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"Spectres. Tell me: Have you ever seen a spectre? No? Because they don't exist."

- Gabriel Tosh, rumored to be the first spectre, speaking to Cyb Roche of the Umojan News Service. Ms. Roche disappeared a week later and has not been seen since.(src)

Spectres are terran special forces operatives with psionic powers granted by the psionic reagent terrazine. Many are or were elite ghost agents which have been exposed to terrazine. However, some were neurally resocialized troops who were subjected to the procedure, and would have lesser psionic power. Spectres were created as part of Project Shadowblade.[1]

Overview

Spectre SC-G Game1

A cybernetically modified spectre

The Terran Dominion discovered and used terrazine gas, a potent psionic reagent, in 2501.[1]

Scientists consider the side effects of terrazine enhancement to be "unpredictable,"[2] but of what is known, its use allows a telepath to regenerate brain cells, overcoming memory wipes and increasing their psionic powers by 1 or more points on the Psi Index, with some approaching protoss levels of psionics. Spectres inhale terrazine like a drug from a bottle.

As a result of an alliance with the Umojan Protectorate and using their advanced technology, plus that stolen from Sector 9, spectres are difficult to detect via detectors or mind-reading (except by other terrans exposed to terrazine). Their hostile environment suits give a greater boost to strength and agility than the standard Dominion version,[1] and they were given sonic-dampening boots for quieter movements.[3]

Spectre SC-G Cncpt1

A female spectre

Creating a spectre also requires the use of the element jorium, and activating them requires the use of a psionic waveform indoctrinator.[4] Jorium is required to stabilize the terrazine, and minimizes the insanity and hallucinations caused by the gas. A strict, to the minute schedule of terrazine and jorium intake can nullify the worst side effects of the spectre transformation.[1] A potential snag in creating spectres is that jorium is much harder to obtain than terrazine.

The results of the spectre procedure affects everyone slightly differently.[5][6] Many become eccentric, collecting devices such as dolls in an effort to enhance their powers.[7] Terrazine is addictive, and many spectres did not adhere to a strict schedule, instead overdosing. This results in side effects such as hallucinations and even violent outbursts.[1]

Ghost agent Nova Terra claimed that spectres always become psychotic.[4] Doctor Ariel Hanson disagreed, finding little to no evidence to support that spectres are more prone to aberrant behaviour compared to normal people, and believes that Nova had lied.[6][8] The former director of the reborn Project: Shadowblade, General Cole Bennett, emphasized the dangers of terrazine without jorium to stabilize its negative effects. Numerous spectres, such as Dylanna Okyl, had seemingly gone insane due to its effects.[1]

History

Early History

In 2501, the Terran Dominion discovered the fringe world of Demon's Fair. Investigators discovered a terrazine-releasing rift there, and upon realizing the gas enhanced psionic power, Emperor Arcturus Mengsk created a secret program, Project Shadowblade. The project was led by General Horace Warfield.

The head of Nova Squadron, Colonel Jackson Hauler, secretly an escapee from the Ghost Program, infiltrated the program under the name Cole Bennett. The gas was tested on several terrans, some of whom were low-level psychics, in order to observe the effects. "Bennett" secretly tested on himself. The project was violently dissolved. Three members were arrested, subject to neural resocialization and thrown into New Folsom Prison. Bennett made an escape.[1]

In spite of the project's failure, Mengsk continued it in secret, trying to create spectres that could be controlled in a secret lab on the planet Tartarus. However, the lab fell into obscurity.[9]

He eventually made contact with renegade ghost Gabriel Tosh, and discovered another source of terrazine on the fringe world of Altara.

The duo made an alliance with the Umojan Protectorate and, using a cloaked battle platform, Gehenna Station, along with advanced technology from the Umojans and the secret Dominion project Sector 9, began creating an army of spectres. They were mainly kidnapped ghosts, lured through pretexts into vulnerable positions. They had their neural implants removed to avoid detection and tracking by the Dominion.

They secured the help of an AI, Lio Travski, formerly a technopathic ghost and friend of Tosh's. Travski enabled them to send communications in the name of Emperor Mengsk.

In addition, they invented the psi indoctrinator, which enabled barely psychic resocialized troops to be made into a lesser grade of spectre.

In 2503 Tosh tried to recruit former friend Nova Terra, a ghost, but failed. His attack on Augustgrad also failed, losing them a number of spectres.

