StarCraft: Brood War/Protoss Mission 8: Countdown


 * Location
 * Shakuras, almost the exact same location as Protoss Mission 3


 * Difficulty
 * 8 out of 10


 * Mission Objectives
 * 1) Bring Artanis and Zeratul to the Temple.
 * 2) Protect the Temple from the Zerg.
 * 3) Zeratul and Artanis must survive.


 * New Unit
 * None


 * New Enemy Unit
 * Zerg Devourer


 * Special Units
 * Zeratul (enhanced Dark Templar)
 * Artanis (enhanced Scout)


 * Special Structures
 * Xel'naga Temple (destructible w/5000 HP)

Walkthrough
This level will require the use of all the strategies and tricks that you have learned through StarCraft and the Protoss levels of Brood War. Effective use of Dark Archons, Arbiters, and Carriers will make this level easier. - Begin by starting to harvest resources in earnest. This includes creating at least 5 more Probes in each site. - In the southern base (Base 1) move much of your forces (except Artanis) to the bridge to the W, and place a Pylon and at least 2 Photon Cannons there for support. Zerg forces come across the bridge very early. Then build Photon Cannons in the gap to the N, in the other gap to the E, and inside the right-angled wall to the NE. - The other base (Base 2) is to the N along the western edge of the map. Move all of the non-Probe force (except Zeratul) to the E. There is a choke point between two sets of plateaus. Build a few Photon Cannons for support. Zerg forces attack through this point early. Begin building Photon Cannons to the N and along the base of the plateau to the NE as well as at a choke point to the S. Place any new forces at the choke point to the W (a High Templar or two will be especially useful), but place at least 2 Dark Archons at the frontier to the N. Overlords will come from the N and NE loaded up with Hydralisks and Zerglings. These can be Mind Controlled. They will sometimes hover over the top of the plateau in the NE. They are within range of the Dark Archons. - The above 2 points cover general defense setup. You should also be building other important buildings (Stargate, Robotics Observatory, Templar Archives, etc.). Upgrade ground force armor, shields, and weapons. Upgrade High Templar and Dark Archon abilities. Upgrade to enable Rievers and Carriers to carry more Scarabs and Interceptors. Keep rebuilding any Photon Cannons that you lose. - Build a force of Dragoons, etc. at the bridge W of Base 1. Cross the bridge. By this time it will help if you have at least two Rievers and several Carriers fully loaded. Keep building the forces at the two bases. Gradually move up the Carriers so as not to expose them too much too attack and let them choose their targets. However, it will go faster if you choose 2 of the Carriers to target structures -- particularly the Hive. Use the ground forces for support if necessary. There should some minerals and gas left. Move your forces to the NE where there is a gap. Some Zerg forces will try to come through this gap. Build Photon Cannons if necessary. Begin harvesting the resources in this new base after building a Nexus and an Assimilator. - Gradually move the Carriers through the choke point mentioned at the end of the previous point. There is a small area of Spore and Sunken Colonies. An Observer is useful, since some Zerg forces are burrowed. There is another bridge at which you can stop Zerg ground forces. A Lurker is probably burrowed across the bridge. - Move the Carrier force along the bottom of the map in an E direction. There is another small area of Spore and Sunken Colonies that can be destroyed easily. Move N along the E edge of the map where there is a very small base with a large mineral field. Destroy the base and build a Nexus and Assimilator. Build some Photon Cannons where you can to the N. Cloaking your Carrier force with an Arbiter will help when attacks come from the N and W. To the W is a larger base. The Carrier/Arbiter force supported by a large ground force should make quick work of it. If you get there quickly enough, there should be some minerals left along with the gas. They can be harvested after the minerals to the E are exhausted. - By this time you should have a large force at the choke point E of Base 2 in the N. Move into the Temple area after gradually eliminating Spore and Sunken Colonies. The Temple area is surrounded by Zerg on all sides, but the resources near the Temple are vital. You cannot win without them. There is an island SE of the Temple area that has orange Zerg on it. NE of the Temple area is a strip of land that goes north and then W across the top of the map. It is controlled by orange and brown Zerg. Finally, there is another island NW of the Temple area that is controlled by brown Zerg. - Build a ring of Photon Cannons around the site. Build a couple Nexuses (and Assimilators, if necessary). Dark Archons will be necessary to support the ground forces here. - Between the Temple area and the area that you just took over E of Base 1 is an island that is heavily developed and fortified. Soften up the edges with the Carrier group. The Zerg colony will attempt to transport Zerg units in Overlords into the Temple area. Mind Control the Overlords. Do the same for any Guardians. They can be added to the Carrier group to do long-range destruction. Eliminate the 2-3 Hives/Lairs and Extractor as soon as you can. The fight will take a long time to finally take the island, but with all the resources available and the long-range attack of the Carrier Interceptors the battle can be won. There should be a large set of minerals and a gas vent on the island which can be harvested. - Use the Carrier group to begin clearing out the area just across a gap to the NE from the new base on the island. There are 2 Zerg bases on this kidney-shaped island. The southern Zerg base is easier to knock out. In order to destroy the base at the N of the kidney-shaped island, use the Carrier force to soften up the edges (Sunken and Spore Colonies along the coast). After completing destruction of all bases on the kidney-shaped island, move all your forces on the island to the N. A Dark Archon can be useful. One Overlord that I mind-controlled had a Drone in it which I was able to use to begin my own Zerg base. Guardians and Ultralisks can be particularly useful when you sweep through the rest of the map. - Move Artanis and Zeratul to the Beacon at the Temple. A 15 minutes countdown will begin. Since all of the Zerg forces are destroyed, you can watch the minerals and gas resources you have acquired continue to increase. If you conquered all of the Zerg colonies, you can go to the Setup and increase the speed to maximum in order to complete the level faster. If you missed any of the Zerg bases, you will get some attacks. The force of the attacks will depend on how much Zerg forces you have left on the map.