Heroes Of The Storm Beta

[DemolitionSquid]

Was just wondering if anyone here has the beta, and how they feel about it, now that its been live for a few months. I figured the mods would have at least gotten a few keys, even though this site is so riddled with bugs right now its basically dead until LotV pops. Anyway, been watching Day[9] play a bit and it looks to appeal to me personally more than other MOBA's. I like the team leveling and customization through traits instead of items. I also feel conflicted about Sgt. Hammer's playstyle looking fun yet me not liking Terran in SC. Heh.

[The_Blade]

I have ~700 matches on Heroes of the Storm. 9.5/10

What would you like to know?

[DemolitionSquid]

1. Do you start with any heroes permanently unlocked, or can only play whatever is in rotation until you buy them?

2. Does the 4-class system have any notable pros/cons to the standard Str/Dex/Int system?

3. Do you feel it has a place alongside DotA, LoL, etc. as a competitive game, specifically on the topic of team exp and no items, plus the multiple maps.

4. Do you feel the pricing system is fair? Ex: Daily gold vs. hero cost, 5-15$ per hero. Do you feel the game is worth the 40$ entrance pack that just released for those of us who don't have a key?

[The_Blade]

1. There's a weekly rotation of 7 heroes. You can play instantly with 5 of them and the two remaining slots need to be unlocked through player level.

2. Str/Dex/Int is part of a larger system. I feel this comes as a left over from MMO environments and the original DotA limitations. The whole system would be: Str/Dex/Int Champion Focus, Items, and Hero Roles. Together they create the identity and gameplay of every champion. DotA 2 has an amazing champion role category overview (disrupter, nuker, support, mage, etc). That role identification is superior to Blizzard's. The game is oriented towards experienced players though.

What Blizzard has done right is the creation of a user friendly learning curve through their hero design (which includes the Talent system), because the game is oriented towards a larger audience. Roles are quite general, and every Hero has its own skillcap. The current role division goes like this:
Support: Can Heal/Shield Heroes
Assassin: Straightforward DPS characters through auto-attack or spells.
Warrior: Tanks and Bruisers
Specialists: Strange design DPS characters through auto-attack or spells.

Both systems are very well designed. Notable Pros/Cons against each other? No. Each serves a different purpose.

3. Yes. Considering it's still in beta, the game is REALLY popular in the competitive scene in the EU servers. There are around 45-60 active pro teams atm. Team EXP and no items are as valid as individual EXP and items when talking about core design. Both create a complete gameplay experience with depth. Now, multiple maps and shorter matches are something I really feel is an improvement over other systems. Removing dead time and multiple maps make the game more enjoyable to watch and play.

4.Despite what everyone says: YES

Data behind that:

Every system has sales implemented. So far Heroes has the largest regular drops with over 60% off (LoL average 50%; Dota 2 45.80% [don't remember where i got this number from]; Heroes 60%) <---- periodic estimates

DotA 2:
Mayor pros: Custom sets, "free of purchase" items/gear, free champions and steam workshop economy.

Prices
Skins (complete sets):

• Arcana: $34.99
• Mythical: $9.99
• Rare: $3.99

Misc items (couriers, tournament tickets, portraits, etc): $1.00 to $3.00

LoL:
Mayor cons: Money in limbo as unspent RP.

Prices
Skins:

• Ultimate: $21.67 - $25.00
• Legendary: $12.34 - $14.00
• Minor-Legendary: $9.00 - $10.00
• Mayor-Remodel: $6.50 - $7.50
• Remodel: $5.00 - $5.77
• Minor-Remodel: $3.47 - $4.00
• Retexture: $2.60 - $3.00

Champions:

• 6300 tier: $6.50 - $7.50
• 4800 tier: $5.87 - $6.77
• 3150 tier: $5.27 - $6.08
• 1350 tier: $3.90 - $4.50
• 450 tier: $1.74 - $2.00

Misc items (wards, portraits, etc): $2.00 to $3.00

Heroes:
Mayor Pros: Quality of art, test models within games, and "free of purchase" skins/mounts.
Mayor Cons: Skin's prices won't make sense for some content upgrades.

Prices:
Skins:

• Legendary: $14.99
• Mayor-Remodel: $9.99
• Remodel: $7.49
• Retexture: $4.99

Heroes:

• 15k and 10k tier: $9.99
• 7k tier: $8.49
• 4k tier: $6.49
• 2k tier: $3.99

Misc items (mounts): $7.49 - $19.99

[DemolitionSquid]

Thanks for the info; confirmed a lot of things for me. Guess I just need to decide if I wanna shell the 40$ or wait a bit longer for a key.

[DemolitionSquid]

So, funny thing. I think I just got a beta key. I opened my battle.net and was given the option to install the game, and I'm currently doing the tutorial. What are the odds eh?

My ID is Cephalopods#1964 if anyone wants to play.

[Zoar]

I've been playing it since like half-way through closed alpha, Zoar#1373 if someone wants to play.

- - - Updated - - -

I've been playing it since like half-way through closed alpha, Zoar#1373 if someone wants to play.

[The_Blade]

Blizzard still reads through these forums. Seems like you still have friends for you editorial, Squib.

[DemolitionSquid]

Blizzard still reads through these forums. Seems like you still have friends for you editorial, Squib.

HAHA, as if anyone working at Blizzard wants anything to do with me after the bashing I've given them over the years. I probably got the key a long time ago and didn't even notice till now cause the only Blizzard game I play is Hearthstone for the quick dailies.

[DemolitionSquid]

So just a quick update I guess, I'm now lvl 27 and wreaking face with Sgt. Hammer. Shes totally OP and the only hero who can seem to challenge me is a well played Nova.