Besides giving us a peek at how Blizzard factors valuable fan input into StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, the developer also gave us a closer look at the new unit types that will arrive with the long-awaited expansion. Here’s the lowdown:
Terrans
Issues and weaknesses
- Thor is too slow and clumsy
- Race has difficulties in handling mass zealots in late game
New units and abilities
- New “battle mode” for hellion – transforms like a viking
- Battle mode hellion has more hit points, moves more slowly
- Shorter, wider arc on flame attack, and stronger
- Gives Terrans a beefy front-line fighter in the late game
Warhound
- Smaller, more nimble version of Thor
- Effective anti-mech ground weapon to help break siege tank lines
- Anti-air attack with splash damage
Shredder
- Robot that emits channeled, area of effect damage when immobilized
- Damage automatically shuts off when an ally moves into range
- Gives Terrans cheap zone control, but can’t be used near main army
- Still very much a work in progress
Thor
- Moved to late game, more hit points and damage
- Can only have one, like mothership from Wings of Liberty
Zerg
Issues and weaknesses
- Mid-game difficulties with siege and controlling areas
- Missed opportunities with certain units like Ultralisk and Corruptor
- New units and abilities
Ultralisk
- Existing version is bulky and has difficulties engaging in battle
- New burrow charge ability lets it dive underground and get into the fight easily
Viper
- New caster unit with detection — replaces overseer
- Has abilities like blinding cloud to help break entrenched positions
- Abduct ability allows it to pull units to itself — pull siege tanks or colossus out of death balls
Swarm host
- Zerg artillery for map control and siege
- Burrows into the ground, and continuously generates small creatures to attack
- Feels very Zerg-y
Protoss
Issues and weaknesses
- Needs more raiding options
- Needs area of effect, anti-air attacks
- New units and abilities
Tempest
- New Protoss capital ship, replaces carrier
- Anti-air splash damage for Mutalisks and other aircraft
- Has direct air-to-ground attack as well that isn’t splash
Replicant
- Special unit that can clone itself into any non-massive unit
- Allows Protoss to also take Siege Tanks or Infestors from enemies
- Very expensive
- Still very much a work-in-progress, not final unit
Oracle
- Caster unit used for raiding and harassment
- Can disable enemy structures, or prevent mining with its abilities
- Doesn’t actually kill or damage anything
- Mothership is cut in favor of this unit
