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Colossus

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This article is about the StarCraft II unit. You may be looking for:

Roving colossi
MecoAdded by Meco

The colossus is a massive protoss robotic walker. It is designed to destroy large numbers of weaker ground targets.

The plural of colossus is colossi.[1]

Contents

OverviewEdit

Colossi in action
MecoAdded by Meco

The colossus is an antiquated protoss war machine, dating back to the Kalath Intercession.[2] It is a towering construct, striding across the battlefield on four tall, slender legs which give it an extremely high level of mobility. The great height of the machine allows it to step up and down cliffs and other steep elevations with little difficulty, and gives it a dominating field of fire. The heavily armored hull of the colossus carries two powerful thermal lances: one mounted on each side of its body. Complex focusing and targeting systems are used to pinpoint the continuous damage output of the thermal lances for optimal efficiency. A colossus's beam cuts a fiery swathe of destruction through multiple enemies with each firing cycle,[3] able to reduce a group of marines to ashes in an instant.[4]

The colossus can be transported by the warp prism, which transforms it and other transported units into energy.[5]

The colossus is feared for being a war machine, and some protoss believe they cannot be controlled and could turn against them.[6]

HistoryEdit

The colossus is unique in that it was created purely as a war machine, in contrast to most protoss automatons which were mainly created for industrial and/or resource gathering purposes. Such a trait was demonstrated by the mass slaughter carried out against the kalathi, appalling the protoss. As such, the Conclave outlawed the manufacture of colossi, and existing machines were deactivated before being sealed away. Some were sent to distant asteroids and uninhabited moons.[3] Others were stored on Aiur, some underwater, awaiting a signal from a beacon.[7] The war against the zerg, however, prompted the return of the colossi to the protoss arsenal.[3]

In 2503,[8] the protoss began collecting them using coordinates collected from a preserver, hoping to use them in the fight against the zerg despite misgivings.[6]

Game UnitEdit

Colossus
Colossus SC2 Rend1.jpg
Unit
Race

Protoss

Role

Battle strider

Armament

Thermal Lances

Properties
Transport
size

8

Sight range

10

Production
Minerals

300 Minerals Terran SC1.png

Gas

200 ProtossVespene SC2 Game1.png

Psi

6 Psi

Build time

75 seconds

Produced from

Robotics facility

Requires

Robotics bay

Hotkey

C

Movement
Speed

2.25

Acceleration

1000

Lateral
acceleration

46.0625

Deceleration

0

Collision radius

1

Protection
Shields

150

Shield
regen/second

2

Hit points

200

Armor

1 SC2ProtUpgrdGrndArm.jpg

Type
Armor type

Armored

Thermal Lances
Damage

15RipwaveMissiles SC2 Icon1.jpg

Attacks

2

Targets
  • Ground
Cooldown

1.65

Range

6 (9 with Extended Thermal Lance) SC2ProtExtendThermalLance.png

Upgrade/level

+2 SC2ProtUpgrdGrndWeap.jpg

Meta
Target
priority

20

Kill score

1600

Production
score

800

Miscellaneous
Notes

Targeted as both an air and ground unit. Can step up and down elevations.

Protoss colossus
MecoAdded by Meco

Colossi are not strong for cost and require support, such as a front line of zealots.[9] They are strong against marines, zealots, and zerglings, but weak against thors, immortals, ultralisks, and anti-air units like the viking, phoenix, and corruptor.

Height and ClimbingEdit

The colossus appears to step over ledges due to StarCraft II's inverse kinematics (IK) system.[10] It can climb ledges only one level at a time and is blocked by taller cliffs.[11] It can also step over smaller friendly units, but not other colossi or obstacles. Like other massive units, the colossus can collapse a Force Field simply by being ordered to move through it.

A colossus is tall enough to see the tops of cliffs, enabling it to climb them[12][11] and fire upon the high ground without a spotter.

