High Templar

Overview

The High Templar (frequently abbreviated to High Temp or just HT) are high ranked Templars that forgo the rage and physical prowess of the lower ranked Zealots and instead hone their psionic abilities into weapons. High Templars have been known to perform amazing feats with just their minds. They levitate on the battlefield, using their psionic powers to create powerful psionic storms at will. Two High Templar can undertake the ultimate sacrifice and merge into an Archon, a being of pure psionic energy. In game, the High Templar functions as the Protoss' late game spellcaster unit.

Starcraft Brood War

Tactics

The High Templar is a staple of Protoss late game armies used in every match up thanks to their Psionic Storm ability. Psi Storm can devastate clumped up armies especially those of the Zerg. High Templars are frequently dropped near enemy mineral lines to kill off large amounts of workers via Psi Storm. High Templars are also often placed in defensive positions to thwart drop tactics. Hallucination is rarely used due to its greater energy cost and the fact that Psi Storm is much more useful. However Hallucination can be used to create diversions and shield the real units.

Because a High Templar is a spellcaster, it is useless without energy. If a High Templar is out of energy, the player can choose to retreat the High Templar so that it can regain energy or, if short term firepower is necessary, the Archon warp can be used to morph two High Templar into powerful Archons. The Khaydarin Amulet upgrade is a vital upgrade and is often researched after Psionic Storm. The increase in starting energy means that High Templars don't have to wait as long to cast Psi Storm. Furthermore the increased energy reserves allow High Templars to cast more.

High Templars are slow, frail and expensive units that must be protected with extreme care. High Templars should be near the back of the army to cast their Psionic Storms. Opposing Zerg or Terran players tend to create "hit squads" of Mutalisks or Vultures to flank and snipe High Templar reinforcements. Killing off High Templars can often determine the success or failure of the Protoss attack.

Starcraft II

The High Templar is a returning unit from Starcraft Brood War. It remains virtually the same both in abilities and function. It is used in all three matchups just like Brood War, although players can choose to tech to Colossi instead. A combined High Templar and Colossi army is very difficult to stop.

Like all Gateway units, the High Templar can be warped in for decreased build times and the ability to appear anywhere in pylon power. The High Templar no longer has the Hallucinate ability, which has been given to the new Sentry unit. Instead the High Templar inherits the Dark Archon's Feedback ability, making it useful against spellcasters. Psi Storm is not as powerful as its Brood War iteration but remains a potent spell. Because there is only one type of Archon in SCII, High Templars, in addition to merging with other High Templars, can merge with Dark Templars to form Archons.

Former Abilites