Psionic powers
From StarCraft Wiki
Psionic powers (also called psychic powers) are a universal feature of the StarCraft universe, present to various degrees in the protoss, terrans and even the zerg to a extent. The xel'naga also possessed such powers, as they once established a psychic link with the Overmind.[1]
Psionics is the ability and practice of using the mind to induce things that would be considered paranormal, such as telepathy and telekinesis.
There are a wide array of psionic powers, the ability to use them varying per species and even individually.
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[edit] Universal Powers
These powers can be used by both protoss and terrans.
[edit] Protoss Powers
The protoss are masters of psionic powers and are natural mind-readers.[2] The protoss can use their psionic abilities to shield themselves, charge their tools and weapons, and to make, manipulate or meld matter.[3] A very small number of protoss called preservers have the ability to hold the memories of many other protoss from centuries or millennia ago, even claiming to hold "all the memories of the Protoss".[2] The high templar's powers are so great that they can even focus their psionic energy to create terrible storms of psychic energy that destroy the minds of other living creatures.[1] If two high templar would merge, they would create a creature of pure psionic energy known as an archon, so powerful that they can independently erect a resilient shield and direct psionic shockwaves.[4]
- Charge (Zealots)
- Feedback (Dark archons)
- Hallucination (High templar, Dark Templar (only some),[5] disruptor)
- Maelstrom (Dark archons)
- Mind Control (Dark archons)
- Prophecy (Khyar, Tenarsis)
- Psingularity
- Psionic Bolt (High templar, Darakian)[4]
- Psionic Shockwave (Archons)
- Psionic Storm (High templar, also Dark Templar, but the latter cannot control them)
[edit] Terran Powers
- See also: List of terran psychics
The terrans exhibited a powerful psionic potential and are only a few steps away from developing into a formidable psionic power. Very few terrans can use psionic powers, but most that can become "ghosts".[1]
Terran children are tested at a young age for psychic potential,[6] and both the Terran Confederacy[7] and Dominion went to great lengths to ensure that all such children joined the Ghost Program.[8] However, a number of psychics slipped through the cracks; this was especially common in the fringe colonies.[9]
Terran psychics can be rated on the Psionic Index scale. A terran with a PI of 2-5 can sense psionic powers but generally cannot use other psychic abilities. Some such psychics are employed by the Ghost Program as wranglers, employed to hunt other psychics.[6] Other such weak psychics have demonstrated abilities such as resisting telepathy.[10]
Psychics with a PI of 5-6 are telepathic and can read minds. Psychics of this level are recruited to become ghosts.[6] Ghosts generally do not have the ability to block thoughts; ghosts find each other very easy to read.[7]
Non-psychics such as Arcturus Mengsk[11] and Corbin Phash have demonstrated the ability to conceal their thoughts from telepaths. Phash can even think "fake" thoughts that another telepath might detect.[12] However, the technique is not completely reliable.[11][12]
Some psychics have demonstrated telekinetic powers; this requires a Psionic Index rating of at least 8.[6] A few even demonstrate pyrokinesis (the ability to create or manipulate fire with their mind).[12]
[edit] Exotic Powers
Numerous psychics have demonstrated a telepathic attack method called psychic attack. Individual users include Amanda Haley,[13] Sarah Kerrigan,[11][13] Colin Phash[14][8] and Kare Vaessen[4] November Terra has not only demonstrated this ability, she can use it on multiple opponents simultaneously with such a high degree of control that she can exclude someone from the area of effect.[6]
Ghost trainee Colin Phash has demonstrated a "quiet voice", a power which shifts his mind to another place, preventing the zerg from sensing his psionic powers. He later demonstrated astral projection, which also involves sending his mind to another place.[12]
Ghost superintendent Angelini demonstrated the ability to disrupt the powers of other telepaths.[12]
Ghost trainee Lio Travski is a technopath, which enables him to link his mind with computers as well as organic minds.[15]
Kare Vaessen, a ghost of the Alliance whose psychic dampeners malfunctioned, has a considerable degree of psychic power. In addition to being able to use psychic attacks, she also has a healing power.[4]
