StarCraft 2 Beta Roll Call & Discussion

[boratika]

God, I really hate the region locking.

One of the main things I dislike about the new b-net.

Hey, at least there's anyone here that you can add :p

[CappinCanuck]

No, but a few new maps came with patch 9. Mostly 2v2 maps.

Ability to play custom maps is supposedly coming with the next patch.

Perfect, my favourite mode!

[Narradisall]

Hey, at least there's anyone here that you can add :p

Yeah, no people, plus you just know all the cool mods and maps will be made i the US. Hopefully bnet will let you get them easy, or those old map sites of SC1 will pop up.

[OrangePulp]

Right now you can play singleplayer custom maps by loading them in the editor, and then doing "preview" or whatever the command is, to launch the map. People actually found a way to play multiplayer customs; it involves everyone replacing one of the maps with the custom map, and then joining the same game on bnet.

[spcialk]

YO! I'm finally in...

Who wants to play?

spcialk.discord

[OrangePulp]

Add me (OrangePulp.pulp) and hit me up in-game sometime. Trying to grind out the Team Beta Crusher achievement (for the Merc Marine portrait, easily the best of the bunch) and it requires 100 total 2v2 wins, so... yeah, can always use more 2v2 partners. I've got 25 or so wins right now, spread out among the races.

[spcialk]

Add me (OrangePulp.pulp) and hit me up in-game sometime. Trying to grind out the Team Beta Crusher achievement (for the Merc Marine portrait, easily the best of the bunch) and it requires 100 total 2v2 wins, so... yeah, can always use more 2v2 partners. I've got 25 or so wins right now, spread out among the races.

I suck. Fair warning :)

[SonofSeth]

I think most of us sucked when we first started playing, but with some practice, watching shoutcasts on Youtube and some good will, you can do good.

If you're interested, I watch these channels: BlizShouter, HDstarcraft, HuskyStarcraft, PsyStarcraft

[OrangePulp]

Heh, when I started playing with Secret, I was carrying him, because he hadn't played before, so it's no big deal. I started in bronze, and now I typically end up around gold; it's really just a matter of putting in the time.

[Hotcod]

got another EU key to give away if any one wants it

[boratika]

The keys don't seem to be regional. I gave mine to ClannerDelta.

[Karmakin]

If they're not regional then I would like a key :)

[CappinCanuck]

Some are, some aren't. When Squidders was giving some away, he had some that weren't region specific and some that were. I guess it depends on the type of key but there's no harm trying :)

[blair]

So, I caved in and preordered. Just got my beta key, the name is blair.cog
I just did my first three games, my first opponent quit after 3 minutes, the second kicked my ass after 20 minutes (did learn a lot though). For my third fight i was able to stall my inevitable demise for about 40 minutes.
Looks like I've got quite some learning to do.

[AgtFox]

Blizzard just announced a July 27th release date worldwide. 29-mission campaign.

[ClannerDelta]

Blizzard just announced a July 27th release date worldwide. 29-mission campaign.

oh em gee! They promised 30 missions. This is unacceptable!

I'm psyched. :D

[CappinCanuck]

oh em gee! They promised 30 missions. This is unacceptable!

I'm psyched. :D

Yes! I demand 1/30th of a discount off all prices immediately!


(The sad part is I'm sure there will be at least one person to say that on the sc2 forums :D)

[boratika]

Now it's gone from 1/3 of a game to 29/90 of a game. Boo-urns!

[Narradisall]

So, I caved in and preordered. Just got my beta key, the name is blair.cog
I just did my first three games, my first opponent quit after 3 minutes, the second kicked my ass after 20 minutes (did learn a lot though). For my third fight i was able to stall my inevitable demise for about 40 minutes.
Looks like I've got quite some learning to do.

I'll add you when Im on later. We lack EU players!

[Hotcod]

hotcod.cog for you EU guys... if any one wnats to give that key of mine a go just PM me :)

[Narradisall]

Cool, I'll add you back on Hotcod. I've not been on much, never seen you playing about much either.