In the end, Terra led Dominion forces in a successful attack on Gehenna Station, killing several spectres and destroying the station. Tosh was only able to escape with six resocialized marines in indoctrinators.[1]

AlliedCommanders SC2-LotV Art1
This article or section contains information derived from Co-op Missions, and should not be considered part of the official StarCraft storyline.

With the fall of Project Shadowblade, spectres became a rare sight in the Koprulu sector.[10]

Rogue Agents

"You guys did good. Now me and my spectres will finish the job. We'll kill Mengsk...and burn his Dominion to the ground."
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An unmasked spectre

By 2504, a number had been captured and deactivated by Nova Terra, ending up in New Folsom Prison.[4][11]


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This article or section contains information from the optional Covert Missions in StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty.

During the Second Great War, Tosh sought to hire Raynor's Raiders to rescue the prisoners, and acquire jorium and terrazine to reactivate them. Tosh's plans were discovered by Nova, a Terran Dominion ghost. Nova attempted to dissuade Raynor from raiding New Folsom by claiming spectres were psychotic killers.[4][11]

Plot branch : Raynor's Raiders free the spectres from New Folsom Prison (A canon)
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Spectres on board the Hyperion

Jim Raynor was unwilling to trust a Dominion agent and followed Tosh's plan of action. Though the prison was alerted by Nova, the breakout succeeded.[11] As promised, Tosh and the spectres agreed to help the Raiders in the revolution against the Dominion.[7] As a precaution, Raynor also extracted a promise from Tosh that only volunteers would undergo the spectre creation process.[6][12]

Plot branch ends here
Plot branch : Raynor's Raiders attack Avernus Station (B canon)

Nova convinced Raynor that Tosh's ambitions were too dangerous to be allowed to succeed. The Raiders helped the ghost destroy the spectre training facility on Avernus Station.[4] Nova then assassinated Tosh.[13]

Plot branch ends here

Moebius

"Usher them unto the infinite abyss!"

- Spectre in service of Moebius Corps(src)

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A Moebius Corps spectre

By 2506, spectres were being utilized by the Moebius Corps. Spectres in the service of Moebius Corps were seen by Zeratul on an old Moebius Foundation hybrid lab.[14] Later they would be spotted on Sky Shield,[15] the attack on Ulnar,[16][17][18] and the defense of Revanscar.[19]

Amon's Fall

Spectres were present among the ranks of Raynor's Raiders during the joint assault into the Void. While there, they took part in protecting Sarah Kerrigan as Ouros transferred his essence into her.[20]

Arcturus's Loyalists

"Not long ago, a mysterious group of vigilantes made their presence known in a violent fashion, eliminating several of the Koprulu Sector's most prominent politicians. And they claim to be serving the will of the late emperor Arcturus Mengsk. We do not know where these soldiers come from or why their commitment to the deceased emperor is so resolute, but we know their conviction comes in the form of thorough destruction."

- Kate Lockwell reporting on the spectres(src)

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Nova fights Arcturus Mengsk loyalist spectres

After the Defenders of Man Insurgency, Nova Terra attempted to gather jorium around the sector in order to prevent the creation of more spectres. However, she found the lab on Tartarus, and though she ordered those spectres killed, her assistant defied orders and released six of them. The spectres, still loyal to the memory of Arcturus, stole the Griffin and caused chaos through the sector, assassinating several prominent politicians. Nova allied with Matriarch Vorazun of the Daelaam, and the two were able to hunt down the spectres, and convince them they were more than weapons for a dead emperor. Though initially distrustful, the spectres surrendered, and were taken to Aiur to psychologically and physically recover from the impacts of the experiments done to them. Later, they departed with Nova aboard the Griffin.[9]

StarCraft: Ghost

StarCraft Ghost Logo2
This article or section contains information about StarCraft: Ghost, which has been declared non-canon. Elements may be taken as 'flavor lore' however.
The content may be significantly out of date. Please do not add speculation to this article, and remember to cite a published source for details.

In early builds of StarCraft: Ghost, spectres would be created by Jackson Hauler and his Omega Squadron, and they would steal the gas from sites on Mar Sara, Aiur and Char. Hauler hoped to send his spectres across the sector in order to dominate it. Nova faced off against three spectres, Artemis, Aries, and Vulcan, and finally Hauler himself. Hauler swore his spectres would be spread across the galaxy and carry on his legacy, and Nova swore she would hunt down the last of them wherever they appear.[21]

Game Unit

Wings of Liberty

In the StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty campaign, spectres are available as an alternative to ghosts, granted if Jim Raynor sides with Gabriel Tosh. They are superior to ghosts in dealing with massive units due to their psionic lash and bonus damage against armor. On the other hand, they possess less HP than ghosts, and psionic lash is less energy efficient than the ghost's equivalent, snipe. While still not very effective against massed zerg, spectres have the ability to stun a group of units in a small radius, allowing time to either retreat or effectively support other units. In the Into the Void, The Essence of Eternity mission, they have both the permanent stealth and psionic lash upgrades available by default.

