Game Overview
With three races, four modes, and infinite ways to play, StarCraft II is the ultimate real-time strategy experience. Do you have what it takes to become the galaxy's greatest commander?
The BasicsA Guide to Conquering the Galaxy
Construct a Base
Gather minerals and vespene gas to build production structures and upgrade your technology.
Build an Army
Spend minerals and vespene gas to amass a powerful and distinctive army.
Ride to Battle
Deploy your forces with creativity and finesse to overcome your opponents.
MultitaskingMacro and Micro
In StarCraft II, players juggle big-picture economy and micro-level unit control, pushing them to the very limits of their strategic and tactical capabilities.
Macro...
Increase income by building additional workers
Construct supply structures to field larger armies
Expand around the map to build economy
Assemble an army from production structures
Micro...
Threaten an attack with a main force at the enemy’s front
Target your enemy’s most vulnerable units first
Wield spellcaster units to wreak havoc on enemy forces
Drop units behind enemy lines to sabotage their economy
Increase income by building additional workers
Construct supply structures to field larger armies
Expand around the map to build economy
Assemble an army from production structures
Threaten an attack with a main force at the enemy’s front
Target your enemy’s most vulnerable units first
Wield spellcaster units to wreak havoc on enemy forces
Drop units behind enemy lines to sabotage their economy
Three Unique RacesWhich Side Will You Choose?
Each of StarCraft II’s three races has its own fascinating personality and playstyle, with a varied and distinct suite of specialized units and buildings. Choose one to master, or play all three!
Resourceful humans with varied technology and plenty of attitude.
Relative newcomers to the Koprulu sector, the terrans are the descendants of a disastrous colonization expedition launched from Earth centuries ago. With neither the advanced technology of the protoss nor the natural prowess of the zerg, terran military forces rely on a varied mix of resilient, versatile units to outwit their foes.
Unique Features:
- Buildings that lift off
- Transforming units like the Viking and Hellion
- Many viable strategies, including infantry and mechanical styles
Key Units
Marine
Light infantry that can attack both air and ground targets. Fragile but fearsome in large numbers.
Siege Tank
Armored unit that can transform into a stationary mode for tremendous area-of-effect damage.
Battlecruiser
Giant capital ship with devastating ground and air attacks.
A ferocious swarm of merciless beasts that devour worlds.
Led by the cunning Queen of Blades, the alien zerg are set to unleash their horrors on the galaxy, consuming all who stand in their way. The zerg make no use of technology to create their weapons, armor, or starships. Instead, these functions are efficiently fulfilled through biological adaptation and planned mutation.
Unique Features:
- Units that burrow beneath the surface
- Swarms of fast-moving units like Zerglings and Mutalisks
- Creep spread that covers zerg bases in a nourishing biological substance
Key Units
Zergling
Swift melee attackers that spawn in pairs. Adept at ambushing small groups of enemy units.
Mutalisk
Versatile air units that attack both ground and air. Better at skirmishes and harassment than head-on engagements.
Ultralisk
Titanic ground unit with blades that deal area-of-effect damage. Durable but slow.
Ancient, noble warriors with a golden armada and advanced psionic technology.
For thousands of years, the ancient and mysterious protoss have held sway over their part of the galaxy. Individual protoss warriors are unsurpassed in their skills and courage, greatly enhanced by the combination of technology and formidable psionic strength.
Unique Features:
- Units with shields that recharge over time
- Powerful individual units like the Colossus and Carrier
- Warp Gate technology to build units
Key Units
Zealot
Basic melee attacker that forms the core of every Protoss ground army. Can be upgraded to quickly close distance on evasive targets.
High Templar
Advanced spellcaster that wreaks havoc on clumped enemies with Psionic Storm.
Carrier
The pinnacle of Protoss technology: a capital ship carrying short-range Interceptors that attack both air and ground.
Game ModesFour Ways to Play
Whether you prefer a cinematic story campaign, best-in-class multiplayer competition, specialized custom games in the Arcade, or social and collaborative Co-op, StarCraft II has a mode for you.
Story Campaign
Save the galaxy from emergent threats in full-length Terran, Zerg, and Protoss campaigns.
Versus Mode
Grow your skills and climb the multiplayer ladder in the world’s premier real-time-strategy esport.
Co-op Missions
Team up with a friend to tackle epic missions as diverse, specialized commanders.
Custom and Arcade Games
Explore community-created game modes or create your own with the StarCraft II Editor.
Story Campaign
Save the galaxy from emergent threats in full-length Terran, Zerg, and Protoss campaigns.
Versus Mode
Grow your skills and climb the multiplayer ladder in the world’s premier real-time-strategy esport.
Co-op Missions
Team up with a friend to tackle epic missions as diverse, specialized commanders.
Custom and Arcade Games
Explore community-created game modes or create your own with the StarCraft II Editor.
Next StepsNew to Real-Time Strategy Games?
Here are three ways to get started in StarCraft II without spending a dime.
Play the Campaign
Complete the Wings of Liberty campaign on Casual. If that’s too easy, try a higher difficulty!
Challenge the Computer
In Versus A.I. mode, face off against computer opponents fine-tuned to match your skill level.
Team Up in Co-Op
Take every Co-Op commander for a spin. Remember, they’re all free up to Level 5!
Useful Resources
There’s much to learn. Your StarCraft II journey begins now!
Stay Connected