[Hotcod]

I've had spurts of not really playing at all but I'm about a lot more a the moment :)

[Narradisall]

I wish they'd add 3v3 or 4v4. I'd like to see how the larger games pan out.

[diablopath]

Alright, I'm back in.

diablopath.cog

[Narradisall]

It's depressing, every single game I play it's always 'Favoured' in the other teams favour.

Damnit!

[Hotcod]

the match making is built for speed at the moment, to get as many game over with as they can, rather than balance which is why people are getting stomped so often.

Also I won a game the other night TvT by the most stupid way ever, I went stupidly early barracks scouted him and quickly and 2 marines up at his block with more coming. He for some reason had a barracks up but no marrines out but anyway every time he did pop one I took him down and I could gut his suvs ever time he brought them up to fix the block. He quit soon after... shortest game i've ever played and i won it :D doubt that's going to ever work that well again but still I learnt my lesson about early marines when a P play rushed me with zealots. You seriously need fire power up soon as you can but it's got to be balanced againts the econ

[boratika]

Ha.


He should have sent his scvs to attack though.

[Hotcod]

Ya, he had enough that he could have swamped me but I could keep up the pressure and his econ would have been gutted. The early rushes can be killer if you don't look out for them. It's a toss up between rushing and/or protecting from a rush and establishing an early econ advantage. If you rush and some one is ready for it your in trouble but if you get ready for a rush and one doesn't come you'll be at a econ disadvantage.

On a related note i;m really enjoying total biscuit shout craft stuff, tend not to watch it live but I eat up the recasts he puts up on youtube. Most of what you see is on a whole other level that it really won't help your game much but it's really really fun to watch at times.

[Narradisall]

I'm starting to like protoss now.

I'm great with zerg early game, but late game I always find they lack the oomph to really push.

Plus I LOVE collosus'es, collousi'? Whatever the plural is of those big bastards.

I actually made a guy quit a game by making copies of my collosus, so it looked like I have about 8 when all I had were 2 and a load of stalkers.

Good times.

[DiBiddilyBop]

One disadvantage to the beta is there are some fundamental things that are easy to overlook. For example... I've been playing the last week and am doing so-so in the Gold League using only Zerg. I just realized this morning that creep tumors can spawn more creep tumors rather than having the queen lay every one.

Mind: blown.

[Narradisall]

Oh dear Dibiddilybop.....

I had no idea either.... now I just feel as 'duh' as you.

[SonofSeth]

Hahaha, I thought so too, until I clicked on one.

[cp#]

You guys really need to watch more game casts :p You learn a lot.


Anyway, Patch 11 dropped: http://us.starcraft2.com/launcher/patch-notes.htm

StarCraft II Beta – Patch 11 (version 0.13.0.15250)

The latest patch notes can always be found on the StarCraft II Beta General Discussion forum.

Balance Changes

* TERRAN
o Battlecruiser
+ The build time has been decreased from 110 to 90.
o Fusion Core
+ The build time has been decreased from 80 to 65.
o Hellion
+ The range has been increased from 5 to 6.
o Planetary Fortress
+ The splash damage now originates from the center of the target, rather than the impact location near the unit in order to maintain more reliable splash damage.
o Raven
+ Seeker Missile range has been decreased from 9 to 6.
+ Seeker Missile splash radius has been decreased from 2.4 to 2.
+ Seeker Missile upgrade no longer requires Fusion Core.
o Siege Tank
+ Life increased from 150 to 160.
+ Siege Mode splash damage now originates from the center of the target, rather than the impact location near the unit in order to maintain more reliable splash damage.
o Thor
+ Ground damage decreased from 45 to 30.
+ Ground rate of fire improved from 1.93 to 1.28.
+ Air damage changed from 8 (+4 Light) to 6 (+6 Light).
+ 250mm Strike Cannons are now an upgrade at the Factory Tech Lab.
+ 250mm Strike Cannons research now costs 150/150 and 110 seconds.
+ 250mm Strike Cannons energy cost increased from 100 to 150.
+ Anti-Air splash damage now originates from the center of the target, rather than the impact location near the unit in order to maintain more reliable splash damage.

