We previously announced that the first phase of the StarCraft II beta test would be coming to a close in all regions on Monday, May 31. In order to prepare for the final phase of beta testing, we plan to extend the current phase in all regions until Monday, June 7. After this date, the beta test will be unavailable for several weeks while we make some hardware and software configuration changes for the final phase of the beta test and the release of the game. We plan to bring the beta test back online for a couple of weeks prior to the game’s launch to complete our testing. We’ll have more details to share about when this final phase will begin at a later date.
We’d like to thank all of our beta-test participants for your enthusiasm, dedication, and valuable feedback during the beta test, and we look forward to hearing more of your thoughts on the StarCraft II beta test as the game’s July 27 launch approaches.
Tags: beta ending·starcraft 2 beta·starcraft servers
What is this? Sometimes the date changes, sometimes is doesn’t.
What’s going on?
What does PH stand for?
Tags: ph expires
I’ve played Terran a lot, but admittedly I don’t do Battlecruisers too much. What is this Defensive Matrix green shield?
http://sc2pod.com/gallery/screenshots/?id=698
I understand the Matrix Sunglasses package shields you from UV light and sun damage to your eyes, that is a given.
I will have to look for a Defensive Matrix shield upgrade next time I play Terran and tech up to BC’s.
Tags: Battlecruiser·defensive matrix·matrix sunglasses
StarCraft 2 is not even out yet, and Blizzard has already released a preview of StarCraft 3!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B16eAS1dwA
The minimalist graphics and sound are going to appeal to a lot of players tired of all the bells and whistles like 3D. Comment below for a chance to get in the beta queue.
Tags: sc3·starcraft 3·starcraft 3 beta
Thor – Ground damage decreased from 45 to 30- Ground rate of fire improved from 1.93 to 1.28.- Air damage changed from 8 (+4 Light) to 6 (+6 Light).- 250mm Strike Cannons are now an upgrade at the Factory Tech Lab; research now costs 150/150 and 110 seconds; energy cost increased from 100 to 150.
The damage change reduces the Thor’s opening burst, which will mean that some units will be able to shoot a little longer before being destroyed. The increase in rate of fire means the damage-per-second remains the same, but it does change a few relationships. Thors are no longer as effective against Roaches (for example) without fire support from Marauders.
The Thor Strike Cannons have become an upgrade to try to help out the Ultralisk, who is countered so hard by this attack that we see very few Ultralisks in Terran vs. Zerg. This is (of course) not enough to really change that relationship, but we have some more plans for the Ultralisk in the next patch.
The anti-air changes make Thors a little more clear in their role as an anti-light AA weapon which gives more value to Vikings and Marines.
SC2Hacks: I didn’t realize Thor was so effective against Ultralisks.
Tags: mini-thor·starcraft thor·thor·thor ground damage·thor strike cannons
I’m curious if anyone has seen the StarCraft 2 Collector’s Edition items yet?
- The Art of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, — is this book already published?
- 2GB USB flash drive replica of Jim Raynor’s dog tag with the original StarCraft and the StarCraft: Brood War® — these will be fully functional with keys?
- behind-the-scenes DVD with developer interviews, cinematics with director’s commentary, etc. — have these appeared on site?
- StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty soundtrack CD, containing 14 epic tracks — good running music?
- StarCraft comic book issue #0, a prequel to the comic series — what comic series?
- A World of Warcraft® mini Thor in-game pet – I don’t supposed this will work in SC2?
- Exclusive Battle.net downloadable content, including special portraits for your Battle.net profile, decals to customize your units in-game, and a visually unique version of the terran Thor unit — I guess I’m most interested in how this will work out and if it’s going to cost more to buy other add-ins in the future.
Tags: original starcraft·StarCraft 2 Collector’s Edition·starcraft comic books·Ultimate StarCraft 2
The fifth episode of GosuTV
League and Tournament Updates
The best part is the little strategies blurbs where they show things like rushing with a tank, and dropping Thors behand enemy lines with medivac’s.
http://www.own3d.tv/video/26337/GosuTV_-_Episode_5
It’s about 35 minutes, but much more engrossing than another Sarah Silverman show if you’re a StarCraft player 
Tags: GosuTV·sc2 strategies·sc2 tournaments·starcraft tv·strategies·tank rush·thor rush
Nethaera: Siege Tank- Life increased from 150 to 160.
Siege Tanks are seeing good use in several match-ups but we still think they could be a little tougher so they can maybe get in one more shot during big fights.
SC2Hacks: I agree with this, tanks seem to die too fast. What effect does upgrading their armor do in comparison to this little upgrade?
Tags: seige tank·seige tank life·siege tank·siege tank armor·siege tank strategy·starcraft siege tank
Netahera: Raven- Seeker Missile range has been decreased from 9 to 6.- Splash radius has been decreased from 2.4 to 2.- upgrade no longer requires Fusion Core.
We are hoping to see some more Seeker missiles without unbalancing the unit. At the same time we want to reduce the effectiveness of Seeker missile in 2v2 games where mass Ravens have (on occasion) been a problem.
SC2Hacks: Don’t much use Raven’s personally except as a detector, takes too much time to control all the stuff! Mass Ravens? That’s an idea.
Tags: fusion core·raven fusion core·raven missiles·raven strategy·Sc2·starcraft 2 ravens·starcraft 2 splash radius·starcraft ii beta
Netahera: The range has been increased from 5 to 6.
This is not an actual change to the area effect of the weapon. The weapon was always range 6, but it would only acquire targets at range 5 so it would get a little bit of splash that would hit enemies behind its initial target. By making the weapon range 6 it is easier to shoot and run from enemy units. It does make the splash a little less useful if you are just using the “attack move” command.
SC2Hacks: I don’t see hit and run with Hellion’s much, I should try it
Tags: Hellion Range·Hellion strategy·Hellion unit·StarCraft Hellion·Terran Hellion
