SC2 Tech Tree

[Nicol Bolas]

The purpose of a graphical depiction of a tech tree is to communicate information. If one shape of a tech tree communicates information better than another, then it is a better tree.

Look at this structure of the Terran tech tree:

  Bar---\-----\
   |    |      |
   |   MeC    Gst
   |
  Fac---\
   |    |
   |   Arm
   |
  Stp---\
        |
       Fus

Buildings that produce units are on the left. Buildings that add which units can be produced are on the right. And the structure of the tree definitively tells you that there is a fundamental difference between what the Factory does and what the Merc Compound does. If I were to include the ancillary buildings (OCC, PF, Turret, Sensors, and EngBay), they would be off to the left.

This communicates information about these buildings better than the ones in SC2 or the one Archer Norfindel drew. The SC2 tree may be functional, in that it delivers information. But this one does so better.

[ihateyou916]

ONCE we get SC2, are you going to play SC2 or read the manual first?
Seriously, I will read the manual when I am doing a #2.

[Norfindel]

What's so hard to read about the current tech trees?

Just by reading the posts in this thread, it's obvious it can be improved. They list what buildings you can make at every tier, but not what prerequisites you need. The Twilight council takes the place of the Citadel of Adun, and it's the prerequisite for Templar Archives and Dark Shrine, but there's no indicaton of this in the graphic. It looks like once you get Stargate, you can build everything down it, and you cannot. Maybe someone that played the game can confirm this?

Also, try to compare the different tiers between races.

Why would yo want to replace something that works perfectly fine with something as ugly as you are proposing?

Because it doesn't works perfectly fine? Also, i don't want to replace it, i just made it because it looks easier to read to me.

[ragsash]

ONCE we get SC2, are you going to play SC2 or read the manual first?
Seriously, I will read the manual when I am doing a #2.

gonna read it when installing ;D

[boc120]

Have we lost the ancient and honorable tradition of reading through a beautiful and full-of-content manual reverently before playing the game for the first time? I remember when I first got Zelda: LTTP. Good times....Oh wait...companies don't put out those kinds of manuals anymore...

[ArcherofAiur]

The purpose of a graphical depiction of a tech tree is to communicate information. If one shape of a tech tree communicates information better than another, then it is a better tree.

Look at this structure of the Terran tech tree:

  Bar---\-----\
   |    |      |
   |   MeC    Gst
   |
  Fac---\
   |    |
   |   Arm
   |
  Stp---\
        |
       Fus

I like Blizzards better.

This communicates information about these buildings better than the ones in SC2 or the one Archer drew.

I never drew a tech tree.

[Genopath]

Why would yo want to replace something that works perfectly fine with something as ugly as you are proposing?

My thoughts exactly.

[Norfindel]

My thoughts exactly.

I think it's obvious, but it's because i was trying to make something easy to read, not something beautiful.

According to Blizzard's tech tree, what buildings you need to get to the Sensor tower?

[Zabimaru]

Have we lost the ancient and honorable tradition of reading through a beautiful and full-of-content manual reverently before playing the game for the first time? I remember when I first got Zelda: LTTP. Good times....Oh wait...companies don't put out those kinds of manuals anymore...

Well said.

[Pandonetho]

According to Blizzard's tech tree, what buildings you need to get to the Sensor tower?

....

An engineering bay.