[Idea] Move Changeling To Overlord

[Cotcan]

I voted that it's a stupid idea, because I don't believe zerg needs better scouting.

Agreed, I mean protoss are almost in the same boat as zerg. They get along fine. I don't see why zerg aren't just dropping changelings straight into their opponent's base rather than far away for the army to kill it.

[GRUNT]

Sorry Demo, but I don't think this is a very good idea .

IMO, if Zerg early scouting is a problem, then I'd make the Overseer buildable at tier 1 but with Contaminate only activated at Tier 2 (sorta like how Overlords cant poop creep until Lair).

That way, you can more reliably snoop around. And also, because the Overseer wouldn't have the speed upgrade so early in the game, it can still get outrun quite easily by Stalkers and can't do a straight flyby over a Terran's base without getting killed.

[Xeonio]

Not sure if it was mentioned but having OLs with energy would REALLY suck. I'd be really pissed to watch a templar run around and feedback all my food supply.

[unentschieden]

Even under the assumption that Zerg need better scouting (a different debate we can watch Nicol monolouge about) this would be overkill.
Scouting as Gameplay mechanic is supposed to be a challenge/puzzle where you make investments into intelligence against your opponents efforts to remain unknown.
The combination of Overlord and Creeptumors are already strong and supercheap intelligence tools for the Zerg.
"But Scans..." aren´t free. They aren´t even 300 Minerals. They cost 50 Energy on an Orbital Command which, what many apparently forget, is a limited resource. Scanning not only weakens a Terrans economy but also makes him more vulnerable to Stealthunits.

[Jabber Wookie]

I like the idea but I think it would be too difficult to balance/find a nice comfortable role for... But it's a good start in the right direction.

IMO, if Zerg early scouting is a problem, then I'd make the Overseer buildable at tier 1 but with Contaminate only activated at Tier 2 (sorta like how Overlords cant poop creep until Lair).

That way, you can more reliably snoop around. And also, because the Overseer wouldn't have the speed upgrade so early in the game, it can still get outrun quite easily by Stalkers and can't do a straight flyby over a Terran's base without getting killed.

This is what I'd rather see. It gives zerg players the option to provide that tier 1 detection offered in SC1 but at a major price difference. Firstly, you have to morph each overlord individually, unlike sc1; and, each morphing would cost 50/100. Plus, it would solve the at-hand scouting issue if the zerg player is willing to take that risk/sacrafice.

[SinsWage]

I was just about to suggest moving morph to overseer to tier 1 as well. I think this would solve the problem without upsetting balance at all. Keep contaminate where it is at t2 and alls right with the world.

[GnaReffotsirk]

Just shorten the changeling's lifetime and we already get our balance. Like, for every cooldown period, two changelings would die.

It is as if changelings are hard to spot.

[Jabber Wookie]

Just shorten the changeling's lifetime and we already get our balance. Like, for every cooldown period, two changelings would die.

It is as if changelings are hard to spot.

If you're shorten the life span, then zerg players might as well just scout with overlords or overseers. I mean what's the point of the ability if you constantly have to have overlords/overseers hovering in and out of the opponent's base?

[Cotcan]

If you're shorten the life span, then zerg players might as well just scout with overlords or overseers. I mean what's the point of the ability if you constantly have to have overlords/overseers hovering in and out of the opponent's base?

This is why overseer has the ability. Let's put this way: You can have an overlord with energy to be hit with feedback, to be able to drop a changeling that will be killed (as the enemy knows it isn't their's so early on). This changeling also gets a shorter life span due to an 'attempt' to keep the balance. Or leave the changeling where it is, and wait 17 extra seconds to drop a changeling that can last longer get all the scouting that is needed done. With much smaller chance of it being killed. Which do you prefer? A weak early changeling or a useful mid game changeling?

[Andrew]

To much scoutability...basicly terran can scan and see yer whole base well zerg can just spam changelings (midish game u would have like 12 overlords+ assuming) even with a 2 minute cool down if u do it ever 10 seconds on each overlord then u can just spam them and be able to make them to fast...imagine in a big battle u r fighting and u put yer overlords over the fighiting army and mass 10ish changelings...the other person wouldnt know whats theres and whats not and would be way to confused to micro properly...even with an observer the changelings would stop their units from moving up properly or making it so less could attack due to it would take up room and they would have to acually att it to kill it.