Sun Jul 04 UPDATE:
2-player version:
Encouraged by this thread, i decided to make a 2-player version of this map, with the requirements given in the OP.
+ Show Spoiler [Pictures] +
Overview:
![[image loading]](http://www.abload.de/img/bc22ig1p.jpg)
Frontal View:
![[image loading]](http://www.abload.de/img/bc22frontwh8k.jpg)
Top half closeup:
![[image loading]](http://www.abload.de/img/bc22top6ci2.jpg)
Bottomn half closeup:
![[image loading]](http://www.abload.de/img/bc22bottomzfux.jpg)
Comment: I made these mapchanges only to try and keep up with the requirements given in the map challenge.
The gap between the semi-island bases is 14 hexes, making siege unable to shoot across it.
The ledge behind the natural is not accessible by ground until the semi-islands minerals are mined out.
The entrance to the natural expansions is 6 hexes across, making it easy to wall in. A small desctuctible debris is part of this wall and can be destroyed to make the entrance wider.
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4-player version:
Since my first Starcraft 2 map received a lot of positive feedback, I decided to make a 4-player version.
Features:
Start locations: 4
Mining locations: 17
Symmetry: Perfect
Balanced: I think so
Comment:
This time my first priority was balance, looks came second. There are 2 Support Cruisers escorting the Battlecarrier, holding Island expansions, which are blocked by destructible debris. This is done to prevent terrans from flying there too early in the game.
The map has lots of open spaces, but also narrow choke points in critical locations.
Natural expansions are easily defendable. Possible third bases have a cliff with watch towers behind them, which are hidden behind line of sight blockers. The watch towers are also good for scouting if an opponent moves out of his natural or watching your own entrance.
The Viking starting ramps are not accessible. I thought about making the parked Vikings destructible, so players can acces the cliffs with Reapers or Colossi.
Pictures:
+ Show Spoiler [Overview] +
![[image loading]](http://www.abload.de/img/bc2overviewo2jf.jpg)
+ Show Spoiler [Top Down View] +
![[image loading]](http://www.abload.de/img/bc2topdownn1pv.jpg)
+ Show Spoiler [Front] +
![[image loading]](http://www.abload.de/img/bc2front131b.jpg)
+ Show Spoiler [Details] +
![[image loading]](http://www.abload.de/img/bc2detaili11x.jpg)
+ Show Spoiler [Answers to questions in this thread] +
The name Battlecarrier is intentional.
If you look closely, there are small Vikings parked on the deck, with a starting ramp nearby. This makes it an aircraft carrier, hence the name Battlecarrier.
To anyone complaining about balance issues between races; it's impossible to make a map that is 100% balanced for all races. I tried to make a mix, easily defended 2nd + open 3rd etc.
The destructibles on the islands have only 100 hp, preventing SCVs from removing them in the early game.
The ledge between the bases can not be used to park tanks, it is not accessible (as stated in the OP).
If you look closely, there are small Vikings parked on the deck, with a starting ramp nearby. This makes it an aircraft carrier, hence the name Battlecarrier.
To anyone complaining about balance issues between races; it's impossible to make a map that is 100% balanced for all races. I tried to make a mix, easily defended 2nd + open 3rd etc.
The destructibles on the islands have only 100 hp, preventing SCVs from removing them in the early game.
The ledge between the bases can not be used to park tanks, it is not accessible (as stated in the OP).