Hellion

The Hellion, formerly known as the Jackal, is a terran unit in StarCraft II.

Overview
The Hellion is a four-wheeled buggy-like vehicle. Like the vulture it fills the fast-attack, anti-infantry role.

Game Unit
The Hellion has movement animations; it slightly rises when it starts moving.

The hellion is a fast-moving unit, fast enough to chase down enemy units and easily reposition itself. Hellions are strong against tier 1 units and workers. They are weak against thors, stalkers, and roaches.

Attacks
The Hellion's weapon targets only ground units. It does splash damage in a line, targeting one unit but striking all units along the line.

The attack is well-suited to destroying weaker units such as marines.

The Hellion must stop in order to attack. The weapon strikes targets instantly and can be used for (almost literal) hit and run attacks and "kiting". To do maximum damage, it should shoot once, close the gap, shoot again, close the gap again, and so forth in order to maximize damage and not waste shots. Attacks should not be targeted on the closest opponents, but instead those further back, to ensure the maximum number of enemy units are hit. If the attack is launched at a precise distance, then by the time the flames hit the target the Hellion can be moving away to safety. However, units that move out of the flame take less damage so a player should try to keep the flame on enemy units to maximize damage.

The attack does not damage allied units.

Strategies
A recommended tactic is to use the Hellion as an ambush unit, positioning it on high ground to attack units below it.

Wings of Liberty
In StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, the player is effectively forced to choose between hellions and firebats, subsequently upgrading them.

Hellions will have an upgrade which doubles the width of their fiery attack.

Development
The Hellion was called the Jackal during development. In its earliest stages, the vehicle was a hoverbike much like the Vulture, and possessed a powerful anti-infantry railgun.