Starcraft Source Thread

Starspawn10 · Jul 31, 2012

As suggested by CIDE and I in an earlier thread.
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The purpose of this thread is to overcome the apparent scarcity of SC non-gameplay feats/ tech info, by gathering it all here.
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Everyone is welcome to contribute.
It doesn’t have to be “Respectable”. If you think it’s interesting, just post !
( Note: if it can still be found on the Internet, just post the link to it, plus a short summary of what it's about. )
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This first post will serve as an index, with links to relevant info posted later in the thread, and also links to other SC related threads or sources..
Hope this system works and this thread becomes useful.

Thank you all and happy reading !

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WITHIN THIS THREAD:

General:
- SCC map descriptions : posts # 2, 3 ( for actual map archives, see External Links -> Starcraft Compendium )
- SC2 Tech and Research: # 4 ( for Stetmann's log, see External Links -> SC Wiki )
- AU Range Quote: # 6
- Xel'Naga Phoenix Creature: # 43
- Realistic epic Zerg vs Terran battle scene (HotS opening cinematic): #100
... - rough analysis by l33telboi: #117
... - Scaling by Shadow Archon: #534
- Unit size comparison pic: #192 , link to source: #196; latest version: #1528
- Terran Battlecruisers surviving Protoss Energy Beams and Protoss Energy Beams being used in space combat : #477
- The size of the conflict within StarCraft (according to the board game): #521
- Ultralisks from Great One; Size of a Terran marine platoon; etc : #545
- Protoss/Zerg; Carrier short story info : #554
- Height comparison between marine, hydralisk and zealot: #576
- Voice in the Darkness / Xel'Naga crystal blowing up a planet: #653
- Zerg, under Amon and Hybrids, conquer the galaxy (possible future) : #656
- Amon and Hybrids destroy a solar system (possible future): #659
- Neural Parasite and AGR-14 from The Exit: #687
- Maps showing the continents on some planets: #1096
- Objects in warp space interact with real space: #1108
- Legacy of the Void prologue missions: # 1251
- Legacy of the Void opening cinematic: #1252
... - White Rabbit's discussion of the shields: #1254, 1255
- Legacy of the Void: Reclamation trailer: #1266
- Dragoon design in SC2: #1267
- Size of the Spear of Adun and surface temperature of Char (StarCraft twitter): #1287
- Bits and bobs from StarCraft: Evolution: #1530; follow up by Conner Mcleod: #1531
- Stuff from Nova: The Keep webcomic: #1533
- some background info from the unit skins, and Stukov (Co-op missions faction): #1535
- some more background info from unit skins: #1574
- Protoss purification images and armour shop doodad from StarCraft Remastered: #1590

Terran:
General:
- Battlecruiser scaling: # 23
- Science Vessel Scaling: # 47
- installation walls vs laser mining drills: # 97
- Warhound Quotes : #409
- Terran Battlecruisers and Asteroid Fields : #476
- Terran Ghost/teep's powers pre-training : #481
- Gravity Accelerators in Terran ground units allow them to keep to the ground despite zero-g or strong winds : #669
- Nova's Orbital Strike Cannon and Holographic Decoy from Heroes of the Storm: #713 (note: it is still debatable whether info from Heroes is canon for Diablo, WarCraft or StarCraft itself.)
- Reaper's regeneration, marine's CMC armor powered by cold fusion, and Marauder's ammo self-replenishes (info from SC2 official site): #760
- Organizational Structure of the Confederate Marine Corps: # 790
- Helion, Medivac, Viking and Widow Mine unit info from SC2 official site: # 791
- Vehicular Support in the Confederate Marine Corps: #796
- Cinematic battlecruiser scaling based on drop pods: #841
- Siege tank, banshee and raven unit lore from SC2 official site: #905
- Cinematic Battlecruiser Fusion Reactor Volume and Low-end Power Calculations: #908
- HotS Mengsk's palace and battlecruiser scaling: #1050
- General Lee (Wanderer-class cruiser) scaling: #1067
- Drop-ship/Behemoth-Class Battlecruiser Comic Scale: #1109
- Hyperion Generators and Yamato Cannon Coils: #1117
- Chain harder than diamonds, and 2-day nutrient implant: #1271
- Lio Travski in StarCraft Ghost: Spectre: #1541
- unique tech from Nova: Covert ops: #1548
Attack:
- "Farming Implement": # 9
- Commando Rifle HEV Round Scaling: # 10
- C-14 Rifle Ejected Casing Scaling: # 11
- Smart mines: # 14
- Apocalypse Nuke Firepower: # 36
- Laser Weapons/Equipment: # 41
- Yamato Cannon and EMP: # 42
- Tactical Nukes: # 60
- U238 DU projectile volume image: #237
- Tarsonis nuke/crater calcs : #527
- Calibre of Viking's gattling gun:
... - The Dark Gods's estimate: #578
... - Conner McLeod's estimate: #581
- Terrans blow up a moon that has Earth-like qualities: #597
- Ammo capacity for marines: #666
- Minotaur battlecruiser firepower low end (based on length scaling): # 818
- Skygeirr platform size and drakken pulse cannon low end firepower (based on length scaling): # 819
- Drakken laser drill scale: #870
... - Guderian2nd's objection: #946 (scroll to near the end of the post)
- C-10 Rifle range: #1095
- HEV Rifle info: #1080
- Nova throwing a marine: #1477

Defense:

- Nuke Resistant Structure Quotes: # 8
- Battlecruiser Durability Misconceptions: # 51
- BattleCruiser Durability Feats and Shield Mechanics : #382
- The White Star tanking suicide impact by another battlecruiser: #927,
... - Calculation #2: #945
Movement:
- FTL Travel: # 15
Detection:
- FTL sensors/communications: # 46
- Terran scanners/ stellar cartography and star charts : #480
- Hyperion/Behemoth-class Battlecruiser FTL Sensors: #1125
Production:
- Terra-forming: # 35, 37
- Population Growth: # 89
- Fabricators, basis of Terran tech tree: #610
- Terran Space Construction/Combat (ingame scenes): #611
- Atmosphere generators: #649
- Terran industry (production of Gorgon battlecruisers) on Char: #652
- Scene from SC: Frontline vol 4 showing Raynor's old home after the Purification of Mar Sara: #670
- Cost of Raynor's combat suit (from the pov of real life): #1357

Zerg:
General:
- Leviathan size: # 18
- Ultralisk scaling: # 31, 33
- Zerg Held Worlds: # 49
- Behemoths in a SC1 cinematic ? : # 74
- More on Zerg production and other Zerg feats : #448
- Zerg behemoth info : #559
- What Zerg larvae and drones feed on (besides creep): #662
- Zerg Leviathan scale: #844
- Amount of Zerg lost due to Korhal's orbital defense grid (during invasion of Korhal in SC2:HotS): #845
- Infestor, corruptor, hydralisk and mutalisk unit info from SC2 official site: #886
- Abathur's mutation log: #1078
- Abathur's evolution log: #1079
- Massive swarm of feral Zerg invading Tyrador IX (loading screen from Nova Covert Ops mission 4): #1479
- background info from unit skins: #1549

Attack:
- Baneling Explosiveness: # 22
- Zerg Weapons as Technobabble: # 50
- Zerg acid properties including neutralising shields: #383
- Zerg Creep spreading over planets
... - Cutscenes from HotS: #650
... - Descriptions from the novels: #651
- Impaler tentacles in the cinematics? : #660
- Spawn Broodling (as shown in the Frontline manga): #661
- Neural Parasite infesting Protoss archon: #688
- Vipers yanking battle-cruisers: #1045
- More examples of Zerg appropriating Terran technology (from Nova: Covert Ops and the Changeling short story): #1492
Defense:
- Mutalisk corrosive blood: # 12
- Zerg Larvae carapace armour : #412
- Experiments on Zerg and why they will fail : #492
- Zerg tanking nukes (in-game scenes, cited because characters do comment on them) : #595 & 596
- Kerrigan's Resurrection Ability : #647
Movement:
- FTL Travel: # 16
- Creep spreading and moving like a giant semi-intelligent amoeba: #663
- Image of giant wormholes from StarCraft Remastered: #1556
Detection:
- Creep sensitivity : #496
Production:
- Production rate: # 19
- Zerg larvae transformation timing : #528
- Theory about (Primal) Zerg Survivability : #642
- Zagara's brood's numbers (from Heroes of the Storm): #712
... - Guderian2nd's comment about the implications: #722

Protoss:
General:
- Protoss Held Worlds: # 48
- Preservers: # 67
- Fleet Sizes: # 74
- Possible Space Combat Tactics: # 77
- Ulrezaj's feats from Shadow Hunters and Twilight : #354
- Protoss energy blasts and speed of their thinking : #490
- Concept art of Protoss city: #594
- Resolving the Safe Haven inconsistency: #648
- Protoss probe, zealot, sentry and stalker unit info from the SC2 official site: #960
- Protoss Colossus height: #1013
- Archons from SC2 are not the same as archons from SC1: #1076
- Purifier background summary and two Dark Templar techniques: #1272
- Purification of Endion; Spear of Adun evasive warp, Artanis vs Zerg army; #1304
- Spear of Adun size comparisons: # 1306 ,1307, 1515

Attack:
- Colossus Firepower and Range: # 29
- Infantry Guns: # 30
- High End Purification Calculation: # 70
... - Guderian2nd's objection: # 191
- ( purification ) Rate of Fire: # 85
- Mind Control spell description: # 87
- HD scan of purification scene from StarCraft: Frontline: A Ghost Story : #244
- Protoss Purification on Braxis : #462
... - Guderian2nd's objection : #478
- Protoss fireball scalings, revised : #483
- Xel'Naga Artifact which enhances psionic power, and possible gauge of the power of a Protoss Archon : #497
- Khalai-Caste Protoss can explode Terran heads with psionics. : #1077
Defense:
- Carrier Shield Durability: # 7
- Khala: method against assimilation: # 63
- Protoss metal doesn't decay or corrode : #488
- Protoss Stalkers and Immortal can tank several tons of TNT : #494
- Protoss warrior deflecting hydralisk spines: #1010
Movement:
- FTL Travel: # 17
- Supersonic Zealot : #453
- Protoss personal weapons, machine part and furniture summoned out of thin air: #1350
Detection:
- Methods Against Cloaking: # 28
Production:
- Schedule for setting up a Protoss base: #1349
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RELATED THREADS ( from oldest to newest according to starting date ):

SC Novels:
- Starcraft Uprising Commentary Thread ( July 18, 2007 )
- "Starcraft Ghost: Nova" Quantification Thread ( Sep 4, 2007 )
- "Starcraft: Firstborn" Quantification thread ( Sep 6, 2007 )
- Analyzing "Starcraft: Queen of Blades" ( Jun 8, 2008 )
- Starcraft: "I, Mengsk" ( Jan 31, 2009 )
- Starcraft: Speed of Darkness ( Jun 21, 2009 )
- StarCraft: Heaven's Devils - Info / Tech ( Apr 14 2010 )
- Starcraft II: Devil's Due Tech/Info Analysis ( July 12, 2011 )
- Starcraft Ghost: Spectres ( Sep 28, 2011 )

Other topics:
- Zerg Hyper-Evolutionary Virus ( Sep 15, 2009 )
- Starcraft: The C-14 Gauss Rifle ( Nov 20, 2009 )
- Starcraft "Stealing Thunder" quote ( Oct 24, 2010 )
- Starcraft Firepower ( Oct 17, 2011 )

( Only those threads worth reading through for the relevant info are listed here.
i.e Those filled with unsupported claims/exclamations/opinions/squabbles etc are not listed. )
...

EXTERNAL LINKS

StarCraft Compendium :
- Map Archives

SCLegacy:
- SC Encyclopedia ( short stories and more ),
- Starcraft Story ( single-player campaign transcripts )
- Race Histories ( same as written in the SC Manual )
- Unit pictures ( forum thread for size comparison based on lore/fluff )

SC2 official site:
- Lore (some short stories),
- Koprulu Sector Systems
- Cast of Characters
- StarCraft II Creative Development Q&A - Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
- Project Blackstone
- Project Blackstone Declassified
- Science Corner:
... - Zerg specimen analyses: Announcement 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
... - Terran units' technical specifications: Announcement 1, 2, 3
... - Protoss units' data matrices: Announcement 1, 2
- Heaven's Devils: Lost Transmissions: part 1, 2, 3, 4
- Recap of the Nova Altered Reality Game
- Online comics:
... - Kerrigan: Hope and Vengeance
... - Artanis: Sacrifice
... - Nova: The Keep and Shadow Wars (two unrelated stories, but put in the same series for some reason. Click on the "issues" tab on the left to see all issues.)

SC Wiki:
- Stetmann's research log

Youtube:
- SC2 WoL : campaign-only descriptions for:
... - Upgrades, mercenaries & researches
... - Units displayed in the Armory (except Ghost)
... - Ghost
- SC2 HotS : campaign-only mutations and evolutions:
... - Descriptions
... - Playthroughs of evolution missions (except ultralisk)
... - ultralisk
- SC2 LotV:
... - Collector's edition unboxing (includes shots of all the pages in the Field Manual, though some are blurry).
... - All War Council Upgrades

Blizzplanet:
- SC2: HotS campaign transcript (not complete)
- Is the UED here under the Dominion's nose?

Deviantart:
- StarCraft to Scale (picture comparing the sizes of all SC units)

Imgur:
- MOD SNIP

...

UPDATE ( ALWAYS ) IN PROGRESS … :2030test:

Shadow Archon · Jul 31, 2012

A while ago, I saved all of the map descriptions from the SCC. These are canon, and have some interesting info.

SCC said:
Urgent Press Release from Transmatter Inc.
"With the creation of the Gluon-B21 Teleportation System two years ago, many high-ranking military officials believed that they had finally found the ultimate way to reinforce distant armies across the vastness of space. The initial excitement turned to disappointment, however, when members of the 33rd Infantry Battalion proceeded to randomly and spontaneously combust on the battlefield after utilizing the device. The B21 system was quickly shelved for an extensive re-evaluation. Now, after four years of strenuous work and testing, I am proud to announce the vastly improved Muon-B22 Teleportation System is finally ready for live field trials. We are confident in the safety and reliability of the system, and I believe we are seeing the dawn of a new era in military science."

- Dr. Ulani Tirano - Head Scientist, Transmatter Inc.
Editor's Note: The live trials conducted yesterday were immediately halted when soldiers who used the device began what can only be described as "fading out of existence" a few minutes after using the device. Transmatter Inc. has issued a statement calling the apparent loss of life "an unfortunate but minor setback." Maybe they should just ask the Protoss how they do it?

The Terrans have Teleporters, as shown from Starcraft 1, but they seem to only be able to use them within the same installation and require a "hard connection." These are their attempts at a wireless version, with limited success. The technology does exist, but seems only a group of pirates have access to them (The Kimera Pirates have point-to-point teleporters and a cloaking device integrated in their Battlecruiser.)

SCC said:
"I can't believe my eyes. I finally found what I had been looking for all this time on Aiur. After evading the Terran blockade and quarantine of Aiur, dodging countless Zerg patrols both on the ground and in the air, and starving for the last two weeks, I've finally seen my dream take shape before my very eyes. I've found the Ziggurat, and it's more beautiful than I can imagine. I can die now a happy man."

-Final Transmission of Dr. Frederick Thompson, Xenoarchaelogist

It seems that the Terrans are blockading Auir even with the five billion zerg on the planet.

SCC said:
Welcome to The Amazing Bengalaas Exhibit!
Safariland is proud to present Bengalaas!, the most technologically advanced animal environment ever created. Our landscape architects and technical engineers have spent over a 3 years designing a habitat that faithfully mimics the actual conditions on Aiur, the homeworld of the Bengalaas. While we don't have any Protoss or Zerg roaming about our jungle, we were able to import several different plants native to Aiur to make these massive cats feel even more at home. Two visitor platforms, protected by specially designed moats, have been erected as close as possible to the cats for the best in viewing and holophotography. Exclusive merchandise is also available at the Bengalaas, Wow! gift shop for those who wish to take home the pride of the jungle.

It seems that we don't have to worry about some Auir wildlife becoming extinct. Terran's have actively created a preserve for them.

SCC said:
For Immediate Distribution To All Personnel
From the Office of the Colonel:
There have been numerous complaints during the course of the campaign on Braxis concerning the indigenous environmental conditions. The vast majority of these are petty issues that have obviously been initiated by individuals who do not have the stomach, or the will, to be called Terran Marines. Further complaints will result in the personal dispensing of immediate and extreme disciplinary action. That being said, one notable issue has been raised. Many squads are having difficulty properly burying the dead in the rock-hard tundra. Until such time as portable heating units can be made available from the Quartermaster General, Firebat squads will be tasked with the duty of melting the permafrost with their Perdition flamethrowers to allow excavation of burial pits for our fallen comrades. That is all.

Firebats can melt permafrost. Don't understand why they don't just use the Firebats to cremate the bodies, but I guess people have their preferences.

SCC said:
"The Gheilia Plateau is one of the most unique land formations on the planet of Ullalah II. Surrounded for hundreds of kilometers by some of the least seismically active flatlands on the planet, the existance of the small plateau has remained a mystery to geologic survey teams for years. Core samples of the earth appeared to indicate that the plateau has always been a feature of the landscape. This is baffling to say the least. Further investigation of the site has unfortunately become impossible, since the vantage point that the Gheilia Plateau provides makes the location of prime military importance to all three sides in the Ullalahian civil war. I am monitoring the military situation on the surface of the planet, and I hope to gain access to the Plateau soon and solve this mystery once and for all."

- Dr. Oswald Connor

Self-explanatory. Also mentions a planet undergoing civil war, that hasn't been in the lore outside of maps.

SCC said:
"We have a lot of tests at the Academy that we throw at cadets, and many times the simplest looking tests cause them the most grief. Training Scenario A17 is one of the simplest tests we have available. The basic premise of the mission is team four cadets together and have them fight another team. What makes A17 special is the training environment. We had a special space platform built out of a large number of small metal plates connected by an downright obscene number of bridges. Then we placed resources equidistant from the cadets for them to fight over. The design of the platform is simple, and the savagery of the fight always amazes us. Resource nodes constantly change hands, each bridge is defended and attacked with brutal intensity, and the front line constantly shifts around the battlefield. We always bring plenty of popcorn before setting the cadets loose, observing the carnage on the platform is better than any holovideo."

