Siege tank (StarCraft)


 * This article concerns unit gameplay. For more on the unit see: .

The siege tank is provides the terrans with mobile, long range firepower.

In tank mode the siege tank is decent against "Large" ground units. Arguably, it's still not as efficient as a group of s, especially if a force is being moved by dropship (which can carry 2 tanks or 8 marines).

The siege tank is most useful in siege mode, fusing a powerful attack with the longest range in the game. In addition to supporting bunkers and defenses, two groups of tanks may carry out a "tank push"; the first group in siege mode covers the second group in tank-mode as they move forward to establish another fire base, from which the second group covers the advance of the first. The tank's siege mode range is greater than its sight range; supporting a tank with spotters is useful.

The Shock Cannon causes splash damage to all units and has a minimum range. Therefore tanks in siege mode need other units to guard it (perhaps even other tanks in siege mode), although these guards might take damage from the shock cannon as well as the enemy. The guards can also screen for the tanks as they withdraw. Transforming between modes takes time, during which the tank is unable to move or attack.

Some players prefer to "wall-in" their siege tanks, by erecting buildings to surround the tank, thereby preventing the enemy from getting closer than the minimum range of the shock cannon.