Thread: How to play StarCraft II, right now

Not in the beta? No problems. Check out this guide: Starcraft 2

Starcraft 2 Beta - Offline Guide
For the rest of us without a beta key.

Things you will need to download

• Official Beta Client
  Install this, then run it like normal to let the Blizzard Updater patch everything up to the latest version.
• LazyLaunch2
  Put lazylaunch2.exe in your SC2 install directory (the same one with StarCraft II.exe). Create a shortcut to lazylaunch2.exe on the desktop for easy loading. This is the main executable you will run for everything (loading replays, playing AI). More info on the official site here.
• Regular maps (aka the "Cache" folder)
  These are needed to watch the replays from people in the online beta. Merge this folder into your "\Username\AppData\Local\Blizzard Entertainment\Battle.net\Cache" directory. This directory may be hidden by default, so turn on showing of 'Hidden Files and Folders' in Windows Explorer to get to it.
• AI Maps
  Needed if you want to play offline against AI opponent(s). Does not have to go in a specific directory, you will pick these when running the launcher.
• AI Version 5.0
  Needed if you want to play offline against AI opponent(s). Do not overwrite your original file without backing it up first (you will want it later). There are many other modified AI versions floating around to try as well, and improved versions of the AI are being released daily.

How to watch downloaded replays
1. Downloaded the Cache/Maps folder from above, put it in the right spot
2. Run LazyLaunch2
3. Select the replay file you want to watch from the pop-up file select dialog
4. Enjoy!

Problem: The replay stops right away because of a syncing problem, WTF?
Solution: Replace the modified AI file (StarCraft II Beta\Mods\Liberty.SC2Mod\Base.SC2Data) with the original official one (the original is 708kb, the modified ones are larger). If you want to watch replays from online, you will need to have the original Base.SC2Data in place. If you want to play against AI opponents, you will need to have a modified Base.SC2Data in place. Here is a link to the original file, in case you lost yours.

Problem: The replay won't load and I get an error saying files may be missing, WTF?
Soltuion: You probably don't have the map the replay was played on in your Cache folder. You can either try to download a more complete cache folder with that map in it, or download that single map manually from this site. Maps have long file names, do not rename them. To install a map, create a folder inside your Cache folder with the first two characters of the map name. Then, create a folder inside that with the third and fourth characters of the map name. So, Kulas Ravine would go in "\Cache\49\06\49063089777b918500264572927b48ab2eb98e41ebccc8db3ddc97 04a94f8692.s2ma"


How to play against AI opponents
1. Go to this location from your install directory "\StarCraft II Beta\Mods\Liberty.SC2Mod\" and rename Base.SC2Data to Base.SC2Data.bak. This is the original unmodified AI file, and you always want to keep a backup of it.
2. Put the Base.SC2Data AI file you downloaded in the \StarCraft II Beta\Mods\Liberty.SC2Mod\ directory.
3. Run LazyLaunch2
4. Select the AI modified map file you want to play on (link up top to a pack of them)
5. Enjoy!

Note: Your offline (vs. AI) replays are saved by the game in \Username\Documents\StarCraft II Beta\Replays. You can watch them with the modified AI file in place.

Other AI Versions
Version 4.0

:O Is this too good to be true? zomg ill have to try this when my fingers start to bleed from too much use of BFBC:2

A colleague in the office is doing it - no issues.

yeah i have done it as well, my cousin found it. the AI i have is...well, pretty stupid, but its great to get a look at the game and i have two words.

FUCKING. AMAZING.

just some more info:
You only pick a map, its the only thing you can actually choose, launches straight into the game.
Race is Random
No multiplayer
You can't chose opponents, its FFA if you choose a 4 player map.

Looks like this has run its race... StarCraft II Modders Sued By Blizzard - Voodoo Extreme

Seriously after the WoW Glider court case, you'd think people would've learnt not to touch Blizzard's code.

blah downloaded it today, tried the beta. If you loved SC1 you will love SC2 though its SC1 with WOW graphics and make to look pretty. Other than that it doesn't really add anything new. Thanks Rec you saved me $90!