Blizzard credits the community for the changes

StarCraft II is about to get a complete revamp of its ladder mode. In addition to making MMR visible to players, there's also a progress bar. Grandmaster League will now have a "daily" promotion and demotion system, which will have the second??ary bonus of helping Blizzard  manage tournaments.

I know a lot of people have no in??terest in competitive modes, but Blizzard has always done a great job of catering to the hardcore community, which are the ones playing their games and supporting them years down the line.

Making MMR visible is a great idea for ranked play, as people don't want to generally guess how well they're doing. Overwatch is getting this concept when ranked play hits -- I wonder if Heroes of the Storm (which also just got a h??uge ranked revamp) is nex??t.

The post StarCra?ft II is revamping its competitive mode, showing MMR appeared first on Destructoid.

Oh hi, Abathur!

I feel like I missed out on a big chunk of StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void by not spending more time w??ith the co-op missions. Blizzard is trying to win over folks like me and keep existing players busy with an upcoming patch that will add weekl?y mutations and mastery levels for commanders.

Each week, the studio will group up a few mutators -- special conditions like enemies moving at double time or total darkness in place of the?? usual fog of war -- for a weekly mutation. These challenges will take place on the existing missions, but the changes should be enough to liven those levels up. You can see the first couple, Train of the Dead and Time Lock, in this video.

As for mastery levels, they are simply an extended progression system for co-op commanders beyond level 15. So, more points to spend on upgrades that can give you a fighting chance against the extra-hard mutators. "For example, you can spend points on Kerrigan to increase her attack damage or her energy regeneration rate. You'll be able to decrease the time it takes to deploy Swann's Laser Drill or increase the health of all his struct?ures, including his turre?ts."

You catch that Abathur tease at 0:36? Nice, nice.

Patch 3.3: New Co-op Content and Features [Battle.net]

The post StarCraft II is bols??tering its co-op with mutators appeared first on Destructoid.

Squawk

Birds, man. They ruin everything!

Not according to Blizzard though. They love birds so much that they're willing to put them in Starcraft II as the fourth race to compete against the Terran, Protoss, and Zerg. They even created some animation??s for them and everything. Well, sorta, as this is an April Fo??ols gag, as is the below Carbot Zergling video.

Jokes aside, I'd love to see a fourth Starcraft race one day. I was always a bigger Warcraft RTS fan for that reason, and heroes seale??d the deal.

Starcraft II [Battle,net]

The post Blizzard jokingly reveals ‘birds’ as the fourth Starcraft II race appeared first on Destructoid.

One shot, one kill

Blizzard's triple-release strategy for StarCraft II really paid off. While it seemed like a complete scam at first, the studio went all out and supported the game throughout its lifetime, and if we're lucky, for the next decade or so.

Every expansion added something new and now, we have StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops, a bite-sized?? DLC of sorts that takes place over multiple chapters.

StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops - Mission Pack 1 (PC)
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
MSRP: $7.49 (Per Episode) / $14.99 (Bundle)
Released: March 29, 2015

Covert Ops is accessed directly from main campaign menu, right next to the other expansions. It doesn't require StarCraft II proper, and takes place over three DLCs, with three missions each. The first is out now. Got?? it? Good!

Chapter 1 sets up a proper gaiden involving the Zerg, who have unsuspectingly struck settlements after two years of peace. Of course, Nova is ready to step in and put a stop to it, with all her Ghost glory. Over time we get a bigger picture of the narrative, dealing with a power struggle over a city-state, with the Zerg as the catalyst behind the conflict. Since each mission clocks in at roughly 20 minutes each, there isn't a whole lot of time for exposition here, but the StarCraft universe is ri??ch enough to propel most players through with a sense that actual stakes are involved. I'm just not dying to know what happens next.

In case you're thinking that this side-story approach might drastically alter the core RTS StarCraft gameplay -- don't. It takes places within the limitations of the StarCraft engine, albeit with all of the perks that Nova entails, like cloaking, melee abilities, sniping, pulse grenades, and even a jump suit to traverse raised te??rrain. As you can probably expect, two of the missions feature stealth elements, complete with enemy troops that sport vision cones. It's a tad gamey (foes aren't programmed to notice corpses, and the like), but I was surprised at how fast-paced it all was despite the fact that players are technically sneaking around. There's also a few funny nods like a moving cardboard box in the typical Blizzard tongue-in-cheek style.