-Commandant Uraj Al'Kural

The Terran's have a space platform dedicated to training people with War Games.

SCC said:
Excerpt from an interview of Dr. Iliac Weston, Naturalist
Mr. Weston: "I've been tracking, observing, and trapping rare beasts across this sector for most of my lifetime. I often use extremely precise radar that can track the smallest fly hovering over a pile of dung. I have a set of sophisticated scent detectors that not only tells me what animal made the dung, but what the animal had for breakfast. Thermal sensors can tell me the exact temperature of the dung from a mile away. All of these systems are tied into a sophisticated computer, giving me a complete view of the environment around me. My chosen prey simply has no chance of evading detection."

CSI Reporter: "So what do you use to actually trap the beast once you have fixed its position?"
Mr. Weston: "Well, I still have a soft spot for the old classics. We deploy pit traps."

CSI Reporter: "Pit traps? Why?"
Mr. Weston: "I do have computer guided tranquilizer tipped homing missiles at my disposal, but using those just seems unfair."

Self-explanatory.

SCC said:
War is never pretty, but on the planet of Thanix III two competing factions have been waging a particularly ugly war. The two sides have used anything and everything imaginable to gain an advantage over their enemy. Key leaders have been brutally assassinated, food and water are routinely poisoned in an effort to starve the enemy, and nuclear weapon barrages are a daily occurrence across the battlefield. One key piece of terrain has seen the lion's share of the action in this war, a place known only as the "Schism" between the combatants. A long tar field separates rocky high ground from the outlying deserts, and both sides fight fiercely to control the area. Offworld military observers are convinced that whomever firmly controls the "Schism" will win the war...

Another planet under war that has nothing to do with the major conflicts.

SCC said:
MEMO 592JLY03
FROM: Commandant L. H. Smith
RE: MCT Training Program
In this modern age of warfare, many new recruits discount the importance of Melee Combat Technique training. While specific attention is paid while learning how to service and fire their Gauss rifles, they never seem to learn how block a thrown punch. Last night, I disciplined a recruit who was leaving his quarters without proper authorization and it was a embarrassingly simple matter to pummel the lad into a weeklong coma. The deplorable shape of the recruits in our charge as well as our training regimen needs to change, ladies and gentleman, and quickly. Platoon leaders should begin to schedule daily sessions with our melee instructors until some noticeable improvement is achieved. I will continue a program of random testing the recruits, placing them in the hospital if need be, until I see that improvement. That is all.

Marines need to work on their melee combat. As such, their commanding officer will put them into the hospital at random. Uknown if this is common for most Marines or commanding officer. Unsure which government this under as well.

SCC said:
Status Report
Station S630-M71
Commanding Officer: Col. James Dather
It has been two months since I assumed command of this station and I must regretfully report that the mythical reputation of the "Void", the colorful pseudonym for this place, is well deserved. The solar array mysteriously stops providing power once or twice each hour. Replacement parts for the environmental systems vanish into thin air. Quite simply, everything is breaking down. Of even greater concern is that one of the communication technicians died yesterday in the mess hall while eating rehydrated banana pudding. The station's medical officer is baffled, as the autopsy was inconclusive as to the cause of death.

I have 4 months left in this current assignment and my only goal is to not see my advancement prospects vanish like everything else does in this God forsaken place.

Creepy Space Platform.

SCC said:
The advent of the Powered Combat Suit for the common infantryman heralded a revolution in the making of war. For centuries soldiers have had to worry about rain, snow, wind, hostile atmospheres, and the cold hard vacuum of space. Any of these environments could make a soldier miserable and ineffective on the battlefield. Countless wars throughout history have been lost when the attacking army fell under the deep snowy blanket of a cold, cruel winter. How could men and women move with the strength sapped from their legs by the extreme cold? How could a weapon be fired if a trigger finger was numb from frostbite? The Powered Combat Suit has changed the face of modern warfare forever.

CMC description.

SCC said:
"Locusts! That's what those infernal Kel-Morian Combine mining teams are! You think you have a good claim all to yourself, but then the Combine comes to ravage everything in sight right from under your nose. They'll leave me with nothing after they're done. Well I'm not going to take it anymore, and I've got just the thing for them! I'll make this a hot spot they'll never forget! I'll show them!"

-Final Recorded Words of Usagi Hidalgo before the surface detonation of a 20 megaton nuclear device on the planet of Uilila IV

Civillian Prospector has access to a 20 megaton bomb. I guess it could be used as proof that the Terran's tactical nukes can go into the megatons. There are quotes in the books for that as well.

SCC said:
"In ancient times dueling was an accepted and honorable means of resolving a dispute between individuals with opposing views. Two men would stand back to back on the field of combat -- their chosen weapons raised in a proud salute -- prepared to fight to the death. Things are a WHOLE lot different now. Lately, "Duels" are resolved with auto-aiming Gauss weaponry, powered combat suits, and even Goliath Combat Walkers! No one has respect for the old traditions anymore..."

-Admiral David Jones

Gauss weapons have auto-aiming built into the weapon, not neccessarily the suit itself.

SCC said:
Data Entry 1102AM0441:
A funny thing happened today. I watched a Protoss Templar doing what he calls "exercises." I was immediately taken back to the birthday party my mother gave me when I turned six years old. All my friends were there and there was more ice cream and cake than I could ever have thought possible. The highlight of the day, though, was the magician my mother hired as entertainment. He pulled a rabbit out of his black top hat and materialized coins out from behind the ears of my friends and, for a brief moment, I belived that magic was real. As an adult, I discovered the magic tricks that had transfixed me as a youth were just bits of misdirection and sleight of hand. I even learned a few of them to show my younger brothers and sisters. They loved those tricks, and I just wish they could see the Protoss. The Templar can do things with their minds that can only be described as real magic...

-Personal entry of Engineer's Mate Aaren Ruth, Renegade Battlecruiser Hyperion

In universe example of someone calling psionics magic, if that needs to come up at all.

SCC said:
"The barren, frozen wastelands of Braxis are some of the most unforgiving places in the sector. A thick layer of permafrost allows little in the way of plant life to thrive and brutal winter storms constantly rage across the plains. Even in such harsh conditions, however, the Ursadon thrives. This majestic beast is truly the lord of the tundra, having no natural enemies. Often found near ice floes, Ursadons are carnivorous creatures that hunt in the icy water for food. Instances of attacks on humans are thankfully rare, but the few recorded instances of an enraged Ursadon attack have always ended in tragedy. The Koprulu Wilderness Society recommends keeping a safe distance from these noble creatures while on Braxis, both for your own safety and that of the Ursadon."

Description of the Ursadon, the Starcraft's mammoth if you will.

SCC said:
"The study of weather on alien planets, or Xenometerology, is one of the most exciting fields in Science today. Analyzing the wind and climate patterns of distant worlds will allow us to better predict the occurance of hazardous weather phenomenon that negatively impact our own homes and cities. Some of the weather events we've had the fortune to observe make the devastating whirlwinds back on Earth seem like a cool spring breeze. It is our responsibility to warn new colonists of the potential danger they may face before lives and property are utterly destroyed by the vengeful wrath of an alien Mother Nature."

- Dr. Ula Isarki, Head of the Koprulu Meterological Institute

Xenometerology, example of a Space!job.

SCC said:
"There's been a lot of talk lately about the banning of wildlive preserves built for the sportsman in mind. Well, I've had enough of that talk. There's nothing more perfect in this world than looking down the barrel of a high powered gauss rifle built to penetrate 2 inches of steel plating and seeing a defenseless animal square in the laser targeted, wind corrected, electronically enhanced scope with integrated night vision. NOTHING. Do these zealots understand the consequences of their actions? If we can't shoot a small animal, who knows what we might shoot next?"

-Excerpt from an interview with Ralph Smith, Leader of the "Hunters are people, too!" organization

Hunting Gauss Rifles are a thing. They can also penetrate two inches of steel.

SCC said:
"I saw some horrible things on Char. Packs of Zerglings ripping entire platoons of Marines apart limb from limb. Broodlings bursting from the chests of my friends. Siege Tanks melting from a Guardian's acid spray. The worst thing I witnessed wasn't the Zerg, however, but how the planet itself decided to get involved in the killing. We were fighting near a large mountain when the top of it exploded. A cloud began rolling down the mountain, and it came at us FAST. I barely got out of its way, but over half of my platoon wasn't so lucky. This cloud just melted them all into twisted, sickening shapes that I will never be able to forget. The remainder of my assault team was pulled out of the conflict to regroup and in the debriefing afterwards, an intelligence officer explained what had happened. It seems that my unit was hit by a "pyroclastic flow". According to our scientific research, these "anomalies" can reach speeds of over 100 mph and temperatures higher than 800 degrees Celsius. The scientists can call it whatever they want -- I just know that I'll never forget what it did to my friends."

-Diary of Corporal Aaron Parkinson

Char is a horrible place.

SCC said:
"Ok. I finally asked for a [censored] transfer. For once in their [censored] [censored] lives, High [censored] Command decides to do me a [censored] favor. So I move halfway across the [censored] sector to take command of my new station. What do I [censored] find?
A [censored] [censored] more [censored] [censored] orbital platform then the last [censored] of [censored] that I was on!
Some [censored] out there is just trying to [censored] with me, that HAS to be [censored] it. What [censored], [censored], [censored], [CENSORED] decided to build a [censored] Bull's Eye into the center of the [censored] platform? Can we make possibly things a little less [censored] easy for the [censored] enemy?
[CENSORED]! "

-Edited comments of Colonel Riley "[censored]" Bullhorn New Commander of Terran Orbital Platform K4-J19

Another example of a space platform.

SCC said:
"What’s that Command? A storm moving onto our position and we should seek shelter immediately? Sir, with all due respect, my men have been to the far reaches of the sector and fought off bandits, rebels, Protoss and even the Zerg. We are not afraid of some... [STATIC -- END OF LINE]."

- Last transmission of Captain Jonathan Rogers, KIA during a freak hailstorm on Grnaki Prime

Grnarki Prime has freak hailstorms.

SCC said:
MEMO 3451GS12
FROM: Office of the Surveyor General
RE: Naming Policies
In the last few months I have seen a rash of new planets, continents, oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, mountains, plains and valleys with suggested nomenclature based on geographic features found on Earth. While I do not wish to single out any specific survey team as being particularly uncreative, it was brought to my attention that just today a body of water located on Exgelia IV was given the name "New Aegean Sea". I have examined the maps and photographs of the area in great detail and have read the survey report thoroughly. Although this body of water does indeed bear some resemblance to the Aegean Sea located off the coast of Greece and Turkey on Earth, it is with great hesitancy and reluctance that I give this name my final approval. Be advised that the next of these uninspired reports that comes across the desk of this office will be immediately rejected.

WSM/es

Another planet.

SCC said:
"To my dearest mother,
I've been stationed out here at this deep space refueling depot now for three months, and the isolation here is maddening. Nearby astronomical phenomenon make normal communications difficult to the rest of the sector, and this only adds to our sense of being alone out here. Hopefully this message will get to you some time soon. I gave it to the captain of our monthly resupply vessel to forward to you. I love you, and miss you.

Oscar
P.S. I need new underwear, so if you send me some I'd really appreciate it. I know how you hate me wearing old, dirty underwear."

Another space station called Exile Station.

SCC said:
"I reserve a particularly large chunk of bile in my stomach for the city of Graschek. My company and I were ordered to enter the town and destroy an enemy logistics base at that location. To make a long, intense, and particularly bloody story short, we lost our bearings en route and I lost half of my men. Admiral DuGalle himself probably would have become lost in that maze of streets and sewers. After my tour of duty is up, I'm going to find Graschek's city planners and kill them all with my bare hands..."

-Lieutenant Thomas Dufay

UED Lieutenant hates this city's planning. Unknown planet.

SCC said:
"I used to think that defeating the Zerg would take precise military maneuvers, clever tactics and strong leadership. I was wrong. You can't out-think the swarm, you can't out-maneuver the swarm, and you certainly can't break the morale of the swarm. I hate to admit this, but I could do my job just as well if I ordered all my men to simply shoot anything that moves."

-Colonel Ronald "Hardcore" Jackson

Tactics with the Zerg.

SCC said:
"What is it with the Koprulu Sector, anyhow? It seems like every week there's another skirmish, insurgency, sortie, planned offensive, counter strike, police action, border conflict or plain old-fashioned war breaking out. While the chaos and anarchy are great for a spacefaring merchant vessel that's willing to transport certain cargo of questionable legality, I sometimes have to stop and wonder if this madness will ever end. Of course, this is also right about the time the Captain slaps me upside the head and...

"(external entry) Bailey, stop daydreaming and get back to work!"

-Personal entry of First Mate Norris Bailey
Recovery Vessel Starheaper

Self-explanatory.

SCC said:
Data Entry 1027AM0440:
It looks like we've finally found a new place to call home. This planet where the Dark Templar have set up shop is very strange, though. I can get over the fact that everything here is blue -- in fact, it's actually kind of relaxing, sometimes. No, the true surrealism of this place is that I have never seen a single plant! No grass, no trees, not even a single bush to break up the landscape. All they do seem to have are lots and lots of rocks. It's damn odd...

-Personal entry of Engineer's Mate Aaren Ruth, Renegade Battlecruiser Hyperion

Hyperion at Shakuras.

Shadow Archon · Jul 31, 2012

Part two of SCC:

SCC said:
"Who designed this [censored] place? What [censored] "engineer" crawled out from his [censored] hole to inflict this [censored] [censored] upon my people? A [censored] platform split into two [censored] halves?
[CENSORED]!
Why are there no [censored] bridges on this [censored] platform? Are we just supposed to [censored] leap off one [censored] half to the other? And to top it all off, those [censored] don't even provide enough Vespene [censored] gas for operations! [censored] this place! It's just one big [censored] [censored] [censored] [censored]!"

-Edited comments of Colonel Riley "[censored]" Bullhorn Commander of Terran Orbital Platform G11-F3

Another space platform.

SCC said:
[[Universal News Network]]

SCC said:
[[DEC HQ, Moria]]
New Station Design Available
The Dominion Engineering Corps (a division of the Kel-Morian Combine) proudly announces the availability of a new, low cost station design. The Gemini Series, a revolutionary step in space platform architecture, is suitable for nearly any orbital application. By utilizing a patented symmetrical structural layout, Gemini Series platforms can be constructed for half the cost of traditional station designs in half the time! Organizations or independently financed groups in need of a spaceborne facility for use in either business or pleasure applications should contact their local DEC representative for a presentation of the Gemini today.
[[End Sponsored Segment]]

Another space platform. Weird thing about the relationship between the DEC and KMC.

SCC said:
The Tropical Seas Resort has offered guests the ultimate in comfort and elegance for over three generations. Peaceful, sandy beaches and gentle palm groves are the natural setting for a stay filled with rest and relaxation. Although the resort has recently been enhanced by a Zerg infestation in the surrounding area, this is no reason to postpone your visit. The spirited fighting that occurs when well-trained Terran Marines dissuade the occasional Zerg incursion adds a new level of excitement to any vacation -- and what a story you will have to tell your friends! Guests can even sign up for an exotic Zerg Adventure-- package and partake of a real "hunt in the wild" experience with the assistance of a trained guide. The Tropical Seas Resort promises your upcoming vacation will be unforgettable.

Terran business' try to keep afloat during the war with desperate adds. These times are sad.

SCC said:
The terrans that colonized the Koprulu sector originally traveled from Earth in four deep-space supercarriers. Three of those gargantuan ships delivered the colonists to their new homes relatively intact, but the fourth ship was not so lucky. The Sarengo crashed into the planet Umoja, killing all 8,000 of its passengers, and carving an immense canyon into the planet's surface. This canyon is now home to drifters, squatters, and other odd characters that hide amongst the broken rocks and scattered wreckage. The Umojan Protectorate has long proclaimed the entire canyon to be a restricted area, and this often leads to fierce conflicts when Protectorate security forces decide to sweep the area of intruders.

SCC said:
"All warriors shall come to a crossroads, and there shall fate pass judgement."
-Popular Protoss proverb

The legend of the Crossroads is one that holds great power in the minds of many Protoss warriors. First spoken of by Khas in the sacred scriptures, it is said that, "All true warriors will come to a place they do not expect to be and encounter those they did not expect to find. It is in that place the fate of the true warrior will be decided." The jungles of this remote planet seem to be one such site -- do not expect to enter them and depart unscathed.

A respected place amongst the Protoss. Also, another new planet.

SCC said:
From the tranquil jungle climate of J'larre to the unrelenting firestorms that rage across the plains of Char, weather patterns across the galaxy can vary radically. It should come as no real surprise that the constant, torrential downpour from the skies over Grissom IV appears to ignore all common laws of meteorological science. The chaotic ferocity of these storms has resulted in the severe erosion of the planet's surface, creating strange shapes in the terrain -- and occasionally uncovering vast amounts of resources. Prospectors foolish enough to tempt the tempests that thunder across this world must be desperate souls indeed.

Another planet reference.

SCC said:
Since its creation at the end of the Aeon of Strife, a sacred garden has been a maintained as a center for peace, tranquility and reflection upon the ways of the Khala. Following the destruction of Aiur's defenders at the hands of the Zerg, the garden became a focal point for pitched conflicts between the ravenous Swarm, mercenary Terrans in search of salvage, and the few remaining Protoss forces. Whether you have come to destroy this place or protect it, the blood of your enemies will ensure that the garden remains well watered.

Another respected place by the Protoss.

SCC said:
Originally designed as a means to test and observe the reactions of prospective battlefield commanders under rapidly changing battlefield conditions, the Arclite Turbo Simulator 2000-- has evolved into a way of life for a section of the military elite. The ATS2000-- duplicates a standard combat environment and then increases the tempo of combat to such a degree that even the most competent officers have trouble keeping up with the ever-changing tide of events. Commanders who can master this simulation will almost certainly be able to dominate their enemies once placed in normal battlefield conditions.