* PROTOSS
o Archon
+ The splash radius has been increased from 0.8 to 1.
+ Splash damage now originates from the center of the target, rather than the impact location near the unit in order to maintain more reliable splash damage.
o Colossus
+ The damage has been decreased from 20 to 15.
+ The rate of fire has been improved from 2.2 to 1.65.
o Phoenix
+ Can now attack while moving.
o Sentry
+ The damage has been decreased from 8 to 6.

* ZERG
o Brood Lord
+ Life has been decreased from 275 to 225.
+ Armor has been decreased from 2 to 1.
o Corruptor
+ Corruptor damage changed from 12 (+10 Massive) to 14 (+6 Massive).
+ Corruptor speed increased from 2.75 to 2.9531
+ Corruption ability redesigned:
# Single target.
# Increases damage taken by 20%.
# Lasts 30 seconds.
# Costs 100 energy.
# Range 6.
# Cannot target structures.
o Infestor
+ Neural Parasite is now an upgrade at the Infestation Pit.
+ Neural Parasite research costs 150/150 and 110 seconds.
+ Neural Parasite can now target Air units.
+ Neural Parasite energy cost increased from 50 to 100.
o Spine Crawler
+ The root time has been increased from 6 to 12.
o Spore Crawler
+ The root time has been increased from 6 to 12.
o Ultralisk
+ Damage has been increased from 18 to 25.

Hotkey Changes

* General
o In order to resolve a conflict with building multiple Forges with the Shift Key we have made the following changes:
+ Changed Center Camera from Shift+F to Ctrl+F.
* Standard
o To prevent the accidental research of Ventral Sacs when trying to train an Overlord with no Larva available, the hotkey has been changed from V to E.
o View Own Health Bars functionality added to the Backslash key
* Standard for Lefties
o Due to a conflict with research Banshee Cloak, research Seeker Missile has been changed from L to K.
o To correct a conflict with the Attack command on Planetary Fortress, train SCV has been changed from K to J.
o In order to prevent the accidental training of Zerglings when using the Select Larva hotkey,train Zergling has been changed from L to J.
o To prevent the accidental training of a Queen, train Ultralisk has been changed from U to T.
o To prevent the accidental research of Pneumatized Carapace when trying to train a corruptor with no Larva available, research Pneumatized Carapace has been changed from P to C.
o View All Status Bars has been changed from Q to the Alt key.
o View own Status Bars functionality has been added to the Q key.
* Grid for Lefties
o Attack Move and all other buttons in the 0,4 position should now function correctly.
o View Own Status Bars functionality added to Q.
o View Enemy Status Bars moved to W.
o View Ally Status Bars moved to E.
* Classic
o Changed build Nydus Canal from P to N.
o Changed Place Nydus Canal ability from P to N.
o Terran Infantry Weapon researches have been changed from E to W.
o Terran Vehicle Weapon researches have been changed from E to W.
o Train Thor hotkey has been changed from O to G.
o Train Viking hotkey has been changed from Y to W.
o View Own Status Bars functionality has been added to the Backslash key.

Icon Position Changes

* To put all race gas extractors in the same icon position, the positions of the Supply Depot/Refinery and Pylon/Assimilator have been swapped.
* In order to make transforming multiple Gateways easier for players using Grid key sets, Transform to Gateway has been moved to a separate icon position (2,1).

Bug Fixes

* Corrected an issue that was causing the Polish language client to crash when receiving the "player is no longer being revealed” message.
* Corrected incorrect battle.net links on multiple language clients pages.
* Corrected an issue where the Zealot was using an US English voice over in the Korean language client.
* Corrected an issue where a player is unable to build any structures that require pylon power when their protoss ally leaves.
* Units can no longer be healed or repaired while in transports.
* Corrected an issue where the Creep Tumor targeting circle was visible to opponents through Fog of War.
* Corrected an issue in which selecting a Starport under construction and a completed Starport would display the select builder command in the Viking slot.
* Corrected the Broodling weapon icon.


