StarCraft II Beginner’s Guide
What is StarCraft II?
Gameplay Overview
Campaign Overview
Battle.net Overview
Race Overviews
Installation Guide

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is the long-awaited sequel to the original StarCraft, Blizzard Entertainment’s critically acclaimed sci-fi real-time strategy game. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is both a challenging single-player game and a fast-paced multiplayer game, and it also taps into Battle.net – Blizzard Entertainment’s fully-featured online gaming service. So, what exactly is StarCraft II? Read on and find out.

What is a Real-Time Strategy Game?

In typical real-time strategy games, players build armies and vie for control of the battlefield. The armies in play can be as small as a single squad of marines or as large as a full-blown planetary invasion force. As commander, you observe the battlefield from a top-down perspective and issue orders to your units in real time. Strategic thinking is key to success; you need to gather information about your opponents, anticipate their moves, outflank their attacks, and formulate a winning strategy.

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Learn more about the gameplay



The Races of StarCraft II

StarCraft II features three distinct ’races’ whose armies comprise entirely unique units and structures. Each race has its own strengths and weaknesses, and knowing their tactical profiles can mean the difference between glorious victory or crushing defeat.


Multiplayer and Battle.net

Battle.net is Blizzard Entertainment’s online gaming service. The StarCraft II multiplayer mode puts your skills to the ultimate test as you battle against (or alongside) human players on Battle.net’s leagues and ladders. Powered by an advanced automated matchmaking system, ranked matches will pit you against players who are near your skill level, so you will always find a fair challenge. And if you want to take a break from competitive ranked games, you can also try more relaxed custom games.




Character Profiles

Track your single- and multiplayer progress via achievements, choose your portrait, and more.

Friends List

Battle.net offers social networking features to improve your online gaming experience. You can send broadcast messages to all your friends, keep in touch across different Battle.net games, and stay up-to-date with your friends’ activity.

Online Matchmaking

Whether you play on the competitive ladder or enjoy custom games and maps, Battle.net’s advanced matchmaking system is there to find you the perfect match.

Competitive Play

Prove your skill on the StarCraft II ranked leagues and ladders. Battle.net accurately places you in the optimal league and division for your skill level.

Custom Maps and Game Types

We’ve placed the same level editor used to create StarCraft II in your hands. You can create your own maps and mods, share them with your friends, and play them on Battle.net.

Data in the Cloud

Wherever you go, your StarCraft II progress can follow. StarCraft II allows you to store your single-player progress on Battle.net, so if you ever have to re-install the game or want to play on more than one computer, you can pick up right where you left off.
Information
Learn more about the new Battle.net


StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Single-Player Campaign

Launch the Single-Player Campaign to continue the story where StarCraft: Brood War left off. Lead Raynor’s Raiders through an epic campaign and unravel the story of a universe on the brink of destruction. You can also play custom single-player games against the computer if you just want to practice.

Information
Learn more about the singleplayer campaign
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Comments (99)

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VictorTree #453
VictorTree
1/20/2012
Found the game for half off on Black Friday! couldn't pass down that deal. Didn't know what to expect at first but I still have yet to be disappointed.
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Pointy #583
Pointy
1/17/2012
AWWW YEE!
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Rumblytumbly #310
Rumblytumbly
11/30/2011
AGH i bought the full version but my computer only has 2 GB of space... It requires 12...I ordered a 16 GB super speed flash drive to put it on... hopefully it will work :|
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wellington #202
wellington
11/23/2011
car2
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sollicon #240
sollicon
10/26/2011
did anyone notice the seige tank right behind the hydralisk when he starts talking about zerg
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kingaboo #248
kingaboo
10/26/2011
I have the full version
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kingaboo #248
kingaboo
10/26/2011
abotut 5 days ago I DOWNLOADED starter demo now I have the game and I want to play single player I dont now how to play offline
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Zuelgin #448
Zuelgin
10/23/2011
Tryn to play single player.. havnt been on in 9 months. Ny suggestions
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curt #658
curt
10/12/2011
GREAT GAME
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vojka #972
vojka
10/9/2011
lol is there a trail for this game
\
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jtierney #672
jtierney
9/28/2011
what!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Infiltrator #254
Infiltrator
9/19/2011
lol omg wtf bbq
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Infiltrator #254
Infiltrator
9/19/2011
its starcraft, tard...........tard!!!!!!
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MOSTWANTED #596
MOSTWANTED
9/11/2011
Addicting game but cool
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LtGwin #564
LtGwin
9/8/2011
how do speed up your people that you create
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Demolisher #153
Demolisher
8/29/2011
on the campain R-Tard
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CaptianDad #542
CaptianDad
8/25/2011
how do you play a.i. offline?
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XinTuS #534
XinTuS
8/5/2011
What it's the Full Game Client ?
What does and do I really need it ?
Thanks...
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Argaen #899
Argaen
9/21/2011
@XinTuS: No just the first 5 missions are free & available for download, The full version still costs money. It's a download of 6.99 GB
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James #3892
James
7/28/2011
WERE CAN i FIND THE MAP EDITOR
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ngtheap #315
ngtheap
7/28/2011
finally i can play this is the multiplayer still just like the old starcraft?
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Grating #167
Grating
7/2/2011
LOL I suck at the multiplayer
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HBEtyrant #376
HBEtyrant
7/5/2011
@Grating: all u need 2 do is practice
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mestyu #907
mestyu
10/14/2011
@HBEtyrant: i suck balls at multi player after 2 min. they kill me
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TOMCAT #712
TOMCAT
6/23/2011
how do you play over a lan?
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exploder #611
exploder
11/28/2011
@TOMCAT: Correct me if im wrong(sorry) but i dont think you can, i have full version and i cant
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VictorTree #453
VictorTree
1/20/2012
@exploder: yeah, not possible. it was not included in this game for piracy reasons...
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Lazure #169
Lazure
6/9/2011
I'm still watching this even it's been a while since the game came out.
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Arcadias #647
Arcadias
6/5/2011
Look faction. I started out with them in multi-player!
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FRED #1201
FRED
5/18/2011
allo
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SoulKeeper #683
SoulKeeper
5/11/2011
if any one wont to add me that will be cool XProKillersX
code #516
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raden #476
raden
5/2/2011
guys does any1 know when the new zerg and protoss campaign comes out
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Roflroflkila #951
Roflroflkila
5/11/2011
@raden: 2012 most likely. I think Diablo 3 is going to be this year's Blizzard release, as the betah as been confirmed by Bliz in the summer on Kotaku.
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exploder #611
exploder
5/25/2011
@raden: LAte 2011 for zerg and mid 2012 for protoss
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Slicksterrrr #502
Slicksterrrr
4/24/2011
HELP
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Slicksterrrr #502
Slicksterrrr
4/24/2011
HOW TO START PLAYING ON A MAP
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Jack #2566
Jack
4/21/2011
where do you get maps for the Versus A.I. games?????
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KillJoy #231
KillJoy
4/24/2011
@Jack: In the map editor? If you log in you can download them from battle.net. In the sma eplace you find the campaign missions.
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MAFIUL #281
MAFIUL
4/5/2011
[Our StarCraft II Community on FB] http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_159443447450329&ap=1
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zorand #167
zorand
3/22/2011
ture