Random Thoughts Thread

[RODTHEGOD]

1. I miss how in Star Craft 1, infantry units were infantry sized

[FanaticTemplar]

You're going to have to be more specific.

[RODTHEGOD]

You know, like how the marine, firebat, medic and ghost were all about the same size. Any instant glance anywhere and you knew you were dealing with your infantry. In sc2, marauder, hellbats, vikings... am I looking at infantry or mech? I don't even know. I don't like that.

2. I like how Alarak was a kind of Dark Artanis

[FanaticTemplar]

Oh, ok. Yes, I agree. I actually don't like the corresponding increase in hit points and supply for Marauders either. If it doesn't die to Psi Storm, it's not Terran bio :p.

[RODTHEGOD]

3. I much preferred the art style of starcraft as apposed to starcraft 2

[KaiserStratosTygo]

3. I much preferred the art style of starcraft as apposed to starcraft 2

Same.

Would've liked HD 3D models of SC1's original art style (like Project Revolution but with more polygons and better lighting)

[Nissa]

3. I much preferred the art style of starcraft as apposed to starcraft 2

I could have lived with the SC2 art if the Protoss weren't so darn ugly and generic. I loved how in SC/BW all the 'Toss were generally different colors, and they didn't have armor that looked friggin' ridiculous.

[FanaticTemplar]

I could have lived with the SC2 art if the Protoss weren't so darn ugly and generic. I loved how in SC/BW all the 'Toss were generally different colors, and they didn't have armor that looked friggin' ridiculous.

I,m fine with the ridiculous armour, but I do wish they didn't all have the same faces and skin colours.

[KaiserStratosTygo]

I could have lived with the SC2 art if the Protoss weren't so darn ugly and generic. I loved how in SC/BW all the 'Toss were generally different colors, and they didn't have armor that looked friggin' ridiculous.

I also liked how some of their units/buildings had almost a tiger stripe theme going on (Gold and brown stripes) like on Arbiters

At least LotV's Zealot armor was made tighter fit instead of the bulky crap they gave to Artanis (Artanis over-corrected like crazy)

[RODTHEGOD]

4. Did anyone else not really care when zeratul died? He was cool in starcraft 1 but in starcraft 2 he... wasn't.

[KaiserStratosTygo]

4. Did anyone else not really care when zeratul died? He was cool in starcraft 1 but in starcraft 2 he... wasn't.

Me.

I didn't really feel anything, if this were SC1/BW Zeratul I would've been sad.

[Gradius]

4. Did anyone else not really care when zeratul died? He was cool in starcraft 1 but in starcraft 2 he... wasn't.
It was an ignominious death. No more opportunity to fix his character from a writing standpoint is what saddened me the most the though.

Its like "fuck, this is it. This is how one of my favorite characters from my childhood gets his sendoff".

[FanaticTemplar]

4. Did anyone else not really care when zeratul died? He was cool in starcraft 1 but in starcraft 2 he... wasn't.

Zeratul has been the harbinger of the worst shit. I was surprised, but I couldn't even feel sorrow for him after he brought me Prophecy, Zerus, the Prologue, and interrupted the reclamation of Aiur to remind me of Amon.

[Nissa]

I cheered when I saw that cutscene. Fake Zeratul is dead, and I approve.

[ragnarok]

It was an ignominious death. No more opportunity to fix his character from a writing standpoint is what saddened me the most the though.

Its like "fuck, this is it. This is how one of my favorite characters from my childhood gets his sendoff".

It was fine for him to die off like that. Otherwise, if he lived and knew how exactly to stop Amon and everything, it'd hardly be a challenge.

[Turalyon]

4. Did anyone else not really care when zeratul died? He was cool in starcraft 1 but in starcraft 2 he... wasn't.

Zeratul "died" the moment he appeared and spoke in WoL. I didn't care for it then either. :p

He'll probably be resurrected as a Void ghost or through some other future retcon, so I'm not worried.

[ragnarok]

Zeratul "died" the moment he appeared and spoke in WoL. I didn't care for it then either. :p

He'll probably be resurrected as a Void ghost or through some other future retcon, so I'm not worried.

Then start hoping to see him again in SC3.

[FanaticTemplar]

You know, in the interest of respect for the dead, I'll give praise to StarCraft II Zeratul for the things he did better than StarCraft I Zeratul.

1- I like his ride.
2- When he allows Kerrigan to walk away unmurdered, he actually has a plan instead of just being an idiot.
3- Thanks to the Overmind's vision, I can confirm that he has borne witness the entropy of an entire reality.
4- He cut off a Hydralisk's limb and used it to nail the Hydralisk to the ground through his skull. And that buys you a lot of good will from me.

I can't think of anything else.

[Nissa]

Lol. Zer prolly would have done #3 sooner if SC1 had the tech.

[KaiserStratosTygo]

"Thanks to the Overmind's vision, I can confirm that he has borne witness the entropy of an entire reality."

XD

[TheEconomist]

I felt relief when I saw Zeratul die. Why? Because at least he got a decent cut scene to send him off. I'm still sore from the bungling of Deckard Cain's death. You think Zeratul's death was meaningless? In Diablo III ... *shudders*

[Gradius]

"Thanks to the Overmind's vision, I can confirm that he has borne witness the entropy of an entire reality."

XD
Actually I'm pretty sure that part is retconned now. :P

[ragnarok]

"Thanks to the Overmind's vision, I can confirm that he has borne witness the entropy of an entire reality."

XD

Yes but that was rendered irrelevant in SC2 anyway

[RODTHEGOD]

5. Why does there have to be a nebula or whatever in the background of every space picture/scene. Can't there just be the basic black sky with white dots?

[Turalyon]

Thanks to the Overmind's vision, I can confirm that he has borne witness the entropy of an entire reality.

Serves you right for making fun of his speech in Sc1. The guy was speaking truth all along! :D

Makes sense I suppose. I'd rather have him say "I've borne witness to the entropy of entire realities" rather than the possible translation of that being "I've seen multiple futures that will not come to pass".


I can't think of anything else.

Don't forget that he was much better finding prophecies in Sc2 than in Sc1 when he wasn't doing that at all!


I felt relief when I saw Zeratul die. Why? Because at least he got a decent cut scene to send him off.

Yep, he died whilst giving someone an important haircut.


I'm still sore from the bungling of Deckard Cain's death. You think Zeratul's death was meaningless? In Diablo III ... *shudders*

No! This vision! I cannot bear it! Stop!

[ragnarok]

5. Why does there have to be a nebula or whatever in the background of every space picture/scene. Can't there just be the basic black sky with white dots?

That was just for the sake to shove the idea down your throat of the universe in danger. It was a pitiful way for Blizzard to do it

[Nissa]

Makes sense I suppose. I'd rather have him say "I've borne witness to the entropy of entire realities" rather than the possible translation of that being "I've seen multiple futures that will not come to pass".

Trouble is, "entropy" is the decline of everything. The second law of thermodynamics states that everything is in a state of decay. So, technically speaking, we've all seen entropy of at least one reality.

Two, if you count Starcraft.

[Turalyon]

Trouble is, "entropy" is the decline of everything.

Yeah, I know, but Z is talking about the entropy/deterioration to nothing of something in particular (in this case, it's "entire realities"). That the future vision is an actual reality (on the grounds that it would happen if Kerrigan died) and that it is averted fulfills the criteria of Z having witnessed the entropy/decline of an entire reality (in this case being the future vision deteriorating into nothing).


So, technically speaking, we've all seen entropy of at least one reality.

Depends on what you define as an "entire reality". Z never really makes it clear the first time.

[Sheliek]

That was just for the sake to shove the idea down your throat of the universe in danger. It was a pitiful way for Blizzard to do it

1. Looks cool and is visually stimulating?
2. Lazy writing?

Definitely two. Definitely. I love how you completely lack any sense of humour and capability to relate to other people, but also lack the ability to come to logical conclusions about simple things. You're like if all the good qualities of Spock were excised, as were McCoy's, and then those two lobotomized versions of the characters were spliced together into some bizarre Spock-McCoy hybrid.

[Nissa]

Yeah, I know, but Z is talking about the entropy/deterioration to nothing of something in particular (in this case, it's "entire realities"). That the future vision is an actual reality (on the grounds that it would happen if Kerrigan died) and that it is averted fulfills the criteria of Z having witnessed the entropy/decline of an entire reality (in this case being the future vision deteriorating into nothing).



Depends on what you define as an "entire reality". Z never really makes it clear the first time.

Dude, it was a joke. :rolleyes:

[Drake Clawfang]

1. I'm not doing Legacy of the Void Abridged. I can't help it, there was a lot of awesomeness throughout the campaign and I don't wanna make fun of it.

2. You realize LotV actually had very few "new" units for the Protoss and just gave us the base units with abilities? The Adept seems so out of place.

3. Looking at the data for Stukov in Co-op, he seems very odd and very fun. His SCVs build "infested" structures that produce infested units, but only marines, siege tanks, and banshees. Meanwhile his infested command centers produce larva that mutate into zerg units, including, wait for it... Defilers!

[Turalyon]

Dude, it was a joke. :rolleyes:

Couldn't tell at first, your punch-line came too late.

[Visions of Khas]

Random thought: Ouros' name is short for Ouroboros. He is literally the beginning and the end, alpha and omega.

[Gradius]

^---nice catch

[ragnarok]

Random thought: Ouros' name is short for Ouroboros. He is literally the beginning and the end, alpha and omega.

And therefore would make sense for the cycle to end there. Of course, it's only a shame it wasn't revealed he was also the BEGINNING of the cycle.

[Visions of Khas]

I also wpuldn't be surprised if they released a story pack centering on Amon's origins. Amun was a self-made god who "terraformed"/created the world around him, and stood for the weak and downtrodden. It is clear Amon was "tricked" into becoming Xelnaga and sees himself and the new universe as victims.

