Blizzard has updated its StarCraft 2 page with another Protoss unit – the Twilight Archon. As usual, the page features a short gameplay video, a new screenshot, concept art and a short backstory and description.

 

 

Builds From: Merging Templar
Armament: Psionic Shockwave
Role: Heavy Assault

The Archon is a late game, heavy, ground assault unit. It has a lot of health and a devastating attack, which can target both ground and air units.

The terrifying power of the high templar is rightly feared by the enemies of the protoss. A mere handful of these potent individuals can lay waste to entire armies of foes.

 

* Click for big

These swirling, burning effigies of the protoss spirit radiate incalculable power. Their devastating psionic storms can be unleashed against cowering enemy forces both in the air and on the ground. With the halves of the protoss race reunited, an archon can now be brought into being by the merge of two high templar, or two dark templar, or even the unification of a dark templar and a high templar. Although the protoss are loath to sacrifice valuable templar, those who do achieve this final level of commitment are forever honored in the memories of their people.

The Twilight Archon seems similar to StarCraft 1’s normal Archon, which was created by merging two High Templars. A Dark Archon version, created by merging two Dark Templars, functioned as a dedicated spell caster. Will the Dark Archon be forgotten in StarCraft 2? Perhaps the Twilight Archon will now be able to both attack and cast spells.

As mentioned in the update, the Twilight Archon can be created by merging any two templars. This opens the possibility of having the final result being dependent on the composition: An Archon created from two High Templars might have a stronger shield, while an Archon created from two Dark Templars might be able to use more spells or have more mana.

 

Don’t forget to take a look at the short gameplay movie, embedded in the StarCraft2.com unit page. Note how the Archon now walks on two legs instead of hovering slightly above the battlefield. The StarCraft 1 Archon was effectively immune to mines – will the updated Archon trigger them?

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9 Comments to “New Protoss Unit Page: The Twilight Archon”

1. Frost — July 19, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
   

   looks like their in-game design changed a bit from the pc gamer video. They now look more cloudy than the first appearance as looking sparkly.

2. Nock — August 6, 2007 @ 9:37 pm
   

   I think that the new archon is really wrong in his desing because they are suposted to be an energy unit sooo, they dont have armour as you can see in the first starcraft, an second they have legs now? what are they thinking, an besides it walks like a robot, it doesnt loke natural at all.

   I hope blizzard changes that. Or as a fan i will be very disapointed.

3. anonomous 2 — February 28, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
   

   sweet

4. gyx — March 30, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
   

   yes i agree with Nock,this archon does seems a bit robotic.
   the previous archon in sc1 looks more elegant not as fat n short as this new one.

5. Dejavoo — June 24, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
   

   I hope Blizzard includes the Dark Archon in SC2. Mind Control is one of my favorite spells and really allows me to play a multitude of strategies when playing against the computer.

6. zamrock — August 1, 2008 @ 3:15 am
   

   its possible that the armor was made to bond it after all twilight in almost every thing is the most powerful type of force

7. Anonymous — October 27, 2009 @ 5:47 pm
   

   I always thougth that the Archon was really fucking overpowered in SC1 aginst for example the zerg. That and the high templars psychic storm or whatever it was called made it impossible to even attack as a zerg player becous of the high templar instantly killing your army with two of those and the archons killing off all your air support instantly.
   Really really really needs a nerf. Hopefully it has like 15 damage or half the shield it had in SC1. Would make the game a lot more fair.

8. Anonymous — October 27, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
   

   Haha they’re just making it look like a lich from the Warcraft series. Just great, more old stuff with new colour.

9. Da Mick — December 29, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
   

   The Archons in ST1 were mysterious big swirling blue clouds with a naked figure at its centre. Now, it looks like a large protoss covered in armour sourounded by electricity. Drastic change…