Psionic technology (StarCraft) Totally Explained

Everything about Psi Disrupter totally explained

This article references psionic technology in the fictional StarCraft universe. Psionic technology is predominantly employed by the Protoss and the Zerg but the Terrans are evolving towards becoming a psionic race themselves, and their science teams have begun to explore this powerful technology. The Zerg are psionically linked to their Cerebrates and the Overmind, and the Overmind can use its psionic powers to create a rift in space and teleport into a different realm.

Crystals of psionic importance

Several crystals are present throughout the StarCraft universe, normally under either Xel'Naga or Protoss control.

Argus crystals

Argus crystals are utilized by the Dark Templar for an alternate power source to the Khaydarin crystals that they lost access to as a result of their exile from Aiur. They are commonly found as part of the reactor core of Corsair spacecraft and jewel variations of the Argus crystal are often seen with Dark Archons as a means of fast energy production.
A particularly large Argus crystal was found on the Terran Dominion planet of Aridas, and was believed to be left there by the Xel'Naga. All three races converge upon the planet in order to acquire the artifact, as it's believed that whomever controls the stone will be able to control the universe. Thus it's implied that the crystal possesses a powerful psionic signature that would allow its "owner" an immense psychic ability.

Khalis crystals

The Khalis crystal is a powerful light blue crystal, infused with the energy of the High Templar. When used in combination with the Uraj crystal, it's capable of powering Xel'Naga technology. During the Brood War, the Khalis' energies were utilised by the Cerebrates on Char in order to create a new Overmind. The crystal was later retrieved by the Protoss and used to activate the Xel'Naga temple on Shakuras.
It isn't known how many Khalis crystals are in existence.

Khaydarin crystals

Khaydarin crystals are monolithic artifacts of psionic technology used by the Xel'Naga to facilitate their genetic experiments, and are often seen as part of Xel'Naga temples. The Xel'Naga abandoned some of the crystals on Aiur during their flight from the world. These crystals were later rediscovered by Khas, who used them to reestablish the Protoss psionic bond and introduce the concepts of the Khala.
Khaydarin crystals are vital to Protoss infrastructure and military force. They provide a psionic matrix connected through pylons forged out of the crystals. These pylons then power all Protoss military structures. Khaydarin crystals are also used in Protoss warp technology, as well as being integrated into ship reactors for increased energy production.
Like all other Xel'Naga technology, the crystals were heavily guarded by the Shelak Tribe. However, the Zerg were still able to obtain small amounts of the crystals during their invasion of Aiur. The fate of these crystals are unknown since the evacuation of Aiur by the Protoss. As the Khaydarin was still used in the construction of Arbiters and Pylons afterwards, it's likely that the Protoss took with them at least some supply of it. Terrans have also been able to use Khaydarin crystals to a limited extent:

Alan Schezar was able to control a Zerg Cerebrate on Aiur through the use of the crystals.
Ulrezaj has also been able to replicate the Khaydarin crystals and used them to mutate Zerg, although the fake crystals were powerless in the proximity of high concentrations of Dark Templar energy, namely the Dark Archon.

Uraj crystals

The Uraj crystal is a powerful psionic crystal with a violet hue. It is infused with the energy of the Dark Templar, and when used with the Khalis crystal, can power up Xel'Naga technology. The crystal was once located on the Protoss colony of Khyrador, but the planet and the crystal were later abandoned. . The planet was later colonized by the Dominion and renamed Braxis; the crystal was secured in a military base for research. During the Brood War, a Protoss taskforce led by Sarah Kerrigan raided the colony to retrieve the crystal, in order to use it to activate the Xel'Naga temple of Shakuras.
It isn't known if any additional Uraj crystals existed.

Terran psionic technology

Terrans are an emerging psionic race; this evolution is exemplified in their Ghost agents. Terran scientists have devised a number of supporting psionic devices based on this understanding. Some have also devised methods to mimic and maintain stolen Protoss technology, including research on Dark Templar cloaking fields and psi-blade technology.

Ghost agents

The height of infantry training, the Ghost is an elite special operations unit deployed for sabotage and recon raids. Born with above-average psychic potential and through a combination of training, mental conditioning and neural implants, Ghosts incorporate considerable skill, both physically and mentally. They also are equipped with technology to aid their combat and espionage missions, the most common of which is a personal cloaking device that allows them to become invisible to the naked eye at will. Ghosts are also equipped with a special lockdown ammo type capable of disabling enemy mechanical units, as well as opting to have ocular implants implanted to improve their eyesight. Ghosts play a major part on the battlefield, possessing the equipment necessary to guide a tactical nuclear missile accurately to its target.
Ghosts are considered highly dangerous and don't often serve in direct combat, although they've higher vitality and power than average Marines. Most Ghosts have a high level of telepathy and in rare cases even telekinesis, although all have their abilities hindered by implanted neural inhibitors. They are trained since birth to hone and develop their powers, even against their will - in such cases, neural implants force them to obey their trainers. Ghosts were originally a project by the Terran Confederacy, although after their fall, the project was revived by the Terran Dominion. The UED, despite their disdain for mutations in the human gene pool, also use Ghost agents in their infantry.