[RODTHEGOD]

I also wpuldn't be surprised if they released a story pack centering on Amon's origins. Amun was a self-made god who "terraformed"/created the world around him, and stood for the weak and downtrodden. It is clear Amon was "tricked" into becoming Xelnaga and sees himself and the new universe as victims.

The weak and downtrodden? I don't see that at all.
The idea that Amon was tricked into becoming a xel'naga is actually kind of interesting. That would actually explain why he wants to end the cycle. Unfortunately all blizzard was able to get across in the game was "I'm going to kill you all because your lives all suck"

[ragnarok]

I also wpuldn't be surprised if they released a story pack centering on Amon's origins. Amun was a self-made god who "terraformed"/created the world around him, and stood for the weak and downtrodden. It is clear Amon was "tricked" into becoming Xelnaga and sees himself and the new universe as victims.

Maybe not tricked, but more like he might have been content as the species he once was, but the Xel'Naga made him otherwise anyway against his will.

[Gradius]

Ouros's full body reminds me of a neuron.

http://www.dendritehealthsolutions.com/resources/Fotolia_579528_XS.jpg

[Gradius]

In the 2nd mission when the Void Seeker lies in ruin and the Stalker says "protect the dark prelate!" I believe that was supposed to be subtle foreshadowing of Zeratul's death.

[Drake Clawfang]

Was anyone else bugged by the recycled assets? The artifact containment on Korhal is the same from WoL, the solarite caches on Shakuras are the same as the archives from In Utter Darkness, etc.

Also, why are the protoss suddenly using warp conduits instead of warp gates for inerstellar warp travel? I presumed they had just retconned the name to avoid conflict with the building name, but no, Vorazun specifically says "the warp gate to Aiur has been opened."

[Gradius]

Was anyone else bugged by the recycled assets? The artifact containment on Korhal is the same from WoL, the solarite caches on Shakuras are the same as the archives from In Utter Darkness, etc.

Also, why are the protoss suddenly using warp conduits instead of warp gates for inerstellar warp travel? I presumed they had just retconned the name to avoid conflict with the building name, but no, Vorazun specifically says "the warp gate to Aiur has been opened."
I guess because warp conduits are protoss technology and the warp gate is xel'naga tech.

[FanaticTemplar]

So...

... does anything we've gotten in Legacy of the Void explain the 'corrupted Protoss' on Zhakul?

[Drake Clawfang]

The corrupted protoss were mentally dominated by the Hybrid.

[FanaticTemplar]

The corrupted protoss were mentally dominated by the Hybrid.

So in a repeat of my eternal question with regards to Kerrigan mind controlling Raszagal, "why does this never happen again?" There were plenty of Hybrid in Legacy of the Void, and plenty of Protoss to be dominated.

[Drake Clawfang]

Given what LotV tells us, they probably dominated them through the Khala. It isn't explicitly stated, but it stands to reason.

[FanaticTemplar]

Given what LotV tells us, they probably dominated them through the Khala. It isn't explicitly stated, but it stands to reason.

Yeah, that's what I suspected as well. Except, wouldn't other Khalai know about this?

Also, I'm pretty sure there were corrupted Stalkers :p.

[Sheliek]

Yeah, that's what I suspected as well. Except, wouldn't other Khalai know about this?

Also, I'm pretty sure there were corrupted Stalkers :p.

Well on point 2: dragoon asset of equal quality to the other models wasn't in-game yet. :P You know, I get harassing the AI isn't useful, but blink-stalker harassing against the player would've been fun on higher difficulties. I'm trying to devise a way to make harassment viable in a campaign I'm planning at the moment. Have a few ideas.

Point 1: it's possible that across large enough distances, the connection of the Khala becomes harder to maintain compared to a face-to-face meeting. We didn't get a Khalai perspective for that mission, but it could've been similar to what happened in the beginning of LotV: a hole where that Zhakul guardians used to be.

[ragnarok]

So...

... does anything we've gotten in Legacy of the Void explain the 'corrupted Protoss' on Zhakul?

It's possible that what Maar did on Zhakul was similar to Amon's actions for the Khala corruption, on a much smaller scale. It would also explain why he couldn't corrupt the preservers and therefore had to imprison them instead

[Visions of Khas]

The Taldarim sigil is a broken infinity symbol, symbolizing the end to the Xel'Naga cycles.

[FanaticTemplar]

The Taldarim sigil is a broken infinity symbol, symbolizing the end to the Xel'Naga cycles.

I think it's links in a chain, with an arrow going upwards, symbolising the Chain of Ascension.

[Visions of Khas]

Que no los dos?

[Drake Clawfang]

We need a commander in Co-op that specializes in Vikings, Hellions, Siege Tanks, and their special ability is to call down the Terratron to fight.

[ragnarok]

The Taldarim sigil is a broken infinity symbol, symbolizing the end to the Xel'Naga cycles.

Are you sure they even know about the Xel'Naga cycle details?

[Gradius]

Was anyone else bugged by the recycled assets? The artifact containment on Korhal is the same from WoL, the solarite caches on Shakuras are the same as the archives from In Utter Darkness, etc.
I'm actually bothered by some of the new assets/retextures. Hybrid Dominators are now green, which would be fine if Blizzard went back into HoTS and updated it. Tal'Darim are now red and have their own models. Which would be fine if Blizz went back into WoL and updated them.


EDIT: And update Selendis!

[Drake Clawfang]

Well, actually, it makes sense the Tal'darim look different in each game.

The Tal'darim in WoL are a separate branch from the Amon-worshippers: they worship the Xel'naga as a whole instead of just Amon, are led by an Executor instead of a Highlord, and are obviously enemies of Raynor and guard the artifacts contrary to Narud's plans. I'd wager lore-wise they split off from the normal Protoss after they fled to Shakuras, since they hate the Dark Templar and are led by an Executor.

The HotS Tal'darim are probably part of the main Slayn-crown, but the LotV campaign explains the Tal'darim pirate protoss designs and make them using different materials. The HotS Tal'darim have access to the Xel'naga temple and may have been there for some time, so their units look more inspired by Xel'naga designs (glowing green and black/grey). Then we get to LotV with the Tal'darim operating out of their homeworld, and they all look consistent.

The Hybrid though, agreed.

[Sheliek]

Related to the above, I wonder how much cohesive WoL and HotS would be with characters from later installments appearing. Alarak as a Tal'Darim warrior, Zagara and Naktul as other zerg opponents.

[NikoMyCousin]

I thought Patrick Seitz did a nice job with Artanis and contrary to the other characters who had their actors/actresses voices recasted, he did the original character some justice.

[Gradius]

The Brothers in Arms mission is a reverse of All-In and Salvation. The hybrids/bad-guys are guarding the artifact and we're supposed to destroy them before they finish their task.

Though why they left it there if they had it in there possession instead of just leaving was a dumb move. They could have won the war right there.


I thought Patrick Seitz did a nice job with Artanis and contrary to the other characters who had their actors/actresses voices recasted, he did the original character some justice.
It was decent but could have been way better. I would have appreciated it if they had the effects from SC1 too. There were fan voices that were way closer to SC1 Artanis, which is one of the coolest voices I've ever heard. It's deep and powerful yet youthful at the same time.

[Visions of Khas]

You know, I had this realization, and so Photoshopped my Random Thought:

http://i.imgur.com/5AVJCPR.jpg

[Gradius]

^---Awesome. Artanis is a champ. :)

The piece of cloth or whatever disintegrating in Raynor's hand when he said "A lot more dead boys out there. Warriors." reminded me of Zeratul fading into dust. Kind of a nice symmetry there.

[FanaticTemplar]

I thought Patrick Seitz did a nice job with Artanis and contrary to the other characters who had their actors/actresses voices recasted, he did the original character some justice.

Which reminds me, I could not get into Talandar at all. I mean, I think New Zeratul sounds hilariously like a WarCraft III Tauren Chieftain, but I could still make the shift to this being Zeratul. But I wasn't able to connect Talandar to Fenix at all, in any way.

[RODTHEGOD]

Which reminds me, I could not get into Talandar at all. I mean, I think New Zeratul sounds hilariously like a WarCraft III Tauren Chieftain, but I could still make the shift to this being Zeratul. But I wasn't able to connect Talandar to Fenix at all, in any way.

Nor I. I didn't think Talandar was bad as a character. He just didn't remind me of Fenix at all. I would have been fine if they had just had a different random Protoss hero. I did enjoy deploying him to the battlefield and enjoyed his lines.

[Gradius]

Nor I. I didn't think Talandar was bad as a character. He just didn't remind me of Fenix at all. I would have been fine if they had just had a different random Protoss hero. I did enjoy deploying him to the battlefield and enjoyed his lines.
I got an Optimus Prime vibe from him instead. It was fun rescuing the other autobots at Cybertron, I mean Cybros.

[Drake Clawfang]

I thought the voice was pretty close. A bit off, but it should be, because it's a robot copying Fenix's voice so it shouldn't be exact, and it has a divert reverb effect for it too.

More importantly however, I think they got the personality right. I hear Talandar talk and can easily imagine Fenix saying his lines.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnpeldYZqhg

[Visions of Khas]

More importantly however, I think they got the personality right. I hear Talandar talk and can easily imagine Fenix saying his lines.

Aiur has fallen? We'll just build a bigger and better one on top of it! Yup, pure Fenix, and it gave me a huge nerd grin. :D

[Drake Clawfang]

Of all things to hide as a Stop Poking Me quote... they do explain why the Tal'darim in WoL are against you collecting the artifacts.

Alarak name drops Nyon, the Tal'darim Executor. Apparently he was sent to harvest terrazine and got carried away, and went insane.

Well, at least there's an official explanation. And they properly name the guy too.

[FanaticTemplar]

More importantly however, I think they got the personality right. I hear Talandar talk and can easily imagine Fenix saying his lines.

