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GameSpot's Guide to Starcraft

The Terrans and the Brood War

The Terrans always seemed like the underdogs of the war, what with their ramshackle structures and low-tech military units. Nevertheless, their sheer determination and technical knowledge made them a force to be reckoned with. The Terrans' defensive combination of Missile Turret, Siege Tank, and Bunker provided them incredibly potent protection, while special abilities like the Science Vessel's Irradiate and the Ghost's Lockdown could help put a stop to seemingly unconquerable enemy odds. And indeed, it is none other than the Terran Marine who turned out to be perhaps the greatest fighter in the galaxy - the Terran infantry's strength, speed, and resourcefulness was unmatched by either Protoss or Zerg.

Terran Battlecruisers and Goliaths are destined to be some of the most notorious fighting forces in the Brood War.

Nevertheless, the Terrans did have particular weaknesses. Unlike their structures and vehicles, their infantry could not be restored to health if they were injured. Certain units like the Goliath simply weren't cost-effective, while units like the Wraith and the Science Vessel were risky to use because of their high cost and slow production time.

But now, the Terrans are back and more powerful than ever, having compensated for these weaknesses and proven once again to have the single finest defense, and some of the most powerful military units on land and in space.

Production Strategy
A viable strategy was for the Terran commander to rely solely on Marines, forgoing Vespene Gas altogether early in a match and constructing multiple Barracks. This is still a plausible solution at the very beginning of a battle, but soon after, the enemy will have means of dealing with your unsupported Marines, especially in the case of the new Zerg Lurker. As such, you should usually adopt a traditional defensive buildup, with Bunkers defending your supply line as you gather minerals and mine for gas. You'll need an Engineering Bay and an Academy sooner than you used to; Missile Turrets are important for spotting Protoss Dark Templars, who will try to sneak into your supply line to attack your SCVs. The Academy enables you to train Medics, whose healing powers are an incredible benefit to your infantry. What's more, the Academy enables you to build a Comsat Station, absolutely essential for its ability to spot cloaked enemies. Fortunately, Comsat Sweeps cost only 50 energy per use now. As before, when you expand, you should send several SCVs with at least an escort of Marines. Build your Command Center, Bunkers, and Missile Turrets all at once. The Terrans can expand more efficiently than either the Protoss or the Zerg, since they can build structures any time, anywhere. Use this to your advantage, and scout at the same time with an SCV to try to find the enemy's expansions before they're finished.

Next: The Terran Defensive Strategy
 

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