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"When a terran army touches down on a new planet, it’s the Command Center that lands first."
CommandCenter SCR Art1

A command center

Command centers are the core of every terran outpost.

Overview[]

"[The command center] had obviously been built for function rather than aesthetics. Some Confederacy technical draftsman back at R&D Division probably had an impassioned affair with this design at one point, but he was alone in his appreciation. The command center was all business."
Augustgrad SC1 Cncpt1

A command center on Korhal

Command centers, a.k.a. "command posts",[1] are mobile resource processors that can relocate wherever minerals or vespene gas are plentiful.[2] They move via jump-jets, but must shut down all other systems to move.[1]

They also have the ability to manufacture SCVs and serve as the return point for mining vehicles. With pressed metal plates,[3] command centers are heavily armored and sturdy, though are slow moving whilst in flight, where they are at their most vulnerable.[4] They are typically the first terran structure to touch down when an army is deployed.[5]

Nova SC-G Game2

A command center (post-Brood War)

Structurally, the command center is as wide as it is tall (3 stories), easily identifiable from a distance through its flashing beacons. Massive repulsor landing claws support the main bulk of the structure with external ablative plates reinforcing the main hull. Observation towers, antennae, sensor domes and other similar devices are situated above the center proper. Processors are also maintained to process resources, taking up the bulk of the command center's external space.[6]

CommandCenter SC-FM Art1

A command center after the Second Great War

After the Brood War, the command center design underwent expansion, including extra bay facilities to carry a number of SCVs while the command center is in transit. This facilitates rapid exploitation of fresh mineral fields or vespene pockets, as well as supplying a handy shelter for the SCVs in case of enemy action.[7] These new command centers lost their extensible interface to connect with add-ons, in favor of internal bays for increased security.[2] In addition, the increasing use of command centers in combat zones led to the development of standard schematics for upgrading them to a dedicated military role,[7] a change from previous standards where command centers featured minimal staff and defenses.[1] Two such military variants of the command center were the ATVX orbital command, designed for surveillance and asset management, and the Ares planetary fortress, designed for planetary warfare.[7]

Command centers of the Second Great War were equipped with Atlas boosters. The boosters could not lift the more massive planetary fortress.[8]

The Dominion Special Forces utilize command centers with reinforced repulsor landing claws, which allowed them to gain solid footing even in the harshest environments.[2]

History[]

CommandCenterMarine SC2-NCO Art1

A command center on Borea

Command centers were designed to be roving resource processors for Confederate prospectors.[4] At some point during the Great War or Brood War, a team of Korhal's finest engineers created a command center covered in gold; an "extra coat of paint befitting its nobility" as a structure of the Terran Dominion. Because of all the gold, the command center weighed several times as much as a normal command center, but its thrusters were upgraded to ensure its lift-off functions remained.[5]

Interior[]

Bunks[]

In some commander centers, bunks and a holo are located inside for rest and recuperation.[9]

Command Bay[]

Marine SC2-NCO Cine1

Marines within the command bay

The command bay is the first point of call for anyone entering the command center.[6] Standard operating procedure is for security checks and armor removal to occur for those entering.[9]

Infirmary[]

The infirmary is located at one of the command center's lower levels. It is arguably the most well protected section of the command center, encased by the structure proper and set within its exact middle. However, command center infirmaries lack advanced equipment and only really function as a first-aid station, a place to keep an injured soldier alive long enough so that he/she can reach better facilities in time. Water is supplied via a basin and multiple bunks are present, which feature straps should a patient have to be restrained.[6]

Observation Deck[]

The observation deck is accessed via a lift. It includes a waiting area and the commander's office.[10]

Operations Room[]

The operations room is situated at the very top of a command center. A ring of transsteel windows surrounds the entire room, allowing an officer to look in all directions from the structure. The centerpiece is the command island however, a raised circular platform situated in the room's center. From here, command staff monitor activities of a base and the operations room itself. Various consoles are located below the island, specifically monitoring the aspects of a base. It is also from the operations room that general radio traffic can be monitored and answered.[6] Security codes are stored here.[9]

Reactor Core[]

The reactor core provides power to the command center via fusion. This leads to a warm floor and a steamy environment due to the heat generated. It is located in the dark, lower depths of the structure, accessible via service ladders. It has a main bay.[9]

SCV Maintenance Bay[]

The SCV maintenance bay is located above the command bay, squeezed between the processors. In truth, it is something of a misnomer, as fabricators can create SCVs from scratch.[6]

Game Structure[]

StarCraft[]

The command center is the most durable base building without upgrading and can lift off, allowing it to fly into better positions. A commonly used tactic is to construct a command center in a defended area, and then fly it to another resource node to begin another base. However, like all other terran buildings, the terran command center will literally burn to the ground when lower than about 35% HP. Another dangerous weakness is the fact that command centers are able to be infested by zerg queens, resulting in an infested command center which creates explosive infested terrans.

