Blizzard has finally revealed the upcoming new map pools for SC2 online game. The new map pool will only be expected to be released together during the SC2 season 3 update. As usual, Blizzard has divided the SC2 maps into 3 major categories namely 1: rush map 2: normal map and 3: macro maps. Basically the name says it all. This time around Blizzard has introduced a couple of new maps for 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 and 4v4 games. However before any new maps are released to the online gaming map pool, Blizzard has to first ensures that the new maps are perfectly balanced. This is always understandable to prevent any race from being overpowered in any specific map or race favouring maps. New maps always has to be tested by the majority before the official launches.
Its been ages since the last time Blizzard has updated the SC2 online game map pool and the current map pool has started to become very boring and stale. Blizzard has a weird policy of very unlikely to use maps from GSLs such as the impressive Crevasse, Terminus, Crossfire etc and even ICCUP maps. These are actually great maps and majority of the players wishes that these maps are added into the current map pool.
Lets take a look at the new maps. These maps are currently labelled as Test maps so there is no actual confirmation that these maps will be the final version and as well as the map names.
1v1 Maps
Our goal for the 1v1 ladder map pool is to have the most competitive, balanced maps across three main categories. We want to have a good mix of maps that give a lot of variety which, in combination with our veto system, should empower each player to customize their map list to best fit their individual playstyle.
4 Gate Warp Prism - PvT Secret Tactic
4 Gate Warp Prism build is a totally aggressive all in strategy for the Protoss vs Terran SC2 matchup that had been performing very well currently. This 4 Gate Warp Prism is a refined version of a normal 4 Gate build using Warp Prism, a very seldom used unit. Warp Prism is actually a very good unit with the ability to transport and warp in unit to haress mineral lines and fast reinforcement. The cost of Warp Prism which only requires 200 minerals blends perfectly into the Protoss arsenal where most Protoss units are Gas intensive.
Alejandrisha, a very good Protoss player from Teamliquid has done a perfect job of making this build known to everyone. So all credits of this build goes to Alejandrisha from US, Whitera and whoever first created this build which is always unknown.
Lets take a look at the 4 Gate Warp Prism build. First of all, this is a cheese build where you are only getting 20 workers in total, 16 minerals, 3 gas and 1 for scouting which is similiar to the standard 4 gate build. This build works best on maps such as Metalopolis, Shattered Temple and Scrap Station with extremely close by air position. This allows the slow Warp Prism to travel easily and start to warp in more units.
Lets take a look at the 4 Gate Warp Prism build. First of all, this is a cheese build where you are only getting 20 workers in total, 16 minerals, 3 gas and 1 for scouting which is similiar to the standard 4 gate build. This build works best on maps such as Metalopolis, Shattered Temple and Scrap Station with extremely close by air position. This allows the slow Warp Prism to travel easily and start to warp in more units.
6 Pool Opening- Zerg vs Protoss Strategy on Tel' Darim Altar
6 Pool openings of Zerg is one of the most often used build order cheese at the Starcraft 2 online game lower ladders such as Bronze and Silver League. Players in these leagues are not so good compared to their higher league brothers and are less experienced in the Starcraft 2 game itself. With lesser understandings and weak macro and micro capabilities, these players tend to resort to all in strategies such as 6 pooling on every map.6 Pool is the most proclaimed form of cheese in Starcraft 2. It either fails or wins you the game against the unsuspecting opponent. At times, even when they have scouted your cheese, failing to react in time can often can cost them the game as well.
FFE Is The Most Used Protoss Build on Tel Darim Altar
Lets take a look at Tel' Darim Altar. The most common Protoss build on this map is a Forge Fast Expand or FFE, with Pylon, Forge, Nexus, Gateway and Core walling the front of the natural. This is the most commonly used Protoss build order due to the ease of defending the natural and the main base together. Thus, nearly all high level SC2 PvZ on Tel'Darim Altar involves the Protoss player getting their Nexus expansion very early in the game, and even earlier than the Zerg player.
