[M] Freakling's map thread: New maps

(2)Tar Basin [96x96] (beta)
Current Version: 1.00 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)

Additional info:

• dark swarms at the island expansion are functional
  
• the narrow ramps to the NW plateau are only passable by small units (they block Lurkers, Ultras, Defilers, Goons, Archons, Reavers and all factory units)
  
• backdoor ramp to the nat is blocked by 32x0 minerals

Concept: The limited space of 96x96 maps makes nat-to-nat distance a major concern. The placement of the naturals as far away from each other as possible, in the corners, as well as the multiple paths, around and across a strategic central plateau, alleviate this problem. The unusual structure semi-island elements allow for the placement of relatively many expansions on limited space, such maintaining strategic depth and the capability to support a longer macro game.

Map title: alludes to the basin-like structure of the terrain as well as the tar pool at the SE corner

Deco theme: desert basin, surrounded by hills

(2)Blood & Iron [128x96] (finished)
Current Version: 3.01 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)

Additional info:

• the creep in the SE sector is permanent and will only start deteriorating when a nearby Hatchery or creep colony is destroyed
  
• Zerg can build colonies at two spots of the creep to spread it and help to establish a contain with further sunkens (one can only place sunkens around the mineral only expo, however, and not actually sunken rush your opponent this way)
  
• scarabs can hit the workers from behind the 9 and 12 expos, but no other units can pass without the help of drops or worker pushing
  
• to help with the worker splits, workers for the NE main will initally spawn to the right of the spawn point.

Concept: This map was originally developed for a BWMN competition that called for this kind of two-player map symmetry, but has undergone some heavy changes since then. This symmetry allows the usage of the otherwise rather impractical Structure terrain, and the basic structure of the map is defined by the requirements this kind of terrain makes. Those ramps are rather narrow and easily blocked with even single units, which is why I decided to make them unwallable and put most of the building space in the nat instead of, as usual, the main

Map title: derived from the 1862 "blood and iron" speech by Otto von Bismarck, Prussian Minister President at the time and later first German Reichkanzler (Imperial Chancelor), who was known not only as a skill full diplomat but also for his cunning war politics. The title is depicted at the map by the contrast between the rather metallic, artificial upper left and the more natural, organic lower bottom sections.

Deco theme: contrast between blood (organic/natural: mud, dirt, creep, skeletons) and iron (artificial: structure and asphalt)

(2)Oxide [128x112] (tournament grade)
Current Version: 1.04 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] +
+ Show Spoiler [History of use] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Download from Broodwarmaps.net (observer version [STL1 version])

Additional info:

• the long vertical edges from platform to rusty pit act as ramps
  
• the egg at the nat entrance allows for ling-tight wallins with any building.

Concept: The main focus here is to make good use of the rather unusual rusty pit terrain, which makes up the backbone structure of this map, resulting in a maze of ramps, ridges and valleys that makes positioning very important when picking a fight.

Map title: what else would one call a map that's so rusty?

Deco theme: a decaying industrial wasteland

(3)Incidence [128x128] (finished)
Current Version: 1.01 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)

Additional info:

• destructibles have 2000 hitpoints each, do not regenerate and cannot be repaired
  
• destructibles are placed on top of vision blockers, such that they appear as a solid wall as long as they are up and make for a more strategic battlefield once they have been torn down.
  
• the outer neutral expansions are also surrounded by vision blockers

Concept: My basic idea here was to design a map, that offered the multiple symmetry and interesting dynamic battlefield of maps like Arcanoid, but would still allow for more standard games by starting out as a real ground map.

Map title: An incidence describes the likelihood for something to happen. And there are some very unusual things going to happen if one plays this map.

Deco theme: A tundra fortress

(3)Architexture [128x128] (beta)
Current Version: 1.01 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)

Additional info:

• the central geyser has 10000 gas in it.
  
• black ore: the central expansion contains two and each mineral only one "infinite" (50000) mineral patch, so this map can practically never be completely mined out.

Concept: a 3 kingdoms kind of map with each player's starting section of the map being comprised of a set of distinct terrain types, giving each one a its unique appearance. The 3 sections are divided by wide ridges, that prevent the low ground section from having a distinct positional disadvantage.

Map title: a portmanteau of architecture and texture.