Here is a taste of the new Phoenixes (aka nerf this back now)
31kSA0Guqpo

[DiBiddilyBop]

It was actually from gamecasts that I learned it. I kept watching creep tumors pop up with no queen around and was wondering wtf was going on.

I have mixed feelings about the phoenix thing... on the one hand, I feel like toss needed something better to handle mutas. On the other hand, I feel like this makes phoenix a little OP.

[Pigeon]

As a dedicated toss player, this makes me very happy. I'd almost stopped building phoenixes

[CappinCanuck]

As a dedicated toss player, this makes me very happy. I'd almost stopped building phoenixes

Wowza. I'm guessing they'll have to lower the range or speed to make them a bit more balanced but we'll see.

[DiBiddilyBop]

If you were giving up on Phoenix, you need to watch this match:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scCnY2g1TTg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0ElaQdXGhk

edit: apparently I don't know how to embed youtube...

[Narradisall]

Shit, Phoenix's kick ASS now.

I'm glad Battlecruisers have been made a bit speedier. I was playing a game earlier where we should have won, we held the advantage and I decided I'd give the BCs a try (since games rarely get that far). I had 3 ports knocking them out, and they got slaughtered. I then couldn't replace them quick enough and ended up having to switch back to ground, by then I got rolled over.

I feel sad for the Broodlord nerf too. They were fun!

[Narradisall]

Anyone get ANOTHER beta friend invite email?!?!

[Cavalier]

Anyone get ANOTHER beta friend invite email?!?!

Yup, mine had two keys in it this time.

[Narradisall]

I only got one, although its the second key I've received. They must be throwing them out now. Hopefully that means we might see some bigger games.

[SonofSeth]

There, I can finally get a new keyboard!

[ClannerDelta]

Does anyone else need a SC2 beta key? Gave one to Codicier, but I still have the second one from the Email.

P.S. Boratika, I <3 you

*edit* Mine's now gone.

[Banacek]

Hey, I'll take it if you got one. I'll pm you my email addy.

[Narradisall]

I'm not sure if I have one or two, how long are they supposed to be?

Anyone else still not in the beta?

[BreakerX]

I'm breakerx.cog if anyone wants to play. Normally I have a few drinks and play with my friend (timmay.timmay) so if anyone wants some 2v2 no-zerg matches hit me up!

[Satertek]

My first homemade cheese! :p

Got annoyed after a toss took me out handily with an early proxy 2 gate and thought this up. It's probably been done before, and probably wouldn't work at all in a higher league, but I'm proud I found an efficient way to go about it on my own :) (Though on this map having to scout set me back a few seconds)

http://www.sc2rc.com/index.php/replay/show/4659

Stay tuned till the end for special "slap the hand going for the cookie jar" micro!

[Karmakin]

I'm still looking for a key

karmakin@gmail.com

[Narradisall]

I'm still looking for a key

karmakin@gmail.com

I'll send you one in a bit.

#edit - Done

[Panthera]

I'm still looking for a key.

[Satertek]

If anyone wants to do some 2v2, I'm done with exams and will spend the night either playing Starcraft, or drinking (probably both).

Satertek.satertek, send me a wave.

[Matthias]

Hey guys, just downloaded the mac beta; the name is

Matthias.cog

I probably will be playing all weekend starting tomorrow (tonight's my girl's last full night in town...).

[Banacek]

Hey guys, just downloaded the mac beta; the name is

Matthias.cog

I probably will be playing all weekend starting tomorrow (tonight's my girl's last full night in town...).

Let me know how it runs for you. Mine's been really buggy and crashing a lot.

[Matthias]

Let me know how it runs for you. Mine's been really buggy and crashing a lot.

Yeah... I went ahead and loaded the main menu up and dinked around a bit, and the system froze when I quit. I'm not sure how that's going to go. I was running on my integrated graphics at the time, so I've booted into the discrete card for the next time I try playing.

