• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 14:36
CET 20:36
KST 04:36
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book9Clem wins HomeStory Cup 289HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview13Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info7herO wins SC2 All-Star Invitational14
Community News
PIG STY FESTIVAL 7.0! (19 Feb - 1 Mar)9Weekly Cups (Jan 26-Feb 1): herO, Clem, ByuN, Classic win2RSL Season 4 announced for March-April7Weekly Cups (Jan 19-25): Bunny, Trigger, MaxPax win3Weekly Cups (Jan 12-18): herO, MaxPax, Solar win0
StarCraft 2
General
Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book How do you think the 5.0.15 balance patch (Oct 2025) for StarCraft II has affected the game? Clem wins HomeStory Cup 28 HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview
Tourneys
PIG STY FESTIVAL 7.0! (19 Feb - 1 Mar) WardiTV Mondays $21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament $5,000 WardiTV Winter Championship 2026
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ? [A] Starcraft Sound Mod
External Content
Mutation # 512 Overclocked The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 511 Temple of Rebirth Mutation # 510 Safety Violation
Brood War
General
Gypsy to Korea BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ [ASL21] Potential Map Candidates BW General Discussion Liquipedia.net NEEDS editors for Brood War
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 1 Small VOD Thread 2.0 KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Strategy
Zealot bombing is no longer popular? Simple Questions, Simple Answers Current Meta Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2
Other Games
General Games
ZeroSpace Megathread Diablo 2 thread Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread EVE Corporation Nintendo Switch Thread
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread YouTube Thread The Games Industry And ATVI Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club! The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Play, Watch, Drink: Esports …
TrAiDoS
My 2025 Magic: The Gathering…
DARKING
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
How do archons sleep?
8882
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1310 users

Carrier Micro

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 HotS
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 31 32 33 Next All
NonY
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
8751 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-09-16 22:15:14
September 16 2012 20:21 GMT
#1
This video shows and explains carrier micro in BW and contrasts it with a lack of micro in SC2. I argue for implementing the BW carrier mechanics in HOTS beta.



On September 17 2012 06:15 thedeadhaji wrote:
There's a bunch of differences between BW and SC2 Carrier micro details that you listed out, and I'm wondering in what order would you personally like to have "returned" to its former state?

Here are the ones I can recall:

1. Target switching in leash zone
2. Able to self select / target interceptors
3. Continuous deployment of interceptors while moving

Also, the movement pattern of the interceptors seem quite different between BW and SC2, which would affect the "death rate" and "dps rate" of interceptors I imagine.

Target switching in leash zone is the most important.

Being able to target individual interceptors is probably the lowest. That's really just meant to make carriers more difficult to use but it is kind of luck based and not the smoothest way to balance them. Enemies don't really want to do that either. A-move will always be the best method of killing interceptors (aside from possibly with abilities).

Continuous deployment of interceptors while moving I think is really really cool but is the easiest thing to classify as a buggy behavior. I hope we can get it though because it takes so much attention and skill to use effectively. It is very strong but becomes incredibly difficult to do as soon as your opponent forces action in two places at once. So the players are countering each other by doing increasingly difficult strategies and that is AWESOME. The protoss player got the carriers knowing they'll be sufficiently effective ONLY IF he can pull off this micro. The enemy's response is not to bang his head against this really strong micro but rather to split the protoss's attention, punishing him for having tunnel vision on his carriers. Someone is gonna make a mistake and miscalculate and that's how the game should be decided.

If the continuous deployment of interceptors ISN'T in the game, then interceptor healing is pretty much just a straight buff. There isn't really any tension if both things aren't in the game.

All these mechanics sort of tie in to each other. A lot of times the continuous deployment of interceptors isn't used for long stretches, but rather for very short stretches, like in a single battle when the carriers want to pull really far back for a moment and then go right back in. If they don't have continuous deployment of interceptors, they get significantly punished for leaving battles even for a split second. So in such a case, it's basically the same as target switching but with a very short retreat between targets.

