Line 73: | Line 73: | ||
===Psionic Powers=== |
===Psionic Powers=== |
||
ā | Cerebrates were often (perhaps always) powerful psychics, but these powers are usually limited to a specific area. For instance, one cerebrate may be able to create and reincarnate the powerful [[Torrasque]],<ref name="SC:Ens_M3B">''[[StarCraft]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[ |
+ | Cerebrates were often (perhaps always) powerful psychics, but these powers are usually limited to a specific area. For instance, one cerebrate may be able to create and reincarnate the powerful [[Torrasque]],<ref name="SC:Ens_M3B">''[[StarCraft]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Enslavers]] bonus campaign, mission 3B: "[[StarCraft Enslavers#The Final Blow|The Final Blow]]" (in English). 1998.</ref><ref name="SC:BW_E5_M8">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[To Chain the Beast]] (in English). 1998.</ref> while another may be able to fill its structures with vital energy.<ref name="SC:BW E5 M8" /> Cerebrates possessed [[detector|detection]] abilities similar to those of overlords.<ref name="SC1_E3_M9">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft]].'' Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Shadow Hunters (mission)|Shadow Hunters]] (in English). 1998.</ref> |
As with the rest of the zerg, cerebrates communicated [[telepath]]ically, albeit in a manner quite different to [[terran]]s or [[protoss]].<ref name="SC:QnBlades" /> |
As with the rest of the zerg, cerebrates communicated [[telepath]]ically, albeit in a manner quite different to [[terran]]s or [[protoss]].<ref name="SC:QnBlades" /> |
||
Line 86: | Line 86: | ||
===Fate of the Cerebrates=== |
===Fate of the Cerebrates=== |
||
ā | {{Quote|You dare threaten a Cerebrate? You will be the doom of us all!|[[Zasz]] to [[Sarah Kerrigan]].| |
+ | {{Quote|You dare threaten a Cerebrate? You will be the doom of us all!|[[Zasz]] to [[Sarah Kerrigan]].|StarCraft_Episode_II#The_Dark_Templar}} |
ā | Following the death of the Overmind at the end of the [[Great War]], [[Daggoth]] orchestrated the creation of a [[new Overmind]] from the fusion of a number of cerebrates. The [[Daggoth's Renegade Swarm|Renegade Swarm]] controlled most of the zerg<ref name="Daggy">'''[[Sarah Kerrigan]]:''' "Apparently, many of the renegade Cerebrates, commanded by [[Daggoth]], have merged into a new [[Second Overmind|Overmind]]. Fortunately, the creature is still in its infant stages. It can't control the Swarm yet, but Daggoth and the others still have control over most of the [[Brood]]s." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[The Quest for Uraj]] (in English). 1998.</ref> in opposition to [[ |
+ | Following the death of the Overmind at the end of the [[Great War]], [[Daggoth]] orchestrated the creation of a [[new Overmind]] from the fusion of a number of cerebrates. The [[Daggoth's Renegade Swarm|Renegade Swarm]] controlled most of the zerg<ref name="Daggy">'''[[Sarah Kerrigan]]:''' "Apparently, many of the renegade Cerebrates, commanded by [[Daggoth]], have merged into a new [[Second Overmind|Overmind]]. Fortunately, the creature is still in its infant stages. It can't control the Swarm yet, but Daggoth and the others still have control over most of the [[Brood]]s." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[The Quest for Uraj]] (in English). 1998.</ref> in opposition to [[Queen of Blades (character)|Kerrigan]].<ref name="A27">[http://www.blizzard.com/broodwar/heroes/kerr.shtml Kerrigan: Queen of Blades]. ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed 2007-10-13.</ref> This set the stage for the [[Brood War (conflict)|Brood War]].<ref name="BWRetail">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. (Blizzard Entertainment) (in English). November 30, 1998</ref> |
