We just can’t get enough of StarCraft II here at MyGaming. Every now and then a game comes along and shakes up our regular play-game-finish-game production line process, and StarCraft II is a prime example. Anyone who has gotten themselves entrenched in the leagues will understand just how rich, complex, and addictive it can be.
In celebration of this amazing multiplayer game, we will be doing a weekly feature focusing on one StarCraft II unit per week. We do not claim to be professionals and many of you will be far more competent players than us. The guides are intended to entertain and inform, and we welcome feedback as well as requests for future unit features.
The Terran Banshee
The human race, or the Terran, has some of the best air units in the game. They also have more aerial options than the other two races. One of the Terran’s unique air units is the Banshee – favoured by many for its powerful air-to-ground attack and potentially devastating cloaking ability.
It is the only aerial attacking unit that can cloak itself, and this makes it a potential game winner if your opponent is not prepared.
Vital statistics
Cost: 150 minerals, 100 vespene gas, 3 supplies
Requires: Starport with attached Tech Lab
Abilities: Air to ground attack, flight, cloaking
Build time: 60 seconds
Speed: 2.75
Acceleration: 3.25
Hit points: 140
Armour type: Mechanical, light
Damage: 24 (2 x 12 damage attacks)
Range: 6
How to use it
The Banshee is perhaps best used as a hit-and-run unit. Think of it as the Terran’s aerial guerrilla unit, much like the Reaper or even the Hellion. It can be flown around the back of an enemy’s base, and if not countered, 3 or 4 can wipe out an enemy mineral harvesting line in seconds.
It can also effectively be used for map control, and is good at spotting and neutralising undefended expansions.
Like many units in StarCraft II, it functions best at specialised tasks, and although its strengths are notable, it is extremely vulnerable to a number of counters, such as Terran Vikings, Thors and Missile Turrets. Zerg Mutalisks will devastate Banshees if they can be detected, as will Protoss Phoenixes which are much faster and difficult to evade.
The key to using Banshees well is to take advantage of their cloaking. Attack when unseen and get them out before your opponent can get reinforcements in. A handful of banshees can quite easily dispatch lone ground detector units or buildings, so attacking from behind is viable even against light defences. However, if you see a Terran Raven, Zerg Overseer or Protoss Observer (permanently cloaked) incoming, then get out fast as Banshees are relatively weak and easily countered once spotted.
They will also need air support as they can only attack ground. Luckily Terran have the Viking, which is cheap and quick to make. The Viking does fairly well against other air units in numbers.
The Banshee is considered a “hard counter” to high-end ground units which lack air defences, such as the Terran Siege Tank, Protoss Colossus and Zerg Ultralisk.
Smart Terran players will keep their Banshees, and even Starports, hidden, as the element of surprise is the most important thing when using Banshees effectively.
Banshees doing what they do best, pillaging back-line resources
What to do against banshees
As much as we love using banshees, they are easy to counter as long as you spot them early. One of the most important weapons in StarCraft II is information. Using the Terran Scanner Sweep, Protoss Observer or Zerg Overlord (as well as many other options), you should constantly be keeping an eye on your opponent’s base. When it becomes apparent that they are amassing Banshees, you have a number of effective options.
Even the lowly marines (in numbers) can effectively hold off Banshees, as long as they are detected. There are a number of options for detecting Banshees, but the best are the air-born variety: Raven, Observer, Overseer. Unlike ground based detectors (Missile Turrets, Photon Cannons, Spore Crawler) Banshees cannot attack air detectors.
Once you have the Banshee detected you have neutralised its most dangerous feature. Anything that can attack air will do well against them, and air-to-air units will have a field day as Banshees cannot defend themselves. Vikings, Mutalisks and Phoenixes can chase fleeing Banshees down as long as there is a detector unit in tow. In numbers (3+) the Terran Thor is an excellent counter against uncloaked banshees, thanks to its devastating splash damage air attack. The Protoss Stalker is also effective at chasing down banshees thanks to its blink ability.
Conclusion
Easy to use effectively, but also quite easy to counter, the Banshee is still one of the most dangerous utility units in the Terran armoury. They can be particularly devastating with increased armour and weapon damage, and in numbers, can easily take down heavy ground units with focus fire (sniping).
A “Banshee rush” in action
Discuss the Banshee in the forums
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