Related note: If there isn't continuous deployment, then you are significantly punishing the carrier user for leaving leash range. And when that wasn't a mistake, but rather a "tactical retreat", then the carrier starts to feel like a shitty unit again. If the carrier was too strong, I wouldn't want to see it balanced that way because it's just making it a frustrating unit.
"Fucking up is part of it. If you can't fail, you have to always win. And I don't think you can always win." Elliott Smith ---------- Yet no sudden rage darkened his face, and his eyes were calm as they studied her. Then he smiled. 'Witness.'
Risljaninasim
Profile Joined July 2011
Netherlands228 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-09-16 20:25:56
September 16 2012 20:24 GMT
#2
Thank you for this Tyler. Yay for Tyler.
;;
levikus
Profile Joined April 2011
Germany19 Posts
September 16 2012 20:25 GMT
#3
nice insight, thank you!
nehl
Profile Joined November 2010
Germany270 Posts
September 16 2012 20:28 GMT
#4
if the carrier could be microed it would possibly be pretty good since it has suck a high dps.
actually i wonder in the first play why blizard has not yet implemented that?
AxiR
Profile Joined October 2010
Germany944 Posts
September 16 2012 20:28 GMT
#5
I think Blizzard is hesitating to implement the "old" carrier because it would overlap a little bit with role of the tempest.
Warpath
Profile Joined April 2010
Canada1242 Posts
September 16 2012 20:30 GMT
#6
I actually didn't know exactly what carrier micro was beyond staying in leash range and TvP is the only thing i play in BW.. this explains so much...
Alryk
Profile Blog Joined November 2011
United States2718 Posts
September 16 2012 20:31 GMT
#7
Definitely worth watching thank you! Good idea imo...
Team Liquid, IM, ViOlet!
Lazzi
Profile Joined June 2011
Switzerland1923 Posts
September 16 2012 20:33 GMT
#8
Someone link that to Dustin Browder.
It's good to be back
Ero-Sennin
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States756 Posts
September 16 2012 20:38 GMT
#9
Well, now they can't say, "No one has sufficiently explained why we should change the carrier."
Luck makes talent look like genius.
StorrZerg
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States13919 Posts
September 16 2012 20:38 GMT
#10
Thank you Tyler <3
Back behind this 100%
Hwaseung Oz fan for life. Swing out, always swing out.
Stratos
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Czech Republic6104 Posts
September 16 2012 20:38 GMT
#11
Awesome post, although I don't really follow SC2 at all I appreciate your effort to fight for these changes which might make the game more attractive. I don't see it coming given the directions the development has been taking so far but it's great that there's someone like you out there fighting
En Taro Violet
fenrysk
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
United States364 Posts
September 16 2012 20:38 GMT
#12
i wish i had something useful to contribute, but all i can do is compliment how cool of a job you've done through this video in show the difference between the powerful micro-bility of BW carriers vs current WoL carriers.

It definitely would be more fun for spectators to see more stargate play in protoss matchups, and i'm sure more protoss players would have more fun playing air-toss styles
http://fenrysk-art.deviantart.com
StorrZerg
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States13919 Posts
September 16 2012 20:39 GMT
#13
On September 17 2012 05:28 AxiR wrote:
I think Blizzard is hesitating to implement the "old" carrier because it would overlap a little bit with role of the tempest.