A command center can build a ComSat station or nuclear silo add on. It can only use one at a time but can switch back and forth between them.[4]

In StarCraft: Remastered, a "Korhal command center" skin is available for those who pre-ordered the game.[11]

Abilities[]

This structure can lift off, enabling it to fly. It cannot produce units or conduct research while in flight, and must leave add-ons behind.

Usage
Hotkey L

The command center can add a ComSat station to itself, giving the terran player the ability to use scanner sweep. This prevents the command center from building a nuclear silo.

Usage
Hotkey C
Cost 50 Minerals 50 Vespene gas 40 seconds
Acquisition
Required Academy

The command center can add a nuclear silo to itself, giving ghosts the ability to use nuclear strike. This prevents the command center from building a ComSat station.

Usage
Hotkey N
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 80 seconds
Acquisition
Required Science facility with attached covert ops

Development[]

During development, the command center could originally have both the nuclear silo and ComSat station as add-ons at the same time.[12]

The command center has an unused selection sound.[13]

StarCraft II[]

In StarCraft II, the command center may garrison SCVs for the workers' transportation or protection. Three aft thrusters and four ventral thrusters power the structure in flight.

Versus[]

Abilities[]

This structure can lift off, enabling it to fly. It cannot produce units or conduct research while in flight, and must leave add-ons behind.

Usage
Hotkey L
Cost 2 (for lifting off and landing) seconds
ve
SC2 Load-Unload icon
Load SCVs

The command center or planetary fortress may load and unload five SCVs. This may be done while a command center is in flight. The number of SCVs is increased to ten with Neosteel Frames.

ve
Transformation[]
OrbCommand SC2 Icon1
Transform Command Center to Orbital Command

The command center can transform into an orbital command. The transformation is irreversible.

Usage
Hotkey B
Cost 150 Minerals 25 seconds Command center
ve
SC2 Lab PlanetFortress Icon
Transform Command Center to Planetary Fortress

The command center can transform into an planetary fortress. The transformation is irreversible.

Usage
Hotkey P
Cost 150 Minerals 150 Vespene gas 36 seconds Command center
ve
Upgrades[]
BuildingArmor SC2 Game1
Neosteel Armor

Upgrades the armor of structures by 2 (excluding auto-turrets). Increases the cargo space of bunkers by 2. Also provides extra cargo space for command centers and planetary fortresses.

Acquisition
Purchased from Engineering bay
Hotkey B
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 100seconds
ve

Wings of Liberty[]

Upgrades all command centers to orbital commands.[15]

ATVX now manufactures a satellite comlink that can reveal unexplored areas on the map. The comlink can also call down a MULE. A MULE gathers much faster than an SCV and can produce a major surge in mineral production. Because it is a prototype, the MULE will come apart after a short period of time, but it is still well worth the cost.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Complete 12 missions.
Acquired from Hyperion armory for $125,000
ve

Command centers and planetary fortresses can build two SCVs at the same time.[16]

We now have the ability to train two SCVs simultaneously, allowing our early mineral and vespene production to ramp up twice as quickly. This breakthrough, made possibly by recent insights into protoss containment fields, should help us get a stronger foothold early in future missions.

Campaign Acquisition
Acquired from Hyperion laboratory for 15 protoss research points
ve
Abilities[]

The orbital command has the ability to temporarily clear the fog of war and detect all cloaked or burrowed units within the target area.

This can be executed anywhere on the map at any time. The circular view shown lasts for about 12 seconds before changing to the fog of war static view.

Analogous to the ComSat station in StarCraft.

Usage
Hotkey C
Cost 50 Energy
Duration 12 seconds
ve
MULECalldown SC2 Icon1
Calldown: MULE

An orbital command summons one MULE via drop pod. If the ability is targeted on a mineral patch the MULE will begin mining automatically, extracting 45 minerals per trip. The ability may be used only on areas uncovered by the fog of war.