In this conflict, Kerrigan emerged triumphant, albeit through manipulation of those capable of slaying cerebrates. Those on [[Shakuras]] were destroyed as the result of an alliance between her and the protoss settling on that world.<ref>'''Kerrigan:''' "I've insured the destruction of the renegade Cerebrates, and I used you to do it." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[The Insurgent]] (in English). 1998.</ref> The [[UED Expeditionary Force]], while utilizing a psi disrupter, slew some cerebrates during their conquest of Char, the cerebrates not being resurrected during the battle.<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M8" /> Later, during Kerrigan's reconquest of the planet, the new Overmind was slain by the Dark Templar allied with/manipulated by her.<ref name="SC:BW_E6_M8">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[To Slay the Beast]] (in English). 1998.</ref> Upon the creature's death, the remaining cerebrates were killed<ref name="CerDead">'''[[Samir Duran]]:''' "My Queen, with the Overmind and its cerebrates destroyed, all of the Zerg in [[Koprulu sector|this sector]] have reverted to your direct control." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[The Reckoning]] (in English). 1998.</ref> by the Dark Templar.<ref name="Zerg2">2008-03-10. [http://www.starcraft2.com/features/zerg/main.xml Zerg]. ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed 2008-03-10.</ref> The lack of a controlling force was a partial explanation for their deaths.<ref name="InterviewMetzen" /> |
In this conflict, Kerrigan emerged triumphant, albeit through manipulation of those capable of slaying cerebrates. Those on [[Shakuras]] were destroyed as the result of an alliance between her and the protoss settling on that world.<ref>'''Kerrigan:''' "I've insured the destruction of the renegade Cerebrates, and I used you to do it." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[The Insurgent]] (in English). 1998.</ref> The [[UED Expeditionary Force]], while utilizing a psi disrupter, slew some cerebrates during their conquest of Char, the cerebrates not being resurrected during the battle.<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M8" /> Later, during Kerrigan's reconquest of the planet, the new Overmind was slain by the Dark Templar allied with/manipulated by her.<ref name="SC:BW_E6_M8">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[To Slay the Beast]] (in English). 1998.</ref> Upon the creature's death, the remaining cerebrates were killed<ref name="CerDead">'''[[Samir Duran]]:''' "My Queen, with the Overmind and its cerebrates destroyed, all of the Zerg in [[Koprulu sector|this sector]] have reverted to your direct control." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[The Reckoning]] (in English). 1998.</ref> by the Dark Templar.<ref name="Zerg2">2008-03-10. [http://www.starcraft2.com/features/zerg/main.xml Zerg]. ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed 2008-03-10.</ref> The lack of a controlling force was a partial explanation for their deaths.<ref name="InterviewMetzen" /> |
||
Line 117: | Line 117: | ||
*An unnamed cerebrate in charge of defending fringe hive clusters on [[Aridas]]. Was removed due to its failure. |
*An unnamed cerebrate in charge of defending fringe hive clusters on [[Aridas]]. Was removed due to its failure. |
||
*An unnamed cerebrate in charge of the [[Grendel Brood]] was killed by Zeratul at about the same time [[Gorn]] was permanently killed.<ref name="SC1_E3_M9" /> |
*An unnamed cerebrate in charge of the [[Grendel Brood]] was killed by Zeratul at about the same time [[Gorn]] was permanently killed.<ref name="SC1_E3_M9" /> |
||
ā | *Sometime after the [[Fall of Tarsonis]], [[Alan Schezar]] gained control of another cerebrate, but it was killed.<ref name="SC:Ens_M3B">''[[StarCraft]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[ |
+ | *Sometime after the [[Fall of Tarsonis]], [[Alan Schezar]] gained control of another cerebrate, but it was killed.<ref name="SC:Ens_M3B">''[[StarCraft]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Enslavers]] bonus campaign, mission 3B: "[[StarCraft Enslavers#The Final Blow|The Final Blow]]" (in English). 1998.</ref> |
ā | *[[StarCraft Episode IV|Early]] in the |
+ | *[[StarCraft Episode IV|Early]] in the Brood War, the [[Dark Templar]] killed two cerebrates who had infested the ground of a [[xel'naga temple]] on Shakuras<ref name="SC:BW_E4_M3">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Legacy of the Xel'Naga]] (in English). 1998.</ref> |
