Psionic powers

Psionic powers (also called psychic powers) are a universal feature of the StarCraft universe, present to various degrees in the protoss, terrans and even the zerg to a extent. The xel'naga also possessed such powers, as they once established a psychic link with the Overmind.

Psionics is the ability and practice of using the mind to induce things that would be considered paranormal, such as telepathy and telekinesis.

There are a wide array of psionic powers, the ability to use them varying per species and even individually.

Universal Powers
These powers can be used by both protoss and terrans.
 * Psionic Speed
 * Sense Psionics
 * Telepathy
 * Telekinesis

Protoss Powers
"Power overwhelming!"

- Protoss archon

The protoss are masters of psionic powers and are natural mind-readers. The protoss can use their psionic abilities to shield themselves, charge their tools and weapons, and to make, manipulate or meld matter. A very small number of protoss called preservers have the ability to hold the memories of many other protoss from centuries or millennia ago, even claiming to hold "all the memories of the Protoss". The high templars powers are so great that they can even focus their psionic energy to create terrible storms of psychic energy that destroy the minds of other living creatures. If two high templar would merge, they would create a creature of pure psionic energy known as an archon, so powerful that they can independently erect a resilient shield and direct psionic shockwaves.


 * Charge (Zealots)
 * Feedback (Dark archons)
 * Hallucination (High templar, Dark Templar (only some), disruptor)
 * Maelstrom (Dark archons)
 * Mind Control (Dark archons)
 * Prophecy (Khyar, Tenarsis)
 * Psingularity
 * Psionic Bolt (High templar, Darakian)
 * Psionic Shockwave (Archons)
 * Psionic Storm (High templar, also Dark Templar, but the latter cannot control them)

Terran Powers

 * See also: List of terran psychics

The terrans exhibited a powerful psionic potential and are only a few steps away from developing into a formidable psionic power. Very few terrans can use psionic powers, but most that can become "ghosts". Ghosts have the ability to read minds but generally do not have the ability to block thoughts; ghosts find each other very easy to read. Ghosts and weaker psychics can detect other sources of psionic power.

Exceptional ghosts exist that can tear through walls, run at remarkable speeds, and leap tall obstacles. Excitable media rumors of long-range telepathy, telekinesis, and even mind control or other exotic powers have all added to the grisly reputation of ghosts cultivated by their masters. Exceptional ghosts demonstrating a wider variety of powers; for instance, Sarah Kerrigan and Nova have demonstrated the ability to damage opponents' brains to the point of death. Nova can even kill multiple opponents while leaving someone in the midst of the attack unharmed and, with the assistance of her hostile environment suit, can dramatically increase her speed.

Ghost trainee Colin Phash has demonstrated a "quiet voice", a power which shifts his mind to another plane, preventing the zerg from sensing his psionic powers. He later demonstrated astral projection.

Ghost trainee Lio Travski is a technopath, which enables him to link his mind with computers as well as organic brains.

Spectres are elite ghost agents which have been exposed to the psionic reagent substance terrazine. Not much is known about them, but they've been described as "subservient super-soldiers". They have demonstrated the ability to create hallucinations.

Rare Powers

 * Psionic Shock (Nova)
 * Psychic Attack (several terrans)
 * Psychic Healing (Kare Vaessen)
 * Psychometry (Devon Starke)
 * Remote Viewing (Devon Starke)

Zerg Powers
The zerg also possess a limited degree of psionic powers, as the Overmind once established a psionic link with the xel'naga.

All zerg strains possess a degree of telepathy. However, it is different from the communication used by protoss or terrans and as such, it is impossible to communicate with most zerg strains.

The zerg are somewhat sensitive to psionics and can sense psi-emitters from a great distance, even across worlds. Zerglings can sense the emanations of a powerful psychic at a considerable range.

Additionally, overlords fly using helium-filled gas sacs combined with a weak telekinetic psi-ability for lift and motive power.

In order to gain the upper hand in the war against the protoss, who's powerful psionics were a great threat to the Swarm, the Overmind planned to assimilate the terrans, since their powerful psionic potential would make them able to fight the protoss on their own terms. To date, the only psychic terran that the zerg have been able to acquire and transform into an advanced infested terran is Sarah Kerrigan, a ghost who had been a member of the Sons of Korhal. The Overmind left her with the majority of her spirit, and she retained her intelligence and even some of her humanity.

After the fall of the Overmind, Infested Kerrigan became the commander of the Swarm as the Queen of Blades.