Zerg player do not generally go for a 15 Hatchery on this map due to the ability of Protoss to just Cannon rush the Zerg player with 3 Pylons to block the choke between the natural and the main. Thus, Zergs are often forced to get an earlier Spawning Pool, thus, leading to a slower natural expansion compared to the Protoss. To counter this, Zerg mostly grabs their second expansion very early in the game. The reason behind this, is when Protoss are going for a FFE, they lacks the ability to create any form of pressure to the Zerg player. Thus, Zerg can safely Drone up and expand earlier than normal.
FFE Is The Most Used Protoss Build on Tel Darim Altar
Lets take a look at Tel' Darim Altar. The most common Protoss build on this map is a Forge Fast Expand or FFE, with Pylon, Forge, Nexus, Gateway and Core walling the front of the natural. This is the most commonly used Protoss build order due to the ease of defending the natural and the main base together. Thus, nearly all high level SC2 PvZ on Tel'Darim Altar involves the Protoss player getting their Nexus expansion very early in the game, and even earlier than the Zerg player.
Zerg player do not generally go for a 15 Hatchery on this map due to the ability of Protoss to just Cannon rush the Zerg player with 3 Pylons to block the choke between the natural and the main. Thus, Zergs are often forced to get an earlier Spawning Pool, thus, leading to a slower natural expansion compared to the Protoss. To counter this, Zerg mostly grabs their second expansion very early in the game. The reason behind this, is when Protoss are going for a FFE, they lacks the ability to create any form of pressure to the Zerg player. Thus, Zerg can safely Drone up and expand earlier than normal.
GSL July Code A Brackets
The matchup for GSL July Code A has been released. Enjoy!! Starcraft 2 online game awesomeness to the next level.
LiquidHuk Wins Dreamhack Summer 2011
LIQUIDHUK WINS DREAMHACK!!!
The Canadian Starcraft 2 Protoss professional gamer finally did it. LiquidHuk wins Dreamhack Summer 2011 after going an incredible impressive 16-1 record going into the finals. Huk is hungry for a championship after a very long time that seems to be ages since his last trophy in MLG which is months ago. Finally Huk reclaimed the crown once again in the extremely competitive Dreamhack Summer Tournament against the top players from US, Europe and Koreans. Chris Loranger, the famous Canadian Protoss has spend months with his unending training in South Korea competing in the GSL tournament. Having doing extremely well in GSL and with code S status going into GSL July, Huk is the only foreigner left in Code S. Huk is a training machine and had been seen streaming and training in the Korean SC ladder for up to 12 hours a day which is even more than the Korean pro gamers. Huk's hardwork and insane training schedule has finally paid off.
Setting an impressive day 1 and 2 victory in his group stages with an undefeated 5-0 record, Huk enters the Round of 16 confidently in his strong playstyle. During his group stages, Huk defeated Moon in a very impressive and extremely nail biting game 1 where Huk showed the world his impressive micro and multitasking facing Moon's Mutalisk and Zergling haress. A very long 30+ minutes game where the game ended with Huk around 16 Probes against around 9 Drones from Moon. Huk proceeded to take out Moon easily with fast Dark Templars against the unexpected Moon in game 2.
The Canadian Starcraft 2 Protoss professional gamer finally did it. LiquidHuk wins Dreamhack Summer 2011 after going an incredible impressive 16-1 record going into the finals. Huk is hungry for a championship after a very long time that seems to be ages since his last trophy in MLG which is months ago. Finally Huk reclaimed the crown once again in the extremely competitive Dreamhack Summer Tournament against the top players from US, Europe and Koreans. Chris Loranger, the famous Canadian Protoss has spend months with his unending training in South Korea competing in the GSL tournament. Having doing extremely well in GSL and with code S status going into GSL July, Huk is the only foreigner left in Code S. Huk is a training machine and had been seen streaming and training in the Korean SC ladder for up to 12 hours a day which is even more than the Korean pro gamers. Huk's hardwork and insane training schedule has finally paid off.
GSL July Code S Group
The Group Selection for Starcraft 2 GSL July Code S has been released. Players are picked and selected by the top 8 players from GSL rank standings who are each being placed into different groups. 32 Code S players are being divided into 8 different groups where players will be battling each other to remain in the Code S status and moving into the next round.
