As Blizzard prepares itself for the StarCraft II beta, Kicho, the Korean RTS Community Manager, recently answered a couple of questions, including a few related questions from a single poster on the Korean StarCraft II forum: 1. Can a player send units into an allied Terran bunker? 2. Can a player use an allied Pylon energy field? 3. Can a player use an allied player's transport vessel to move his/her own units?
Numbers 1 and 2 are currently not in the game. In the case of number 3, there is the option for a player to control his allies’ units, but the player cannot load his own units into an ally’s transport unit.
Kicho also took the time to further clarify StarCraft II's damage system.
Light armor, heavy armor, biological, mechanical, giant, psionic, etc. are some attributes that units can have. For example, the Ultralisk has “heavy armor – biological – giant” attributes, whereas the Archon has the “psionic” attribute. You can probably tell from looking at the Archon, but not all units are divided into [light armor/heavy armor]. Damage calculation is also different from the previous game. Units’ attacks always do at least 100% of the damage value shown on the screen. And then, depending on the attack’s property, additional damage may be dealt when attacking units with specific attributes. For example the Archon’s base damage is 25, and deals an additional 10 damage against biological targets. Therefore, Zerg units (which are usually biological) take 35 damage when attacked by Archons. And in the case of the Siege Tank, its Siege Mode deals 60 damage, so it deals 60 damage to all ground units. If the old system of “explosive, concussive” and “small, medium, large” was used, then Marines would take reduced damage from a Siege Tank.
Zhydaris, one of the United States' Assistant RTS Community Managers, also answered a few questions, including one on whether or not the map ping feature commonly found in Warcraft III would be available in StarCraft II.
The ping feature is currently in StarCraft II. I agree with you, using this feature when playing with allies is very important.
He also answered the following:
Are workers able to walk through a force field while on mining on a mineral patch?
No, they won't, the force fields actually stop harvesters, just like they do with other ground units. I still prefer using them to block all escape routes, but what you’re suggesting is a valid alternative indeed!
Does the Baneling's splash damage effect allies?
I can confirm you that exploding Banelings do not damage allied units: both your units and those of your allies are not affected at all by the acid explosion.
Is the Terran Engineering Bay in the game and can it still fly?
Terran Engineering Bay is still in the game, but as for now you cannot lift it off. Everything is still subject to change though.
As we all wait for the beta timetable and process to be announced we'll have to be satisfied with little updates like these.
More information regarding the specific micro-updates from StarCraft Twitter account has arrived over the week. They include mostly updates to the graphics individually or in the engine themselves. There is some speculation among the StarCraft community that optimization is one of the final phases to push something out. The only thing to confirm that would be official word from Blizzard.
The #StarCraft2 programming team is optimizing the interactive story mode for all graphic settings, especially "High". #SCUpdate
We have updated the UI for research upgrades in the #StarCraft2 Terran single player campaign. #SCUpdate
Here are some stasis tube doodads that the #StarCraft2 art team has created recently. http://bit.ly/8XSeLK #SCUpdate
Sources:
Battle.net (Korea) - Using allied players buildings and units
Battle.net (Korea) - StarCraft II damage system
Battle.net - Map Ping
Battle.net - Harvesters and force field
Battle.net - Baneline splash damage
Battle.net - Terran Engineering Bay|
Twitter.com - StarCraft Account
Twitter.com - Regarding Optimization
Twitter.com - Regarding Research UI
Twitter.com - Regarding Stasis Tube Art
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