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Which SC2 expansion had the most entertaining esports? - P…

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KristofferAG
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
Norway25712 Posts
July 18 2024 07:25 GMT
#61
WoL, but that's nostalgia and new game hype talking. HotS was great too, but more fun to play than watch IMO.
@KristofferAG | http://vestkyststoy.bandcamp.com | last.fm/user/KristofferAG
Nathanias
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States290 Posts
July 18 2024 19:14 GMT
#62
I miss hots TvZ a lot. PvP is best in current state I think, and maybe I miss hots TvP too. really just the swarmhost and turtle mech era was brutal (anyone remember special vs violet wcs america getting a draw with a flying base?)
CommentatorNever give up, Never surrender
Geo.Rion
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
7377 Posts
Last Edited: 2024-07-18 20:19:19
July 18 2024 20:18 GMT
#63
I was most active and followed most consistently in WOL, but it was a terrible, awful version of SC2, in hindsight.

From the horrible maps, to the lack of balance, GSL bracket phase games being decided by bugs introduced by a new update, i could go on.

We had Incontrol and lot of big names were almost exclusively focused on SC2, who in the meantime transitioned away... And it was nice to be known as THE e-sport, or one of the top3 the very least, so yeah... But as far as competitive RTS goes LotV >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> WoL
"Protoss is a joke" Liquid`Jinro Okt.1. 2011
andrewlt
Profile Joined August 2009
United States7702 Posts
July 18 2024 23:46 GMT
#64
On July 17 2024 19:54 Slydie wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 16 2024 00:06 andrewlt wrote:
WoL. BL-infestor and SH killed my interest in watching SC2. BW zerg was the aggressive race. Turning it into the late game turtle race was a total failure.


That was not intentional, it was just the best way to play after the Queen range+2 buff. Creep was also way stronger back then, even though the players were much worse at avising it.

The bl/Infestors composition itself was not that problematic, it was just too easy to get there using by hive rushing and spending almost only mineral units to defend.

I am still a bit sad the game is balanced around mules, warp gate, chronoboost, injects and Queens, but I am used to it by now.


Oh, the community back then definitely deserves some of the blame for how the game turned out. Back in the 90s, it was considered a newb mistake to tech up without any defenses and get rushed. Imagine my surprise when a large part of the SC2 community considered the rusher the newb and put the onus on Blizzard and mapmakers to defend against it (even in progames). They wanted a turtle meta. They got a turtle meta.

In retrospect, SC2's status as THE e-sport at the time was unearned. WoL was released when WoW was at its peak and so was Blizzard's reputation. A lot of people who never were into BW or even RTS in general jumped on the bandwagon. They warped the feedback Blizzard was getting and then they jumped off the bandwagon soon afterwards.
Agh
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States1012 Posts
July 20 2024 15:57 GMT
#65
On July 19 2024 08:46 andrewlt wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 17 2024 19:54 Slydie wrote:
On July 16 2024 00:06 andrewlt wrote:
WoL. BL-infestor and SH killed my interest in watching SC2. BW zerg was the aggressive race. Turning it into the late game turtle race was a total failure.


That was not intentional, it was just the best way to play after the Queen range+2 buff. Creep was also way stronger back then, even though the players were much worse at avising it.

The bl/Infestors composition itself was not that problematic, it was just too easy to get there using by hive rushing and spending almost only mineral units to defend.

I am still a bit sad the game is balanced around mules, warp gate, chronoboost, injects and Queens, but I am used to it by now.


Oh, the community back then definitely deserves some of the blame for how the game turned out. Back in the 90s, it was considered a newb mistake to tech up without any defenses and get rushed. Imagine my surprise when a large part of the SC2 community considered the rusher the newb and put the onus on Blizzard and mapmakers to defend against it (even in progames). They wanted a turtle meta. They got a turtle meta.

