after EWC I think it is expected we will experience significant downtime as the tournaments for this year have all run their course as leadup to the World Championship.

My suggestion to spice things up? THROWBACK MAPS

I remember some time ago, maybe like 8 years ago if I had to guess, Blizz did this and brought back a bunch of old maps to the current map pool. I think some could still be good in the modern day!

Daybreak?

Cloud Kingdom?

What do you guys think? Would you want a throwback mappool for a season?

Waxangel

United States33584 Posts

May 11 2025 22:06 GMT

Apparently you don't remember the part where people really, really hated when Blizzard did this after like 3 days

It's a gimmick for a one-off tournament, not the ladder.

Cyro

United Kingdom20326 Posts

May 11 2025 22:59 GMT

It's not a real throwback if you don't bring Metalopolis and Xel'naga Caverns

CicadaSC

United States1899 Posts

May 12 2025 01:31 GMT

On May 12 2025 07:59 Cyro wrote:
It's not a real throwback if you don't bring Metalopolis and Xel'naga Caverns

I actually wouldn't mind this but I think most would

that was before a sort of formula for maps started to be developed and people were still figuring it out.

MJG

United Kingdom1450 Posts

May 12 2025 06:53 GMT

I really liked it last time because I really like smaller maps. I find them more strategically interesting.

But most people didn't like it last time, and it was reverted very quickly.

Probably not a good idea.

Charoisaur

Germany16062 Posts

May 12 2025 09:13 GMT

only if Steppes of War gets brought back

Lucasmus

35 Posts

May 12 2025 11:59 GMT

Or a tournament where every game is played on Steppes of War only.

Charoisaur

Germany16062 Posts

May 12 2025 12:24 GMT

On May 12 2025 20:59 Lucasmus wrote:
Or a tournament where every game is played on Steppes of War only.

Finally no free 3rd bases 4 minutes into the game

DarkPlasmaBall

United States45437 Posts

May 12 2025 12:28 GMT

On May 12 2025 18:13 Charoisaur wrote:
only if Steppes of War gets brought back

Steppes of War is an absolute must!

WombaT

Northern Ireland26505 Posts

May 12 2025 13:50 GMT

#10

The game isn’t Brood War, it’s been consistently changed and balanced around/in parallel with a certain map design in mind.

Reverting to maps that aren’t just on an old patch, but a previous iteration of the game itself, I just don’t see how some of them are even playable.

Oracles with some of the airspace on Metalopolis? How does a Toss do anything on Xel’Naga Caverns? The faction and map design have basically necessitated a natural with a choke for over a decade, no amount of ingenuity is going to work around that problem. 3 gate sentry expand which was pretty standard then would suck anyway economically, but now ravagers exist so you’re not even safe either.

I’m in favour of more funky maps, with extra vetoes if necessary to give some space for experimentation. But I think our talented map makers of today need trusted to do that, rather than just bringing back some old classics.

Elentos

55570 Posts

May 12 2025 14:45 GMT

#11

You could make an argument for maps that have already been on ladder during LotV, but other than that you're just inviting misery. I remember when they brought back Habitation Station in 2017, there was a liberator spot at the 3rd base where you could deny mining and queens couldn't reach it. Other, older maps will be even worse, and they aren't tested for all the new toys that have come since, nor are they ready for the revamped economy.

Luolis

Finland7164 Posts

May 12 2025 18:26 GMT

#12

On May 12 2025 06:14 CicadaSC wrote:
after EWC I think it is expected we will experience significant downtime as the tournaments for this year have all run their course as leadup to the World Championship.

My suggestion to spice things up? THROWBACK MAPS

I remember some time ago, maybe like 8 years ago if I had to guess, Blizz did this and brought back a bunch of old maps to the current map pool. I think some could still be good in the modern day!

Daybreak?

Cloud Kingdom?

What do you guys think? Would you want a throwback mappool for a season?

How about we revert to wol/hots first TT

Waxangel

United States33584 Posts

May 13 2025 00:00 GMT

#13

Seriously speaking, if someone were holding a one-off weekend tournament with old maps, which ones would you pick for maximum entertainment value (balance not considered)?

Personally, I want only pre-Daybreak maps with no close thirds or any of the established present day norms. Entirely non-symmetrical 4 player maps like Metalopolis would be nice

Cygnus

United States850 Posts

May 13 2025 04:49 GMT

#14

On May 13 2025 09:00 Waxangel wrote:
Seriously speaking, if someone were holding a one-off weekend tournament with old maps, which ones would you pick for maximum entertainment value (balance not considered)?

Personally, I want only pre-Daybreak maps with no close thirds or any of the established present day norms. Entirely non-symmetrical 4 player maps like Metalopolis would be nice

One off tourney idea read my mind.

No one said Lost Temple, Scrap Station or the unforgettable Blistering Sands yet so get those on this Tourney that now needs to happen!