Usage
Hotkey E
Cost 50 Energy
Duration 64 seconds
ve
Upgrades[]

Enables command centers and orbital commands to transform into a planetary fortress.[8]

We can now outfit the command center with the twin Ibiks cannon and additional structure plating. Please note that this upgrade, nicknamed the planetary fortress, must be triggered after the command center has been built. Also note that a command center that has been upgraded to a planetary fortress can no longer lift off because the added weight is too much for the command center's atlas boosters.

Campaign Acquisition
Acquired from Hyperion laboratory for 10 zerg research points
ve

All structures repair themselves to 50% life. All structure fires are automatically put out.

This all-in-one safety system automatically dispatches robotic drones to put out any fires and perform basic repairs on damaged structures. Although these drones are effective at doing basic repairs, they do not have a strong enough AI to perform the more delicate repairs needed to restore a structure past half life.[17]

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Complete 12 missions.
Acquired from Hyperion armory for $90,000
ve

Co-op Missions[]

Jim Raynor, Rory Swann, Nova Terra, Mira Han and Matt Horner and Tychus Findlay use command center with primary structure. Jim Raynor can be transform it into orbital command wich can use Scanner Sweep and deploy MULE. Rory Swann can deploy Vespene Harvester into friendly vespene gas harvested building.

Alexei Stukov has access to a infested command center, from which he can create infested SCVs and overlords and unstoppable generate creep.

Arturus Mengsk has access to a specialized enlistment center, from which he can recruit both Dominion laborers and Dominion troopers.[18]

Raynor Upgrades and Abilities[]
SC2Liftoff
Lift Off

This structure can Lift Off, enabling it to fly. It cannot produce units or conduct research while in flight.

Usage
Hotkey L
Cost 2 (for lifting off and landing) seconds
ve
SC2 Load-Unload icon
Load SCVs

The command center may load and unload five SCV. This may be done while a command center is in flight. The number of SCV is increased to ten with Neosteel Frames.

ve
OrbCommand SC2 Icon1
Transform Command Center to Orbital Command

The command center can transform into an orbital command. The transformation is irreversible.

Rebel Raider: Upgrade to Orbital Command does not require Barracks.

Acquisition
Purchased from Command center (Individual)
Hotkey B
Cost 150 Minerals 35seconds
Required Barracks
None (with Rebel Raider)
ve
NeosteelFrame SC2 Game1
Neosteel Frame

Bunkers gain +2 capacity and command centers gain +5 capacity.

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Engineering bay
Hotkey N
Cost 100 Minerals
Mastery: -2 Minerals per Research Resource Cost mastery point. Down to a minimum 40 Minerals
100 TerranVespene SC2 Game1
Mastery: -2 TerranVespene SC2 Game1 per Research Resource Cost mastery point. Down to a minimum 40 Vespene gas
60seconds
ve
BuildingArmor SC2 Game1
Structure Armor

All structures gain +2 armor.

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Engineering bay
Hotkey B
Cost 100 Minerals
Mastery: -2 Minerals per Research Resource Cost mastery point. Down to a minimum 40 Minerals
100 TerranVespene SC2 Game1
Mastery: -2 TerranVespene SC2 Game1 per Research Resource Cost mastery point. Down to a minimum 40 Vespene gas
60seconds
ve
Swann Upgrades and Abilities[]
SC2Liftoff
Lift Off

This structure can Lift Off, enabling it to fly. It cannot produce units or conduct research while in flight.

Usage
Hotkey L
Cost 2 (for lifting off and landing) seconds
ve
SC2 Load-Unload icon
Load SCVs

The command center may load and unload five SCV. This may be done while a command center is in flight.

ve
FireSupression SC2 Icon
Fire Supression Systems

All buildings will initiate auto-repairs when below 50% health, repairing them back to 50% health (restore 15 hit points per second).

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Reach Swann Level 11
Acquisition
Purchased from Engineering bay
Hotkey F
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 60seconds
ve
SC2 Swann AC - VespeneHarvester
Vespene Harvester

Calls down an automated harvester that gathers extra vespene for you and your ally from any friendly vespene gathering structure.

Usage
Cost 100 Minerals
Mastery: -3 Minerals per Vespene Drone Cost mastery point. Down to a minimum 10 Minerals
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Reach Swann Level 5.
ve
BuildingArmor SC2 Game1
Structure Armor

All structures gain +2 armor.

Grease Monkey: All turrets gain +4 armor.

