The warhound is a terran walker.
Overview
Activated through a fingerprint scanner as part of its pilot security template,[2] the warhound is designed for close anti-vehicle and anti-armor work, with some anti-air capability. Their legs are designed to move over tough terrain. Missile racks are mounted on their shoulders, and cannon barrels are located on the end of their arms. The warhound's chasis bears resemblance to that of the SCV, but unlike the SCV, the warhound's operator is contained entirely within its torso, with neural interfaces allowing the pilot to control the vehicle's limbs and armament systems. The missile racks are capable of firing either anti-air cyclone missiles[1] or haywire missiles, functioning as an anti-armor weapon.[3] For close-range anti-vehicle work, the warhound possesses a railgun that fires directed plasma field-charged slugs (DPFs), which are also capable of dealing with infantry and structures. The warhound is capable of near-instantaneous toggling between DPF and anti-air ordnance systems, to address quickly changing threats in battlefield situations.
The warhound is not effective against the zerg in that, as per it being designed for close-range anti-vehicle combat, it would have to close in on the zerg to be effective.[1]
History
The concept of the warhound began with Yako Iilev, an engineer working on a backwater planet. The mine he was working on was experiencing trouble with local bandits, and to deal with the issue, he outfitted an SCV with different armaments. When the bandits returned, they got a "surprise." Despite his actions, his employer was irate, as they had subcontracted security out, and his actions made them look bad. Before they could fire him however, the Axiom Corporation bought out the company. Iilev's plans and designs for the modified SCV were included in the purchase. Years later, Iilev was stated to have retired, but Ottmar Drenthe suspected that he had been forced out and his designs stolen under the pretext of some fine print in the acquisitions agreement.
The warhound was developed after the first phase of the Second Great War after analysis of the battles fought, in order to better improve the terran war machine.[4] It was developed by Axiom Corporation, and prototypes were produced on Bukari V. The test was successful, in as much that the warhounds were able to display their firepower. Unfortunately for Axiom, the disgruntled workers turned their vehicles on the factory complex.[1]
The warhound saw action in the Second Great War on both Char and Korhal, where it was fielded against the zerg in both cases.[5][6] During the conflict, Project Blackstone conducted work on the warhound. Engineer Red Quinton stripped out the pilot security template to allow for quicker construction and an overall boost in power. Dr Daniel Rothfuss pointed out that this act "left the keys in the ignition." Quinton responded that the zerg and protoss either could not, or would not pilot the warhound. The modifications were submitted to Axiom. They were not incorporated.[2]
Game Unit
The warhound is a campaign-only anti-mechanical unit used in the Heart of the Swarm campaign.
The warhound's unit portrait depicts a surly, military commander figure—akin to a younger more toned down version of the battlecruiser's unit portrait.[9] The warhound also has the ability to dance.[10]
Haywire Missiles
The warhound is equipped with powerful long-range haywire missiles which deal 30 damage to mechanical units. The ability is autocast.[3]
These missiles are in addition to its regular anti-ground attack.[11]
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The rationale behind the missiles was to provide a new dynamic in terran vs. terran multiplayer games, in order to make it easier for players to break siege tank lines.[13]
Quotations
Development
The following section contains information from a previous version of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm which is no longer valid.
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Original render of the warhound
The warhound is an anti-mechanical unit that was originally supposed to be available in skirmish games. It was expected to be a core unit in terran vs. protoss games due to the latter faction's reliance on mechanical units. It was of limited use against the zerg however due to their complete lack of mechanical units.[14] It did not have an anti-air attack.[15]
The warhound was originally called the "merc commander."[9]
It originally did splash damage to air targets.[16]
As of June, 2012, the development team was looking to find a way to make the warhound useful in terran vs. zerg matches.[14] However as of September, 2012, the warhound has been completely removed from the game.[17] The development team originally did not clearly state as to whether the warhound may or may not have returned later in the beta,[18] but as of March, 2013, with the closing of the beta,[19] it has been permanently removed from multiplayer but was eventually used in the campaign.
Like the hydralisk and the roach, the warhound had a different attack animation for melee range; it punched targets with its shield arm.[20]
Known Warhound Pilots
A warhound pilot
Notes
The warhound the subject of Blizzard's April Fool's joke in 2013, where it replaced the workers of all three races.[21]
References
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