If taking their psionic lash and cloaking abilities into account, spectres are good against siege tanks, thors, diamondbacks, battlecruisers, immortals, archons, colossi, void rays, carriers, ultralisks, and brood lords. They are weak against marines, zerglings, and zealots, and are not cost-effective against marauders, stalkers, or roaches.

Upgrades

Acquisition
Purchased from Engineering bay
Hotkey E
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 114seconds
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 136seconds
Required Armory
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 157seconds
Required Armory
ve

Attack upgrades improve attack cooldown of affected units by 5% per level.

These self-replicating ultra capacitors reduce the reload time of weapons and systems. Now each of the weapon upgrades at the armory and engineering bay increases attack speed by 5% in addition to increasing damage.

Campaign Acquisition
Acquired from Hyperion laboratory for 5 protoss research points
ve
Acquisition
Purchased from Engineering bay
Hotkey A
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 114seconds
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 136seconds
Required Armory
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 157seconds
Required Armory
ve
SC2 Lab VanPlating Icon
Vanadium Plating

Armor upgrades increase health of affected units by 5% per level.[22]

We have created a new lightweight alloy called vanadium. Vanadium diffuses weapon impacts much more efficiently than traditional armor plating, and it better preserves the life of our units. Now each of the armor upgrades in the armory and engineering bay increases unit life by 5% in addition to increasing armor.

Campaign Acquisition
Acquired from Hyperion laboratory for 5 protoss research points
ve

Enables spectres to cloak indefinitely.

This combat suit comes with a psi enhancer dedicated entirely to maintaining cloak. This allows the spectre to effortlessly maintain a cloaking field and channel his psionic energies elsewhere.[24]

Campaign Acquisition
Acquired from Hyperion armory for $125,000
ve

Abilities

Ghosts and spectres can call down nuclear strikes, dealing 300 damage + 200 vs buildings.

The launching player sees a large red symbol on the target area while the opponent only sees a red dot. When the ghost is aiming the nuke, it will be "frozen", but it can still be given the order to "move away", which it will do the moment it is unfrozen.

Usage
Hotkey N
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 14 second drop time seconds
Range 12
ve
SC2BansheeCloak
Personal Cloaking

Enables ghosts and spectres to cloak.

Usage
Hotkey C
Cost 25 (+0.9 per second) Energy
Acquisition
Purchased from Ghost academy/Shadow ops
Hotkey C
Cost 150 Minerals 150 Vespene gas 120seconds
ve
UltrasonicPulse SC2 Icon1
Ultrasonic Pulse

The spectre targets an area with its rifle, stunning units within for a short period of time.

Usage
Cost 50 Energy
Cooldown 3 seconds
ve

Grants spectres the psionic lash ability. Psionic lash deals 200 damage to target unit.

With proper training, spectres can unleash a concentrated blast of psionic fury at a single target. This blast drains the spectre's energy reserves, but it will kill most targets outright. For obvious reasons, Remedius Medical Systems recommends limiting this training to spectres who have an exceptionally high opinion of their superior officers.

Usage
Hotkey I
Cost 150 Energy 3 seconds
Campaign Acquisition
Acquired from Hyperion armory for $100,000
ve

Development

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Impaler Rounds

Spectres could be upgraded with Impaler Rounds at the Hyperion's armory. Although the button states that it increases damage against light units by 5, the actual upgrade increased damage against armored units instead. Spectres also had a Consumption ability identical to Tosh's, draining HP from allied units to recover their energy.[25]

At one point, Spectres may have had the Lockdown, Nuke, and Hallucination abilities.[26]

Co-op Missions

Tychus can deploy an elite outlaw spectre named Nux in Co-op Missions, who can call down an Ultrasonic Pulse to damage enemies in an area.

