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A Call to Action was announced in 2012 by Blizzard Entertainment. It involves a focused playtest which doesn't use the PTR system.

The changes are tested on variant maps.

Blizzard believes all matchups below pro-level are balanced, but that pro-level zerg are struggling to scout early and defend against all-in rushes; Blizzard needs to improve the situation without making them overpowered. Blizzard wants to test only small adjustments that will affect pro-level play.

As of January, 2014, Blizzard began testing a new balance testing extension mod, which allows other maps to be tested. In order to activate the mod

  • Navigate to Browse Maps on the Custom Games menu,
  • Select a map and click the Create with Mod button in the lower right corner,
  • Choose to sort by Blizzard Mods from the dropdown list at the top of the screen.
  • Select the “Balance Test Mod” Extension from the list and then hit Create Game.[1]

Change Log[]

Deadwing LE[]

March 5, 2015[]

Balance Test Map Changes

Balance Test Map: “Deadwing LE (2.1.8 Balance v1.1)”
This is an update. For a complete list of changes please also reference our post regarding Balance v1.0.

Zerg

  • Locust
    • Locust duration decreased from 30 seconds to 25 seconds
  • Viper
    • Blinding Cloud range increased from 10 to 11


Protoss

  • Tempest
    • Bonus damage versus massive air units removed[2]

January 29, 2015[]

Balance Test Map Changes

Balance Test Map: “Deadwing LE (2.1.8 Balance v1.0)”

Zerg

  • Swarm Host
    • Cost modified from 200 Minerals and 100 Vespene to 100 Minerals and 200 Vespene
    • Supply cost increased from 3 to 4
    • Movement speed increased from 2.25 to 2.95
    • Swarm Hosts now require the Burrow research in order to burrow
    • Swarm Hosts no longer collide with Locusts
  • Spawn Locusts – This ability has been reworked
    • Auto-cast removed, Spawn Locusts must now be manually cast.
    • Spawn Locusts cooldown increased from 25 seconds to 60 seconds
    • Casting Spawn Locusts no longer requires a Swarm Host to be burrowed
  • Locust
    • Weapon speed increased from .8 to .6
    • Locust duration increased from 15 seconds (+10 seconds with Enduring Locusts) to 30 seconds
  • Infestation Pit
    • Enduring Locusts – This upgrade has been removed
    • New upgrade: Flying Locusts - Allows Locusts spawned by Swarm Hosts to fly. Flying Locusts can use Swoop to land and attack
      • Requires Lair
      • Cost is 200 Minerals, 200 Vespene, 160 seconds
      • Allows Locusts spawned by Swarm Hosts to fly. Flying Locusts can use Swoop to land and attack
      • Swoop: Orders the Locust to land at the targeted location, allowing it to attack

Terran

  • Raven
    • Point Defense Drone duration decreased from 180 seconds to 20 seconds[3]

December 15, 2014[]

Terran

  • Widow Mine
    • Widow mine splash damage decreased from 40 +40 shields to 40 +20 shields.[4]

Overgrowth LE[]

July 17, 2014[]

Terran

  • Widow Mine
    • Splash radius is now 1.75. There are no longer 50% or 25% damage zones.
    • Splash damage is now 40 (+40 Shields) for the full 1.75 splash radius.
  • Thor
    • Changed to prioritize their AA weapon over the AG weapon

Protoss

  • Mothership Core
    • Time Warp duration decreased from 30 to 15 seconds[5]

July 11, 2014[]

Terran

  • Widow Mine
    • Splash radius increased from 1.25/1.5/1.75 to 1.5/2/2.5
  • Thor
    • Changed to prioritize their AA weapon over the AG weapon

Protoss

  • Mothership Core
    • Time Warp duration decreased from 30 to 15 seconds[6]

Merry Go Round LE[]

May 21, 2014[]

Terran

Zerg

  • Brood Lord gains the Frenzied ability
  • Frenzied is changed to also be immune to movement altering abilities[7]

May 14, 2014[]

Terran

Zerg

  • Spore Crawler damage decreased from 15 + 30 vs biological to 15 + 10 vs biological
  • Hydralisk damage against air increased from 12 to 12 + 4 vs biological[8]

May 5, 2014[]

Terran

Frost LE[]

The following Calls to Action were sounded for Frost LE.

February 13, 2014[]

Protoss

  • Mothership Core
    • Vision radius decreased from 14 to 9.
  • Stalker
    • Blink cooldown increased from 10 to 15.
  • Tempest
    • Damage increased from 30 to 30 + 30 to structures.

Terran

  • Widow Mine
    • Splash damage now deals 40 + 40 shield damage.

