Technology tree
The technology tree, or tech tree is a hierarchical visual representation of the possible building sequences a player can make, in accordance with a selected strategy, build order, or "Meta".[1] These sequences thus unlock and enable various new units or abilities/research upgrades for use as the game progresses.
The diagram is tree-shaped in the sense that it branches at certain intervals, allowing the player to choose between one of several building sequences in terms of, with the process continuing iteratively further down the tree for additional technologies. Typically, at the beginning of a game, a player may only have a few options for technologies to research. For example, the Protoss player will only be able to produce one unit, the Probe. Not until the player makes a Gateway will additional units be unlocked.
Each technology that a player researches will enable more options until that branch of the technology tree is exhausted at its end point, as in, for example, the Protoss Forge, which makes various research upgrades available, but without further unlocking of new units or spells.
A player who is engaged in research activities is said to be "teching up," "going up the tech tree," or "moving up the tech tree." Analysis of a tech tree can lead players to memorize and use specific build orders. During competitive play, players must often balance between "teching" and amassing attack units, as one can be caught off guard without sufficient defense or various (eventual intended) spells/units should an opponent time an attack to occur during the teching process. For example, in the Protoss vs Zerg match-up, the Protoss player may be careless in teching up without sufficient defenses by starting with a Gateway-first build, such that an aggressive Zerg player may exploit timing advantages to attack with speed-upgraded Zerglings before the Protoss player has the opportunity to build sufficient Zealots, Dragoons, or other defenses.
Presented below are two representations for each race:
- The first, the technology tree, shows the progression of possible building structures and the unit that is unlocked by each. As such, the unit that is enabled by that building appears alongside the structure, alongside the available research upgrades or abilities that can be performed at the structure.
- The second focuses only on the production buildings to indicate the location where each unit is produced, or what can be produced by a given structure. As such, it does not indicate the pre-existing technology that is required before production of a given unit.
Protoss[edit]
Protoss Technology Tree[edit]
Note: The production of the Arbiter Tribunal requires both a pre-existing Stargate and a Templar Archives.
See Also[edit]
Protoss Tech Tree on Battle.net
Protoss Unit Production Locations[edit]
Terran[edit]
Terran Technology Tree[edit]
Note: The production of the Nuclear Silo requires the Covert Ops add-on, although it is built and attached to the Command Center.
Terran Unit Production Locations[edit]
Zerg[edit]
Zerg Technology Tree[edit]
Note: The Sunken Colony and Spore Colony must be morphed from a pre-existing Creep Colony. The production of the Infested Command Center requires a Queen and sufficiently damaged Terran Command Center.
Zerg Unit Production Locations[edit]
See Also[edit]
- Protoss
- Terran
- Zerg
- StarCraft II Protoss Technology tree
- StarCraft II Terran Technology tree
- StarCraft II Zerg Technology tree