StarCraft II, the legendary real-time strategy game from Blizzard Entertainment, is back with the long-awaited StarCraft II 5.0.14 PTR, the biggest update in years. The game, an important part of the strategy world since 2010, comes with a major innovation that changes its balance and improves its mechanics with this new PTR (Public Test Realm) release.
What’s in the StarCraft II 5.0.14 PTR patch notes?
With this update, Blizzard focused on community requests and made critical balancing and improvements to Zerg, Protoss, and Terran units. Changes to Zerg mutations and Protoss defense structures have radically changed the game’s dynamics.
StarCraft II 5.0.14 PTR is the most comprehensive balance update the game has received in years. Units and structures of each race have regained their strategic importance, while community-suggested improvements have also been implemented. Zerg units have become more agile and effective in mid-game raids, while Protoss structures have become stronger and more durable. The effectiveness of Terran units in long-range attacks has increased dramatically.
Protoss changes
Changes to Protoss units and structures in StarCraft II 5.0.14 PTR will profoundly impact this race’s gameplay. The adjustments include new abilities and balancing improvements that provide strategic flexibility while balancing defensive and offensive mechanics.
- Nexus
- Shield Battery Overcharge ability removed.
- New ability: Energy Overcharge (50 energy cost), replenishing 100 energy to any allied unit or structure within a range of 8.
- Shield Battery: Shield and HP increased from 150/150 to 200/200.
- Colossus: Shields were reduced from 150 to 100, and HP increased from 200 to 250.
- Tempest
- Supply cost decreased from 5 to 4.
- Air attack range decreased from 14 to 13.
- Immortal
- Mineral cost was reduced from 275 to 250.
- Weapon cooldown increased by 9.6%.
- Disruptor: Purification Nova radius increased to 1.5, damage adjusted to 100 (+100 vs shields).
- Mothership
- Cost increased to 400/400. Supply increased to 8.
- Now targets up to 4 units simultaneously.
Terran Changes
The Terran updates in StarCraft II 5.0.14 PTR introduce notable adjustments to defensive structures and key units. These changes enhance the flexibility of defensive strategies, improve underused units, and tweak certain mechanics to ensure a more balanced and strategic gameplay experience.
- Defensive Structures: Missile Turret and Sensor Tower gain a Salvage ability (returning 75% of their cost). The process is canceled if the structure takes damage.
- Planetary Fortress: Armor reduced from 3 to 2.
- Sensor Tower: Cost reduced to 100/50, radar range reduced to 22.
- Orbital Command: Extra Supplies ability now increases the HP of Supply Depots to 500, effectively repairing them.
- Hellion: Blue Flame upgrade bonus damage vs Light increased from +5 to +9.
- Liberator
- Advanced Ballistics now increases the Defender Mode radius instead of the attack range.
- Siege and un-siege times are reduced with Smart Servos.
- Thor: Splash damage improved, and the range was reduced in Explosive Payload mode.
Zerg Changes
The Zerg adjustments in StarCraft II 5.0.14 PTR update unit costs, defensive structures, and mobility options. These changes aim to reduce the heavy reliance on Queens for defense while shifting more power to static defenses. Additionally, unit tweaks enhance Zerg’s ability to maneuver and micro-manage in various game stages, offering more versatility in offense and defense.
- Queen: Mineral cost increased from 150 to 175.
- Hatchery: Mineral costs decreased from 300 to 275.
- Spine Crawler: Build time was reduced to 32, and damage increased to 30.
- Spore Crawler: Damage increased to 20, HP reduced to 300.
- Hydralisk
- Movement speed on Creep with Muscular Augments reduced.
- New Dash ability: Temporarily increases movement speed by 60% for 0.71 seconds.
- Infestor: Microbial Shroud now sticks to units for 3.6 seconds, even outside its area.
- Ultralisk: Can now push allied units when moving.
- Brood Lord: Broodling HP increased, weapon cooldown reduced, and bug fixed to restore maximum range damage.
The StarCraft II 5.0.14 PTR update introduces much larger-scale innovation than the small balancing changes made in previous game versions. Responding to community requests, this release looks set to have an impact, especially in the professional esports scene.
Featured image credit: StarCraft II
