Why didn't the Confederacy activate the Psi Disruptor when Mengsk released the Zerg?

[Turalyon]

'I've heard the rumors. I know you were a part of those experiments with the Zerg; that Mengsk came and saved you, but you don't owe him this!'

I believe that the Zerg experiments that Kerrigan were a part of were around 2490... Ten years of time.

There is never a distinct time-frame that Raynor mentions, so it could be more or less really and even then he acknowledges what he's heard as rumours. Only the EU stated exactly how long it had been. Also, even despite having 10 years to examine a race that had yet to even make it's real appearance known, it is ridiculous to assume that the Confederacy was able to elucidate how the Zerg Swarm operated at a fundamental level from these few specimens to developing a weapon that so effectively disabled the Overmind - something that they would have no idea existed at the time. It's justifiable for the Psi Emitters to be created from such experimentation (one can observe the Zerg specimens captured being attracted to Ghosts - so they create an artificial Ghost signature generator which is what the Psi Emitter is basically) but the Psi Disruptor works on a completely whole different level.

[Shadow Archon]

There is never a distinct time-frame that Raynor mentions, so it could be more or less really and even then he acknowledges what he's heard as rumours. Only the EU stated exactly how long it had been. Also, even despite having 10 years to examine a race that had yet to even make it's real appearance known, it is ridiculous to assume that the Confederacy was able to elucidate how the Zerg Swarm operated at a fundamental level from these few specimens to developing a weapon that so effectively disabled the Overmind - something that they would have no idea existed at the time. It's justifiable for the Psi Emitters to be created from such experimentation (one can observe the Zerg specimens captured being attracted to Ghosts - so they create an artificial Ghost signature generator which is what the Psi Emitter is basically) but the Psi Disruptor works on a completely whole different level.

...Your talking about the guys who have scientists, that, from just looking at a single Zerg organism, can devise a Hive Mind Emulator; Bio-steel; Cellular reactors; and mini-Psi Disruptors. Why would this be insane? The Terrans are insane tech wise, and have been for a long time.

For example, the UED? They've been keeping tags on the Terrans ever since they left. The UED was formed because of the controversy of seeing the Protoss and Zerg in action, even though they were 60,000 light years away! If you really want to rationalize it, the UED finished the Psi Disruptor when the Confederacy couldn't get it to work. They conducted their own Zerg experiments, and their designs were the basis for Stetmann's mini-Psi Disruptors.

[LestersPetZergling]

Oh no, I can sense the 'Swann made Thors in 2 hours and Stettman makes better then Dominion tech with a single lab' whinge coming...

[Turalyon]

...Your talking about the guys who have scientists, that, from just looking at a single Zerg organism, can devise a Hive Mind Emulator; Bio-steel; Cellular reactors; and mini-Psi Disruptors. Why would this be insane? The Terrans are insane tech wise, and have been for a long time.

As I intimated before, this "stuff" is only expounded later in the EU and other games. It's part of the reason why Starcraft lore is now just about what "over-the-top plot device" is around the corner. The original Sc1 Terrans were never about "insane tech" but being practical and/or backward butt-monkeys.

[Shadow Archon]

As I intimated before, this "stuff" is only expounded later in the EU and other games. It's part of the reason why Starcraft lore is now just about what "over-the-top plot device" is around the corner. The original Sc1 Terrans were never about "insane tech" but being practical and/or backward butt-monkeys.

So, the fact that in Starcraft 1, the UPL/UED was keeping eyes on the Terrans from 60,000 light years away for the past 200 years isn't an over-the-top plot device?

Or that Alan Schezar could enslave his own Cerebrate before the UED ever arrived?

Or that the Terrans can build space platforms that cover a planets entire hemisphere?

Or that Alan Schezar had an EMP device that could affect an entire planet, even creating shockwaves from space?

Or that Terran scientists could make Hybrids under Duran's guidance when the Zerg couldn't do so at all?

Or that the Terrans have FTL nukes that can completely vaporize a planet's oceans and leave nothing but a black superheated ball of glass in an instant?

That's all from Starcraft and Brood War.

They've always been crazy with their tech. I think your just taking Starcraft too seriously.