Training simulator.

SCC said:
In the chaos of the Zerg and UED invasions, their owners deemed many space platforms undefendable. These stations were hastily abandoned and standard operating procedure was to destroy the platform after the inhabitants were safely off to prevent the use of the structure by the enemy. A great many of these abandoned sites, however, escaped destruction. Gambling that the stations would be salvageable after the immediate crisis had ended, more than a few outposts were left intact as their owners figured that it was cheaper to refurbish the damaged platforms rather than completely rebuild. Pirates, bandits and smugglers looking for an out-of-the-way base for their criminal activities found these abandoned stations perfect for their needs. Perfect, that is, until the rightful owners came back...

Space Platform procedure.

SCC said:
"The most popular exercise in the Ghost training regimen is scenario A11-X93, commonly referred to by trainees as "Nukes Away". In this scenario, Ghosts practice a variety of covert infiltration techniques while gaining the technical knowledge necessary for the proper guidance of field-standard tactical nuclear weapons. Since nuclear weaponry is too expensive to be used in live fire training, the exercise is performed using an extremely lifelike holoprojection simulation. The competition between the teams of Ghosts can be extremely intense, and all too commonly we see recruits spending what little leisure time they have inside the simulation, honing their skills."
-Commander Richard Walker

A simulator for Ghosts. Nuclear weapons are used on a day-to-day basis, but are deemed to expensive for live-fire testing. Also, holographic reality technology.

SCC said:
The universe is home to some rather odd geological formations that create a rich tapestry for astrologers, whether professional or amateur. On 20th Century Earth, for example, people could swear that there was a face on the surface of Mars. The location of the rocks and the eerie placement of shadows made envisioned mouth and eyes seem all too real. A prominent mountain range on the planet of Uilel IV looks just like a snake winding its way across the surface of the planet. One of the strangest of these planetary anomalies is found on an island just off of the main continent on Mar Sara. Explorers who first saw the island mistook it for a gargantuan turtle -- initially a cause for great alarm. Closer inspection quickly revealed the true nature of the landmass, but to this day nearby residents still call the place "Turtle Island."

Turtle, Turtle!

SCC said:
Excerpt from the minutes of a recent meeting of the UED Naming Committee

(Mr. Johnson) "Ok, ladies and gentlemen, we have been given the task of providing a name for the new orbital space station being built at Reynif II. We have been provided schematics of the station which I will put up on the holoprojector. Initial impressions?"

(Mr. Smith) "It looks just like all the others - a big platform in space! I mean, come on, we keep getting these mundane assignments and it's getting harder and harder to come up with something memorable."

(Mr. Johnson) "Be that as it may, Mr. Smith, we still have a job to do. Thoughts?"

(Ms. Cole) "Well... It has a lot of bridges."

(Mr. Smith) "Ha, So did ancient Venice -- but that doesn't help us much."

(Mr. Johnson) "Excellent idea Ed! New Venice it is, then."

(Mr. Smith) "What? Venice was a beautiful city of waterways, art, and romance. I don't see any of those things represented in the harsh architecture and brutish materials used to construct this station, Mr. Johnson. Why, we would be degrading and dishonoring a classic, nay a sacred icon of our Earth heritage!"

(Mr. Johnson) "Well then, perhaps we'll have to work through the weekend on this one."

*pause*

(Mr. Smith) "I guess I can go with New Venice."

Uknown if this is Earth UED or the expeditionary force. Probably Earth though.

SCC said:
To the numerous artists who call it home, the colony of Tashai is a place of great inspiration. Nestled on a small island in a sheltered oceanic cove, the colony has idyllic weather throughout the year, and the scenic views of the sea never cease to amaze visitors. Ewan Welke, the greatest living bard of our time, has spent many years at the retreat composing poetry in an ancient form known as haiku. In fact, it was his now well-known verse that gave the colony its name, Zephyr Cove.

peaceful island cove
blessed by the ocean's cool breath
the zephyr moves me

Another planet. Also, poets/bards have some popularity in the Korpulu sector.

SCC said:
The temperatures on the planet Char can become so intense that large portions of the planet's surface become completely liquefied. During certain times, when the planet is furthest from the twin suns of the system, small islands form on top of these seas of magma. These bits of land are, not surprisingly, replete with minerals and greatly prized as sources of incredible wealth. These riches are not without cost, however, as more than one potential prospector has met his demise within the fierce heat of Char.

More reasons why Char is a terrible place to live. Sometimes wonder how the Zerg have 10 billion life forms there.

SCC said:
The ancient, vicious blood feuds that were born in the Aeon of Strife virtually flooded the proving grounds on Gyras with the life force of thousands of Protoss Warriors. This bloodshed ended when the mystic Khas called upon the forces of the Khaydarin Crystals and destroyed the arena. The ruins that now stand here serve as a grim reminder of both what has passed, and the purpose that this place now serves. Although Khas strove to bring unification and enlightenment to his people, he also knew that some disputes would still demand resolution through force. Therefore, this place was sanctified as an arena of honor, and those who seek to settle personal matters come back to Gyras to prove their mettle in battle.

Another place of respect from the Protoss.

SCC said:
After the Swarms settled the world where the old Gauntlet had been built and all attempts to dislodge them failed, Emperor Mengsk decreed that a new one be erected. This new Gauntlet was built in a sector of space much harder for the swarms to overrun. The engineers who built this new Gauntlet tried to use the original blueprints, but there is no doubt that some minor but nevertheless important differences crept into its construction.

Whatever the Gauntlet is, it was rebuilt.

SCC said:
Originally designed as a diplomatic enclave, Polaris Prime was envisioned as a place where disparate factions would gather and work out their differences in a peaceful manner. The station, consisting of two central meeting areas and six separated rooms, were well suited for the needs of visiting Ambassadors and their staff. The station gained a well-earned reputation as a haven for those individuals dedicated to peace. That all changed when the Zerg onslaught began. Polaris Prime was quickly abandoned when it fell into the ravenous path of the Swarm. Now, diplomacy of a different kind has begun, as those species that once spoke of peace return to present their arguments in a more aggressive manner.

Another station.

SCC said:
[[Universal News Network]]
[[Theta Prime Station, Tarsonis]]
New Station Unveiled

The Dominion Engineering Corps (a division of the Kel-Morian Combine) has taken up the task of rebuilding the many vital orbital platforms required for a healthy flow of commerce in the aftermath of recent upheaval and subsequent demise of the Terran Confederacy. The DEC is utilizing many new design elements in the construction of these stations, and the Theta Prime supply depot orbiting Tarsonis is a shining example of innovative thinking. Coined "Catwalk Alley" by the project engineers, the ingenious use of elevated catwalks provides a host of improved station functions, including easier maintenance and better defensibility from insurgent forces. The station is expected to serve as a showcase for the power and ingenuity of the Dominion for many centuries.

[[End News Brief]]

Another station. Catwalks are brilliant? They need a new spokesperson...

SCC said:
Recent explorations have uncovered a previously uncharted island on the jungle planet of Ynoth. Located at the center of this island are six massive citadels surrounding the ruins of a seventh. This has caused a stir amongst the Shelak tribe as the Protoss seer Khyar wrote several cryptic passages concerning an mystic Acropolis referred to "The Six and The One". While it written in his works that, "...the ruler of the Six shall use the One to become the Only..." Khyar was also called the Mad Prophet in more than one historical record. Whether this power is real or merely legend, there is a great deal of interest in controlling this island as well as the ancient citadels.

Another Protoss place.

SCC said:
The Hunt continues with Big Game resources. Terran Wildlife Services, in conjunction with LarsCorp Technologies, has announced the grand opening of their fantastic new hunting preserve known as "Big Game". Spawned from the overwhelming success of their "Hunters" park, this new preserve was created to provide an environment that is safe, controlled, and extremely challenging.
"Ballistic sporting has been so universally accepted that many citizens in the private sector have even created their own private hunting grounds," said Todd Coyle, chairman of the Committee for the Recreational Use of Sidearms and High-explosives (CRUSH). "This new facility has even more of what sportsmen have asked for, and we know the true 'Big Game Hunters' will quickly join in the fun."

A park.

SCC said:
The Kel-Morian combine has been exploiting the ore deposits of remote worlds for decades. From time to time, their mining teams unearth strange artifacts or other physical evidence ancient civilizations. This was the case when they discovered a monstrous labyrinth at the Warrant VI dig site. Carbon dating shows that this gigantic series of underground caves dates back several millennia. Several Terran scholars have noted strong similarities between this maze and the patterns found in the Labyrinth of Crete, indicating that there may have been alien visitors on Earth long ago. This is, of course, secondary to the discovery of extensive mineral fields within the labyrinth to the Kel-Morian combine, and it seems unlikely that they would be interested in simply turning their find over to "the scientific community" without a fight.

Another planet.

SCC said:
"Not every locale in the Koprulu sector is a hotbed of violence and mayhem. There are actually areas that are quiet, peaceful places to relax as the problems of the universe just pass you by. The secluded oasis known as the Watering Hole on the planet of Helioc III has a set of wonderfully scenic vistas where you can observe the beautiful native wildlife in their natural habitat. If you have the means, I suggest you give it a try as there's way too much stress in the galaxy these days."

- Uran Golenko, leading stress therapist and featured guest on the popular "Universe Today" talk show
TRAVEL NOTE: A sudden influx of tourists, coupled with the discovery of considerable mineral wealth on the planet, has left the ecology of Helioc III in a less than optimal state. Once the use of tactical nuclear weaponry has subsided, geologists expect a high level of planetary recovery.

Another planet. WIth tactical nuclear weapons unleashed on it during some conflict.

[FONT=arial said:
SCC] [/FONT]The Koprulu sector has always been filled with prospectors searching the remote regions of planets for new, untapped mineral deposits. The Kel-Morian Combine tries to keep a tight lid on new discoveries to secure their exclusive mining rights, but news of virgin deposits sometimes leaks out. The resulting rush to secure the area by every mining company and private operator in the sector makes the fabled Klondike gold rush on Earth seem rather tame. The fight over a claim now usually sees the use of mercenaries, sabotage, and sometimes even nuclear weaponry...

Self-explanatory.

SCC said:
"Char? You want me to tell you about Char? Oh man, I still wake up screaming from the nightmares I have about that pit. A thick layer of ash covers everything, and there's this eerie red glow that comes from the magma that seeps up through the surface of the planet. One wrong step and you find yourself wading in a pool of hot lava. You ever hear the scream of a man as he is being burned alive by lava, Major? It's not something you soon forget, let me tell you. And if the infernal planet doesn't get you, there's always the damned Zerg that'll try and finish the job. Those devils were everywhere, and they killed a whole lot of my buddies in ways I don't want to remember. Char was a hellhole, alright, and I rather have you kill me than send me back there again."

-Debriefing of UED Marine 384DTA47631

Char is a terrible place, again.

SCC said:
"I have a dream, ladies and gentlemen. Mankind has been traveling amongst the heavens for generations, but our kind has never actually called space home. We've built orbital defense space platforms, 'space stations' that provide waypoints for trade and commerce, and research facilities in space, but do we ever think of these places as home? No, we do not, and I aim to change that today. I've had the sector's finest engineers and designers build a place in the stars that humans can finally call home: Megalopolis. This new city will provide everything a family could need: great living quarters, great schools for all the kids, and great jobs for parents. We'll be opening up the city for new residents soon, so if you're interested in this wonderful opportunity contact us immediately! Space on the station is quite limited, and you don't want to be left out in the cold!"

-Alan Johnson, Founder and CEO, Big Sky Inc.

A company that builds city-sized space platforms and other platforms.

SCC said:
When volcanic forces tear a planet apart, it twists the surface world into unrecognizable and bizarre shapes. The planet Wotan II was once a peaceful agrarian world until a confederate extremist detonated a Mercer class doomsday device deep within the planet's core. The explosion brought forth to the surface the natural riches of this world and now many factions struggle to survive the fiery surface long enough to harvest the treasures that this world has to offer.

Confederate Superweapon and another mineral rich world.

SCC said:
Now and again a giant platform is seen drifting through space, accompanied by a strange set of lights following in an eerie glow. Rumored to be the remains of an experimental arboretum platform jettisoned during the destruction of Korhal, the platform is said to contain a secret lab dedicated to the creation of strange and exotics plants. Plants, whose purpose remains unknown to this day.

Strange platform, jettisoned from Korhal orbit or Korhal's surface?

[FONT=arial said:
SCC][/FONT]Welcome to another exciting episode of STEAL...THE...BEACON, the game show where the most powerful forces in the galaxy compete for valuable cash and prizes! There's no questions to answer, no puzzles to solve -- just an adrenaline pumping race to invade your opponent's territory and take control of his beacons. Tonight's show is brought to by BeaconJak, the ultimate in beacon theft deterrence.

A game show.

SCC said:
Many religious sites were destroyed in the great war, and the ancient temples of Braken were of no exception. The invasive jungles of this verdant world have all but restored the planet to its natural state. It is still rich -- not only with the resources that fuel the great war machines of the stars -- but also in arcane religious significance. The prophesies foretell that "he who harnesses this world will someday wield great a power, sanctified by the ancient ones". Securing this essential part of the sector would bring great honor, glory and riches to the one who could hold it...

Another planet.

SCC said:
"The icy wastes of the planet Braxis provide a perfect environment to test both the physical and psychological fortitude of Dominion Defense Force recruits. Our soldiers must remain in fighting form in all possible battlefield conditions, and we have an impressive series of tests to weed out all the undesirables. My favorite training scenario is codenamed "Mountain Stronghold": a treacherous test of willpower and physical conditioning. The recruits must withstand an enemy onslaught for seven days with only three days worth of provisions. When the recruits begin to grow cold, and starvation sets in, we begin to bombard the fortress over a 72 hour stretch, culminating in a massive storming of their defenses by one of our crack assault teams. Those recruits who are able to overcome and survive this attack are rewarded with a new, tougher mission: Glacier Bay. Those who do not-- are quickly disposed of."

--Colonel Francis McCauly

Training.

SCC said:
"Our detractors have accused us of catering to only hunters and combat fishermen with our wildly successful animal parks. Well, I am here to say to you good people that nothing is farther from the truth. Terran Wildlife Services actually has a wide array of parks that are not designed for the pursuit of sport at all. This dedication to the casual naturalist is exemplified in our Twisted Trail Park and Recreation Center. There is no finer hiking path in the sector, and this serene and peaceful area is normally far less crowded than our other reserves. I can't imagine a better spot for a calm, relaxing vacation away from the stress of civilization than in the fine outdoors. It's really a shame so few people ever get to see for themselves the exceptional beauty of this park."

-Norman Goodfellow
Senior Park Ranger, Terran Wildlife Services

A park.

SCC said:
When the surface of Korhal was scorched by the nuclear fire unleashed by a salvo of one thousand Apocalype-class missiles, the planet was not the only thing to be permanently scarred. The few survivors of the holocaust saw their families and homes turn to ash in a single, brief, blinding moment. The memory of that horror has hardened the remaining men and women of Korhal into some of the fiercest warriors in the Terran sector. With a complete willingness to use their own nuclear arsenal against any potential enemy, their nuclear firestorms have incinerated many unwary foes.

Korhal bombardment.

SCC said:
"In all my years of duty as a merchant captain in the space cargo lanes, the one thing I can be sure of is that there's pirates out there who will do just about anything to get your cargo. You can also be sure that the customs agents of the Kel-Morian Combine have hearts colder than the void of space, but that's entirely another story. The pirates, though, are always a problem for every honest trader trying to make a buck. Just when you think you've got your cargo home -- BAM -- those bastards come out of the woodwork to ruin your day and your pocketbook. One of these days they'll all get what's coming to them."
-Captain Roberto Lamas

Troubles with Pirates.

SCC said:
Strange symbols based on ancient, sacred geometries that embodied a comprehensive knowledge of proportion and ratio have been a part of Terran culture since the late 17th century of their recorded history. It was later believed that these symbols were created when alien craft landed in fields -- a theory supported by the fact that aerial phenomenon had been observed in connection with the discovery of these formations.
When these key shapes began appearing on desolate platforms at the edge of known space, the Terrans dispatched teams of scientists in an attempt to finally learn whether these were simple plasma induced phenomenon or intelligently controlled formations with universal teaching. The truth is out there...

Incidents of Crop Circles on Space Platforms.

SCC said:
Chau Sara has been a flash point for unparalleled hostilities during the Wars. Seeding the atmosphere with toxic spores, the Zerg enslaved the Terran population that founded the colony and changed the surface of the world to better support their Hive clusters. Then, out of the cold endlessness of space, a great Protoss fleet arrived and, seeking to prevent further infestation, incinerated the planet. Since that time, Chau Sara has been a lifeless world hanging in the void.

Zerg tactics and Chau Sara bombardment.

SCC said:
In the Aeon of Strife, Protoss warriors created warp gates to travel great distances instantaneously. The knowledge involved in their creation has been lost, but on some planets, these gates still remain. When these sites are discovered, they spawn some of the most violent battles as great powers try and control these ancient places of power. A series of these gates have been discovered and you and an Allied team have been dispatched to control these gates and discover the mysteries they contain.

Protoss could build Warp Gates in the Aeon of Strife suggesting that at least at the beginning of the conflict, they had advance technology before degrading back to cave man levels through some uknown means. (Xel'naga intervention?)

They can build Warp Gates by SC2, so, maybe this technology has been regained slightly? It still needs to use the Psionic Matrix as a piggyback.

SCC said:
UED Military Academy Commandant's Log
(Commandant Miloshek) "Gentlemen, we need to give our cadets a new challenge in the training simulators this week. Suggestions?"
(Major Kilbourne) "Well, sir, it has been several weeks since we have had any deep space combat simulations. The last few exercises have mostly been recreations of ground battles."
(CM) "An excellent idea, but I'd like to throw a twist into this sim."
(MK) "Did you have anything specific in mind, sir?"
(CM) "Hmm... give our Cadets an extreme amount of resources to start the campaign with so they won't feel the need to expand, but then create the additional resource nodes with even more Minerals and Vespene gas. Those that choose to expand should gain a huge advantage over those who simply stay put. I want battlefield commanders that are always on the move, gentlemen -- ones that are always looking for an edge in combat."
(MK) "Very well, sir. We'll have the scenario programmed for this afternoon's exercise."

