We’ve just published a new custom version of Derelict Watcher, called "Derelict Watcher TE (2.0.8 Balance v1.1)", in which we’re testing small balance changes to StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. This map features slightly reduced numbers for the Warp Prism changes found in the previous version we published on May 30, as well as a few changes we’d like to try out for the Hellbat and Banshee. Today, we’d like to share the new adjustments we’ll be testing, as well as a few thoughts from the StarCraft II Balance Team on each change.

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 the Robotics Bay and will increase movement speed to 3.375 and acceleration to 3.25 when researched.

Thank you for playing on the previous balance test map. We heard your feedback and agree that completely rolling the Gravitic Drive upgrade in to the Warp Prism is probably too big of a change. The pro players we contacted for extra balance testing generally agreed that this change does make Warp Prism harass a lot more effective from an earlier point of time. Therefore, we’d like to try a lesser version of these changes in today’s balance test map. We’re still watching to find out if Protoss is in fact slightly weaker than the other two races at the highest skill levels, and if this turns out to be the case, we’ll likely go with a smaller change such as this one.

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.

We’re haven’t decided whether or not Hellbat drops are a problem yet. It’s looking like it could be, so we’d like to try a nerf in this balance test map.

• Banshee
  • Cloaking Field research cost decreased from 200/200 to 100/100
  • Cloaking Field research time decreased from 110 seconds to 90.

We don’t feel the overall strength of Terran is an issue at this point, and Terrans aren’t overperforming by any means, but we’d like to compensate the Hellbat nerf with another buff. While we’d like to see fewer Hellbat drops, we don’t want Terran to suffer because of it. Also, we think it would be cool for Terran players have a variety of harassment options. Whenever we saw awesome banshee usage in the past, those games were exciting to watch and we believe having a reduced cost for Banshee tech will allow Terran players to utilize them more easily.

Though it will be pinned to the top of the Custom Games list, we’d like to remind you that this rendition of the test map is called "Derelict Watcher TE (2.0.8 Balance v1.1)." Make sure to pay close attention to the map’s title before you hit that “Start Game” button in the game lobby, so you can be certain you’re testing the latest changes found in version 1.1 of the test map.

Once again, these aren’t final changes, and we’re looking for feedback that is based on playtesting.

Thank you very much!