[Turalyon]

So, the fact that in Starcraft 1, the UPL/UED was keeping eyes on the Terrans from 60,000 light years away for the past 200 years isn't an over-the-top plot device?

Yes, it is an over-the-top plot device insofar as this was a retcon introduced in BW (this is post-Sc1). This was a groaner even back then. The UED are an "out" in terms of explaining how humans may have access to "crazy" tech but the expectation of the same from the K sector Terrans, who were depicted as the degenerate, unwanted filth of human society forced to start from scratch in an unknown sector of space, needs a little more to be convincing.

Or that Alan Schezar could enslave his own Cerebrate before the UED ever arrived?

I'd never considered those campaigns canon at the time or cared much for them as their quality was lacking and largely because of the idea being outlandish and incongruous with Terrans as they were presented in the manual and the proper Sc1 campaigns themselves. Only made important because someone said it was canon later and that we should take it seriously.

Or that the Terrans can build space platforms that cover a planets entire hemisphere?

Entire hemispheres of a planet? Exaggerate much? In general, space platforms provided the Terrans a practical utility - which is in keeping with their initial identity

Or that Alan Schezar had an EMP device that could affect an entire planet, even creating shockwaves from space?

I don't remember this being from the Enslavers campaign of the original Sc1. Seems like yet another EU development to me. Once again, not evidence that the Terrans were always insane tech guys from Sc1's perspective only.

Or that Terran scientists could make Hybrids under Duran's guidance when the Zerg couldn't do so at all?

This technology was not wholly attributable solely to the Terran's doing but an ancient alien that we knew at the time as being called "Samir Duran". You can't give credit for Terran's always having been originators of "insane tech guys" when someone else (in this case, an ancient alien) gives it to them.

Or that the Terrans have FTL nukes that can completely vaporize a planet's oceans and leave nothing but a black superheated ball of glass in an instant?

No evidence of this in Sc1 whatsoever. This just proves my point that "Terrans being always inventors of amazingly powerful and crazy tech guys from the start" was an invention post-Sc1.

They've always been crazy with their tech. I think your just taking Starcraft too seriously.

Taking Starcraft too seriously? Surely, you haven't met or spoken to any of the other numerous hardcore SC lore lovers out there. To them, everything about the lore so far is "serious business".

I'm usually just the guy who goes: "Whoah, hold up there. Something looks a little fishy here". Hell, at the least, I can appreciate any and all jokes aimed at the expense of Starcraft's lore - unlike some.

[LestersPetZergling]

No evidence of this in Sc1 whatsoever. This just proves my point that "Terrans being always inventors of amazingly powerful and crazy tech guys from the start" was an invention post-Sc1.

Uh, yeah... You do realize, that he's talking about the nuking of Korhal? In the EU, the nukes' technology was actually downgraded! From FTL launched from Tarsonis to out of battlecruisers orbiting Korhal.



The Protoss are so terrible at technology, they need pylons to power their buildings! Terrans are the Jesus Christ of technology. Especially Swann and Stettmann.

[Shadow Archon]

Yes, it is an over-the-top plot device insofar as this was a retcon introduced in BW (this is post-Sc1). This was a groaner even back then. The UED are an "out" in terms of explaining how humans may have access to "crazy" tech but the expectation of the same from the K sector Terrans, who were depicted as the degenerate, unwanted filth of human society forced to start from scratch in an unknown sector of space, needs a little more to be convincing.

When you mentioned the Psi Disruptor, I thought you were including examples from Brood War. Apologies.

And it isn't a retcon. It doesn't contradict previous lore.

I'd never considered those campaigns canon at the time or cared much for them as their quality was lacking and largely because of the idea being outlandish and incongruous with Terrans as they were presented in the manual and the proper Sc1 campaigns themselves. Only made important because someone said it was canon later and that we should take it seriously.

It was apart of the Starcraft 1 game. It came with it. Its canon and apart of Starcraft 1.

You can't just decide what parts of Starcraft 1 "don't fit with your perceived image of the game" and mentally disconnect from it. It's a 'proper' campaign and it foreshadowed the whole "Zerg can be taken over by other factions if they have access to a part of the hive mind" schtick.