UED simulators.

SCC said:
All across Shakuras lie strange places of power, many of which have not been fully probed by the nomadic Dark Templar who have made the twilight world their adopted home. One of these places is a foreboding and mysterious temple resting in the cracked earth of the remote Isle of Razjan. The four small shrines that lie in the temple connect to each other with almost perfectly symmetrical spiral paths sunken into the ground, forming what could only be a symbol of some cosmic significance. This peculiar complex may once have been a quiet, peaceful place for contemplation of the universe and the infinite beyond, but now the temple sees no such peace. The island temple lies well outside any established Protoss settlement or defensive outpost and this encourages raids on the complex by offworlders lusting for wealth, knowledge, and power.

Depends on the timeline, but apparently a well traveled place of interest.

SCC said:
The existence of Protoss warp gate technology has conclusively demonstrated that instantaneous travel between the stars is indeed possible via artificial means. This raises the question, "might it then also be possible that such travel could transpire through a naturally occurring phenomenon?" While we have scant evidence to suggest that transdimentional rifts in space spontaneously exist, our understanding of the true nature of space and time is still quite limited. Now, let me show you something interesting. I can take this strip of paper, twist it 180 degrees as such, and then use a small amount of adhesive on the ends to form a loop. Suddenly, I have created a two dimensional object with only one side, commonly referred to as a Mobius Strip. You can trace your finger along the loop forever. A strange little creation, isn't it? What we see in this is a seemingly impossible construct of nature, yet I created it with a simple piece of paper and a bit of glue. Who of us really knows what strange enigmas remain to be unraveled in the vastness of the universe?"
-Dr. Bazio Thurgood, Astrophysics Professor and host of the "Space is a weird, wacky place!" science show on the Galactic Entertainment Network.

A TV network in space.

SCC said:
"It has come to the attention of this committee that one of our esteemed colleagues, Dr. Fredrica Wallis, has proposed a peculiar new theory that could shake the foundations of our very universe. A University sponsored geologic survey team returned six months ago from the icy wastes of Braxis, where they reported the discovery of a carving of immense proportions. Obviously created by sentient beings, this formation that bears some physical similarity to the word 'Blizzard' was found in a section of snow measuring approximately two miles wide. Dr. Wallis has seized this report and is holding it up as evidence of her insane theory that our universe is merely a game simulation being played upon the personal computer of a higher life form. This committee refuses to grant this lunacy even the slightest shred of support. If Ms. Wallis wishes to continue with this research, we must recommend her transfer from the Physical Sciences branch of this University to the Metaphysics laboratory. At least in that setting she can ignore reality and continue to spout irrational nonsense to her heart's content. In short, she must not be allowed to infect other students or faculty members with these heretical ideas. We are all real flesh and blood, ladies and gentlemen -- we are not just a simulation."
Partial transcript of Bian Ari's report
Physical Sciences Steering Committee

Breaking the fouth wall!

SCC said:
Long ago, the Asari hunting grounds were favored by the mighty Protoss who Stalked through their jungle-infested valleys. Now, as the world of Aiur has been invaded by marauding alien races, the Protoss rush to protect their once sacred lands. The hunters shall hunt again… And no creature shall leave Asari alive.

Hunting grounds.

SCC said:
Long known for their clandestine operations, the Confederate's enigmatic Nova Squadron was created not only to gather intelligence on the various "Pirate Militias" that threatened Confederate security, but also to keep tabs on the various operative branches within the Confederate Armed Forces. Once the Confederacy was dissolved, Nova Squadron was forced to go into hiding. Whoever can maintain control of their former headquarters not only commands the most strategically advantageous site in the whole sector, but also has access to whatever priceless intelligence Nova Squadron may have left behind.

A space station and a specific squadron's operations.

SCC said:
The Zerg invasion of Aiur brought untold death and devastation to the planet, but in many ways the darkest days in the history of the Protoss were shortly before the departure of the Dark Templar, when the barely reunited tribes began to fight once more. Old vendettas and ancient prejudices were reborn as the Protoss who refused the way of Khala were branded as traitors and hunted down. Grand battles scarred the surface and many bold warriors were slain in massive engagements. This map allows you to recreate those epic campaigns, and see how the presence of Terran and Zerg forces might have mixed things up.

Protoss Civil War back in the days of Adun.

SCC said:
Most people assume that the Zerg are a malicious species with no sense of humor or fun. While they are quite malicious, some Cerebrates have demonstrated both humor and a desire for pure recreation. The recent popularity of soccer among the Swarm is a prime example. Besides sporting a name even a Hydralisk can pronounce, it gives opposing Broods an opportunity to safely compete, and has recently surpassed "Pin your tail through the Terran" as the Zerg sport of choice.

Cerebrates play sports.

SCC said:
One reason the Terrans have been able to survive on the mostly-lifeless worlds along the rim for so long is that natural resources such as vespene gas and the mineral ores used in most construction slowly replenish over time, allowing mining companies to reuse decades-old excavation sites. One such site, Stickler Woods on Antiga Prime, became the focus of a series of skirmishes as Terran, Zerg, and Protoss forces alike moved in to take what they could.

Resources replenish over time.

SCC said:
Broken Mesa was the site of a Dominion bio-weapons testing facility on the desert world of Korhal. Shortly before the UED assault on Korhal, Terran scientists created a new and potentially devastating plasma-pulse weapon. As reports of an approaching enemy fleet reached the high command on Korhal, testing was ordered in hopes that the power of this weapon might destroy the UED armada. While in the final testing phase, Senior Scientist Ozmel Dodds turned traitor as he attempted to curry favor with the attacking UED forces. On the day of the final test, Dodds changed the pulse-modulation frequency on the weapon causing the awesome cannon to overload, destroying itself and the research facility that housed it. What happened to the scientist remains a mystery to this day, but the Broken Mesa site still sees occasional conflict as various factions attempt to discover the remains of the weapons lab and the fabled plasma-pulse weapon.

Dominion defence weapon that was destroyed, leaving another big crater on the devastated planet.

SCC said:
The Interstellar Escape travel agency prides themselves on taking their clients to the most luxurious and pleasant surroundings that the galaxy has to offer. Pleasant sandy beaches and island casinos are the destination for many of these relaxation-seeking tourists. If you are looking for something a little bit more exciting for your upcoming vacation, check out Shipley Enterprises "Extreme Bodily Injury" set of destinations.

"Slow Burn is our most popular adventure package, taking you to the blisteringly hot planet of Char, once home to the dreaded Overmind. You are shoved out of the dropship with a Kel-Morian multi-functional knife, a compass and three days worth of food. At this point you have one week to cover 350 kilometers of lava strewn Zerg infested rock and reach the pick up site. While this may sound trivial, the fluctuating magnetic fields that cover the surface of Char make the compass unreliable at best, and the cloud of ash that surrounds the planet seldom allows the stars to peek through to the surface. If you want a vacation that will leave your family with something to talk about for years to come, then try the Slow Burn."

- "One Eye" McAlester, Sales rep for Shipley Enterprises

A creepy travel agency.

SCC said:
The Summeria V station -- heralded as our final, finest hope for peace -- was fraught with problems from the day it opened. From Elder races struggling for political dominance to the drama and personal feuds among the members of the command staff, each week brought new challenges. Finally, the hand of destiny played the unkindest card of all as a small black hole tore through the very center of the vast complex. While some speculate that this fissure was created when a concealed Xel’Naga artifact went awry, others claim that the black hole had been there all along and was merely shifted into our time continuum during unauthorized weapon testing. In any case, the station inhabitants are left to battle both the gravity well of the black hole and the hostile aliens that are stranded at Summeria V until the massive station finally collapses under its own weight.

Battle on a station with a black hole errupting from the center. How big does it have to be to not be engulfed in minutes?

SCC said:
One of the most sacred spots on Aiur is an ancient graveyard known as Ni Monn Adun, "Heart of Adun". Here the greatest of Adun's companions were laid to rest, and their psionic energy permeates the very air around the ancient site. Despite repeated attempts during their invasion, the Zerg were unable to occupy these grounds, for the Protoss fought with incredible ferocity to maintain the purity of Adun's Heart.

Protoss place of respect.

SCC said:
The Protoss Templar train constantly to maintain their fighting skills even during times of peace, rare as they are. Strategic wargames are carried out with a combination of real troops and hallucinations, and battlefields are chosen to allow the combatants an opportunity to hone a variety of tactical skills. This particular battlefield is a prime example and has been used for many inter-tribal competitions.

Protoss training.

SCC said:
The Zerg chose Char as a launching point not only for its remote location and rich resources, but because the rough terrain provided many hiding places for various Brood hatcheries. While this undoubtedly heLPed the Zerg conceal their numbers from Terran and Protoss scouts, it worked against them when Kerrigan was forced to hunt down the Dark Templar. This map is typical of the twisting cliffs and magma pools of Char.

Self-explanatory.

SCC said:
Terran Wildlife Services, in conjunction with LarsCorp Technologies, is proud to announce the grand opening of another soon to be wildly successful hunting preserve: The Creek. Designed as a small, intimate, and quiet locale with some of the finest combat fishing in the galaxy, the park caters to the tastes of the discriminating sportsman. "This new preserve should serve as a welcome haven for those seeking to avoid the crowds created by the overwhelming success of the better known ‘Hunters’ preserves," noted John Andrews, host of the popular "Better Living through Maximum Firepower" sporting show on the Galactic Entertainment Network.

Hunting preserve.

SCC said:
After the larger of the twin suns supporting the lush pleasure world of Zenn failed, the paradise fell into an age of ice and darkness. Zenn remained in obscurity for decades, serving only as a stopping point and safe haven for smugglers and fringe world miners. This all changed when the frozen planet was named as the site for the New Dominion Winter Olympics, the premiere sporting event in Terran space. All went well until the ill-fated Plasma Rail Bobsled event...
Although Olympic Security was prepared for possible trouble since Plasma Rail Bobsled fans are renowned as a rowdy and potentially violent bunch, no one could have anticipated the riot that erupted when the team from Korhal upset the favored Braxis crew in the finals. Screams of derision and empty beer canisters hurled in anger rapidly turned into gauss-rifle fire. Clashes in the streets of Zenn broke out between stolen Goliath security combat vehicles. The aggression spread like wildfire across the planet, soon becoming a struggle for survival on this inhospitable world. "The Riot" continues to this day, and though neither the Korhal "HeatBlisters" nor the Braxis "Glaciers" have emerged triumphant, their enthusiasm for the sport of Bobsledding remains undiminished.

Winter Olympics riot. Also Plasma Railed Bobsled, possibly something more dangerous than Pod Racing?

SCC said:
"In this powerful remake of a true action classic, Bunker Command II recreates all of the excitement of the original strategic conflict while including all-new units to command. Lead your squad of experienced marines across a new and dangerous landscape, seeking out enemy bunkers to destroy before they can do the same thing to you. As you eliminate your foes and the bunkers they defend, reinforcements arrive to help carry on the fight for ultimate victory. Bunker Command II will prove to be the leader in the next generation of Real Time Bunker games."
-Rexx Perry, V.P. of Bunker Command Marketing, UED Region

A game?

SCC said:
Even before Arcturus Mengsk and the Sons of Korhol overthrew the Terran Confederacy, several other rebellious factions fought for freedom. One such group, the Colonial Liberation Army, attempted to wrest control of the mining station Tyra by dividing the Confederate forces into smaller groups and fighting a series of skirmishes between opposing squads. In the end, the Confederate forces won the day with their "nuked earth" tactics.

Confederacy has to deal with more than one terrorist factions.

SCC said:
The Protoss Templar have long used the ancient ruins of Mendella as a proving ground for promising disciples. The original settlement, built mostly underground, was flooded out during the Aeon of Strife when warring tribes destroyed a nearby reservoir in an attempt to drown their enemies. Recently, when the Zerg invaded Aiur, a nest from the Baelrog brood settled into the resource-rich area, and only a combined force of Protoss and Terran troops was able to cleanse the area.

Another Protoss place.

SCC said:
In the dawning moments of the colonization of Sutur V two separate factions disagreed on how the lush green world should be developed. One side believed that a huge sprawling space station should be erected to further interstellar trade, and they could use giant robotic machines to extract the mineral wealth from the planet necessary for the station’s construction. These people managed to build the "Platform" over much of the Northern Hemisphere of the world. The builders and inhabitants of the Platform became known as the Northern Platformers or just the Northerners. Another faction held the life of the planet sacred, and committed to a plan of becoming one with the Planet and all its myriad life forms. These people were known as the Southern Druids, which was eventually shortened to the Southerners. These two opposing sides have been fighting in both the jungles to the south and the space platforms to the north for generations, so long that most of the people fighting and dying no longer know why. These unwilling warriors no longer wish to fight, but the leaders of both sides demand victory at all costs. The wildlife has mostly died out years ago, and the robotic mining machines have ceased to function, but still the war goes on.

A civil war on another planet. Also shows Terran Industry.

SCC said:
My Brethren,

Since the time of Khas, the visions have remained the same.

A dark land of ancient plateaus and oceans of night... Night becomes day, and our ancient fathers aid us... We erase that which blights our face, but not that which lies within... The land that rests in twilight will be the place of our greatest triumph and also our greatest shame.

Much to my dismay, many ages have passed since the prophecies of the "Place of Visions" have been paid heed. These visions resonate a truth beyond any simplistic comprehension, and I fear that they may foretell grave problems that lie just ahead. As keepers of the Khala, it is our duty to gather our most learned scholars to seek an understanding of these warnings as they may be the key to solving this crisis as yet unseen.

- Excerpt from "The Letters of Tenarsis"
(Dated 3 years before the destruction of Chau Sara)

Some form of Protoss having a "disturbance in the force" moment. Has been vague and happening since the end of the Aeon of Strife.

SCC said:
When the miners of the tiny "Edgar & Sons" mining company landed on Nidhogg III, it was if they had stepped into a dream. Vespene geysers covered the landscape like anthills, and hundreds -- if not thousands -- of mineral fields were scattered across the face of the planet where they had staked their latest claim. The deposits of Ore were so rich and plentiful that huge chunks could easily be broken off in their bare hands. Their dreams of limitless wealth came crashing to a halt, however, when one of the miners let slip the location of the site between rounds of Tyrador Mindbenders at a local spaceport bar. It wasn't long before the larger mining interests in the Sector descended like locusts. In an ironic twist of fate, little (if any) of the abundant wealth of Nidhogg III has ever been removed the planet, as its resources now fuel a never-ending war over who will control this paradise lost.

Another planet and another conflict.

SCC said:
[[Universal News Network]]
[[Universe Tonight, Special Report]]
The ceremonies surrounding the celebration of many holidays have changed in both their meaning and nature over the centuries and the study and interpretation of these rituals has been the key focus of a consortium of Terran anthropologists here at the Kel-Morian Research Facility. Although scientists disagree on what the true meaning of the upcoming holiday known as Easter may have been, new findings may give us some idea on how this important event was observed by our ancient ancestors on Earth.
Recent breakthroughs in data reconstruction have retrieved vital information from the salvaged computer wreckage recovered from the ancient Sarengo crash site. These restored files seems to confirm the current practice of celebrating Easter with gifts of small yellow and pink SynthEggs, cunningly crafted into realistic bird and bunny shapes. The custom of these gifts being delivered by a mysterious giant anthropomorphic Badger that wanders from sealed dome to sealed dome also seems rooted in fact, although the culmination of the day's celebration being a giant chrysalis hunt coupled with the wholesale slaughter of warring factions may be a more recent addition to these historic festivities.
Wishing you and yours a Happy Easter This is Genna Xann, Universe Tonight
[[End Transcript]]

Easter gone wrong.

SCC said:
[[Universal News Network]]
[[Outpost 782XJG, Koprulu sector]]
The pirates of New Trinidad have been plundering the shipping lanes and outlying outposts across the Koprulu sector for decades. The constant governmental shifts, coupled with the recent UED conflict in that sector, have made the creation of a standing militia strong enough to deal with the threat impossible.
In an attack launched from their impregnable space station over the empty world of New Trinidad, sustained shelling from Arclite Siege Tanks led to the death of Jacqueline Angel, heiress to the Angel Shipping empire. Reliable sources within the shipping conglomerate have reported the transfer of considerable funds to the accounts of local authorities for the expressed purpose of retaining groups of mercenaries to remove the pirate threat once and for all.
[[End News Brief]]

Self-explanatory.

SCC said:
The original strain of Scantid grew to a length no greater than 15 Centimeters and was a common inhabitant of the desert regions of Korhal. The insect's mild venom, used to repel predatory animals, caused nothing more than mild rash and bothersome itching to those inadvertently stung by the shy animals. After Korhal was ravaged by nuclear fire in the surprise attack by the Confederates, nothing was left alive on the surface of the planet. Although the lowly Scantid survived in their deep underground communal burrows, exposure to massive radiation forever changed the creatures. Where once they had been nothing more than a footnote in Entomology journals, the Scantid were now monstrous beasts with claws capable of ripping a man in half and a stinger filled with an extremely lethal poison. If it were not for their lack of innate aggressiveness and the instinctive reflex to flee when threatened or injured, the Scantid may have over-run the planet, rendering Korhal virtually uninhabitable. Their communal instinct has also survived, and the area known as Scorpion Ravine is home to a large nest of the creatures. Although it seems dangerous, remember that the Scantid is more afraid of you than you are of it

Starcraft apparently has Fallout!Radiation.