Heroes of the Storm

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The following section contains information from Heroes of the Storm and is not canon to StarCraft continuity

Spectre skins for Nova Terra, Tracer and Illidan Stormrage appear in Heroes of the Storm. In addition, spectre iconography appears on the third tint of the game's vulture mount. The phantom is also available as a mount.[27]

StarCraft: Ghost

Spectres were to be a key part of StarCraft: Ghost. Various boss fights with the spectres would be key for the later missions of the game, and one of the objectives involved destroying the spectre pods that kept them in stasis on Gehenna Station.[21]

Known Spectres

Main article: List of spectres
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A spectre in Last Junction

First Generation

The following spectres were part of the original Project Shadowblade, or subsequently activated through other means:

Second Generations

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The Tartarus spectres

The following spectres were created as part of the revived Project Shadowblade on Tartarus.

At least nine other spectres are known to have been created, but were terminated when their life support systems were shut down.[9]

StarCraft: Ghost

StarCraft Ghost Logo2
This article or section contains information about StarCraft: Ghost, which has been declared non-canon. Elements may be taken as 'flavor lore' however.
The content may be significantly out of date. Please do not add speculation to this article, and remember to cite a published source for details.

Notes

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Spectre hoodie

  • Spectres were part of the background of StarCraft: Ghost, much of said background being ported to its novelization. In background material, they were described as being shadowy superhuman beings bent on executing the will of their "true master"[29] and "subservient super-soldiers."[30] One spectre named Vulcan was a brain utilizing a machine, referred to in concept art as a "brain spectre."[31]
  • The symbol of the spectres is available in multiplayer as a reward for winning 1000 1v1 games using a random race.[32]
  • A spectre hoodie was available through Jinx.com. It has since been discontinued.[33]

Images

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Kenyon, Nate. (September 27, 2011). StarCraft: Ghost: Spectres. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-1439-10938-0.
  2. Elder, Josh (w), Ramanda Kamarga (p), Angie Nathalia (i), Junadi (i). "Do No Harm." In StarCraft: Frontline: Volume 3 (paperback binding), pp. 48-89. Tokyopop, July 14, 2009. ISBN 978-1427-80832-5.
  3. Barba, Rick. StarCraft Field Manual (hardcover). Insight Editions, November 17, 2015.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Wings of Liberty, Ghost of a Chance (in English). 2010-07-27.
  5. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Gabriel Tosh (in English). 2010.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after Breakout (in English). 2010
  7. 7.0 7.1 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Armory units (in English). 2010.
  8. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Ariel Hanson (in English). 2010.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Brian Alexander, Alex Acks (w), Carlos Rodríguez (i) and Sandra Molina (c). (April 2, 2022). StarCraft II: Nature of the Beast - The Complete Collection. Blizzard Entertainment. ISBN 978-1950366866
  10. Blizzard Entertainment. Co-op Missions. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Tychus Findlay (in English). 2018.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Wings of Liberty, Breakout (in English). 2010-07-27.
  12. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Rory Swann (in English). 2010.
  13. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: Nova. (in English). 2010.
  14. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Whispers of Oblivion, Dark Whispers (in English). 2015-07-15.
  15. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Legacy of the Void, Sky Shield (in English). 2015-11-10.
  16. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Legacy of the Void, Temple of Unification (in English). 2015-11-10.
  17. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Legacy of the Void, The Infinite Cycle (in English). 2015-11-10.
  18. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Legacy of the Void, Harbinger of Oblivion (in English). 2015-11-10.
  19. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Legacy of the Void, Templar's Charge (in English). 2015-11-10.
  20. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Into the Void, The Essence of Eternity (in English). 2015-11-10.
  21. 21.0 21.1 2014-18-12, StarCraft: Ghost Demo Build. Dropbox.com, accessed on 2020-02-16
  22. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Protoss research (in English). 2010.
  23. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Zerg research (in English). 2010.
  24. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Armory upgrades (in English). 2010.
  25. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II Map Editor. (Activision Blizzard) (in English). July 27, 2010
  26. Deep.Thought. 2009-08-18. StarCraft II Single Player Fact Sheet. IncGamers.
  27. Blizzard Entertainment. Heroes of the Storm (Blizzard Entertainment) (in English). June 2, 2015
  28. Brian Kindregan, Eldorian. 2010-10-28. Blizzcon: Interview with StarCraft 2 Lead Writer Brian Kindregan. Blizzplanet. Accessed 2010-10-31.
  29. 2006-02-15. Story. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2007-09-01.
  30. Chris Remo. 2005-11-11. Starcraft: Ghost Preview. Shacknews. Accessed 2008-10-26.
  31. 2014-18-12, StarCraft: Ghost Videoes Extracted. Google Drive, accessed on 2020-02-16
  32. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard) (in English). July 27, 2010
  33. 2012-12-22, New Ghost and Spectre Hoodies. StarCraft.com, accessed on 2017-07-08
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