StarCraft 2: Most Iconic Characters

Summary

  • Complex factions, Protoss, Zerg, and Terran with unique individuals, motivations, and struggles drive StarCraft 2’s rich story.
  • Iconic characters like Tychus Findlay, Zagara, and Selendis play key roles in shaping the intergalactic narrative.
  • Characters like Jim Raynor, Sarah Kerrigan, and Artanis forge alliances, grapple with moral dilemmas, and lead their people.

On the surface of what StarCraft 2 is known for, the campaign and all story material are larger than life, accompanied by a cast of unforgettable characters making tough decisions in a dark sci-fi universe. Some characters to come out of StarCraft are iconic, often appearing in the promotional art and major players in the story.

There are a total of three factions that clash or form messy alliances: the Terran, Zerg, and Protoss. And among these factions, are individuals, each with their own stories, motivations, and struggles.

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10

Abathur

The Zerg Evolution Master

StarCraft 2 Abathur

  • Affiliation: Zerg Swarm, Abathur’s Renegade Broods
  • Voice Actor: Steve Blum

Abathur is an intriguing character introduced in StarCraft 2’s Heart of the Swarm expansion. He is a Zerg supremacist with only one goal: to achieve perfect evolutionary potential for all of the Zerg. His cold, calculating demeanor guides him along a path of destruction and assimilation, serving the Queen of Blades as Evolution Master.

Abathur was born from the Overmind and is an amalgamation of numerous zerg species, criticizing parts of the Swarm for not being perfect enough. Once the Overmind died, Abathur went mad, modifying any zerg he came across until the Queen of Blades took him under her command. Abathur is the reason for the Hyper-evolutionary virus that created infested Terrans.

9

Selendis

The High Executor of the Protoss Fleet

StarCraft 2 Selendis

  • Affiliation: Protoss Empire, Daelaam
  • Voice Actor: Cree Summer

Selendis serves as High Executor, responsible for leading the formidable Protoss fleets into battle. She is a dedicated follower of the Khala, part of the Khalai tribe of Aiur before it fell. When the zerg encroached on Haven, Selendis was put into a precarious situation involving the infestation virus and contact with Raynor’s Raiders, as seen in Wings of Liberty.

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Selendis shares a close working relationship with Artanis, respecting his leadership and vision for a unified Protoss, but has reservations when it comes to integrating the Dark Templar into the Protoss society. She acknowledges Zeratul’s wisdom and contributions, but her loyalty to the Khala makes her wary of the Dark Templar’s practices.

8

Zagara

First of the Broodmothers

StarCraft 2 Zagara

  • Affiliation: Zerg Swarm, Zagara Brood
  • Voice Actor: Nika Futterman

Zagara was the first broodmother, made by Kerrigan prior to the Second Great War. However, she always saw herself as a potential rival to Kerrigan, driven by a desire for power and recognition. After Kerrigan returned and asserted dominance over Zagara, their relationship evolved into one of loyalty, with Kerrigan guiding Zagara’s growth as a great strategist within the Swarm.

Abathur acts as Zagara’s counterpart in expanding the Swarm, responsible for enhancing her brood’s capabilities and achieving genetic evolution. Despite this, Zagara’s struggle with power inside the Swarm and out makes her a memorable figure. She eventually warms up to peace talks with the Dominion and even worries about the uprising of Niadra’s brood.

7

Matt Horner

Raynor’s Moral Compass

StarCraft 2 Matt Horner

  • Affiliation: Terran Confederacy (formerly), Sons of Korhal (formerly), Raynor’s Raiders, Terran Dominion
  • Voice Actor: Brian Bloom

Matt Horner was introduced in Wings of Liberty, and became an integral part of the Terran narrative as the second-in-command to Jim Raynor. Horner has a deep respect for Raynor, sharing his vision for a better future. However, he also serves as Raynor’s voice of reason, balancing his more impulsive tendencies.

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Horner struggles with the burden of leadership and responsibility, as he is deeply affected by the losses suffered by the Raiders and always grappling with the moral weight of his decisions. In the events of Legacy of the Void, Horner was a major reason why the reformed Dominion survived the End War.

6

Arcturus Mengsk

Emperor of the Terran Dominion

StarCraft 2 Arcturus Mengsk

  • Affiliation: Terran Confederacy (formerly), Sons of Korhal (formerly), Terran Dominion
  • Voice Actor: James Harper

Arcturus Mengsk is a central character from StarCraft whose actions have far-reaching consequences. In his early days, he was a charismatic rebel leader fighting against the corrupt Terran Confederacy, part of the Sons of Korhal. But with more power, he grew into a ruthless dictator. He crowned himself Emperor of the Terran Dominion, employing manipulative tactics to consolidate power.

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One of the most defining aspects of Mengsk’s character is his betrayal of Sarah Kerrigan. He left her to be overrun by the Zerg during the events of StarCraft, which ultimately created the Queen of Blades. As a Terran, he struggles to hold the trust of Jim Raynor and Matt Horner, who seek to overthrow his oppressive regime.

