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[rakkadakka]

For folks in the Alpha.. what's the range for match times? Ie short game v long game..

Love Dota 2 but the guys I play games with don't really have the time available for those hour long matches.

 

[KojiKnight]

I saw this tonight and just could not unsee it.

You bastard... I'll never be able to unsee that now either.

For folks in the Alpha.. what's the range for match times? Ie short game v long game..

Love Dota 2 but the guys I play games with don't really have the time available for those hour long matches.

15-25 minutes 95 out of 100 times I'd say. I've never seen a match last less than 15, but there have been a few that have broken the 30+ minute range.

 

[rakkadakka]

15-25 minutes 95 out of 100 times I'd say. I've never seen a match last less than 15, but there have been a few that have broken the 30+ minute range.

That's perfect.

Hoping that Blizzard can get some good matchmaking in this as well.

Gah! Now I just need to get into the Alpha.

 

[TheYanger]

I did have one game that was like 10 even or something, but that was a complete roflstomp.

 

[Mengy]

Welp, I just got my invite by email to the HoTS alpha, like a minute ago. Fantastic! Guess I know what game I'm playing this weekend!

 

[TheYanger]

Did my 10 win quest as Tyrande today, had some fun close games. This game is certainly uncomplicated but god damn it's a lot of fun.
http://www.twitch.tv/theyanger/c/4184120 Streamed some of em

I'm not sure the talent system does an entirely ideal job of replacing items, but it's a neat idea. Just needs more tweaking - Like, some of them GREATLY change a skill and some are very minor, which is fine since it's not like a Doran's Blade is some game changer in league or anything, but there are just too many of the choices that have obvious answers atm I think.

 

[zulfate]

i got into the alpha and i like it alot, for a casual moba player like me this is right up my alley and you know why? its because it so simple i can come back to it and still do ok. it doesnt strike me like a game i need to devote tons of time studying to be competitive, just grab and go.


i can see why someone who has been playing a lot of dota 2 can feel frustrated by the simplicity but this game is more like a straight up pc version of a fighting game.

 

[Ferny]

I'm having such a good time with Gazlowe, he's so good.

 

[GoofsterStud]

I got the initial alpha and it had quite a few bugs. Only one other friend I knew had it, I wasn't feeling it so I decided to hold off until beta where I can give it a chance with more friends.

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

I got the initial alpha and it had quite a few bugs. Only one other friend I knew had it, I wasn't feeling it so I decided to hold off until beta where I can give it a chance with more friends.

I rarely run into bugs and have been in the Alpha since week 1. Honestly it blows me away how polished a 'tech alpha' is for Blizzard.


On a totally different note. Finally got 15 win quest done on my Demon Hunter. She is by far my best character. I also started playing Tychus tonight. He is super squishy from what I heard and I can confirm that he is

But.. He has been the most fun character. The Odin Ultimate is a total blast.. At level 20 you get a Nuclear blast which you can cast over and over (3 times per ultimate duration) and it does a good 800 dmg + the other two skills and you can spam it a couple times per Ultimate. It's pretty insanely powerful. In fact, it turned the whole battle I had earlier when a team was pushing up agst our base. We ended up wiping them there and were able to grab another set of coins for the Pirate ship to finish them off.


Also Tychus is probably the second best Jungler in the game for me at least (after Gaz).. With his life leech and attack speed, he can solo tons of camps fairly early as life leech is a level 4 talent.

 

[ChoklitCow]

Every time I play as stitches, I have a perfect hook lined up and then a random creep body blocks. Every..damn....time.

Also, yeah its starting to feel like there are constant 4p teams now.

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

Man. ETC is my favorite tank hero by far. So much fun.

 

[PhilipDoesMatter]

Is this F2P?

 

[Goldenhen]

Is this F2P?

Yes.

 

[KojiKnight]

Is this F2P?

It will be once it's out. It's currently in closed alpha, so random invite only.

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

Holy crap.. Wish I was streaming a match I just had in Heroes so I could have it forever.

