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This article is about the StarCraft II unit. You may be looking for:
"Kinetic matrix active."

- Tempest pilot(src)

The protoss tempest is a unit that was introduced in StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm.

Overview[]

"Nothing a little determined firepower can't crack. If you can get close enough."
Tempest SC-FM Art1

A tempest

An immense capital ship,[1] the tempest was developed by the protoss after the first phase of the Second Great War in order to maximize the effectiveness of their war machine against their enemies,[2] specifically dealing with the long-range weaponry of the zerg and terrans.[3] They stand as one of the most powerful warships in the protoss arsenal.[4] However, tempests can still be brought down with focused fire, in the event of their enemy getting close enough to engage them.[1]

The tempest's large thrusters generate enough drive to displace the vessel's considerable mass, and are designed to take advantage of the immense power output of the ship's kinetic matrix. Phase-smiths fitted the tempest with sophisticated stabilization technology to prevent energy fluctuations that could jeopardize the integrity of the ship when firing its primary weapon.[5]

2

A Tal'darim tempest

Upon first seeing the tempest in combat, the Tal'darim, in a rare case of being impressed by the Daelaam, vowed to seize them for the Death Fleet.[6] By 2506, tempests had been incorporated into their arsenal.[7] Tempest of the Ihan-rii have a stone surface that enhances their ability to focus the incredible output of their kinetic matrices.

After the End War, experimental phase-smiths inspired by the Golden Age of Expansion created customized tempests with high-sheen ornamental plating that could withstand the destructive energies of the vessel's kinetic matrix.[6]

Armament[]

"Magical ball of death goes here."

- A Dominion marine, in regards to the point of kinetic matrix formation.(src)

The cockpit of the tempest is specially shielded, situated in a position where it overlooks the vessel's primary weapon. With this device, tempest pilots build up volatile energies in the kinetic matrix that powers the tempest, then propels the energy through the ship's hull[3] routed through the multiple resonators, coils, and amplifiers housed in the claw-like fore of the ship. This, fused with a contained sphere of highly charged particles, can then be launched at distant targets. The resulting projectile, while unstable[5] and slow moving,[1] may be launched over great distances to soften up enemy forces or deal with defensive emplacements before protoss armies engage in battle.[5] In this regard, tempests are often situated behind protoss shock troops. The matrix's range is so large that it actually exceeds the radius of the tempest's sensors. Thus, tempests sometimes need spotters to reveal faraway targets.[1]

Tempest SC2-HotS Art1

The tempest charging its weapon

The fanatical[3] tempest pilots must make adjustments to ensure each blast is cohesive enough to reach the target. They also regulate the energy flow from the kinetic matrix to prevent catastrophic overloads which could compromise or destroy their ship. The power coursing through the tempest's hull is so monumental that its pilots must wear bulky dampening armor to withstand it.[5]

3

A Purifier tempest

At the close of the End War, Phase-smith Karax developed tempests that were integrated into the purifier data web, allowing them to be flown remotely. This allowed them to be outfitted with advanced disintegration weaponry at no risk to protoss pilots.[8] Their heavy armored plating made it the pride of the Purifier fleets.[6]

Game Unit[]

Versus[]

The tempest serves as a long range protoss capital ship, especially effective against massive units.

The tempest has very long-ranged ("siege") weapons, for both anti-air and anti-ground.[9] The tempest does low damage for its cost, which is intentional—it is very much a support unit meant to be used strategically rather than a core combat one. It is good at enemy harassment and forcing the enemy to come into the range of core protoss units.[10] However, the tempest's strength lies in its ability to deal extra damage against enemy aerial "massive" units, like such as the battlecruiser and carrier. A pair of tempests can make short work of any of these units, as they can effectively outrange and flank them without the risk of retaliation.

With Patch 3.7, the Tempest gained the Disruption Blast ability which could stun enemy ground units and structures for seven seconds. This ability was removed in the subsequent balance update.[11]

Tempests are vulnerable to mass Vikings, Corruptors and Void Rays. Recent balance changes have made them far deadlier against massed Spore Crawlers but more vulnerable to Thors.

Upgrades[]

DisruptionBlast LotVGame 1
Tectonic Destabilizers

Improves the Tempest's Resonance Coil to deal +40 damage vs structures.

Usage
Notes

This upgrade changes the color of the attack to show that it was searched.

