Starcraft 2 Probe Guide: The Protoss Probe - Introductory Guide

Starcraft 2 Probe Guide: The Protoss Probe - Introductory Guide
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Starcraft 2 Probe - The Basics

We start off our Starcraft 2 Protoss multiplayer units guide with a study of the humble Probe.

Every army needs hard workers at its core to keep it supplied in the weapons and resources it requires to dominate the enemy, and the Protoss in Starcraft 2 are no different. The Protoss Probe is a busy little robot drone that tends to the Mineral Fields, feeds the Assimilators and warps in the essential structures of a Protoss base. And if you try to rush them you may well regret it. In this article, we take a detailed look at this brave little machine’s vital numbers and how beginners can best use the Starcraft 2 Probe to get your Protoss army marching.

Don’t forget to check out our expert Protoss Strategy Guide and guide to Protoss build orders.

SC2 Protoss Probe Vital Stats

Production and Properties:

  • Minerals:50
  • Gas:0
  • Supply:1
  • Build Time: 17 secs
  • Produced By:Nexus
  • Requires: -
  • Hotkey:E
  • Max Energy:0

Movement and Protection:

  • Speed:2.81
  • Acceleration: 2.50
  • Hit Points:20
  • Shields:20
  • Armor:0
  • Armor Type:Mechanical, Light

Weaponry:

Particle Beam

  • Ground Attack
  • Attacks: 1
  • Range: 1
  • Damage: 5

SC2 Protoss Probe Upgrades and Abilities

Upgrades:

Shields 1-3 (Upgrade for all of the Protoss units)

  • Level 1: (Minerals: 200, Gas: 200, Time: 140 secs)

  • Level 2: (Minerals: 300, Gas: 300, Time: 170 secs)

  • Level 3: (Minerals: 400, Gas: 400, Time: 200 secs)

  • Required: Twilight Council

Ground Armor 1-3 (Upgrade for all Protoss ground units)

  • Level 1: (Minerals: 100, Gas: 100, Time: 140 secs)

  • Level 2: (Minerals: 175, Gas: 175, Time: 170 secs)

  • Level 3: (Minerals: 250, Gas: 250, Time: 200 secs)

  • Required: Twilight Council

Abilities:

  • Gather: The Probe unit will gather in available resources from the chosen Mineral Field or Gas Geyser.
  • Warp-In Structure: The Probe can warp basic structures onto the battlefield.
  • Warp-In Advanced Structure: The Probe can warp more advanced buildings and structures onto the battlefield.

Starcraft 2 Probe Strategy, Tips and Tricks

Starcraft 2 Probe

Vulnerable to:

The Starcraft 2 Probe may appear to be a non-descript unit, but for a Protoss player, it is a precious resource. Create plenty, and make sure they are well protected, as any sensible opponent will strike at them as early as possible. Try to make the most economic use of your Probes - you won’t need more than two for any particular Mineral Field or Gas Geyser, and three is the maximum required to keep an Assimilator going at full capacity. Use the Nexus Chrono Boost as early in the game as you can to ramp up production rates. Never forget that a single Probe can materialize an unending stream of structures for as long as your resources hold out, so treat each Probe unit with respect and care it deserves. If forced to, Probes can make a stab at fighting off any early game Marine or Zergling rush.

Opponents, whether Protoss, Terran or Zerg, should be focused on constricting and eliminating as much of your enemies Probe supply as possible from the earliest stages of the game, for, while the Protoss may take time to get going in terms of unit production, their superior technology can really bear fruit as a match wears on.

Conclusion

The Starcraft 2 Probe will never be a glamorous unit in SC2 multiplayer, but provided the necessary protection, it can help any Protoss player start to bring to bear that race’s technological might. It’s ability to constantly churn out building units means that as the game goes on Protoss production can ramp up quite rapidly with an adequate supply of these little drones. Even the smallest unit can make a massive contribution to victory.