While it can feel by-the-numbers, it all feels organic, even the intro section. Covert Ops stretches the engine, having players at times stop on a dime and avoid hazards like rotating flame turrets. There's even a brief on-rails vehicle romp with a boss? fight and light dodging elements! The latter two missions also waltz into your more traditional RTS portions where Nova is playing a part of a bigger battle, and SCVs and base management can be controlled.

I would have liked to have seen more stealth scenarios but there are two more chapters left. After all, hardly any micromanaging suits me just fine, as Covert Ops is supposed to be different??.  The "Master Archives" mode, unlocked after completion, is also ?a great way to replay levels on different difficulty modes and go for different objectives with new equipment.

StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops doesn't deliver much that you haven't seen before, but it does it in an engaging way that sufficiently supplements the universe. If you aren't big on the massive time investment that a typical StarCraft campaign warrants, th?is is a nice little alternative.

_{[This review is based on a retail version of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops – Mission Pack 1 appeared first on Destructoid.

The Starter Edition has been updated

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void is out, and with it, a few new modes, such as the full co-op portion and Archon Mode -- which allows two players to control one base. But if you aren't willing to take the plunge yet, the Starter Edition has been updated recently to account for the Void expansion. In essence, you can download the game for free and get all of the new units, bu??t you can only play with friends.

As an added bonus due to the recent patch, co-op mode is available, with three ??of the six characters at your disposal. If you're interested in seeing how the game has changed over the years, give it a shot.

Starter Edition [Battle.net]

The post St??arCraft II c?o-op goes free-to-play, but only directly with friends appeared first on Destructoid.

My life for Aiur

When I last left StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void, I had ?completed most of the story. Having now played it all, I've walked away satisfied, not only from this expansion, but from the series as a whole.

Decades after its inception, Blizzard is still at the top of its class in terms of cinemati?c storytelling, and the new game modes don't hurt the appeal of the overall package in the slightest.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void (PC)
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
MSRP: $39.99 (Standard), $59.99 (Digital Deluxe)
Released: November 10, 2015

The rest of the story missions are on par with the initial set, as players delve deeper into the story of the Protoss and their attempt to reclaim their homeworld and save the galaxy. I was surprised, though, to see that the narrative not only seeks to wrap up the fate of Auir and the Protoss race, but the rest of the core cast as well. Call it cheesy, but Blizzard actually wraps up things nicely here, and doesn't leave fans wanting. Yes, there will be Ghost missions as DLC down the line, but the story of StarCraft tr??uly fe??els complete, partially due to the assistance of a tri-mission epilogue.

That's not to say that things are executed flawlessly, of course. There are still some odd storylines, weird choices from characters, and absolutely ridiculous phrases uttered throughout. But all told, things are far more focused. The camera is off the struggle of Raynor and Kerrigan's relationship, and more on the survival of the entire galaxy. I fully expect a lot of fans to dislike the finale for various reasons we??'ll be discussing for years on end once people h??ave had a chance to finish it.

Elements of customization also appear like never before in the series, with the power to change up your home ship (The Spear of Adun), and the heroes themselves. These are augmented by sidequests, which actively encourages players to reach out and do everything there is to do in each mission. While a few levels did tend to blend together (craft a base and army, and smash into another one), the story and carried progress keep things going, and I didn't find myself getting bored like I did with Wings of Liberty.

Co-op allows you to select between six heroes (Raynor, Kerrigan, Artanis, Swann, Zagara, and Vorazun), all of whom carry over their experience to subsequent playthroughs. It's a lot like Heroes of the Storm in a way, where you can work your way toward new bonuses, level-ups, and upgrades over time with each character. Objectives include tasks like destroying vehicles or other units, and are rather menial in nature. It's important to note though that you don't play as these heroes -- they just provided bonuses and alte?r the style of your army. Also, leveling up allows you to access some of the more advanced units, like the Terran Battlecruiser.

There's matchmaking support, and given the simplicity of the mode, it works well even with random players. Although I would have pref??erred a full-on mode with playable heroes, co-op really does the trick, and I wish it had been implemented sooner. I had a blast getting to know other players I was matched up with, trading strategies, and just talking about the game. It's a relaxed mode that will scratch that itch if you find yourself plummeting on the ladder, or failing in the new tournament system.

So how is multiplayer? Relatively the same, with the addition of two new units per army. Actually, I should say the gameplay is the same, but the added bonus of all of these units seeks to change up the meta considerably. The return of the Lurkers for the Zerg is a standout unit, and memories of Brood War came rushing back within seconds. The Disruptor is probably the most unique unit in Void, as it shoots a ball of pure energy that can hit both friend?s and foes. While casting, it's immobile and vulnerable, so players will have to treat it as a priority target. The thing oozes Protoss inside and out.

