BlizzCon 2011 StarCraft II Multiplayer Panel

Written by KDraconis  | Saturday, 22 October 2011 18:43

News - StarCraft II

StarCraft: Legacy's coverage of Blizzcon 2011's StarCraft II Multiplayer Panel is up, with pictures and a general synopsis of what was discussed at the panel. Below is a snippet of the article that includes info on the new units coming to Heart of the Swarm.

New units and abilities

TERRAN

• New "battle mode" for hellion - transforms like a viking
  • Battle mode hellion has more hit points, moves more slowly
  • Shorter, wider arc on flame attack, and stronger
  • Gives terran a beefy front-line fighter in the late game

• Warhound
  • Smaller, more nimble version of Thor
  • Effective anti-mech ground weapon to help break siege tank lines
  • Anti-air attack with splash damage

• Shredder
  • Robot that emits channeled, area of effect damage when immobilized
  • Damage automatically shuts off when an ally moves into range
  • Gives terran cheap zone control, but can't be used near main army
  • Is still very work-in-progress

• Thor
  • Moved to late game, more hit points and damage
  • Can only have one, like mothership from Wings of Liberty

ZERG

• Ultralisk
  • Existing version is bulky and has difficulties engaging in battle
  • New burrow charge ability lets it dive underground and get into the fight easily

• Viper
  • New caster unit with detection -- replaces overseer
  • Has abilities like blinding cloud to help break entrenched positions
  • Abduct ability allows it to pull units to itself -- pull siege tanks or colossus out of death balls

• Swarm host

• • Zerg artillery for map control and siege
  • Burrows into the ground, and continuously generates small creatures to attack
  • Feels very zerg-y

PROTOSS

• Tempest
  • New protoss capital ship, replaces carrier
  • Anti-air splash damage for mutalisks and other aircraft
  • Has direct air-to-ground attack as well that isn't splash

• Replicant
  • Special unit that can clone itself into any non-massive unit
  • Allows protoss to also take siege tanks or infestors from enemies
  • Is very expensive
  • Still very much a work-in-progress, not-final unit

• Oracle
  • Caster unit used for raiding and harassment
  • Can disable enemy structures, or prevent miningwith its abilities
  • Doesn't actually kill or damage anything
  • Mothership is cut in favor of this unit

To see the full coverage article, click here.

Source:
StarCraft: Legacy - BlizzCon 2011 StarCraft II Multiplayer Panel