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Raven (Legacy of the Void)

From Liquipedia StarCraft 2 Wiki
This article covers the current multiplayer version of this unit. For other versions see Raven (Heart of the Swarm) and Raven (Wings of Liberty).
[e][h]Terran Raven
Unit Information
Type:
Air Unit
Description:
Aerial support unit. Can use Auto Turret, Interference Matrix and Anti-Armor Missile abilities.
Built From:
Cost:
 100  150  34  2
Unit stats
Defense:
140 1 (+1)
Energy:
50 / 200
Sight:
11
Speed:
4.13
Strong against:
Weak against:

Description[edit]

The Raven is a flying support craft with Detection. Its abilities provide both defensive and offensive capabilities. The Raven is the spiritual successor to StarCraft: Brood War's Science Vessel.

Ravens are a useful addition to a mid or late-game Terran army. For instance, its Detection allows Terran players to see both cloaked and burrowed units such as Ghosts, Dark Templar, and burrowed Roaches that enter the Raven's vision.

Spells[edit]

Ravens are equipped with an Build Auto-Turret, which creates an automated defense structure with 6 range (upgradable to 7 range with Hi-Sec Auto Tracking) that lasts for 10 seconds after deploying. The cast range for this ability is only 2, so using the Raven as a harassment tool is ill-advised. The Auto-Turret deals 18 damage at 0.57 cooldown which is 31.58 DPS. This makes the Auto-Turret a very cost-effective ability against small numbers of units or as additional damage support in an extended fight (such as during a push). It can also be used to wall off a ramp temporarily as it fills the same 2x2 area as a supply depot. The Auto-Turret can also be deployed on creep. It can deal a maximum of 306 damage during its lifetime, excluding armor.

The Raven's second ability is Interference Matrix: a long-range castable missile that disables a unit's abilities and attacks but does not stop movement. The effect lasts for 11 seconds and is effective at disabling key units, much like BW Ghost's Lockdown. The ability costs 75 energy and is castable at 9 range. The Raven deploys the missile which will then rapidly accelerate towards the enemy, unescapable once casted. The ability is very effective when used against units such as Carriers and the Mothership or other high-priority units, (against Battlecruisers it disables Warp and Yamato). Moreover, if Matrix is used on an enemy transport it will be prevented from healing/transforming (as applicable), or loading/unloading units. Matrix is also highly effective against the Protoss Oracle. The Ability can only be cast against mechanical or psionic units.


The Raven's third ability is Anti-Armor Missile, which functions similarly to the old Seeker Missile. The missile immediately fires forward and pursues its target rapidly after it locks on. The missile can be dodged by loading the targeted unit into a structure, such as a Bunker or Nydus Worm/Canal, and by the use of teleporting abilities, such as Blink and Recall, though the missile will still detonate where the targeted unit was before it escaped. The Anti-Armor Missile inflicts no damage, but reduces armor and shield armor by 3 on all units within the blast radius. Armor is not capped at 0, so units with less than 3 armor will still take 3 additional damage per attack. The effects of multiple missiles do not stack. The ability costs 75 energy and is castable at 10 range though its pursuing distance can be extended to 18 range provided there is vision (such as through a scanner sweep). The missile is best complemented by units with low attack cooldowns such as stimmed Marines or Battlecruisers, but still has a significant impact alongside most attacking units.

Abilities[edit]

Range: 11
The Raven is a Detector unit that can see cloaked, burrowed and hallucinated units.

Spells[edit]

Caster: Raven
50
Duration: 7.9 s
Radius: 6 (+1)
The Raven drops an Auto-Turret at the target location.
Caster: Raven
75
Duration: 11 s
Disables a target unit rendering it unable to attack or use abilities for 11 seconds. Reveals Cloaked units. Can only target mechanical and psionic units.
Caster: Raven
75
Range: 10
Duration: 21 s
Radius: 2.88
Deploys a Missile which pursues the target unit, and, upon contact, reduces the armor and shield armor of affected units by 2 for 21 seconds.

Removed Spells[edit]

Caster: Raven
100
Duration: 14 s
Radius: 8 (+1)
The Raven drops a Point Defense Drone at the target location.
Build Repair Drone
75
Duration: 90 s
Repairs nearby friendly mechanical units for 90 seconds.
Caster: Raven
75
Range: 10
Radius: 2.88
Damage: 30
Missile rapidly moves and explodes at the target, causing 30/15/7.5 splash damage in 0.72/1.44/2.88 radius and reducing the armor of affected units by -3 (can make armor negative). Targeted unit lights up red when targeted. Can be fully dodged by teleport abilities and loading units inside structures.

