StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

"An ancient cycle will complete its course. There will be much blood and darkness. But there will be impossible acts of valor and heroism. And you will see the protoss unleashed."

- Chris Metzen describing the game

Legacy of the Void is the name of the StarCraft II protoss campaign and episode.

It will be the third StarCraft II product and will be released separately from the other two games, Wings of Liberty and Heart of the Swarm, occurring after them chronologically, beginning immediately after the ending of Heart of the Swarm. It was expected to be priced as an expansion in 2009. However, it will now be released as an independent installment, not requiring StarCraft II vanilla to run. It will receive a simultanious PC/Mac release.

Storyline
"I have seen the story, and I’m telling you — there are some surprises, some twists, some turns, it’s going to be really exciting."

- Robert Clotworthy

The protoss were being systematically exterminated and were dying out from sheer age even before the Great War. The protoss have been picked off one-by-one, and their shattered civilization will fracture as something even worse happens, forcing a leader to save them from annihilation.

The protoss will be at the forefront of the story. Jim Raynor and Sarah Kerrigan will feature in the story, but Amon is the primary issue. Chris Metzen has likened the story to that of the film 300, with a small force engaging a much more powerful one in a desperate last stand. The storyline will conclude the StarCraft II trilogy.

James Waugh is the game's lead writer.

Oblivion


Artanis intended to retake Aiur, but found himself leading forces against Amon instead.

Singleplayer
"We want to get that feeling of 'We're the Protoss and we have technology that you haven't even dreamed of. We will literally turn you into a parking lot if you mess with us.' We want to get that sense of power without the focus on a single character."

- Dustin Browder

Legacy of the Void is primarily a singleplayer expansion. The campaign was intended to focus on Zeratul as its main character but the focus changed to Artanis by 2014.

Artanis will travel on the ark ship Spear of Adun and interact with characters such as Phasesmith Karax and a preserver, Rohana. The ship will have been derelict for hundred of years and will require upgrades.

The protoss campaign will be based on diplomacy as the protoss factions splinter. The player will work with different protoss tribes and sects, helping leaders of some sects which will anger others. Using units from one side may preclude using units from the other side and alienating one or another sect may cut the player off from part of the campaign. New allies will bring with them new technologies and techniques. The ultimate goal of the campaign is to unite the various tribes into a viable, unified force that can ensure the protoss' survival.

The game will feature upgrade choices in a similar vein as the armory and evolution pit from the previous games through the Star Core.

It is intended that the game's campaign have its own feel distinct from Wings of Liberty and Heart of the Swarm. In the latter, Kerrigan composed a great portion of her forces' strength by herself. For Legacy of the Void, it is intended that no single protoss warrior be comparable to her in that regard via gameplay. Zeratul may be an exception, but any such missions would be based on stealth (e.g. assassination). The power of the protoss in the game is to come from the protoss as a whole, not a single individual.

It has been indicated that Nova will make an appearance in the game, and hinted that the hybrids will play a "critical role."

Characters

 * Amon
 * Artanis
 * Matt Horner
 * Karax
 * Sarah Kerrigan
 * Jim Raynor
 * Rohana
 * Selendis
 * Valerian Mengsk
 * Vorazun
 * Zeratul

Multiplayer
In 2011, Chris Sigaty expressed doubt that new units would be added to the game, and that if they are added, it is likely that other units will be removed from multiplayer. This has since been refuted by Blizzard employee Kevin Johnson, stating that "no new units’ isn’t a direction we’re considering or have ever considered." New units were confirmed at BlizzCon 2014, along with Archon Mode and Allied Commanders. The game will also feature automated tornuments.

Protoss

 * Disruptor
 * Carrier
 * Immortal
 * Oracle
 * Tempest
 * Warp prism

Terran

 * Cyclone
 * Herc
 * Banshee
 * Thor
 * Thor
 * Thor

Zerg

 * Lurker
 * Ravager
 * Corruptor
 * Infestor
 * Nydus worm
 * Swarm host

Development
By 2013 Blizzard Entertainment had begun working on Legacy's story, scripts and missions. As of August 2013, the game's story has been written, many of the cinematics have been completed, and voice actors have begun work. As of November 2013, Dustin Browder was satisfied with the game's story, but felt the missions and campaign mechanics needed more work, to make them "feel" like protoss missions. As of February 2014, Blizzard was "hard at work" on the game. By August 2014, the development team was in discussion concerning community suggestions pertaining to the expansion.