SCC said:
The expansive shoreline of Heimdall IV is a peaceful setting where the bitter memories of battle can be washed away by waves, gently breaking over hundreds of miles of pristine beaches. The natural beauty of this planet has helped make it one of the more fashionable spots in the sector as the smell of the salt air and the bracing spray of the sea can restore the spirits of even the most shell-shocked veteran. The popularity of the sleepy resort setting has caused some unexpected occurrences, however, as members of opposing military forces sometimes decide to vacation there at the same time. It is only a matter of time before someone inevitably kicks sand in someone else's face and then the beaches become an impromptu battleground. Regardless of the outcome, the tropical rains always seem to wash away any signs of strife in time to prepare the beaches for the next gathering of those seeking rest and relaxation.

Another planet.

SCC said:
"You can't make me go back there."
Sgt. Matthew Murdoch - Veteran of 2 tours of duty on Urthos III

The small, mineral rich moon of Urthos III was one of the mostly fiercely contested territories during the recent UED conflict. It changed hands so often (and in such a bloody fashion) that the area eventually became known simply as the Meatgrinder. Thousands died there in pitched battles that often involved multiple forces from each species. Although the battlefields there are now quiet, ambitious leaders in search of crystals to fuel their ravenous machines of war tend to forget the costs of holding such a place...

A rich moon.

SCC said:
"The surface of Char can reach such extreme temperatures that mineral deposits become molten and form rivers of crystal that flow across the planet's surface. A recent application of space geodetic techniques to this phenomenon has measured the amount and spatial pattern of net vertical crustal deformation and shows that these rivers sometimes snake across the planetary mantle in this liquid state for months before finally hardening. Mineral laden pathways are then created and can be seen protruding from the obsidian landscape, serving as both landmarks and rich mining fields."
-- Kel-Morian Combine GPS Survey Report

Char info.

SCC said:
"Each Dominion Defense Force recruit must pass a battery of tests that are designed to determine if they are truly worthy to serve with the finest fighting force in the galaxy. The most grueling of these trials is code named Glacier Bay. The recruits are informed that they will be stationed at an outpost overlooking Glacier Bay for routine training exercises. To their dismay, Dropships land them on a nearby island and the prospective soldiers are forced to live off the meager resources that their landing zone provides. This requires these prospective soldiers to work up enough intestinal fortitude -- or disdain for their situation -- to swim across the freezing waters to the mainland. This point is pressed once simulated hostile forces are thrown into the exercise."
-- General Edmund Duke

Training.

SCC said:
Some battles are fought over strategically located space platforms to increase the military's tactical position. Others are matters of honor to be settled on ancient Protoss proving grounds. Most encounters, however, occur by mere chance in the wilderness of the galaxy. In these skirmishes, battlefield intelligence can be scarce and fate does not always provide each combatant with equally defensible terrain. In the wild you can quickly find yourself in a situation that requires you to adapt or be destroyed.

Just a small description of battle.

SCC said:
Before the Zerg swarm ravaged Aiur, pilgrimages to sacred places across the planet by members of the Templar caste were a common undertaking. Many of these pilgrims traveled to a secret lake high in the mountains that was thought to contain mystic properties. Some went seeking serenity, while others were seeking self-awareness and a greater understanding of the universe. We've captured the essence of that lake in Naiad's new line of bottled water, "Eldritch Spring". Pick up a bottle and feel the magic today!

Silly marketing.

SCC said:
From the depths of a dark asteroid that lies deep in uncharted space, they watch and wait. Known only as the Dark Masters, they view all other beings as mere pawns to be manipulated in their quest for galactic dominance. Should they succeed in their plan, all sentient life in the universe will be forced into eternal servitude. Who will survive this galactic epic? The story unfolds Monday nights on the Galactic Entertainment Network -- entertainment for the new GENeration!

TV show.

So, that's that.

Shadow Archon · Jul 31, 2012

Before we get into each race's respective abilities, I think some of the more generic info should be posted, such as above.

@Starspawn10 - Could you link the Starcraft II short stories and planet pages? If we need to pick out quotes for quantification, we can do it later, but it would be nice to have the links to the SC2 online site up in the main post.

Starcraft Tech and Research:

Starcraft 2: Technology and Research said:
"RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY"
RESEARCH:
Shrike Turret
- Outfits all Bunkers with an automated turret.

We have developed an automated turret that comes standard with all Bunkers. This turret, which is based on our studies of Spore Crawlers, adds extra firepower to manned Bunkers and also allows unmanned Bunkers to contribute to base defense.
Fortified Bunker
- Bunkers gain +150 life.

This improved Bunker design, inspired by the Ultralisk exoskeleton, attaches a hardened carapace to the top of the Bunker. This carapace dramatically increases the amount of punishment that a Bunker can absorb.
Planetary Fortress
- Command Center can upgrade to a Planetary Fortress.
- Upgrade grants extra armor and the Twin Ibiks Cannon.
- A Planetary Fortress cannot lift off.

We can now outfit the Command Center with the Twin Ibiks Cannon and additional structure plating. Please note that this upgrade, nicknamed the Planetary Fortress, must be triggered after the Command Center has been built.

Also note that a Command Center that has been upgraded to a Planetary Fortress can no longer lift off because the added weight is far too much for the Command Center's Atlas boosters.
Perdition Turret
- Flame turret.
- Does massive area damage.
- Conceals itself when not in combat.

This turret fires a deadly wall of flame that is ideal for holding off large waves of enemy units. The turret also conceals itself beneath the ground when out of combat, luring unsuspecting enemies into its field of fire.

The Zerg's ability to burrow has allowed them to massacre countless Terran soldiers in deadly ambushes. The new Perdition Turret should help even the score.
Predator
- Anti-infantry specialist.
- Periodically emits a powerful area shock attack.
- Built at the Factory.

The Predator is equipped with an electrified discharge field. This field activates each time the Predator strikes an enemy in combat, dealing heavy damage to all nearby enemy units. This makes the Predator a devastatingly effective counter to large groups of enemy units.
Hercules
- Massive transport ship.
- Deploys loaded troops almost instantly.
- Loaded troops survive if Hercules is destroyed.
- Built at the Starport.

We have retrofitted the Hercules-class cargo ship for use on the battlefield. This massive transport can carry entire armies and unload them at record speeds.

The Hercules will also eject Survival Pods if shot down. Ejected occupants will sustain damage, but most would agree that injury is preferable to death.
Cellular Reactor
- Specialist units start with +100 energy.
- Specialist units gain +100 maximum energy.

This reactor has a larger energy reserve on startup and can hold a much larger charge. Now our specialist units can use their abilities the moment they hit the battlefield, and they can store more energy when idle for long periods of time.

Specialist units are units that use energy, such as the Medic, Ghost, and Wraith.
Regenerative Bio-Steel
- Ships and vehicles slowly regenerate life.

Our ship and vehicle hulls are now made from a material called Regenerative Bio-Steel. This material uses internal Nanobots to slowly repair any damage the hull sustains.

While this regeneration process is much slower than conventional SCV repairs, it can be the difference between life and death if no SCVs are available.
Hive Mind Emulator
- Defensive structure.
- Can permanently Mind Control Zerg units.

This emulator can mimic the signals of the now-deceased Overmind and bring individual Zerg units under our permanent control.

Each conversion taxes the battery heavily, though, so a long recharge may be required before the next target can be controlled.
Psi Disrupter
- Defensive structure.
- Slows movement and attack speeds of nearby Zerg.
- Constant effect.

Studies conducted by the United Earth Directorate have shown that concentrated doses of sigma radiation can slow Zerg movement and reaction speeds by as much as 50%.

The Psi Disrupter has been developed to constantly emit sigma rays in a large area of effect, making it an essential base defense when facing a large Zerg force.
Ultra-Capacitors
- Weapon upgrades increase attack speed by 5%.
- Applies to Armory and Engineering Bay.

These self-replenishing Ultra-Capacitors reduce the reload time of all of our weapons and weapons systems.

Now each of the weapon upgrades in the Armory and Engineering Bay increases attack speed by 5% in addition to increasing damage.
Vanadium Plating
- Armor upgrades increase life by 5%.
- Applies to Armory and Engineering Bay.

We have created a new lightweight alloy called vanadium. Vanadium diffuses weapon impacts much more effectively than traditional armor plating, and it better preserves the life of our units.

Now each of the armor upgrades in the Armory and Engineering Bay increases unit life by 5% in addition to increasing armor.
Orbital Depots
- Supply Depots are built instantly.

We can now call down Supply Depots straight from orbit due to our new understanding of Protoss architecture. Key pivot joints have been added to the Supply Depot's structure, allowing the Supply Depot to survive the violent turbulence of breaking through an atmosphere.

Now an SCV simply has to place a Beacon, and the crew on the Hyperion will handle the rest.
Micro-Filtering
- Refineries produce vespene gas 25% faster.
- Also applies to the Automated Refinery.

Combining Terran and Protoss filtering techniques allows our Refineries and Automated Refineries to reclaim a higher amount of vespene gas in its purest form.
Automated Refinery
- Refinery no longer requires SCVs to harvest vespene gas.

We have adapted Protoss warp technology to transport gas canisters straight from the Refinery to the Command Center, eliminating the need for SCVs to carry them back.

Why the Protoss have never thought to transport vespene in this fashion is a mystery. Perhaps they lack Terran creativity and pragmatism, or possibly their primitive superstitions forbid the practice.
Command Center Reactor
- Allows two SCVs to be trained simultaneously.

We now have the ability to train two SCVs simultaneously, allowing our early mineral and vespene production to ramp up twice as quickly.

This breakthrough, made possible by recent insights into Protoss containment fields, should help us get a stronger foothold early in future missions.
Raven
- Detects cloaked and burrowed enemies.
- Can drop Auto-Turrets.
- Can place Point Defense Drones.
- Can deploy Seeker Missiles.
- Built at the Starport.

The Raven is an unmanned surveillance drone that can detect cloaked and burrowed enemy units. The Raven can also serve as a combat engineer by placing Auto-Turrets and Point Defense Drones and firing Seeker Missiles in strategically vital locations.
Science Vessel
- Detects cloaked and burrowed enemies.
- Can Irradiate enemy units.
- Repairs nearby mechanical units.
- Built at the Starport.

We have created a unique version of the Science Vessel that can perform hull repairs on friendly mechanical units. This version of the Science Vessel can also Irradiate individual targets and detect cloaked and burrowed enemy units.
Tech Reactor
- Combines the Tech Lab and the Reactor.

Protoss plasma shields have finally given us the ability to fit the Tech Lab and the Reactor into a single structure add-on.

This new add-on, known as the Tech Reactor, replaces the old Tech Lab and Reactor add-ons and allows us to train two of any unit type simultaneously.
Orbital Strike
- Barracks units now arrive by Drop-Pod.
- Drop-Pod lands at the Barracks' rally point.

We have developed a low-cost Drop-Pod that lets us send our infantry units straight from the Hyperion to the Barracks' rally point.

This technological marvel gives us the ability to reinforce instantly when far from our main base and to surprise the enemy from above.
TECHNOLOGY:
Neosteel Bunker
- Increases the number of Bunker slots by 2.
This Bunker uses a high-density Neosteel frame, leaving more room inside for additional infantry without increasing the overall Bunker footprint. While ordinary Bunkers can hold a maximum of four infantry, Neosteel Bunkers can house up to six infantry in fortified comfort.
Projectile Accelerator
- Bunkered units gain +1 range.

Wolfe Industries has developed a Bunker port that houses a magnetic rail. This device dramatically accelerates all projectiles coming out of the port, increasing the range of all weapons fired from the Bunker.
Dual-Fusion Welders
- SCVs repair twice as fast.

The SCV's ability to get damaged mechanical units back to full life, and even to repair units while they are taking damage, has been a key advantage over the Protoss and the Zerg. The Dual- Fusion Welder allows SCVs to repair at twice the speed, improving their ability to keep damaged units alive in the heat of battle.
Advanced Construction
- Multiple SCVs can build a structure.
- Each additional SCV reduces build time.
- Building cost remains the same.

This revolutionary computer allows multiple SCVs to work on the same structure simultaneously. The onboard assistant is so efficient at coordinating SCV efforts that building costs are unaffected.

This upgrade is vital when trying to get a base up and running quickly, or when trying to rebuild a broken defense.
Fire-Suppression System
- All structures repair themselves to 50% life.
- All structure fires are automatically put out.

This all-in-one safety system automatically dispatches robotic drones to put out any fires and perform basic repairs on damaged structures.

Although these drones are effective at doing basic repairs, they do not have a strong enough AI to perform the more delicate repairs needed to restore a structure past half life.
Orbital Command
- Grants the Scanner Sweep and Calldown: MULE abilities.
- Scanner Sweep: Reveals an area in the fog of war.
- Calldown: MULE: Calls down a temporary robotic miner.

ATVX now manufactures a satellite comlink that can reveal unexplored areas on the map.

This comlink can also call down a MULE. A MULE gathers much faster than an SCV and can produce a major surge in mineral production. Because it is a prototype, the MULE will come apart after a short period of time, but it is still well worth the cost.
Titanium Housing
- Missile Turrets gain +75 life.

Enlightened Dynamics has developed a new Titanium Housing for the Missile Turret. Early adopters have found this housing to be noticeably tougher than the original, allowing Missile Turrets to absorb more punishment before failing.
Hellstorm Batteries
- Missile Turrets gain a second attack.
- Second attack does area damage.

Hellstorm Batteries are an additional weapon set that can be fitted to your Missile Turrets. Each battery fires several small missiles that accompany the standard missile attack and saturate the target area on impact.

Hellstorm Batteries are a great way to welcome swarms of enemy flyers to your base. Don't disappoint!
Stimpacks
- Grants the Stimpack ability.
- Effect: Marine takes 10 damage, fires and moves 50% faster.
- Duration: 15 seconds.

Stimpacks provide a temporary boost to the Marine's attack and movement speeds by dosing him with a mix of adrenaline, endorphins, and aggression enhancers.

This frenzied burst does come at the expense of the Marine's health. Medical treatment is highly advisable after multiple uses.
Combat Shield
- Increases Marine life by 10.
M98 Combat Shields are a vital upgrade for any Marine fighting on the front line. 30mm of bonded carbide may not sound like much, but field tests have shown a full 25% increase in Marine survivability when equipped with Combat Shields.
Stabilizer Medpacks
- Medics heal targets 25% faster.
- Medics use 33% less energy per heal.

The Stabilizer Medpack is a new generation of medical Nanobot that heals targets more efficiently and can be injected at faster rates. Show your Marines that you truly care by outfitting your Medics with Stabilizer Medpacks today!
Advanced Medic Facilities
- Medics no longer require the Tech Lab add-on.

Storing Medpacks has traditionally required the advanced facilities of the Tech Lab. Remedius Medical Systems now offers a storage facility that can be housed in the Barracks itself, eliminating the need for the Tech Lab when training and outfitting Medics.
Incinerator Gauntlets
- Firebats gain a Upgrade,BearclawNozzles,EffectArray[0].Value * 100% larger area attack.

This upgraded Gauntlet channels the flamer's fuel through multiple ports rather than the single port of the previous generation. This results in a much wider flame without any loss of intensity, allowing your Firebats to hold enemies at bay with a literal wall of fire.
Juggernaut Plating
Juggernaut Plating strengthens the Firebat's natural weak spots and thickens the helmet and chest pieces. This upgrade allows Firebats to shrug off the attacks of other infantry units and soak up incredible amounts of damage from small-arms fire.
Kinetic Foam
- Marauders gain +25 life.
Marauder armor can survive crushing impacts, but the same cannot always be said for the soldier inside. To help solve this problem, Wolfe Industries offers a Kinetic Foam undersuit that protects the soldier from the violent impacts the armor takes.

Surely the lives of your Marauders are worth the small investment required to outfit them with Kinetic Foam.
Concussive Shells
- Marauder attack slows all units in target area.

Concussive Shells actually form a gravitational warp when they detonate. This warp not only damages the target, but it also slows the movement speed of all nearby units to a crawl for a short period of time.

Concussive Shells make Marauders a great support unit against melee units, in addition to their traditional role of destroying armored targets.
U-238 Rounds
- Reapers gain +1 range.
- Reapers do an additional +3 damage to light armor.

U-238 Rounds are made from depleted uranium. These rounds are extremely dense (1.67 times the density of lead), so they have increased range and hit lightly armored units much harder.
G-4 Clusterbomb
- Anti-personnel charge with a large blast radius.
- Ejects smaller payloads in a radius for increased damage.

This anti-personnel charge detonates shortly after being thrown. The initial blast ejects a cluster of smaller charges that deal additional damage in a large radius.

Please note that Enlightened Dynamics assumes no liability for deaths due to friendly fire.
Twin-Linked Flamethrower
- Doubles width of the Hellion's flame attack.

ATVX has developed a Twin-Linked version of the Hellion's Flamethrower. This model produces a flame that is twice as wide as the original.

Hellions can now literally douse groups of enemy units in overlapping flames with this upgrade.
Thermite Filaments
This upgrade laces the Hellion's flame with small bits of thermite. These thermite fragments instantly burn through light armor, doing additional damage to the target's vitals.

For a small investment, your Hellions can be the envy of every military organization in the sector.
Ares-Class Targeting System
- Goliaths gain +3 missile range.
- Goliaths gain +1 cannon range.

This advanced Targeting System lets the Goliath's missiles locate and lock on to more distant targets.

The Targeting System also features an AI that can better predict the paths of moving targets, letting the Goliath's Autocannons hit ground targets from a greater distance.
Multi-Lock Weapons System
- Goliaths can fire both weapons simultaneously.

This improved version of the Goliath allows the Missile Launcher and Autocannons to acquire separate targets and fire simultaneously. This upgrade is ideal when facing ground targets with heavy air support.
Tri-Lithium Power Cell
- Diamondbacks gain +1 range.

The Tri-Lithium Power Cell has 40% more capacity and fits in the same slot as the outdated monolithium power cell. This increased power surge allows the Diamondback to accurately fire at more distant targets.
Shaped Hull
- Diamondbacks gain +50 life.

Bellerephon now offers a Diamondback with a hull made from a single piece of shaped titanium. This newer model can absorb more punishment than the traditional Diamondback because the hull has no joints or rivets that can buckle.
Cerberus Mine
- Increases mine blast radius by 33%.
- Increases mine trigger radius by 33%.

