Do we know if the Xel'Naga are organic?

[Triceron]

Those energy creatures aren't Xel'naga. They've been witnessed by Zeratul yet he doesn't recognize them as any being he's seen before; while the Xel'naga presented themselves to the Protoss at one point so generally Protoss know what they look like, even the Dark Templar.

Could it be a part of the Xel'Naga's life cycle, like a 'larvae stage'? Perhaps, but we can't say without any more evidence. The only thing we have going is that these things are spawned from their temples and are gathering at an unknown source.

We have more evidence going against it considering the energy creature can survive through the void of space while the Xel'Naga travelled using ships, suggesting they require life support and are creatures of substance. Another factor is that they were able to be harmed by both the Protoss and the Zerg. The Zerg aren't the type of creature that attacks other beings using psionics or any other energy-based attack. It is doubtful that they are composed of pure energy, unless Blizz is retconning it to make that revelation more interesting.

[Kimera757]

Also, only the creature at Bhekar Ro absorbed protoss and zerg DNA (following the xel'naga plan). Most (like the one in Twilight) just hatched out of temples.

[ArcherofAiur]

Also, only the creature at Bhekar Ro absorbed protoss and zerg DNA (following the xel'naga plan). Most (like the one in Twilight) just hatched out of temples.

I find it incredibly hard to believe that a creature with mental abilities greater than the combined power of the protoss race is not the next step in Xel'naga evolution.

If it wasnt I would I shudder to think what the true combination of Zerg and Protoss would be capable of

[Kimera757]

I find it incredibly hard to believe that a creature with mental abilities greater than the combined power of the protoss race is not the next step in Xel'naga evolution.

Then you haven't read Twilight. They are not the same thing.

If it wasnt I would I shudder to think what the true combination of Zerg and Protoss would be capable of

Run in terror, pitiful worms!

[ArcherofAiur]

Then you haven't read Twilight. They are not the same thing.

Again, no I havn't. Can you spoiler the info your putting forward instead of vaguely refering to the book? Lets work towards a more constructive discussion

[Kimera757]

Shadow of the Xel'Naga was over the top.

I get the impression that Blizzard wanted the energy creature to be a xel'naga, but changed their mind later on. Or I could be wrong.

Either way, the weight of evidence is against the creature being xel'naga. They're clearly (from Twilight) designed to create wormholes through sacrificing themselves. Hybrids (and/or anything that's supposed to be an incarnation of the xel'naga) aren't going to be doing that.

The temple of Nemaka erupted 15 years ago (so that's a decade before StarCraft I even started), so clearly the creature emerged from it isn't some kind of hybrid. It didn't have access to zerg DNA or essence.

The creature from Bhekar Ro was a hatchling (since the xel'naga don't reproduce, it couldn't be one) and the temple itself is really old, contrast to the new hybrids that Duran created. (Test subject twenty-nine; clearly Duran hadn't been working on them that long.)

It doesn't really matter if the energy creatures are really made of energy or not (at least one contained DNA, though, and they have organic skins, so they can't be completely energy) - at least not when it comes to this topic. The xel'naga are organic beings that could be absorbed by the zerg.

And as we saw in Shadow Hunters and Twilight, taking on a creature of pure energy (that would be Ulrezaj) is basically impossible without energy attacks. The only things the zerg had that could hurt him were scourges (and maybe guardians; the text was unclear there). Ulrezaj must be tall if the scourges can hit him

[Visions of Khas]

Ulrezaj must be tall if the scourges can hit him

Or they dive-bombed him.

The temple of Nemaka erupted 15 years ago

I wondered if this might become important later on; revealed to have been the portal through which Duran/someone came to the Sector. 15 years ago... does that coincide with any events that we know of?

[n00bonicPlague]

I got the DT Saga for Christmas and read through it all before New Years. I probably need to go back and read it again to double check, but I wouldn't be surprised if the energy creatures were indeed a step in the cycle of the Xel'Naga. E=mc² shows that matter and energy are (in a very abstract way) the same thing, so it could be that the creatures are sentient beings contained within an energy-body, from which the beings later leave to be placed within a matter-body.

As for being sacrificed to open a wormhole, I'm not so sure that is true. It only says that they disappeared, leaving a wormhole in their place. It could be that they went through the wormhole and are on the other side. Zeratul closed his eyes to the brightness, so not even he knows.

Random note:
I always found it interesting that the Protoss were labeled having purity of form, when they had powerful ability to sense other beings thoughts, feelings, and sensations. I also found equally funny that the Zerg were labeled having purity of essence, when they had the powerful ability to constantly evolve and better themselves. Then again, maybe that's just it. The Protoss already have a perfect form, so they have to work on purifying their essence. The Zerg already have a perfect essence, so they have to work on purifying their form. They are practically meant for eachother. I can't believe I never saw it coming until I read the DT Saga.

[Gradius]

15 years ago... does that coincide with any events that we know of?

End of the Guild Wars.

[ArcherofAiur]

Shadow of the Xel'Naga was over the top.

I get the impression that Blizzard wanted the energy creature to be a xel'naga, but changed their mind later on. Or I could be wrong.

Either way, the weight of evidence is against the creature being xel'naga. They're clearly (from Twilight) designed to create wormholes through sacrificing themselves. Hybrids (and/or anything that's supposed to be an incarnation of the xel'naga) aren't going to be doing that.

As already stated I believe the creature went throught he wormhole. Not sacrificed.

The temple of Nemaka erupted 15 years ago (so that's a decade before StarCraft I even started), so clearly the creature emerged from it isn't some kind of hybrid. It didn't have access to zerg DNA or essence.

Curious

The creature from Bhekar Ro was a hatchling (since the xel'naga don't reproduce, it couldn't be one) and the temple itself is really old, contrast to the new hybrids that Duran created. (Test subject twenty-nine; clearly Duran hadn't been working on them that long.)

It doesn't really matter if the energy creatures are really made of energy or not (at least one contained DNA, though, and they have organic skins, so they can't be completely energy) - at least not when it comes to this topic. The xel'naga are organic beings that could be absorbed by the zerg.

I think its generally accepted that hybrids arnt the Xel'naga. Also I dont think the next stage of the Xel'naga cycle needs to be the same form as the Xel'naga stage that formed the protoss/zerg.