CombatMagic (talk | contribs) Tag: Visual edit |
|||
(7 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown) | |||
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
[[File:AlliedCommanders SC2-LotV Art1.jpg|thumb|250px|Co-op Missions Commanders (as of Stukov)]] |
[[File:AlliedCommanders SC2-LotV Art1.jpg|thumb|250px|Co-op Missions Commanders (as of Stukov)]] |
||
ā | '''Co-op Missions''',<ref>2015-10-30, [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/19930660 Legacy of the Void: Co-op Missions]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2015-10-30</ref> formerly known as '''Allied Commanders''', is a two player gameplay mode introduced in ''[[Legacy of the Void]]''. |
+ | '''Co-op Missions''',<ref>2015-10-30, [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/19930660 Legacy of the Void: Co-op Missions]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2015-10-30</ref> formerly known as '''Allied Commanders''', is a two player gameplay mode introduced in ''[[Legacy of the Void]]''. |
The mode is distinct from the [[Arcade]], Campaign, and [[Versus]] gameplay.<ref>2015-05-12, [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/forum/topic/17346935160#16 With friends like these...]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2015-05-13</ref> As of November 2019, it is the game's most widely-played mode.<ref>2019-11-03, [https://www.pcgamer.com/it-sure-sounds-like-starcraft-2s-devs-would-like-to-make-starcraft-3/ It sure sounds like StarCraft 2's devs would like to make StarCraft 3]. ''PC Gamer'', accessed on 2019-11-20</ref> |
The mode is distinct from the [[Arcade]], Campaign, and [[Versus]] gameplay.<ref>2015-05-12, [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/forum/topic/17346935160#16 With friends like these...]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2015-05-13</ref> As of November 2019, it is the game's most widely-played mode.<ref>2019-11-03, [https://www.pcgamer.com/it-sure-sounds-like-starcraft-2s-devs-would-like-to-make-starcraft-3/ It sure sounds like StarCraft 2's devs would like to make StarCraft 3]. ''PC Gamer'', accessed on 2019-11-20</ref> |
||
+ | |||
+ | As of October 2020, no additional content will be released for the mode.<ref>2020-10-15, [https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/starcraft2/23544726/starcraft-ii-update-october-15-2020 STARCRAFT II UPDATE - OCTOBER 15, 2020]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2020-10-19</ref> |
||
==Overview== |
==Overview== |
||
[[File:AlliedCommanders SC2-LotV Logo1.jpg|thumb|Allied Commanders]] |
[[File:AlliedCommanders SC2-LotV Logo1.jpg|thumb|Allied Commanders]] |
||
ā | In Co-op Missions, players take on the role of various commanders from the [[StarCraft universe|''StarCraft'' universe]], each of them possessing unique abilities and upgrades and bestows special bonuses on their armies. Players are able to battle through a series of special scenarios together, leveling up their commandersā capabilities as they progress.<ref>2014-11-07, [http://starcraft.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/starcraft-ii-legacy-of-the-void-warps-into-blizzcon-2014 StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void Warps into BlizzCon 2014]. ''Blizzplanet'', accessed on 2014-11-11</ref> New abilities and units are unlocked as one progresses through the mode, along with gaining experience.<ref name |
+ | In Co-op Missions, players take on the role of various commanders from the [[StarCraft universe|''StarCraft'' universe]], each of them possessing unique abilities and upgrades and bestows special bonuses on their armies. Players are able to battle through a series of special scenarios together, leveling up their commandersā capabilities as they progress.<ref>2014-11-07, [http://starcraft.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/starcraft-ii-legacy-of-the-void-warps-into-blizzcon-2014 StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void Warps into BlizzCon 2014]. ''Blizzplanet'', accessed on 2014-11-11</ref> New abilities and units are unlocked as one progresses through the mode, along with gaining experience.<ref name="CampaignOverview">2014-11-07, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsvHY7YaxUg StarCraft II Legacy of the Void Campaign Overview]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2014-11-12</ref> Which missions are played can be chosen or randomly determined for bonus experience, and the computer opponent will utilize different strategies in each mission. Each race is available for each mission.<ref name="Co-op">2015-10-30, [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/19930660/legacy-of-the-void-features-co-op-missions-10-30-2015 Legacy of the Void Features: Co-op Missions]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2015-11-01</ref> Commanders will be able to be selected randomly, but with no experience boost for doing so. |
ā | Difficulty can be adjusted in the mode,<ref name |