Tempest wasn't around in wol though so thats a poor excuess. Tempest might not be needed if the carrier gets its old feel back, and im ok with that.
Hwaseung Oz fan for life. Swing out, always swing out.
Aerisky
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States12129 Posts
September 16 2012 20:40 GMT
#14
Thank you so much for this

Amazing, thanks for making this, and yes a hundred times over. Implementing BW Carrier mechanics in HoTS beta would spice of the game like you wouldn't believe. I will never forget those crazy-ass carrier micro moments.
Jim while Johnny had had had had had had had; had had had had the better effect on the teacher.
Render
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
United States249 Posts
September 16 2012 20:40 GMT
#15
Agreeeeeeeeeeee. Thank you for showing these in perfect juxtaposition.
Rose my color is and white, pretty mouth and green my eyes.
neobowman
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada3324 Posts
September 16 2012 20:41 GMT
#16
YES! I've always wanted to talk about it but I couldn't figure out how to put it in words.
osmanic
Profile Joined June 2009
Germany200 Posts
September 16 2012 20:42 GMT
#17
hey man thats a really nice video, you should do a thread on the battle.net beta discussion
twitch.tv/manicx90 <- my master toss stream
Omri
Profile Joined September 2011
Israel638 Posts
September 16 2012 20:43 GMT
#18
Thank you for taking the time to make this video Tyler, I agree and hope Blizzard takes notice (:
miScythe
Profile Joined November 2011
Norway16 Posts
September 16 2012 20:46 GMT
#19
Wow. Wow, wow, wow. This is so cool. Would LOVE to see this kind of micro in Starcraft II. I'm all for experimenting with this in the beta. Blizzard should really watch this video, Carriers will be so much fun to see in pro-games..!

Thanks for this awesome insight, Tyler.
Liquid'NonY for president!
Chairman Ray
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
United States11903 Posts
September 16 2012 20:46 GMT
#20
Quite insightful, I didn't even know about that carrier micro
1 2 3 4 5 31 32 33 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Monday Night Weeklies
17:00
#39
RotterdaM908
TKL 487
IndyStarCraft 303
SteadfastSC166
BRAT_OK 122
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Grubby 4077
RotterdaM 908
TKL 473
IndyStarCraft 310
SteadfastSC 179
BRAT_OK 122
UpATreeSC 114
MaxPax 98
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 2685
EffOrt 434
Mini 428
Hyuk 193
ggaemo 136
Bonyth 107
Soulkey 104
hero 67
Mong 47
Aegong 28
[ Show more ]
Shuttle 24
soO 18
Dota 2
qojqva2145
420jenkins476
League of Legends
C9.Mang0118
Counter-Strike
fl0m1846
ptr_tv90
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu399
Other Games
FrodaN2560
Beastyqt864
ArmadaUGS191
Mew2King86
Hui .74
Trikslyr57
MindelVK5
Organizations
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 19 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• kabyraGe 172
• Shameless 8
• Reevou 4
• Kozan
• sooper7s
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Migwel
• intothetv
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• IndyKCrew
StarCraft: Brood War
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV533
• lizZardDota257
League of Legends
• imaqtpie2239
• TFBlade1357
• Shiphtur500
• Stunt407
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
4h 24m
Sparkling Tuna Cup
14h 24m
LiuLi Cup
15h 24m
Reynor vs Creator
Maru vs Lambo
PiGosaur Monday
1d 5h
Replay Cast
1d 13h
LiuLi Cup
1d 15h
Clem vs Rogue
SHIN vs Cyan
The PondCast
2 days
KCM Race Survival
2 days
LiuLi Cup
2 days
Scarlett vs TriGGeR
ByuN vs herO
Replay Cast
3 days
[ Show More ]
Online Event
3 days
LiuLi Cup
3 days
Serral vs Zoun
Cure vs Classic
RSL Revival
4 days
RSL Revival
4 days
LiuLi Cup
4 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
4 days
RSL Revival
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
LiuLi Cup
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
LiuLi Cup
6 days
Wardi Open
6 days
Monday Night Weeklies
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

CSL 2025 WINTER (S19)
Rongyi Cup S3
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Nations Cup 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S1: W8
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
RSL Revival: Season 4
WardiTV Winter 2026
LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
FISSURE Playground #3
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League Season 23
ESL Pro League Season 23
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.