Starcraft 2 Tips and Guide will be looking at the use of map Vetos in you games for today's series on How to Improve in Starcraft 2. Map Vetos or often known as map preference, which is a very essential tool for every Starcraft 2 players. In general players are allowed to veto a total of 3 maps from the map pool which will not be played during your battle.net games. If your aim and goal is totally just to win your matches whether to climb the ranking fast or just looking for more wins, it is advisable for you to close down your weakest 3 maps. These maps can involves maps that are not favorable to your own race or due to map sizes and backdoor entrance.
It it best to accomodate the maps to your own personal playstyle. For example, most players are not a big fan of Steppes of War due to its miniature size. However, if you are one of those players favoring a one base all in strategy, this map is very suitable for you.
Lets look into the current 1v1 solo maps. A total of 8 maps are currently available on the solo battle.net maps devided into a 2 players maps or 4 players maps.
2 Players Map
These maps generally has only two spawning locations for you and your opponent. You will always know your opponent's spawning location from the individual map itself. Due to this fact, strategies such as proxy Gateways, Cannon rushes, 6 Pool Zerglings, 7 Roach Rush, Marines with Scvs all in (Bit by Bit strategy)
are often considered the more successful strategies except probably Scrap Station for its long travel distance between bases.
1. Blistering Sands
Generally Blistering Sands gives a huge advantage to the attacker and the aggressive players. With the introduction of a back door entrance on this maps, thus creating two different entrances once the rocks had been taken down, the defending player will not gain any defender advantage. Hence, strategies such as 3 Rax bio by the Terran, 4 Gates by the Protoss and Aggressive Ling/Roach works very well here. If you are more towards a passive playing style where macro is your game, it is most advisable to close this map.
2. Scrap Station
A long travel distance between the bases with a short air range. Often times, this is deemed to be the ultimate Zerg map as they are given a free expansion early in the game. The long travel distance gives the Zerg player enough time to prepare ahead for any rushes. It is possible for Protoss and Terran to get an Early expansion however, due to the huge and wide base entrance, a mistake here can often costs you the game. Pay attention to the back door rocks at your expansion as well. Air strategy plays is prevalent on this map. Units such as Banshees, Phoenix and Void Rays and Mutas are often used to abuse the short air distance. A recommended Zerg map.
3. Steppes of War
The smallest map ever seen on Starcraft 2. You can probably fit 4 Steppes of War on a Shakuras Plateau. I am not joking here. Insanely short distance between bases which often times makes early rushes scary. Due to its tiny size, the game itself often ends when each player has an average of two bases. Very limited time to prepare for any opponent's offense. Least favorite map of all time but an all time favorite for cheesy players.
4. Xel'naga Caverns
Generally one of the best and well balanced two player map. A very strategically designed map and often played by every race.
5. Jungle Basin (Which seemed to be removed from the map pool currently)
Often considered a Protoss and Terran favored map. Zerg in general has a tough time securing a third base on this map. A two basing strategy from Protoss and Terran is at the strongest here. Protoss has the ability to warp in their units to opponent's expansion easily.
4 Player Maps
On a 4 player maps, players spawn at a random location except Shakuras Plateau where players can only spawn on the opposite side of the map. 3 types of distance is possible; close spawn location, close by air or far distance location.
5. Delta Quardrant
Not a favorite map by most players due to its design. An expansion behind each player's base with destructible debris can be found. An easy expansion but hard to defend. Often times the high ledge near this expansion can create a problem which often been the target of drops such as Siege Tanks or Colossus plays. Players in general expand outside their base closer to their opponent.
6. Lost Temple
A decent map in design overall. However, Lost Temple often favors the Terran player as the ledge on the expansion will be the target of Terran drops. We have seen strategies such as Siege Tanks with Missile Turrets against a Zerg player proves to be devastating. On the other hand, more players from different races are currently exploiting this as well from the use of Nydus Wurms with Hydras and Warp Prism Stalker drops.
7. Metapolis
A preferred map by most players. However, the wide area at the natural expansion can be a disadvantage often times for the defending player.
8. Shakuras Plateau
The largest and lastest map introduced by Blizzard. Shakuras immense size fits similarly towards the previous Starcraft one macro playstyle. Thus, we often seen and play longer games on this map in general. A map for those macro oriented style players. We will be seeing more maps like this in the future, such as the new map pool in the current Starcraft Test server and GSL as well.
Overall, It is best to only pick maps that are most compatible with your own personal play style and strategy choosing maps that you have the highest winning percentage. Getting familiar with only 5 out of the 8 maps can be an easier job here. However, do not forgo the training task for the leftover maps as well.
Cheers.
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