GameSpot's Guide to Starcraft

PC GAMES
  News
  Reviews
  Previews
  Movies/Media
  Downloads
  Hints/Codes
  GameGuides.com
  Special Features
  Beta Center
  Release Calendar
  Forums
  Top Games

PC GENRES
  Action
  Adventure
  Driving
  Puzzle
  Role-Playing
  Simulation
  Sports
  Strategy

SWITCH TO:
  VIDEO GAMES
  GAMESPOT LIVE
  GAMEBUYER
  HARDWARE

SUBSCRIBE TO:
  PC Newsletter
  HW Newsletter

ELITE SERVICES
  Join GameSpot

SEE ALSO
  GameFAQs
  Gamespy Arcade
  Netflix

INFORMATION
  Help
  Contact Us
  International

Missions Guide

Get the
Downloadable
Guide Here!

STARCRAFT
  Race Overview
  General Strategies
  Missions Guide
    Terran Campaign
    Zerg Campaign: Episode II
      1. Among the Ruins
      2. Egression
      3. The New Dominion
      4. Agent of the Swarm
      5. The Amerigo
      6. The Dark Templar
      7. The Culling
      8. Eye for an Eye
      9. The Invasion of Aiur
      10. Full Circle
    Protoss Campaign
  Cheats
  Contents

Go to GameSpot's Guide to Broodwar

9. The Invasion of Aiur
The time has come to hit the Protoss where it hurts the most: their precious homeworld Aiur. Your task is to deliver but a single Drone to the Khaydarin Crystal formation toward the south edge of the huge map so that it may collect the genetic data the Overmind requires to assimilate the Protoss race. It goes without saying that you can expect fierce resistance here. Specifically, you'll face three different Protoss tribes all working together to stop you from achieving your goal. A fairly weak teal-colored tribe defends the top portion of the map. A much stronger yellow-colored tribe holds the center along either side. And an extremely powerful orange tribe defends the southern border. You begin in the northwest corner of the map with a fairly stripped down base, but plenty of resources to get it started quickly. Unfortunately, there are no obvious choke points to defend. While a plateau further south isolates you from your Protoss foes directly, the yellow tribe will use Shuttles to deploy forces in the forest to your south, at which point those forces are free to attack your base from any angle. Teal will attack you directly from the east.

Speed upgraded Zerglings and Hydralisks will prove invaluable in defending your position, but you must be very cautious of Protoss Reavers who can decimate most of your garrison in a single good shot. Since your headquarters is so vulnerable, good reconnaissance is critical. Evolve Burrow early on and send droves of Zerglings to every area south and east of your base. Plant them there so you know what you'll be up against well in advance. Support your ground defenders with Mutalisks, and if you see Reavers moving in to attack, send your Mutalisks to take them out before they can even get close.

The Protoss will attack in full force as the Khaydarin Crystal harvesting countdown ticks away
Build up your base cautiously. Line its perimeter with Sunken Colonies and the occasional Spore Colony. Try and hatch a Queen as soon as you can and use her to hit the Protoss Shuttles with her Parasite. Don't be too intimidated when you realize just how huge a force you're up against - remember, you only must bring a Drone to the crystal formation. Evolve your favorite upgrades and create a force of Hydralisks and support units like Zerglings and Mutalisks. While your starting position offers plenty of resources to set up a strong base, you must expand before you have enough currency to fight your way to the Khaydarin Crystal.