1. Are any other units aside from the Dark Templar going to have multiple models (ie. male and female Ghosts)?

Currently, we're not considering any other units for multiple models.

 

2. In the original StarCraft and Brood War, Carriers have been very rarely used for competitive matches due to their ineffectiveness in small numbers because of their critical mass effect. Up until now, what changes or ideas have played with to increase their effectiveness in small numbers with or without other ships for support, and what is the current status on the Carrier? Also, what about the Battlecruiser?

In general, it's still better if you have as many carriers or battlecruisers as possible in the battle. However, small numbers of carriers or battlecruisers will be still very useful for supporting both ground and air units.

 

3. We were told recently that workers can't patrol. This makes SCV auto-repair a lot less useful. (In Warcraft III, you could set a worker to patrol, and it would auto-repair any damaged buildings or mechanical units nearby. Great for keeping towers (and bunkers!) alive.)

SCVs can patrol, so if you activate auto-casting of the SCV's repair ability, that SCV will repair damaged buildings or units it encounters while on patrol. The SCV will repair nearby units and buildings and continue its designated patrol pattern again after the repairs are complete.

4. What use does the Overlord usually see versus the Nydus Worm? That is, in what capacity is each transport mechanic used?

It all depends on a player's choice in each case. When you want try out a sneaky and clever attack on the enemy's base, the nydus worm can be useful in that role as a more tactical and general choice for harassing the enemy's economy. However, you can also use a mass overlord drop just like the original StarCraft, for an aggressive, all-out attack. However, the overlord drop is riskier, as you're putting much of your supply and the cargo in jeopardy if you encounter strong anti-air defense.

 

5. Can Thors or Colossi be transported in any way?

Thors and colossi can be transported by each race's transportation units: the medivac and the warp prism.

 

6. How do you use the Thor's resurrection ability? Does it cost resources to use?

Thor doesn't have the resurrection ability any more in the current build. While the mechanic was a cool idea on paper, it didn't end up being especially practical when we tried it in internal playtesting.

 

7. How has more efficient AI and pathfinding affected the game? Does it make the game easier?

AI in StarCraft II is much more developed from the original StarCraft. For example, the computer is required to scout to find you now in every difficulty mode. In higher difficulty modes, the AI will adapt to what it sees you are building to counter your selected strategy with key units of their own. This means that the computer no longer cheats as far as "knowing" where you are and what you're doing. It can only react to what it sees when their scouts find your units and bases.

The pathfinding is also much improved in StarCraft II, which will reduce some frustration when directing your units to move long distances around varying terrain. Certain melee units are also smarter about attempting to surround enemies, but we don't believe this makes the game "easier." Players who choose to micro their armies will still have an advantage.

 

8. I would like to know if the MULE can repair air units and lifted-off buildings, and in turn, could we see MULEs being called down in the front lines to repair Battlecruisers and Thors or in the corner of the map to repair a burning Command Center that was lifted off to escape an attack? Also, at what rate does a MULE repair? Faster or slower than an SCV?

The mule is only for gathering minerals or scouting. You cannot repair units or structures with the mule.

 

9. Regarding the "Discussion with Artosis and Idra" video - does their prediction that Zerg vs. Zerg is degrading into "Roach spam" have any validity? Will ZvZ matchups frequent a more diverse selection of units beyond Zerglings, Roaches, and Mutalisks?

We would like to see as many units as possible being used in the battle, instead of some selected units like zerglings, roaches, and mutalisks. We are still polishing and balancing units including the roach, and hope to see how the players will make various combinations of units during the beta.

Discuss this article in the forum.

Tickets for BlizzCon 2009 will be on sale May 16. Held in Anaheim, California on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22, this year's BlizzCon will be bigger & better than anything we've yet seen, due to there being no Blizzard Worldwide Invitational this year. In addition, there will be a pay-per-view internet sream:

For those unable to attend, DIRECTV will once again be televising BlizzCon in high definition as a Pay Per View event, featuring coverage from the show floor, exclusive interviews, demos, and more. In addition, for the first time, players around the world will be able to watch the DIRECTV BlizzCon event as a Pay Per View Internet stream.

Source:
BlizzCon 2009

Update: Tickets have been sold out. However, more will be on sale May 30th.

Just as a reminder, BlizzCon 2009 tickets will be on sale at 10:00 AM PDT on May 16, tommorow. Be sure to grab them fast!

Just in case Saturday, May 16 isn’t circled on your calendar, here’s a quick reminder that BlizzCon tickets will be going on sale tomorrow. After our gnomish engineers in Southern California get to work and finish making the final preparations late Saturday morning, they’ll activate the ticket-purchase process and BlizzCon tickets will officially go on sale. If you are unable to purchase tickets tomorrow, a second batch of tickets will go on sale May 30. And for those unable to attend the show, in-depth coverage of BlizzCon will also be offered by DIRECTV as a Pay Per View event, available both via satellite and Internet stream.
http://www.blizzard.com/blizzcon/partners/directv.xml

BlizzCon 2009 will take place August 21 and 22 at the Anaheim Convention Center, and tickets cost $125 each. For further information about the convention, check out the official BlizzCon site
http://eu.blizzard.com/blizzcon/

Keep an eye on the ticket sales page tomorrow for the chance to get yours.
http://www.blizzard.com/store/blizzcon09-tickets.xml

 

As usual there will be StarCraft II lore, art and gameplay panels at this year's BlizzCon:

 

Gameplay
The creators of StarCraft II discuss the design process and evolving mechanics of the upcoming real-time-strategy sequel.

