TPW Rusty Cage
- by Johanaz

Published EU & NA
-latest version published as Rusty Cage RE - EU only

Named after the song by Soundgarden in particular as performed by Johnny Cash.

Overview:

Playable bounds: 154x154

16 bases
2 watchtowers.
All spawns enabled.

1+2 axis rotational symmetry* + Show Spoiler [*] +

I have wanted to make a map with this type of symmetry for some time now. I have seen it previously used in Antiga Shipyard, Lawinenbahn by JackyPrime and Artemis by Icetoad.
The concept is such that mains/naturals are copied-rotated 4 times and the center only twice (one axis rotational symmetry). Only Lawinenbahn went beyond the center and included 3rds to the one axis rotation. I wanted to go all-in and perfect this concept, because if done right, it provides 4 very different spawn patterns:

Spawn patterns:

close horizontal
close vertical
cross 4 vs 10 o'clock
cross 1 vs 7 o'clock

Each should make for different expansion patterns and dynamics. Sounds too good to be true? It probably is; if you place a 3rd right in the middle between 2 positions, it's gonna be a bit too far away or the close positions will be too close. Whatever. I am still hoping I can hit the sweet spot where nat2nat is 36 seconds (game time) and 3rds 18 seconds away. I know 3rds are better 12-15 seconds from nat, but I will test and test to see what people think about it.

Angled view:
+ Show Spoiler +

Analyzer (outdated):
+ Show Spoiler +

Screenshots:
+ Show Spoiler +

Previous version:
+ Show Spoiler +

Overview:

Angled view:
+ Show Spoiler +

Replays:
+ Show Spoiler +

Rusty Cage - ZvT - Protosser vs DLMredBullX

neobowman

Canada3324 Posts

January 30 2012 14:38 GMT

Love the positional variety. Great map.

ihasaKAROT

Netherlands4730 Posts

January 30 2012 15:05 GMT

Its slightly too choked , it looks open at a first glance, but analyzer tells me its just slightly too choky. You have some 'dead space' you can use to open it up a little.

edit: ok im confusing myself now , im not sure anymore

Johanaz

Denmark363 Posts

January 30 2012 15:26 GMT

I plan on submitting this to MotM February, so I have about a week to test it as much as I can and fix issues as they arise. Can´t wait for the players to tell me: "3rds are too far away you fool!"

Randomaccount#77123

United States5003 Posts

January 30 2012 15:30 GMT

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Randomaccount#77123

United States5003 Posts

January 30 2012 15:39 GMT

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Johanaz

Denmark363 Posts

January 30 2012 15:48 GMT

On January 31 2012 00:30 Barrin wrote:

Have you considered doing something like this?

+ Show Spoiler +

Thanks Barrin, good point. I will try and make some adjustments. Especially the 4 center ramps could be 4x instead of 3x.
With regards to the 6/12 o'clock bases - I tried to make them wallable with like 3 barracks+1 depot or equivalent, but maybe that was unnescessary.

3 & o'clock bases could definitely have 2x ramps instead of 3x.

CaptainCrush

United States785 Posts

January 30 2012 15:58 GMT

I think this actually looks pretty good, aesthetically and with regards to overall design. I know you already mentioned it, but the 3rd could be a tad closer. I dont really mind the 3 ramps on the nat though.

Johanaz

Denmark363 Posts

February 06 2012 13:14 GMT

Update:

Implemented changes suggested by Barrin <3
Updated OP with fresh screens

I ran a few test games Friday. I managed to setup one game with my main man master terran, DLMredBullX versus finnish GM Zerg, Protosser, who had some valuable feedback:

I like how it's so big...
but, not sure if it's a too big advantage for zerg, especially in cross positions.
...if it's cross position..., then it's pretty wide open.
- Im not sure what I think about the 3rd, -it's pretty hard for protoss and terran to take in my opinion
and easier for zerg because of the size of the map.

Here's the replay; plz check it out and let me know what you think about those 3rds.