We were playing Cursed Hollow and our team was Illidain, Malfurion, Sonya (barb), Demon Hunter and me as Diablo.

We were agst a Tychus, Lili, Brightwing, Stitches and Sonya

We were getting trounced. Our Barbarian got all talents towards Whirlwind instead of Ancient Hammer which is way way way better and our team just was getting destroyed on team fights.

We were down TWO full tribute sets (6 tributes) and had only our Core/Main Base left. They had taken all the forts. We only hadn't taken out ONE fort of theirs yet ... haha. We defended them and came back and grabbed two consecutive tribute sets and somehow won. It was the most amazing comeback ever. We were down 4-5 levels at one point.

 

[TheYanger]

Holy crap.. Wish I was streaming a match I just had in Heroes so I could have it forever.

We were playing Cursed Hollow and our team was Illidain, Malfurion, Sonya (barb), Demon Hunter and me as Diablo.

We were agst a Tychus, Lili, Brightwing, Stitches and Sonya

We were getting trounced. Our Barbarian got all talents towards Whirlwind instead of Ancient Hammer which is way way way better and our team just was getting destroyed on team fights.

We were down TWO full tribute sets (6 tributes) and had only our Core/Main Base left. They had taken all the forts. We only hadn't taken out ONE fort of theirs yet ... haha. We defended them and came back and grabbed two consecutive tribute sets and somehow won. It was the most amazing comeback ever. We were down 4-5 levels at one point.

I feel like that map and the dragon knight are by far the swingiest, just because if you can manage to win that one single teamfight the mechanics let you utterly cripple them.

My fastest games have all been on the cursed hollow too, ~10 minutes.

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

okay. New favorite tank is Diablo for me. Just went on a nice 5 game win streak with him in random queued games. He is so freaking beefy with the "Get more Souls and have more health" talent.

 

[KojiKnight]

I feel like that map and the dragon knight are by far the swingiest, just because if you can manage to win that one single teamfight the mechanics let you utterly cripple them.

My fastest games have all been on the cursed hollow too, ~10 minutes.

It's only really swingy early on, though to be fair that is when it's most "dangerous" to a game... By mid to late game the DK is trivial to kill and rarely worth the effort expended on getting him (unless your opponents just ignore him and let him rampage around).

Something I'm less sure of mechanics wise is the first chance at getting the mine. My team whomped the two people they had sent to the mines and proceeded to 100 it, but while we were down there our opponents grabbed all 5 merc camps and ended up doing far more damage to us.

 

[Synth_floyd]

oops

 

[Proven]

I forgot all about neogaf because I had a busy weekend and then played Heroes all Sunday afternoon.

okay. New favorite tank is Diablo for me. Just went on a nice 5 game win streak with him in random queued games. He is so freaking beefy with the "Get more Souls and have more health" talent.

I realized recently that the primary reason I had a bad time with Diablo when I first played him is probably because I didn't have all the talents unlocked. You can't even use the meta build of Diablo without all talents available.

It's only really swingy early on, though to be fair that is when it's most "dangerous" to a game... By mid to late game the DK is trivial to kill and rarely worth the effort expended on getting him (unless your opponents just ignore him and let him rampage around).

Something I'm less sure of mechanics wise is the first chance at getting the mine. My team whomped the two people they had sent to the mines and proceeded to 100 it, but while we were down there our opponents grabbed all 5 merc camps and ended up doing far more damage to us.

DK can still be powerful late game, but mostly because of his high health. What happens is that he's the opposite of the golem; the further game has gone the more imperative it is that your entire team pushes with him and forces a team fight. The fact that mercenary camps leave the map reinforces this.

As for the Grave Golem on Haunted Mines, early jungling is imperative. I got stomped by a premade yesterday not because they grabbed camps while we were in the mines, but because they grabbed knights the second the mines opened. They were there before we had even grabbed one skull. There was a similar issue on Blackheart Bay where the enemy team decided to skip rushing mid for the tower fight and top chest, and instead went bottom. They grabbed knight camp, then bottom chest, and my team was so caught off guard that we got stuck reacting to their actions for almost the rest of the game.