This mine was developed by the Kel-Morian Combine during its siege of New Austin. The increased trigger, pursuit, and blast radiuses were critical to terrorizing the civilian population and protecting Supply Depots from looters.
Replenishable Magazine
- Allows Vultures to replenish mines in the field.
- Mine cost: 15 minerals.

Enlightened Dynamics has developed a microfabricator that lets Vultures create new mines out in the field. This microfabricator uses a small number of mineral crystals each time a mine is created, but this minor hassle is a welcome change from the old system of "three and done."
Maelstrom Rounds
- Siege Tanks do +40 damage to primary target.
- Splash damage remains the same.

Maelstrom Rounds have an armor-piercing tip that inflicts devastating damage on the primary target. Splash damage is identical to the standard round.

If Siege Tanks struck fear into the hearts of our enemies before, they will inspire abject terror when firing the Maelstrom Round.
Shaped Blast
- Shock Cannon does 75% less damage to friendly units.

LarsCorp has developed a "smart shell" for the Siege Tank that scans for allies on impact and adjusts its detonation to minimize damage to friendly units.

Field tests have shown that this shell reduces friendly fire fatalities by 75%, though due caution is still recommended when walking into a fire zone.
Rapid Deployment Tube
- Medivacs deploy loaded troops almost instantly.

Dropping troops onto a hostile battlefield is always dangerous, but a slow drop can be lethal. Bellerephon has made this problem a thing of the past by developing a new gravity tube that can deploy the Medivac's contents almost instantly.
Advanced Healing AI
- Medivacs can heal two targets at once.

This new Healing AI enables the Medivac to acquire and heal two targets simultaneously, allowing the Medivac to expend more of its energy keeping troops alive and in fighting condition.

Never again will you be saddened by the sight of a squad of dead Marines and a live Medivac with half of its energy reserves.
Tomahawk Power Cells
- Wraiths start with +100 energy.

These improved power cells provide the Wraith with a larger up-front energy reserve. This allows newly built Wraiths to instantly engage in missions with heavy cloaking requirements, rather than having to wait for the Reactor to build up a sufficient charge.
Displacement Field
- Detected Wraiths evade 20% of incoming attacks while cloaked.
ATVX has developed an improved Cloaking Field that can radically alter the course of incoming projectiles. Field tests have shown that roughly 20% of incoming hits will miss a detected Wraith entirely if cloaking is still engaged.
Phobos-Class Weapons System
- Vikings gain +2 missile range.
- Vikings gain +1 cannon range.

Bellerephon offers an improved loadout for the Viking that adds a longer-range anti-air missile. An improved Gatling Cannon has also been added for increased range in ground assaults.
Ripwave Missiles
- Viking missiles do area damage.

Ripwave Missiles are anti-matter warheads that can damage multiple air targets with deadly bursts of sub-atomic shrapnel.

The long-term environmental impact is still being assessed, but Enlightened Dynamics would like to remind its valued clients that it offers a whole suite of environmental decontamination services.
Cross-Spectrum Dampeners
- Banshees can remain cloaked for twice as long.

Wolfe Industries offers a new model of Banshee that embeds light-dampening materials into the hull. This new hull material requires far less energy to conceal and makes it much easier for the Banshee to maintain cloak once initiated.
Shockwave Missile Battery
- Banshee attack fires multiple missiles in a line.

The Shockwave Missile Battery fires multiple missiles in a straight line with each shot, allowing the Banshee to hit multiple ground targets. This upgrade is essential when fighting ground targets that are packed close together.
Missile Pods
- Grants the Missile Pods ability.
- Effect: Does area damage to air targets.

Laser Batteries are fearsome weapons across wide stretches of space, but they leave a Battlecruiser vulnerable to small Interceptors. The ATVX Missile Pod can shore up this weakness by instantly bombarding an area with a massive barrage of anti-air missiles.
Defensive Matrix
- Grants the Defensive Matrix ability.
- Effect: Absorbs 200 damage before failing.

The Defensive Matrix is a temporary deflection field that helped save countless assets from a premature death during the original Brood War. Now the minds at LarsCorp have adapted this technological marvel to protect the massive hull of the Minotaur-class Battlecruiser.
Ocular Implants
- Ghosts gain +2 range.
- Ghosts gain +3 sight radius.

Ocular Implants increase the Ghost's sight radius, making it easier to spot potential targets and weak points in the enemy perimeter.

The current generation also includes an automated targeting system that instantly calculates atmospheric pressure and wind shear, greatly increasing the effective sniping range of the Ghost.
Crius Suit
- Cloak no longer requires energy.

This combat suit has a psi-augmenter dedicated to maintaining cloak. This allows the Ghost to maintain his Cloaking Field indefinitely and frees up psionic energy for other uses.
Psionic Lash
- Grants the Psionic Lash ability.
- Effect: Does 200 damage to target unit.

With proper training, Spectres can unleash a concentrated blast of psionic fury at a single target. This blast drains the Spectre's energy reserve, but it will kill most targets outright.

For obvious reasons, Remedius Medical Systems recommends limiting this training to Spectres who have an exceptionally high opinion of their superior officers.
Nyx-Class Cloaking Module
- Cloak no longer requires energy.

This combat suit comes with a psi enhancer dedicated entirely to maintaining cloak. This allows the Spectre to effortlessly maintain a Cloaking Field and channel his psionic energies elsewhere.
330mm Barrage Cannon
- Improved bombardment cannon.
- Effect: Deals massive area damage; stuns central targets.

The 330mm Barrage Cannon is the final word in siege-walker technology. This massive battery of dorsal cannons can lay down a sustained barrage that will pulverize most defenses and annihilate all ground targets in the target area.
Immortality Protocol
- Grants the Immortality Protocol ability.
- Effect: Destroyed Thors can be reactivated in the field.

ATVX now offers an updated Thor model that can repair itself to full working condition if the hull remains intact. This repair process is a fraction of the cost of building a new Thor, and it allows you to quickly reactivate a Thor that is destroyed in the field.

Research Dialogue

Starcraft 2: Research Dialogue said:
Zerg Evolution Project
Stetmann
Zerg evolve very rapidly, but if I could just examine some of their chrysalises, I know I can find a weakness.
---
Stetmann
Well I have completed the research on exo-dermal plating, thank you very much. I've suggested some adjustments to Swann that'll make our flame weapons much more effective against zerg flesh!
Zerg Mutation Project
Stetmann
I've heard reports of hyper-rare mutant strains within the zerg gene pool. Studying some of those would be highly informative.
---
Stetmann
Whoa. Those hunter-killer hydralisks were just fascinating! I've developed a new pathogen that can be delivered via high velocity gauss rounds. This will make our marines' ammunition particularly effective against biological targets!
Zerg Biology Project
Stetmann
We're really close to understanding zerg biology on a whole new level! I know it'll be tricky, but some samples from zerg queens would give me the last few genetic components I need.
---
Stetmann
Well well well, ladies and gentlemen I've cracked it! The queens' dissection provided some real insight into the zerg's biology. On a practical level, I've advised Swann about fine tuning of our siege tank ammunition to cause maximum damage!
Protoss Shields Project
Stetmann
The protoss have some incredible technology! I can unlock some of their secrets if we can find enough protoss relics for me to study.
---
Stetmann
Ah those protoss relics are amazing. I've figured out a way to generate resonant kinetic fields that'll reinforce our vehicles' armor. Huh? Yeah!
Protoss Energy Project
Stetmann
The protoss excel at energy manipulation. As I understand it, Arcthium gems are key to their technology. If we secure some of those I'm sure we can make a breakthrough.
---
Stetmann
Ha! I was right about those Arcthium gems! Even using tiny slivers of them to boost our reactors' output increases energy regeneration by twenty five percent!
Project Ihan
Stetmann
The memories in that Ihan crystal are ideal for learning about the Dark Templar's battle strategies. Once you've studied it, we'll be able correlate the lessons learned and apply them to our troops!
---
Stetmann
Huh. Ahh, well the Dark Templar have developed some highly unusual tactics. We can't mimic their kind of fluid combat style exactly but the improved coordination we've learned will net us an increase in firepower for all of our units.

Anything else I should put into this post?

Starspawn10 · Jul 31, 2012

Wow that's an incredible amount of quotes at once ! Thanks !

I suggest splitting future posts like that into shorter ones ( e.g the research logs and tech upgrades in separate posts ) ... so that we can do more "precise" indexing XD

Shadow Archon said:
@Starspawn10 - Could you link the Starcraft II short stories and planet pages? If we need to pick out quotes for quantification, we can do it later, but it would be nice to have the links to the SC2 online site up in the main post.

done ...
I'll look for some stuff from SCLegacy too.

Shadow Archon · Jul 31, 2012

AU Range Quote

Liberty's Crusade/Twilight said:
“Zed-Two, Quadrant Five, one AU out. Numerous anomalies.”

“Bearing?”

“Working.” A pause, and then a defeated shrug crept into the tech’s words. “Heading for Mar Sara, sir.”

Duke nodded. “Prepare to intercept anomalous readings. Launch fighters when in range.”

Mike spoke before he thought, “Are you crazy?”

Duke turned back to the reporter. “That was a rhetorical question, I hope, son.”

“We’re one ship.”

“We’re the only ship between them and Mar Sara. We will intercept.”

Mike almost said, “Easy for you, you’re in a hard-shelled battlesuit,” but caught himself. Whatever could go through a planetary crust wouldn’t be stopped by a few layers of combat armor.

Instead Mike took a deep breath and just gripped the railing, as if he were hoping that this might ease the eventual blow.

“Approaching visual,” said the tech. “Putting on screen.”

The main screen flickered to reveal a scattering of fireflies against the night sky. They looked almost pretty against the darkness. Then Mike realized that there were hundreds of them, and that these were only the main ships. Smaller gnats danced around them.

“Are we within launching range for the Wraiths?” the colonel asked.

“Mark at two minutes,” replied the tech.

“Launch as soon as possible.”
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Tassadar gave the order to move to the sister of the one planet he had just destroyed.
................................
"Executor, we are detecting terran vessels."

"I am not surprised, after what we have just done. Display"

The crystal hummed and an image appeared before them. "Vessel is identified as Norad II, Colonel Edmund Duke in command. It is a Behemoth-class ship.....

..............................

"Executor?" queried the pilot. "Shall I destroy the terran ship?"

Jake watched both her friend and the vessel. It was moving quickly to intercept. No doubt it would begin attacking them as soon it was within range.
...........................
"Sir? They are almost within range."

Tassadar's next words stunned everyone. "Deploy the sub warp field and give the order to retreat."

Terran ships can cross an AU distance very fast, or they have weapons that allow them to fire some distance in. The Protoss ship has weapons that can fire within this distance as well. The entire encounter happened in minutes, so nothing concrete, but just something to look at.

Shadow Archon · Jul 31, 2012

Protoss Carrier Shield Durability

Twilight said:
Jake closed her glowing eyes and hung on desperately with her four-fingered hands. It was something she never expected--an attack by her own people ....... or by beings from another race who had commandeered Protoss vessels. She didn't know which; none of the ships had responded to hails. They had only come out of nowhere, encircled the carrier, and with no explanation, opened fire.

The Xa'lor lurched an shuddered, evidence of the severity of the attack it was trying to withstand. Despite everything the skilled pilots could do, the valuable passenger was thrown to the metal plating of the ship. before she could reach up to grasp the railing and pull herself to her feet, hands were there to assist here. She accepted the help with no arrogance, merely as something that was her due. She was a preserver, and she more than anyone or anything else on this ship had to be protected at all costs. Jake felt blood trickle from a cut on her head, right below the jeweled band that held back her nerve cords. She felt the concern of the crew wash over her in a warm wave, tinged with their own fears and the cold set of their determination.

Executor Amur's mind brushed Jake's. "Zamara, I can only think that this inexplicable attack has something to do with the knowledge you harbor."
Jake nodded, grieved but stoic; she agreed. It was the only possible explanation."We are outnumbered by our own ships," he continued. "I doubt there will be an escape for us. But you must survive. What you carry must endure. You know where the escape pods are; go there."

Jake felt the deep pin of sympathy wash through her as the words entered her mind. But she also knew that the executor was right. She, the individual named Zamara, was no more important than any other protoss aboard this vessel, but what she carried could not be permitted to die with her. It was ancient, it was secret, and it had to survive. It would be noble to die with her companions on this ship. It would be a good death--but she did not have that luxury. She would have to live.....live long enough at the very least to transfer her precious burden to another. She had fled from similar encounters before; at least, she remembered doing so.

Jake sent back an affirmative, laced with subtle nuances of care, concern, and grief. Then she fully realized what he had said.
"Escape pods? Surely I would be safer in a shuttle."
"The shuttles are much more heavily armored, that is true, but they are also larger and will attract more notice."

"Yes.........I understand. En taro Tassadar, Amur."
The executor returned the blessing and war cry in one, then she felt his attentions shift. It would soon be time.

Jake hastened down the corridor, her gossamer fine lavender and white robes that marked her revered status as preserver billowing around her She had no armor, no weapons; she was not expected to defend herself. There was now and always had been a line a hundred deep of those who would die for what she carried. And soon, those aboard the Xa'lor would die. But she would be alone.

I must stay alive! she thought fiercely as she reached the escape pod and eased herself into it, Her long fingers moved over the controls quickly and calmly, the absolute necessity of her survival overriding her instinctive urge to panic.
Soon now.......be ready, Amur thought to her.

There was more, but it was not in words, but in images. Jake sensed the activity throughout the vessel. In other bays, the fighters would be soaring into space like golden, glowing insects, darting about quickly and powerfully. The Xa'lor itself, of course, was massively armored, but Jake had had no illusions that a single carrier would be the victor.

Jake knew what the executor was going to do, knew that the timing of the desperate attempt was crucial. She let her gaze go soft, the better to focus her powerful brain, to open her thoughts. Amur was going to let the attackers destroy them, and Jake was to depart mere seconds before the ship exploded. There would be scattered debris littering the are, and the enemy--fellow protoss, the enemy? The thought was agony--- would have their hands full for a few precious moments attempting to locate her.

In those few seconds, with luck, Jake could make good her escape.

She waited for the instant when she would depart, and it came.
Now!

Jake thought with a stab of pain that Amur's thoughts had never been so focused, so pure, in all the time she had known him.
With clarity and calmness that would have surprised her had she not been so secure in the serene confidence that what she was doing was necessary, Jake hit the controls. The little pod was propelled into space.

The pod, small but as beautiful and graceful and golden as any other protoss vessel----the Khalai were proud of their handiwork and made everything aesthetically pleasing as well as highly functional-- began moving swiftly froward. It had company; to cause further distraction, all of the escape pods had been launched.
.
A few seconds later, Jake's mind cried out and her hands flew to cover her glowing eyes as she felt the deaths of her crew mates, her colleagues, her friends. Their pain made her dizzy and ill. So many lifetimes of memories bombarding her was almost too much to handle. She summoned her will and with an effort got her thoughts under control. She chose not to look at the devastation behind her. She did not need to see it to know.......

A group of enemy Protoss vessels have opened fire on this Carrier. It's shields hold out for awhile, and than it is destroyed. Protoss weapons normally are in the teraton range, so that's something.

Shadow Archon · Aug 1, 2012

Terran Nuke Resistant Structure Quotes

Starcraft Ghost said:
"Mal's boots crunched as he walked. He double-checked his computer, and was reminded that the Terra Skyscraper's roof was usually covered by a steel-glass dome--which meant the telekinetic attack destroyed the dome, something that was only physically possible with a nuclear weapon. Mentally possible, though--that covers a much bigger range."

So, certain Starcraft civilian structures can still stand after experiencing a nuclear like explosion near the top.

Starcraft 2 said:
Raynor
Any suggestions?

Warfield
Intel shows eighty percent of the zerg fliers nest on an infested platform hanging in low orbit. We take that down, we'll own the air.

Tychus
Hell, if this platform's so important, why not just nuke it?

Warfield
The nests are burrowed deep into the superstructure. Surface detonations won't do it. We'd need to land a strikeforce on the platform and take it apart piece by piece. It's your call, Raynor.

Nukes can't outright destroy a Space Platform. Funny, considering that space platforms are made out of the same material that Battlecruisers are (NeoSteel), yet, Battlecruisers still get destroyed rather easily in comparison.

Retribution said:
Jason Archimedes It's important that this planet stay under human control until we've located the Argus Stone and extracted its secrets. While I continue my research, you will need to shore up the Aridian defenses.
The Protoss have been using a space station as a staging ground for their attacks. The Aridians have been bombarding the station with nuclear weapons from the ground, but the Protoss continue to rebuild.
You will be provided with enough supplies and technology to finish off the Protoss survivors. Be careful, Commander, as this is a very large installation. While Intelligence indicates that some parts of the station may be undefended and without power, there is still a large amount of active Protoss opposition!

Nukes from the surface (probably tactical nukes) in volleys against this space platform do not destroy it.

Shadow Archon · Aug 1, 2012

Terran Farming Implements

Just for anyone saying pitchforks can kill Zerglings.

Shadow Archon · Aug 1, 2012

Terran Commando Rifle HEV Round scaling:

Le larger image:

Shadow Archon · Aug 1, 2012

Terran C-14 Gauss Rifle Ejected Casing Scaling

Scaling for the finger.

Scaling for the Casing:

Direct size on Casing in the Cinematic:

Hard to see, but it definitely is CAL and not KAL.

Gives you a high end and a low end.

Starspawn10 · Aug 2, 2012

Mutalisk corrosive blood:

Ch18 of Starcraft: Speed of Darkness said:
His pursuer fell to the floor, the impact almost immediately dissolving the plates beneath him. A gaping, smoking hole was all that was left of the place where the creature fell as it burned down through the deck. By the sounds coming from the fissure, it was still burning its way down through several decks of the Command Center.
...
Littlefield's weapon continued to fire. Ardo thought surely the flesh from his hand had been eaten away by now. Perhaps only the melting armor of the suit kept the gun firing. The Mutalisk stopped struggling as the pool of acid formed beneath them.
The floor plates groaned once more, and Sargeant Littlefield with his defeated foe vanished from view.
...
Desperately, Marz throttled open the engines and the unsuspecting Mutalisks were sucked into the intakes. The acid flowed into the engines, separating turbine blades from high speed shafts. In moments, the Dropship began tearing itself apart.
Marz managed to get his Vixen only a hundred yards to the west before it exploded, sending shards raining down throughout Scenic Outpost.

