Interceptor


 * For the Terran interceptor, see Class 4 Interceptor.

Interceptors are automated fighters produced by Protoss Carriers.

Overview
The Interceptor is a computer guided, maneuverable fighter, produced and housed inside a Carrier. Attacking with plasma charges, Interceptors can easily tear through enemy flight formations and relentlessly strafe slower targets. A flight of Interceptors can even bring down an enemy capital ship.

Interceptors are known for their speed, attacking rapidly and retreating just as quickly to their host Carrier for repairs. Terran scientists have long yearned for an opportunity to study just how the smoothly orchestrated operations are achieved in detail.

StarCraft
Carriers rely on Interceptors to attack. A player should be mindful to keep the Carrier's Interceptor quantity as high as possible at all times, especially in combat when the relatively fragile Interceptors may be destroyed quickly. More Interceptors mean greater damage and, against overworked or inattentive opponents, spread damage over a larger number of units. An Interceptor is automatically repaired upon returning to its Carrier, so forcing a Carrier to recall its Interceptors at opportune moments may help to extend Interceptor life and save resources.

The best counters against Interceptors are mainly a combined arms force of ground and air units though specific units are capable of destroying Interceptors with ease such as Corsairs and Valkyries as these units can inflict splash damage and reduce the number of a Carrier's Interceptors to none in seconds.

Interceptors will self-destruct if their parent Carrier is destroyed. If a Carrier is disabled (for example, through Lockdown), its child Interceptors will return to the Carrier and only resume attacking once the Carrier becomes active again.

StarCraft II
Interceptors return in StarCraft II as the Carrier's armament.

Interceptors can be replaced automatically.