SirRobin Profile Joined December 2010 United States 269 Posts Last Edited: 2015-09-05 03:36:42 #1



Blizzard recently announced their current thoughts on Roach burrow movement speed and burrow-move usage in general. Roach burrow move speed



We agree that we probably went too far with this change. We’ve evaluated not just the high level streams and tournament games, but also looked into many replays that players sent us. Regardless of whether the burrow-move Roaches won Zerg the game, or if the strategy didn’t quite work out, we agree that the current speed might be too much. We’re trying our best to locate a number that encourages burrow-move usage more so than in HotS, but doesn’t make the strategy quite as powerful as it is in the current state.



Burrow-move speed is just too high; Blizzard now knows this, whether they did or didn't before. I love this style, and I want it to be viable, as does Blizzard.



Here are my thoughts on how to make that happen



I love Burrow-move Roaches in LotV. I probably played 200 or so burrow-move games the 1st week of the Beta.



What encouraged me to play a burrow style, and fall in love with it, wasn't the speed, or the amount of damage I was doing, but more the ability to play a macro-oriented version of it. (My average game I make 76 workers, lol)



To play a style and have the confidence of knowing that if you scout a response, you have the ability to tech switch and counter their counter; it's what makes a style viable.



HotS Roach-burrow movement is not that. You must do damage, lots of it, otherwise you're just sitting on Roach tech which expires rather quickly.



Reverting the burrow-move speed roach upgrade back to an upgrade killed that. Now, when you go Roach burrow in LotV, you better do damage otherwise you're in a very similar boat; except thank god the speed is OP so pretty much the answer is yea, I'll be doing damage, lol.



So, this is my proposition.



Remove the requirement for an upgrade while drastically reducing the burrow-move speed.



Maybe make an upgrade to increase the move speed?



The reason behind this are a few things:



1. Roach burrow move, at a non-OP speed, is very difficult to surprise your opponent with. Because of #2.



2. You have to get Roach speed first in any macro-oriented game. This is so you can have the thinnest line of defense needed. ( roach speed is vital for D). Because of this, #3.



3. The style requires you to have been on roach tech for quite a long while. What this means is you better have been massing roaches to optimize the play style.



4. You rarely see a macro roach burrow move speed build. What that would look like would be something like 8 roaches, 4 per Overlord drop, different bases at once, harass with the burrow while macroing and teching to Muta.



Because it takes so long and costs an upgrade, investing 250 gas (burrow+speed) in a style you're only making 200 gas worth of army for isn't exactly the smartest. Only if you truly see that much value out of it. So either the speed is OP, or it shouldn't have an upgrade in order to do an 8 roach burrow move harass macro playstyle.







The style still requires you to get burrow which could be delaying a desired lair/3rd queen/overlord speed, and of course anything else that cost resources.



There is still a give and take, still a valuable choice as to when to go an 8 roach burrow move harass style.



Realize that this style also gives the ability to use burrow blings which I know we would all love to see. I know I love when I'm gifted the opportunity!



Also, don't concern balance, that can come later.



Thank you for reading and thank you for your consideration.



-SirRobin

Burrow-move speed is just too high; Blizzard now knows this, whether they did or didn't before. I love this style, and I want it to be viable, as does Blizzard.I love Burrow-move Roaches in LotV. I probably played 200 or so burrow-move games the 1st week of the Beta.What encouraged me to play a burrow style, and fall in love with it, wasn't the speed, or the amount of damage I was doing, but more the ability to play a macro-oriented version of it. (My average game I make 76 workers, lol)To play a style and have the confidence of knowing that if you scout a response, you have the ability to tech switch and counter their counter; it's what makes a style viable.HotS Roach-burrow movement is not that. You must do damage, lots of it, otherwise you're just sitting on Roach tech which expires rather quickly.Reverting the burrow-move speed roach upgrade back to an upgrade killed that. Now, when you go Roach burrow in LotV, you better do damage otherwise you're in a very similar boat; except thank god the speed is OP so pretty much the answer is yea, I'll be doing damage, lol.So, this is my proposition.Maybe make an upgrade to increase the move speed?The reason behind this are a few things:1. Roach burrow move, at a non-OP speed, is very difficult to surprise your opponent with. Because of #2.2. You have to get Roach speed first in any macro-oriented game. This is so you can have the thinnest line of defense needed. ( roach speed is vital for D). Because of this, #3.3. The style requires you to have been on roach tech for quite a long while. What this means is you better have been massing roaches to optimize the play style.4. You rarely see a macro roach burrow move speed build. What that would look like would be something like 8 roaches, 4 per Overlord drop, different bases at once, harass with the burrow while macroing and teching to Muta.Because it takes so long and costs an upgrade, investing 250 gas (burrow+speed) in a style you're only making 200 gas worth of army for isn't exactly the smartest. Only if you truly see that much value out of it. So either the speed is OP, or it shouldn't have an upgrade in order to do an 8 roach burrow move harass macro playstyle.The style still requires you to get burrow which could be delaying a desired lair/3rd queen/overlord speed, and of course anything else that cost resources.There is still a give and take, still a valuable choice as to when to go an 8 roach burrow move harass style.Realize that this style also gives the ability to use burrow blings which I know we would all love to see. I know I love when I'm gifted the opportunity!Also, don't concern balance, that can come later.Thank you for reading and thank you for your consideration.-SirRobin https://twitter.com/SirRobinSC2