Devon Starke has demonstrated the ability to project his thoughts, as well as remote viewing and psychometry. He and some other ghosts have also demonstrated the ability to plant suicidal and homicidal urges into an opponent's mind.[16]
Jake Ramsey was possessed and his brain altered by a protoss preserver. In addition to giving him telepathic ability, he could even enter the Khala.[17] The modifications afflicted him with brain cancer, which stopped progressing once the preserver was removed.[18]
[edit] Ghosts
Ghosts channel their psionic energies through their hostile environment suit, a specialized skinsuit laced with psi-sensitive artificial muscle fiber, to augment their physical capabilities.[19] A cloaking device and requisite power supply are frequently issued as well;[1] the device requires psionic energy as a component.[7][5]
[edit] Exceptional Ghosts
Exceptional ghosts exist that can tear through walls, run at remarkable speeds, and leap tall obstacles. Excitable media rumors of long-range telepathy, telekinesis, and even mind control or other exotic powers have all added to the grisly reputation of ghosts cultivated by their masters.[19]
Some ghosts can use their hostile environment suits to greater effect. For instance, with the assistance of her suit,[6] Nova can dramatically increase her speed.[20]
[edit] Spectres
Spectres are elite ghost agents which have been exposed to the psionic reagent substance terrazine.[21] Not much is known about them, but they've been described as "subservient super-soldiers".[22] They have demonstrated the ability to create hallucinations.[23]
[edit] Zerg Powers
The zerg also possess a limited degree of psionic powers, as the Overmind once established a psionic link with the xel'naga. [1]
All zerg strains possess a degree of telepathy. However, it is different from the communication used by protoss or terrans and as such, it is normally impossible to communicate with most zerg strains.[24] However, prior to her infestation, Sarah Kerrigan demonstrated such an ability.[11]
The zerg are somewhat sensitive to psionics[1] and can sense psi-emitters from a great distance, even across worlds.[25] Zerglings can sense the emanations of a powerful psychic at a considerable range.[8]
Additionally, overlords fly using helium-filled gas sacs combined with a weak telekinetic psi-ability for lift and motive power.[26]
In order to gain the upper hand in the war against the protoss, whose powerful psionics were a great threat to the Swarm, the Overmind planned to assimilate the terrans, since their powerful psionic potential would make them able to fight the protoss on their own terms. To date, the only psychic terran that the zerg have been able to acquire and transform into an advanced infested terran is Sarah Kerrigan, a ghost who had been a member of the Sons of Korhal.[27] The Overmind left her with the majority of her spirit, and she retained her intelligence and even some of her humanity.[28]
After the fall of the Overmind, Infested Kerrigan became the commander of the Swarm as the Queen of Blades.
[edit] Creep
The protoss scientific organization, PAX, conducted an experiment with creep and viruses. The resulting creature developed psychic powers, and could even "distort" the Khala (creating hallucinations) and control a unique being.[29]
[edit] Other Races
[edit] Xel'Naga
The xel'naga were able to maintain a psychic link with the Overmind, before the latter broke it.[1] At least some xel'naga demonstrated a prophecy-like ability.[30]
[edit] Hybrids and Similar Creatures
The protoss/zerg hybrids emitted minimal psionic powers while in stasis, the same degree radiated by captured high templar.[31]
Similar creatures developed by Ulrezaj demonstrated a similar ability. Psychics felt disturbed by the power, but could block it out.[16]
[edit] Other Entities
A particularly powerful entity demonstrated the ability to use Void-based powers. Many of its powers had a physical basis as well.[32]
[edit] References
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| Psionic Powers
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Protoss | Powers |
Archon Warp · Charge · Dark Archon Warp · Feedback · Hallucination · Maelstrom · Mind Control · Prophecy · Psingularity · Psionic Bolt · Psionic Shockwave · Psionic Speed · Psionic Storm · Telekinesis · Telepathy |
| Psionic philosophies | ||
| Terrans |
Astral Projection · Quiet Voice · Psionic Shock · Psionic Sight · Psionic Speed (requires hostile environment suit) · Psychic Attack · Psychometry · Pyrokinesis · Remote Viewing · Sense Psionics · Technopathy · Telekinesis · Telepathy | |
| Zerg |
Psionic Speed (Infested Kerrigan) · Sense Psionics · Telekinesis (overlord) · Telepathy | |
| Xel'naga | ||