Didn't connect with anything for me. It's not like it's clearly wrong, either. I can't figure out exactly why I can't get this guy at all.

The fact that there's apparently someone who wrote a series of fictional adventure novels (or whatever form of media they're using) based on Fenix was amusing though.

[ragnarok]

Aiur has fallen? We'll just build a bigger and better one on top of it! Yup, pure Fenix, and it gave me a huge nerd grin. :D

Ah, if only Fenix knew it's not that simple.

[Visions of Khas]

Alarak name drops Nyon, the Tal'darim Executor.
Where is this?


The fact that there's apparently someone who wrote a series of fictional adventure novels (or whatever form of media they're using) based on Fenix was amusing though.

And did you notice they were all based on movies like Predator, and Saving Private Ryan? :P

[Drake Clawfang]

Where is this?


Of all things to hide as a Stop Poking Me quote...

Eeeyup

[Visions of Khas]

Poking his unit or on him on the bridge? His unit dorsnt say anything like that.

[Drake Clawfang]

Yes he does. It's in the editor dood, check if you do n't believe me.

[ragnarok]

And did you notice they were all based on movies like Predator, and Saving Private Ryan? :P

The latter would make more sense for Fenix as a warrior. I don't see the former would, he doesn't kill simply for game trophies.

[RODTHEGOD]

Does anyone hate how the design philosophy for star crafts multiplayer has been just to use band aids instead of having a structural purity to each race? Ex1. the reaper combat drugs bullshit and Ex2. the mutalisk rapid regen.
I mean it's like they didn't give a shit about the racial characters for each race.

[KaiserStratosTygo]

Does anyone hate how the design philosophy for star crafts multiplayer has been just to use band aids instead of having a structural purity to each race? Ex1. the reaper combat drugs bullshit and Ex2. the mutalisk rapid regen.
I mean it's like they didn't give a shit about the racial characters for each race.

Yes, that's why I don't bother with it.

[Visions of Khas]

Does anyone have any idea what's happened to Kuldalis, Urun, Nahaan, and other characters?

[Gradius]

Does anyone have any idea what's happened to Kuldalis, Urun, Nahaan, and other characters?
My guess: corrupted by Amon and killed by us in Salvation.

[Drake Clawfang]

Random realization of the original Starcraft.

If Tassadar had only obeyed his orders and purified Tarsonis, Mengsk never would have sent Kerrigan to the surface to intercept the Protoss, the Zerg never would have infested Kerrigan, Raynor probably wouldn't have defected, and the Zerg would have experienced heavy losses with their broods on Tarsonis eradicated.

Imagine how differently the entire Starcraft story would have gone if Tassadar had just pushed the button when he was told to...

[Sheliek]

Tassadar dindu nuffin (literally, in that specific case).

That said, thinking on what you just said, that makes Tassadar's sacrifice a bit more noble. Whether he realized it or not, a lot of stuff went very wrong because him trying to not kill millions of innocent people. I wonder if that was on the writers' minds went they wrote the first three campaigns?

Also, I've considered for quite some time that Brood War was never meant to feature the UED, but the plot would be more-or-less identical, but with Mengsk and the Dominion doing what the UED did. I don't know what triggered that thought years ago, but I looked at some Beta campaign screenshots of various missions from Brood War, and the colour of the terran forces controlling the zerg on Korhal? Red. Might've had something to do with it.

[ragnarok]

Tassadar dindu nuffin (literally, in that specific case).

That said, thinking on what you just said, that makes Tassadar's sacrifice a bit more noble. Whether he realized it or not, a lot of stuff went very wrong because him trying to not kill millions of innocent people. I wonder if that was on the writers' minds went they wrote the first three campaigns?


It shouldn't. It's not like Tassadar knew the Zerg would infest Kerrigan at Tarsonis and everything. All that really happened there was he tried to see there's more to terrans than what met the eye. That in itself shouldn't be considered a bad idea.

[Sheliek]

There's this new thing, Rag! It's called dramatic irony, and characters don't even need to know it exists for it to apply to them!

[Turalyon]

Imagine how differently the entire Starcraft story would have gone if Tassadar had just pushed the button when he was told to...

Yeah, the Terrans would've been totally extinguished since the Zerg would continue to look for their psionic potential amongst theTerrans and the Protoss would keep on following the Zerg trying to incinerate them.

[Drake Clawfang]

Yeah, the Terrans would've been totally extinguished since the Zerg would continue to look for their psionic potential amongst theTerrans and the Protoss would keep on following the Zerg trying to incinerate them.

Not necessarily. The Confederates were so overwhelmed by the Zerg first because they didn't actually try to stop them, and then didn't see them coming. Let's give Mengsk the benefit of the doubt to take the threat of Zerg seriously, especially when he was crowned on a promise to protect people from the Zerg.

[Nissa]

Not necessarily. The Confederates were so overwhelmed by the Zerg first because they didn't actually try to stop them, and then didn't see them coming. Let's give Mengsk the benefit of the doubt to take the threat of Zerg seriously, especially when he was crowned on a promise to protect people from the Zerg.

Yeah, and it's not just Mengsk. There's no evidence the Kel-Morians or Umojans knew anything of Zerg, and if they did, they might not have gotten the idea to try and use the Zerg for their own aims. Only the infested human worlds were going to be taken down. Though you have to wonder what the Conclave planned, exactly. Like, just zap those planets and disappear, leaving humanity to wonder? That's bound to have consequences.

[Turalyon]

Not necessarily. The Confederates were so overwhelmed by the Zerg first because they didn't actually try to stop them, and then didn't see them coming. Let's give Mengsk the benefit of the doubt to take the threat of Zerg seriously, especially when he was crowned on a promise to protect people from the Zerg.

Yeah, but the Dominion can only really form once the Zerg are off the Terrans collective backs. If the Zerg didn't find Kerrigan on Tarsonis, they would continue to keep searching amonst Terran worlds and Mengsk would be hard-pressed to do anything. Remember that the K-sector was much smaller back then. When the Zerg abandoned Terran space after capturing Kerrigan, 9 of 13 Terran coreworlds were smashed. If the Overmind did not find Kerrigan when it did, it would have continued to search for the 4 remaining worlds with the Protoss in pursuit as well....

Besides, Mengsk was taking the Zerg threat seriously in Sc1, since he sent Duke to Char. You know how that went.... One can only imagine what would happen if the Zerg were still active on the prowl for Terran Ghosts after Tarsonis, Mengsk wouldn't had enough breathing room to build anything.

[Drake Clawfang]

A second thought occurs to me... the Confederates had Ghosts. Lots of them. While the Overmind may not have found Kerrigan, it surely found some of the other psychics the Confederates were using. If one presumes that this sated it, well, there you go.

Also, the timeline overlaps enough, so here's a possibility - Nova could have been found by the Zerg. She was apparently on Tarsonis in the midst of the invasion...

And a SC2 thought - no achievements for the Epilogue missions on Brutal? Guess Blizzard agreed the Hard ones were bad enough already.

[Turalyon]

A second thought occurs to me... the Confederates had Ghosts. Lots of them. While the Overmind may not have found Kerrigan, it surely found some of the other psychics the Confederates were using. If one presumes that this sated it, well, there you go.

Also, the timeline overlaps enough, so here's a possibility - Nova could have been found by the Zerg. She was apparently on Tarsonis in the midst of the invasion...

Could work with enough contrivance but there's still a few snags. We're considering a what if scenario were Tassadar wouldn't have had pangs of conscience about burning Terran worlds. If so, as soon as the Zerg made their way to Tarsonis, the Protoss would've immediately lit it up. Bye bye opportunity!

[Visions of Khas]

Random Thought:

I don't know how I didn't catch this sooner, but the Purifier campaigns are ripped from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Endion is Endor; you're bringing down the shield emitters; and Cybros is the Death Star, capable of destroying the life on worlds.

[Robear]

That's why they had Ewoks there!

http://cd8ba0b44a15c10065fd-24461f391e20b7336331d5789078af53.r23.cf1.rackcdn.c om/polycount.vanillaforums.com/editor/iy/6l37wja2vfxz.gif

There's even an ewok beating a marine helmet like a drum, like the ewoks used stormtrooper helmets for percussion in the movie.

[Drake Clawfang]

I find it interesting that in the final product, the Disruptor is basically just the Reaver if the Reaver sucked.

[ragnarok]

I find it interesting that in the final product, the Disruptor is basically just the Reaver if the Reaver sucked.

Might not have been a coincidence, just Blizzard's method of substitution (which is also meh)

[Drake Clawfang]

It really does seem like, when you think about it, a lot of the "new" units added is just an "old" unit reimagined, or else were a cut campaign unit that was brought back.

Hellbat - Firebat
Viper - Flying Defiler
Disruptor - Reaver
Liberator - Valkyrie
Cyclone - Diamondback
Oracle - Star Relic

[Sheliek]

If I recall, the Field Manual actually mentions the Liberator as being based on the Valkyrie. Can check in a bit.

[Drake Clawfang]

Ya know that crazy marine that rushes your ultralisks for trashing his car in HotS?

They did the callback to that in LotV, and the marine there says "why does this keep happening to me!?" implying it's the same guy.

So... that marine that charged your ultralisks canonically survived?

[Nolanstar]

You completely wipe out a sentient species on Endion when the purification happens. No way the ewok knock offs survived.

[Drake Clawfang]

Meh, it's only the Ewoks.

[Sheliek]

After the Khala is corrupted and until you choose a faction for the zealot, the regular zealot has its nerve chords removed on the in-game model. Really nice touch, IMO. Odds are you won't notice this for more than the third Aiur mission, but it's a nice attention to detail that I always expect with Blizzard's art team.

Also, a Brood War dragoon model is hiding in the editor. I'll make a gif of it in action.

