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GameSpot's Guide to Starcraft

Mission 2: Reign of Fire

Overview
Use a specially equipped SCV to gather Zerg reinforcements, which you can then use to establish a base and create enough units to destroy the Psi Disrupter that lies to the north.

Possible Expansions
A Bunker and a Siege Tank defend a resource node in the center of the map along the western edge. Expand there once you've amassed enough units to take down the sparse Terran presence between. There is also an open resource node on the opposite side of the map, in the center along the eastern edge. You may wish to claim it, but two bases should be sufficient here.

Key Points
Do not let your SCV come to harm; if it is destroyed, you will not be able to claim any of the Zerg reinforcements you'll find around the map. You can use it to pick up three Hunter-Killer Hydralisks southwest of your base; three Devouring Ones (upgraded Zerglings) all the way to the west from your base; the Ultralisk Torrasque, just a short distance east from the northwest resource node; and three more Hunter-Killers to your north.

You cannot simply march your SCV around the map, because Terran defenders protect these units. However, a pack of Hydralisks and an Overlord escort should be enough to rally all these troops together, and with them you should be able to take the Psi Disrupter with little trouble. You'll find the Disrupter in the northwestern area of the map. The Terrans can lead you right to it if you use the Queen's Parasite ability on their Dropships. The Queen's Spawn Broodlings ability will be very useful against enemy Siege Tanks, so try to have plenty of Queens on standby.

As you will have learned from the Terran campaign, it takes a lot of firepower to put Torrasque away. Fortunately, it is on your side this time.

Walk-through
Use the SCV to rescue the eight Zerglings and two Drones, and use one of them to build a Hatchery. As soon as it's ready, begin gathering minerals with the other, and build an Overlord with your first Larva. Continue building Drones, then construct a Spawning Pool. Meanwhile, build an Extractor and start mining for gas. Set up Creep Colonies near the western ramp, in the northwestern area of your base near your Extractor. Turn these into Sunken Colonies when you can afford to, because you'll face most of your opposition from these two directions, and the Colonies will help defend you. Build an Evolution Chamber and a Hydralisk Den, and upgrade your Hatchery to a Lair. Start producing Hydralisks. Build a second Hatchery so you can produce more units, then build a Queen's Nest and a Spire. You've now climbed the technology tree, and can fortify your base as necessary to defend against half-hearted Terran attacks.

Led by Torrasque, the Zerg forces have little trouble fighting their way to the Psi Disrupter.

When you're prepared, send a force of Hydralisks and Queens to sweep northwest, to the expansion. Follow with Drones and your SCV. Expand to that area, and use a Queen, your SCV, and a contingent of Hydralisks to search the entire area for Torrasque, the Hunter-Killers, and the Unclean Ones. Between these two bases, you'll have enough resources to begin producing Hydralisks in masses. You may wish to build Mutalisks as well, but ultimately, you'll want to maneuver your units of choice across the frozen lake to the north, and up a ramp into the Terran base. You'll face heavy resistance from Missile Turrets, Bunkers, and Siege Tanks, but Torrasque, the Unclean Ones, and the Hunter Killers should be able to make room for your Hydralisks. Once your force is up the ramp, sweep to the east, where you'll eventually find the Psi Disrupter. Destroy it and you stand victorious.

Next: Mission 3: The Kel-Morian Combine
 

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