Psi disruptor

A psionic waveform disruptor, conventionally known as a psi disruptor, is a powerful piece of technology designed by the Confederacy and built on Tarsonis. Its function is to disrupt the psychic methods by which the Zerg communicate, thus preventing the creatures from presenting a significant threat. The device itself is considerably large and requires immense power to operate.
   The only known psi disruptor was built in an isolated area of Tarsonis and survived the Zerg infestation of the planet. Despite attempts to locate it by the Terran Dominion, the psi disruptor remained hidden until unexpectedly found by scouts from the United Earth Directorate's expeditionary fleet. A task force was dispatched to destroy it on the advice of Samir Duran, but the fleet's Vice Admiral Stukov discreetly arranged for it to be dissembled and relocated to the conquered colony of Braxis.
   After the UED's defeat on Aiur, Stukov fled to Braxis and activated the psi disruptor in order to attempt to salvage the expedition. After Admiral DuGalle became somehow convinced that Stukov was attempting to sabotage the expedition, Stukov was assassinated by Duran. Despite this, Stukov managed to convince DuGalle to use the psi disruptor with his dying breath. The UED were able to prevent Duran from detonating the disruptor's fusion core, and then used its abilities to successfully invade Char and take control of the Zerg Overmind.
   The disruptor was ultimately destroyed in a joint operation by Sarah Kerrigan's forces, Raynor's Raiders and the Terran Dominion during their attempts to dislodge the UED's control of the Koprulu sector. It isn't known if any other psi disruptors were built or if any design plans still exist for the device.

Psi emitter

The transplanar psionic waveform emitter, usually referred to as a psi emitter, is a piece of Terran technology designed by the Terran Confederacy and ultimately responsible for their destruction. Zerg are psychically attuned to the psionic imprints of human psychics, so the psi emitter is designed to transmit the imprint across interplanetary distances, drawing the Zerg to its location.
The Confederates initially used these devices to lure the Zerg into containment areas for research, but were unprepared for the scale on which the Zerg became attracted to the signal and were therefore responsible for the Zerg invasions of Chau Sara and Mar Sara. Plans for the psi emitter were later discovered in the Confederate installation on Mar Sara by a Sons of Korhal commando squad lead by Jim Raynor, and upon analysis Mengsk speculated that the Confederates were attempting to utilise the Zerg as a weapon: they'd use the psi emitters to force the Zerg to destroy dissenters and then move in and eradicate the infestation, appearing as heroes to the survivors and at the same time removing their enemies. However, this plan never came to fruition.
The Sons of Korhal consequently used the psi emitters in the assault of Tarsonis, luring in the Zerg to wipe out the Confederate institutions and the bulk of the population. The Terran Dominion later kept a supply of the emitters, using them again in order to counter the effect of the psi disruptor on Sarah Kerrigan's Zerg forces.

Advanced Protoss psionic technology

Psionics are a central feature of Protoss life. Telepathy is the main form of communication between Protoss tribes, but this isn't the limit of psionics in their society. Almost all Protoss technology involve psionics, with the technology heavily incorporated into the Protoss military. This section displays some of the more advanced aspects of this technology but all Archons and Templars used Psi Powers.

Stasis cells

A stasis cell is a Protoss invention used for storage, medical and incarceration purposes. Stasis cells are considered too complicated and psi-active for Terrans to understand, but Alan Schezar and Samir Duran have been able to demonstrate the ability to control them to an extent. Stasis cells frequently rely on Khaydarin crystal-based pylon technology to power them, which can result in an unstable connection if not maintained properly.
When a creature leaves a stasis cell, they emerge in the condition they entered. Leaving the stasis cell doesn't cause injury, but a creature in a stasis cell is vulnerable to injury from attacks made from the outside. Stasis cells are not always a perfect stasis, particularly if they're improperly maintained. Creatures trapped within can still emit psionic energy and, as demonstrated by Mojo, some are even able to communicate with the outside world using psionics.

Warp gate technology

The Protoss utilise warp gate technology in order to quickly deploy forces to battlefields and military bases from Protoss military installations on other worlds or ships. They are built upon and powered by Khaydarin crystals. Whilst most gateways are specialised for either ground or aerial forces, a number of larger warp gates have been found in a network between various planets. These gates, connected to a hub on Aiur, allow for quick en masse travel between the planets in the network. However most of these larger gates were destroyed throughout the course of the Brood War.
Prior to and during the Brood War, Protoss Arbiter vessels were experimenting with dimensional recall functions in order to quickly transport troops into battle. Later warp gate technology allows the gateway to perform a similar function by materialising users in specific powered locations in addition to simply emerging at the exit gateway.

Xel'Naga temples

The Xel'Naga appear to have left many large relics throughout the Korpulu sector, and possibly the rest of the Milky Way galaxy. These artifacts are usually referred to as temples. These temples have a variety of functions, from places of worship to weapons of mass destruction.
   One such temple is on the Protoss homeworld of Aiur. Situated on a nexus of cosmic energies, it marks the site where the Xel'Naga first set foot on Aiur. The temple had since become entrenched in Protoss religion. This temple was destroyed in the Brood War by the Zerg in order for the Overmind to use the cosmic energies to manifest itself on the surface.
   Another temple was revealed to the Khalai Protoss by the Dark Templar on Shakuras. The gigantic structure was what caused the Dark Templar to settle on Shakuras to study it. This temple, also situated on a nexus of cosmic energies, was a weapon capable of destroying Xel'Naga-empowered life forms. By the use of the twin crystals Uraj and Khalis, Zeratul and Artanis were able to activate the temple and eradicate all the Zerg on Shakuras.
   A third temple was discovered on Bhekar Ro. This temple harvested the DNA of Xel'Naga creatures - namely Zerg and Protoss - in order to nurture and release a Xel'Naga-empowered energy creature. This temple - and the creature - had unparalleled resilience to damage, even absorbing the energy from a nuclear blast for the purpose of its incubation. After the conclusion of the Brood War, dozens more of these temples were discovered on various worlds across the Terran Dominion, including one on Nemaka.

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