GomTV has announces a new format for GSL July onwards where there will be 1 day of Code A, 2 days of Code S and 2 days of GSTL (Global Starcraft Team League). The GSTL format has been changed. 12 teams will be competing instead of 8 teams previously. The GSTL tournament will be running over 3 months of exciting matches between top Starcraft 2 teams.
GSL Super Tournament Results
GSL Super Tournament Finals Result
PoltPrime.we wins GSL Super Tournament after defeating Slayers_MMA in the finals with a very one sided result of 4-0. This is another very disappointing GSL finals where it was very one side. From the previous GSL, Nestea took down oGsInca 4-0 as well and the previous where MVP took down MKP easily. This is probably the curse of the GSL Finals. Who knows. Everyone was expecting a very close and exciting matchup. However in the end, it ended with a 4-0 result. MMA failed to repeat his success after taking down MLG Columbus two weeks ago with ease. Polt will be taking back a very handsome and fat $100,000 paycheck. Congratulations to PoltPrime.we for his superior run in the GSL Super Tournament.
PoltPrime.We vs Slayers_MMA
4-0
PoltPrime.We vs Slayers_MMA
4-0
Terran 2v2 Mass Hellion Strategy
Mass Hellions strategy is probably the most common and effectively Starcraft 2v2 team game strategy used by Terrans. Hellions are one of the most efficient in terms of costs which is only 100 minerals with an extremely short build time of 30 in game seconds. With the help of a Reactor, you will be able to train 2 Hellions at a time. Massing Hellions is extremely easy and effective early in the game. Once Blue Flame upgrade is done, they deal insane amount of damage to Light units.
If you have been playing 2v2 SC2 online games, you will be coming across a lot of Terran and Zerg 2v2 team combination. Take note, the Terran and Zerg team is probably the best combo in the current 2v2 team game scene. This is mainly due to both of the races ability to pump out and mass units very early in the game. Zerglings are very cheap and effective. Hellions and Marines are very economical and cost efficient. Together they deal insane amount of damage early in the game. Very often, 2v2 games last only 10 minutes in game time and seldom beyond that. Rushes and massing up cheap units is the most commonly deployed 2v2 tactics and strategy.
mc girlfriend
During the recent MLG Columbus, EGIdra, Greg Fields, The Gracken has revealed to the world his girl friend Katie from Toronto, Canada. Video game fans are always wondering what does professional gamers girlfriends will look like. It seems that time has change from the old perspective where professional video games and online game players are nerds spending all their time in front of the computer screen playing games everyday. Another perception of professional gamers are they either do not have girl friends or not a looker.
PvT 20 Food 1 Gate Fast Expo
Going fast expo as a Protoss player against Terran opponents can be a daunting task a majority of the time. Protoss players generally do not start with a 16 Nexus fast expo in the PvT matchup due to the huge risk involved as Terran players can generally exploit the weakness of Protoss early game by doing a well time two / three Barracks timing push. The double Barracks push with a Reactor and Tech Lab push is a very common strategy by Terrans and in fact probably the most common Terran strategy in the TvP matchup. Once the Terran has put some pressure at the Protoss player, Terran can generally expand safely behind the pressure.
As a Protoss player, it is generally safer to go for a 1 Gate expansion. Do take not on the maps when pulling this 1 Gate expansion. You generally want to go for a fast expansion on larger maps such as Tel Darim Altar, Shakuras Pleateau, cross spawn locations on maps such as Metalopolis etc. Starting with a 1 Gate expansion in close position can be very risky and unforgiving.
Why is going for a fast expansion as a Protoss in PvT is risky. The main weakness of Protoss is its weakness in chasing out the scouting SCV early in the game. SCV can outrun Zealots for centuries. Thus, Protoss has to wait for the first Stalker to deal with the souting SCV. The SCV can generally gather lots of information at the early stage by scouting the Protoss build order. First thing will always be the number of Assimilators taken by Protoss. This will reveal a huge information to the Protoss tech path.
In the current metagame of PvT, more Terrans are opting for a 1 Barracks Expansion build. If you are doing a 2 Gate Robo or 3 Gate expand, you will generally be very behind if you fail to apply any pressure to the Terran player. Doing a 1 Gate 30 food expansion is very common nowadays. However, LiquidHuk has been performing a new variation of 1 Gate expansion on 20 food. The initial version of Huk involves pulling Probes off gas after mining 50 gas and focusing in minerals for a fast expansion at 20 food. The new version gathers 100 gas.
