Blizzard News: Diablo 3 Expansion & SC2 HOTS release timeframe

• http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/blizzard-reveals-diablo-iii-expansion-heart-of-the-swarm-release-window/
• http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/07/starcraft-ii-heart-of-the-swarm-scheduled-for-early-2013
• http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/07/diablo-iii-expansion-confirmed-by-blizzard

Short Version, Blizzard says they are working on D3 Expansion, and that HOTS should go retail in first half of 2013, so not much real information T_T

More on SOPA: RIAA CEO Hopes SOPA Protests Were a 'One-Time Thing'

From an Internet Evolution story by Nicole Ferraro:

To some, January 18th -- the day the Internet came together in protest of SOPA and PIPA -- was seen as a day of important democratic action. To others, like the RIAA's CEO Cary Sherman, it was seen as a great failure of the democratic system. An act of "demagoguery" rather than "democracy."

I suggest clicking on the link above and reading the whole story.

For those not familiar with RIAA it is, in their own words:

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members are the music labels that comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legitimate recorded music produced and sold in the United States.

Blizzard News: New Blizzard Custom Game: StarCraft Master

From Blizzard's Starcraft 2 blog http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/4544189 "You’ll find StarCraft Master in the Featured section of the Custom Game interface."

Sounds like a series, 30 in total, of Micro practice, you can do them in any order you want to, you don't have to finish one to move to the next.  If you hit F12 you will get hints.

So check it out, I will be later today.

Starcraft 2 Thoughts: Patch 1.4.3 is now live for Starcraft 2

Full details on SC2 Patch 1.4.3 at http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/4487503/Patch_143_Now_Live-2_21_2012#blog

I don't think Protoss needed the Buff to Phoenix, but this is will make Phoenix harass of mineral lines a LOT stronger.

I don't know if this buff will matter much for Protoss vs Zerg, but it can make a big differencefor Protoss vs Terran! 

Though I am not sure anyone will use it for that, cause you can't get it early, but this will really strengthen Protoss Air vs Terran Air, since only real counter Terran has to Carriers is Vikings, and this will make it easier for Phoenix to neutralize Viking threat to Carriers.

May helps defend vs Terran 1-1-1 builds as well, since Phoenix will out range Marines now!


Phoenix are tough, even pre buff they coul harass mineral lines even vs 2-3 Turrets, since they have enough shields to last while they 3 shot SCV's with their bonus to light damage.

The range upgrade will let them position even better, since they will have range 6 attack vs Range 7 of Turrets.

This may also lead to Terran getting autosec tracking upgrade to get the +1 Range upgrade to Turrets, as well as PF.

Another very nice thing about this upgrade is that with this upgrade Phoenix will have same range as Voidrays!!!!

Which means Phoenix + Voidrays will work much better together, since Phoenix get bonus damage to light and Voidrays get bonus damage to Armored.

Blizzard News: SC2 Risk & WoW Monopoly

More information, including some pictures, at http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/4452529, short version is they will have a World of Warcraft themed Monopoly game, and a Starcraft 2 themed Risk game out this summer.

I think they would make a nice birthday or Christmas presents for gamers.