Summary
On the surface of whatStarCraft 2is known for, the campaign and all story material are larger than life, accompanied by a cast of unforgettable characters making tough decisions in a dark sci-fi universe. Some characters to come out ofStarCraftare iconic, often appearing in the promotional art and major players in the story.
There are a total of three factions that clash or form messy alliances: the Terran, Zerg, and Protoss. And among these factions, are individuals, each with their own stories, motivations, and struggles.
10Abathur
The Zerg Evolution Master
Abathur is an intriguing character introduced inStarCraft 2’s Heart of the Swarmexpansion. He is a Zerg supremacist with only one goal: to achieveperfect evolutionary potential for all of the Zerg. His cold, calculating demeanor guides him along a path of destruction and assimilation, serving the Queen of Blades as Evolution Master.
Abathur was born from the Overmind and is an amalgamation of numerous zerg species, criticizing parts of the Swarm for not being perfect enough. Once the Overmind died, Abathur went mad, modifying any zerg he came across until the Queen of Blades took him under her command. Abathur is the reason for the Hyper-evolutionary virus that created infested Terrans.
9Selendis
The High Executor of the Protoss Fleet
Selendis serves as High Executor, responsible for leading the formidable Protoss fleets into battle. She is a dedicated follower of the Khala, part of the Khalai tribe of Aiur before it fell. When the zerg encroached on Haven, Selendis was put into a precarious situation involving the infestation virus and contact with Raynor’s Raiders, as seen inWings of Liberty.
Selendis shares a close working relationship with Artanis, respecting his leadership and vision for a unified Protoss, but has reservations when it comes to integrating theDark Templar into the Protoss society. She acknowledges Zeratul’s wisdom and contributions, but her loyalty to the Khala makes her wary of the Dark Templar’s practices.
8Zagara
First of the Broodmothers
Zagara was the first broodmother, made by Kerrigan prior to the Second Great War. However, she always saw herself as a potential rival to Kerrigan, driven by a desire for power and recognition. After Kerrigan returned and asserted dominance over Zagara, their relationship evolved into one of loyalty, with Kerrigan guiding Zagara’s growth as agreat strategist within the Swarm.
Abathur acts as Zagara’s counterpart in expanding the Swarm, responsible for enhancing her brood’s capabilities and achieving genetic evolution. Despite this, Zagara’s struggle with power inside the Swarm and out makes her a memorable figure. She eventually warms up to peace talks with the Dominion and even worries about the uprising of Niadra’s brood.
7Matt Horner
Raynor’s Moral Compass
Matt Horner was introduced inWings of Liberty, and became an integral part ofthe Terran narrativeas the second-in-command to Jim Raynor. Horner has a deep respect for Raynor, sharing his vision for a better future. However, he also serves as Raynor’s voice of reason, balancing his more impulsive tendencies.
Horner struggles with the burden of leadership and responsibility, as he is deeply affected by the losses suffered by the Raiders and always grappling with the moral weight of his decisions. In the events ofLegacy of the Void, Horner was a major reason why thereformed Dominion survived the End War.
6Arcturus Mengsk
Emperor of the Terran Dominion
Arcturus Mengsk is a central character fromStarCraftwhose actions have far-reaching consequences. In his early days, he was a charismatic rebel leader fighting against the corrupt Terran Confederacy, part of the Sons of Korhal. But with more power, he grew into a ruthless dictator. He crowned himself Emperor of the Terran Dominion, employing manipulative tactics to consolidate power.
One of the most defining aspects of Mengsk’s character is his betrayal of Sarah Kerrigan. He left her to be overrun by the Zerg during the events ofStarCraft, which ultimately created the Queen of Blades. As a Terran, he struggles to hold the trust of Jim Raynor and Matt Horner, who seek to overthrow his oppressive regime.
5Zeratul
The Dark Templar
Zeratul first appeared inStarCraft, a Dark Templar Prelate known for his wisdom, stealth, spiritual depth, and contention with the Khalai Tassadar, who abandoned his people in the past. InStarCraft 2, he becomes a central figure in the unfolding cosmic conflict, acting alone to uncover hidden truths and protect his people.
Although he was manipulated by Kerrigan, he leveraged this cautious relationship in a fight against Amon, who was prophesied to bring an end to everything. Zeratul’s story is one of sacrifice and heroism in the face of cosmic darkness, and his death inLegacy of the Voidmarked the passing of his strength and hope on to Artanis.
4Tychus Findlay
Hardened Marine
Tychus Findlay’s backstory is rooted in the originalStarCraftstory, but he isn’t introduced untilStarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty. Tychuswas a former Marine, and following the Guild Wars, he and Raynor became outlaws, pulling off thefts across the Koprulu sector. Findlay developed a habit of playing up his exploits, becoming a legend.
Despite his charismatic demeanor and friendship with Jim Raynor, he ultimately betrays the Raider’s cause. Before the events ofWings of Liberty, Arcturus Mengsk orchestrated his release from New Folsom Prison and, through a relationship based on manipulation, sent him to infiltrate the Raiders. Tychus had to choose between freedom or Raynor’s trust and friendship, and his decision ultimately left him for dead on Char.
3Artanis
Hierarch of the Daelaam
Artanis is the leader of the Daelaam, a renowned warrior who seeks to unify his divided people. He first appeared in the expansion to the originalStarCraftgame,Brood War. Here, he was a relatively young leader who had to grapple with the immense responsibility of guiding his people through dark times.
DuringStarCraft 2, Artanis took on the mantle of Hierarch, uniting his people in their struggle against Amon, a fallen Xel’Naga, and Kerrigan. With Zeratul acting as a mentor and guide, and ultimately a sacrifice, Artanis would not only unite his people, but establish a good relationship with the Terran through Raynor.
2Jim Raynor
Rebel Leader
Jim Raynor appeared inStarCraftas a Terran Marshal, evolving into a lawman-turned-rebel leader. Raynor tore down the corrupt Confederacy and continued to rally support against the Terran Dominion led by Arcturus Mengsk. InStarCraft 2, he became a leader of Raynor’s Raiders, a group large enough to combat both Arcturus Mengsk and the looming threat of the Zerg Swarm.
Jim Raynor’s most notable lore involves his relationship with Kerrigan. They were allies in battle and hinted at being lovers; however, a tragic turn of events resulted in Arcturus leaving Kerrigan stranded and turning into the Queen of Blades, which weighs heavily on Raynor. In his conquest to save Kerrigan and stop the Swarm, he became the first Terran to establish a long-term relationship with the Protoss.
1Sarah Kerrigan
Ghost Operative / Queen of Blades
Sarah Kerrigan is one ofthe most iconic and complex charactersin theStarCraftseries. She was introduced in the first installment as a Terran Ghost, a skilled operative with powerful psionic abilities. She worked under Arcturus Mengsk, who ultimately betrayed her as described above. At first, she unleashed a ruthless and vengeful path of destruction toward the person who wronged her. But throughStarCraft 2’s story, she seeks redemption and a chance to reclaim her humanity.
As Queen of Blades, her psionic abilities were developed so well that she could summon psionic storms, and her manipulation tactics were unmatched. DuringWings of Liberty, she was de-infested by the Terran, where she had a moment of human lucidity to inspire hope in Raynor. In the end, she was overrun with guilt in her mostly human form. She decided to recollect the Zerg one more time in an effort to overwhelm Amon, and ascend to become the last of the Xel’Naga.
