the following command instead of 123.123.123.123: