Colossus question

[Nicol Bolas]

There are only two relevant distinctions between "ground" and "air" units in SC2.

- Can the unit traverse all maps in their entirety?
- Can the unit be hit by GtG or AtA?

For a unit to be a ground unit, the answers must be no, yes. To be an air unit, the answers must be yes, yes.

Wait. The second question is something that every unit has. That is, it either can be hit by ground fire or it can be hit by air fire. A unit for which the answer is "no" is a unit that can't be hit at all (except possibly by special abilities). And, with the exception of Phased-out, Stasised, or otherwise under some specific effect that negates attacks, this simply doesn't happen.

So by your own reckoning, there's only one criteria: whether they can go anywhere.

Wasn't the intent of the unit's design that it have the best of both?

I imagine the original intent was to get rid of the act of Reaver/Shuttle micro, but still leaving some of the benefits of the original concept. A simple "faster, slower-damage Reaver" wouldn't emulate some of the Reaver/Shuttle dynamics. Reaver/Shuttle provides air vision, but is vulnerable to AtA units. Reaver/Shuttle can cross terrain like air units.

This suggested either a unit that can change from ground to air at will, or a unit that would be some of both at the same time. And since units changing from one form to another is more appropriate to the Terrans, the Protoss get the Colossus.

The deal is to not confuse people. You know how many 12 year olds will hear "Colossus is an air unit" and believe it, and then use them wrong, and claim they're broke?

The same thing could happen the other way. If you think of the Colossus as a ground unit, you would find that they can see up cliffs, which would lead to claims that they're "broke".

[DemolitionSquid]

The same thing could happen the other way. If you think of the Colossus as a ground unit, you would find that they can see up cliffs, which would lead to claims that they're "broke".

No.

Scenario. You're a newb. You have no idea wtf is going on. You build a Colossus and a Phoenix. You find the Colossus can't cross water, the Phoenix can. Logical conclusion - Collossus is a ground unit, Phoenix is an air unit.

Scenario. You're a newb. You have no idea wtf is going on. You build a Colossus and a Phoenix. Both can see over all terrain. Logical Conclusion - the Colossus is very tall can see over cliffs, and the Phoenix is an air unit.

At no point would someone believe the Colossus was an air unit without being wrongfully told so.

[n00bonicPlague]

While we're at it, let's argue over whether the Viking is a ground unit or an air unit.

[DemolitionSquid]

While we're at it, let's argue over whether the Viking is a ground unit or an air unit.

The Viking is both. A unit CAN be both. The Colossus, however, is not both. It is only a ground unit. Nicol is off his rocker.

[mr. peasant]

Another property of the Colossus in favor of it being a ground unit is that it can't stack. That said, arguing whether a Colossus is strictly speaking a ground unit or air unit (in terms of unit properties and behavior and not aesthetics) is ultimately a futile exercise. It's a hybrid of the two. Air units should have unhindered movement whilst ground units aren't supposed to trigger anti-air defences. Picking certain properties as being the defining criteria of which side of the fence a unit falls in is inappropriate as it is a personal judgement call rather than any official, Blizzard-approved definition.

Back to the topic of line of sight blockers, what about making all 'massive units' (Colossi, Thors, Ultralisks, etc) visible through said blockers? It would make sense lore-wise.

[newcomplex]

I think a better question is if the colossus blocks line of view.

[DemolitionSquid]

JUST SO IT IS CLEAR

- The Colossus is a ground unit
- The Colossus cannot cross terrain gaps
- The Colossus can cross terrain tiers
- The Colossus can see over cliffs
- The Colossus can see over LoS blockers (smoke, grass)
- The Colossus does not block LoS
- The Colossus attacks GtG
- The Colossus can be hit by GtG, GtA, AtG, and AtA attacks

[Nicol Bolas]

- The Colossus is an air/ground hybrid
- The Colossus cannot cross terrain gaps
- The Colossus can cross terrain tiers
- The Colossus has vision like an air unit
- The Colossus has vision like an air unit
- The Colossus does not block LoS
- The Colossus attacks ground targets
- The Colossus can be hit by GtG, GtA, AtG, and AtA damage

There, fixed that for you.

BTW: there's no such thing as "GtG damage".

[DemolitionSquid]

There, fixed that for you.

BTW: there's no such thing as "GtG damage".

Whats that? Someones butthurt? Call the whammmbulance!

[Kacaier]

Whats that? Someones butthurt? Call the whammmbulance!

To be honest, when I read your list, I also wondered what "GtG damage" was.