Deco theme: fractals

: (4)Roadkill [128x128] (tournament grade)
Current Version: 1.04 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Download from Broodwarmaps.net (observer version [compressed for faster hosting])

Additional info:

• nothing that wouldn't be apparent from the picture really

Concept: A very standard map, blending different elements from such maps as Icarus, Jade and Byzantium (Shades of Twilight would probably be another good pointof reference). The most unusual feature are the mains, which are not int the corners as on most maps.

Map title: If calling a map Roadkill and putting one of those huge skeletons in the middle of it doesn't sound like fun, I don't know what does.

Deco theme: a graveyard of skeletons by the road in the midst of some grassland.

: (4)Shadowplay [128x128] (beta)
Current Version: 1.01 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)

Additional info:

• the sunken ground the makes up the middle is considered low ground by the SC engine, just like the surrounding terrain, so this map is in fact, although the appearance may deceive this at first glance, totally flat

Concept: A straight forward macro map, that abstains from any unusual conceptual features in favour of innovative terrain work.

Map title: The shadows play on this map, and you will play it in the shadow...

Deco theme: some uneasy, cloud-like shades

(4)Atlantis [128x128] (beta)
Current Version: 0.99 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (preliminary melee version)

Additional info:

• though this map is definitely unusual, the picture should suffice to give you the full impression.

Concept: Featuring a rather unusual layout for a four-player map, this map is a remake of (4)Venezia by Protoss4Ever, nowadays probably better known as Superouman (maker of the SC2 map (2)Cloud Kingdom).

Map title: Referring to Plato's legendary sunken city of Atlantis, obviously.

Deco theme: ancient city ruins

(4)Tenebra [128x128] (beta)
Current Version: 0.99 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)

Additional info:

• most of the centre is covered in a grid of vision blockers, severely limiting the vision range for all ground units (similar to (3)Demon's Forest, but without the movement impairment/bugs)
  
• the small ramps to the neutral gas expansions do not allow large units to pass (Lurkers, Ultras, Defilers, Goons, Archons, Reavers and all factory units)
  
• the wide ramps to the neutral gas expansions are blocked for all units but scarabs by 2500 HP (slowly regenerating, but not repairable) destructibles

Concept: The central idea was, to push the use of vision blockers to its extreme

Map title: Tenebra means darkness in Italian and Latin. The word is derived from the Tenebrae, who, in Roman mythology, are the equivalent of the greek Keres, the minor deities of such nice things as fate, discord, death and doom.

Deco theme: Crater landscape

(4)Voidrim [128x128] (beta)
Current Version: 1.02* + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)

Additional info:

• the long vertical edges between the rusty pit and platform terrains act as ramps

Concept: A map I made in cooperation with CrystalDrag (layout is mine, deco for the most part his), melding different aspects of such maps as (2)Oxide, (4)DeserTec, (4)Grand Line, (4)Ground Zero or (4)Circuit Breaker into a new whole.

Map title: Think of a space station at the brink of an infinity of empty space...

Deco theme: derelict space station

: (4)In the Way of an Eddy [128x128] (finished)
Current Version: 1.00 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Download from Broodwarmaps.net (observer version [compressed and fog of war free for easy hosting])

Additional info:

• the island expansions are blocked by 700HP destructibles (in theory repairable, but who'd want to do that?)
  
• the ground-accessible neutral gas expansions heave geysers reduced to 3000

Concept: A fairly basic axially symmetric macro map, overlain by a rotational distortion pattern.

Map title: An Eddy is a swirly disturbance, just like the one applied to the centre of this map. The title could mean, that this map is designed in the manner of an Eddy, or simply imply, that it just happened to be in the way, when the Eddy happened... For now it's just a working title, anyways.

Deco theme: Besides the pretty obvious Eddy, which is part of the maps underlying structure, non really yet. But the Eddy will be further accentuated by the deco, of course.

: (4)ChemLab [128x128] (tournament grade)
Current Version: 1.03 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Download from Broodwarmaps.net (observer version [compressed for faster hosting])

Additional info:

• nothing not apparent from the picture…

Concept: Does any one remember (4)Gaia? That map used a rather unusual skewed axis type of mirror symmetry. This map is one of so far three attempts to fathom the unique properties this kind of symmetry offers in a modern map.