Zerg

  • Hydralisk
    • Delay between attacks decreased from .83 to .75.[10]

January 31, 2014[]

Protoss

  • Mothership Core
    • Photon Overcharge duration decreased from 60 to 50 seconds.
    • Time Warp energy cost increased from 75 to 100.
  • Tempest
    • Resonance Coil ground weapon damage increased from 30 to 30 + 30 vs. Structures.

Terran

  • Ghost
    • Starting energy increased from 50 to 75.
    • The Moebius Reactor upgrade has been removed from the Ghost Academy.

Zerg

  • Hydralisk
    • Cost decreased from 100/50 to 100/25.[1]

Explanations for the testing changes were given by David Kim.

Bel’Shir Vestige LE, Yeonsu LE and Alterzim Stronghold TE[]

The following Calls to Action were sounded for Bel’Shir Vestige LE, Yeonsu LE and Alterzim Stronghold TE.

October 23, 2013[]

  • Bel’Shir Vestige LE (2.0.11 Balance v1.1)
  • Yeonsu LE (2.0.11 Balance v1.1)
  • Alterzim Stronghold TE (2.0.11 Balance v1.1)

Protoss
Oracle

  • Movement speed increased from 3.375 to 4.0
  • Acceleration increased from 2 to 3
  • Units that burrow or cloak while under the effects of Revelation will once again be revealed after unburrowing or uncloaking.

Terran
Armory

  • Vehicle and Ship Weapon upgrades have been combined

Siege Tank

  • Siege Mode attack period decreased from 3.0 to 2.7

Widow Mine

  • Sentinel Missiles now deal reduced damage to units caught within its splash radius based on their distance from the target:
    • 40 damage within 1.25 radius
    • 20 damage from 1.25 to 1.5 radius
    • 10 damage from 1.5 to 1.75 radius

Zerg
Roach Warren

  • The Tunneling Claws upgrade now increases burrowed Roach movement speed from 1.41 to 2.25.[11]

Bel'Shir Vestige[]

The following Calls to Action were sounded for Bel'shir Vestige

October 17, 2013[]

Bel'Shir Vestige LE (2.0.11 Balance v1.1)
Protoss

  • Oracle
    • Revelation casting range has returned to 9.
    • Units that burrow or cloak while under the effects of Revelation will once again be revealed after unburrowing or uncloaking.

Terran

  • Widow Mine
    • Sentinel Missiles splash damage radius has returned to 1.75.
    • Sentinel Missiles now deal reduced damage to units caught within its splash radius based on their distance from the target:
      • 40 damage within 1.25 radius
      • 20 damage from 1.25 to 1.5 radius
      • 10 damage from 1.5 to 1.75 radius[12]

October 2, 2013[]

Bel'Shir Vestige LE (2.0.11 Balance v1.0)
Protoss

  • Oracle
    • Movement speed increased from 3.375 to 4.0
    • Acceleration increased from 2 to 3
    • Revelation casting radius increased from 9 to 10

Terran

  • Armory
    • Vehicle and Ship Weapon upgrades have been combined
  • Siege Tank
    • Siege Mode attack period decreased from 3.0 to 2.7
  • Widow Mine
    • Sentinel Missiles splash radius decreased from 1.75 to 1.25

Zerg

  • Roach Warren
    • The Tunneling Claws upgrade now increases burrowed Roach movement speed from 1.41 to 2.25.[13]

August 19, 2013[]

Bel’Shir Vestige LE (2.0.10 Balance v1.1)
Terran

  • Armory
    • Vehicle and Ship Weapon upgrades have been combined into just one upgrade.

Zerg

  • Overseer
    • The Pneumatized Carapace upgrade now increases Overseer movement speed from 1.88 to 3.375 (previously 1.88 to 2.75.)
  • Ultralisk
    • Health increased from 500 to 550.[14]

August 15, 2013[]

Bel’Shir Vestige LE (2.0.10 Balance v1.0)

Terran

  • Armory
    • Vehicle and Ship Weapon upgrades have been combined into just one upgrade.

Zerg

  • Overseer
    • The Pneumatized Carapace upgrade now increases Overseer movement speed from 1.88 to 3.375 (previously 1.88 to 2.75.)
  • Viper
    • Starting energy increased to 200.[15]

Derelict Watcher[]

The following Calls to Action were sounded for Derelict Watcher

June 14, 2013[]

Derelict Watcher TE (2.0.8 Balance v1.1)

Protoss

  • Warp Prism
    • Movement speed increased from 2.5 to 2.953 (previously 2.5 to 3.375.)
    • Acceleration increased from 2.125 to 2.625 (previously 2.125 to 3.25.)
    • The Gravitic Drive upgrade has returned to the Robotics Bay and will increase movement speed to 3.375 and acceleration to 3.25 when researched.