[Pigeon]

It's been freezing for me on exit since this patch also, on WinXP

[Satertek]

Yea it's a known issue, gotta alt-tab and force close it out before exiting. It's annoying but it's supposed to be fixed next patch.

[SonofSeth]

I started to logout prior to exiting, and it never froze after that.

[skwish]

Im also in the mac beta, battle.net name of skwish.skwishcog

[Karmakin]

New patch has fixed that, at least on my computer.

My user is Karmakin.karma

Other than the freezing issue, I'm shocked how smooth the game runs on my system.

[DiBiddilyBop]

Well, I finally went through and added everyone in this thread to friends (If I missed you, mine is wolf.mecca).

Anyone interested in getting some regular games in? For some reason I just don't like playing random ladder games. I get all stressed out when my record is being scored.

[Hotcod]

I was just about to suggest a cog tournament but then realised I was playing on EU :(

[Narradisall]

Yeah, the gateway thing is by far, the worst thing about the new bnet.

Thing is it'll ruin Diablo 3 as well as SC2! Doom!

[Drayven]

Looks like they might be sending out another wave of invites? I just got one in my inbox

[OrangePulp]

Man, 4v4AT can be a lot of fun when bnet isn't dropping you. It's really just a macro/tech fest, and it's totally insane, but somehow it works in it's own weird way. Plus, of course, it's always more fun with 3 other people to joke around with as you're waiting on a map load.

[Loki]

I just wish that B.Net didn't consistently go down. Here is hoping that tomorrow will be better.

[CappinCanuck]

I'm still looking for a key.

I think it's going offline till release in 5 days or so.

[Hotcod]

there going to bring it back online for a few weeks before realise just shake down any changes they make

[boratika]

Hooray! I ranked diamond in 3v3. It's true, I am super-awsomepants.

Death comes swiftly from above, delivered from the wings of my phoenixes.

P.S. Boratika, I <3 you

It's like a daisy chain of <3. I <3 Squid, you <3 me, and I assume Codicier <3s you (if he isn't an ungrateful bastard.)

[Panthera]

I think it's going offline till release in 5 days or so.

Thanks to your pessimism, Blizzard sent me a key. And I've got a whole week to use it. :cool:

[OrangePulp]

It's coming back for a few weeks before release, or so they say. My suspicion is that, by closing beta for a month or so, and sending out a bunch of new keys, they'll have a big influx of players when they first open it up again, thus actually getting close to some kind of launch simulation.

[Narradisall]

Just when know they added 3v3s!

Need to make time to play this....

[Matthias]

I've honestly been a bit scared to start it up. I sucked at the first game, and I have a feeling people are going to wipe the floor with me.

[Narradisall]

I've honestly been a bit scared to start it up. I sucked at the first game, and I have a feeling people are going to wipe the floor with me.

You just have to suck it up, start it up and bend over enjoying every minute of the anal probing you will get, over and over until you get better.

[boratika]

You just have to suck it up, start it up and bend over enjoying every minute of the anal probing you will get, over and over until you get better.

This. Also, after the qualifiers, you only have to play with other probees.


Now strip naked and get on the probulator.

[cp#]

Looks like friends lists were reset and you add with e-mail or through facebook now.

I don't have a facebook so if you want to play, just idle in the irc and message me there. tashi is also there and plays quite a bit

[Pigeon]

I got put in the 3v3 platinum bracket, but i'm not that good :( now i have people screaming at me all the time. I wish i could downrank faster

[Narradisall]

Wow, the 4v4 is all types of fun!

I much prefer larger games, it allows for more large battles, plus it's always handy to have some people backing you up. Unless of course you are the poor bastard that gets attacked first

[Narradisall]

Everytime I log on it tells me mine went offline yesterday (it moves the date too).

4v4's are a lot of fun though.

Wish they'd tried some space/island maps though. I reckon the Protoss will be hugely overpowered on those types of maps.

So anyone know what date this dies?

[OrangePulp]

Stops on the 31st, supposed to come back a few weeks before the game launches (July 27th).