In retrospect, SC2's status as THE e-sport at the time was unearned. WoL was released when WoW was at its peak and so was Blizzard's reputation. A lot of people who never were into BW or even RTS in general jumped on the bandwagon. They warped the feedback Blizzard was getting and then they jumped off the bandwagon soon afterwards.


Just wanted to point out from an argumentative standpoint you're directly contradicting your point. (Your example could be directly applied to your implication)

Aside from that the meta will dictate itself be it perceived or actuality.

When there are fundamental issues with the game that are brought to light and acknowledged from pretty much your entire playerbase and they go ignored (or acknowledge and mocked a la DK) the quality and longevity of your game is going to suffer.

SC2 had everything you could hope for in a title, and even with all of its flaws it was still -that- good.

To correct you a little bit WoW's decline was very much underway. The neglect SC2 received didn't help and they were both very much contributors to the overall decline of blizzard that noticeably began around that time.
I may appear to be an emotionless sarcastic pos, but just like an onion when you pull off more and more layers you find the exact same thing everytime and you start crying
deacon.frost
Profile Joined February 2013
Czech Republic12129 Posts
July 20 2024 21:00 GMT
#66
On July 16 2024 17:51 inermis wrote:
this shouldn't be a discussion, its obvious, #1 WoL - new game, everyone learning the game, new strategies everyday, huge hype all around the world. #2 LotV - game became quicker and more fun to spectate. #3 HotS - swarm hosts... need i say more lol...

Proleague, Kespa - both were present mostly in HotS. We had the most competitive scene in the history of SC2. Just check some RO16 back then...

Gameplaywise - screw speed medivacs and anything that came after them.
I imagine France should be able to take this unless Lilbow is busy practicing for Starcraft III. | KadaverBB is my fairy ban mother.
Husyelt
Profile Blog Joined May 2020
United States837 Posts
Last Edited: 2024-07-21 02:14:03
July 21 2024 02:13 GMT
#67
LotV and its not even close, anyone saying otherwise is cope

WoL was so bad for so long, HotS was finally beginning to become ok, but LotV is the best for balance and game variation / playstyles.

edit and when i say WoL was so bad, i mean its still the greatest game of all time
You're getting cynical and that won't do I'd throw the rose tint back on the exploded view
Cricketer12
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States13990 Posts
July 21 2024 03:10 GMT
#68
On July 21 2024 11:13 Husyelt wrote:
LotV and its not even close, anyone saying otherwise is cope

WoL was so bad for so long, HotS was finally beginning to become ok, but LotV is the best for balance and game variation / playstyles.

edit and when i say WoL was so bad, i mean its still the greatest game of all time

Considering the poll asked what was entertaining, a metric that is subjective by nature, to call a different opinion cope might be reddit level stupidity.
Chain 1 Arthalion Chain 2 Urgula Chain 3 Mululu Chain 4 Lukias
Slydie
Profile Joined August 2013
1927 Posts
July 21 2024 07:50 GMT
#69
On July 21 2024 00:57 Agh wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 19 2024 08:46 andrewlt wrote:
On July 17 2024 19:54 Slydie wrote:
On July 16 2024 00:06 andrewlt wrote:
WoL. BL-infestor and SH killed my interest in watching SC2. BW zerg was the aggressive race. Turning it into the late game turtle race was a total failure.


That was not intentional, it was just the best way to play after the Queen range+2 buff. Creep was also way stronger back then, even though the players were much worse at avising it.

The bl/Infestors composition itself was not that problematic, it was just too easy to get there using by hive rushing and spending almost only mineral units to defend.

I am still a bit sad the game is balanced around mules, warp gate, chronoboost, injects and Queens, but I am used to it by now.


Oh, the community back then definitely deserves some of the blame for how the game turned out. Back in the 90s, it was considered a newb mistake to tech up without any defenses and get rushed. Imagine my surprise when a large part of the SC2 community considered the rusher the newb and put the onus on Blizzard and mapmakers to defend against it (even in progames). They wanted a turtle meta. They got a turtle meta.

