Will Kerrigan be an Antagonist?

[mr. peasant]

This is a question that's been bugging me for awhile. After the events of SC: Bw, my gut reaction is that yes; Kerrigan will feature as an antagonist to the other main characters in SC2. However, she doesn't strike me as the type to ally herself with the Xel'Naga. Moreover, she's a smart girl. If the Xel'Naga are indeed returning, it's not likely to bode well for her reign over the Swarm. Hence, she might seek out alliances to increase her odds.

The question is: who? It's pretty much a given that Raynor, on pain of death, would likely never work with Kerrigan again after her backstab during the Brood War. Artanis, while not impossible, is likely too headstrong and 'morally' driven to ally with her until things get really dire. That leaves only Mengsk and Zeratul, both of which I can see happening as all three seem able to separate themselves from their emotions and think things through rationally.

Finally, there's the opening cinematic that was shown at last year's Blizzcon, which ended at a cliffhanger when Kerrigan shows up. If Kerrigan and Zeratul did fight one another, it's likely that only one of them would be alive at the end of it. However, both of them are seen to be alive after the confrontation; which leads me to believe Kerrigan and Zeratul may have formed an alliance (if only temporary) to investigate the prophecy/get the Artifacts.

[Pandonetho]

That leaves only Mengsk and Zeratul, both of which I can see happening as all three seem able to separate themselves from their emotions and think things through rationally.

Are you kidding me. What makes you think just because Raynor is on pain of death he won't ally, but Zeratul, the guy who was forced to kill his own matriarch would ally up? I highly doubt Mengsk would either. He'd probably realize she'd backstab him again. She was the one who destroyed his entire empire and let him rebuild it.

[Visions of Khas]

This is a good idea, and requires thought.

This bit right here is pure speculation, but I was under the impression that Zeratul got backup in the form of Stalkers in those caves. In the StarCraft II introductory cinematic, we are shown a Hydralisk in some caves being savaged by a blue energy bolt fired from the left.

All we have is speculation, naturally. However, it is assured that Jacob/Zamara give Zeratul a boost one way or another, just enough for him to go from emo to badass again. Who knows what information Zamara imparts? Perhaps it is through HER that he receives knowledge of the prophecy in which Kerrigan figures so prominently? Perhaps the prophecy itself demands an alliance with Kerrigan, who represents not the "culmination", but provides the path to it? Culmination of WHAT, exactly? The Hybrids?... or an alliance to defeat the Hybrids?

It's like a prophecy in an enigma wrapped in a mystery inside a creme eclaire.

[AvixK7]

I get the feeling that Kerrigan will be an antagonist, but not necessarily the main antagonist of the entire story arc. I think we're meant to empathize with her to a certain degree. The cinematic depicting her betrayal at New Gettysburg might be part of that. She was a originally a decent person who ended up being betrayed by someone she she trusted the most. That cinematic might drive that point. She's evil, but she's a tragic villain in a way.

[LordArreat15]

Prophecy, bah! All shall be reveal soon.....
So where did that one come from? Dark Origins? Duran and Zeratul never talked about a 'prophecy', only about the 'completion of a cycle'.

[mr. peasant]

Prophecy, bah! All shall be reveal soon.....
So where did that one come from? Dark Origins? Duran and Zeratul never talked about a 'prophecy', only about the 'completion of a cycle'.

Well, SC2's opening cinematic featured Zeratul reading some ancient markings that showed the coming of the Zerg and the return of the Xel'Naga. Given these appear to have been made long ago, sounds like a prophecy to me.

[Norfindel]

I think that Kerrigan is pretty much on her own after everything she has done.
Unless it's painfully obvious that they must join forces or be wiped off, i don't see anyone allying with Kerrigan, and even then, they will keep an eye on her. But i think it's obvious that everyone would backstab Kerrigan at the first opportunity, so i don't see her risking that happening, unless it's truly unavoidable.

[MattII]

I agree with Nord, Kerrigan has a snowball's chance in hell of ever finding an ally, indeed I suspect most of the main characters would refuse an alliance just to spite her, even if they really ought to ally.

[Wayward Meteor]

No allies for the Zerg.

I wonder what the ultimate fate of Kerrigan and the Zerg will be. It's their nature to grow, consume and destroy; they don't do things any other way. So, for there to be an 'end' to this, they have to kill or be killed. There's no living peacefully with them, no middle ground.

[Nicol Bolas]

I think that Kerrigan is pretty much on her own after everything she has done.
Unless it's painfully obvious that they must join forces or be wiped off, i don't see anyone allying with Kerrigan, and even then, they will keep an eye on her. But i think it's obvious that everyone would backstab Kerrigan at the first opportunity, so i don't see her risking that happening, unless it's truly unavoidable.

The best part of this is that it could be used as a growing experience for Kerrigan's character. I'm reminded of the words of Merlin in the film Excalibur: "You betrayed the Duke. You stole his wife. You took his castle. Now no one trusts you."

Kerrigan standing alone, abandoned before an implacable foe yet again. Only this time she's abandoned due to her own folly. And all she had to do was not kill people for no particular reason.

However, I don't think for a minute that Blizzard's going to do that. It's way too subtle a point for them.

I wonder what the ultimate fate of Kerrigan and the Zerg will be. It's their nature to grow, consume and destroy; they don't do things any other way. So, for there to be an 'end' to this, they have to kill or be killed. There's no living peacefully with them, no middle ground.

If the Overmind were in control of the Zerg, I would agree. However, Kerrigan is human. She can learn to get along with others in a relatively peaceful society.