Blizzard Quote:
UPDATE: We’re currently looking into this issue. Please close the Launcher so it doesn’t continuously loop. If all else fails and you have a StarCraft II Beta\Versions\Base15097 folder, you do have the patch that we released today. You can use the StarCraft II Beta\Support\SC2Switcher.exe to start the game but Battle.net is currently down for the ladder reset.

The StarCraft II Beta Patch # 9 build version 0.11.0.15097 is now available and the gem of this patch among many other changes is … drumroll … the Galaxy Editor release !!!

A flow of creative custom maps will start very soon. Oh yeah! You can read the full patch notes below:

General

  • The StarCraft II Editor is now available!
    • Players will now be able to begin creating trigger maps in preparation for map publishing which will be made available in an upcoming beta patch.
  • Achievements & Decals are now live!
    • Players will now be able to earn achievements, browse the list of available achievements, and view achievements earned by friends.
    • Players will be able to highlight favorite achievements in their Showcase.
    • Earning certain achievements will unlock portrait and decal rewards.
  • The updated Homepage now includes a Recent Broadcasts panel and a News & Community panel.
  • A new Match History page is now available which will allow players to browse and filter their last 1,000 games played.
  • A new Community page is now available which features an in-game version of RSS news feeds.
  • A new Friends-of-Friends feature has been added, which allows players to easily find and connect with more real life friends on Battle.net through existing friends.
  • Additional friends’ presence details are now available from the Friends’ list.
  • Improvements have been made on the Voice Chat system in game.
    • Please use the new voice chat and provide feedback via the StarCraft II beta forums.
  • The score screen now features a new graph tab.
  • The art for many parts of the user interface has been updated.
  • Hotkey templates have been added.
    • In the gameplay options menu select from standard name based hotkeys for right and left-handed players, grid based hotkeys for right, and left-handed players, and classic StarCraft keys.
  • Several hotkeys have been changed to avoid conflicts with the “Select All Warpgates” UI button:
    • The Set Worker Rally Point has been changed from W to R.
    • Build Sensor Tower has been changed from W to N.
    • Terran Infantry Weapons have been changed from W to E.
    • Terran Vehicle Weapons have been changed from W to E.
    • Weapon Refit has been changed from W to R.
    • Burrow has been changed from W to R.
    • Spawn Larva has been changed from R to V.
    • Neural Parasite has been changed from R to E.

Balance Changes

Terran

  • Marauder
    • Concussive Shells research cost decreased from 100/100 80 sec to 50/50 60 sec.

PROTOSS

  • Immortal
    • Build time increased from 40 to 55.

ZERG

  • Infested Terran
    • Damage increased from 5 to 8.
    • Speed decreased from 1.5 to 0.9375.
  • Queen
    • Speed off creep decreased from 1.5 to 0.938. (Speed on creep unchanged.)
  • Spine Crawler
    • Attack period decreased from 1.6 to 1.85.
  • Infestor
    • Neural Parasite range increased from 7 to 9.
    • Fungal Growth projectile removed; Units in the target area are now instantly hit.

Maps

  • We’ve made a change to the (2)ScrapStation map to make the natural expansion easier to defend.
  • New maps have been added to the ladder rotation while others have been removed as follows:
    • 1v1
      • Added (2)IncinerationZone
    • 2v2
      • Removed (4)LostTemple
      • Removed (4)Metalopolis
      • Added (4)AridWastes
      • Added (4)Coalition
      • Added (4)Decena
      • Added (4)ScorchedHaven
    • 1v1(Novice)
      • Removed (4)NoviceKulasRavine
    • 2v2(Novice)
        Removed (4)NoviceKulasRavine

      • Removed (4)NoviceShakurasPlateau
      • Added (4)NoviceDecena
      • Added (4)NoviceScorchedHaven
      • Added (4)NoviceTwilightFortress