Map title: A portmanteau/abreviation of Chemistry Laboratory. The title stems from the deco theme.

Deco theme: Processing plant (bases) and structural formulas of organic compounds (middle)

: (5)Quintessence [128x128] (tournament grade)
Current Version: 1.03 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Download from Broodwarmaps.net (observer version [compressed and fog of war free for easy hosting])

Additional info:

• the generators block the entrance to the mineral only for all units but scarabs and are each stacked 8 times with 2 patches of 4 times stacked 0-mineral patches to allow unit drills
  
• the central expansion has reduced minerals and gas (8x744m+6x496m; 2x2000g)
  
• the top main (teal) has altered worker spawn positions for the initial workers to balance out splits.

Concept: Because of the severely limited space on a normal 128x128 map, there is a pretty strict limit as to what one can reasonably do with a 5 spawn map. There are probably only about a handful or so of feasible basic layouts. One of the more basic ones of them is this one, which is essentially the base layout of (4)Gaema Gowon modified for a modern meta-game.

Map title: According to old greek philosophy, the Quintessence or æther was the fifth element (after fire, water, air and earth) the presumably filled the space and/or formed the celestial bodies. Nowadays the term quintessential is often used to describe completeness and perfection.
Therefore the map title also refers to the general layout of the map (most notably the natural positions), which is strictly geometrically constructed to be the quintessential layout for a 5 spawn map.

Deco theme: I always liked the more rocky aspect of desert terrain, and so on this map I used a lot of dirt, cliffs and stones an only small patches of sand to avoid monotony.

(4)Thin Ice [128x128] (beta)
Current Version: 0.02 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (preliminary melee version)

Additional info:

• the island expansions are blocked with 2 0-mineral blocks each.
  
• there are vision blockers below the minerals of the mineral only expansions, blocking vision between the centre and the worker line
  
• the ice in the centre is the same terrain level as the rest of the map, making this map completely "flat"

Concept: This map already had its own topic on TL. It uses the same symmetry as (4)ChemLab and is above all intended to demonstrate the possibilities of advanced ice terrain editing:
- ice to water blends
- different ice ramps and ramp to dirt transition to minimize use of the infamous "snow" terrain type
- edited bridges and bridge terrain

Map title: This ramp is dominated by an open middle made of ice terrain, so the name fit perfectly.

Deco theme: Ice! Duh!

(3)Hazard Black [128x128] (tournament grade)
Current Version: 1.04 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Download from Broodwarmaps.net (observer version [BWMN Open version])

Additional info:

• this map was one of 6 maps used in last year's BWMN Open tournament
  
• originally the biohazard sign in the centre was visible as bright red outlines on the minimap, but this was removed during the BWMN Open to avoid confusion with enemy units
  
• the open expansions on the plateaus around the centre only have 1000 minerals per patch and 2000 gas per geyser
  
• the backdoor to the natural is blocked by a 2x2 egg matrix that allows only scarabs to move up or down the ramp

Concept: Hard to explain this concept in a few words... It was basically one of those ideas that form in my head when different conceptual features fell in place…

Map title: The Hazard part is an allusion to the Biohazard sign used as decoration in middle of the map, the black part, here's the big surprise, refers to the predominant colour appearance of the ash terrain used.

Deco theme: The kind of hexagonal patterns used for almost all parts of the map are derived from the structure of cells in tissue, giving the map a kind of "organic" look. And then there's a big glowing biohazard sign, made of lava in the middle. Not that you miss that, because it's more badass than the misshapen "Python" on Python ;-)

(4)DeserTec [128x128] (tournament grade)
Current Version: 1.02 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Download from Broodwarmaps.net (observer version (BWMN Open version))

Additional info:

• this map was one of 6 maps used in last year's BWMN Open tournament and subsequently was added to the iCCup map pack
  
• units on the pylon field areas are under cover, giving them a ~50% chance to dodge ranged attacks. For those interested, I wrote a detailed article about this effect, as well as the implementation of vision blockers in BW, on BWMN.
  
• the expansions at the top and bottom edge have geysers reduced to 2496 gas.