In retrospect, SC2's status as THE e-sport at the time was unearned. WoL was released when WoW was at its peak and so was Blizzard's reputation. A lot of people who never were into BW or even RTS in general jumped on the bandwagon. They warped the feedback Blizzard was getting and then they jumped off the bandwagon soon afterwards.


Just wanted to point out from an argumentative standpoint you're directly contradicting your point. (Your example could be directly applied to your implication)

Aside from that the meta will dictate itself be it perceived or actuality.

When there are fundamental issues with the game that are brought to light and acknowledged from pretty much your entire playerbase and they go ignored (or acknowledge and mocked a la DK) the quality and longevity of your game is going to suffer.

SC2 had everything you could hope for in a title, and even with all of its flaws it was still -that- good.

To correct you a little bit WoW's decline was very much underway. The neglect SC2 received didn't help and they were both very much contributors to the overall decline of blizzard that noticeably began around that time.


If we are playing the hindsight game, Blizzard refusing to make their own MOBA game was probably the worst decision for their e-sports. Heroes of the Storm was WAY too late. LoL and Dota 2 did to them what Blizzard used to be the best at: finding a proven game formula and upping the game quality and player experience. Heck, Why didn't they make an amazing mobile Tower Defense game as well?

The WoL era was amazing for quantity of player personalities leagues, and tournaments, but it was obviously not sustainable, and still isn't. If that equals "entertaining" is subjective.
Buff the siegetank
Durnuu
Profile Joined September 2013
13322 Posts
July 21 2024 07:58 GMT
#70
On July 21 2024 11:13 Husyelt wrote:
LotV and its not even close, anyone saying otherwise is cope

WoL was so bad for so long, HotS was finally beginning to become ok, but LotV is the best for balance and game variation / playstyles.

edit and when i say WoL was so bad, i mean its still the greatest game of all time

So much game variation and playstyle variation, skytoss and mech are in the shitter, mutas are non existent outside of ZvZ and everyone gets 4 bases for free before the game starts
BUNNYYYYYYYYY https://i.imgur.com/BiCF577.png
Drahkn
Profile Joined June 2021
194 Posts
July 21 2024 11:01 GMT
#71
Early WoL was the best when we were all still oblivious to how absolutely broken some units and tactics were since then it became a train wreck of abusive meta's dominating which started to take its toll as the years went. I wish SC2 woulda stayed the biggest esport on the planet but alas
Drahkn
Profile Joined June 2021
194 Posts
Last Edited: 2024-07-21 11:12:26
July 21 2024 11:12 GMT
#72
imData
Profile Joined February 2013
France32 Posts
July 23 2024 11:49 GMT
#73
For me HotS was the best in terms of chills. It was the time I really was into the competitive scene. I arrived at the very end of WoL so I didn't really lived it. And I lost interest for the game in LotV.

But in terms of level and "wow" it's definitely LotV by far. Even the worst players in Katowice today would roll over the best players in Blizzcon from peak HotS era. Just because of the absurd step-up in mechanics.
Husyelt
Profile Blog Joined May 2020
United States837 Posts
July 25 2024 05:20 GMT
#74
On July 21 2024 12:10 Cricketer12 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 21 2024 11:13 Husyelt wrote:
LotV and its not even close, anyone saying otherwise is cope

WoL was so bad for so long, HotS was finally beginning to become ok, but LotV is the best for balance and game variation / playstyles.

edit and when i say WoL was so bad, i mean its still the greatest game of all time

Considering the poll asked what was entertaining, a metric that is subjective by nature, to call a different opinion cope might be reddit level stupidity.

yeah i shit post deal with it

opinions are wrong, sorry. LotV has the most fluid gameplay and offers the most playstyles.
You're getting cynical and that won't do I'd throw the rose tint back on the exploded view
Cricketer12
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States13990 Posts
July 25 2024 16:45 GMT
#75
On July 25 2024 14:20 Husyelt wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 21 2024 12:10 Cricketer12 wrote:
On July 21 2024 11:13 Husyelt wrote:
LotV and its not even close, anyone saying otherwise is cope

WoL was so bad for so long, HotS was finally beginning to become ok, but LotV is the best for balance and game variation / playstyles.

edit and when i say WoL was so bad, i mean its still the greatest game of all time

Considering the poll asked what was entertaining, a metric that is subjective by nature, to call a different opinion cope might be reddit level stupidity.

yeah i shit post deal with it

opinions are wrong, sorry. LotV has the most fluid gameplay and offers the most playstyles.