As a Protoss player, it is generally safer to go for a 1 Gate expansion. Do take not on the maps when pulling this 1 Gate expansion. You generally want to go for a fast expansion on larger maps such as Tel Darim Altar, Shakuras Pleateau, cross spawn locations on maps such as Metalopolis etc. Starting with a 1 Gate expansion in close position can be very risky and unforgiving.
Why is going for a fast expansion as a Protoss in PvT is risky. The main weakness of Protoss is its weakness in chasing out the scouting SCV early in the game. SCV can outrun Zealots for centuries. Thus, Protoss has to wait for the first Stalker to deal with the souting SCV. The SCV can generally gather lots of information at the early stage by scouting the Protoss build order. First thing will always be the number of Assimilators taken by Protoss. This will reveal a huge information to the Protoss tech path.
In the current metagame of PvT, more Terrans are opting for a 1 Barracks Expansion build. If you are doing a 2 Gate Robo or 3 Gate expand, you will generally be very behind if you fail to apply any pressure to the Terran player. Doing a 1 Gate 30 food expansion is very common nowadays. However, LiquidHuk has been performing a new variation of 1 Gate expansion on 20 food. The initial version of Huk involves pulling Probes off gas after mining 50 gas and focusing in minerals for a fast expansion at 20 food. The new version gathers 100 gas.
Heart of The Swarm- Starcraft 2 Expansion
Heart of The Swarm will be the expansion for the all time popular top online game Starcraft 2 series. Following the very sucessful SC2: Wings of Liberty release, Blizzard has just revealed some details of SC2: Heart of the Swarm. Following from where the story is left out in Wings of Liberty, Heart of the Swarm will be focusing on Sarah Kerrigan and her Zerg legions as oppose to previous Jim Raynor in WOL. Gamers will be experiencing a new experience through this 20 mission single player mode in the quest of regaining Sarah Kerrigan's attempt to rebuilt the Zerg swarm.
If you can still remember the ending of Wings of Liberty where Sarah Kerrigan is seen carried off by Jim Raynor in a human form at the end of the single player campaign, however, Kerrigan is retaining some of her Queen of Blades power. Since her absence at the throne of the swarm, some Zerg brood mothers are attempting to take over her control and it is her job to reclaim her throne.
If you can still remember the ending of Wings of Liberty where Sarah Kerrigan is seen carried off by Jim Raynor in a human form at the end of the single player campaign, however, Kerrigan is retaining some of her Queen of Blades power. Since her absence at the throne of the swarm, some Zerg brood mothers are attempting to take over her control and it is her job to reclaim her throne.
Anyone Interested to Write about SC2?
Hi guys. I am wondering is there anyone of you wishes to write about Starcraft 2. Be it strategies, build orders, your thoughts on the current SC2 scene, team games or whatever related to SC2. I will be glad if anyone wishes to share their knowledge to the SC2 online game community. If you are interested just shoot me an email at covetousrat@hotmail.com. You will be fully credited for your article post.
I wish to get more of your response in what you are most interested in me writing in the future. I am currently running a bit dry on ideas and wondering what you guys want to read.
Cheers.
I wish to get more of your response in what you are most interested in me writing in the future. I am currently running a bit dry on ideas and wondering what you guys want to read.
Cheers.
MLG Columbus 2011 Report- Full of Surprises and Turn of Events
Slayers_MMA wins MLG (Major Gaming League) Columbus 2011 after taking down IMLosira in a very epic match series in the Grand Finals. MMA, often deemed the son of Boxer, showed an impressive performance throughout the whole MLG weekend. Taking his group D in an undefeated record fashion without losing a match in the whole tournament, MMA continue to showed impressive games defeating some of the best SC2 players like EGIdra, IMLosira twice, ST_July, Sjow and Sheth. Slayers_Boxer, the Emperor of Starcraft will definitely be proud of MMA's performance within and outside of Korea SC2 tournaments. MMA continued to show the world why is he the most promising and upcoming Terran with superior micro, impressive tactics and multitasking abilities.
