Dark archon

The Dark Archon is a Protoss Dark Templar psionic entity.

History


The first Dark Archons may have been created by Rogue Tribes on Aiur, as they learned psionics from Adun. However, their psionic storms spiralled out of control, as they did not possess the discipline of the Khala.

During their long exile, the Dark Templars have faced many challenges. Struggling and adapting their arsenal of skills and converting their biology to suit their harsh environment has ultimately resulted in the Dark Archon.

Like their High Templar brethren, two Dark Templars sacrifice themselves in a psionic melding giving rise to the Dark Archon. The powers of these avatars of psionic might extend well beyond those of the regular Protoss Archon, more than compensating for their lack of any physical attack capability.

The burning, crimson effigy of the Dark Archon spreads fear across any battlefield. These powerful creatures of living Psionic energy embody the eternal wrath of the Dark Templar. Created by the merging of any two Dark Templar warriors, the Dark Archon can wield the mysterious energies of the void. These dire, volatile beings are so powerful that the Dark Templar have outlawed their creation for a thousand years.

The creation of Dark Archons was allowed after the Protoss who follow the Khala came to Shakuras, the Dark Templar homeworld. Matriarch Raszagal and Zeratul authorized their use due to Aldaris' rebellion, which included Protoss Archons.

Game Unit
The Dark Archon is a "caster unit" with no regular attack. It is formed by the merging of two Dark Templar, in a manner similar to the formation of the Protoss Archon.

It has many shield points and few hit points, but its hit points are greater than those of an Archon.

Its three primary abilities are psionic in nature: Feedback, which drains another unit's mana and deals damage to it equal to the amount of mana drained, Maelstrom, an area-of-effect attack which stuns biological units for a short period of time, and Mind Control, which, through a huge effort of will and energy, allows the Dark Archon to dominate the mind of another being. This unit and its powers and knowledge now become the property of the Dark Archon. Mind Control can take control of vehicles and even transports (bringing all passengers under its control as well). However, using Mind Control drains all of the Dark Archon's shields.