Starbow - Page 159

- Vipers can not Consume creep tumors
- Corsair dmg adjusted so it deals proper damage vs all armor classes. (Earlier it did too much vs everything due to a bug)
- Ultralisks now properly gain +3 damage per attack upgrade
- Tons of small bug fixes for stuff who have been reported.

- Stimpack build time reduced from 154 to 124 seconds.
- Firebat attack cooldown reduced from 1.87 to 1.47 (They attack faster)
- Matrix energy cost reduced from 75 to 50
- Reaper bomb damage reduced from 60 vs all + 60 vs structures, to 60 vs all + 20 vs structures
- Vikings in fighter mode are more agile while attacking. (Does no longer stand still for 2 sec while shooting)
- Landed Vikings damage increased from 12 to 14.

- Burrow now requires Lair. Cost reduced from 100/100 to 50/50.
- Baneling starting movement speed increased from 2.14 to 2.24. (Still has the same speed value when upgraded. )
- Creep tumors energy cost reduced from 25 to 15.
- Ensnare missile moves faster.
- Scourge life reduced from 35 to 25.
- Scourge overkill increased from 0.15 seconds to 0.25 seconds. (They are now more likely to overkill, if not microed)

As mentioned in earlier patch notes, we look a lot at the balance of BW as a general guideline for Starbow. In TvZ in BW, Bio pushes were able to take map control much easier, and apply pressure vs Zerg. This is harder in Starbow due to the threat of burrowed early Banelings, and Bio overall being weaker, both in stats and maybe in production.

Now Stimpack BT and Firebat damage is closer to correct BW values, which intends to help making Bio stronger. We also reduced the casting cost of Matrix, to encourage the use of it, which helps us to evaluate how well it fits into the game.

Reaper is IMO a fun addition to the early stages of the game. Its upgrade intends to make Reapers viable even in the mid-game, and gives Terran a harassment tool who can pick off static defence and other targets via hit-and-run attacks. But mass Reapers are problematic, especially vs Z. For now we just reduced the bomb damage vs structures, which would better allow Spine crawlers to fend them off. Other adjustments for Reapers might come soon.

Flying Vikings are now more agile in the air, and should feel more fun to micro. Its discussed if Vikings overall are worth to invest into or not, partly because they are quite weak in ground mode. A small damage buff on its ground weapon might help to improve its usefulness both as support in combat and as harassment unit.

Burrow can not be researched on Hatchery tech, which should enable more early Bio pressure. In return, Banelings are slightly faster from start, which intends to still make them useful as early defence/pressure, mainly in ZvT and ZvZ.

Zerg can still only build one Queen per Hatchery. This makes energy mangement more important, aswell as the decisions involved in how to use the Queen energy. Since Creep spread is weaker in Sbow, compared to SC2, we think a small reduction in energy cost for Creep tumors is justified.

We are aware that all casting costs for spells in SC2 and BW are increased or decreased by 25. (25, 50, 75,100,125 etc) We aim to not break classic Starcraft-rules, but sometimes we make exceptions, if there are gameplay advantages gained from it. Currently Chrono Boost, Overcharge, Inject and now Creep tumors cost 15 energy, since that encourages more APM usage.

Scourge life is now brought back to its BW values, to better maintain the relationship vs Corsairs. They are also now less efficient if not microed. There are two ways to go here:
- Make units be shit if not microed, but good if microed. (Punish players for not doing micro)
- Make units be good if not microed, but great if microed. (Encourage players to do good micro)

Overall, units who benefits a lot from micro is much more fun to play with and watch. In case of Scourges, its easier to follow the BW approach - Zerg players with good Scourge control will benefit a lot in combats, compared to a Zerg players who just A-moves his Scourges. (And gets "punished" by overkilling many on the same enemy air unit)

There are surely many more things to look at. I will try to cover some topics here, and as always, you are all welcome to share your thoughts and feedback on the matter.

Unlimited selection & Smart cast, and the effect it has on units.
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A gift from Blizzard?
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Ladder?
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Things in the game that might be rebalanced/redesigned or removed:
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What about the test map?
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We constantly aim to get more maps into the map pool. Big shoutout to Meerel and leZaeL who currently helps out a lot of improving the current maps, aswell as creating new ones!