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GameSpot's Guide to Starcraft

Dark Archon (new)

Overview
A very costly, vulnerable, and defenseless psychic whose Maelstrom and Mind Control abilities can devastate an enemy attack.

How It Has Changed
The Dark Archon was not previously available.

Recommended Uses
Countering fleets of Battlecruisers and enemy Carriers with Mind Control. On island maps, where enemy transports can be expected, Mind Control can be especially devastating. Setting up massed Zerg Hydralisks and Mutalisks with Maelstrom for a Psionic Storm. Feedback is effective against Wraiths, Queens, and Defilers.

Dark Archon

Further Detail
The Dark Archon, like the High Templar, is defenseless and expensive. Fortunately, its high shield points make it fairly difficult to kill. Unfortunately, the Dark Archon, even more so than the High Templar, is a support unit that is virtually useless by itself. Furthermore, it is ineffective until you have researched at least its Mind Control ability and the Argus Talisman energy upgrade. Because these must be researched from the Templar Archives, you will wish to wait until you've fortified your position with High Templars before you move on to Dark Archons.

Feedback
The Dark Archon begins with the Feedback ability, which hits the target for as many points of damage as it has energy remaining. The ability is inexpensive and fast to execute, and has long range. However, it is highly specialized, since most units do not use energy, and it is only as quick as you are. Although it is a theoretically effective means of killing Zerg Devourers and Queens, for example, an effective Zerg opponent will withdraw those units immediately as they use their powers. Feedback is more appropriate against Terran Wraiths and Protoss High Templars, which tend to have substantial reserves of energy.

hit points / shield points (size)	25 / 200 (large)
build time	20
vision	10
cost (minerals / vespene gas / psi)	250 / 200 / 4
armor / bonus	1 / +1
special options
feedback		50 energy per use / 10 range
mind control	200 / 200 to research	150 energy per use, depletes shields / 8 range
maelstrom	100 / 100 to research	100 energy per use / 10 range

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Dark Archon, continued
 

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