[Satertek]

Sucks that the game is unplayable its final week.

[Narradisall]

I've had no problem with it being playable, but then I'm on the EU servers.

I did notice that the starting game noises seem to have vanished, such as the searching, countdown etc. Not sure if its intentional or not.

[OrangePulp]

Hm, do the EU servers run fine? The US servers have a lot of disconnect/lag issues, at least the last time I played (which was two or so days ago).

[SonofSeth]

It was very very bad here too 2 days ago, but I played yesterday and today with no disconnects or lag.

Played only 1v1 though, didn't try 3v3 or 4v4.

[Satertek]

It's extended till June 7, hope they are able to come up with a patch soon.

[Narradisall]

WOOHOO, more playtime!

I've been playing 4v4 the last 2 days with little or no lag. Occasionally one player may be lost, but otherwise its fine.

[Narradisall]

Ok, I was randomly watching some replays last night and I came across this one.

Got a few good laughs out of me.

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FRdAc0LEE5A&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FRdAc0LEE5A&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[Hotcod]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0B1oBvq5uA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6newFTnKuWQ

the embed failed

[Hotcod]

Also you owe it to your selfs to go here;

http://www.youtube.com/user/HDstarcraft

and watch the TLO Vs Sen Matchs that his been casting the last few days. TLO is probably the player I've most enjoyed watching and these matches are some of the most epic I've seen so far.

It's funny, I've not booted up sc2 in weeks really doubt I will until the game comes out (I can get a little burned out on RTS mulitplayer and i'd rather save a lot of it for launch) but I've been watching a hell of a lost of casts. Mainly by HD and Husky who are doing a really great job the HDH invitational was a hell of a lot of fun and there working with blizzard to have another one up and running not long after the game goes live. If you guys like watching game casts I can't recommend subbing to there channels enough.

[Satertek]

It's funny, I've not booted up sc2 in weeks really doubt I will until the game comes out


Yea, I've been playing a few custom games but completely avoiding the ladder. Seems pointless with only a couple days left.

[c0m3d14n]

looking for eu people to add, keep in mind though i am clueless, i havent played a single game yet ;)
in general i dont suck in rts, but i am at the bottom of the learning curve for sc2 atm

[ShivaX]

Ok, I was randomly watching some replays last night and I came across this one.

Got a few good laughs out of me.

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FRdAc0LEE5A&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FRdAc0LEE5A&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

It all looks the same, like ah, minorities.

[Narradisall]

looking for eu people to add, keep in mind though i am clueless, i havent played a single game yet ;)
in general i dont suck in rts, but i am at the bottom of the learning curve for sc2 atm

I think it's down now? So you'll have to wait for the full game.

You can always play me if you like. I'm hardly a master, but I could do with the ego boost. ;)

I'll have to check out those casts later HotCod. I dunno why, but SC is the ONLY game I can actually watch other people play and not be bored.

[c0m3d14n]

I think it's down now? So you'll have to wait for the full game.

You can always play me if you like. I'm hardly a master, but I could do with the ego boost. ;)

I'll have to check out those casts later HotCod. I dunno why, but SC is the ONLY game I can actually watch other people play and not be bored.

there should be another beta phase before release, i'll add you then ;)

[Narradisall]

Odd enough, when did this stop?

I loaded it up and played a 4v4 last night with no issues. I think it said 7th though, so I'm assuming it was closed last night.

[boratika]

About six and a half hours ago. I think, anyway.

[DeathtollWRX]

OMG it's over what am I supposed to do now?

I think I played about 500 matches
480 with my partner in crime....

[Narradisall]

I'm waiting for someone to build a sort of Shadow.net to host games until the full release....

I didn't get as much game time in, but thats because it took ages for 3v3 and 4v4 to come out.

I know once the full version is out I will be right in the MOD maps and SP campaign.

[Crowe]

Fuck I cannot wait for this game. I have a huge Multiplayer itch at the moment. I've been surviving by cranking Counter Strike Source and Heroes of Newerth for over a month now along now. This game needs to be released already.