StarCraft/Terminology

Template:All Game Nav The following is a list of common abbreviations and terms which are used by the StarCraft communities, and is intended to assist new players who are unsure of what a particular term means.

Race-Specific Terminology

Terran

CC

Command Center

Scan

Scanning an area with the Comsat

Sweep

After using the Comsat add-on

rines

Marines

bats

Firebats

Valks

Valkyries

SV

Science Vessel

Nuker

Ghost

BC

Battlecruiser

siege machine

Siege Tanks

gol

goliath

M&Ms or MnMs

Marines and Medics

Protoss

DA

Dark Archon

DT

Dark Templar

goon

Dragoons

HT

High Templar

obs

Observer (Also can refer to a spectator in the game)

zlot

Zealots

zealors

Zealots

Speedlots

Zealots with Leg Enhancement upgrade (increases speed)

High Temps

High Templars

Antithesis Temps

Dark Templars

Zerg

crackling

Zerglings with both movement and attack speed upgrades. Describes the zerglings as 'on crack'

speedling

Similar to Speedlots (see above), but with Zerglings.

zling, ling

Zerglings

hydras

Hydralisks

Ovie

Overlord

Muta

Mutalisk

Gaurd

Gaurdian

Ultra

Ultralisk

Swarm

Dark Swarm

Miscellaneous Terminology

obs

A spectator in a game (also can refer to the Protoss Observer unit)

rush

a strategy most often employed by newbies, involving the production of military units and using them to attack the opponent as quickly as possible. Usually involves the sacrifice of economy, likely resulting in defeat for the rusher if the rush fails.

tech

the polar opposite of a rush, this strategy has the player initially play defensively, reserving a minimal defence and devoting most resources to constructing buildings so as to race up the tech tree to produce more advanced units.

macro

macromanagement, one of the key skills to success in StarCraft, this involves the ability to control units and buildings across the map, such that units are constantly being pumped (see 'pump', below) even while attacking the opponent. Unless a one has a great proficiency with the mouse, hotkeys, keyboard shortcuts and location recall are used to obtain the best results. Also involves the ability to expand so as to produce enough resources to continue the unit pump.

micro

micromanagement, another of the key skills to success in StarCraft. This involves of rigid control of units such that they are used as efficiently as possible. Examples include: concentrating fire on one unit at a time, rotating your units so as to place the least damaged on the front lines and effectively managing your spellcasters.

pump

to produce units.

cheese tactic

a tactic that is frowned upon because the use of it gains one easy victories. Cheese tactics are employed most often by newbies, and are most effective against other newbies. Most such tactics weaken the user in such a way as to allow an experienced player to easily counter it and go on to defeat them. An example of such a tactic is the photon cannon rush. It is most effective against newbies because most newbies fail to scout and miss the opportunity to begin to counter it. The user has few resources to spare for home base defence, and if the photon cannons are not destroyed as soon as they are found, can be run past with quick units to attack the user's undefended main base.

Common Chat Terminology

chobo

Korean origin, used to describe unskilled players. ie. That player is chobo

gg

Good Game. It is considered good etiquette to say this after every game. The loser player says this first, and the winner responds the same.

gosu

Korean origin, used to describe skilled players. ie. That player is gosu

GL

Good luck.

HF

Have Fun.

DD

Don't Die, usually GF HF and DD are said by the host before a game starts