TERRAN:

Hellion - the addition of a "battle mode", which allows it to transform much in the way a Viking does. This will offer additional hit-points and a stronger attack, with a shorter, wider firing arc. In this mode, however, Hellions will not be as mobile. This modification to the Hellions seems intended to help the late-game Terran presence, with difficulty holding off against massed Protoss Zealots in the late game being highlighted as a reason for this change.




Warhound - a "smaller, more nimble" version of the Thor unit. It boasts an anti-mech ground weapon which seems to excel at breaking defense lines (such as those set about by Terran Siege Tanks), and also possesses an anti-air attack with generates splash damage as well. Issues regarding the Thor's mobility and 'clumsiness' had apparently led to this change.




Shredder - seemingly a new unit, described as a robot which "emits channeled, area-of-effect damage when immobilized". This passive attack will automatically shut off when an ally moves into its attack radius (and, presumably, do the opposite when any friendly units are clear). This unit will effectively allow Terrans a degree of 'zone-control' in the battlefield, though it would not be used effectively in proximity to one's own main armies. This is one unit that is, as of now, described as rather work-in-progress.




Thor - with the planned implementation of the Warhound unit, the Thor itself has been re-purposed as a late-game unit, with more hit-points and a more powerful attack. In turn, like the Protoss Mothership, there will be a limit of one active Thor at a time, for any given player (not unlike what some had thought of the original Thor concept, before the release of Wings of Liberty).




Reaper - the unit has gained the ability to regenerate health when out of battle, yet will lose its anti-structure attack.




Battlecruiser - a speed-boosting ability is to be implemented, which will be cooldown-based (as opposed to energy-based, like the Yamanto Cannon ability).

ZERG:

Ultralisk - now to include a new 'burrow charge' ability, which allows it to dive underground, and resurface a short distance away (likely in the direction of the target it is charging). This ability is intended to help allow Ultralisks to overcome their difficulty in engaging enemies in battle, due in large part to its size and bulkiness.




Viper - a replacement for the Overseer, this unit is to be both a 'caster' and a 'detector', with abilities such as "a blinding cloud to help break entrenched positions", as well as an 'abduct' ability - which effectively allows it to pull units to itself (and, thus, away from armies in which they may typically be massed) - Siege Tanks and Colossi being the likely intended targets, likely to address Zerg difficulties in breaking through to said units.




Swarm Host - with the Zerg capacity for map control and siege being cited as points of weakness at the panel, it seems as though this unit, intended as a form of 'artillery', has been introduced to address such a weakness. It burrows into the ground, and generates (presumably a continuous stream of) small creatures that attack nearby targets. Initial previews of this unit seemed to bring the Zerg Lurker (of Brood War fame) to mind.




Baneling - the ability to move underground will be available as a late-game upgrade.




Hydralisk - will have a speed-upgrade for off-creep movement.




Corruptor - a new 'channeled' ability known as 'siphon'. This ability will damage structures over time, and award the Zerg player with minerals as the structure continues to sustain damage. Whether or not the minerals received is proportionate to the damaged structure or measured on a different scale seems undetermined.

PROTOSS:

Tempest - a new Protoss capital ship which, in a possibly controversial move, will look to replace the Carrier. It will be able to attack both air units and land units. The anti-air attack will include splash damage, whereas the air-to-ground attack will not. Introduced to offset the relative lack of anti-air options, particularly those with splash-damage (against opponents such as massed Mutalisks, with Archons proving to have limited effectiveness against them). This unit is not to be confused with the Tempest that was previewed before the release of Wings of Liberty, which strongly resembled (and functioned similarly to) the Carrier.




Replicant - a specialty unit that will possess the ability to transform itself into any non-'massive' unit, friend or foe alike. It will effectively allow the Protoss to take units such as Siege Tanks or Infestors from enemies, and for themselves (presumably through cloning them). To offset its unique abilities, however, the unit is said to be "very expensive". This is another unit that seems to be emphasized as very much a "work in progress"




Oracle - a 'caster' unit intended for raiding and harassment (which the Protoss seem to have a marked lack of options for). It will possess the ability to disable enemy structures and prevent mining. Notably, it does not actually damage or kill anything, and seems solely to impede enemy operations. The Mothership was reportedly cut in favor of this unit.




Nexus - two new abilities are planned to be added. The first is a Mass Recall (an ability that previously belonged to the Mothership), which will allow Protoss players to quickly return -- or summon -- a group of units. The second ability is defensive in nature, and temporarily boosts a structure's shields and armor, while also giving them an attack similar to that of a Photon Cannon.

Millenium Stephano is our IGN Pro League 3 winner! Stephano made it all the way to the end to beat FXO’s Lucky in a decisive 4-0 set and walked away with the $30,000 grand prize!

Drop by the IPL site for all the videos from the 4 day event.

Gordon Hayward, profession Basketball player for the Utah Jazz, let the world know yesterday that he would be participating in IPL: Origins in Atlantic City.  In addition to slaying nerds on the virtual battlefield, Hayward will act as the spokeperson for the event; expect to see a lot from him in the Starcraft community in the coming weeks.

We here at IGN eSports are excited to have such a positive figure helping us with our endeavor to spread the wonderful world of competitive gaming to a larger audience.

For more information, please click here.

"Team AZK from the Philippines will be participating at the Biggest North American SC2 Tournament this year; the IPL 3 Main Event in Atlantic City on October 6th - 9th, 2011.

Led by Gus "AZKwitchdoc" Ledesma; and two of Team AZK's Best Grandmasters from the Philippines and Australia, their bringing their A-game to meet North America's best.

Team AZK, The premiere team in organizing Starcraft 2 Events in the Philippines  - fully supports IGN, IGN Pro League and their ever-increasing presence in the SC2 scene and are backed by sponsors such as Razer, Nvidia, Western Digital, Palit, Chimei, and Cougar.

Because of IGN's support for Team AZK; the PPSL (Philippine PRO Starcraft 2 League) will be made the IPL 4 Qualifiers for SEA (Southeast Asia) to be held on November 7th-8th at the Glorietta Activity Center in Manila, Philippines. "

It becomes more apparent each and every day that it is possible to forge a career out of video games.  Have you ever been curious about how much money your favorite Starcraft pros make?  Have you ever been curious about where the money they make comes from?

IGN eSports answers those questions and more with an article that was released earlier this summer for IGN proper.  Click here to read the article, and be sure to share it with your friends.