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[TSL] Candidate Map Pool
February 9th, 2011 17:28 GMT
The TSL strives to be on the cutting edge of Starcraft 2 progaming in every area, from fair play and sportsmanship to the maps that are used in the tournament. Almost two months have passed since we originally announced the PokerStrategy.com TSL3 and a lot has changed since. We've seen a lot of debate about bringing in fresh maps for tournaments recently, notably since the GSL has opted to use it's own maps rather than rely on Ladder maps.
We have evaluated the current maps on offer and we feel that it is too early to be able to properly assess how each map is going to play out. As such, we have selected the eight maps that we feel will offer the best games for the fans and will continue to evaluate their balance as we learn more about them over the coming weeks. These eight maps are not the final map pool for the TSL, we will only be selecting the five or six best maps from this set of maps.
The main tournament of the TSL will use five or six maps from the following GSL/Blizzard map pool:
We realise how important a strong map pool is for a successful tournament. We don't want to rush into things and pick maps that may turn out to be imbalanced. Instead, we will gather as much information as possible to make an informed decision as to which maps are best suited for the TSL - both in terms of balance and spectator enjoyment. As soon as we reach a decision we will announce the maps that will be used in the tournament. We are announcing the candidate maps now so that players who have already qualified have ample time to prepare for the inclusion of some GSL maps.
We also think it is better for the community if similar maps are used across all major tournaments, and we hope that other tournament organizers will choose to have their map pools overlap somewhat with ours (and the GSL's). With a more unified map pool the players will be able to better focus their practice time and thus produce better games for the fans to enjoy. Obviously, things don't have to be identical, but the more similar the map pool - the better it is for the players and fans.
This TSL is sponsored by PokerStrategy.com, the world's largest poker school and community. With hundreds of Poker VODs and an assortment of learning material in 18 different languages, PokerStrategy.com offers the chance for aspiring Poker players to learn from a beginner to a professional level. Sign up using TL's referral link.
By signing up, you also enter the TSL3 Raffle, where you can win a 5-night trip to South Korea for 2 people to watch StarCraft live in person and tour the oGs-Liquid house.
Discuss with other fans in the TSL3 Forum.
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Wow, great stuff! Always love the change, will make for more macro based games 
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Woot! I'm glad the TSL is using the same new maps as the GSL
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Great call as usual. Couldn't be more hyped for TSL3 by now.
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I like the choices, perhaps besides scrap station (my T bias coming out here). I think its interesting to make such a bold request that other tournaments use the same maps (or overlapping ones at least). Bold, but definitely necessary, and for the better.
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Thanks TL for not letting us down! You made the best decision possible. Banning all the imbalanced maps and putting GSL maps in is just awesome for the spectators (bigger maps = more macro = longer games and less cheese) and the players. The only thing I hope is that Meta won't be in the final pool because of the close positions Ok, you got me, I'm a zerg 
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If you end up using Metalopolis, will you use the GSTL version in which you cannot block the ramp with 2 bunkers?
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Scrap station seems like the weakest selection of the candidates. Also, if you use Metalopolis, you should disable close spawns imo. Looks pretty solid though!
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When Plexa's in charge we can all put our feet up and relax! The best maps will come out I have fulll confi...
Ty btw.
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please
no
scrap station
please
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Nice to see TSL staying up to date!
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Yay for TSL! Wouldn't mind seeing scrap station get taken out though.
I would also like to know if the modified metal will be used.
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I dont agree with the choice of crossfire. When ever i play this map there are a lot of issues regarding mobility, think that this would highly limit the play that we will see.
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Italy11791 Posts
On February 10 2011 02:41 [wh]_ForAlways wrote:
Scrap station seems like the weakest selection of the candidates. Also, if you use Metalopolis, you should disable close spawns imo. Looks pretty solid though!
Yep that would be the best idea. Hate the bloody wide ramp on scrap.
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I have to say I am disappointed to not see any ICCup maps in this pool. Considering that
- ESL now uses some of the ICCup maps, so many of the European players play them already, and
- the GSL players will have a huge practice advantage on the GSL maps,
the GSL players seem to be favored.
This pool forces the foreigners to adapt to the GSL maps, which they would normally not practice on, but does not force the GSL players to practice new maps. Which is kind of unfair.
I definitely agree that there shouldn't be too many different map pools overall, but since ESL already uses ICCup maps and MLG might do so as well (who knows), I don't see a reason to not include at least one of those maps.
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Scrap Station being considered? Really?
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I'd really like to see Iccup maps instead of the GSL ones. I like them a lot more : (
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