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Engineering bay
Hotkey B
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 60seconds
ve
Nova Upgrades and Abilities[]
SC2Liftoff
Lift Off

This structure can Lift Off, enabling it to fly. It cannot produce units or conduct research while in flight, and must leave add-ons behind.

Usage
Hotkey L
Cost 2 (for lifting off and landing) seconds
ve
SC2 Load-Unload icon
Load SCVs

The command center may load and unload five SCV. This may be done while a command center is in flight.

ve
BuildingArmor SC2 Game1
Structure Armor

All structures gain +2 armor.

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Engineering bay
Hotkey B
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 60seconds
ve
Han and Horner Abilities[]
SC2Liftoff
Lift Off

This structure can Lift Off, enabling it to fly. It cannot produce units or conduct research while in flight.

Usage
Hotkey L
Cost 2 (for lifting off and landing) seconds
ve
SC2 Load-Unload icon
Load SCVs

The command center may load and unload five SCV. This may be done while a command center is in flight.

ve
Tychus Abilities[]
SC2Liftoff
Lift Off

This structure can Lift Off, enabling it to fly. It cannot produce units or conduct research while in flight.

Usage
Hotkey L
Cost 2 (for lifting off and landing) seconds
ve
SC2 Load-Unload icon
Load SCVs

The command center may load and unload five SCV. This may be done while a command center is in flight.

ve

Achievements[]

Carnage hall Carnage Hall
Points

10 Achievement SC2 Game1

Criteria

Destroy 4 Command Centers, Hatcheries, or Nexuses in a single Unranked or Ranked game.

Notes

Destroyed incomplete buildings are counted.

Edit
Denied Denied
Points

10 Achievement SC2 Game1

Criteria

Destroy an enemy Command Center, Hatchery, or Nexus while it is under construction in an Unranked or Ranked game.

Edit

Development[]

The following section contains information from a previous version of StarCraft II which is no longer valid.

The command center was a solid month of work in StarCraft II. Design decisions constantly changed the landscape of the multiplayer art needs in the game, and when the dust settled, the revision was a monster task. Designing its planetary fortress and orbital command variants required even more planning.[19]

Heroes of the Storm[]

Heroes DevLog2
The following section contains information from Heroes of the Storm and is not canon to StarCraft continuity
CommandCenter Heroes DevGame1

A command center in Heroes of the Storm

Command centers appeared in early builds of Heroes of the Storm.[20]

Overwatch[]

An orbital command is located in the Blizzard World map in Overwatch, as part of the Command Center Lift-Off attraction.

Variants[]

Images[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Grubb, Jeff (February 27, 2001). StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-0671-04148-9.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. Collections Tab: Skins. October 17, 2016
  3. McNeill, Graham (December 30, 2008). StarCraft: I, Mengsk. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-1-4165-5083-9.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Underwood, Peter, Bill Roper, Chris Metzen and Jeffrey Vaughn. StarCraft (Manual). Irvine, Calif.: Blizzard Entertainment, 1998.
  5. 5.0 5.1 2017-08-03, Spotlight: Pre-Purchase Rewards. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2017-08-05
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Hickman, Tracy (May 21, 2002). StarCraft: Speed of Darkness. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-0671-04150-2.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Blizzard Entertainment staff. SC2 Command Center. Accessed on 2008-11-18.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Zerg research (in English). 2010.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Waugh, James. "Changeling." (November 18, 2009). Blizzard Entertainment. Changeling: A Short Story by James Waugh Accessed 2009-11-18.
  10. Dietz, William C. (April 6, 2010). StarCraft II: Heaven's Devils. Simon & Schuster (Gallery Books). ISBN 978-1416-55084-6.
  11. 2017-06-29, StarCraft: Remastered Arrives August 14. Blizzplanet, accessed on 2017-07-01
  12. Hidden Pics, Angelfire. Accessed on 2018-06-06
  13. Starcraft Building Sounds. YouTube
  14. 2015-03-31, StarCraft II Legacy of the Void Beta Release Patch Notes. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2015-04-03
  15. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard) (in English). July 27, 2010.
  16. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Protoss research (in English). 2010.
  17. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Armory upgrades (in English). 2010.
  18. Blizzard Entertainment. Co-op Missions. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Arcturus Mengsk (in English). 2019.
  19. 2011, Terran Command Center. Deviantart, accessed on 2011-05-30
  20. 2014-05-21, Blizzard set out to make a StarCraft mod, and instead reinvented gaming's most popular genre. Polygon, accessed on 2014-05-22
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