StarCraft 2 Q&A batch 31: of Jackals, attack animations, Sensor Towers
Protoss fanatics and Zerg slaves need not line up for this batch of StarCraft 2 Q&A, because the spotlight is on the Terran forces and its new rail gun-wielding unit. Not only do humans get nifty new vehicles, they also get the ability to summon nukes from bunkers and detect enemies using Sensor Towers. Head over to the full article to learn more.
The masterminds at Blizzard are undoubtedly still hard at work in tweaking StarCraft 2‘s balance to perfection. In the latest batch of Q&A, we find out that there are still new units under wraps. This time, devs were able to reveal the Jackal – a speedy ride comparable to the Terran Vulture, but equipped with a more powerful rail gun that does damage to enemy ground units in a straight line.
Jackals weren’t in the Q&A per se, but blue poster Karune shared very interesting details regarding the new Terran combatant. According to Karune’s recollection of a Terran versus Terran match, a group of six jackals was able to defeat the combination of Marines and Medics whose head count was around 15. Two to three units were killed every time the Jackals fired in unison since their shots do area of effect (AoE) damage. Only two Jackals were lost in the cause.
Blizzard comment on attack animations in the Q&A also raised our eyebrows. When asked if there will still be instant attacks like what the Corsair, Mutalisk, Vulture did in the original StarCraft, devs replied:
Balance will be the first priority when determining the animation duration for units. With that said, there will be certain units that players will be able to dance with, and there will be other units which will force the unit to stop and fire.
Some units in StarCraft 2 will not only need to stop and fire, but will do additional damage to a target while it focuses. All of these characteristics which determine how a unit will be used in competitive play will be chosen based on balance.
It’s easy to imagine how painful Jackals in StarCraft 2 can be if they have instant attack animations, so we’re guessing their rail guns will take time to pack a punch. Giving the powerful Protoss Mothership quick fire capabilities also sound like something that could bring imbalance.
On the other hand, Blizzard mentioned that all Terran infantry abilities except SCV Repair can be used inside bunkers. Another major player in Terran’s arsenal is the Sensor Tower, which can reveal all units under fog of war. Burying and cloaking won’t work with these towers standing tall.
For the full Q&A Batch 31, click on the via link below.