Battle.net

Welcome back to the Reconnaissance Report.

In our last report, we covered Lost Temple, an updated favorite from the original StarCraft with an incredibly versatile layout. This time, in honor of the official launch of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, we'll be going over Scrap Station, a brand-new map that will be sure to create some interesting matchups.

Set adrift above the planet Braxis Alpha, Scrap Station is an asymmetrical two-player map. It's characterized by two possible starting locations, three island expansions, three smoke vents, two Xel'naga towers, one high-yield expansion, and multiple areas with destructible terrain.

The two starting locations on Scrap Station are positioned relatively close to one another. Found in the upper-middle and upper-right regions of the map, they're separated only by empty space and a narrow bridge blocked by destructible rocks, allowing quick access to those who tech into air or siege units. Both starting locations also feature ramps as natural choke points; however, the great width of these ramps can make it difficult for players to completely wall-in against enemy ground attacks. Just beyond the ramps are natural expansions that are protected by destructible debris at their rear entrance.

Beyond each natural expansion, to the left and right of the central bridge, are line-of-sight blockers in the form of smoke vents. Units placed within these vents cannot be directly seen by the enemy, so they're excellent locations for amassing offensive or defensive forces. A third smoke vent surrounds a Xel'naga tower in the middle of the map, giving players the opportunity to expand their vision of nearby terrain without notable risk of detection from the ground.

Scrap Station also features three island expansions, located in the upper-left, upper-right, and lower-right quadrants of the map, as well as a single high-yield expansion in the lower-left quadrant. Players who want to keep a close eye on this lucrative expansion can make use of a second Xel'naga tower situated to the northeast of the rich mineral line.

So, what sort of strategies do you use when playing on Scrap Station? Do you stick to ground units? Take advantage of the short distance between bases and tech into air? Exploit the smoke vents and attempt to take your opponent by surprise? Let us know!