Lore
The writers who shape the ever-expanding StarCraft universe bring you up-to-date on the defining characters and events in the interstellar struggle between the Terrans, Protoss, and Zerg.

Art
Join Blizzard Entertainment artists for a discussion about the distinctive art style of the StarCraft universe -- and how that style continues to evolve with the development of StarCraft II.

 

WoWInsider has also revealed the details of a new pet that can be found in the BlizzCon 2009 goody bag: Grunty the Marine Murloc, which will also be available to anyone who orders the DirecTV pay-per-view package as a World of WarCraft in-game item.

 

As always, StarCraft: Legacy will be in attendance and providing full StarCraft-coverage of the event. Expect our coverage to be vastly improved this year due to our new system. If you are attending BlizzCon this year and would be on hand to gather some information for SC:L, contact gradius[at]sclegacy.com.

Sources:
BlizzCon 2009
WoWInsider - Blizzard confirms Grunty, the Marine Murloc, as BlizzCon giveaway
WoW Forums - Time Blizzcon Tickets Released

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Recently StarCraft: Legacy partook in StarCraft's 10 Year Anniversary: "I <3 SC" Contest sponsored by Blizzard. Because we sucessfully acquired 50 unique submissions we were awarded an exclusive Q&A batch. From our 20 question submission 8 have been answered:

Quote:

1) What is the current state of the Hydralisk? The current stats we have are tier 2-2.5, 100 minerals, 75 gas, 80-90 HP, and 8-10 dmg with no special abilities. Compared to the Roach, the Hydralisk appears inferior in every way, with it's only saving grace being GTA capability. However, because the Mutalisk is in the same tier, only slightly more expensive, and it can fly, the Hydralisk appears to be almost useless for such an iconic unit. (sclegacy.com)

Actually, the Hydralisk has since been boosted up quite a bit in terms of damage. They currently have 80 hit points and have a ground attack of 13 + 3 versus armored and an air attack of 12 + 5 versus armored. The Hydralisk also has a range of 6 and moves at a ‘fast’ speed, with no need to upgrade with the speed bonus anymore. Roaches on the other hand, only have an attack of 10, half the Hydralisk’s range, and is slower to move as well. The new damage the Hydralisk is able to put out now makes it very dangerous, as Zerg players will be able to take out buildings with a pack of Hydras, with only a few volleys (same goes to Battlecruisers!). Nonetheless, they are extremely weak at 80 hit points, and thus need to always be protected. The new cost for Hydralisks are also 100 minerals and 100 gas.

2) How does Anti-Gravity work on Zerg buildings since they're organs intrinsically a part of the creep? They are essentially part of the creep. Do they lose health? Also, how does it affect burrowed units? Will they go back to being burrowed or not? (sclegacy.com)

Zerg buildings will not take damage when they are lifted. Burrowed units lifted will become burrowed again when the ability finishes.

3) With the Thor back to having both anti-air and anti-ground attacks, will he be capable of discharging both weapons simultaneously at a Colossus? Or will only the stronger attack affect it? If it is only the stronger attack, is that dynamically chosen by the game? (sclegacy.com)

Any unit with both ground and air attacks will attack the Colossus with the stronger of the two attacks, but not with both.

4) With the Medivac being a late-game tech, are Terran infantry impaired against the other two races in early to mid-game? (sclegacy.com)

No, Terran is actually quite strong early game for a few different reasons. One, their tier 1 unit is ranged and is thus excellent at defending cliffs without being able to be countered without sight. Two, the new supply depots are excellent at building the perfect barricade in early game. Three, Marauders are very tough and are excellent at winning heavy micromanaged battles, preventing units from reaching your Marines.

5) Does the Ghost's EMP Grenade ability function any differently from the Science Vessel's EMP ability from StarCraft Vanilla? (sclegacy.com)

Nope, the EMP currently works the same as the EMP from the original StarCraft.

6) What special abilities, in the current build, can be cast from inside a bunker? Can a nuke be called down? (sclegacy.com)

In a bunker, units will be able to use Stim Pack, call down Nukes, Sniper, and use EMP.

7) Does the Jackal's attack damage friendly units and/or have AoE capabilities? (sclegacy.com)

The Jackal’s attack will only damage enemy units in its area of effect. Technically, it will target a set unit and all units in that line of fire will take damage.

8) The Zerg do not seem to have equal air power compared to the other two races. The Protoss have Carriers and Warp Rays; the Terrans have BCs. While the Mutalisk makes a great harassment unit, they simply cannot stand up to significant firepower. Corruptors and Swarm Guardians are strong in their respective fields, but they lack a single unit that can attack both air and ground well. This suggests that air units will be limited to defense and support for a primarily ground based army. The other two races seem more able to have a well-rounded primarily air-based army. Is this the case, and if so, will anything be done to give the Zerg stronger air options? (sclegacy.com)

Zerg currently has the most powerful anti air unit in terms of damage per second, which is the Hydralisk. Furthermore, while the Mutalisks are not the stronger aerial fighter, they do have flexibility, being able to morph into Swarm Guardians for that additional ground damage and range when needed. Corruptors, in mass groups are also one of the most powerful air to air units, especially considering every unit you kill, makes the battle turn even more into your favor. While we have experimented with other types of Zerg air units, there are no plans to introduce any of them to the multiplayer version of the game.

Karune has divulged alot of Zerg gameplay information as a precursor to the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational. Be sure to check SC:L during the WWI for the best coverage on the net!

StarCraft: Legacy would like to thank all of our members who helped us by sending in their pictures and question submissions and Karune for taking the time to answer our questions.