Colossus

Hightlights

• Attack Type: Splash Ranged (6 + 3 after upgrade)
• Attack Damage: 15 (+ 6 after max upgrades) All Armor Types
• Speed: Attack (1.65) Movement (2.25) Sight (10)

Use of Colossus

• Attacks only ground units.
• Devastating damage with area effect.
• Long-ranged attack.
• Perfect for groups of tier 1 units.
• The Colossus is so big that it can be attacked by anti-air structures and units.
• Very strong against Marine, Zergling and Zealot.
• Weak against Viking, Corruptor and Immortal.
• Much like the Reaper, this unit can overcome terrain obstacles like cliffs.

Abilities

 

Cliff Walk – The Colossus is able to climb cliffs and overcome terrain obstacles.

Upgrades

 

			Protoss Ground Weapons – Increases the damage of ground units. Has three upgrades.
			Protoss Ground Armor – Increases the armor of ground units. Has three upgrades.
			Protoss Shield – Improves the shield armor of all units and structures. Has three upgrades.

Extended Thermal Lance – Increases the attack range of the Colossus.

Competitive play with Colossus

 

Most competitive players consider the Colossus a heavy support with massive splash attack. This unit can devastate massive armies consisted of low tier units, regardless of their armor type, in a matter of seconds. His powers are enhanced by the Thermal Lance upgrade, which is considered standard of every situation, because it gives the Colossus a supreme attack range (9) that only the Siege Tank (in siege mode) can beat. What’s more the ability to climb up and down of cliffs allows the Colossus to abuse the terrain in its favor - either to escape or to engage or to kite.

Especially effective combination is Colossi with Sentries and Stalkers, because the Sentries can use the Force Field to ensure that the enemy can’t easily reach the Colossi and the Guardian Shield protects the units from light ranged attacks (Mutalisks/Marines/Marauders/Hydralisks). Meanwhile, the Stalkers ensure the necessary air defense and mobility thanks to the Blink ability.

The major weakness of this unit is that it is easily destroyed by air units like Vikings or Void Rays or Corruptors. That is why as a Protoss player you should provide sufficient air defense for your heavy machines, because the opponent will definitely head for some. A common misuse of the Colossus is as a worker harassment unit, but his slow movement speed makes it vulnerable against common anti-harassment tactics. What’s more it is highly unlikely that the workers will line up so that the Colossus can maximize his splash attack. Another misuse is as a structure harassing unit, because its attack is not efficient enough against buildings, but due to his high range, it can take care of enemy’s defense structures.

 

VS Terran

The Colossi are extremely important for this match-up, because the most common Terran tactic, Marauder + Marine + Medivac, is close to impossible to stop without either Psionic Storm or Colossi. However you should expect a vast number of Vikings heading for your giants, so provide enough Stalkers or Phoenixes as a countermeasure. Something else that you should expect are Ghosts with EMPs, but the good news is that the Colossi don’t suffer much from it, because they don’t rely on abilities or shield as a major protection.

VS Protoss

The truth is that the Protoss army lacks any strong counter unit for the Colossi, so you have to expect the enemy to make some too. It is true that the Immortals can pull the job, but with the Thermal Lance, the Colossi significantly our-range the Immortals and this give you a nice opportunity to out-micro the opponent. However, be aware of some strange strategies with Stalkers with Blink and air units like Void Rays.

VS Zerg

You already know that the Colossi can deal effectively with masses of low tier units, but in this situation their use strongly depends on your opponent’s strategy. If the enemy goes for Zergling + Mutalisks tactics, you better avoid the giants, because chances are that you Stalkers will not be sufficient. What’s more, if the game goes late and your opponent turns to Ultralisks, then you have to make the transition to Immortals. However, if you face the common Roaches + Hydralisks combination, you are better off with Sentries + Stalkers + Colossi, because your Force Field and extreme range will do the job.

 

Countermeasures

 

VS Terran Use Banshees to bring down those giants. You can also send some Vikings to deal with the threat. Thor's 250mm Strike Cannon ability is extremely efficient too.
	VS Protoss The Phoenix is very good against Colossus. The Immortal is good solution for Colossus problem. The Carrier can also deal with them easily. Use Void Rays to bring them down fast. However, you have to focus-fire them one-by-one.
VS Zerg Send some Mutalisks and Corruptors to attack them from above. Use the Infestor's mind-control ability to turn the Colossus against its allies. The Ultralisks are very efficient against Colossus, thanks to their large amount of health and damage. However the upgrades are crucial.