+ | Difficulty can be adjusted in the mode,<ref name="GamesComAC">2015-08-08, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POVND440XXY Starcraft II: Legacy of the Void - Allied Commanders Mode - GamesCom 2015]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2015-08-13</ref> and a matchmaking system is utilized. |
ā | Each commander gains experience independently. Upon completion of a mission, [[Co-op Leveling|a commander will gain experience]]—the harder the difficulty setting, the greater the level of experience gained. As each commander levels, they will unlock additional units to call forth into battle as well as upgrades to existing abilities or traits. Each day you can earn 10000 bonus experience with the first victory of the day for one commander. With the implementation of ''StarCraft II''{{'}}s free to play system, each commander will be free up until level 5, at which point players must purchase the commander to be able to level them past that level. Raynor, Kerrigan, and Artanis are free regardless of level.<ref name |
+ | Each commander gains experience independently. Upon completion of a mission, [[Co-op Leveling|a commander will gain experience]]—the harder the difficulty setting, the greater the level of experience gained. As each commander levels, they will unlock additional units to call forth into battle as well as upgrades to existing abilities or traits. Each day you can earn 10000 bonus experience with the first victory of the day for one commander. With the implementation of ''StarCraft II''{{'}}s free to play system, each commander will be free up until level 5, at which point players must purchase the commander to be able to level them past that level. Raynor, Kerrigan, and Artanis are free regardless of level.<ref name="IsmayInterview"/> |
ā | The mode features its own [[achievement]]s that give players [[portrait]] rewards.<ref name |
+ | The mode features its own [[achievement]]s that give players [[portrait]] rewards.<ref name="Co-op"/> |
===Story=== |
===Story=== |
||
ā | The events of the missions in Co-op Missions take place during the [[End War]]. Specifically, after the [[The Growing Shadow|second mission]] of the ''Legacy of the Void'' campaign, and before the [[Into the Void (campaign)|epilogue missions]].<ref>2017, [https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/page_media/zp/ZPN73K3CRCXB1484106920325.pdf Rock the Cabinet Guidelines]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2017-04-10</ref> However, Blizzard officially considers the game mode and events that take place in its missions non-canon, which grants them more freedom in gameplay design.<ref name |
+ | The events of the missions in Co-op Missions take place during the [[End War]]. Specifically, after the [[The Growing Shadow|second mission]] of the ''Legacy of the Void'' campaign, and before the [[Into the Void (campaign)|epilogue missions]].<ref>2017, [https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/page_media/zp/ZPN73K3CRCXB1484106920325.pdf Rock the Cabinet Guidelines]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2017-04-10</ref> However, Blizzard officially considers the game mode and events that take place in its missions non-canon, which grants them more freedom in gameplay design.<ref name="Reddit AMA">2016-05-13, [https://www.reddit.com/r/starcraft/comments/4j7hym/hi_rstarcraft_were_here_for_a_reddit_qa_focused/d34cftz Reddit Co-op Staff AMA]. ''Reddit'', accessed on 2016-05-15</ref> |
===Mutators=== |
===Mutators=== |
||
{{Main|Mutators}} |
{{Main|Mutators}} |
||
ā | Mutators are a Co-op Missions feature that were introduced in Patch 3.3. They are special conditions designed to add variety to missions, and vary on a weekly basis.<ref name |
+ | Mutators are a Co-op Missions feature that were introduced in Patch 3.3. They are special conditions designed to add variety to missions, and vary on a weekly basis.<ref name="3.3Patch">2016-05-09, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF85EY0SY7s Legacy of the Void Patch 3.3: New Co-op Content and Features ]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2016-05-09</ref> |
===Experience=== |
===Experience=== |
||
Line 27: | Line 29: | ||
===Mastery=== |
===Mastery=== |
||
ā | Any experience a player earns on a maxed out level 15 commander will go towards earning Mastery Levels, up to a maximum of 90. Each level grants the player a point that they can spend on each of their level 15 commanders to increase their power. This includes spending points to increase attack damage, reducing deployment time of abilities, buffing health of structures, and so on. With up to 90 points available, the number of options can't be filled out for every command, but the points can be reset and re-applied at any time prior to starting a match.<ref name |
+ | Any experience a player earns on a maxed out level 15 commander will go towards earning Mastery Levels, up to a maximum of 90. Each level grants the player a point that they can spend on each of their level 15 commanders to increase their power. This includes spending points to increase attack damage, reducing deployment time of abilities, buffing health of structures, and so on. With up to 90 points available, the number of options can't be filled out for every command, but the points can be reset and re-applied at any time prior to starting a match.<ref name="3.3Patch"/> |
