EPTQexen's Report on the Best Scouting Protoss Unit
So this question has been asked by many people in the StarCraft community since the early years. Which protoss unit is best for scouting the map? Observers or Scouts ? Today I bring you Qexen's indepth analysis: Scout vs. Observer, A Scouter's Best Choice.
In this report I will be running a series of tests and analysing a large amount of data, I know some of you might say, "Well Qexen, we know you are supposed to use the scout to scout the map, look at the name you dumb shit ass fuck." Well lately many people have been saying that observers are infact better to scout the map with. After reading Qexen's indepth analysis we will know for sure. So without any further ado
Test 1 - Speed
A test was run to compare the speed of the 2 units, the scout came out on top. Here's the data:
LOWER SCORE IS FASTER
Observer
No Upgrade - 39.2 seconds
Upgrade - 26.8 seconds
Scout
No Upgrade - 26.9 seconds
Upgrade - 17.0 seconds
Conclusion:
The observer is extremely slow, and would not be able to scout parts of the map that need to be scouted urgently. When upgraded it finally is able to keep up with the slowest of scouts. With a blazing 17.0 score the scout is probably as fast as a lion or another fast land mammal, but what's important is that it beats the observer by a landslide.
Scout 1-0 Observer
Test 2 - Vision
I then ran a comprehensive test to see which unit could see further. Very interesting results:
Observer
No Upgrade - 6 5/8 Inch
IMG 1.0
![[image loading]](http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w29/Qexen/obvis1.jpg)
Upgrade - 7 1/2 Inch
Scout
No Upgrade - 6 1/8 Inch
IMG 1.1
![[image loading]](http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w29/Qexen/scvis1.jpg)
Upgrade - 7 1/4 Inch
Conclusion:
The observer is able to see quite a bit further before the upgrade(See IMG 1.0, 1.1), after the upgrade they are very close, but the observer edges out the victory.
Joke Time: The observer must be eating his carrots!! LOLOL rofl
Scout 1-1 Observer
Test 3 - Cost
Unit cost is one of the most important things the best StarCraft players think about when determining what units to get. There is a reason you don't see progamers get uselessly expensive units like Carriers and stuff!
Results:
Observer
Robo: 200minerals 200gas (OUCH!)
Observatory: 50minerals 100gas
Observer: 25minerals 75gas
TOTAL: 275 minerals 375gas
Scout
Stargate: 150minerals 150gas
Scout: 275minerals 125gas
TOTAL: 425minerals 275gas
Conclusion:
While the observer is 50 overall resources cheaper, the scout is weighted on minerals, which every good StarCraft player knows are EASY to come by!! The scout takes this round!
Scout 2-1 Observer
Test 4 - Looks
With looks being so important in todays society, nobody wants to get ugly units like Lurkers or SCVs. In this test I used my own opinion of which unit looks cooler and gave them a score out of 200, just like the max amount of food that u can have in a StarCraft game.
IMG 2.0
![[image loading]](http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w29/Qexen/scoblooks.jpg)
Observer
On Map - 150
Profile Picture - 20
Scout
On Map - 140
Profile Picture - 180
Conclusion:
The observer barely wins on the map, because its kinda see through, and I like that. But what's with the Observer profile picture ?? it's just an Observer, it doesn't even show who is flying it, so dumb. The scout looks stylish on the map earning 140 points, and the guy flying it looks like a badass!!!!! +1 Scout.
Scout 3-1 Observer
Test 5 - Other Pro's and Con's
There are a few other factors that players want in a scouting unit so I'm going to do a rapid fire round with 5 things people want in a scouting unit, each round worth 1 point!!
Can this unit destroy nexus'??
Observer - 0 (0)
Scout - 1 (1)
Can this unit see cloaked ghosts nuking ur city??
Observer - 1 (1)
Scout - 0 (1)
Can this unit shoot down queens trying to spawn broodlings on ur reavers??
Observers - 0 (1)
Scout - 1 (2)
Can this unit be seen by tanks??
Observer - 1 (2)
Scout - 0 (2)
Can this unit fly by a turret without dying??
Observer - 0 (2)
Scout - 1 (3)
Conclusion:
Scout wins rapidfire round 3-2, it's pretty clear that a scout has more of what progamers need in a scouting unit.
Scout 4-1 Observer
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So after all my testing and stuff, it's pretty clear that the Scout is without a doubt the best protoss unit to scout the map with, there is no question about it. Anyone who thinks differently just needs to read Qexen's indepth analysis of Scouts vs. Observers; The Best Scouting Protoss Unit, and they will be shown how idiot they are.
Okay, if ur still not convinced I have quotes from some top foreigners to show that scouts are the best scouting unit, and its really dumb to get obs to scout the map.
AriG[autO] (USWest top Australian player): Scouts are the best to scout with
VsT_Dark (AriG[autO]'s other acct): Scouts rock
okay, thanks for your time. I hope you enjoyed my report on Scouts vs. Observers. See you all later.
FEEL FREE TO LINK THIS THREAD ON ANY STRATEGY SECTION U WANT.
-Qexen