Anyway, higher level play seems like its becoming about coordinating merc camp pushes before or during major map objectives. I hope Custom Games come back today so that there can be another tournament to watch this weekend.

Edit: Free Hero Rotation Week of Tuesday, May 6, 2014:
Gazlowe
Falstad
Raynor
Tyrael
Uther
Abathur (Unlocked at level 7)

A full set of heroes I dislike... I wish I had done more hero quests last week...

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

Feels weird to think that Tychus is my 2nd most played after my Demon Hunter.

He's just so damn squishy and not good because of that but his skills are so good that he has some of the strongest sustained dps in the game.

 

[Proven]

I like Tychus too. But he reminds me of TF2's Pyro. He combos well with certain Heroes, but he's also dealt with really well by a good chunk of the cast.

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

Yeah. That is the biggest problem with Tychus. Can combo well with certain healers like a Tyrande but struggles agst so much of the cast. Once he hits 12 or 13.. whenever you get that next talent after the ultimates, he becomes amazingly godlike in team fights due to his Overkill being able to slow all enemies hit by hit which is pretty much everyone in a giant cone for 5-6 secs and he can just follow them as they run away with ease then grenade them as they get a little farther away.

I've had an awesome night tonight. Total massacres. Posting some shots of some of the great victories.

First.. This was the other night. I was playing as Malfurion and was there for almost every single kill/takedown that my team had.

This one was a ridiculous come from behind. Notice how we are two levels lower and the kill count difference on the team. They had about 20+ more takedowns then us but we still managed to come back and win. Heroes of the Storm has tons of comeback potential in lots of games if your opponents don't focus and fall apart or not notice a lane push.

This one is from tonight. I didn't die with Tychus. This is like a miracle. Easily one of the squishiest DPS chars in the game. I'd say he is just as squishy as Illidan and Nova.

This is from tonight as well. We slaughtered these guys. 13 minutes and took every single building down to get as much XP as possible (All towers, walls, moon wells, etc).

 

[TheYanger]

That comeback game...I love it. I definitely enjoy both how easy it can be to snowball in this game AND how possible it is to comeback, which seems like they shouldn't both be possible but it really is at least right now. You can be a few levels back by the end of the game and still be able to win a teamfight (as opposed to when you're like level 9 vs level 13 where you have no fucking chance) if you execute well, and mechanics are just SO important in terms of when you get them that it can turn around in a hurry. At the same time, I feel if you're winning you genuinely have to play worse than the other team to let them back in, if you play well you can definitely step on their throats effectively.

I suppose what I mean is, people don't just rng their way into come from behind victories, but it is entirely possible to outplay a team that is ahead of you at key times and make a comeback. Just the way I like it all around.

My best comeback win so far. I actually streamed that one now that I think about it, second game about 20 minutes in:
http://www.twitch.tv/theyanger/c/4184120

And my best stomp so far since I'm not sure you can go much faster without just taking a pure premade team against a pug:

I legitimately felt bad for the other team. I'm not anything special at Moba's (I'd even say I'm flat out bad) but woof.

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

TheYanger

That wasn't a comeback?

You had only lost 1 fort the whole match and never allowed them a DK. Not sure how that was a comeback ?

Also you were right with them in XP until Level 11 when you took the lead with your first DK and never lost it the whole game haha

There was no way they were losing that one. Shocked how little merc pushes were in that game as well. Felt like camps were only taken a 3-4 times the whole game.

Also a tip: If the Core is at 25-30%.. Have Raynor go in back door and throw down Hyperion and sacrifice himself at the end. At level 20 Hyperion has the Yamato Gun upgrade and each hit takes off 15-20% and would have killed it automatically. In fact, he can take a core down 50% with just that Ultimate alone at 20.

 

[TheYanger]

TheYanger

That wasn't a comeback?

You had only lost 1 fort the whole match and never allowed them a DK. Not sure how that was a comeback ?

Also you were right with them in XP until Level 11 when you took the lead with your first DK and never lost it the whole game haha

There was no way they were losing that one. Shocked how little merc pushes were in that game as well. Felt like camps were only taken a 3-4 times the whole game.

