The Best StarCraft 2 Units, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• Pick units in StarCraft 2 based on abilities to counter enemies and be adaptable.
• Survivability on the battlefield relies on the diversity of units exploiting weaknesses.
• Strong units require resource investment, consider economy, upgrades, and Spellcasters.

It’s essential to pick units for an army in StarCraft 2 based on their abilities to counter enemy units. They also need to be adaptable to different situations, or it’ll be too easy for an opposing hero to erase them. That’s why the key to survivability on the battlefield is the diversity of units, which can exploit enemy weaknesses.

Of course, strong units will require a significant investment of resources. Every aspect of the game’s economy must be taken into account, from simple upgrades to the reformation of entire armies. It’s also important to consider Spellcasters, units with special abilities that are very hard to deal with in StarCraft 2.

8 Stalker

Best Unit For Mobility

• Race: Protoss
• Type: Cybernetic Walker
• Role: Ranged Strider

Stalkers have a very useful Blink ability, which allows them to quickly escape a dire situation or reposition for a more advantageous spot. These units utilize Particle Disruptors, powerful weapons that can easily destroy even the strongest armor. It’s also extremely easy to restore their numbers using the Warp Gate mechanic.

If Stalkers are well managed, they can survive for a very long time, even against such powerful air units like Mutalisks. However, they are expensive, at 125 minerals and 50 gas each.

7 Ghost

Best Unit For Cloaking

• Race: Terran
• Type: Biological
• Role: Sniper

When there’s a need to take out key enemies or even structures, a cloaked sniper can do so much work in that regard. That’s why Ghosts are some of the best units in StarCraft 2. They can easily deal with both biological and mechanical units, using EMP rounds that destroy their energy shields.

If there are too many enemies on the ground, a Ghost unit can call upon a nuclear strike. But don’t expect to produce too many of them, as each unit costs 200 minerals and 100 gas.

6 Hybrid Dominator

Best Unit For High Damage

• Race: Protoss, Zerg
• Type: Hybrid
• Role: Tactical Combat

These units are the enhanced versions of the Hybrid Destroyers, which means that they have access to powerful AOE abilities, such as Psionic Storm. This allows them to devastate entire armies, which will force opponents to play the game in a different way, focusing on removing the Dominators from the battlefield first.

However, it’s not that easy to take them down, as they can sustain tremendous physical damage. Of course, if high-damage enemy units focus their fire on the Dominators, they eventually can be destroyed.

5 Queen

Best Unit For Healing

• Race: Zerg
• Type: Ground Unit
• Role: Support, Healing

Any player who wants their Zerg army to stay alive simply must include Queen units on their roster, as they’ll be able to heal and support them whenever needed. Queens are also essential for expanding Zerg territories by spawning Creep Tumors, as well as for producing new Zerg units by spawning new larvae.

But Queen’s main ability is Transfusion, which allows this unit to heal allies, although the Ensnare ability can be just as useful, slowing down enemy units.

4 Immortal

Best Unit For High Durability

• Race: Protoss
• Type: Cybernetic War Machine
• Role: Anti-Armor Damage

Immortals are some of the most resilient units in StarCraft 2 due to their Barrier ability, which can absorb lots of damage. These are also the only units in the game that can effectively stand against Siege Tanks and Thors. It’s imperative to position Immortals on the front lines, as they can serve as both an excellent offensive force and as defensive stands.

The only units that could take down Immortals are air units. Unfortunately, Immortals don’t have much protection against Banshees or Mutalisks.

3 Viking

Best Unit For Air-Ground Support

• Race: Terran
• Type: Air Unit
• Role: Anti-Air Combat

Most units in StarCraft 2 can effectively operate either on land or in the air, but Vikings are a rare exception, as they can perform equally well on the ground and in the air. Of course, most players use them for air superiority, especially when facing enemy Phoenixes. But once the Vikings land, they can just as efficiently deal with heavily armored units.

Their air abilities also allow them to quickly traverse the terrain and reposition themselves when needed. They’re especially good against key enemies, such as Colossi and Brood Lords.

2 Hybrid Reaver

Best Unit For Powerful Combat

• Race: Protoss, Zerg
• Type: Hybrid
• Role: Ground Combat

Hybrid Reavers are some of the most powerful combatants in the game, capable of destroying even the toughest air and ground enemies. The most devastating ability they have is Mind Control, which works only on Terran and Zerg units, making them turn on each other. But it also has access to more traditional AOE capabilities.

It’s especially useful to use Hybrid Reavers in siege situations, where it’s important to quickly remove clusters of enemies. But in this case, Hybrid Reavers must be well-defended by allies.

1 Hydralisk

Best Unit For Ranged Combat

• Race: Zerg
• Type: Caterpillar
• Role: Ranged Attacker

Hydralisks are the most effective units in the game due to their rapid-fire spines that can deal with both air and ground enemies. Their damage output is so high that they can single-handedly deal with entire groupings of Mutalisks, Banshees, and Phoenixes. But they can also eliminate light enemies, which can be a problem for heavier types of units.

It’s also necessary to upgrade Hydralisks often, especially their defensive abilities, as they can get into vulnerable positions. Take special note of the splash damage that is the most effective against Hydralisks.