===Ascension=== |
===Ascension=== |
||
ā | Ascension levels give players no in-game strength or bonuses, but allow players who have hit mastery levels to also level for cosmetics, including [[emoticon]]s and [[spray]]s. There are a total of 1000 ascension levels, each requiring 200,000 experience.<ref name |
+ | Ascension levels give players no in-game strength or bonuses, but allow players who have hit mastery levels to also level for cosmetics, including [[emoticon]]s and [[spray]]s. There are a total of 1000 ascension levels, each requiring 200,000 experience.<ref name="Ascension">2017-08-29. [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/21012486/ Patch 3.17 Preview: Ascension]. ''Blizzard Entertainment.'' Accessed 2017-08-29.</ref> |
==List of Commanders== |
==List of Commanders== |
||
Line 66: | Line 68: | ||
|Terran |
|Terran |
||
|Purchase<br> |
|Purchase<br> |
||
ā | Available in |
+ | Available in Campaign Collection bundle<br> |
ā | Free for players who purchased ''Legacy of the Void'' before [[Patch 4.0.0]] or claimed the |
+ | Free for players who purchased ''Legacy of the Void'' before [[StarCraft_II_version_history/Patch_4.0.0|Patch 4.0.0]] or claimed the April 2019 Twitch Prime Bundle |
| |
| |
||
|[[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3|Patch 3.0.0]] |
|[[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3|Patch 3.0.0]] |
||
Line 93: | Line 95: | ||
|Protoss |
|Protoss |
||
|Purchase |
|Purchase |
||
+ | Available in Campaign Collection bundle<br> |
||
Free for players who purchased ''Legacy of the Void'' before Patch 4.0.0 |
Free for players who purchased ''Legacy of the Void'' before Patch 4.0.0 |
||
| |
| |
||
Line 185: | Line 188: | ||
The following is a list of missions within the mode. Maps marked with '''(#)''' have expansions where players must fight through enemy units. They have been sub-divided for ease of reference: |
The following is a list of missions within the mode. Maps marked with '''(#)''' have expansions where players must fight through enemy units. They have been sub-divided for ease of reference: |
||
+ | *'''Assault''' - These missions place emphasis on assaulting numerous fortified enemy strongholds. |
||
⚫ | |||
ā | These missions place emphasis on |
+ | *'''Control''' - These missions place emphasis on teamwork, multi-tasking, map control and escorting. |
⚫ | |||
+ | {| class="article-table sortable" width="100%" |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | !Name |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | !Type |
||
ā | *[[Rifts to Korhal]] |
||
+ | !Released |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
ā | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
+ | | data-sort-value="2018-06-20" | 20 June 2018 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 4.4.0|Patch 4.4.0]]) |
||
ā | These missions place emphasis on teamwork, multi-tasking, map control and escorting. |
||
+ | |- |
||
ā | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
+ | | Assault |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | | data-sort-value="2017-11-14" | 14 November 2017 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 4.0.0|Patch 4.0.0]]) |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
ā | + | | [[Rifts to Korhal]] |
|
+ | | Assault |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | | data-sort-value="2015-11-10" | 10 November 2015 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3|Patch 3.0.4]]) |
||
ā | |||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
+ | | Assault |
||
ā | |||
+ | | data-sort-value="2017-05-02" | 2 May 2017 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3.13.0|Patch 3.13.0]]) |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
+ | | Assault |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | | data-sort-value="2015-11-10" | 10 November 2015 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3|Patch 3.0.4]]) |
||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
+ | | data-sort-value="2016-03-29" | 29 March 2016 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3.2.0|Patch 3.2.0]]) |
||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | | Control |
||
+ | | data-sort-value="2015-12-15" | 15 December 2015 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3.1.0|Patch 3.1.0]]) |
||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | | Control |
||
+ | | data-sort-value="2017-07-18" | 18 July 2017 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3.17.0|Patch 3.17.0]]) |
||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | | Control |
||
+ | | data-sort-value="2016-09-13" | 13 September 2016 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3.6.0|Patch 3.6.0]]) |
||
+ | |- |
||
+ | | [[Void Launch]] |
||
+ | | Control |
||
+ | | data-sort-value="2015-11-10" | 10 November 2015 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3|Patch 3.0.4]]) |
||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | | Control |
||
