Non-Ladder Melee Maps

A standard style map, Pyroplasm has the normal FFE with a twist -- the collapsible rock placement makes it so that fast expanding is even easier if a person destroys the collapsible rocks down to the first stage. This makes the natural expansion more easily defended early on. Furthermore, air harassment is very viable on this map. Features that carry throughout the map to make it more interesting towards the latter stages of a match are bases at 11 and 5 o'clock that can be harassed from the lowground--LOS blocks makes for some positional play. Finally, the Xel'Naga Towers can be locked down to gain longer available time of use for the XNT's if you break down the collapsible rocks.

First and foremost, the natural is fast expandable--but not easily due to the backdoor. Furthermore, even if a player secures the backdoor, they are not guaranteed defense within their natural due to the presence of a spellcaster drop zone that can hit approximately half of the mineral line at a normal spellcaster range (7) -- and the drop pod can accomodate larger units such as siege tanks (but only 1 at a time) -- as soon as these units lose their air unit for sight and or make themselves accessible to attack by positioning right next to the opening in order to see the mineral line -- they are attackable. Air harass is similarly strong in this area as well as in the area of the third. The third presents a strategic challenge in its defense because an opponent can harass from the air (defensible with static D and/or mobile units), or harass from outside/the lowground with sight from a flyer. Defending this position from a large attack will require vigillance in an approach due to the small size of the choke for defenders which, if used, can result in yoru army arriving in a stream of units rather than altogether -- or go against the full brunt of your opponents army at once on the other side. More intrigue lies in the new (and not-experiment with yet) Xel Naga Heal pad units that grant 10 HP per unit per second over the duration of a unit standing on top of it (to all units). This unit will be great for attacks/retreats and/or stands against a numerically superior force. The center offers some positional play. Long games are not expected on this map, but if it does reach the late game--later bases are not necessarily safe and the half base with a high yield gas is especially dangerous.

A macro oriented map that is a take on one of the beta ladder maps, Galaxy Engine offers unique playstyles and strategies based on where you and your opponent spawn. Spawn positions are not disabled and all possibilities exist. Additional, this map offers a lot of positional play opportunity and should provide exciting matches. Expect soem great terran play at high levels on this map.

Another great addition by lefix, Sand Castles offers us our second macro map of the recommended pool with a standard setup for bases main through third. It is rotationally symmetric and the boundaries of a player's region are pretty viewable. This map truly takes off once the match hits the late game -- with the third and fourth bases offering particular interesting features of length of movements between the defender and attacker as pokes and prods occur. The middle is fairly open. Expect well placed siege lines.

Our only close air position map in the pool currently. Errant flux has many features that encourage interesting games.As already mentioned, early air harassment, attacks, and drops will be highly used on this map. This map seems to highly encourage air based play, as there is an island base and the fourths will be easily attack by air-based armies from behind the mineral lines towards the northeast corner base. There is a half base with a high yield on the high-ground that will be a boon to any player that can seize it (and thereby seize the high-ground) for any ground based armies.

The only 3 player map in our pool, Colosseum offers a flat main choke as well as having the main be on the lowground. This disadvantage is offset by the easily expandable natural on the highground overlooking the choke that has LOS blockers attached (thereby giving a ranged defender the advantage). Run-a-rounds by armies through the various passages could be problematic, but a strong middle Xel'Naga Watchtower minimizes this, allowing lesser players the opportunity to more easily see their opponents movements. This is not guaranteed though. This map is expected to have shorter games and should be considered a rush map

Odd-Eye is one of our other more standardized maps in this lineup. Although the natural is flat, this map highly encourages positional play and flanking maneuvers. The southwest section of the map will be all about high-ground advantage usage while the northeast section will be more about flanking and timed maneuvers. I cannot wait to see games on this map. Furthermore, there is a decent amount of airspace around the naturals and thirds to allow for some airplay and/or harassment. This is one to look for!