5

Zeratul

The Dark Templar

StarCraft 2 Zeratul

  • Affiliation: Nerazim (formerly), Tassadar’s Followers, Daelaam, Xel’naga
  • Voice Actors: Jack Ritschel (StarCraft), Fred Tatasciore (StarCraft 2)

Zeratul first appeared in StarCraft, a Dark Templar Prelate known for his wisdom, stealth, spiritual depth, and contention with the Khalai Tassadar, who abandoned his people in the past. In StarCraft 2, he becomes a central figure in the unfolding cosmic conflict, acting alone to uncover hidden truths and protect his people.

Although he was manipulated by Kerrigan, he leveraged this cautious relationship in a fight against Amon, who was prophesied to bring an end to everything. Zeratul’s story is one of sacrifice and heroism in the face of cosmic darkness, and his death in Legacy of the Void marked the passing of his strength and hope on to Artanis.

4

Tychus Findlay

Hardened Marine

StarCraft 2 Tychus Findlay

  • Affiliation: Terran Confederacy (formerly), Screaming Skulls, Terran Dominion (secretly), Moebius Foundation, Raynor’s Raiders, Heaven’s Devils
  • Voice Actor: Neil Kaplan

Tychus Findlay’s backstory is rooted in the original StarCraft story, but he isn’t introduced until StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty. Tychus was a former Marine, and following the Guild Wars, he and Raynor became outlaws, pulling off thefts across the Koprulu sector. Findlay developed a habit of playing up his exploits, becoming a legend.

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Despite his charismatic demeanor and friendship with Jim Raynor, he ultimately betrays the Raider’s cause. Before the events of Wings of Liberty, Arcturus Mengsk orchestrated his release from New Folsom Prison and, through a relationship based on manipulation, sent him to infiltrate the Raiders. Tychus had to choose between freedom or Raynor’s trust and friendship, and his decision ultimately left him for dead on Char.

3

Artanis

Hierarch of the Daelaam

StarCraft 2 Artanis

  • Affiliation: Protoss Empire, Khalai, Daelaam
  • Voice Actor: Jason Hayse (StarCraft: Brood War) Patrick Seitz (StarCraft 2)

Artanis is the leader of the Daelaam, a renowned warrior who seeks to unify his divided people. He first appeared in the expansion to the original StarCraft game, Brood War. Here, he was a relatively young leader who had to grapple with the immense responsibility of guiding his people through dark times.

During StarCraft 2, Artanis took on the mantle of Hierarch, uniting his people in their struggle against Amon, a fallen Xel’Naga, and Kerrigan. With Zeratul acting as a mentor and guide, and ultimately a sacrifice, Artanis would not only unite his people, but establish a good relationship with the Terran through Raynor.

2

Jim Raynor

Rebel Leader

StarCraft 2 Jim Raynor

  • Affiliation: Terran Confederacy (formerly), Screaming Skulls, Sons of Korhal (formerly), Raynor’s Raiders, Terran Dominion
  • Voice Actor: Robert Clotworthy

Jim Raynor appeared in StarCraft as a Terran Marshal, evolving into a lawman-turned-rebel leader. Raynor tore down the corrupt Confederacy and continued to rally support against the Terran Dominion led by Arcturus Mengsk. In StarCraft 2, he became a leader of Raynor’s Raiders, a group large enough to combat both Arcturus Mengsk and the looming threat of the Zerg Swarm.

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Jim Raynor’s most notable lore involves his relationship with Kerrigan. They were allies in battle and hinted at being lovers; however, a tragic turn of events resulted in Arcturus leaving Kerrigan stranded and turning into the Queen of Blades, which weighs heavily on Raynor. In his conquest to save Kerrigan and stop the Swarm, he became the first Terran to establish a long-term relationship with the Protoss.

1

Sarah Kerrigan

Ghost Operative / Queen of Blades

StarCraft 2 Sarah Kerrigan

  • Affiliation: Terran Confederacy (formerly), Sons of Korhal (formerly), Zerg Swarm (formerly?), Xel’Naga
  • Voice Actor: Glynnis Talken Campbell (StarCraft), Tricia Helfer (StarCraft 2)

Sarah Kerrigan is one of the most iconic and complex characters in the StarCraft series. She was introduced in the first installment as a Terran Ghost, a skilled operative with powerful psionic abilities. She worked under Arcturus Mengsk, who ultimately betrayed her as described above. At first, she unleashed a ruthless and vengeful path of destruction toward the person who wronged her. But through StarCraft 2’s story, she seeks redemption and a chance to reclaim her humanity.

As Queen of Blades, her psionic abilities were developed so well that she could summon psionic storms, and her manipulation tactics were unmatched. During Wings of Liberty, she was de-infested by the Terran, where she had a moment of human lucidity to inspire hope in Raynor. In the end, she was overrun with guilt in her mostly human form. She decided to recollect the Zerg one more time in an effort to overwhelm Amon, and ascend to become the last of the Xel’Naga.

StarCraft 2 Tag Page Cover Art

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