+ | | data-sort-value="2016-06-14" | 14 June 2016 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3.3.0|Patch 3.3.2]]) |
||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
+ | | data-sort-value="2017-03-07" | 7 March 2017 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3.11.0|Patch 3.11.0]]) |
||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | | Siege |
||
+ | | data-sort-value="2015-11-10" | 10 November 2015 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3|Patch 3.0.4]]) |
||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | | Siege |
||
+ | | data-sort-value="2016-11-22" | 22 November 2016 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3.8.0|Patch 3.8.0]]) |
||
+ | |- |
||
⚫ | |||
+ | | Siege |
||
+ | | data-sort-value="2015-11-10" | 10 November 2015 ([[StarCraft II version history/Patch 3|Patch 3.0.4]]) |
||
+ | |} |
||
==List of Amon's Forces== |
==List of Amon's Forces== |
||
Line 236: | Line 282: | ||
===Zerg Compositions=== |
===Zerg Compositions=== |
||
ā | *'''Zerg Nydus Brood: Ravaging Infestation''': Zerglings, Roaches, Ravagers, Hydralisks, Lurkers, Infestors, Ultralisks. |
+ | *'''Zerg [[Nydus Brood]]: Ravaging Infestation''': Zerglings, Roaches, Ravagers, Hydralisks, Lurkers, Infestors, Ultralisks. |
*'''Zerg Nydus Brood: Invasionary Swarm''': Zergling, Hydralisk, Lurker, Brood Queen, Ultralisk |
*'''Zerg Nydus Brood: Invasionary Swarm''': Zergling, Hydralisk, Lurker, Brood Queen, Ultralisk |
||
ā | *'''Zerg Winged Brood: Broodling Corruption''': Zerglings, Banelings, Infestors, Mutalisks, Corruptors, Brood Lords. |
+ | *'''Zerg [[Winged Brood]]: Broodling Corruption''': Zerglings, Banelings, Infestors, Mutalisks, Corruptors, Brood Lords. |
*'''Zerg Winged Brood: Devouring Scourge''': Zergling, Mutalisk, Scourge, Guardian (Normal and [[Abathur (Co-op Missions)|Abathur]] variant), Devourer, Brood Queen |
*'''Zerg Winged Brood: Devouring Scourge''': Zergling, Mutalisk, Scourge, Guardian (Normal and [[Abathur (Co-op Missions)|Abathur]] variant), Devourer, Brood Queen |
||
*'''Zerg Combined Brood: Explosive Threats''': Zerglings, Banelings, Aberrations, Scourges, Vipers, Swarm Hosts. |
*'''Zerg Combined Brood: Explosive Threats''': Zerglings, Banelings, Aberrations, Scourges, Vipers, Swarm Hosts. |
||
Line 244: | Line 290: | ||
==Development== |
==Development== |
||
===Origins=== |
===Origins=== |
||
ā | The mode was originally called "Allied Commanders." It was changed to "Co-op Missions" in order "to better communicate the design intent."<ref>2015-11-01, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXG_ZGm-UnA StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void - Co-op Missions Preview]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2015-01-11</ref> Blizzard staff later explained the name was causing confusion with [[Archon Mode]], where two players work together commanding one force in melee gameplay; the name change to "Co-op Missions" was simpler and better conveyed to players the type of gameplay they can expect.<ref name="Reddit AMA" |
+ | The mode was originally called "Allied Commanders." It was changed to "Co-op Missions" in order "to better communicate the design intent."<ref>2015-11-01, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXG_ZGm-UnA StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void - Co-op Missions Preview]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2015-01-11</ref> Blizzard staff later explained the name was causing confusion with [[Archon Mode]], where two players work together commanding one force in melee gameplay; the name change to "Co-op Missions" was simpler and better conveyed to players the type of gameplay they can expect.<ref name="Reddit AMA"/> |
ā | The mode was created to provide a more accessible multiplayer mode for ''[[StarCraft II]]'', as the developers believe that the standard multiplayer has a reputation for being inaccessible and time consuming.<ref name="GamesComAC" |
+ | The mode was created to provide a more accessible multiplayer mode for ''[[StarCraft II]]'', as the developers believe that the standard multiplayer has a reputation for being inaccessible and time consuming.<ref name="GamesComAC"/> It is intended for players mainly interested in singleplayer, but provides a more open-ended and social experience than a standard campaign.<ref>2015-06-22, [http://venturebeat.com/2015/06/22/blizzard-will-wrap-up-17-years-of-storytelling-in-starcraft-ii-legacy-of-the-void/ Blizzard will wrap up 17 years of storytelling in StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]. ''GamesBeat'', accessed on 2015-06-24</ref> |
===Design Process=== |
===Design Process=== |
||
Line 256: | Line 302: | ||
===Subsequent Development=== |
===Subsequent Development=== |
||
ā | More maps and commanders will be added to the mode post-launch.<ref name="GamesComAC" |