[Gradius]

Also, a Brood War dragoon model is hiding in the editor. I'll make a gif of it in action.
?

They're in the game. :P

[Sheliek]

No, the SC2-ified dragoon is in-game. A completely different model that's basically a hi-res translation of the exact Brood War one is also in there. Also, OBS is being a shit (as OBS does), but the normal model is VoidDragoon.m3. The old-school one is Dragoon.m3. See for yourself.

[Gradius]

Does anybody think the Tal'Darim are basically darker versions of the dark templar? They use void energy, but look and act way more sinister. Dark templar seem pretty mild in comparison. And now the khalai aren't even khalai anymore; the khala and psionic matrix is gone. They're all kind of blurring together.


No, the SC2-ified dragoon is in-game. A completely different model that's basically a hi-res translation of the exact Brood War one is also in there. Also, OBS is being a shit (as OBS does), but the normal model is VoidDragoon.m3. The old-school one is Dragoon.m3. See for yourself.
Oh wow you're right. Pretty cool. :P

[Drake Clawfang]

http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Egg_Madness

I'll let this page speak for itself.

[Sheliek]

Does anybody think the Tal'Darim are basically darker versions of the dark templar? They use void energy, but look and act way more sinister. Dark templar seem pretty mild in comparison. And now the khalai aren't even khalai anymore; the khala and psionic matrix is gone. They're all kind of blurring together.


Oh wow you're right. Pretty cool. :P

It's pretty convenient for me TBH. Still planning out my thing.


http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Egg_Madness

I'll let this page speak for itself.

I love that Futurama-esque humour.

[Sheliek]

Scouts would be worth it if their price was lowered to 150/125 and their stats were left alone (or just barely tweaked). 275/150? Not. Worth it.

[Jconant]

The stats on them now are clearly not (nor should be) equivilent to BW. The scouts were never available to build, so i have no idea what they should cost. However, the lotv campaign gave them a basic anti air attack (i think base 7X2) with a singe roll +light bonus against ground targets; pretty much an alternative to the pheonix or corsair and thus would be your goto starfighter for 100min/100gas. Why it wasn't available in the campiagn? either laziness of they couldnt find a cool utility to give it (would it have been a taldarim option since auir goes pheonix?)

[Sheliek]

I kinda wish the Scout (and Observer. Lurkers must be experienced) were just thrown into the campaign at various points even if they didn't get splits, sort of like the Aberration and Infestor. Scout would've been pretty decent on Sky Shield, and just throw Observers on the Sentry mission. Protoss do like their cloaked units, after all.

Also, I have no proof for this obviously, but I think the Khaydarin Monolith defensive tower is a modified Bile Launcher, of all things. They have a similar silhouette and overall architecture, and even function as of Allied Commanders. Wouldn't surprise me; it's not that uncommon, after all, in game design to remodel stuff like that.

Still, even if it's a coincidence, it is a neat one.

2448

EDIT:

Was looking around the co-op dependency. Found a mercenary vulture model, as well as the old warp ray, and a spore colony to accompany the sunken colony that appears in a couple campaign missions.
2449
2450

The Merc Vulture animations are really cool, BTW. Just replace the rider and portrait with Jim and boom, proper over-the-top hero model, as is the Blizzard tradition.

EDIT II: The Scouring Continues:

Replicant is, aside from some missing and poorly formatted tooltips, more fully functional than any version of the unit we ever got to see. Can replicate any ground unit, but only temporarily, and becomes a replicant again if the timer ends or the unit dies. HERC is in, armed with a shotgun instead of a melee drill, but its grapple is either missing or needs to be researched separately to use. Also, an unused Aiur-faction Mothership exists with different abilities from either the Tal'darim or multiplayer version. It's a timed unit, so was probably a dummied out Spear of Adun or commander summon. The timer is literally too short for me to tinker around with the unit (though it does deal constant damage to enemy units beneath it -- return of the PLANET CRACKER!), so I'll disable that timed-life thing when I go hunting again.

[Sheliek]

Separate topic, separate post:

I have an idea for a unit for the aforementioned thing, but I'm thinking it might be too imbalanced even for a campaign:

It's a Nerazim unit, basically an anti-ground-only scout variant. It can cloak, but it requires energy. 50 energy for 15 seconds of cloaking, on a 20 second cooldown. It has a decent single-target anti-ground attack, and can attack on the move. Stats obviously not worked on, still in the design stage of this all. Anything wrong with this when it comes to balancing?

The problem I'm seeing is being cloaked and being able to fire on the move, but I think making it so it cannot be constantly cloaked might mitigate that a bit. Obviously we can't know for sure until it's tested, but if the idea seems fundamentally overpowered, I can redesign it.

[Drake Clawfang]

It just hit me - Talandar is the original prototype for the Immortals. He has the same basic shape as them, his blades deal extra damage versus armored, he was found at an old Conclave research facility that was experimenting on advanced robotics, and his special ability restores his shields.

[Visions of Khas]

It just hit me - Talandar is the original prototype for the Immortals.
EDIT Nevermind, misread your post. Maybe!

[Drake Clawfang]

Battle.net forums drinking game - every time someone says "l2p" or "<gameplay element> is fine, you just don't understand how to use/counter it," take a shot. See if you can make it a full page without drinking yourself to unconsciousness.

In SC2-related stuff, the presence of original assets in Co-op now (new portrait for Sgt. Hammer, non-generic voice acting, new buildings) gives me hope for classic SC1 commanders, because it shows a willingness to design new assets.

[Gradius]

Why didn't we take the Tal'Darim with us to the void to kill Amon? Alarak would have been all over that opportunity. Or did we have Tal'Darim units? I forget.

[Drake Clawfang]

Why didn't we take the Tal'Darim with us to the void to kill Amon? Alarak would have been all over that opportunity. Or did we have Tal'Darim units? I forget.

I think we had the Vanguard Immortals and Destroyer Void Rays.

[Nolanstar]

We also had Havocs, and the AI used Wrathwalkers and Ascendants in the following two, you also see taldarim carriers in the epilogue intro cinematic as you enter ulnar.

[ragnarok]

Why didn't we take the Tal'Darim with us to the void to kill Amon? Alarak would have been all over that opportunity. Or did we have Tal'Darim units? I forget.

I could have sworn we did. If you recall in the cutscene right before the 1st epilogue mission began, we saw Protoss carriers fly into the Void portal. Those were crimson colored, implying those were Tal'darim carriers

[RODTHEGOD]

Well... it looks like the hype from legacy of the void is over now.

[Nissa]

Lol. Did it really have that much in the way of hype? There was always the hope it would turn out well, but SC2 was always better in our imaginations. Quite frankly, I don't think anything they could have done would have lived up to all the fun stuff we thought of during the post-BW interim.

[RODTHEGOD]

Lol. I mostly meant in terms of participation on the forums but you're right too.

[ragnarok]

Lol. Did it really have that much in the way of hype? There was always the hope it would turn out well, but SC2 was always better in our imaginations. Quite frankly, I don't think anything they could have done would have lived up to all the fun stuff we thought of during the post-BW interim.

Only because we didn't think too much in fantasy. Ok I'm sure there were SOME levels of fantasy, but it had much better explanations

[Gradius]

The Xel'Naga's appearance is basically a rip-off of Leviathan from Mass Effect 3, which, I thought was cool...so...

[Sheliek]

Is there a multiplayer flying unit that deals regular splash anti-ground damage? I know the mutalisk attack bounces, but that's not quite what I might by 'splash.' More like the siege tank or baneling.

[Turalyon]

Is there a multiplayer flying unit that deals regular splash damage? I know the mutalisk attack bounces, but that's not quite what I might by 'splash.' More like the siege tank or baneling.

Only in air-to-air. In BW we have Valkryies and Corsair (Devourers don't do splash damage per se) and in Sc2 we have Liberators.

[Sheliek]

I wonder why that is? It's a pretty simple unit role. I can see it being a pain to balance, but it wouldn't be impossible (plus, balancing anything is probably a tedious process). Was watching some Mental Omega matches and the Gyrocopter (http://mentalomega.com/index.php?page=soviet_infantry#gyro) just made me curious.

[Drake Clawfang]

The mission name "Templar's Charge" serves a triple meaning.

Charge as in to move and attack - they attack Moebius
Charge as in giving an order - Artanis orders Karax to spearhead the assault
Charge as in something to be watched - Karax's leadership of the army in the mission

[Sheliek]

The mission name "Templar's Charge" serves a triple meaning.

Charge as in to move and attack - they attack Moebius
Charge as in giving an order - Artanis orders Karax to spearhead the assault
Charge as in something to be watched - Karax's leadership of the army in the mission

Charge also means 'of great value or importances', though that's an older one. Still, it was a high-stakes mission even for that point in the conflict. There's a fourth one for ya.

EDIT: I've never seen a concrete explanation for how the damage of mutalisks with Vicious glaives work. I've seen some say that it does 9/3/1/1/1/1, which is obviously incorrect based on the description, and other numbers tend to vary. Is it 9/5/4/3/2/1? 9/3/2/2/1/1?

[Drake Clawfang]

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/DrakeClawfang/Fenix_zpshrimrlgq.png

WHY WAS THIS NOT A THING!?

[Sheliek]

I just realized that I can use Zeratul's portrait in post-StarCraft II projects without any risk of it clashing with Zeratul himself. :(

[Drake Clawfang]

I just realized Co-op totally spoils the rest of the trilogy, and even its own game with how Artie is wearing that warp gauntlet.

[Drake Clawfang]

And if you wait at the entrance long enough without killing the Ghost, it moves.