Also a tip: If the Core is at 25-30%.. Have Raynor go in back door and throw down Hyperion and sacrifice himself at the end. At level 20 Hyperion has the Yamato Gun upgrade and each hit takes off 15-20% and would have killed it automatically. In fact, he can take a core down 50% with just that Ultimate alone at 20.

Hmm. Felt like we were about to lose a few times haha. maybe I'm thinking of a different game idk. You're right though was never far back in xp. Typically have big swings on the cursed hollow if anything, though that tends to be over fast also. Meh!

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

Yeah mine was on Blackheart Bay and we did it because we got our top knights and golem and it pushed and they ignored it for a good while as they danced outside of our Core trying to push it and kept being held back.

Finally they went back to clear it and we had Zeratul in their town doing Singularity Shots while stealthed the whole time on the core for a good 3 or so minutes before he finished it off himself. They were all pushing hard then with Mercs and we would have lost if it werent due to him.


EDIT: So I've noticed that some skins offer extra bonuses then just cosmetic skin upgrades for the base char.

Arthas has his non Lich King form and his voice is completely different which is pretty awesome

Magni skin for Muradin is awesome as his Avatar becomes a giant diamond Magni (he is dead in Warcraft universe as he was turned to diamond)

Pretty awesome stuff.

 

[Dawg]

*logs onto Battle.net*

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

 

[Brick]

*logs onto Battle.net*

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

You sonofabitch

 

[georly]

*logs onto Battle.net*

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The same happened to me a few weeks ago. I played it nonstop for about 3 days, but haven't had the urge to go back and play. That + dark souls 2 pc taking up my time. Oh and hearthstone. Blizzard's greatest competition for heroes is hearthstone

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

*logs onto Battle.net*

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Congrats!

It's a blast. My most played game over the past couple months for sure. (And I hate MOBAs)

 

[dave is ok]

If I got in, it'd be in my battle.net launcher right? No need to actually log onto the website?

 

[Hylian7]

I should pay more attention. I read brawler and thought "Dragons Crown" not DOTA 2,

Watching the cinematic trailer first thinking I was gonna see some crazy beat em up hurts now.

I have no idea if you play Dota 2 at all, but HotS is pretty much entirely team fights and almost none of the other aspects of Dota. No warding, buying items, farming, and other stuff. HotS usually has you chasing the objective and fighting like crazy over it. All members of a team get equal experience and are always the same level, so there is no possibility of one person being way "behind" on a team, and no real idea of a "carry" either.

 

[The Lamonster]

*logs onto Battle.net*

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Did you get an email about it? Should we all check our bnet accounts? I had just been checking my email.

 

[JesseZao]

If I got in, it'd be in my battle.net launcher right? No need to actually log onto the website?

Correct. They email you too, but I saw it in the launcher first. Went to my promotions inbox I think. It just said it was unlocked.

 

[Cynar]

*logs onto Battle.net*

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

I just checked. Still nothing. Tears of sadness are flowing down my face.

 

[Proven]

If I got in, it'd be in my battle.net launcher right? No need to actually log onto the website?

Exactly.

Edit: There's much I want to say, but there's much I feel like I don't know enough yet to talk about on. I don't play with a regular team so I feel like any comment on the possible meta and differing strategies for each map could just be me playing against a series of troll teams. The fact that Custom Games still aren't back means I don't have weekly tournaments to watch. There are some streamers, but the actual teams stream irregularly enough or have people I don't like watching. And then they're often only on during prime time which is when I should be playing.

I do have three characters bought with gold: Sgt. Hammer, Tychus, and Li Li. I almost bought Brightwing instead of the last two, but I also feel like 10k Heroes are an inefficient use of gold. Despite that, I don't want to spend any money on this game. I might break because I'm already going through Brightwing withdrawal (she was the first hero I ever unlocked a tint with! and I already owned Sgt. Hammer by then! (Love Hammer too, btw)).