+ | More maps and commanders will be added to the mode post-launch.<ref name="GamesComAC"/> Karax was released for free December 15, 2015, but future commanders will require purchase.<ref name="Karax">2015-12-15. [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/19975211/karax-now-available-in-legacy-of-the-void-co-op-missions-12-15-2015 Karax now Available in Legacy of the Void Co-op Missions!]. ''StarCraft II Main Site.'' Accessed 2015-12-15.</ref> As of "[[Miner Evacuation]]," it is intended that newer maps have elements of randomness (e.g. objectives spawning at random locations), helping in replayability.<ref name="Interview"/> |
ā | Leaderboards will be added at some point in the future. Each time a player completes a mission, they'll get a score that reflects how efficiently they completed that mission. Once they've completed all the missions, a score on the leaderboard will be assigned. Separate scores will be given for mutators. The leaderboards will reflect the choice of commander and the difficulty on which the map was played. They were expected to be implemented in mid-2017;<ref name="FoundFuture">2016-11-05. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKy6XkStRBo BlizzCon 2016: Foundations for the Future]. ''Youtube.'' Accessed 2016-11-05.</ref> at GamesCom 2018, it was stated that leaderboard were still being worked on, but that there were challenges in implementing their design, such as cheating or abusing bugs.<ref name="LowkoInterview" |
+ | Leaderboards will be added at some point in the future. Each time a player completes a mission, they'll get a score that reflects how efficiently they completed that mission. Once they've completed all the missions, a score on the leaderboard will be assigned. Separate scores will be given for mutators. The leaderboards will reflect the choice of commander and the difficulty on which the map was played. They were expected to be implemented in mid-2017;<ref name="FoundFuture">2016-11-05. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKy6XkStRBo BlizzCon 2016: Foundations for the Future]. ''Youtube.'' Accessed 2016-11-05.</ref> at GamesCom 2018, it was stated that leaderboard were still being worked on, but that there were challenges in implementing their design, such as cheating or abusing bugs.<ref name="LowkoInterview"/> |
As of BlizzCon 2017, the mode will receive the lion's share of development time in ''StarCraft II''.<ref name="IsmayInterview">2017-11-04, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YThc5QanzvY BlizzCon 2017: Developer Interview StarCraft 2 Game Producer Tim Ismay]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2017-11-06</ref> |
As of BlizzCon 2017, the mode will receive the lion's share of development time in ''StarCraft II''.<ref name="IsmayInterview">2017-11-04, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YThc5QanzvY BlizzCon 2017: Developer Interview StarCraft 2 Game Producer Tim Ismay]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2017-11-06</ref> |
||
Line 272: | Line 318: | ||
;*[[Ariel Hanson]] <ref name="LotVEditor">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]] [[Galaxy Map Editor|Map Editor]].'' (Activision Blizzard) (in English). November 10, 2015</ref> |
;*[[Ariel Hanson]] <ref name="LotVEditor">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]] [[Galaxy Map Editor|Map Editor]].'' (Activision Blizzard) (in English). November 10, 2015</ref> |
||
;*[[Gabriel Tosh]] |
;*[[Gabriel Tosh]] |
||
ā | ;*[[Horace Warfield]]<ref name="LotVEditor" |
+ | ;*[[Horace Warfield]]<ref name="LotVEditor"/> |
;*[[Valerian Mengsk]] |
;*[[Valerian Mengsk]] |
||
;Zerg |
;Zerg |
||
;*[[Izsha]] (Serves as a commander advisor, but commander data in the editor, discussed by Co-op Mission team) |
;*[[Izsha]] (Serves as a commander advisor, but commander data in the editor, discussed by Co-op Mission team) |
||
ā | ;*[[Overmind]]<ref name="LotVEditor" |
+ | ;*[[Overmind]]<ref name="LotVEditor"/> |
;Protoss |
;Protoss |
||
Line 285: | Line 331: | ||
;Other |
;Other |
||
ā | ;*[[Samir Duran]]<ref name="LotVEditor" |
+ | ;*[[Samir Duran]]<ref name="LotVEditor"/> |
===Discussed Commanders=== |
===Discussed Commanders=== |
||
Line 305: | Line 351: | ||
===Datamined Missions=== |
===Datamined Missions=== |
||
ā | *The Sky is Falling (data and mission objectives only, based on "[[Sky Shield (mission)|Sky Shield]]")<ref name="LotVEditor" |
+ | *The Sky is Falling (data and mission objectives only, based on "[[Sky Shield (mission)|Sky Shield]]")<ref name="LotVEditor"/> |
==Videos== |
==Videos== |
||
Line 317: | Line 363: | ||
==Trivia== |
==Trivia== |
||
ā | |||
*According to a poll conducted by Blizzard, 16% of ''StarCraft II'' players' primary interest in the game is in Co-op Missions (as of January, 2017).<ref>2017-01-25, [https://twitter.com/StarCraft/status/824341992683343872 StarCraft on Twitter]. ''Twitter'', accessed on 2017-30-01</ref> |
*According to a poll conducted by Blizzard, 16% of ''StarCraft II'' players' primary interest in the game is in Co-op Missions (as of January, 2017).<ref>2017-01-25, [https://twitter.com/StarCraft/status/824341992683343872 StarCraft on Twitter]. ''Twitter'', accessed on 2017-30-01</ref> |
||
Revision as of 22:20, 11 February 2021
- Mode summary(src)
Co-op Missions,[1] formerly known as Allied Commanders, is a two player gameplay mode introduced in Legacy of the Void.
