Blizzard is fixing PvP next patch!!

Blizzard is considering fixing the Starcraft 2 Protoss vs Protoss matchup in the next upcoming patch. Currently, most PvP matches in high level and even in low leagues involves around the usage of 4 Gating. This is the most used strategy in the PvP matchup and often regarded as one of the best in this matchup. Why is 4 gating so strong in PvP? This is due to Protoss mechanics, of warping in units within a Pylon. This greatly changes the Protoss race compared to Starcraft 1. With warpGate technology, Protoss players will be able to warp units anywhere around the map with just a Pylon built.

Using a 3 Gate to defend a 4 Gate is near impossible but it could be done. A Gate Robo Gate opening is most likely a free win or walk over for the 4 gating player. Thus, often times, Protoss players are forced to pigeonholed into 4 Gate build.Currently, people got so good in defending a 4 gate push. 4 Gate is still being used by not as much compared to previously.


Another aspect why Blizzard is thinking of televised games of PvP matches is just kind of sad. Take for example the GSL where a majority of the PvPs involves 4 Gates and last less than 10 minutes. This is probably bad publicity for the game and is deemed unfun by the general.


I have to admit I am kinda sad when I am faced with a Protoss player. I hate the PvP matchup and is deem the worst matchup in Starcraft 2. The matchup itself is very very fragile. A small tiny mistake can often cost the game. Sometimes the game will be determined by a build order; 'Build order loss'. PvP is like a rock -scissor-paper currently with a Robo>Council>Stargate>Robo build. The better player will not always win a PvP match. Even a lot of professional Protoss players are not really comfortable with this matchup.

Blizzards solution to this problem is increasing the Warpgate research time. This will probably affects the other matchups. Thus, Blizzard will balance this with reducing the unit build time from Gateways. Warped in units cool down will remain the same. Below is a statement made by Blizzard.

I will not come into any conclusion on the changes until the patch is out and test can be done. It is still too early to comment on this. For the time being, lets continue to 4 Gate our way in PvPs Starcraft 2 online game battle.net. Lets hope Blizzard finds the perfect solution for PvP.

Hello to you, Protoss players. I am coming with a gift of information that some of you may find interesting!

We have been looking into the 4gate issue and our designers have played with a lot of different fixes and changes, even those that were not strictly numbers related. While strong, 4gate is a lesser problem in other matchups, but we recognize that PvP is a different story.

Just throwing a nerf bat at warpgates would make protoss weak in early game. This is why we are currently looking at increasing warpgate research time, while at the same time compensating for it with reducing build time of protoss tier 1-1.5 units (though build times reduced only for gateways, cooldowns will stay the same for warpgates). This is an example of a fix you may see, but our developers plan to explore further options, before the patch officially hits.

We will address 4gate in the next patch.