As for the other units, the Liberator is basically like an aerial Siege Tank, the Cyclone is an early-game harassment vehicle, the Adept not only looks badass but it also teleports around like a more mobile late-game Zealot option, and Ravagers are like mobile artillery, eating through force fields. As you can clearly see, all of them bring something new to the table an??????????????????????????d are welcome in their own right. The meta will no doubt drastically shift in the months to come, but as of now, I'm having the same amount of fun online as I always have.

Archon Mode is another welcome addition, and while I can see people skipping out on it e?ntirely, it will likely draw in a niche crowd. The gist is that two people will control one base, which can lead to some interes??ting playstyles, like one player micromanaging air units while the other hits foes from the ground. Where its potential really lies is a tool for teaching, so friends can walk newcomers through the basics of base building and combat.

If you're invested in StarCraft II's story already, you likely won't be disappointed by Legacy of the Void's tale. If you haven't played any form of StarCraft II yet a?nd are intrigued by the prospect of another? RTS, this is probably the strongest the game has ever been. It's a perfect time to jump in.

_{[This review is based on a retail build o??f the game provided by th??e publisher.]}

The post Review: StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void appeared first on Destructoid.

Nova Covert Ops launches next spring

StarCraft II's story won't be ending with the upcoming Legacy of the Void expansion.

Today in Anaheim, California, Blizzard revealed Nova Covert Ops, the first in a three-part?? series of "Mission Packs," which the studio plans to begin rolling out sometime next spring. 

Nova Covert Ops picks up with the eponymous Terran sniper waking up in a my?sterious facility, where she learns from an anony??mous messenger she is in danger and is prompted to escape.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void releases next week on November 11.

The post StarCraft II? story will continue with DLC missions appeared first on Destructoid.

Watch the stunning opening cinematic

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void, the strategy title's sec??ond expansion, is coming to Windows ??PC and Mac on November 10, Blizzard announced today during the Starcraft II World Championship Series.

This expansion follows the exploits of the Protoss, following up on the Terran-oriented story seen in StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty's and the Zerg's Heart of the Swarm expansion campaign.

In addition to the release date, Blizzard also revealed Legacy of the Void's gorgeous opening film:

The post StarCraft II: Legacy Of The Void arrives Nov. 10 appeared first on Destructoid.

For Hearthstone, Diablo III, and Heroes

[Update 2: Said details can be found here, and check out the debut trailer below for the prologue. A retail Collector’s Edition is confirmed, and Heart of the Swarm is now a standalone game as of today.]

[Update: Blizzard has informed Destructoid that? the pre-??order system isn't fully live yet, and should be in full working order later today. More details are also coming soon.]

It looks like Blizzard is starting to heavily promote Legacy of the Void, the newest StarCraft II expansion/standalone release.

In addition to beta and prologue access, pre-ordering the digital deluxe edition (for $20 more) will net you new portraits and a unit skin for StarCraft II, a pet, transmog, and card back for WoW, Diablo III, and Hearthstone respectively, and a Void Seeker Mount for Heroes of the Storm. The latter bonus is rea??lly what's tempting me ??here.

Legacy of the Void is??? still on for a "winter 2015/2016" release.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void [Battle.net]

The post StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void details cross-game pre-??order bonuses appeared first on Destructoid.

Invites for beta on March 31

Where were you when that debut trailer for StarCraft II popped up online? It made its announcement all the way back in 2007 at the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational in South Korea. Much has changed since then. With the release of two StarCraft II titles so far, Blizzard has been trying to keep things intere??sting for the series in the face of evolving ta??stes and new games.

But one thing sure hasn't changed in the time since its debut all those years ago. People are still very much into the series, and wit?h the final expansion rearing its head, the developers at Blizzard want players to get some hands-on time with the legendary real-time strategy title before its official release. Which, of course, hasn't quite been revealed yet.

During GDC, I got the opportunity to speak with Blizzard about its plans for the future of StarCraft, and how the?? upcoming expansion plans to t??ie everything up in dramatic and epic fashion. 

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void (Mac, PC [previewed])
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Release date: TBA 2015

"Not only is this the conclusion of the StarCraft II trilogy, but also the conclusion to the StarCraft story," said lead ga??me producer Tim Morten. "It really ties together the storylines we've had over the years, and this particular installation will focus on the Protoss."