The mode is distinct from the Arcade, Campaign, and Versus gameplay.[2] As of November 2019, it is the game's most widely-played mode.[3]
As of October 2020, no additional content will be released for the mode.[4]
Overview
In Co-op Missions, players take on the role of various commanders from the StarCraft universe, each of them possessing unique abilities and upgrades and bestows special bonuses on their armies. Players are able to battle through a series of special scenarios together, leveling up their commandersā capabilities as they progress.[5] New abilities and units are unlocked as one progresses through the mode, along with gaining experience.[6] Which missions are played can be chosen or randomly determined for bonus experience, and the computer opponent will utilize different strategies in each mission. Each race is available for each mission.[7] Commanders will be able to be selected randomly, but with no experience boost for doing so.
Difficulty can be adjusted in the mode,[8] and a matchmaking system is utilized.
Each commander gains experience independently. Upon completion of a mission, a commander will gain experience—the harder the difficulty setting, the greater the level of experience gained. As each commander levels, they will unlock additional units to call forth into battle as well as upgrades to existing abilities or traits. Each day you can earn 10000 bonus experience with the first victory of the day for one commander. With the implementation of StarCraft II's free to play system, each commander will be free up until level 5, at which point players must purchase the commander to be able to level them past that level. Raynor, Kerrigan, and Artanis are free regardless of level.[9]
The mode features its own achievements that give players portrait rewards.[7]
Story
The events of the missions in Co-op Missions take place during the End War. Specifically, after the second mission of the Legacy of the Void campaign, and before the epilogue missions.[10] However, Blizzard officially considers the game mode and events that take place in its missions non-canon, which grants them more freedom in gameplay design.[11]
Mutators
Mutators are a Co-op Missions feature that were introduced in Patch 3.3. They are special conditions designed to add variety to missions, and vary on a weekly basis.[12]
Experience
Mastery
Any experience a player earns on a maxed out level 15 commander will go towards earning Mastery Levels, up to a maximum of 90. Each level grants the player a point that they can spend on each of their level 15 commanders to increase their power. This includes spending points to increase attack damage, reducing deployment time of abilities, buffing health of structures, and so on. With up to 90 points available, the number of options can't be filled out for every command, but the points can be reset and re-applied at any time prior to starting a match.[12]
Ascension
Ascension levels give players no in-game strength or bonuses, but allow players who have hit mastery levels to also level for cosmetics, including emoticons and sprays. There are a total of 1000 ascension levels, each requiring 200,000 experience.[13]
List of Commanders
Icon | Commander | Race | Unlock | Announced | Released |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jim Raynor | Terran | Initially available | Patch 3.0.0 | ||
Sarah Kerrigan | Zerg | Initially available | Patch 3.0.0 | ||
Artanis | Protoss | Initially available | Patch 3.0.0 | ||
Rory Swann | Terran | Purchase Available in Campaign Collection bundle |
Patch 3.0.0 | ||
Zagara | Zerg | Purchase Available in Campaign Collection bundle |
Patch 3.0.0 | ||
Vorazun | Protoss | Purchase Available in Campaign Collection bundle |
Patch 3.0.0 | ||
Karax | Protoss | Purchase
Available in Campaign Collection bundle |
Patch 3.1.0 | ||
Abathur | Zerg | Purchase Free to players who claimed the March 2019 Twitch Prime Bundle |
Patch 3.3.0 | ||
Alarak | Protoss | Purchase | Patch 3.6.0 | ||
Nova Terra | Terran | Purchase | Patch 3.7.0 | ||
Alexei Stukov | Zerg | Purchase Free with purchase of StarCraft: Remastered |
Patch 3.9.0 | ||
Fenix | Protoss | Purchase
Free with login during the StarCraft 20th anniversary event[14] |
Patch 3.13.0 | ||
Dehaka | Zerg | Purchase | 8/22/2017 | Patch 3.17.0 | |
Mira Han and Matt Horner | Terran | Purchase | BlizzCon 2017
11/3/2017 |
Patch 4.0.0 | |
Tychus Findlay | Terran | Purchase | 8/20/2018 | Patch 4.6.0 | |
Zeratul | Protoss | Purchase | BlizzCon 2018
11/2/2018 |
Patch 4.7.0 | |
Egon Stetmann | Zerg | Purchase | 5/23/2019 | Patch 4.9.0 | |
Arcturus Mengsk | Terran | Purchase | BlizzCon 2019
11/1/2019 |
Patch 4.11.0 |
List of Missions
The following is a list of missions within the mode. Maps marked with (#) have expansions where players must fight through enemy units. They have been sub-divided for ease of reference:
- Assault - These missions place emphasis on assaulting numerous fortified enemy strongholds.