Rusty Cage - ZvT - Protosser vs DLMredBullX

Mentor

Germany219 Posts

February 06 2012 14:19 GMT

#10

I like this map very much.
One has multiple eypansion patterns which is always great for versatility and the overall balance.
There are alot of tight chokes and ramps which is good for T and P, but there are also alot of paths that Z can exploit to counter and surround the opponent.

Johanaz

Denmark363 Posts

February 09 2012 15:55 GMT

#11

Thanks guys

Latest version published EU & NA.

Any and all feedback is highly appreciated before I submit it to MotM.

EatThePath

United States3943 Posts

February 09 2012 18:24 GMT

#12

On January 31 2012 00:39 Barrin wrote:

Show nested quote +

I was actually going to say this myself, but in terms of "gravity" it is quite perfect.

The distance between 12/6 or 3/9 thirds is quite far, especially on ground.

Furthermore, it is an important link in the chain to help you connect to the (VERY HEAVY / DESIRABLE) untaken main/nat on your side of the map.

Distances/weight(desirability) is more than reasonable on this map in terms of the third. Don't listen to whoever tells you that.

Yeah, also in the more distant case (horizontal adjacent spawns requiring you to go vertical for your 3rd), it totally works because the 3rd is sooo far removed from the opponent and you can defend the closer route by camping outside your natural. Which makes it like daybreak but moreso, with better intervening routes.

Best shifted symmetry map so far, very nice Johanaz. ;D

edit: oh I just read the comments and saw you updated with some changes from barrin. lol good job team.

On January 31 2012 00:48 Johanaz wrote:

Show nested quote +

spot on. =]

Johanaz

Denmark363 Posts

February 12 2012 11:02 GMT

#13

<3 EatThePath

I have been getting a lot of PMs asking how to achieve that rusty texture look:

+ Show Spoiler +

Here is the recipe: First apply basis texture, in my case Mar Sara Panels. Then apply Avernus Panels between the lines using a small brush. Lastly top it off with Agria Dirt Rough, more or less depending on how rusty you want it.

Johanaz

Denmark363 Posts

February 15 2012 14:49 GMT

#14

Update!

I have replaced all images in OP with the latest version (as submitted to MotM).

Also, added TPW tag, thanks to the team.

Latest version up on EU & NA.

ihasaKAROT

Netherlands4730 Posts

February 15 2012 15:33 GMT

#15

Name from the Chris Cornell song by any chance?

G_Wen

Canada525 Posts

February 15 2012 15:42 GMT

#16

The concept here is beyond awesome.

Johanaz

Denmark363 Posts

February 15 2012 17:40 GMT

#17

On January 30 2012 23:38 neobowman wrote:
Love the positional variety. Great map.

On February 16 2012 00:42 G_Wen wrote:
The concept here is beyond awesome.

Wow! Big words from the big fish! ESV ftw!
Thanks guys

@Karot: yeah Rusty Cage by Chris Cornell, added links in the OP :p

ihasaKAROT

Netherlands4730 Posts

February 16 2012 10:31 GMT

#18

On February 16 2012 02:40 Johanaz wrote:

Show nested quote +

Wow! Big words from the big fish! ESV ftw!
Thanks guys

@Karot: yeah Rusty Cage by Chris Cornell, added links in the OP :p

Did I say I loved you already? Cus I do

Johanaz

Denmark363 Posts

March 18 2012 23:25 GMT

#19

MotM February finalist bump!

Here are some of my thoughts concerning protoss:
+ Show Spoiler +

For FFE you can wall off your natural from ramp to nexus with 2 buildings:

- or you can wall off the natural choke with 3 buildings:

The low ground 3rds can be walled off as well with 3 buildings:

The rocks can be taken down to open up when it's time to take your 4th:

Maybe I am dangerously close to a Dustin Browder award for using balance rocks but I like how they work with a protoss-unfriendly 3rd. I'd love to see some more replays