The Reason Why Lurker Was Removed

[SoFool]

source: http://www.blizzplanet.com/blog/comm..._starcraft_ii/

Kapeselus commented the reason the Lurker unit wasn't included in Starcraft II Beta, and admits some of the developers miss it, but some of the new units cover well Tier 2. From my personal point of view, Lurkers were fun. However, they were expensive, had no attacks while unburrowed, and were easily killed with sweep scan, observer or enemy Overlord detection.

The health regeneration and burrowing ability of the Roach makes it a cost efficient candidate over the Lurker.

Blizzard Quote:
The developers say that Lurkers were taken out because their goal is to keep the unit count of the game as small as possible so that players know their choices and understand their enemy choices as well. They feel that the Roach uses the Lurker's burrow ability well, while Ultralisks and Banelings have the splash damage covered. Many units took over Lurkers’ roles over the period of development, so they didn't think they were as valuable anymore. But we all do miss them!

Well this is our point of view. I think that Lurkers should not really be Tier2 in the current build, because they don't really fit in there and they wouldn't really be a good counter to Roaches, given the fact that ZvZ is a very dynamic matchup and you would probably still prefer Ultralisks or Broodlords at T3. What do you think about it?

Thoughts?

[newcomplex]

imho...the issue isn't that they removed the lurker, the issue is that they didn't replace it with anything :P.

Zerg really need another unit right now, probably in T2.

[KadajSouba]

So, all the things that the Lurker was good for (Effective while burrowed, and Splash damage) were separated into 3 units???? And this is a step forward????? Or am i missing something. So instead of building a single unit, now i have to build 3 different to work like the lurker?????

[Triceron]

What do Zerg have vs mass hydra? I guess the only appropriate counter is... Mass hydras?

[moosh]

I feel like if the spines have siege range and do more damage they'd still be pretty effective? Damn, I dunno. The lurker was so cool. I prefer it over the Roach.

[Jabber Wookie]

imho...the issue isn't that they removed the lurker, the issue is that they didn't replace it with anything :P.

Zerg really need another unit right now, probably in T2.

I agree. I think they could use another spell caster because it does seem as though they have enough combat units... just not enough innovation, and a good spell caster (maybe one with a moderate attack as well) could be an excellent addition to their arsenal.

[flabortast]

The Overseer needs more spells other than the changeling.

[blackholexan]

Zerg needs another unit at least. They have 2 fighting units and 1 spellcaster less than the other 2 races (I'm not considering the Queen as a spellcaster due to its Macro intendend nature).

If they think the old Lurker is not good anymore, why not make a new unit, possibly evolving from the Roach?

I mean, if they modified Guardians as Broodlords making it a Corruptor evolution instead of Mutalisk, they coulld do the same with the Lurker: I mean, Roaches already moves while burrowed...a Lurker (or something that gives Zerg a real siege threat) that can moves and attack while burrowed wouldn't be more dangerous than a cloacked Ghost or a DT.

I think that this or a new spellcaster (although at this time I think that's impossible they can create a completely new unit) may increase Zerg arsenal.

They are so similar SC1 Zergs.... where the hell is the EVolution???

[Bisso]

The Overseer needs more spells other than the changeling.

Yeah, give it Dark swarm, i miss that ALOT

[arthas]

The Overseer needs more spells other than the changeling.

It has detection/changeling/load units it doesn't need more