*While the [[psi disrupter]] was active, the [[United Earth Directorate]] killed three cerebrates on Char.<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M8" /> |
*While the [[psi disrupter]] was active, the [[United Earth Directorate]] killed three cerebrates on Char.<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M8" /> |
||
==Notes== |
==Notes== |
||
ā | The lack of cerebrates in ''[[StarCraft II]]'' was due to a creative directive from [[Blizzard]], as per it "playing nice" with [ |
+ | The lack of cerebrates in ''[[StarCraft II]]'' was due to a creative directive from [[Blizzard]], as per it "playing nice" with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Games_Workshop Games Workshop].<ref>2013, [http://comments.deviantart.com/1/359035454/2977652201 Zerg Queen Za Gara]. ''Deviantart'', accessed on 2013-12-25</ref> |
==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 06:10, 30 November 2017
You may be looking for:
| |
- The Overmind(src)
Cerebrates were zerg brood leaders. They were originally created by the Overmind as intermediate commanders but were removed from the Swarm's power structure by the Queen of Blades.
Overview
Role in the Swarm
Cerebrates were descended from the original zerg parasites of Zerus that existed before the coming of the xel'naga, albeit being much larger and endowed with much greater intelligence. Upon their creation by the Overmind each cerebrate and the brood it led was given a specific role which in turn shaped the cerebrate's[1] rudimentary[2] personality. Cerebrates further expanded the zerg hierarchy and came to rely on queens to oversee hive activity and overlords to relay commands to and directly control the brood's minions.[1] While the rigid hierarchy ensured efficiency the permanent death of a cerebrate could induce a complete reversal. Broods that lost their cerebrate frequently became uncontrollably destructive.[3] Cerebrates also oversaw the evolution of the Swarm.[4][5]
Externally, cerebrates appeared as giant, bloated slug-larvae with numerous purple limbs protruding from the sides. This was merely their external form, and the true form of a cerebrate (a ball of yellow light with extruding tentacles) would only be revealed once the carapace had been destroyed. That being said, the flesh could be regenerated as long as the Overmind willed it, bar abilities that nullified such an ability.[6]
Not long before the Great War, the Overmind began to rely on its cerebrates to a greater extent than it had done previously. They were, at this point, distinct beings, within a unified hive species.[2]
Psionic Powers
Cerebrates were often (perhaps always) powerful psychics, but these powers are usually limited to a specific area. For instance, one cerebrate may be able to create and reincarnate the powerful Torrasque,[7][8] while another may be able to fill its structures with vital energy.[9] Cerebrates possessed detection abilities similar to those of overlords.[10]
As with the rest of the zerg, cerebrates communicated telepathically, albeit in a manner quite different to terrans or protoss.[6]
Reincarnation
- The Overmind to a young cerebrate(src)
One trait that all cerebrates shared was that of reincarnation. While the Overmind was alive, it could reincarnate a cerebrate through the use of cosmic energy. Slaying a cerebrate with this type of energy prevented reincarnation.[3] Zasz, cerebrate of the Garm Brood, was permanently killed in this way by Dark Prelate Zeratul. This created a brief mental link between Zeratul and the Overmind; Zeratul learned of the Overmind's connection with the xel'naga and its plans for the protoss race,[11] while the Overmind learned the location of Aiur.[12] The Overmind went into silence following this, and did not recover until the zerg eradicated the Garm Brood.[13] Later, the protoss killed other cerebrates in deliberate attempts to "distract" the Overmind.[10]
The psi disrupter possibly inhibited reincarnation.[8]
