Terran Medic replaced by Medivac

[Flopjack]

With the removal of the Terran Medic obviously Terran’s game long plan in a heavy infantry approach will change. Marines and Medics (M&Ms) are staple to almost any Terran strategy as the bonus that Simpacks give while the negative effect of them is nullified by Medics is extremely lethal. As we know, Starcraft 2 lead designer Dustin Browder has opted to remove the Medic from Terran, the vital unit required for Terran mixing Marines and Medics. Replacing both the Medic and the Dropship is a hybrid appropriately named; The Medivac.

The decision was made because of players ignoring the use of Reapers (a new Terran terror hit and run unit) and simply focusing all their attention and resources to a traditional M&M strategy. With their new unit being left out and not wanting to remove the idea of healing from Terran this new unit was formed. Now Terran players are able to quickly transport their units and heal them in one package. The new ship will not arrive at such an early tier as the medics did and all the balance issues are not completely worked out but it certainly adds new elements to the table. How do you think this will affect Terran game play?

Apparently the Medivac sends little probes out which heal your units. I haven’t actually seen it in action myself so I ponder it’s rate of healing, how fast it can switch between targets, it’s vulnerability, and what Terran will be like without Medic blocking and other issues like that. From what I’ve seen also it can hold the same amount as the Terran Dropship could hold so it’s certainly an upgrade when considering their old model.

Personally, I don’t like being able to train infantry as Terran and having no way to heal them. The Medivac, being a flying ship, won’t just pop out of the Barracks so it will be a higher tier unit and there will be a duration in which I can’t heal my injured Marines. I don’t like this idea but the new strategies that open up may be enough to shut me up to enjoy the new unit. I have mixed feelings and can’t decide until I play it.

Thoughts?

[Mokarachi]

That'll make things interesting, as dropships could be gunned down quick in the first one+expansion with enough firepower. I was never good enough to use Terrans to their full potential anyway, but quick rushes in the beginning of the game without Medics will be interesting. More HP or upgrades to armor for infantry for terrans? Without medics, they could potentially get eaten alive in early stages.

[Flopjack]

I do know that Marines receive an upgrade which give them a shield and adds to their total health count.