Xel'naga tower


 * Observation post redirects here. This article is about the xel'naga-crafted observation structure. For the protoss structure, see observatory.



The xel'naga watch tower, also known as an observation post or observatory, is an ancient xel'naga structure.

When activated, the observatory illuminates and crafts itself together into a watch tower.

Game Effect
The tower is a neutral doodad or structure which grants a greater viewing area to units that occupy it. The enhanced visual area remains even if units aren't very close to it. The visual radius is greater than that of an observer.

Watch towers do not grant detection.

These are usually placed in strategic areas. A player can quickly tell what an enemy is attacking with, making upcoming battles easier and blunting the effect of rushes. A player attempting a rush is advised to try to hide rush attacks.

The watch tower uses the Adjutant's portrait. It is a selectable structure but have no hit points like mineral fields and geysers and have only the "structure" attribute.

Development
The watch tower could be occupied by the overlord's Slime ability, neutralizing it. However, the Slime ability was removed in the latest build of StarCraft II.