Although their link with the Overmind granted them virtual invulnerability, it was not without its weaknesses. Cerebrates were not designed to exist without the Overmind, and were unable to sustain themselves for long after its death – a vulnerability which drove them to create a new one following the first Overmind's death.[14]
Fate of the Cerebrates
- Zasz to Sarah Kerrigan.(src)
Following the death of the Overmind at the end of the Great War, Daggoth orchestrated the creation of a new Overmind from the fusion of a number of cerebrates. The Renegade Swarm controlled most of the zerg[15] in opposition to Kerrigan.[16] This set the stage for the Brood War.[17]
In this conflict, Kerrigan emerged triumphant, albeit through manipulation of those capable of slaying cerebrates. Those on Shakuras were destroyed as the result of an alliance between her and the protoss settling on that world.[18] The UED Expeditionary Force, while utilizing a psi disrupter, slew some cerebrates during their conquest of Char, the cerebrates not being resurrected during the battle.[8] Later, during Kerrigan's reconquest of the planet, the new Overmind was slain by the Dark Templar allied with/manipulated by her.[19] Upon the creature's death, the remaining cerebrates were killed[20] by the Dark Templar.[21] The lack of a controlling force was a partial explanation for their deaths.[14]
Some cerebrates survived the Char holocaust, at least for a time. The New Swarm led by Kaloth was one such example, but its power base was destroyed by Raynor's Raiders and protoss forces.[22] Kerrigan also retained at least one cerebrate which aided her in her infested terran project.[4] Still, it wasn't to last. Following the Brood War, all the remaining cerebrates were hunted down and exterminated by Kerrigan's forces and to best knowledge, there are none left.[23] Kerrigan's vision for the Swarm was quite different from that of the Overmind[24] and she had no use or desire to use the cerebrates,[14] not to mention the risk that they might once again try to form a new Overmind.[24] Instead, she replaced them with other intelligent minionsāan advanced infested terran, Ethan Stewart[25] (now deceased)[26], as well as broodmothers.[27]
Known Cerebrates
Some cerebrates were named, others weren'tāonly after extended service to the Swarm did cerebrates gain the right to a name. Possession of a name was seen as a sign of prestige.[6]
Named
- Araq of the Jormungand Brood
- Auza of the Incubus Brood/Atticus Carpenter of Carpenter's Brood
- Daggoth, "Senior Cerebrate" of the Tiamat Brood and the leader of his own Swarm
- Gorn, of the Baelrog Brood
- Kagg of the Surtur Brood
- Kaloth, leader of the New Swarm
- Nargil of the Fenris Brood
- Zargil of the Sennith Brood
- Zasz of the Garm Brood
Unnamed/Name Unknown
- Unnamed cerebrate, created to achieve victory on Brontes IV
- Unnamed cerebrate, created to watch over Sarah Kerrigan in her chrysalis
- Unnamed cerebrate. Kerrigan seized control of the cerebrate by severing its ties to the Overmind. It acted as her lieutenant and commander for her Swarms during the Brood War.
- Unnamed cerebrate, created to secure the Argus Stone.
- Unnamed cerebrate, aided in the assault on Aridas, and commanded from in a cavern near the frontlines.
- Unnamed cerebrate, which possessed xel'naga technology, and used it to control a small protoss tribe, creating in that way a Fragile Alliance.
- An unnamed cerebrate in charge of defending fringe hive clusters on Aridas. Was removed due to its failure.
- An unnamed cerebrate in charge of the Grendel Brood was killed by Zeratul at about the same time Gorn was permanently killed.[10]
- Sometime after the Fall of Tarsonis, Alan Schezar gained control of another cerebrate, but it was killed.[7]
- Early in the Brood War, the Dark Templar killed two cerebrates who had infested the ground of a xel'naga temple on Shakuras[28]
- While the psi disrupter was active, the United Earth Directorate killed three cerebrates on Char.[8]
Notes
The lack of cerebrates in StarCraft II was due to a creative directive from Blizzard, as per it "playing nice" with Games Workshop.[29]
References
|