Season 8 Map Pool Update
Season 8, which begins the week of June 11, will bring with it some changes to the 1v1 and 2v2 map pools. In season 7, we experimented with a larger 1v1 map pool. After reviewing player feedback, we’ll be returning to a pool of 8 maps. We will continue to maintain a heavy focus on tournament viable 1v1 maps, and that thought process has influenced our decisions regarding which maps will be removed from the ladder for Season 8.
The new maps are playable now! You can experience them via the custom game interface now, and they’ll join the ladder when the new season starts next week.
1v1 map pool
Map being added:
(4) Condemned Ridge
We’ve received feedback from our higher levels players that rotationally symmetric macro maps can be difficult to deal with for certain races when they spawn at certain points. On the other hand, non-rotationally symmetric maps are not common on the tournament circuits. To add variety, we’re introducing a new symmetric, potentially tournament viable map, suitable for macro style play.
The map hasn’t been finalized yet, and we would like to hear your opinions about how it plays before the Season 8 begins. Your feedback is appreciated!
Update 12/06/2012: We have decided to remove rocks from Condemned Ridge. Thank you for your feedback.
Maps being removed:
This season, tournament viability was our primary criteria regarding whether a map remained on the ladder or not, though map balance is also always a consideration.
(4) Metalopolis
Metalopolis simply isn’t being used in tournaments anymore, and this map has some balance issues as well. (4)Metropolis LE is an improved version of this map that will see use in a future ladder season.
(4) Korhal Compound LE
This map was one of the winners of the Team Liquid Map Contest. While we were pleased to make this addition to the ladder, unfortunately, Korhal Compound hasn’t gained traction in the tournament scene. In addition, this version of Korhal Compound also has some balance issues.
We'll continue to watch Korhal Compound Tournament Edition, and if it gains traction in tournaments then that version of the map may come back to the ladder in the future.
2v2 map pool
The 2v2 map pool will continue to feature maps with close spawn positions. Main difference in this format is we’re not aiming for a 100% fortress style maps only, and including a semi fortress map also. In team games, we try to make the gameplay and layout of maps relatively simple to ease coordination between teammates. The maps should mostly be self-explanatory using the screenshots. Like Condemned Ridge these maps aren’t final, and we welcome your feedback.
Maps being added:
(4) Molten Crater
This map is a semi fortress style map.
(4) Desolate Stronghold
This map is a fortress style map lacking easy expansion within the fortress area.
Maps being removed:
(4) Discord IV
(4) High Orbit
While we did not feel that the feel that the existing 2v2 map pool suffered from any significant issues, we wanted to breathe some new life into the ladder pool. Since we wanted to stay with an 8 map pool in this bracket, it became necessary to remove a pair of the older maps.
We plan to both introduce new maps to the 2v2 pool on occasion as well as potentially cycle old map back into rotation, so even though these two maps are gone for now, they could return in future seasons.
Comments (226)
No, it wasn't a custom game, it was a ladder game.
The vision they give is worthless.
Anyone who agrees please post and complain!
There needs to be a way to get to Tier 3 and to do that effectively as any race other than terran, you need 4 bases worth of gas.
By making it so that there are only 3 securable bases as zerg and 3 securable as protoss, you effectively make this an allin focussed map and it's really bad for a map to be that way.
I will get the team together for an all weekend playthrough, I feel like the maps being so old was the largest achilles heel to team games in SCII
Its been a long time since they were updated
Esp for Protoss. So much open area for drops and muta harass. And FF is almost impossible to place when your caught moving out of your base.
And when it's a ZvT, all I can say is poor zerg.
That high ledge on the Third is way to OP for terran.
My history is this:
I bought the game while season 6 was ongoing.
Season 6: I finished 3rd
Season 7: I finished 5th
What must i do to be silver? To be in top 5? To win against 15th silver? To be on a killing spree? Anyway, when i win a sliver guy (15th) in a fair game i think that says a lot.
If you know anything i dont'd about how to be silver please let me know.
But I read that you need 1200 points to get from bronze to silver.
I won almost all my games and got promoted when I was a 600-700 points. I beat guys all the way up to platnium untill I got promoted. Just keep playing and forget about all that sytem stuff.
If you win a lot you get promoted. :D gl have batman
This was my favorite map,
and, strangely, if I look in the historic of my 1c1 games,
it's the map coming th most often...
I will miss it, as Metalopolis LE is a completely different map
Tons of players are playing team games, even pros sometimes.
I love that every blizzard map has been a 1 base, 2 base or 3 base allin map or it's a very stupid map where you have to be decisively ahead by the time you're taking a 4th.
OMG Blizz you rock!
Not going to veto it anymore <3