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/DrakeClawfang/Screenshot2016-04-11%2022_14_35_zps8bplfwiy.jpg

[KaiserStratosTygo]

Reptile Crate: I'll only accept orders directly from you, Judicator, No cutoffs involved, okay?
Aldaris: Agreed. That's why I was called. But one thing...
Reptile Crate: What?
Aldaris: : I'm not a Judicator anymore, just a retired old templar
Reptile Cratee: I understand... Judicator

[Visions of Khas]

Random thought: The akhundelar strike force had a confirmed kill count of 26, with perhaps another dozen implied kills; and a loss of only four. Dang. 'Toss OP.

[Drake Clawfang]

As I described it to a friend, the message of Legacy of the Void is "We are Brotoss. We are more OP than your puny Terran mind can understand. You've spent two expansions fucking things up, now we're gonna put it right so get outta our way."

[drakolobo]

"We are Brotoss. We are more OP than your puny Terran mind can understand. You've spent two expansions fucking things up, now we're gonna put it right so get outta our way."
http://orig08.deviantart.net/6891/f/2010/302/d/2/lol_terrans_by_zennia_jorra-d31rg1k.jpg

[TheEconomist]

Warcraft Movie Will "Veer Off" Lore in Some Sections, Director Says

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/warcraft-movie-will-veer-off-lore-in-some-sections/1100-6439138/

lololol

[Nissa]

Potentially, that's a good thing. Potentially.

[ragnarok]

Warcraft Movie Will "Veer Off" Lore in Some Sections, Director Says

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/warcraft-movie-will-veer-off-lore-in-some-sections/1100-6439138/

lololol


We'll be watching 3 hours of Metzen injecting crack syringes into himself then. Not impressed.

[Sheliek]

We'll be watching 3 hours of Metzen injecting crack syringes into himself then. Not impressed.

That was pretty good bro.

Also, wasn't April supposed to have co-op updates? I swear I read an article that said that.

[TheEconomist]

We'll be watching 3 hours of Metzen injecting crack syringes into himself then. Not impressed.

I was impressed that you made an attempt at a joke until I realize it's just an adaptation of a joke I made a thousand times on the Battle.net forums.

[ragnarok]

I was impressed that you made an attempt at a joke until I realize it's just an adaptation of a joke I made a thousand times on the Battle.net forums.

Who said I was joking on the matter?

[TheEconomist]

Oh, so you meant that literally? Sounds raggish enough.

[ragnarok]

Oh, so you meant that literally? Sounds raggish enough.

Given Blizzard's ignorance.....

[TheEconomist]

It would take more than ignorance for Blizzard to literally make a 3 hour (already a no-no) movie of Chris Metzen injecting heroine (you don't inject crack).

[ragnarok]

It would take more than ignorance for Blizzard to literally make a 3 hour (already a no-no) movie of Chris Metzen injecting heroine (you don't inject crack).

When the film comes out, we'll see

[TheEconomist]

Ragpalm

[Drake Clawfang]

I was bored and did these; Yu-Gi-Oh! Starcraft.

http://pastebin.com/ZYrfSYTL

http://pastebin.com/6qMxmf9Z

http://pastebin.com/KERyBMET

I tried to make each race sort of represent their gameplay style.

[Nissa]

That's super adorable.

[ragnarok]

Ragpalm

You'll see when it comes out

[Sheliek]

No we won't.

[Visions of Khas]

You know, I just realized...

The Golden Armada uses Oracles, which are piloted by Dark Templar. How'd Amon manage that?

[Drake Clawfang]

Ulrezaj?

[Sheliek]

You know, I just realized...

The Golden Armada uses Oracles, which are piloted by Dark Templar. How'd Amon manage that?

Out-of-story explanation? Purifier oracles show up as a doodad on Glacius or Cybros, so they probably scrapped the Oracle variants before Khalai art was made.

Lore, iunno, maybe it can be piloted by Khalai as well, but the the tech is Nerazim. Khalai dark templar exist, after all.

[Turalyon]

The Golden Armada uses Oracles, which are piloted by Dark Templar. How'd Amon manage that?

Evil Dark Templar that chose the Tal'darim path/ideology of Amon worship? It's not as if there's a rule against the possibility.

[ragnarok]

Ulrezaj?

No, Ulrezaj's master is NOT Amon, Blizzard confirmed this.

- - - Updated - - -


Evil Dark Templar that chose the Tal'darim path/ideology of Amon worship? It's not as if there's a rule against the possibility.

No, Turalyon. Blizzard will just use the same explanation they've always used: Amon has a "Deus Ex Machina" ability.

In all seriousness though, it's never said that the Oracles MUST have a Dark Templar pilot to fly it. Maybe after the Khala corruption, corrupted Khalai warriors killed the Dark Templar pilots and took the ship for themselves to fly it.

[Drake Clawfang]

No, Ulrezaj's master is NOT Amon, Blizzard confirmed this.

Hm. And they did so in 2015. I hope this bodes well for an Ulrezaj DLC, then; I doubt they're dismiss the obvious theory that late in the game without a plan to explain it later.

[Gradius]

No, Ulrezaj's master is NOT Amon, Blizzard confirmed this.
Someone else who works for Amon then.

[Drake Clawfang]

It kills me how many people are whining about the paid Abathur commander. Admittedly, $5 is a bit high (I'd go with $2.99 myself, but then I intend to see if Blizzard lowers the price while Mastery keeps me busy), but like, come on. "I paid 200 bucks for the trilogy and now you want 5 dollars for Abathur?"

Yes, they do. For one thing, that guy Steve Blum that voices Abathur? I'm pretty sure he would like a paycheck for coming back to voice him again. As would all those programmers that had to make Abathur's abilities, and the graphic designers that had to make new assets for him. For that matter, the programmers and graphic designers that made Karax, Lock & Load, and Chain of Ascension? Those were all free, so all their hard work on those elements was pro bono. Speaking as someone who has made plenty of SC1 maps, that shit is time-consuming and I ain't gonna do it for weeks on end without getting paid.

Entitled little shits. If you want Blizzard to put all this work into Co-op to make it better for you to play, then yeah, it's fair of them to expect payment.

[KaiserStratosTygo]

". Speaking as someone who has made plenty of SC1 maps, that shit is time-consuming and I ain't gonna do it for weeks on end without getting paid."

That's up to you, i've made 5/6 SC1 campaigns for free and never even tossed the idea of doing some paid nonsense.

No, blizzard does not deserve payment for micro-transaction type garbage.

that needs to be done away with in gaming.

The "entitled" argument needs to be eaten, shat out, shat on, pissed on, kicked and dropped into a volcano to die a 100% total death.

[Drake Clawfang]

Considering your posting history, I'll take your comments with several hundred grains of salt.

[ragnarok]

Someone else who works for Amon then.

Possibly. I'm hoping to see another one of Amon's followers or something. I'm not convinced that by the time the regular Xel'Naga confronted him at Zerus, Duran was the only one who survived. There had to have been more.

- - - Updated - - -


That's up to you, i've made 5/6 SC1 campaigns for free and never even tossed the idea of doing some paid nonsense.

No, blizzard does not deserve payment for micro-transaction type garbage.

that needs to be done away with in gaming.

The "entitled" argument needs to be eaten, shat out, shat on, pissed on, kicked and dropped into a volcano to die a 100% total death.

Stratos, this is exactly one the reasons people got frustrated with you. I've seen this happen even for your youtube comments.....

[TheEconomist]

That's up to you, i've made 5/6 SC1 campaigns for free and never even tossed the idea of doing some paid nonsense.

I made a doodle once. Didn't think of selling it. I'm so thoughtful.

My friend made a Mona Lisa. He sold it. I was jelly.

[ragnarok]

I made a doodle once. Didn't think of selling it. I'm so thoughtful.

My friend made a Mona Lisa. He sold it. I was jelly.

And how much money did he make off that?

[Gradius]

And how much money did he make off that?
And you said you're not capable of humor.

[Turalyon]

^ Rag's not capable of humour. That's what makes him funny (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheComicallySerious).

[ragnarok]

And you said you're not capable of humor.

Who said I was joking?

[Sheliek]

I can't wait to see the devourer portrait and hear the sounds with the new patch. I like that they're doing new assets for all these releases; that symbiote model would be a cool corruptor variant for customs too.

EDIT: I'm working on a set of RTS factions just as a time-waster, probably won't go anywhere with it because assets cost time and/or money, but I recently found a 200 page notebook filled with tech trees and unit/structure/spell outlines for that obscenely large LotXN project I was whittling away at in 2012-13. Any mappers here who'd be interesting if I typed an abridged version of the faction outlines? It'd be a shame for all those ideas to go to waste, and I'd love to help the community in even the most barebones way.

(For reference: 6 terran tech trees for four factions, five zerg tech trees for two factions, including an infested brood, a Hybrid tech tree and four protoss tech trees.)

[Visions of Khas]

That seems like a big project, Muspelli. I've only recently gotten interested in learning about modifying models and textures for StarCraft, though it seems most of the tutorials are way out of date.

[TheEconomist]

And how much money did he make off that?

This deserves the raggiest of ragpalms.

[Sheliek]

That seems like a big project, Muspelli.

That's why it never got finished. :P

EDIT:

I really like some of the ideas in here. Gonna type it up and put it up on a blog somewhere.

[Visions of Khas]

Sooo... without the Khala and psi matrix does that mean Void Rays are inoperable?

[ragnarok]

Sooo... without the Khala and psi matrix does that mean Void Rays are inoperable?

Not likely. The Void Rays would be made COMPLETELY from Nerazim tech. This was already seen back in the campaign itself, remember?

[Visions of Khas]

Well, not necessarily, Rag. The Void Ray's core mechanic is based on a fusion of Khalai and Void energy. I allow the Daelaam's continued use of them thanks to the Spear of Adun likely serving as a surrogate psi matrix. I just wonder how far its influence ranges. If Void Rays continue to see service, I expect them to be entirely Void based, but also with poorer (in-universe) stats.