Concept: I made this map to demonstrate the possibilities of cover terrain areas on a map as well as test their effects on gameplay and racial balance (in short, they turn out along the line of T>P and Z>T). Another unusual aspect about this map's layout is that I used a simple axial symmetry as a basis, but then superimposed a ripple-like distortion pattern on it to give it a unique appearance.

Map title: DeserTec is the name of a proposed European large-scale project to put solar power plants into the Sahara. In the context of this map it refers to the "Tec" aspect of it, which is the "Force Field" mechanic.

Deco theme: Force Fields

: (3)Vårens Töväder [128x128] (tournament grade)
Current Version: 1.03 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Download from Broodwarmaps.net (observer version [compressed and fog of war free for easy hosting])
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +

: (4)Pyrolysis [128x128] (finished)
Current Version: 3.02 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Download from Broodwarmaps.net (observer version)
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +

: (4)Shízì [128x128] (finished)
Current Version: 1.00 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +

: (3)Inner Coven [128x128] (beta)
Current Version: 0.90 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (preliminary melee version)
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +

: (5)Boron [128x128] (alpha)
Current Version: 0.00

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (preliminary melee version)
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +

: (4)Everflow [128x128] (finished)
Current Version: 2.06 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Download from Broodwarmaps.net (observer version)
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +

: (2)High Road [128x96] (beta)
Newest Version: 0.90 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (preliminary melee version)
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +

: (4)Dies Iræ [128x128] (beta)
Current Version: 0.90 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (preliminary melee version)
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +

: (3)Demonio Azul [128x128] (tournament grade)
Current Version: 2.02

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +

: (4)Atlantis [128x128] (beta)
Current Version: 0.99 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (preliminary melee version)
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +

: (4)Melting Pot [128x128] (finished)
Newest Version: 1.04 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version [BWMN Open version])
Download from Broodwarmaps.net (observer version [BWMN Open version])
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +

: (4)Lilac Unicorns [128x128] (finished)
Current Version: 2.02 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +

(8)Times of Splendour [128x128] (tournament grade)
Current Version: 1.01 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)

Additional info:

• top bases have altered worker spawn positions. The initial workers will spawn on top of the the spawn point, to balance worker splits for those positions.

Concept: Another cooperation with CrystalDrag, who had told me that he was looking for teamplay maps for the upcoming StarServer. So I made this one. My goal was to make something that is more interesting to play on and has better positional balance than Hunters. This layout is roughly based on Crystal's map (8)Versailles (don't look for it, it's no longer available anywhere). He also helped out with the deco and a lot of the detailwork.

Map title: There are an album and song called "Back to Times of Splendor" by German metal band Disillusion; I just liked the title.

Deco theme: Just the finest of Twilight terrain that we could pull off.

(8)Arachnid [128x128] (tournament grade)
Current Version: 1.01 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (melee version)

Additional info:

• the centre base can both be taken by just one player or act as a shared base for two allies.
  
• The top bases have altered worker spawn positions. The initial workers will spawn on top of the the spawn point, to balance worker splits for those positions.

Concept: Another teamplay map for StarServer. I was up late, reading some wikipedia articles about spiders, saw this photo of a garden spider from below (+ Show Spoiler +) and thought "nice map"...
CrystalDrag helped out with decoration on this one yet again.

Map title: Arachnids are a class of arthropods, containing such animals as spiders, scorpions, mites, ticks or harvestmen. The term is derived from the greek word for spider, ἀράχνη.

Deco theme: inspired by spiderwebs and spider anatomy.

(8)Rise and Ruin [128x128] (alpha)
Current Version: 0.01 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (preliminary melee version)

Additional info:

• top base hay altered worker spawn positions. The initial workers will spawn on top of the the spawn point to balance worker splits for that location.
  
• tanks in the mains cannot reach any vital buildings or workers in the adjacent natural, nor can they cover most of the choke.

Concept: Another draft for a 8 spawn concept. I tried to keep things as basic as possible.

Map title: Picked for the alliteration…

Deco theme: not much deco yet…

: (6)Tectonic Ridge [128x128] (alpha)
Current Version: 0.03 + Show Spoiler [Changelog] + + Show Spoiler [Pending updates] +

Download from Broodwarmaps.net (preliminary melee version)
Additional info:

+ Show Spoiler [Notes and Background Information] +