Even dead mutalisks can cause serious damage.
...

Shadow Archon said:
So, certain Starcraft civilian structures can still stand after experiencing a nuclear like explosion near the top.

To be fair, a nuclear weapon likely has a bigger AoE than Nova's TK blast, even if their effectiveness against a steel-glass dome are the same.
So if a nuclear weapon had been used, probably the whole of the building would be destroyed, not just the dome.

Nukes can't outright destroy a Space Platform. Funny, considering that space platforms are made out of the same material that Battlecruisers are (NeoSteel), yet, Battlecruisers still get destroyed rather easily in comparison.

Do we actually know how big that space platform is and what it's made of ?
I wouldn't be surprised if Zerg infestation made it stronger as well.

Shadow Archon · Aug 2, 2012

Starspawn10 said:
To be fair, a nuclear weapon likely has a bigger AoE than Nova's TK blast, even if their effectiveness against a steel-glass dome are the same.

Depends on the size of the building, some skyscrapers in Starcraft can reach up over a KM in height IIRC. I know there was a TK blast and TP mind killing blast that killed over three hundred people.

So if a nuclear weapon had been used, probably the whole of the building would be destroyed, not just the dome.

Fair point.

Do we actually know how big that space platform is and what it's made of ?

No idea on actual size, we see it in some of the art in Starcraft, but that's only part of it. I think its made out of Neosteel. There is no other kind of material like that used by Terrans IIRC.

I wouldn't be surprised if Zerg infestation made it stronger as well.

I don't think so. Creep can be burnt off without using nukes. They pretty much changed their tatic from destroying creep to destroying Creep growing organisms AFAIK.

Starspawn10 · Aug 5, 2012

Terran smart mines

chapter 21 of Speed of Darkness said:
… They’re a combination of hopper and shape-charge mines with heuristic sensor links--

chapter 21 of Speed of Darkness said:
…
“Sensor links. The mines talk to each other on a dedicated, lower-power network and learn from each othe what to look for in an enemy passing over them. The more they detonate, the smarter they get about killing whatever crosses them. They they can modify their own blast pattern to maim more effectively. We’ve had to change their programming a little …”

“Because you don’t want them just to maim,”Merdith finished for him. She turned to gaze out the gun port of the bunker. The hazy line was getting much closer. “You want to kill as many and as quickly as possible.”

“That’s right,” Ardo replied, then leaned even closer to the gun port. “Incredible ! Just listen to that.”
…

…. Ardo followed the trails to their targets: Mutalisks in droves were soaring over the mine perimeter, their numbers nearly blanking out the bright sky beyond. The rockets slammed into them, their bright blossoms burning into the creatures with deadly accuracy. The beasts began falling like a grotesque rain on the perimeter area. A few of them triggered mines of their own when they slammed into the ground, but Ardo noted with grim satisfaction that the mines were already recognizing these new targets as being dead when they landed and were saving themselves for better and more threatening targets.
…

“They’re bringing up the Zerglings!” It was Cutter’s voice. “Guess they’re wanting to keep the big boys for after they’ve cleared the minefield.”

“Setting the mines to discriminate. We’ll let the smaller ones through both perimeters for now and concentrate the mines on the larger targets.”

yep basically mines that respond intelligently to the situation ...

Shadow Archon · Aug 6, 2012

Terran FTL Travel

The Terrans generally have the slowest FTL out of the three races, and we don't have direct info on it, but here are some events that we can get some numbers out of.

First, there are two methods of FTL for the Terrans.

Sub-Warp:

Uprising said:
A voice from the comm announced: "Sir, I'm showing
an unauthorized transmission was made just moments
ago from a remote terminal on the cargo level."
"Nav!" the general blurted.
A voice answered: "Yes, sir."
"Prepare to go to subwarp."
"Preparing for subwarp."
On a monitor near the one in front of the general, one
of the red dots disappeared from the screen.
"Too late," the general whispered to himself.
As Sarah glanced upward at the lookout there came a
bending, a rippling in the field of stars outside. Sarah's
eyes grew wide as the broadside of a massive metallic
craft seemingly appeared out of nowhere, directly in the
Hyperion's path. An alert was sounded.

Warp:

Queen of Blades said:
Two hours later the Hyperion prepared to jump, the rest of Raynor’s rebellious little fleet trailing behind it. Ten people had left before the ships could depart, out of over four hundred. The rest had signed on for the mission and whatever came out of it. Most had been excited jittery, and he knew only part of that was the thought of rescuing fallen comrades. They were all just pleased he had taken decisive action. He was leading, and they were ready to follow. He just hoped they weren’t following to their dooms.

Sitting in the captain’s chair on the Hyperion, Raynor watched as space folded around them, letting the massive ship glide from normal reality and accelerate rapidly toward the ash-covered world of his dreams.
---------------------------------------------------
Yes, they had gotten worse. He was having them more frequently now. Warp travel was exhausting -- something about the body not being designed for moving at that speed and the mind not being able to process the information around it. Because of that he, like the rest of his people, had found himself dozing off several times a day, anywhere for a few minutes to an hour. And each time the dreams had returned when he closed his eyes.
---------------------------------------------------
“I could perform an emergency warp-jump,” Horner explained.

Raynor understood at once. Pilots and navigators planned warp-jumps very carefully, often for hours beforehand. That was because a single mistake could send a ship millions of light-years off course, turn it inside out, or worse. Plus the warp engines usually needed a few hours to warm up. Jumping without preparation or planning was sheer madness.

One is used practically instantly, one takes hours to plot a course. Other differences could be speculated, but they are unknown for now. Moving on.

2229

Starcraft Manual said:
Eventually, the warp-drive engines of the four supercarriers reached critical meltdown. After twenty-eight years of warp travel, the huge ships emerged into real space near the edge of a habitable star system. Some 60,000 light years from the Earth, their engines destroyed and their life-support batteries nearly exhausted, the ships engaged their emergency protocols and plummeted towards the nearest habitable worlds in the system.

At this time period, Terran ships could do 2142.86 light years per year, or 5.9 light years per day give or take a few AUs.

Fast-forward two hundred and seventy-one years into the future, this technology has improved.

2500

Starcraft Brood War said:
TERRAN CAMPAIGN: THE IRON FIST
Since the conflict began in the Koprulu sector, the ruling council of the United Earth Directorate has closely monitored its wayward Terran colonies. Having witnessed the steady advancement of the Zerg infestation and the maneuverings of the Protoss throughout the Colonies, the ruling council has finally agreed to take control over the war-torn sector.
Learning that a new Zerg Overmind has manifested itself upon the planet Char, the UED has sent its greatest Admiral, Gerard DuGalle, to capture the creature. As Captain of the UED fleet under DuGalle, your objective will be to storm the Terran Dominion and depose of its dictator, Emperor Mengsk I.

This means that the UED forces could not have left for the Korpulu sector until after the Overmind was dead on Char from the third campaign in the original Starcraft. Starcraft and Brood War occur in the same year as well.

Brood War said:
"THE BATTLE OF BRAXIS"
Protoss fleet, high orbit over the planet Braxis
Mission Briefing:

Artanis
Executor! Our sensors have just identified a large group of Terran vessels. However, their configuration profile is unlike any Terran group yet encountered. We are receiving a transmission from the fleet's command ship, identifying itself as the Aleksander.

Alexei Stukov
Protoss Commander, I am Admiral Alexei Stukov of the United Earth Directorate. We are here to take control of the Terran Dominion and all of its outlying colonies. You are in direct violation of Terran space and have openly attacked Terran troops. Lower your shields and power down your weapons systems. The UED will be taking custody of your ships and whatever spoils you have garnered from this planet.

Zeratul
United Earth Directorate? Raynor spoke of the distant Terran homeworld called Earth. These humans have come a long way to make war on us.

Artanis
Have faith, Zeratul! You almost sound as if you fear these humans. What are they to such as we? Was it not we who defeated the dreaded Overmind?

Zeratul
Yes, Artanis. We did vanquish the Overmind. But we did so with the help of humans. Do not be so quick to underestimate them.

Artanis
Of course. Executor, I shall test the mettle of these humans by scouting ahead of your ships, and finding a way through this blockade!
En Taro Tassadar!

The UED, at least, arrived in the Korpulu Sector before the end of the Protoss Campaign. Since they appear in mission five, they arrive half way in this campaign. Since the campaigns take place in linear order and all six of them occur in a single year, we can get a rough scaling.

Assuming that each campaign takes place in two months time, that means that UED forces at the lowest end had a month of travel time.

At this point of time, the UED could travel 720,000 light years per year, or 1972.6 light years per day give or take a few AUs. This is assuming each campaign has equal time however.

Going by the timeline the Starcraft wiki gives however, the numbers are quite different.

Starcraft wiki said:
June

June 4: Now under the Terran Dominion, Maltair IV is invaded by the zerg.[24]

June 7: Tensions run high in light of Colin Phash's psychic abilities. The zerg renew their assault. In the end, Colin and his father, Corbin are the only survivors.[24]

June 8: Colin and Corbin reunite.[24]

Late

Tassadar and his followers make landfall on Aiur, greeted by a rejuvenated Fenix. The Conclave is less welcoming however, and battle begins between those who follow Tassadar and those who follow the Conclave's will. Eventually, Tassadar gives himself up to the Conclave in order to avoid further bloodshed.[25] In the aftermath, Zeratul and his Dark Templar dissapear.[26][note 5]

With the aid of Jim Raynor, Tassadar's followers rescue him from the Conclave. In the aftermath, Zeratul reveals himself, telling the protoss of the zerg's motives.[26]

The protoss launch an assault on the zerg hive clusters, Zeratul assassinating a pair of Cerebrates. The way to the Overmind is laid bare.[27]

In one last battle, Tassadar, Raynor, Zeratul and those who follow them throw everything they have at the Overmind and its forces. Through Tassadar's final sacrifice, the Overmind is slain. The Great War ends, the survivors being left to ponder the cost.[28]

On Char, Kerrigan senses the destruction of the Overmind. She begins plans for her ascension.[28]

July

The Battle of Bhekar Ro occurs/ends.[29][note 6]

Not long after these events, and indeed the fall of the Overmind, the Brood War begins.[30][29]

August

By this stage, Nova has progressed further in the Ghost Program in six months than most others have in a year.[2]

Wrangler Malcolm Kelerchian is assigned to bring in a telepath by Arcturus Mengsk, hoping that he turns up dead in the process. On the eve of his departure, Kelerchian and Nova give their final farewells.[2]

A drop pod seeds Shi with a zerg drone,[1] courtesy of Arcturus Mengsk wishing to eradicate the Old Families.[31] A colony is established on the planet.[1]

September

The zerg come into contact with the terrans on Shi, resulting in casualties for the latter species.[1]

General Edmund Duke and the remnants of Alpha Squadron are retrieved from Bhekar Ro.[32]

An alliance between the UED Expeditionary Fleet and the Confederate Resistance Forces led by Samir Duran, defeats the Dominion city of Boralis, Braxis.[33] Before the rest of the Dominion becomes aware of the battle, tac-teams decrypt the computer codes, giving the UED and Confederates access to Mengsk's information,[34] such as his schedule. A Confederate team led by Captain Angelina Emillian tries to kill Arcturus Mengsk, who is in a vulnerable position on Umoja at the time.[35][note 7]

Within a few days, the Dominion Armada reacts to the attacks by battling the UED Fleet at Dylar IV. However, they are defeated.[34]

October

Early: The Brood War ends,[36] Kerrigan having gained complete dominion over the zerg. Despite this, she is unable to shake the feeling that another threat lurks beyond her sight. Regardless, she begins preparing for the trials yet to come.[37]

Arcturus Mengsk returns to Korhal to begin reconstruction of the Terran Dominion.[37]

Jim Raynor, Zeratul and Artanis return to Shakuras. Artanis begins the process of rebuilding protoss civilization.[38]

The terrans on Shi counterattack. However, the zerg prove too numerous and only the Old Family children remain. They begin rigging BDE drills as weapons.[1]

This suggests that Brood War happens in four months as opposed to the previously speculated six. It also suggests that the intro trailer of the Brood War happens before the Protoss Campaign, as such, this shortens the amount of travel time under one month.

Assuming half of a month for a low end, the UED has FTL capable of 1,440,000 light years per year or 3945.2 light years per day.

Fast forward four years and we have one other account of FTL that could be calculated.

2504

During the Escape from Mar Sara cinematic, we see the Hyperion jump from Mar Sara to another solar system. We know this because Mar Sara's sun is behind the Hyperion, and it jumps away in the opposite direction.

It takes nearly twelve seconds from "spinning" drives two & six. The vessel enters the rift at 0:44 and exits it at 0:48. While we see it jump out, we do not know which star it was jumping from in that shot. For a low end assuming a distance of 4.2421 light years, roughly the distance between Sol and Alpha Centauri, which is the closest solar system to earth at the moment, you get 1.060525 light years per second, or 91,629.36 light years per day, or 33,444,716.4 light years per year.

EDIT:

2505/2506
The Raynor's Raider's/Umojan Fleet in Heart of the Swarm jump from the Umoja Protectorate, decidedly in the Koprulu Sector, to Phaeton, "a considerable distance from the centers of protoss and terran civilization." Assuming the local time of the research station and shipboard time on the Hyperion is still the same (because the people were at that station for a considerable amount of time and had adjusted to it, it seems), the time frame for this journey is somewhere between 06:38[1] and 06:58[2], and the entire second level took place between this time.

This reinforces they have quick FTL, but the size of the Korpulu Sector is unknown besides that the distance is at least more than ~dozens solar systems away in each direction given the amount of solar systems with planets, not to mention the habitable ones.

So, let's assume for a low-end a distance of twelve light years. This is because the nearest solar system with a planet from earth is within that range (11.51 light years to be more exact). The cinematic begins at 6:38, but two minutes pass from that declaration to the end of the cinematic.

So, that's 6:40 beginning the mission.

During the mission, a tram ride happens, one that the player can not speed up. This covers about three minutes and fifty-one seconds.

So, that bumps the time up to 6:43:51.

Then, there's the in-game cinematics.

In order, they last: Twenty seconds, Sixteen seconds, Nine seconds, Seventeen seconds, Sixteen seconds, thirty-three seconds, one minute; thirty one seconds.

That's about three minutes and thirty six seconds.

Which bumps up the time to 6:47:27.

Then you have the conversations (not counting the five minute delay Easter egg or the Archangel during his battle, and assuming you release the Zerglings and not the gas and the tram scene for obvious reasons) that happen during gameplay.

They take up, in order, three seconds, five seconds, two seconds, three seconds, five seconds, eleven seconds, seven seconds, two seconds, three seconds, five seconds, five seconds, nine seconds, twenty-four seconds, one second, six seconds, eight seconds, one second, three seconds, four seconds, five seconds, four seconds, six seconds, three seconds, eight seconds, four seconds, seven seconds, and three seconds.

That's about two minutes and twenty seven seconds.

Which bumps up the time to 6:49:54 seconds.

Which means, for sake of rounding and the time that took place under gameplay that can't be measured, the ships don't leave until about 6:50.

Which means the travel time was about eight minutes (480 seconds) for the low end distance of twelve light years. This means they are going at .025 light years per second. That's 2,160 light years per day, or 788,400 light years per year.

So, this example is 788,400c going by the low-end.

Shadow Archon · Aug 6, 2012

Zerg FTL Travel

The Zerg, while not having any FTL numbers like the Terrans, do have some cases of it popping up, and generally, it is suggested that the Zerg can manipulate Warp Space better than the Terrans. They did chase down the remainder of the UED fleet at the end of Brood War, so that could mean they are faster.

Queen of Blades said:
As the cerebrate swelled with pride, a great darkness descended upon the crater, a shadow of the mass that drifted into view high above them. Beyond the upper reaches of the planet’s dying atmosphere hung a massive storm, a swirl of orange and violet gases that spun around strange flickering lights. They moved faster and faster, the colors merging in their fury, until the center of the storm collapsed in upon itself, light and color giving way to a shadowy circle far darker then even the space hovering beyond.

“Now you have grown strong enough to bear the rigors of warp travel with the Swarm,” the Overmind stated, its words sending a thrum of power through the Swarm. “Thus we shall make our exit from this blasted world and secure the Chrysalis within the Hive Cluster upon the planet char.”

This description fits nicely with video.

They can pull troops off of a planet with FTL, and do not have to use Behemoths or Leviathans to land to ferry them.

Speed of Darkness said:
"I can't see them...just balls of fire coming down through the atmosphere." "What kind of entry would cause that, Ardo?" Ardo blinked. "What do you mean?" "What would cause the Zerg to make big fireballs and smoke contrails in the sky like that?" Meredith pressed. Her eyes were locked on his as she spoke. "High speed, I guess. A lot of heat builds up on atmospheric entry, I suppose," Ardo replied. "But have you ever heard of the Zerg entering a planetary atmosphere that way?" Meredith asked softly. "They swarm across space. Their arrival is soft and silent."

Ardo was remebering an attack on his colony. While he remembers the Zerg, in actuality, it was the Confederates. It is suggested that the Zerg can enter an atmosphere without causing fireballs. I don't if there are materials that can completely cut out a friction burn from forming a fireball in atmospheric entry, but it might be that. Or it could be that they can enter the atmosphere with their FTL. They can pick off ground troops from a planet with FTL, and Behemoths are never mentioned in Speed of Darkness, so I'm not sure.

Of course, there is also the main video from the game.

It should also be noted that Void styled travel exists and is seperate from normal Warp Space travel. The Overmind and the Dark Templar use Void energies in their psionic powers/technology. We know that the Dark Templar use Void style FTL, which may be the same kind of FTL used by the Zerg. It is completely used through Psionic powers of the Zerg. Leviathans and Behemoths might be able to travel like this by themselves, but members of the hivemind can also create rifts through Warp Space. (Cerebrates, Overmind, Kerrigan, Queens, etc.)