Don't cut yourself on all that edge.
Chain 1 Arthalion Chain 2 Urgula Chain 3 Mululu Chain 4 Lukias
Husyelt
Profile Blog Joined May 2020
United States837 Posts
July 28 2024 03:28 GMT
#76
On July 26 2024 01:45 Cricketer12 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 25 2024 14:20 Husyelt wrote:
On July 21 2024 12:10 Cricketer12 wrote:
On July 21 2024 11:13 Husyelt wrote:
LotV and its not even close, anyone saying otherwise is cope

WoL was so bad for so long, HotS was finally beginning to become ok, but LotV is the best for balance and game variation / playstyles.

edit and when i say WoL was so bad, i mean its still the greatest game of all time

Considering the poll asked what was entertaining, a metric that is subjective by nature, to call a different opinion cope might be reddit level stupidity.

yeah i shit post deal with it

opinions are wrong, sorry. LotV has the most fluid gameplay and offers the most playstyles.

Don't cut yourself on all that edge.

garbage response do better. shitposting has rules, rules Cricketer

this is TL.net, the most hallowed of all StarCraft forums, you need to pair your "edge" comment (frankly overdone), with something tangible.

The only thing Hots has going for it was the higher number of top pros at the time. Other than that they all were playing in primitive playstyles on a primitive expansion pack.
You're getting cynical and that won't do I'd throw the rose tint back on the exploded view
BonitiilloO
Profile Joined June 2013
Dominican Republic627 Posts
July 28 2024 05:09 GMT
#77
WOL
How may help u?
RPR_Tempest
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
Australia7798 Posts
Last Edited: 2024-07-28 10:27:15
July 28 2024 10:24 GMT
#78
WoL and it genuinely isn't even close. The only time it got bad was towards the end of 2012 as we got closer to HotS and BL/Infestor had been around for ages at that point. But the scene was still so, so active and crazy that it easily made up for it.

HotS was probably the most fun to play once they ironed stuff out and got rid of the broken stuff. I also wouldn't begrudge anyone for picking it because Proleague was around at that time and while there were some bad metas like swarmhost stuff, blink stalkers, etc, they never stuck around long enough to be truly awful.

LotV just kind of...doesn't really offer anything? I guess it's the fastest and probably has the most interesting games on average, but that's just in a vacuum without any context.
Soundwave, Zerg player from Canberra, Australia. @SoundwaveSC
Comedy
Profile Joined March 2016
465 Posts
July 29 2024 07:08 GMT
#79
On July 04 2024 22:21 dysenterymd wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 04 2024 22:13 Fango wrote:
HotS did, but not necessarily because the game was always in the best state. We just had a much bigger scene, and Proleague was always the most entertaining Starcraft tournament. Plus the larger WCS circuit, Blizzcon etc

100%, even though HotS had multiple metas that were a complete mess (mainly Swarmhosts and hellbats being the main culprits, though early 2014 TvP was also miserable), everything besides the meta itself was so much more exciting. By the second half of 2015 the HotS meta was pretty good though (I never minded the mine-out mech games, but maybe I'm in the minority there), wouldn't have minded if it lasted a little longer.

The game itself has been in its best state since 2020 though, sad that that coincided with the scene shrinking so much. Proleague in this gamestate would be amazing.


hots towards the end was awful. Sentries + Blink + mothership core mechanic was a disaster for the game in pvz
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