Upgrades[edit]

100
100
57
Researched from: Engineering Bay
Adds +1 attack range to Auto-Turrets, Missile Turrets, and Planetary Fortresses.
50
50
57
Researched from: Tech Lab
Allows Ravens to use the Interference Matrix ability.

Removed Upgrades[edit]

Enhanced Munitions
150
150
79
Researched from: Tech Lab
Increases the Raven's Anti-Armor Missile explosion radius by 20% and its tracking range by 50%.
Explosive Shrapnel Shells
150
150
79
Researched from: Tech Lab
Increases the damage of Raven Auto-Turrets and Seeker Missiles by 30%.
Recalibrated Explosives
150
150
79
Researched from: Tech Lab
Increases the Seeker Missile unit's tracking range by 50% (13 to 19.5) and Increases the Seeker Missile's damage by 30%.
150
150
79
Researched from: Tech Lab
Increases the Raven's starting energy by 25.

Competitive Usage[edit]

It is important to note that while the Raven is applicable in many situations its fragility, high cost and dedicated abilities require the player's attention at all times to provide a worthwhile investment. Like the Ghost, the Raven is especially an anti-caster unit.

Historically, when the Anti-Armor Missile still dealt damage (even as little as 15), it was occasionally used in the late game as a reliable burst of splash damage.

Vs. Protoss[edit]

The Terran player uses Ravens to support his push during a TvP on Metalopolis.

Ravens are primarily used as mobile detectors in TvP, providing protection from Dark Templar, and allowing the Terran to destroy scouting Observers to limit the scouting potential of the opposing Protoss player.

The recent changes to the Raven have allowed it to be situationally effective in the mid-game to late-game as part of a Terran composition to oppose high-value units using its Interference Matrix to disable Protoss Colossi, High Templar, Tempests, Carriers, and even Oracles. A single Raven can disable up to two of these units for 11 seconds, long enough for a bio ball or mech force to re-position or to kill these important targets.

The Raven's susceptibility to a High Templar's Feedback, however, limits its uses in TvP somewhat. While both Interference Matrix and Feedback have 9 range, Feedback does not have a travel time so it is likely to proc and kill the Raven first.

Vs. Terran[edit]

A single Raven forces a Siege Tank to unsiege or be destroyed on the high ground of Desert Oasis.

Raven use in TvT is dependent on the opening builds of the two players, and the amount of gas they consume. They are commonly used to defend against early Banshee harass when paired with a defensive Viking.

Ravens can use Interference Matrix to disable key units in the early mid-game such as Siege Tanks and Medivacs (preventing them from healing and dropping off units as well as using Ignite Afterburners.

Vs. Zerg[edit]

Hincram(T) uses his Ravens to attack SluSh's(Z) Roach / Zergling force during a game on Lost Temple.

Ravens have multiple uses in TvZ. A premier benefit of Raven usage is its functionality as a mobile Detector, which allows the Terran player to defend properly against burrowed Banelings and (mobile) Roaches and Infestors.

The above example is a dated but applicable tactic that can still be applied to the Raven's new Anti-Armor Missile to force zerg armies to retreat or to fight in a situation advantageous to the Terran. Note that Interference Matrix is also usable on Psionic units such as the Queen and especially the Viper to prevent a Blinding Cloud or Abduct.

Gallery[edit]

Quotes[edit]

Raven's quotes (video and sound) - YouTube video.

Patch Changes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Blizzard Entertainment (22 November 2016). "Legacy of the Void - Patch 3.8.0 -- November 22, 2016". Battle.net.
  2. Blizzard Entertainment (23 May 2017). "Legacy of the Void - Patch 3.14.0 -- May 23, 2017". Battle.net.
  3. Blizzard Entertainment (14 November 2017). "STARCRAFT II 4.0 PATCH NOTES". Battle.net.
  4. Blizzard Entertainment (18 December 2017). "STARCRAFT II BALANCE UPDATE – DECEMBER 18, 2017". Battle.net.
  5. Blizzard Entertainment (29 January 2018). "STARCRAFT II BALANCE UPDATE – JANUARY 29, 2017". Battle.net.
  6. Blizzard Entertainment (15 May 2018). "STARCRAFT II BALANCE UPDATE – MAY 15, 2018". Battle.net.
  7. Blizzard Entertainment (20 November 2018). "STARCRAFT II 4.7.1 PATCH NOTES". Battle.net.
  8. Blizzard Entertainment (26 November 2019). "STARCRAFT II 4.11.0 PATCH NOTES". Battle.net.
  9. Blizzard Entertainment (23 January 2023). "STARCRAFT II 5.0.11 PATCH NOTES". Battle.net.
  10. Blizzard Entertainment (29 September 2023). "StarCraft II 5.0.12 Patch Notes". Battle.net.