Archi - Sacred Step

Published and released on BNet - so just search for Archi - Sacred Step (or just "Archi -" to bring up all my maps)in the SC2 map selection and play!

Download here: http://sc2.curse.com/downloads/sc2-maps/details/archi-sacred-step.aspx

If anyone plays this map I would love to see a replay linked in the replies if possible.

Creation Details
This map is the last map in my little "Psy-Land" Series. In the first map "Psy-Land"

(Here: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=166730)

I had 2 large bridges and tried to have just a touch of fantasy with a hint of Protoss psychic energy in the air. The second "Temple Valley" one

(Here: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=168382)

I pushed for a little more of the hidden or over grown feeling but not so much of that psychic energy in the air, mainly using the trees on the terrain as something tactical. On this one I have gone much more with the psychic energy/fantasy/epic feel. The only real tactical use of trees is as a line of to hide behind and so the map is more back to basics.

Map Pics - Specifics

Size - 128x128

Top Down

Game View

Overview
+ Show Spoiler +

Map Analyzer
+ Show Spoiler +

Spawn

Natural

Third Expansion

Gold Expansion

Expo

5 Cool Map Pic - From before update to map+ Show Spoiler +

Change Log:
-1.2 Swapped third and natural then connected natural to spawn. Ramps to lower platforms have been widened.

Let me know what you guys think of this map and the other maps in the mini series.

Thanks for reading and have a great match

Published and released on BNet - so just search for Archi - Sacred Step (or just "Archi -" to bring up all my maps)in the SC2 map selection and play

Randomaccount#77123

United States5003 Posts

November 12 2010 06:09 GMT

--- Nuked ---

snorlax

United States755 Posts

November 12 2010 06:16 GMT

I really like the artistic work on this map but it looks kind of like super steppes of war to me =/

ForTeEscaPe

United States38 Posts

November 12 2010 07:27 GMT

I like all your map's sceneries, especially this one because it's so bright and it would be nice to play on a bright map, with all those emo maps on sc2 ladder.

dezi

Germany1536 Posts

November 12 2010 10:09 GMT

The rush distance nat 2 nat is even shorter than on steppes of war. This is crazy Oo

Samro225am

Germany982 Posts

November 12 2010 11:13 GMT

i am with dezi here: crazy!

the point is that once you have take your natural you are expanding away from your opponent, no matter what, and decentralize your game while you have to keep your forces at specific points.
this could lead to a static game around the two ramps at the natural and also favour terran. as terran i would go main > nat > fly cc to third @ 9 > probably fly CC to gold in left corner although hard to keep.

therefore i suggest to switch third and nat. and make at least a bigger ramp into nat!

yFot

Sweden41 Posts

November 12 2010 11:55 GMT

Visually, this map is beautiful!

A wider middle, where you extend the middle low ground, while keeping the close distance to the gold would probably make for more extended interesting games. You may have to extend a bridge on the low ground though as a longer path on both ends would probably make it alot harder to defend either path while attacking.

Gonna try it tonight with some friends!

Archivian

United Kingdom362 Posts

November 12 2010 15:48 GMT

To - Samro225am and Dezi

Now I'm looking at it again, I really do see your point. I think your absolutely right.

Here is a shot of the proposed fix. I cant change it too much because the graphics rip, and ruin the map with each change i make and its incredibly hard to fix, i think i have twisted and pulled at the terrain too much in its construction. So this is the most i can change it. (don't mind the rock on the right hand side blocking the ramp as i need to polish before i publish anyways)

BLinD-RawR

ALLEYCAT BLUES50604 Posts

November 12 2010 15:59 GMT

I think you should close up the middle area of the map because to me it seems to me that the map is very claustrophobic that it makes me want to go Mech even against Protoss.

That said this map is absolutely Gorgeous.

Archivian

United Kingdom362 Posts

November 13 2010 00:47 GMT

#10

I've up dated the thread and map.

Natural and third have been swapped and Natural connects to the spawn island.

With each adjustment to the map the terrain tore, so this is the most i could do and fix the tearing before it was just too much. Ramps leading to the 2 lower platforms have also been widened.

New map analyzer pics and relevant map images have also been updated.

Thanks to Samro225am and Dezi for pointing out the issue.

FlaShFTW

United States10271 Posts

November 13 2010 02:39 GMT

#11

one of the most beautiful map ive ever seen. get rid of the rox leading to the gold expansion on the ramp, this will make it harder for the left side to take the let base, and right side to take the right base. other wise, i love the map, but i hate hte double entrances

Meapak_Ziphh

United States6786 Posts

November 13 2010 07:57 GMT

#12

Probably the most visually stunning map I've seen so far. As others have said the natural was a bit awkward but it looks like youve fixed it now.

Steezysn0brdr

United States16 Posts

November 23 2010 18:51 GMT

#13

This map looks like it would lead to some very aggressive, non-turtle play. I like it! However, the fact that there are 2 entrances to your main/nat kinda scares me, as a definite advantage could go to the attacker, when usually the one defending has the advantage. Anyone agree?

Edit: Maybe rocks on the Natural ramp would give more balance, to where the enemy has to break them down before moving straight to your nat.