Terrans might be way behind the technology of Zerg and Protoss, but at least ‘they are clever and not above stealing’, according to StarCraft II lead designer Dustin Browder. By completing bonus objectives in campaign missions, players can earn Protoss and Zerg research points. Collect enough of them to unlock up to five technology improvements on each side.

For every five Protoss or Zerg points the player will have to choose. Though two tempting technologies are available, only one of them can be picked – the other one will remain locked for the rest of any given playthrough. ‘We worked hard to make them tough choices’, grins Dustin Browder.

Here’s an overview of all research projects in the build of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty we got to try out at Blizzard; details might change for the final version.

Protoss research:

Tier 1 (5 Research Points):
- Ultra-Capacitors (Weapon upgrades in the Armory and Engineering Bay increase attack speed by 5% in addition to increasing damage).
- Vanadium Plating (Armor upgrades in the Armory and Engineering Bay increase health by 5% in addition to increasing armor).

Tier 2 (10 Research Points):
- Orbital Depots (Supply Depots can be built instantaneously).
- Micro-Filtering (Refineries and Automated Refineries produce Vespene Gas 25% faster).

Tier 3 (15 Research Points):
- Automated Refinery (Refinery no longer requires SCVs to harvest).
- Command Center Reactor (Allows two SCVs to be trained simultaneously).

Tier 4 (20 Research Points):
- Raven (Support unit that can detect cloaked and burrowed enemy units; can build Auto-Turrets).
- Science Vessel (Support unit that can detect cloaked and burrowed enemy units; hull repairs on friendly mechanical units).

Tier 5 (25 Research Points):
- Tech Reactor (Combines the functionality of a Tech Lab and Reactor in a single add-on).
- Orbital Strike (Barracks units now arrive by Barracks units now arrive by Drop Pods, landing at the Barracks’ rally point).

Zerg research:

Tier 1 (5 Research Points):
- Shrike Turret (Outfits all bunkers with an automated turret).
- Fortified Bunker (Bunkers gain +150 health).

Tier 2 (10 Research Points):
- Planetary Fortress (Command Centers can be outfitted with the Twins Ibiks Cannon).
- Perdition Turret (Flame turret that conceals itself when out of combat; does massive area damage).

Tier 3 (15 Research Points):
- Predator (Anti-infantry specialist with a powerful area attack).
- Hercules (Massive transport that can deploy its cargo almost instantly).

Tier 4 (20 Research Points):
- Cellular Reactor (Specialist units gain +100 starting energy and +100 maximum energy).
- Regenerative Bio-Steel (Ships and vehicles slowly regenerate health).

Tier 5 (25 Research Points):
- Hive Mind Emulator (Structure that can permanently mind-control Zerg units).
- Psi Disrupter (Defensive structure that slows all nearby Zerg units).