The most surprising event during the whole of MLG Columbus will definitely be what occurred to EGIdra. During Day 1 Idra showed the world why is he the best Zerg in the North American server by taking his Group of Death with a 5-1 record and placing first in the group. The Group of Death is coined because of the number of incredible high level SC2 players within the group itself such as oGsMC, Select, LiquidTyler, Thorzain and LiquidRet. The Gracken took down oGsMC in the group stages with a promising 2-0 record ending on top of the group with the only match loss to Thorzain.
4 Koreans were invited to the MLG Columbus 2011, IMLosira, Slayers_MMA, oGsMC (replacing ST_Bomber who missed his flight) and finally the ST_July. In the end, three of the Koreans took the top 3 placings in MLG Columbus. This showed that, the Korean SC2 professional gamers are still on top in the game.
During the closing of the Group pool stages, four players namely Naniwa (returning MLG Champion is looking to defend his title), EGIdra (The best Zerg in US), Slayers_MMA and IMLosira were placed into the winners group Semifinals. IMLosira defeated Naniwa with one of the most convincing fashion by showing the SC2 world a new strategy of staying low tier, while massing Roaches and Zerglings for a very long time. Losira only gets the Lair upgrade very late into the game during his match against Naniwa on Shakuras Plateau. Losira continue to impress the fans with creative strategies where he has previously revolutionize the PvZ matchup with his Losira Roach and Zergling timing push and even the introduction of using Banelings in the PvZ matchup which is unheard of before.
The most surprising event during the whole of MLG Columbus will definitely be what occurred to EGIdra. During Day 1 Idra showed the world why is he the best Zerg in the North American server by taking his Group of Death with a 5-1 record and placing first in the group. The Group of Death is coined because of the number of incredible high level SC2 players within the group itself such as oGsMC, Select, LiquidTyler, Thorzain and LiquidRet. The Gracken took down oGsMC in the group stages with a promising 2-0 record ending on top of the group with the only match loss to Thorzain.4 Koreans were invited to the MLG Columbus 2011, IMLosira, Slayers_MMA, oGsMC (replacing ST_Bomber who missed his flight) and finally the ST_July. In the end, three of the Koreans took the top 3 placings in MLG Columbus. This showed that, the Korean SC2 professional gamers are still on top in the game.
During the closing of the Group pool stages, four players namely Naniwa (returning MLG Champion is looking to defend his title), EGIdra (The best Zerg in US), Slayers_MMA and IMLosira were placed into the winners group Semifinals. IMLosira defeated Naniwa with one of the most convincing fashion by showing the SC2 world a new strategy of staying low tier, while massing Roaches and Zerglings for a very long time. Losira only gets the Lair upgrade very late into the game during his match against Naniwa on Shakuras Plateau. Losira continue to impress the fans with creative strategies where he has previously revolutionize the PvZ matchup with his Losira Roach and Zergling timing push and even the introduction of using Banelings in the PvZ matchup which is unheard of before.
Females of Starcraft 2
This post will be dedicated to the females of Starcraft 2 game. Often times, in a male dominated online game such as SC 2, or even any other games from MMORPG (Massive Multi Player Role Playing Game) like World of Warcraft, Ragnarok Online, Prius Online, DOTA, Heroes of Newerth, the females gamers and players will probably get the most attention and limelight by the viewers and fans. Female gamers tend to stand out most in this male dominated scene. I will be picking 3 top females in the current Starcraft 2 scene.
Kim Ga Yeon
To top the list is non other than the 'Empress' of Starcraft. She is probably the most famous celebrity in Starcraft since the Brood war era. Ga Yeon is a celebrity actress in Korea. She has previously appeared in many Korean dramas. Ga Yeon is 'The Emperor', Slayers_Boxer's (Lim Yo Hwan) girlfriend. Boxer, the Emperor is the most successful gamer of all time and has gained fame and popularity in the esports industry that no one can match. Without this man, we will not be having eSports today. His contribution to the gaming arena is uncountable and often considered the father of eSports. Making Starcraft into what it was today, Boxer has always been considered a legend. Millions of his fans from Korea and around the world cheered when he first announced that The Emperor will be back into pro gaming scene of Starcraft 2.
Kim Ga Yeon
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