The colossus' height enables anti-air attacks, such as those of the missile turret, to strike it (even though it is a ground unit).[13] Blizzard has confirmed that this is because the colossus is so tall that it counts as both a ground and air unit for the purpose of what attacks are able to hit it.[14] If an attacking enemy unit (such as the thor) which can attack both ground and air units attacks a colossus, it will use whichever attack is stronger against the colossus.[15]

AttacksEdit

The colossus attacking reapers
MecoAdded by Meco

The colossus attacks only ground units.[16]

The attack animation is a sweeping beam, with the animation taking about a second to complete. All targets continue to take damage simultaneously.[17][18] The attack always strikes a linear area perpendicular to the direction the colossus is facing. This allows for a fine degree of control.[19][20][21]

The attack does linear splash damage which is very effective against groups of units such as marines and zealots.[22] It is safer to use colossi against terrans rather than psionic storms, since ghosts counter high templar. Against zerg, colossi are very effective against hydralisks which have become more dangerous with roach support.[21]

The beams do not have a "blind spot" and can strike enemies right next to the colossus.[23]

AbilitiesEdit

Cliffwalk SC2 Icon1.jpg Cliff Walk
Notes

The Colossus can walk up and down cliffs.

UpgradesEdit

SC2ProtExtendThermalLance.png Extended Thermal Lance
Researched at

Robotics bay

Hotkey

E

Properties
Minerals

200 Minerals Terran SC1.png

Gas

200 Gas Protoss SC1.png

Research time

140 seconds

Notes

Increases the range of the colossus' attack from 6 to 9, giving it siege range.

Edit
SC2 ProGrndWeap.gif Ground Weapons
Researched at

Forge

Hotkey

G

Properties
Level

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Minerals

100 Minerals Terran SC1.png

150 Minerals Terran SC1.png

200 Minerals Terran SC1.png

Gas

100 Gas Protoss SC1.png

150 Gas Protoss SC1.png

200 Gas Protoss SC1.png

Research time

160 seconds

190 seconds

220 seconds

Notes

Applies to zealots, dark templar, archons, stalkers, immortals, sentries and colossi.

Edit
SC2 ProGrndArm.gif Ground Armor
Researched at

Forge

Hotkey

A

Properties
Level

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Minerals

100 Minerals Terran SC1.png

150 Minerals Terran SC1.png

200 Minerals Terran SC1.png

Gas

100 Gas Protoss SC1.png

150 Gas Protoss SC1.png

200 Gas Protoss SC1.png

Research time

160 seconds

190 seconds

220 seconds

Notes

Increases the armor of protoss ground units.

Edit
SC2 ProShields.gif Plasma Shields
Researched at

Forge

Hotkey

S

Properties
Level

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Minerals

150 Minerals Terran SC1.png

225 Minerals Terran SC1.png

300 Minerals Terran SC1.png

Gas

150 Gas Protoss SC1.png

225 Gas Protoss SC1.png

300 Gas Protoss SC1.png

Research time

160 seconds

190 seconds

220 seconds

Notes
  • +1 armor to shields per level.
Edit

Wings of LibertyEdit

Colossus portrait
HawkiAdded by Hawki

Colossus are usable in the StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty protoss mini-campaign, available after the "Echoes of the Future" mission, Zeratul finding some on Aiur.[7]

DevelopmentEdit

Main article: Colossus/Development

NotesEdit

When colossi attack from a cliff, they can still be targeted by ranged units below them, unlike other ranged attackers such as the stalker.[24]

Air units have been noted to fly through colossi, their height being ignored by game mechanics in this sense. Blizzard does not intend to change this, as shrinking the air unit would look bad and shrinking the colossus would make its ability to walk up cliffs less believable.[25]

References/External linksEdit

  1. Colossi? Colossus's? Colossice?

    I want to know so that when I crush you with my Coloss___ I can laugh ahahhahahaha.

    Colossi, officially ;) Karune, Ylleks. 2009-01-28. What's the plural of Colossus? Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion. Accessed 2009-01-28.
  2. Kindregan, Brian T. "Mothership." (January 15, 2010). Blizzard Entertainment. Mothership Accessed 2010-01-15.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 2007-06-28. Colossus. StarCraft II Features at Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2007-07-01.
  4. Races: Protoss. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2010-08-07
  5. Karune. 2007-09-20. StarCraft II Q&A - Batch 14. StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2007-09-21.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Watrous, Valerie. "Colossus." (Apr. 07, 2011). Blizzard Entertainment. Colossus Accessed 2011-04-11.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Wings of Liberty, Echoes of the Future (in English). 2010-07-27.
  8. September 27, 2011. "Timeline." StarCraft: Ghost: Spectres. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). pp. 393-416. ISBN 978-1439-10938-0.
  9. imba.Adolf [RA]. 2009-11-08. We played Starcraft 2: A Report From IgroMir, Day 1. StarCraft Legacy. Accessed 2009-11-09.
  10. Stapleton, Dan. "StarCraft II." PC Gamer Magazine 164 (August 2007): 20-30.
  11. 11.0 11.1 What he said. ;)

