Robotics Facility
Robotics Facility
200 
200 
50
500 
500 
1The Robotics Facility (or "Robo" for short) is a Protoss building that produces two air support units, the Shuttle and Observer, as well as the Reaver, a ground siege unit.
While the Robo produces units that are essential for all matchups, only one or two are typically built. The units aren't massed in great numbers, and the Robo itself is expensive. Two of the units need an additional building as a requirement, but both of those have a very fast build time. It is common to build a Shuttle as the first Robo unit while the Robotics Support Bay or Observatory is being built.
| Unit |  |
|
 |
|
Key | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle | 200 | 0 | 2 | 38 | S | None |
| Reaver | 200 | 100 | 4 | 44 | V | Robotics Support Bay |
| Observer | 25 | 75 | 1 | 25 | O | Observatory |
Competitive Usage[edit]
The Robotics Facility is built in all three matchups, as its units are part of common and established strategies.
versus Zerg[edit]
The Robo tends to be more of a lategame building in this matchup due to how Zerg applies great pressure to Protoss in the midgame. Zerg may threaten Protoss with either Mutalisks or Hydralisks. The Mutalisk threat causes Protoss to build the Stargate before the Robo, and then consider Photon Cannons and Gateway units in case there is a Hydra bust all-in. Therefore, the Robo is delayed as the budget is used towards defense. Corsair/Reaver seems like a plausible solution on paper, but has become uncommon in the current metagame as "973" (3-Hatch Hydra where the Hatcheries have 9, 7, and 3 Drones) builds have become faster and more optimized.
One exception is to build an early Robo to drop surprise Dark Templars, as seen in this game between Dewalt vs. Yoon, CNSL 7 Ro8 Set 4.
Once Protoss survives the risky midgame, the Robo may be built for Observers, so that Protoss can detect Lurkers, and use Reavers to discourage the Defiler from using Dark Swarm, as seen in this game between Snow vs. Soulkey, ASL 17 Ro4 Set 3.
versus Terran[edit]
The Observer is the main scouting unit in this matchup, as it allows Protoss to detect Spider Mines. Shuttle/Reaver play is used, but is typically done for worker harassment rather than a main offensive strategy against Terran mech play. Siege Tank lines outrange Reavers, and Goliaths discourage Reaver drops. Much of the budget is instead used towards speed-upgraded Zealots, which receive reduced damage from Tanks and are able to rush them. However, a skilled player may find opportunities to drop Reavers in between Siege Tank shots if there aren't enough Goliaths.
versus Protoss[edit]
As with PvT, the Observer is the main scouting unit. Shuttle/Reaver play is a staple in this matchup, as the primary offensive unit is the Dragoon. A few key Scarab hits may greatly affect the outcome of Dragoon fights.