Entire hemispheres of a planet? Exaggerate much? In general, space platforms provided the Terrans a practical utility - which is in keeping with their initial identity

Its from an extra map.

In the dawning moments of the colonization of Sutur V two separate factions disagreed on how the lush green world should be developed. One side believed that a huge sprawling space station should be erected to further interstellar trade, and they could use giant robotic machines to extract the mineral wealth from the planet necessary for the station’s construction. These people managed to build the "Platform" over much of the Northern Hemisphere of the world. The builders and inhabitants of the Platform became known as the Northern Platformers or just the Northerners. Another faction held the life of the planet sacred, and committed to a plan of becoming one with the Planet and all its myriad life forms. These people were known as the Southern Druids, which was eventually shortened to the Southerners. These two opposing sides have been fighting in both the jungles to the south and the space platforms to the north for generations, so long that most of the people fighting and dying no longer know why. These unwilling warriors no longer wish to fight, but the leaders of both sides demand victory at all costs. The wildlife has mostly died out years ago, and the robotic mining machines have ceased to function, but still the war goes on.

I don't remember this being from the Enslavers campaign of the original Sc1. Seems like yet another EU development to me. Once again, not evidence that the Terrans were always insane tech guys from Sc1's perspective only.

Its from Brood Wars Enslaver campaign. The sequel to the first one. You know. The missions that introduced Ulrezaj as a character?

This technology was not wholly attributable solely to the Terran's doing but an ancient alien that we knew at the time as being called "Samir Duran". You can't give credit for Terran's always having been originators of "insane tech guys" when someone else (in this case, an ancient alien) gives it to them.

There is no proof that he gave this tech to them though.

All we know is that Teran facilities were involved in creating them and it was through that tech base that several Hybrids were made. This is backed up by Starcraft 2 where it is Dominion run labs that create hybrids though guidance of Duran.

No evidence of this in Sc1 whatsoever. This just proves my point that "Terrans being always inventors of amazingly powerful and crazy tech guys from the start" was an invention post-Sc1.

This was in the manual.

A salvo of one thousand
Apocalypse-class nuclear missiles was fired
at the planet of Korhal from the distant
Confederate capital of Tarsonis. Over
4,000,000 people were annihilated during
the savage attack. In a single instant, the
prosperous colony of Korhal was reduced to
nothing more than a super-heated sphere of
blackened glass and stirring phantoms.

Taking Starcraft too seriously? Surely, you haven't met or spoken to any of the other numerous hardcore SC lore lovers out there. To them, everything about the lore so far is "serious business".

I'm usually just the guy who goes: "Whoah, hold up there. Something looks a little fishy here". Hell, at the least, I can appreciate any and all jokes aimed at the expense of Starcraft's lore - unlike some.

You seem to be making very, very clear cut lines between what you consider apart of Starcraft 1.

I consider Starcraft 1/Brood War to be pretty much the same game, along with all of the authorized map packs.

Apparently, you only think the three campaigns we see in single player is the entirety of Starcraft 1.

So...yeah.

Terrans were always ridiculous to me anyways, tech-wise.

They weren't for you.

Oh well. Agree to disagree?

[LestersPetZergling]

I could give some explanations why they have such good tech.

1) Xel'Naga ruins/etc have data, technology et cetera.

2) There is a UED-spy that is actually leaking UED technology to the Korpuluans for unknown reasons/motivations. There are two possible canidates:

a: Samir Duran. Okay, not a UED spy that would be leaking stuff. But, he would be giving the Korpuluans technology for unknown motivations.

b: Alan Schezar. He can control a Cerebrate. Just like Project Black Flag. He's quite possibly the UED-spy that gives them info.

3) The best Earth-scientists were thrown onto the supercarriers. You know, since all the cyborgs and 'mutants' were eradicated, why wouldn't the geneticists/etc that made them?

[LestersPetZergling]

4) A.T.L.A.S. probably had the complete compendium of UPL scientific knowledge.

5) Just like Xel'Naga technology they probably reverse-engineered Protoss technology wherever it was. BRAXIS? Remember?