New maps for Season 3 map pool

http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/2943356#blog

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1v1 map pool additions:
http://us.media3.battle.net/cms/gall...8247987366.jpg
This map features close rush distances in most start locations, and the natural expansion is fairly easy to access, due to the rock guarding a part of the choke point. This means that the map won’t be strictly about the rush, even though it’s a rush map.

http://us.media2.battle.net/cms/gall...8248001493.jpg
Kerrigan’s Wrath is a symmetric map with no spawn point that is favored over the others. Without breaking the two rocks, this map is very straightforward to play, but when the paths blocked by rocks are opened up, you'd better take notice!

http://us.media1.battle.net/cms/gall...8248032778.jpg
Unlike Kerrigan’s Wrath, Shifted Sky will have varying gameplay depending on where you and your opponent spawn. You’ll want to bring multiple strategies to this map, and adjust your game depending on your and your opponent’s start locations. This map also features an extremely large number of different attack paths, some of which can be opened up by breaking rocks.

http://us.media3.battle.net/cms/gall...8248009376.jpg
This is the macro map for Season 3. Early on, it will be possible to easily take two expansions. This, along with the long rush distances in all start locations, will most likely encourage players to go for a mid- or late-game strategy, rather than a quick, rush-based strategy.

2v2 map pool additions
http://us.media1.battle.net/cms/gall...8263943593.jpg
http://us.media3.battle.net/cms/gall...8263893018.jpg
In 2v2, we’re trying to go with mostly maps where you and your ally have a shared choke point to defend. At higher levels of 2v2, there are clearly team compositions that are stronger than others on open maps. We’re hoping to address this balance issue through map layout, since this is only a 2v2-specific issue.

3v3 and 4v4 map additions
3v3 maps
http://us.media5.battle.net/cms/gall...8263886412.jpg
http://us.media5.battle.net/cms/gall...8263957445.jpg

4v4 maps
http://us.media5.battle.net/cms/gall...8263906764.jpg
http://us.media2.battle.net/cms/gall...8263927847.jpg
Looking at the statistics, we’re seeing that the higher level players rarely play these formats. Therefore, we’ve decided to go with a bit more of a casual-player-friendly selection of formats. We want to provide a good mix of fortress style maps, as well as rush maps, to cater to the broad player base here. Our goal for these two formats is for players to be able to enjoy variety in the gameplay, rather than trying to provide an eSports level of game balance.

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So.........Blizzard loves destructible rocks and mostly limiting players to 1-2 bases. Is it just me or is there a lot of air space on their "macro map" for air units to hide in and use??

EDIT: I would think siege tanks do well on "Kerrigan's Wrath" at pressuring the second in vertical spawns and at pressuring the third in horizontal spawns.

FFS, would they just get rid of close spawns already?

Tbh I really like those 1v1 maps, they look pretty good and balanced, well they maybe need some tweaks, but overall they are cool.

Looks great. Did they say when they plan to institute season 3?

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Originally Posted by Blazur

Looks great. Did they say when they plan to institute season 3?

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Nope. How long has Season 2 lasted now??

the 4v4 ones looks interesting :3

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Originally Posted by JackhammerIV

Nope. How long has Season 2 lasted now??

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Season 1 closed around March 25th. If season 2 lasts the same 7 months, season 3 should begin in October. But we'll be smart and say Blizz will start season 3 when it feels the time is right. I for one think Blizz's definition of "soon" is in play. We'll know when Season 3 is eminent when we get the test realm opened, with or without a companion test patch. ;)

Forgot my map notes (lol): 2v2, 3v3 and 4v4 all look worth a reasonable try. In the 1v1s, the 1st and 3rd look okay. Kerrigan's Wrath, oddly enough, lacks the open spaces that Zerg typically need. The 4th looks like it favors colossi/reapers/blinkers just a touch. I say this because of the intentionally designed ledges pointing toward the center from the spawns covered by steam vents.

Dunno why they're bothering with seasons IMO

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Originally Posted by Wankey

Dunno why they're bothering with seasons IMO

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2 reasons, imo:

1) Filters out the dead wood, which has improved competition overall, though individual experiences may vary.

2) Allows fresh slates for newer players who may want a restart following a poor start. I wouldn't be surprised to hear a newer player admit to this.

Edit: 3rd point that is related to and stronger than point 2: it can be a confidence builder to have new seasons, as with sites like www.sc2ranks.com, one can see how much one has improved. This effect would be heightened if we could easily find win% figures for ourselves.