[ragnarok]

Well, not necessarily, Rag. The Void Ray's core mechanic is based on a fusion of Khalai and Void energy. I allow the Daelaam's continued use of them thanks to the Spear of Adun likely serving as a surrogate psi matrix. I just wonder how far its influence ranges. If Void Rays continue to see service, I expect them to be entirely Void based, but also with poorer (in-universe) stats.

That's true. That being said, I don't think it was explained too far in detail as to just how much of the Khalai energy played into the Void Ray's functionality prior to Amon's actions in LotV.

[Visions of Khas]

Random Head-Canon:

The hole in the side of Stukov's face is from where he was shot by Duran inside the Psi Disruptor.

[ragnarok]

Random Head-Canon:

The hole in the side of Stukov's face is from where he was shot by Duran inside the Psi Disruptor.

Makes sense. Duran wanted that to be kept as a symbol of Stukov's humiliation.

[Visions of Khas]

Makes sense. Duran wanted that to be kept as a symbol of Stukov's humiliation.

Yup! So he preserved it while acting as Narud in their share time at Skygierr.

[ragnarok]

Yup! So he preserved it while acting as Narud in their share time at Skygierr.

Making it easier for Stukov to know who he really was. In fact that was actually one of the cut lines from HotS, where Stukov would have told Kerrigan that Narud was responsible for his death in BW.

[Visions of Khas]

Another thought I had concerned Stukov's command style. Just how many worlds did he have to consume to create his army? Is he part of the Swarm post-LotV? Or is he an independent agent now? With Zagara's change of heart, I'd be a shit ton more concerned about Stukov's intentions than hers.

[ragnarok]

Another thought I had concerned Stukov's command style. Just how many worlds did he have to consume to create his army? Is he part of the Swarm post-LotV? Or is he an independent agent now? With Zagara's change of heart, I'd be a shit ton more concerned about Stukov's intentions than hers.

Post LotV it's hard to say, because Kerrigan originally told him that she'd try to help him if he stayed with the swarm. But after Amon's defeat and the fact she hasn't been heard from since the whole ascension process, this was just set aside. Again it's just another Blizzard flaw for thinking, "Oh the fans would be too dumb to have noticed this."

As for the whole worlds consumed for his army of infested terrans, in some ways I had hoped that Duran would have tried to initiate an accelerated human cloning program for that (during the 4 years between BW and WoL). After all, these clones would only be cannon fodder for infestation (since there was still hope to regain control of the swarm). Thus after he was defeated at Skygeirr, those clones would fall into Stukov's hands, and that's how he got his army.

[Gradius]

Another thought I had concerned Stukov's command style. Just how many worlds did he have to consume to create his army? Is he part of the Swarm post-LotV? Or is he an independent agent now? With Zagara's change of heart, I'd be a shit ton more concerned about Stukov's intentions than hers.
It looks like the Colonist Compound building actually grows its own infested colonist, unlike the Infestor that carries them around. All his units in co-op are spawned from eggs. So it doesn't really look like he had to sack any worlds. That's just my theory though.

[Nolanstar]

We do know that the zerg have assimilated humans (abberations), so growing the infested colonists aint too far fetched, besides there's still editor references to the swarm host creating infested terrans...

[Visions of Khas]

Well, in that case they wouldn't be Infested Terrans so much as just Zerg, then. What would you call them, Terralisks, Androlisks? Infested Marine and Infested Civilian would be misnomers.

[ragnarok]

Well, in that case they wouldn't be Infested Terrans so much as just Zerg, then. What would you call them, Terralisks, Androlisks? Infested Marine and Infested Civilian would be misnomers.

The swarm probably just felt they weren't pure enough for that or something, that's their excuse. Hard to figure out how the zerg would classify them.

[GnaReffotsirk]

I wonder if Stukov would fight against the UED when they return in full force.

And what did Admiral DuGalle mean by, "Unleashing them on men"? Where they going to use the Zerg to take the Terran sector, and kill everyone?

[Visions of Khas]

And what did Admiral DuGalle mean by, "Unleashing them on men"? Where they going to use the Zerg to take the Terran sector, and kill everyone?


The UED intended to pacify the sector using the Zerg Swarm.

I think it's interesting that, in the Brood War opening cutscene, Stukov seemed reluctant to go along with this plan, having a clear distaste for using the Zerg on humans -- only to later become a Zerg himself.

[ragnarok]

I wonder if Stukov would fight against the UED when they return in full force.

And what did Admiral DuGalle mean by, "Unleashing them on men"? Where they going to use the Zerg to take the Terran sector, and kill everyone?

It's possible the UED had its share of enemies too on Earth, maybe they wanted to use the swarm as a weapon for just that, which would merely mirror what the Confederacy did in SC1

[GnaReffotsirk]

It's possible the UED had its share of enemies too on Earth, maybe they wanted to use the swarm as a weapon for just that, which would merely mirror what the Confederacy did in SC1

this is actually a plotpoint i have for the starbow campaign i was making.

the earth sector was at war in the manual. so i took that and extended it a bit.

one faction wanted to overcome the directorate. this faction is a conglomeration of all the enemies of the directorate over the years, and is secretly funded by a rival corporate entity within the directorate body of government.

i figued the ued is ruled by large corporations.

now, while the directorate claim to want to pacify the zerg, and claim much needed resources in the korpulu for the benefit of its citizens, which they treat badly, they actually want to use the zerg as a bioweapon.

now the rival entity wants this power for himself.

once the news of Dugalle's victory arrived in the earth sector, the ued rivals commenced their war, luring ued battleships off Sol system, then reprogramming the system's stellar navigation system to refuse providing access points to ued ships.

by not giving access points, ships cannot use warp drives to return to the Sol system, effectively cutting Sol from majority of the Ued fleet reinforcing key positions.

the conglomerate ships, now having positions for warp travel (access points), arrives in Sol, leaving each of their lured ued fleets behind.

ued forces are still very strong in Sol, even without the scattered fleets, giving the conglomerate limited options.

while the rest of the conglomerate assault earth, capital of the ued, the financeer used the one charge the ued interstellar gate has, sending his fleet and some chosen gactions with him, betraying the rest, turning them into fodder, diverting and delaying the ued from responding and stopping them.

they arrive in the korpulu expecting dugalle's expeditionary fleet, but they're nowhere to be found.

what they found is an unfinished gate on an ice world planet, infested by the zerg.

[ragnarok]

this is actually a plotpoint i have for the starbow campaign i was making.

the earth sector was at war in the manual. so i took that and extended it a bit.

one faction wanted to overcome the directorate. this faction is a conglomeration of all the enemies of the directorate over the years, and is secretly funded by a rival corporate entity within the directorate body of government.

i figued the ued is ruled by large corporations.

now, while the directorate claim to want to pacify the zerg, and claim much needed resources in the korpulu for the benefit of its citizens, which they treat badly, they actually want to use the zerg as a bioweapon.

now the rival entity wants this power for himself.

once the news of Dugalle's victory arrived in the earth sector, the ued rivals commenced their war, luring ued battleships off Sol system, then reprogramming the system's stellar navigation system to refuse providing access points to ued ships.

by not giving access points, ships cannot use warp drives to return to the Sol system, effectively cutting Sol from majority of the Ued fleet reinforcing key positions.

the conglomerate ships, now having positions for warp travel (access points), arrives in Sol, leaving each of their lured ued fleets behind.

ued forces are still very strong in Sol, even without the scattered fleets, giving the conglomerate limited options.

while the rest of the conglomerate assault earth, capital of the ued, the financeer used the one charge the ued interstellar gate has, sending his fleet and some chosen gactions with him, betraying the rest, turning them into fodder, diverting and delaying the ued from responding and stopping them.

they arrive in the korpulu expecting dugalle's expeditionary fleet, but they're nowhere to be found.

what they found is an unfinished gate on an ice world planet, infested by the zerg.

So far this looks good. Anything further you've planned out yet?

[GnaReffotsirk]

Broad strokes, I've thought about much. But I had to put it down for a while.

[Drake Clawfang]

Just came up with the coolest Co-op commander ever that Blizzard won't ever do.

http://sclegacy.com/forums/showthread.php?16303-Co-Op-Commander-Theorycrafting&p=202198&viewfull=1#post202198

[ragnarok]

Broad strokes, I've thought about much. But I had to put it down for a while.

Ever thought of picking it back up again?

[GnaReffotsirk]

I can't leave things unfinished, so it's still being worked on, subconsciously, to put it. I still get moments of ideas and revisions while I work on these:

1. SC Survivors -- Reboot of my old campaign
2. Starcraft: Resurrection -- Sc2 reboot/retelling
3. Khaydarin Wars -- Xel'Naga story

I'm currently creating assets for all of these, and that itself takes time. However, I use these moments of silence to let my brain cook things up.

[ragnarok]

I can't leave things unfinished, so it's still being worked on, subconsciously, to put it. I still get moments of ideas and revisions while I work on these:

1. SC Survivors -- Reboot of my old campaign
2. Starcraft: Resurrection -- Sc2 reboot/retelling
3. Khaydarin Wars -- Xel'Naga story

I'm currently creating assets for all of these, and that itself takes time. However, I use these moments of silence to let my brain cook things up.

Which is fine, you just let us know from time to time how things progress on it.

[GnaReffotsirk]

I will get in touch with different people, to get corrections and feedback. That way I can refine, correct, and bend points. More varied thoughts, input, and informed, reasonable, well-supported contradictions are very, very beneficial.

[Drake Clawfang]

I'd love to revamp my Mar Sara Missions trilogy. A pity the map editor is so poorly designed that I can't be bothered to try and actually make a campaign with it.

[GnaReffotsirk]

It has a learning curve, and can be sluggish, but you can take small steps to start and gain momentum.

I had issues when SC2 was constantly updating, breaking triggers, but atm it's very stable, allowing us creatives to focus on getting ideas out rather than troubleshooting.

