Change: Reduce the Strategy Center's stealth detection range and S&D vision bonus

[Stubbjax]

As all heroes (now) have a sight range of 400, options for reacting to a Strategy Center's presence before being detected are incredibly limited. Not only this, but the structure's extensive stealth detection range over the owner's entire base effectively renders heroes useless - on top of the substantial range bonus that Search and Destroy provides. Reducing the stealth detection range is a reasonable way to counterbalance the incredible effectiveness of S&D without directly affecting the bonus itself.

A range reduction could also have some additional benefits / implications, such as the increased importance and skill involved in Strategy Center placement - it makes sense that there would be some strategy involved in placing the Strategy Center, after all. In 1.04, players can practically place the structure down anywhere and be covered, but with a reduced stealth detection range, the building's location might have to be more carefully considered. This would also somewhat increase the prospect of stealth / guerilla tactics for opponents and diversify strategies a bit more. It may even increase the utility of Sentry Drones (and Spy Drones - for opposing USAs as well), and it could certainly benefit / reward players who actively pursue stealth detection / awareness, which is far more meaningful than having it handed to them on a silver platter. A stealth detection range of 350 provides enough leeway for heroes to react accordingly, and affords heroes and other stealth units greater manoeuvrability around an opponent's base.

Another thing to note is the Strategy Center's extreme shroud-clearing range of 400 → 800 (×2) under the effects of Search and Destroy, and is another unnecessary advantage that discounts map awareness. The ×2 scalar has been reduced to ×1.5, resulting in a more palatable range of 400 → 600. This was preferred over reducing the default vision of 400 to 300 due to the Bombardment cannon's weapon range of 400.

To summarise, the proposed changes are:

• Reduce the Strategy Center's S&D stealth detection range from 500 to 350
• Reduce the Strategy Center's S&D vision bonus from ×2 (800) to ×1.5 (600)

I believe both of these changes would be fairly subtle and unlikely to be noticed by the majority of players.

Originally discussed in #1212.

Tests

After some extensive testing, it seems as though there is a mismatch between the detection and shroud reveal ranges. Despite Black Lotus's shroud range of 400 and the Strategy Center's stealth detection range of 500, it seems as though the two are roughly equal during gameplay, as seen in the footage below. It is unclear whether this should impact the suggested range of 350, as a large component of the change is the resultant enhanced manoeuvrability and strategical flexibility in an opponent's base.

Test 1 - 500 detection range vs Black Lotus

The Strategy Center is pretty much revealed at the same time as Black Lotus is detected. No counterplay potential - especially when factoring in network latency.

STRAT_500.mp4

Test 2 - 400 detection range vs Black Lotus

There is now a reasonable amount of time to react to the presence of a Strategy Center, and improved manoeuvrability within its proximity. Allows greater potential for heroes to access other areas of the opponent's base without detection.

STRAT_400.mp4

Test 3 - 350 detection range vs Black Lotus

Even more time to react to a Strategy Center's presence, and further manoeuvrability prospects around an opponent's base. Provides heroes with further access to other areas of the opponent's base without detection.

STRAT_350.mp4

Comparison

Common stealth detection ranges for reference:

	Range
Scout Drone	150
Tunnel	150
Troop Crawler	175
Gattling Cannon	200
King Raptor	200
Pathfinder	200
Patriot Battery	200
Stinger Site	200
Sentry Drone	225
Radar Van	250
Spy Drone	250
Black Lotus	300
Outpost	300
Strategy Center (this)	350
Strategy Center (1.04)	500

[xezon]

Change makes sense. Good change description. China Propaganda Center also has small area of effect.

[xezon]

Reduced from 2.0 or From 2.0 would be enough information. Same with the other change descriptions.

[MTKing4]

Good change, 350 makes perfect sense

[ImTimK]

Agreed with 350, the player should have some chance to scout the base without being detected. 50 is a pretty small margin so the player has to pay attention.