Acquisition
Purchased from Fleet beacon
Hotkey T
Cost 150 Minerals 150 Vespene gas 100seconds
ve
Acquisition
Purchased from Cybernetics core
Hotkey E
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 129seconds
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 154seconds
Required Fleet beacon
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 179seconds
Required Fleet beacon
ve

Increases protoss air unit armor.

Acquisition
Purchased from Cybernetics Core
Hotkey A
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 129seconds
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 154seconds
Required Fleet beacon
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 179seconds
Required Fleet beacon
ve
  • +1 armor to shields per level.
Acquisition
Purchased from Forge
Hotkey S
Level 1
Cost 150 Minerals 150 Vespene gas 121.6seconds
Level 2
Cost 200 Minerals 200 Vespene gas 144.6seconds
Required Twilight council
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 167.9seconds
Required Twilight council
ve

Legacy of the Void[]

"Valor is eternal."

- Purifier pilot(src)

In the single-player campaign of Legacy of the Void, the tempest is one of three capital ships the player can use, along with the carrier and mothership. The tempest retains its powerful long-range attacks, making them more useful for kiting enemies than a frontal assault like the carrier and mothership. The tempest also gained a Disintegration ability that deals heavy damage over time, effective for striking targets of opportunity. However, it's attack is exclusively single-target and slow, making it unsuitable for taking on swarms of lighter units.

Abilities[]

Distintegration SC2LotV Icon
Disintegration

Target enemy unit or structure takes 500 damage over 20 seconds.

Usage
Hotkey D
Duration 20 seconds
Cooldown 90 seconds
ve

Co-op Missions[]

Tempests are exclusive to Artanis in Co-op Missions, unlocked once he reaches Level 11. The Siege of storms enemy composition includes Tempests as well.

Upgrades and Abilities[]

Distintegration SC2LotV Icon
Disintegration

Deals 500 damage over 20 seconds to target enemy unit or structure.

Valorous Inspirator: Increases the Disintegration damage from 500 to 1000.

Usage
Hotkey D
Range 15
Duration 20 seconds
Cooldown 90seconds
Mastery: -1.35seconds per Energy Regeneration and Ability Cooldown reduction mastery point. Down to a minimum 49.5 seconds
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Reach Artanis Level 12.
Acquisition
Purchased from Fleet beacon
Hotkey D
Cost 150 Minerals 150 Vespene gas 90seconds
ve
SC2 ProAirWeap
Protoss Air Weapons

Increases the attack damage of protoss air units.

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Cybernetics core
Hotkey E
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 160seconds
Effect Damage: 65
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 190seconds
Required Fleet beacon
Effect Damage: 70
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 220seconds
Required Fleet beacon
Effect Damage: 75
ve
SC2 ProAirArm
Protoss Air Armor

Increases the armor of protoss air units.

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Cybernetics core
Hotkey G
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 160seconds
Effect Armor: 3
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 190seconds
Required Fleet beacon
Effect Armor: 4
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 220seconds
Required Fleet beacon
Effect Armor: 5
ve
SC2 ProShields
Protoss Plasma Shields

Increases the shield armor of all protoss units and structures.

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Forge
Hotkey A
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 160seconds
Effect Shield armor: 1
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 190seconds
Required Twilight council
Effect Shield armor: 2
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 220seconds
Required Twilight council
Effect Shield armor: 3
ve

Quotations[]

See: StarCraft II Tempest Quotations
See: StarCraft II Purifier Tempest Quotations

Development[]

Main article: Tempest/Development

Images[]

Skins
Portraits

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Barba, Rick. StarCraft Field Manual (hardcover). Insight Editions, November 17, 2015.
  2. 2011-10-27, BlizzCon 2011: StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm – Units and Abilities. Blizzplanet, accessed on 2011-11-06
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Blizzard Entertainment. 2012-12-20. Tempest. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2012-12-21.
  4. 2015-04-09, A Time for Templars: Protoss. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2015-04-10
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 2015-30-04, Tempest Science. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2015-05-01
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. Collections Tab: Skins. July 19, 2017
  7. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Rak'Shir. (in English). November 10, 2015
  8. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. War Council interface (in English). 2015-11-10.
  9. Dustin Browder. 2012-04-11. Developer Update: Heart of the Swarm Multiplayer - Starcraft II. Battle.net, accessed on 2012-04-11.
  10. 2012-06-11, Dustin Browder gives Slasher the scoop on Heart of the Swarm. YouTube, accessed on 2012-06-21
  11. Legacy of the Void Balance Update -- December 8, 2016. Battle.net, accessed on 2018-4-15.
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