 

[Dawg]

Did you get an email about it? Should we all check our bnet accounts? I had just been checking my email.

Correct. They email you too, but I saw it in the launcher first. Went to my promotions inbox I think. It just said it was unlocked.

No email here. I was surprised to say the least.

I check battle.net daily though

Spoiler

for the Warlords of Draenor alpha

 

[KojiKnight]

Correct. They email you too, but I saw it in the launcher first. Went to my promotions inbox I think. It just said it was unlocked.

It actually unlocked on my B.net client first, I got the e-mail 6+ hours after I started playing.

That said there are reports on the forum with the exact opposite as well (getting an e-mail saying you're in but not being able to play for several hours).

 

[TheYanger]

Yeah mine was on Blackheart Bay and we did it because we got our top knights and golem and it pushed and they ignored it for a good while as they danced outside of our Core trying to push it and kept being held back.

Finally they went back to clear it and we had Zeratul in their town doing Singularity Shots while stealthed the whole time on the core for a good 3 or so minutes before he finished it off himself. They were all pushing hard then with Mercs and we would have lost if it werent due to him.


EDIT: So I've noticed that some skins offer extra bonuses then just cosmetic skin upgrades for the base char.

Arthas has his non Lich King form and his voice is completely different which is pretty awesome

Magni skin for Muradin is awesome as his Avatar becomes a giant diamond Magni (he is dead in Warcraft universe as he was turned to diamond)

Pretty awesome stuff.

Ok THAT is pretty cool. I was surprised how much that skin cost for something so basic but I'm glad they're putting unique effects on where it makes sense at least.

Edit: Made me want to try some stuff in try me, and then I got bored. Game didn't slow down at all at least!

 

[KePoW]

Does anyone know if Tyrael is ubar and OP?

 

[Kenaras]

Does anyone know if Tyrael is ubar and OP?

He's widely considered underpowered. (I haven't played him enough to form an opinion.)

 

[JesseZao]

It actually unlocked on my B.net client first, I got the e-mail 6+ hours after I started playing.

That said there are reports on the forum with the exact opposite as well (getting an e-mail saying you're in but not being able to play for several hours).

Yeah I'd have to check the time, but I didnt see the email until later. So either ir was later than the unlock or it was just hidden in a folder that doesn't push notifications to my phone.

 

[KePoW]

He's widely considered underpowered. (I haven't played him enough to form an opinion.)

awww dratz!!

 

[Boose]

Does anyone know if Tyrael is ubar and OP?

Seems decent from the little I've played with him. Pretty good when you have a support with you.
I play to survive with him. Actually just had a game with 0 deaths and probably 10 close calls in it.

Not a hero I will pay for right now but he is fun for sure.

 

[KePoW]

Seems decent from the little I've played with him. Pretty good when you have a support with you.
I play to survive with him. Actually just had a game with 0 deaths and probably 10 close calls in it.

Not a hero I will pay for right now but he is fun for sure.

Is that Sam Bradford or do my eyes deceive me???

 

[secretanchitman]

Just got in the technical alpha! I've never played this style of game before so I'm hoping for something good. Blizzard has yet to let me down since the original Warcraft!

 

[theMrCravens]

I just checked. Still nothing. Tears of sadness are flowing down my face.

Same.

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

Does anyone know if Tyrael is ubar and OP?

He's considered a tank in the game but I consider him more of a hybrid. He has shielding and dmg soak capabilities with his basic abilities. He can also do a little more dmg then your avg. his mobility is great due to his ability to teleport to where his sword is thrown.

His damage soak ability to aid other plays creates a beam from him to another player. There is a talent that you can get that makes the beam do dmg if it is in the path of a player. That skill is insane and is some of the fastest sustained dps in the game on buildings and units.

He's honestly not the most amazing. A bit below mid tier but he's not terrible or unviable right now.

His character passive is kinda meh. But it's annoying. His spirit after dying can be moved and explodes for tons of dmg in an area around him. You can take guys out if they aren't careful after he does with it.

His ultimates are super underwhelming. Most go for his charging stun on one character ultimate.