[General] do melee maps have to be symmetrical

[stan0033]

Is it compulsory a melee map to be symmetrical to be approved?

 

[Pharaoh_]

I highly doubt that. That would limit creativity a lot. Though it makes sense, cause now you're ringing a bell, I still don't think it's an issue (there's no rule about it).

 

[water_Knight]

In all honesty, They don't have to be to be classified a melee but having them so does help with the general balance of the map.

 

[Dr Super Good]

One of the most heavily used 1v1 maps is not symmetrical if I recall. The key is that certain metrics have to be as good as equal.

Guards around expansions, distance to expansions, distance to key neutral structures, placement of gold mines etc. If one of them is noticeably favouring one starting spot over the other it can cause major problems with balance.

 

[Ceday]

Popular tournament maps were symmetrical.

Echo Isles
Melting Valley
Lost Temple
Turtle Rock
Twisted Meadows(edit:this has a little difference but almost same)
Terenas Stand
Gnoll Wood

 

[Zeatherann]

Symmetry is the simplest, easiest, and most used tool to create terrain balance. Luckily the melee maps Blizzard made have some variance on both sides of the 'line of symmetry'. Making sure something is balanced requires a lot more testing if it isn't symmetric, however they are often better looking as the large variance looks more natural and/or better.