Patch 12 (version 0.14.0.15343)

[TunaFish]

Whether or not the Roach population nerf was a necessary change, it was a short sighted one. They fixed one problem (maybe), but it should have been clear to them that it would create a lot of other ones. They reduced early options for a race they already acknowledge has few strategic options, without introducing any other changes that might help. Blizzard should know better.

[Nicol Bolas]

It doesn't say anywhere that Beta isn't for new units

The fact that you can write that with a straight face shows how meaningless the term "beta" has become.

"Beta" doesn't mean "unfinished software." It is a specific term for a particular point in a project's development. Different developers use different points for "Beta." One of the more common definitions is the point in development when all features are in the product and generally work as expected, but there may still be bugs or unexpected behavior.

In terms of game development, "beta" is not for making the game better; it is for fixing the game. You've already made the game; that's what the prior steps were for. At this point, you're getting the game stable and functional to the point where you can ship it.

So no; adding new units is not something you should be doing for beta, by the very nature of the term.

Actually, nerfing Roaches like this was good. It won't affect early game that much, but in late game, it forces Zerg to go for Brood Lords or mass Hydras or Ultras and not winning by massing only tier 1 unit.

Unless of course you want the Zerg to be the race with a lot of units. In which case, this ruins the flavor of the race entirely.

Whether or not the Roach population nerf was a necessary change, it was a short sighted one. They fixed one problem (maybe), but it should have been clear to them that it would create a lot of other ones.

Who says they didn't know that? Blizzard stated, in their explanations for the Patch 12 changes, that they aren't done with the Zerg and that this is transitional.

[Iceman_jkh]

scrap the game.

[ArcherofAiur]

scrap the game.

At least well always have diablo 3...

[mr. peasant]

Unless of course you want the Zerg to be the race with a lot of units. In which case, this ruins the flavor of the race entirely.

What if (and I know this is very unlikely) they raised the Zerg's population cap?

[Iceman_jkh]

At least well always have diablo 3...

haha

Not having Beta access might have been a blessing in disguise. No continuous, bitter disappointment!

[TunaFish]

Who says they didn't know that? Blizzard stated, in their explanations for the Patch 12 changes, that they aren't done with the Zerg and that this is transitional.

Perhaps, but my point is they shouldn't implement such a large (negative) change to Zerg without also putting in any of their other changes to the Zerg. If they are aware of the fact that upping the Roach supply cost will significantly weaken and limit the Zerg, but aren't ready to put in other changes to compensate for that yet, then they ought not to implement any of the changes yet.

All they're going to get in the meantime is data confirming what they already know - that indeed upping the Roach supply cost significantly affects Zerg, and other changes need to be made. Meanwhile, Zerg is less enjoyable to play.

[KadajSouba]

Who says they didn't know that? Blizzard stated, in their explanations for the Patch 12 changes, that they aren't done with the Zerg and that this is transitional.

A transitional change huh??? That must be new one. Make a change so they can change it again later.

[unentschieden]

Unless of course you want the Zerg to be the race with a lot of units. In which case, this ruins the flavor of the race entirely.

You are confusing the Zerglings with the whole faction. The opposition has specific counters to "overwhelm them with loads of weak units", it either simply won´t work or restrict the designspace. Getting 70 Roaches lategame may look fluffy but it was simply OP.

[RamiZ]

A transitional change huh??? That must be new one. Make a change so they can change it again later.

Yeah, they said something about buffing Ultras, cause they are really overused. So that make sense.