Starcraft said:
Tassadar and the Dark Templar Zeratul survived Kerrigan's vicious attacks, but their Templar armies have been decimated. Kerrigan, left behind to hunt down and eradicate the remaining Protoss warriors, begins to scour the burning wastelands of Char for her elusive prey.
Meanwhile, the entirety of the extended Zerg Swarm teleported through space-time and began its long awaited invasion of the hated Protoss Homeworld of Aiur.

While we don't know how fast Zerg FTL is, they managed to go from Char to Auir in a relatively short time.

Shadow Archon · Aug 6, 2012

Protoss FTL Travel

The Protoss are by far the best at FTL travel out of all of the three races.

Starcraft Manual said:
Probes are robotic drones that service the Nexus and
gather the numerous resources needed to power Protoss
technologies. Probes also manufacture and plant the
micro-beacons that anchor the teleport matrices of
Protoss structures. These beacons allow the Protoss to
warp in prefabricated buildings from their Homeworld.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Shuttles serve as the primary transport
vehicle for Protoss ground troops, but
recently the Protoss have found that the
ability to rapidly bring more fighting forces
to war zones is invaluable. The Recall ability
creates a tear in the fabric of space-time,
and any friendly units that enter the swirling
vortex will instantaneously appear next to
the Arbiter that initiated the effect.
----------------------------------------------------------
Gateway
The swirling rift at the centre of the massive Gateway is where
the highly trained Protoss ground troops can be warped in from
their Homeworld of Aiur.
----------------------------------------------------------
Stargate
The mighty warships of the Protoss fleet require a much stronger warp
link than the Gateway provides. The immense Stargate is capable of calling
ships from high orbit around Aiur to distant planet surfaces.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Fleet Beacon
Easily recognised, the Fleet Beacon is built around a huge sphere
painstakingly carved from the largest and purest of Khaydarin crystals.
The Beacon focuses Psi through this sphere to strengthen and magnify
the warp rift created by the Stargate, allowing it to teleport the largest of
the Protoss warships.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Arbiter Tribunal
The mighty Arbiter warships, surrounded as they are in a permanent
distortion field, are extremely difficult to safely teleport. The Tribunal
serves as a warp anchor of sorts, strengthening local space-time so that
the Arbiters may be brought through the Stargates.

They can teleport buildings, troops, ships, vehicles, and pratically everything from their army onto enemy worlds. Part of their forces can be built from factories warped in.

Brood War said:
Infested Duran
My Queen, with the Overmind and its cerebrates destroyed, all of the Zerg in this sector have reverted to your direct control. The remnants of the UED fleet have fled the planet, but I have no idea how many functional ships they still possess.
We have finished relocating your primary hive clusters to this orbital platform. However, we do have a problem. Somehow, Zeratul and his brethren were able to bypass our defenses and steal their Matriarch away from us.
Infested Kerrigan
Damn Zeratul! He is a formidable adversary. Where have they run to, Duran?
Infested Duran
Our scouts report that they have regrouped with a number of Protoss survivors on the surface of Char. The Matriarch is being held within a stasis cell, leading me to suspect that the Protoss will attempt to take her home to Shakuras.
Infested Kerrigan
Heh. They still believe that she can be saved from my influence... Zeratul will be very disappointed to learn that Raszagal is beyond redemption. How much time before their fleet is ready to debark for Shakuras?
Infested Duran
They will be capable of dimensional recall within thirty minutes, my Queen.
Infested Kerrigan
That may be all the time we need. Cerebrate, mobilize all of my broods and send them to the surface of Char. I want you to bring both the Matriarch and Zeratul to me alive. Terminate the remaining Protoss with extreme prejudice.

They can recall bases and armies from enemy occupied planets to their worlds within thirty minutes.

DUGALLE
Hah! The man who crowns himself 'Emperor' speaks to me of daring? You have far outlived your reputation 'citizen' Mengsk. Captain, prepare to take the Emperor into custody.
RAYNOR
You'll have to postpone those plans, gentlemen.
ADJUTANT
Sir, the Rebel Command Ship, Hyperion, has just entered our sensor range. It is accompanied by a small Protoss Fleet.
DUGALLE
What? Who are these intruders!
MENGSK
Jim Raynor... What the hell are you doing here?!
RAYNOR
I'm pullin' your ass out've the fire, Arcturus. So shut up and sit tight. Make no mistake about it; we've got us a serious score to settle, but right now a mutual acquaintance of ours wants you alive. Prepare your ships for dimensional Recall.
DUGALLE
This is intolerable! They're escaping right out from under us! Track them! Track them!

Smaller forces can be recalled instantly.

Entire fleets including fighters can FTL jump right into a planet's atmosphere.

Liberty's Crusade said:
Then, as Mike watched, one of the great carriers seemed to dissolve. There was a flash of light, a soft glowing, and then it was gone. Another moment, and another flash, and anohter disappearance. "Sir," said the technician. "Anomalous readings disappearing." "Cloaking technology?" asked the colonel. Despite himself, Mike said, "At this scale?" "Working." A huge pause, as deep as a canyon. "Negative. It appears that they are surrounding themselves with some form of subwarp field. They are retreating." As Mike watched, more of the ships began to flash and vanish. The great carriers and their brood of smaller ships, the lesser golden vessels, all vanished like fey spirits with the coming of dawn.

They can also retreat in a similar fashion. Apparently, unlike Terrans who accelerate quickly into a warp rift, this ships just are enveloped in the warp rift and fade out. You can prevent Terrans from warping out by physically blocking the front of the ship, but you seemingly can't do that to the Protoss.

Warp Prisms can warp in troops from other planets instantly.

Protoss Shuttles are capable of FTL as well. Uknown if that is FTL in the panel or if it is the shield from the shockwave.

Shadow of the Xel'naga said:
She let her ship drift, allowing the currents of the Void to carry it wherver the vagaries of gravity and solar wind and space might direct it.

Dark Templar ships however use the Void for FTL instead of Warp Space.

Shadow Archon · Aug 6, 2012

Zerg Leviathan Size

They are big chaps. While we don't know the size of a Mother ship for comparison, Carriers are generally calced at being a kilometer long, and Motherships are larger. While not big compared to other sci-fi ships, this is the biggest capital ship in Starcraft at the moment (not counting Xel'naga Worldships, because, well Worldships).

Another picture just to look at. While they are huge, Motherships are still superior.

Mothership said:
Juras and Martul stood in the med-bay. The Moratun now led a fleet of motherships through the blackness. The ships had skeleton crews: the original zealots he’d rescued, augmented by a few survivors from Aiur and a few more out-world garrisons they’d found.

They were occasionally intercepted by zerg leviathans, but the fleet made short work of them.

Terrans have to match them with superior numbers, however.

Wings of Liberty said:
Adjutant
Warning. Unidentified zerg organism detected inbound. Largest on record.

Raynor
Damn, that's all we need! We better take that thing down or it's gonna cause some havoc!

They are different from Behemoths, which just act as transports. We will probably learn more during HoTS, so I'll update as necessary.

Shadow Archon · Aug 6, 2012

Zerg Production

A drone can become a full hatchery in seconds.

Shadow of Xel'naga said:
While many Queens had landed with the arrival of Kukulkan Brood, this one had remained in the Hatchery established at Rastin's homestead. The only purpose of this place was to spawn larvae by the hundreds, each of which would evolve into one of the various minions.

[...]

The larvae continued to mutate from spiny grubs into Zerglings, Hydralisks, even mammoth-sized Ultralisks. Newborn flying-dragon Mutalisks took to the skies, ready to launch aerial attacks with hurled acid.

And there was something new. The Queen, following her Zerg instincts, had absorbed the DNA of the large blue-furred dog that had been infested here. The Zerg considered the ferocious animal a potential candidate for an experimental new strain of minion.

A single newborn hatchery can produce hundreds of warriors within one or two days.

Broken Wide said:
Doc, the zerg had been swarming the Wedge for eight months on a daily basis and had been held off by civvies armed with shotguns and mining lasers. It was the first time I’d ever heard of civilians stemming a zerg assault, and I think we dared to hope that a strategy of attrition might bear fruit. The zerg couldn’t sustain this kind of activity on a practically lifeless world forever, could they?
------------------------------------------------------------------
We settled into a routine. Attacks would come at indeterminate times during the day, but only once in any twenty-four hour period. It started with a few dozen zerglings, then spilled into a rush – hundreds of the things crawling over each other in such masses that each shot was guaranteed to pierce two or three bodies at a time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I had to know. Had to know if we were being used, even helping the zerg by playing into a forced mutation strategy. We had to seek out the hive responsible for this population of xenos. We had to destroy it.

They can, over an eight month period, send hundreds of Zergling daily from a single hive.

So, for a low end, that's 242 days with 200 Zerglings popping out every day. That gives you 48,400 Zerglings over an eight month period from a single hive.

For a high end, that's 244 days with 900 Zerglings popping out every day. That gives you 219,600 Zerglings for an eight month period from a single hive.

The number is likely going to be between the two, so let's have a nice middle of 500 Zerglings per day for 243 days. That gives you 121,500 Zerglings for an eight month period from a single hive.

Now, Char has a current list of estimated Zerg Hive Clusters:

SC2 said:
Geography/Major Settlements: 52 volcanic caldera, 18 mountain chains (all volcanic), 38 lava lakes, 5 lava seas (variable), estimated 150 primary zerg hive clusters, estimated 1029 tertiary zerg hive clusters

Now, a hive cluster refers to a Zerg base, and while, generally, Zerg hive clusters have been depicted having more than one hatchery, lair, and/or hive, we will assume each have one.

For a low end, that's 235,800 Zerglings per day, middle you have 589,500 Zerglings per day, and high end you have 1,061,100 Zerglings per day. This is still majorly a low end due to the fact that tertiary hive clusters can have more than one hatchery, and primary hive clusters should have even more than that

As Ghost Academy shows, a new Zerg colony on Shi started from one Drone has two hive clusters having around three hatcheries each a few months after the first drone, and only that drone was dropped.

There is also the fact that this is the estimated amount of hive clusters, not the fully known amount. Zerg have hatcheries on the surface and under the planet's surface.

SC2 said:
During the zerg invasion ten years later, Char was rapidly overrun by the Swarm and became the zerg’s primary hive planet in the Koprulu sector, to the extent that zerg tunnels are now estimated to stretch beneath more than 40% of the world’s surface.

Assuming I'm reading this right, that means that the Zerg have tunnels that have the total space of 168,465,468.904 kilometers squared.

Starspawn10 · Aug 7, 2012

Shadow Archon said:
Assuming I'm reading this right, that means that the Zerg have tunnels 4208 kilometers below the surface, all with Queens and hatcheries producing Zerg.

"40% of the world's surface" probably refers to surface area rather than depth. -,-
...
though I'll not be surprised if in HotS it turns out they can do something crazy like that.

Shadow Archon · Aug 7, 2012

Starspawn10 said:
"40% of the world's surface" probably refers to surface area rather than depth. -,-
...
though I'll not be surprised if in HotS it turns out they can do something crazy like that.

Ah, thanks for that. Sounded off when I typed it. We know that the Protoss fire down to the mantle to burn out Zerg, so that's probably what I was thinkin.

I'll edit it with the surface area.

EDIT: The Earth's total surface area is 510,072,000 km2 and using cross multiplication, I get 421,163,672.26 km2 for Char.

Shadow Archon · Aug 7, 2012

Baneling Explosiveness

Broken Wide said:
Private Ayers:

Why the zerg would want to absorb a local mold into their potpourri of genetic features was beyond me.

Maybe this wasn’t deliberate. An alien infection caused by some?? insidious algae? Ha. I doubted that anything could get through the bio-defenses of these monsters, but it was possible. I decided to dissect one of the smaller blisters, an angry green specimen the size of my fingertip. I charged up the med-laser and made a small incision.

Captain Gentry:

And?

Private Ayers:

And I woke up two hours later in the med-bay with my skin burning. Lieutenant Orran was standing over my gurney, his face sick with worry. He told me how the grenade had brought him running, how he had found me underneath a collapsed wall in the next room. That’s when I glanced down and saw the remnants of my suit. The entire right side looked like a candle that had been held to a flame: the armored plates had been fused together. The lieutenant told me that, the next time I wanted to “off” myself, I should remove my armor first. Yeah, he’s a funny guy.

I asked him to take me to my quarters. Either Lieutenant Orran was feeling pity or he had just given up fighting me, because he ducked under my arm and half dragged, half carried me from the med-bay. My room had been flattened, with the walls blown out in all directions. I was lucky to have survived.

“This wasn’t a grenade,” I told the lieutenant. “It was a blister.”

He laughed, convinced that I’d gone insane. I asked him to explain how I had managed to find an acid grenade in my quarters. He supposed that I’d cobbled it together from parts of my suit: they’d found pieces of my makeshift lab scattered throughout the wreckage. I could hardly fault him, you know. Who would believe my story about vicious alien pustules?

In the end, I was confined to another room with Private Delme on constant watch. My skin blistered, cracked, and then started peeling; you can still see the patches on my hand here. I told the private about my worries, about the need to broadcast what was happening here. I told her that maybe news of a new zerg mutation would get somebody to listen to us.

She only nodded, smiled, and then focused on cleaning her sidearm. Delme must have cleaned that stupid thing a dozen times over the next few days.

Now, a fingertip sized pustule here is compared to a grenade. It blows out all four walls and knocks a person in power armor into the next room. IIRC, a megajoule is roughly the amount of energy a modern day hand grenade has. While a fingertip depends upon who the person is to get an exact estimate (the end of my finger is about 1 cm wide ), I'll go with two centimers wide, basing it roughly off my father's finger. Assuming it's spherical and not oddly shaped you have a volume of 4.19 cm^3. Now a Zergling is described to be in the RPG one meter long. While some show Zerglings being much bigger (bigger than a man in power armour in some cases), we will use this number since its a stated figure. Assuming this length carries over to a Baneling, we can use that figure to get somewhere.

I'm using this model since it is the nicest one for Paint figuring. Here, I'm assuming each "bubble" is it's own bubble and not part of one large sack inside of the Baneling. I'm assuming the large one to the far left, and the two smaller one's to the far right are perfect spheres. I know there is some irregularities, but it's the closest I can get to it. The four in the middle, I assume are Ellipsoids. For sake of simplicity, I assume the height is one-third of the width. I'll try getting it later if I get to play with the 3d model hopefully in December.

The formulas I'm using are volume for spheres and ellipsoids:

V=4/3*pi*r^3

V=4/3*pi*r of width*r of length*r of height

For the big bubble to the far left, I get 24,429 cm^3. For the two smaller bubbles to the far right, I get the combined volume of 34 cm^3.

For the middle set of ellipsoids, I get a combined volume of 22,278 cm^3.

Overall, that's a volume of 46,741 cm^3. One megajoule is equivalent to a pustule with 4.19 cm^3, so handy dandy cross multiplication gives 11,155.4 megajoules (11.1554 gigajoules) per Baneling. That is equivalent to 2.67 tons of TNT, which means five banelings have more explosive power than a single MOAB. This is the low-end as some of these creatures are much larger than one meter, and that assumes the first pustule was one megajoule.

Shadow Archon · Aug 8, 2012

Terran Battlecruiser scaling

Okay, the Battlecruiser is the main Terran capital ship seen in the series, and there are different sources of info on this. First, there is the most ridiculous quote.

Uprising said:
The edges of the planet began to fade out as the program zoomed in on the desert surface and now the assembly was treated to a first-person view, skimming along the planet's relatively flat surface until a massively tall, rotating windstorm appeared on the horizon. "It is known as the Fujita Pinnacle-a complex mass of conflicting pressure systems and staggering updrafts that have created what is, in simple terms, a stationary, volatile vortex of immense size and unlimited life. It is four leagues wide and over twenty high. To give you a rough idea, its diameter is that of two battlecruisers placed end-to-end, and its height is twice that of the tallest superstructure on Tarsonis."

A league is generally about five kilometers. So that would make Battlecruisers over 10 kms in length.

Now that the insanity is over, here is the scaling of a Behemoth from Starcraft 1, set in the year 2500:

So about a kilometer in length. Which makes the Carrier also around a kilometer in length due to the "Return to Auir" cinematic.

In Starcraft 2, we are given a stated figure in a cinematic:

It states the length is 650 meters (thought it looked like 550 meters, but I looked closer and it looks like a six, someone else's opinion?). This is the Bucephalus, and while it looks like the Hyperion, which is a Behemoth, the Minotaur is the main class of Battlecruiser in 2504. So, I'm assuming it means the Minotaur.

I did some rough calculating and it does fit with the new design given, so yay for them doing their math.

Bishop Gantry · Aug 9, 2012

Shadow Archon said:
Terran Battlecruiser scaling

Okay, the Battlecruiser is the main Terran capital ship seen in the series, and there are different sources of info on this. First, there is the most ridiculous quote.

A league is generally about five kilometers. So that would make Battlecruisers over 10 kms in length.

Now that the insanity is over, here is the scaling of a Behemoth from Starcraft 1, set in the year 2500:

So about a kilometer in length. Which makes the Carrier also around a kilometer in length due to the "Return to Auir" cinematic.

In Starcraft 2, we are given a stated figure in a cinematic:

It states the length is 650 meters (thought it looked like 550 meters, but I looked closer and it looks like a six, someone else's opinion?). This is the Bucephalus, and while it looks like the Hyperion, which is a Behemoth, the Minotaur is the main class of Battlecruiser in 2504. So, I'm assuming it means the Minotaur.

I did some rough calculating and it does fit with the new design given, so yay for them doing their math.

Got similar calcs when i did the bc in SC2 but cant find em at the moment, turrets on jimmys ship is 30 meters in lenght...

Shadow Archon · Aug 9, 2012

Bishop Gantry said:
Got similar calcs when i did the bc in SC2 but cant find em at the moment, turrets on jimmys ship is 30 meters in lenght...

Actually saw them last night. Try Terran Battlecruisers vs Battlestars thread.

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