With the previous campaigns focusing on the exploits of the Jim Raynor and Sarah Kerrigan of the Terran and Zerg factions, Legacy of the Void shifts the point of view to the Protoss and its leader Artanis. With the looming threat of the fallen one, Amon, the Protoss and the other factions must ready for battle as the malevolent being seeks to corrupt the galaxy with its powers. As the conclusion to the StarCraft II trilogy, everythin?g has come to this moment, and the upcoming battles will decide the fate of the entire universe.

Much like the previous installments, Legacy of the Void is a standalone release that won't require the other entries to play. Though players who've invested time in everything that is StarCraft II thus far will surely have a greater experience, Legacy is a title the developers at?? Blizzard hope will be accessible for newcomers as well.

Though rest assured, Legacy of the Void has every intention of ?maintaining the high-level play and nuance the series is known for. However, the developers wish to offer newcomers a way to ease into the experience rather than take the trial-by-fire approach. With the new expansion, there's a larger focus on team and cooperative play this time around.

Debuting in the expansion are two new gameplay modes called Archon and Allied Commander. For the former, two players will work together to build a base and defend it against enemies. This is essentially co-op mode for the standard competitive mode. While it's exciting for high-level play -- there's twice the efficiency and o?utput -- the developers also hope it'll prove to be an effective learning tool for new players. With an experienced player working as a helping hand alongside a newcomer, they'll be able to learn the ropes much faster.

In Allied Commander, players will be able to control the various heroes of the StarCraft universe including Jim Raynor to Sarah Kerrigan??. The mode, which lets you take them on a unique campaign as they level up and boost their forces, seems to pull in the best parts of the story mode with the hectic action found in multiplayer battles.

Of course, with the new expansion Blizzard has added a whole slew of tweaks and additions. Given such a sizable time between releases, the team was able to gather a lot of player data and make necessary changes. For instance, each faction has new units and upgrades to existing stats and attributes. As the community manages to push the game to its limits, the developers have to ??try and experiment with new upgrades and tweaks to gameplay. The in-game economy has been altered to encourage expansion and movement, for example, which will yield greater rewards?? for your base. Moreover, attack damage and range have been tweaked a bit to allow players to use existing and new units in different ways. And speaking of the new units, the folks at Blizzard went all out with upgrades for the factions.

The Terran now have access to the Cyclone tank, which can link up with other like units to deal bonus damage. The Zerg has a long-range unit called t??he Ravager that can deal poisonous area-of-effect damage and disable Protoss shields. And finally, the Protoss can now call forth the Adept, which focuses on close-range combat. The unique thing about the Adept is its shade ability, as it allows the unit to summon a player-controlled ghost of itself to move around the battlefield. After a set amount of time, the Adept will teleport to the position that the shade was in previously. There's impressive potential for these units, and it'll b?e interesting to see how players experiment with new strategies.

Admittedly, I'm a novice when it comes to StarCraft, but I've been an admirer of the series for a long time. I've found a lot to like with this brief taste of the expansion, which will have some of the biggest additions the series has ??seen in a long time. The changes I've mentioned only scratch the? surface for what's been added, such as movable Siege Tanks, new abilities for the existing units, and tweaks to movement and attack damage to name a few.

With the upcoming beta, Blizzard hopes to test the waters with these new changes in order to get player feedback on what they would like to see happen in the expansion. Obviously, the series owes much to its fanbase, so it's great as always to see the developers open up with invites to the beta on March 31 to give them a deep and thorough look. Although the official release date is still unknown at this p??oint, it'll be exciting to see how the game evolves from here.

The post StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void seeks to conclu?de the trilogy with an exciting finale appeared first on Destructoid.

Sign up for the beta now

Last weekend at BlizzCon 2014, we finally got some more information on StarCraft II's second quasi-expansion -- the Protoss flavored Legacy of the Void?. It will finish the saga started in the core game, and involves all of the typical Terran and Zerg characters alongside of Artanis and Zeratul.

Archon Mode is in, where two players control a single base as they take on another duo. Allied Commanders mode is also in, involving multiple scenarios wit??h multiplayer in tow. Of course there will be new units, including the Lurker, Disruptor, and tactical jumping Terrans.

Finally, this will be a standalone release -- you don't need either of the other StarCraft II packs to play it. Sign up for the beta here.

The post Finally, some StarCra??ft II: Legacy ?of the Void info appeared first on Destructoid.