I would recommend doing something really small at first, Drake. Once you're comfortable, and gained confidence after small successes and completed maps (or sections), you will naturally want to stretch out and learn another thing you want to do.

I started a series of quick 30 minute doodling with it, until I can spend hours now without problems.

Here's some tips that might help. This may sound out of place right now, but this basically something we do with the BW editor.

1. Create your cinematic shots (basic trigger in-game stuff) and sequences first. You can test these cinematic moments by pressing a key, if you create your trigger to run upon keypress. Saves you a lot of time running through the mission only to realize you need a second more to make the camera work fluid.

2. Run your game segments from a single main trigger that has "run triggers, wait until finished" option. Like a director trigger that runs each trigger one after the other when conditions are met. This is very doeable. This will allow you to jump to certain game sections you want to debug or test.

I have a MAIN DIRECTOR TRIGGER, SECTION DIRECTOR TRIGGERS, and NON-SEQUENCIAL SECTION TRIGGERS.

Whatever your structure is, I find having a single Director Trigger helps a lot creating complex multi-section maps.

3. COPY stuff in the data editor. I'm not 100% knowledgeable with the data editor. Nobody claims they are. I'm able to duplicate stuff and modify stuff, that's all, and I can do with that.

4. Variables.

I don't know if that helps, but I'm sure if you have the time, you can get rolling with the editor no problem. It's really not hard, I mean, Doombuilder can be intimidating at first, but you surely will get a handle with it.

I don't know. I just wish you remade your maps. I loved them, especially the tactical nature of your missions.

[Nissa]

Aw, it would be great if we could make our own version of SC2. Or just a fan game in general. I know the iffiness of fan work, but if you ever get to the point where you would like some dialogue writing/voice acting, I'll help.

[ragnarok]

I will get in touch with different people, to get corrections and feedback. That way I can refine, correct, and bend points. More varied thoughts, input, and informed, reasonable, well-supported contradictions are very, very beneficial.

That's fine too. How many people you work with on it (rough estimate)?

[GnaReffotsirk]

I find it best to not start with a group. Tried it multiple times and things won't move. A decision on a single plot point takes time, and sometimes can't even be arrived at. Then sometimes you have to compromise and inject a plot point they want there, which doesn't help the story, and everything becomes a mess.

Creating the narrative can be done. World building and key events yes.

I don't know.

The best way, I think, is to create a solid draft, and use that as base, where the lore and narrative would be the armature, and further tweaks would be the sculpting process.

So, I don't know. Can we even decide on a single narrative?

edit: Okay, I'll start a thread, and leave the OP for you guys to tinker with. Give me a moment to set things up.

[ragnarok]

edit: Okay, I'll start a thread, and leave the OP for you guys to tinker with. Give me a moment to set things up.

Go ahead, just be aware this'll lead to a lot of conflicting viewpoints. It's one of the reasons why for my fic, I tried not to take TOO much advice from the reviewers.

[GnaReffotsirk]

yup. I don't know why I did it, even though I knew what would happen. But, let's see.

[ragnarok]

yup. I don't know why I did it, even though I knew what would happen. But, let's see.

At least here you have to deal with less people than the battlenet forums, so there's less chance of WAY too many conflicting views.

[GnaReffotsirk]

I've always felt at home here in SCL. THere's something about this forum that challenges your mind, and keeps you in-check.

It can be intimidating at times, but no one will bash you just to do so. If at all, an opposition would lend to correction, discussion, or clarification.

I've always found myself growing and learning here, than anywhere else.

[ragnarok]

I've always felt at home here in SCL. THere's something about this forum that challenges your mind, and keeps you in-check.

It can be intimidating at times, but no one will bash you just to do so. If at all, an opposition would lend to correction, discussion, or clarification.

I've always found myself growing and learning here, than anywhere else.

So have I, though I first got my growing criticism of the storyline after listening to Gradius and others on battlenet

[Gradius]

Maybe the protoss couldn't use the Uraj and Khalis to activate the temple in LoTV because the Khala was corrupted, making the Uraj and the temple's normal method of activation non-functional. A Khalai carrying the Uraj now has no effect.

[ragnarok]

Maybe the protoss couldn't use the Uraj and Khalis to activate the temple in LoTV because the Khala was corrupted, making the Uraj and the temple's normal method of activation non-functional. A Khalai carrying the Uraj now has no effect.

That's a possibility, didn't think of that. Still, Artanis specifically said in that mission "Without the Uraj and the Khalis," which implies they've been lost to someone else or something.

You know given what you said about the Khala corrupted and the Uraj useless, you really wonder why Amon didn't just corrupt the Khala in the Uraj so that once the Khalai reestablished the link, they'd all become corrupted right away.

[Gradius]

Does anybody else think it's weird that Stukov has been wearing the same exact UED uniform/hat for a solid 6 years?

[Undeadprotoss]

Does anybody else think it's weird that Stukov has been wearing the same exact UED uniform/hat for a solid 6 years?

Yeah....even after being infested too. I think it's probably the last possible remnant of his home and he probably had his laundry done while on the Aleksander

[Turalyon]

His uniform seems to be partly fused with his infested state, so I guess he can't really change out of it I suppose. The hat on the other hand, well, he just wouldn't be complete without it.

[ragnarok]

Does anybody else think it's weird that Stukov has been wearing the same exact UED uniform/hat for a solid 6 years?

Duran could have done that to him merely to remind him of his humiliating defeat in the BW.

[Nissa]

I am always fascinated by your guys' ability to discuss things that are clearly and obviously due to Blizzard's laziness.

[ragnarok]

I am always fascinated by your guys' ability to discuss things that are clearly and obviously due to Blizzard's laziness.

You really think they just didn't want to create a new uniform for him?

[Nissa]

You really think they just didn't want to create a new uniform for him?

Absolutely. New stuff requires thinking. Also, because new Stukov is super generic and unremarkable, no one would know who he was if he wasn't wearing the exact same thing.

[drakolobo]

I think that after you get a tentacle by the arm suppurating bioplasm and spore, a uniform goes to second term in yours priorities

[ragnarok]

Absolutely. New stuff requires thinking. Also, because new Stukov is super generic and unremarkable, no one would know who he was if he wasn't wearing the exact same thing.

All they need to do is look at his face

[Gradius]

All they need to do is look at his face

https://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/starcraft/images/e/e1/AlexeiStukov_HotS_Head1.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20151221144218

vs

https://cameronmoviesandtv.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/alexeistukov_sc1_cinebwintro1.jpg

Looks like a different person. Honestly, most characters that Blizzard brought back (Fenix, Overmind, Tassadar, Zeratul, Artanis), virtually none of these guys look/sound remotely anything like they did in SC1. If it wasn't for their names, nobody would have any clue it's the same person.

[ragnarok]

https://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/starcraft/images/e/e1/AlexeiStukov_HotS_Head1.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20151221144218

vs

https://cameronmoviesandtv.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/alexeistukov_sc1_cinebwintro1.jpg

Looks like a different person. Honestly, most characters that Blizzard brought back (Fenix, Overmind, Tassadar, Zeratul, Artanis), virtually none of these guys look/sound remotely anything like they did in SC1. If it wasn't for their names, nobody would have any clue it's the same person.

*shrugs* To me it seemed easy to make the connection. The audience merely would have needed to think a little bit.

[Gradius]

Did you even bother reading my post?

[Undeadprotoss]

Stukov is really well built in SC2 though. Imo, you always have to be careful when making humans in any game seem physically hyperealistic. Even if they have super-natural powers, it feels viscerally weird if everyone looks like a bodybuilder (not that Stukov is THAT jacked).

[ragnarok]

Stukov is really well built in SC2 though. Imo, you always have to be careful when making humans in any game seem physically hyperealistic. Even if they have super-natural powers, it feels viscerally weird if everyone looks like a bodybuilder (not that Stukov is THAT jacked).

Hmmm, I always felt it's possible the well building was something that Kaloth might have put into him or something like that. Remember, the whole point of his infestation back then was because the Cerebrates didn't want Kerrigan taking control of the swarm, and they wanted someone to challenge her. Stukov was 52 years old when he was killed in BW, I can see him being fit, but maybe not to that extent, not without someone else intervening.

[Turalyon]

Absolutely. New stuff requires thinking. Also, because new Stukov is super generic and unremarkable, no one would know who he was if he wasn't wearing the exact same thing.

Don't forget the Russian accent and the fact that they call him "Stukov". :p


Did you even bother reading my post?

Comprehension of other people's posts isn't one of Rag's strong suits.

[ragnarok]

Don't forget the Russian accent and the fact that they call him "Stukov". :p



What does that have to do with it all?

[Nissa]

Don't forget the Russian accent and the fact that they call him "Stukov". :p

That's my point. Blizz should've let us get it on our own. And let Stukov actually say and do interesting things.

It's more than that, though. It's sort of like something Redlettermedia brought up about Indiana Jones 4. Indiana Jones is known for the jacket and the hat. As much as we know what Harrison Ford looks like, and we can hear him being called by his name, because his character is actually pretty shallow, it would be weird if he didn't wear his traditional outfit. Stukov, despite being a more deep character, well, apparently Blizz thought it would be "weird" if he wasn't dressed the same was as what we last saw him in.

Honestly, I wouldn't complain if Stukov was just regular infested. Then the whole clothes thing would just be what his body was dressed in for the funeral. But this whole being involved with Narud thing, and then still wearing the uniform?

[ragnarok]

Honestly, I wouldn't complain if Stukov was just regular infested. Then the whole clothes thing would just be what his body was dressed in for the funeral. But this whole being involved with Narud thing, and then still wearing the uniform?

What would you have preferred for Stukov after the whole being experimented on by Duran? For him to be some completely unrecognizable monster?

[Turalyon]

That's my point. Blizz should've let us get it on our own. And let Stukov actually say and do interesting things.