    Colossus can have a vision of the upper ground just like the air units, while Reaper can't as a ground unit.

    Colossi and Reapers can't climb up a cliff of 2 level at one time.
    Cydra. 2009-02-17. Cliff Climber Vision. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2009-02-18.
  12. The Colossus will be able to see on top of cliffs, allowing it to climb up without a 'spotter.' Karune. 2008-02-13. Terran Medic Abilites. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forums. Accessed 2008-02-13.
  13. 2007-05-19. Cinematic Trailer. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2007-08-12.
  14. Karune. 2007-07-23. StarCraft II Q&A - Karune Briefings. StarCraft II General Discussion Forums. Accessed 2007-09-06.
  15. Karune, StarCraft Legacy staff. 2009-04-04. StarCraft: Legacy StarCraft II Exclusive Q&A with Karune. StarCraft Legacy. Accessed 2009-05-18.
  16. 2007-05-19. Gameplay Trailer. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2007-08-12.
  17. Phreak. 2008-07-07. StarCraft II - Blizzard Worldwide Invitational Version. Blogspot (Blog). Accessed 2008-07-09.
  18. The artists are still working with what would look best on the Colossus. In the latest build, many have seen that there is a beam sweeping from one side to another as the current visual.

    Please also note that this is temporary art still, and even though that beam does seem to sweep randomly, it is actually doing instant damage to the whole line rather than what the visual implies, which is doing damage from one side to the other.
    Karune. 2008-09-09. Is the Colossus's dual-beam back? Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-09-09.
  19. The Colossus always attacks in a linear area horizontal to where the Colossus is facing. This does take a little more coordination than a Hellion or Lurker, but will no doubt still be possible at a high skill level of play. Karune. 2009-04-28. Has the Colossus changed in recent builds? (post 7) Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2009-04-28.
  20. Even though the beam is currently shown visually in various ways, the damage is done to all units in that straight line at the same time instantly. That line will always be based on the position you are attacking from, so in that way there is a lot of control as how to use the Colossus. Karune. 2008-10-20. Karune: Colossus. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-10-20.
  21. 21.0 21.1 Colossus is Tier 3. He has a very powerful attack that strikes in a line relative to his position. He is a vital weapon against Terran infantry and Hydralisks which have become more of a threat when being protected by Roaches. Against Terrans you can go High Templar to deal with infantry, but Ghosts can really ruin that. Colossus is a safer choice.

    The original attack is not coming back. The old beam was just "more damage." Simple, but not fun. The current Colossus weapon encourages micro since it really matters who you shoot and the angle you shoot them from. Fortunately since the Colossus can step up and down cliffs and over friendly units he can move to the optimal position if you are fast enough. The biggest problem he has right now is with Neural Parasite on the Infestor. It's really giving the Colossus a hard time. We are working on that today.
    Cavez. 2009-05-15. Regarding the most honourable Colossus. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2009-05-16.
  22. Karune. 2008-02-08. StarCraft II Q&A - Batch 29. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-02-08.
  23. It does not currently have any blind spots. On a side note, we are working to buff up the Colossus a bit more to have more burst attack (more attack damage but slower attack speed). Previously, in order for the Colossus to be very effective, a Protoss player would need several of them on the field attacking at the same time. This change should make the Colossus more effective with smaller numbers. Karune. 2009-02-03. Does the Colossus have a blind spot? Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2009-02-03.
  24. PerfectionistEmblem. 2009-09-22. Starcraft 2 - Skyhigh vs Nada at Blizzcon. Youtube. Accessed 2009-10-17.
  25. 2010-04-30, BlizzChat Developer Chat on Twitter 4/30. Battle.net forums, accessed on 2010-05-06


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