Terran

  • Hellbat
    • Attack damage decreased from 18 +12 vs. light to 18.
    • The Infernal Pre-Igniter upgrade increases attack damage from 18 to 18 +12 vs. light.
  • Banshee
    • Cloaking Field research cost decreased from 200/200 to 100/100
    • Cloaking Field research time decreased from 110 seconds to 90.[16]

May 30, 2013[]

Blizzard proposed the following changes to a version of Derelict Watcher.
Protoss

  • Warp Prism
    • The Gravitic Drive upgrade has been removed from the Robotics Bay.
    • Movement speed increased from 2.5 to 3.375.
    • Acceleration increased from 2.125 to 3.25.[17]

Akilon Wastes[]

The following Calls to Action were sounded for Akilon Wastes

May 2, 2013[]

Blizzard proposed the following changes to a version of Akilon Wastes.

  • Spore Crawler damage increased from 15 +15 vs. biological to 15 +30 vs. biological
  • Burrow research cost decreased from 100/100 to 50/50
  • Oracle movement speed increased from 3.375 to 4
  • Oracle acceleration increased from 2 to 3[18]

Antiga Shipyard[]

The following Calls to Action were sounded for Antiga Shipyard

January 11, 2013[]

Antiga Shipyard (1.5.3 Balance v2.0)

November 30, 2012[]

Blizzard proposed the following changes at Antiga Shipyard:

November 20, 2012[]

Blizzard proposed the following changes at Antiga Shipyard (1.5.3 Balance)

  • Fungal Growth no longer affects Psionic units.
  • Raven Seeker Missile no longer requires an upgrade.[21]

August 8th, 2012[]

Another Call to Action was sounded for patch 1.5, again on Antiga Shipyard.

  • Creep tumor build radius, vision radius, and creep spread radius decreased from 10 to 8.
  • Raven movement acceleration increased from 2 to 2.25.
  • Raven movement speed increased from 2.25 to 2.5.[22]

May 4th, 2012[]

Blizzard proposed the following changes:

  • Queen anti-ground weapon attack range increased from 3 to 5.
  • Observer build time decreased to 30, down from 40.[23]

Most of the changes made it into the special balance update issued later that month.[24]

May 2nd, 2012[]

Blizzard proposed the following changes:

  • Overlord movement speed increased to 0.586, up from 0.4687. Upgraded overlord movement speed unchanged.
  • Queen starting energy increased to 50, up from 25. (Blizzard later removed this change.)

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Spyrian. 2014-01-31. Call to Action: January 31 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2014-01-31.
  2. Blizzard Entertainment. 2015-03-05. Call to Action: March 5 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2015-03-23.
  3. Blizzard Entertainment. 2015-01-29. Call to Action: January 29 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2015-01-29.
  4. Blizzard Entertainment. 2014-12-15. all to Action: December 15 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2015-01-29.
  5. Blizzard Entertainment. 2014-07-17. Call to Action: July 17 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2014-07-18.
  6. Blizzard Entertainment. 2014-07-11. Call to Action: July 11 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2014-07-13.
  7. Blizzard Entertainment. 2014-05-21. Call to Action: May 21 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Acessed 2014-05-22.
  8. Blizzard Entertainment. 2014-05-14. Call to Action: May 14 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2014-05-19.
  9. Blizzard Entertainment. 2014-05-05. Call to Action: May 5 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2014-05-06.
  10. Blizzard Entertainment. 2014-02-13. Call to Action: February 13 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2014-02-14.
  11. Spyrian. 2013-10-23. New Maps for Heart of the Swarm Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2013-10-25.
  12. Spyrian. 2013-10-17. Call to Action: October 17 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2013-10-18.
  13. Blizzard Entertainment. 2013-10-02. Call to Action: October 2 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2013-10-04.
  14. Blizzard Entertainment. 2013-08-19. Call to Action: August 19 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2013-08-20.
  15. Blizzard Entertainment. 2013-08-15. Call to Action: August 15 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2013-08-16.
  16. Blizzard Entertainment. 2013-06-14. Call to Action: June 14 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2013-06-14.
  17. Blizzard Entertainment. 2013-05-30. Call to Action: May 30 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2013-05-30.
  18. David Kim. 2013-05-02. Call to Action: May 2 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2013-05-03.
  19. Blizzard Entertainment. 2013-01-11. Wings of Liberty Situation Report - January 11, 2013. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2013-01-11.
  20. Blizzard Entertainment. 2012-11-30. Call to Action: November 30 Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2012-11-30.
  21. Blizzard Entertainment. 2012-11-20. Call to Action: Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2012-11-20.
  22. Blizzard Entertainment. 2012-08-08. Call to Action: Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2012-08-09.
  23. Blizzard Entertainment. 2012-05-05. Call to Action: Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2012-05-07.
  24. Blizzard Entertainment. 2012-05-09. Call to Action: Balance Testing. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2013-05-14.
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