Carrier

Carrier The Carriers are the one of the most powerful ships in the Protoss's air-force. These majestic vessels are the home for the Protoss's mightiest generals. Thanks to their heavy defense shields and the robotic drones that can be launched from the ship, the Carriers can devastate entire cities on their own.

Unit Type: Mechanical Armored Massive

CarrierHightlights

  • Attack Type: Ranged (8 -> 14)
  • Interceptors Attack Damage: 80 (+ 48 after max upgrades) All Armor Types
  • Speed: Attack (0.5) Movement (1.88) Sight (12)
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Use of Carrier

  • Can attack both air and ground units.
  • The Carrier itself doesn't attack, but it sends 8 small star ships to bring destruction and terror.
  • Very slow unit but with very long range.
  • Very strong against Thor, Mutalisk and Phoenix.
  • Weak against Viking, Corruptor and Void Ray.

Upgrades

 


Protoss Air Weapons 1

Protoss Air Weapons 2

Protoss Air Weapons 3

Protoss Air Weapons – Increases the damage dealt by air units. Has three upgrades.

Protoss Air Armor 1

Protoss Air Armor 2

Protoss Air Armor 3

Protoss Air Armor – Increases the armor of air units. Has three upgrades.

Protoss Shield 1

Protoss Shield 2

Protoss Shield 3

Protoss Shield – Improves the shield armor of all units and structures. Has three upgrades.

Graviton Catapult

Graviton Catapult – Carriers launch fighting drones more quickly.


StarCraft 2 WCGCompetitive play with Carrier

 

VS Terran

This is the only situation where the Carriers make sense, but still, it is questionable. You see, a single Carrier can wipe out 3 Vikings, but 6 Vikings (if they focus-fire) will neutralize 2 Carriers. However the superior range of the Carrier (8 range to release Interceptors and 14 before they retreat to the ship) give you the opportunity to kite the Vikings. The Terran has many anti-air options you should be careful of, like Missile Turrets/Marines. The Battlecruisers own the air fight, because with the Yamato Cannon, a Terran player will cripple your Carrier. (If you don’t Feedback it, of course)

VS Protoss

The Carriers are not recommended for mirror matches, because they are easily counter with Sentry/Stalker builds. The only occasion where they make sense is against heavy Void Ray builds, but still, the Stalkers are far more effective.

VS Zerg

The Zerg match-up is another example, where the Carriers are not recommended in a competitive game, because they are easy prey for the Corruptors. What’s more they have greater movement speed, which give them advantage to successfully kite Carriers.

 

Countermeasures

 

VS Terran

  • Marines and Medivacs that are backed up with a few Thors is a very good combination against Carriers. However the Steam pack ability is vital.
  • Build a few Battlecruisers and use the Yamato Cannon ability to blast a Carrier in no time.
  • Some Vikings can be useful especially, if they support the Battlecruisers.

Countermeasures Carrier

Countermeasures Carrier

VS Protoss

  • Send several Void Rays to neutralize the Carrier. Don't forget to focus-fire.
  • Mass Stalkers with precise Blink will be able to bring down these flying fortresses.

VS Zerg

  • Mass Hydralisks will complete the task easily. However Grooved Spines are vital.n
  • Many Corruptors are the perfect solution for the Carrier problem.
  • A gigantic group of Mutalisks is able to destroy the Carriers.

Countermeasures Carrier