I know, I was trying to be snide. Stukov's presence in HotS is much like "Tassadars" presence in WoL. Those characters are only there for the sake of cameo potential, to prop up the story by trying to sneakily pull the good feels we got from those characters in the previous game into the current one (the nostalgia tag) and to artificially give weight to the exposition they put forth (because, "hey those guys were cool then, we gotta believe what they say!"). It didn't work.


Honestly, I wouldn't complain if Stukov was just regular infested. Then the whole clothes thing would just be what his body was dressed in for the funeral. But this whole being involved with Narud thing, and then still wearing the uniform?

I can go one better and say I wouldn't complain if Stukov just wasn't Stukov at all but some other character. Really, the role that Stukov fills in HotS can easily be filled by some other made-up character.

[Nissa]

I can go one better and say I wouldn't complain if Stukov just wasn't Stukov at all but some other character. Really, the role that Stukov fills in HotS can easily be filled by some other made-up character.

Or not be filled in at all.

Then again, some random schlub from colony X getting infested and getting to meet the Queen of Blades would be a fascinating character angle.

[ragnarok]

Or not be filled in at all.

Then again, some random schlub from colony X getting infested and getting to meet the Queen of Blades would be a fascinating character angle.

You could have just used Ethan Stewart again for that role by reviving him from the DT Saga ending.

[Turalyon]

Or not be filled in at all.

B-b-but... what about the all important exposition!? :rolleyes:

[ragnarok]

B-b-but... what about the all important exposition!? :rolleyes:

It's not important at all

[Nissa]

B-b-but... what about the all important exposition!? :rolleyes:

We'll just replace it with various shots of fake Zeratul fighting Kerrigan on various epic planets.

[Gradius]

- I never noticed this, but the high templar in the LoTV intro cinematic does the super speed high templar blur thing when he rushes over to save his friend. Looks pretty cool.
- How the heck did Amon not notice Ouros's interference on the temple on Erris? They're literally communing through the same pathway.

[Turalyon]

How the heck did Amon not notice Ouros's interference on the temple on Erris? They're literally communing through the same pathway.

:p I have it on good authority (ie: my own) that this is because it's setting up for an eventual reveal that Amon and Ouros are actually the one and same being. There never was an Amon, it was Ouros the Deceiver all along. :p

[ragnarok]

- How the heck did Amon not notice Ouros's interference on the temple on Erris? They're literally communing through the same pathway.

He thought Ouros didn't have the power to interfere back then and therefore it must stay that way indefinitely

[Gradius]

Purifier Fenix wakes up thinking that he went to Glacius as a Zealot and woke up as a dragoon, in a machine body. That's not how dragoons work. You get put in a dragoon after you're injured, but he was healthy. He later says "much has changed since I went into stasis. My body is now gone". So he must be under the impression that the Conclave killed/crippled him so that he could be put into a machine. That's pretty f**ked up, but nobody including him seems to think it's a problem.

Vorazun says "Jim Raynor knew my mother...did he not?" That means Fenix and Raynor actually went back to Shakuras before going to find Mengsk and fight the UED.

[Turalyon]

Purifier Fenix wakes up thinking that he went to Glacius as a Zealot and woke up as a dragoon, in a machine body. That's not how dragoons work. You get put in a dragoon after you're injured, but he was healthy. He later says "much has changed since I went into stasis. My body is now gone".

Yeah, I always thought the Dragoon shell was just like a massive life support machine and that there was a shattered/severely injured Protoss inside it. If he "realises his body is gone", Fenix should already know that he's not really a Dragoon but a Purifier from the get-go. Unless of course we're to assume Fenix is just ignorant of how Dragoons/Protoss tech work given he's just a grunt?


Vorazun says "Jim Raynor knew my mother...did he not?" That means Fenix and Raynor actually went back to Shakuras before going to find Mengsk and fight the UED.

Not necessarily. Raynor is unaccounted for after True Colors and there was some time between then and Drawing the Web (Talematros) for Raynor to have potentially fled to Shakuras before Kerrigan came to kidnap Raszagal. *Shrugs*

[Visions of Khas]

Vorazun says "Jim Raynor knew my mother...did he not?" That means Fenix and Raynor actually went back to Shakuras before going to find Mengsk and fight the UED.

I remember this old map from the BroodWar days that took place on Shakuras. The blurb included a member of Raynor's Raiders waxing poetic about the ominous beauty of the planet.


If he "realises his body is gone", Fenix should already know that he's not really a Dragoon but a Purifier from the get-go.
He could just be in denial, thinking to himself, "Oh, the Khalai sure have outdone themselves this time! Nothing but my brain in here!" *nervous laughter*

[Nolanstar]

Fenix believing he is in a dragoon for a bit could make sense depending on how much left was intact, a head with no ocular organs and some vital torso bits are really all you need, so perhaps he just thought he was in that state.

[Gradius]

Maybe Khalai technology is just that good that he can't feel anything. But I want to know how he came to the conclusion that his body was gone. This is different than when he became a dragoon and he used the phrase "my ruined body", which implies he should at least know if there's something of him left.

[Visions of Khas]

He could have come to the conclusion based on incomplete data. He can presumably ascertain his approximate size base on. his movement's and relative size of objects around him. He's clearly within a mechanical chassis with formidable armaments. This could lead to the logical conclusion that his few remains are housed within an advanced Dragoon. Any missing time could be attributed to fatal wounds ave concussions sustained in his final battle.

Just throw in healthy denial and voila.

[Gradius]

- One when time when Rohana was imprisoned and met with the rest of the characters, she was sitting on the bridge in her actual stasis pod. The other time she was there as a holographic projection. :P

[ragnarok]

In all seriousness though Gradius, with response to the part of why Amon didn't just notice Ouros using the void conduit, it's probably because he felt either Karax could never configure the Keystone to yank him out of the Khala, or that he felt the Khala had been such an important part of the protoss society that the Khalai would never relinquish it.

[Sheliek]

HunCraft and StarCraft II both end with Artanis being the only remaining SC1 character still 'in-play' (besides Stukov, who's technically dead; Raynor has vanished, Kerrigan has ascended to a higher plane of existence, everyone else is dead).

[ragnarok]

HunCraft and StarCraft II both end with Artanis being the only remaining SC1 character still 'in-play' (besides Stukov, who's technically dead; Raynor has vanished, Kerrigan has ascended to a higher plane of existence, everyone else is dead).

So have a new era of characters rise up: it'd be interesting to see what the new generation can do

[sandwich_bird]

In the briefing of the New Gettysburg, Kerrigan says:


I know what I'm doing. The Protoss are coming to destroy the entire planet, not just the Zerg. I know that because... well I just know it. I am a Ghost, remember?

But the Protoss aren't actually coming to destroy the entire planet... Also, Ghosts are future readers? Or did she read the mind of a Protoss from super far away?

[Gradius]

I think she’s just basically deluding herself into trusting Arcturus because it’s inconceivable to her that he’s capable of genocide.

[sandwich_bird]

I think she’s just basically deluding herself into trusting Arcturus because it’s inconceivable to her that he’s capable of genocide.

Plausible. Interestingly, she doesn't mind read Mengsk either. Presumably, she put such blind trust in him that she would distort her reality to ignore or block whatever thoughts come out of Mengsk.

[Gradius]

In Uprising the excuse was that Mengsk was especially strong willed or something and difficult to read.

[ragnarok]

In the briefing of the New Gettysburg, Kerrigan says:



But the Protoss aren't actually coming to destroy the entire planet... Also, Ghosts are future readers? Or did she read the mind of a Protoss from super far away?

Given all the other planets the Protoss glassed, she felt it made sense that they'd do the same thing to Tarsonis. It's not like she knew Tassadar would defy the Conclave's orders at that moment

[ragnarok]

In Uprising the excuse was that Mengsk was especially strong willed or something and difficult to read.

I thought it was only the latter, Gradius. He perfected some sort of technique to block out telepaths, which was why Kerrigan couldn't fully read his mind. Or at least, couldn't get all the info she had hoped to get out.....

[Sheliek]

Five war chests from now, how deep is Blizzard gonna have to dig into lore for unit skin fluff? That said, a fully Khalai or fully Nerazim protoss skin set would be neat, and eventually we might go so far down the 'excuse for microtransaction' rabbithole that we get a 'Kimeran Space Pirates' Terran set and 'Kaloth's New Swarm' zerg set.

I like the MTX model Blizzard has gone with. New models with the War Chest and assets from co-op for map makers to use if nothing else.

[Turalyon]

But the Protoss aren't actually coming to destroy the entire planet... Also, Ghosts are future readers? Or did she read the mind of a Protoss from super far away?

Maybe that "destroying the entire planet" was still in the majority of thoughts coming from a large number of Protoss in Tassadar's fleet even when he commanded them to engage the Zerg in direct combat. They had just glassed a couple worlds before and some were probably still thinking that it might still end this way for Tarsonis as well.


Plausible. Interestingly, she doesn't mind read Mengsk either. Presumably, she put such blind trust in him that she would distort her reality to ignore or block whatever thoughts come out of Mengsk.

It's that or there was nothing actually "bad" to read off of Mengsk at all because he never actually bore her ill-will nor intended to "sacrifice" her in the first place. Ain't the ambiguity grand?

[ragnarok]

Five war chests from now, how deep is Blizzard gonna have to dig into lore for unit skin fluff? That said, a fully Khalai or fully Nerazim protoss skin set would be neat, and eventually we might go so far down the 'excuse for microtransaction' rabbithole that we get a 'Kimeran Space Pirates' Terran set and 'Kaloth's New Swarm' zerg set.

I like the MTX model Blizzard has gone with. New models with the War Chest and assets from co-op for map makers to use if nothing else.

I'd like to see a Kaloth's new swarm zerg set, would be interesting to see what lore reasons Blizzard can come up with for the Cerebrates after the BW