Echo

Echo is a 2 players map, it was built with layout ideas from several iconic maps, some known abroad and some others which are known more to Mapmakers, I’m talking of maps such as Miami 2100, Cloud Kingdom, TPW Aradia, Planet S and Foxtrot Labs.

The center of the map is heavily influenced by Foxtrot Labs, Cloud Kingdom and Planet S, meanwhile the Main, Natural and Third set up is based on ideas from Miami 2100 and Neo Gobi to aid stabilizing the early to midgame in the map. Meanwhile the lategame is focused in dancing around the central highground ring trying to control strategical areas which in turn allow the players to secure more bases, this is something that was seen quite a bit on some classic BW maps (Just not in the same way!) like Fighting Spirit or Match Point.

As far as details in the layout goes, Echo showcases an interesting collapsible rock placement where the collapsible towers near the Thirds can be taken down to aid securing the ramp, but they will leave a small gap that will help avoiding in part the issues that come from the fairly easy Third base.

Echo also foments being the aggressor when one is trying to secure Fourths. Given the layout of the map many times it may be recommendable to take the forward/clockwise Fourth instead of the counter-clockwise one, so players can protect the base from harass, while putting pressure into your opponents side of the map, and getting map control over the unpathable terrain at the back of the base, which is crucial for anyone that wants to do drops or air harass into the Natural base.

Regarding the aesthetics of Echo, they come from an older map of mine; Sueños Pacíficos, which was based on Protoss city suburbs, meanwhile Echo is based on a Psionic relay station. Sadly the first version of the map had performance issues, so the border detail had to be redone, but here are some images from the first version in all its beauty, because screw losing all that hard work!

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Tournament games played on the map

♦ Full list.

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Useful Links

TeamLiquid Thread: KTV Echo
TeamLiquid Map Contest #5: Finalist 1st Place
Liquipedia Page: Echo LE
TLPD page: Echo LE
Battle.Net Announcement: Season 2 2015 Map Pool

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Changelog of the map

V 1.20
♦ Map is now using correct Collapsible Towers unit versions.
♦ Small pathing and doodad improvements.

V 1.10
♦ Complete border aesthetic overhaul to fix FPS problems.
♦ Several pathing problems fixed.
♦ Slightly altered mineral lines of corner bases.

V 1.00
♦ Published.
♦ Map Submitted to the TLMC#5.