Reaver

The Reaver is a strange Protoss heavy-weapons platform. Originally a small-scale battlefield manufacturing system, Reavers were modified to build and launch Scarab drones, using local materials for production and releasing the drones to track down targets independently. The most unusual feature of the design is the caterpillar-like shape and 'inching' method of locomotion. This seems highly inefficient, and whether it was a feature of the original manufacturing unit or one added for the sake of combat mobility is uncertain.

The combination of great mass (they are described as 'massive') and awkward locomotion makes Reavers very slow, and on their own they are slow bordering on immobile - at least as far as combat applications are concerned. While they cannot get around to hotspots by themselves, they can be very effective when supported by Shuttles. This allows Reavers to rapidly disembark, fire their ordnance, and then be picked up again and flee before enemy forces can respond. This can be a highly effective tactic for guerilla warfare.

The power of such a techniques rests upon the massive firepower of the Scarab drones produced by Reavers. A single Reaver can store up to five drones, or double that when upgraded, and release them sequentially. The rate of fire is not high, but each drone carries an extremely powerful warhead capable of swiftly demolishing buildings or obliterating whole packs of Zerglings and Hydralisks. Commanders employing the 'Reaver drop' tactic are especially fond of assaulting enemy worker zones, where tightly-packed labor units can be massacred in short order. Scarabs also have considerable range, allowing bunkers and other defenses to be smashed while the Reaver itself remains at stand-off distance.

Reavers need numbers or adequate support from friendly units, however, as their low rate of fire, lack of anti-air weaponry, and relatively low durability make them vulnerable to concentrated attack. One potent combined-arms tactic is to support Reavers with Dragoons and Shuttles, with the Dragoons soaking up hits and attacking both air and ground units, the Reavers wiping out massed enemy troops and buildings, and the Shuttles providing high tactical mobility.

Reavers were probably either phased out or substantially upgraded after the initial clash with the Zerg, as their low mobility and high expense significantly detracted from their strengths during large-scale combat.

Record 1520 - vehicle/ship class - Last update 17 Nov 2007, 10:50:58

Entry written by: Torvus

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