- Control - These missions place emphasis on teamwork, multi-tasking, map control and escorting.
- Siege - These missions place emphasis on defending fixed points from relentless onslaught.
Name | Type | Released |
---|---|---|
Cradle of Death(#) | Assault | 20 June 2018 (Patch 4.4.0) |
Part and Parcel(#) | Assault | 14 November 2017 (Patch 4.0.0) |
Rifts to Korhal | Assault | 10 November 2015 (Patch 3.0.4) |
Scythe of Amon(#) | Assault | 2 May 2017 (Patch 3.13.0) |
Void Thrashing | Assault | 10 November 2015 (Patch 3.0.4) |
Chain of Ascension(#) | Control | 29 March 2016 (Patch 3.2.0) |
Lock & Load | Control | 15 December 2015 (Patch 3.1.0) |
Malwarfare(#) | Control | 18 July 2017 (Patch 3.17.0) |
Mist Opportunities | Control | 13 September 2016 (Patch 3.6.0) |
Void Launch | Control | 10 November 2015 (Patch 3.0.4) |
The Vermillion Problem(#) | Control | 14 June 2016 (Patch 3.3.2) |
Dead of Night | Siege | 7 March 2017 (Patch 3.11.0) |
Oblivion Express | Siege | 10 November 2015 (Patch 3.0.4) |
Miner Evacuation(#) | Siege | 22 November 2016 (Patch 3.8.0) |
Temple of the Past | Siege | 10 November 2015 (Patch 3.0.4) |
List of Amon's Forces
This is a list of known AI units composition in Co-op Missions.[15]
- If the player has access to any Hallucinated, Cloaked or Burrowed units (or a Commander capable of having them), the enemy will add detectors (Observers, Ravens, Overseers, Etc.) to all of their Compositions/Waves.
- Hybrid Waves and Escort Waves (Train, Shuttle, Etc.) are Map-Specific Compositions.
Protoss Compositions
- Protoss Legion: Masters and Machines: Zealots, Stalkers, High Templar, Immortals, Archons, Colossi
- Protoss Legion: Shadow Disruption: Adepts, Stalkers, Sentries, Phoenixes, Disruptors, Dark Templars
- Protoss Legion: Vanguard of Aiur: Zealots, Dragoons, High Templar, Archons, Reavers, Arbiters
- Protoss Legion: Towering Walkers: Zealots, Sentries, Immortals, Scouts, Colossi
- Protoss Legion: Disruptive Artillery: Adepts, Sentries, Immortals, Scouts, Disruptors, Reavers
- Protoss Armada: Hope of the Khalai: Zealots, Scouts, Stalkers, Void Rays, Oracles, Carriers
- Protoss Armada: Siege of Storms: Adepts, Phoenixes, Oracles, Void Rays, Tempests
- Protoss Armada: Fleet of the Matriarch: Zealots, Scouts, Corsairs, Carriers, Arbiters
Terran Compositions
- Terran Combined Forces: Raiding Party: Marines, Medics, Marauders, Firebats, Ghosts, Siege Tanks, Medivacs, Science Vessels, Battlecruisers.
- Terran Combined Forces: Shadow Tech: Reapers, Marauders, Cyclones, Liberators, Ravens, Battlecruisers.
- Terran Ground Forces: Machines of War: Hellions, Goliaths, Warhounds, Widow Mines, Siege Tanks, Hellbats, Widow Mines, Science Vessels, Thors.
- Terran Squadron: Dominion Battlegroup: Marines, Vikings, Banshees, Ravens, Liberators, Battlecruisers.
- Terran Battalion: Classic Infantry: Marines, Firebats, Medics, Siege Tanks, Ghosts, Science Vessels
- Terran Battalion: Classic Mech: Vultures, Goliaths, Siege Tanks, Wraiths, Battlecruisers, Science Vessels
Zerg Compositions
- Zerg Nydus Brood: Ravaging Infestation: Zerglings, Roaches, Ravagers, Hydralisks, Lurkers, Infestors, Ultralisks.
- Zerg Nydus Brood: Invasionary Swarm: Zergling, Hydralisk, Lurker, Brood Queen, Ultralisk
- Zerg Winged Brood: Broodling Corruption: Zerglings, Banelings, Infestors, Mutalisks, Corruptors, Brood Lords.
