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

  1. Construct a Base

    Gather minerals and vespene gas to build production structures and upgrade your technology.

  2. Build an Army

    Spend minerals and vespene gas to amass a powerful and distinctive army.

  3. 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.

Campaign Mode

Story Campaign

Save the galaxy from emergent threats in full-length Terran, Zerg, and Protoss campaigns.

Recommended for:
  • New Players
  • Fans of the StarCraft narrative universe

Versus Mode

Versus Mode

Grow your skills and climb the multiplayer ladder in the world’s premier real-time-strategy esport.

Recommended for:
  • Players with a competitive streak
  • Friends who want to compete together against human opponents in 2v2s, 3v3s, or 4v4s
Co-op Mode

Co-op Missions

Team up with a friend to tackle epic missions as diverse, specialized commanders.

Recommended for:
  • New/Intermediate Players
  • Players looking for a social experience
Arcade Mode

Custom and Arcade Games

Explore community-created game modes or create your own with the StarCraft II Editor.

Recommended for:
  • Players looking to explore a wide array of creative custom games
Campaign Mode

Story Campaign

Save the galaxy from emergent threats in full-length Terran, Zerg, and Protoss campaigns.

Recommended for:
  • New Players
  • Fans of the StarCraft narrative universe
Versus Mode

Versus Mode

Grow your skills and climb the multiplayer ladder in the world’s premier real-time-strategy esport.

Recommended for:
  • Players with a competitive streak
  • Friends who want to compete together against human opponents in 2v2s, 3v3s, or 4v4s
Co-op Mode

Co-op Missions

Team up with a friend to tackle epic missions as diverse, specialized commanders.

Recommended for:
  • New/Intermediate Players
  • Players looking for a social experience
Arcade Mode

Custom and Arcade Games

Explore community-created game modes or create your own with the StarCraft II Editor.

Recommended for:
  • Players looking to explore a wide array of creative custom games

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!