Updates from Karune 03.24.2008
Karune's given us some breadcrumbs, but not much. We now know the name of a previously unknown Protoss ability, the Vortex, which we believe is the ability that drains hitpoints of targets within a specified area. Hopefully this week we'll see a much more detailed Q&A about the Zerg Queen.
Karune @ Battle.net Forums(1)
The visuals for the Zerg's defense structures have not been finalized.
The new defense gameplay mechanisms they are working with on the Zerg are actually introducing many new tactics in terms of how you build your base defense. In order to maximize the efficiency of your defense structures, players will have to place them very strategically. I am sure we will go into this in more detail when we chat with the devs about it in a future batch of Q&As.
This insight into the Queen as an early rush unit is quite interesting. The Queen is a very unique unit which is clearly in the process of changing the battlefield of the StarCraft universe.
Karune @ Battle.net Forums(2)
One of the most seen offensive strategies internally at Blizzard is using the Queen to build base defenses on enemy creep in Zerg vs Zerg matches. The Queen can also regenerate the health of those defenses as well, making it an excellent Zerg on Zerg rush strategy.
Karune @ Battle.net Forums
In the current build, only the Queen is 'unique' (only limited to 1 per Zerg player at any given time). The Thor is currently the Terran's primary ground to air mechanized unit. More than one Mothership can also be built, though they are quite expensive in cost.(3)
The Mothership remains as one of the most powerful support units. The Vortex ability can potentially eat whole armies up, if the enemy players do not react fast enough (especially in difficult to maneuver choke points). Furthermore, the Time Bomb is extremely effective at breaking the enemy's defensive line in a drawn out escalated battle.(4)
The unit database has been updated:
- the Mothership now has an ability called Vortex