- Zerg Winged Brood: Devouring Scourge: Zergling, Mutalisk, Scourge, Guardian (Normal and Abathur variant), Devourer, Brood Queen
- Zerg Combined Brood: Explosive Threats: Zerglings, Banelings, Aberrations, Scourges, Vipers, Swarm Hosts.
Development
Origins
The mode was originally called "Allied Commanders." It was changed to "Co-op Missions" in order "to better communicate the design intent."[16] Blizzard staff later explained the name was causing confusion with Archon Mode, where two players work together commanding one force in melee gameplay; the name change to "Co-op Missions" was simpler and better conveyed to players the type of gameplay they can expect.[11]
The mode was created to provide a more accessible multiplayer mode for StarCraft II, as the developers believe that the standard multiplayer has a reputation for being inaccessible and time consuming.[8] It is intended for players mainly interested in singleplayer, but provides a more open-ended and social experience than a standard campaign.[17]
Design Process
When designing a mission in the mode, map layout is the first issue addressed. As two players are involved in a mission, the map size must reflect this. Adapting a mission from the game's singleplayer, base size is increased, expansions added, and the paths of choke points are generally widened. Once the layout has been solidified, enemy unit placement and composition are looked at. The main issue is making sure the enemies are strong enough to deal with the power of combined player armies and commander abilities. Finally, the developers spend a ton of time implementing and tuning the main and bonus map objectives as well as the attack waves. When choosing which maps to import from the game's campaign, the mechanics that would be well suited to the mode are looked at first.[18]
When choosing a commander for implementation, a variety of factors are considered. These include the popularity of the character, and ensuring a relatively equal distribution between the number of commanders available to the three races.[19] Each commander, even of the same race, is designed to look artistically unique.[20] The amount of time spent on designing each commander varies, but the pace has slowed in recent times as the developers get more experimental with commander design, such as adding new units and adding extra details.[9] When designing a commander, the lore and feeling of their character is first considered, then how their gameplay was reflected in the campaign. Art, tooltips, and actual gameplay design are then worked on by different teams. Multiple commanders are developed at the same time. Racial distribution of commanders is considered, but not a primary factor when considering what commanders to release.
The design team is looking into ways increase the difficulty of Co-op Missions, but feel that adding another difficulty above brutal is not the correct way to implement this.[21]
Subsequent Development
More maps and commanders will be added to the mode post-launch.[8] Karax was released for free December 15, 2015, but future commanders will require purchase.[22] As of "Miner Evacuation," it is intended that newer maps have elements of randomness (e.g. objectives spawning at random locations), helping in replayability.[19]
Leaderboards will be added at some point in the future. Each time a player completes a mission, they'll get a score that reflects how efficiently they completed that mission. Once they've completed all the missions, a score on the leaderboard will be assigned. Separate scores will be given for mutators. The leaderboards will reflect the choice of commander and the difficulty on which the map was played. They were expected to be implemented in mid-2017;[23] at GamesCom 2018, it was stated that leaderboard were still being worked on, but that there were challenges in implementing their design, such as cheating or abusing bugs.[21]
As of BlizzCon 2017, the mode will receive the lion's share of development time in StarCraft II.[9]
A focus has been made on reworking commanders in order to make all of their strategies more viable, and prevent single builds from dominating the playstyle of that build. While this redesign does not seek to remove "optimal" builds, the design team seeks to make more fun builds and unit compositions viable to play.[21]
A new mode was revealed to be in development at the Pylon Show in BlizzCon 2019 called "Brutal+", which would allow for increased difficulties ranging from Brutal 1 to Brutal 6, these extra difficulties would have a selection of mutations attached to each new difficulty to be randomly applied to the missions.[24]
Datamined Commanders
The following data (unless otherwise noted) comes from interaction files in the Galaxy Map Editor, where commanders would have specific quotes depending on their partner. Much of this data has existed since very early in the lifespan of Co-op Missions.
- Terran
- Zerg
- Protoss
- Other
Discussed Commanders
The following commanders have been discussed by the Co-op Missions development team, but lack any data in the editor.[21]
- Terran
- Zerg
- Protoss
Datamined Missions
- The Sky is Falling (data and mission objectives only, based on "Sky Shield")[25]
Videos
See Also
Trivia
- According to a poll conducted by Blizzard, 16% of StarCraft II players' primary interest in the game is in Co-op Missions (as of January, 2017).[27]
- In the 2013–2018 period, the Co-op Missions article was the fifth most visited page on the wiki.[28] Of note, the article was first created in 2014.
References
External Links