Starcraft 2 Marauder

Terran Unit Strategy Guide

Terran Marauders offer a strong counter to armored ground targets, dishing double damage against their chosen prey. Marauders make a nice fit inside bunkers, and perform admirably on an active attack. They can be upgraded with Concussive Shells, which slow approaching enemies. In the Wings of Liberty Campaign, they can be upgraded at the armory to have extra life which improves their durability in combat.

Marauder Special Abilities and Upgrades

Marauder weapon and armor upgrades are researched at the Engineering Bay. Marauders, like Marines, gain access to the Stimpack ability which boosts their damage output by 33% and increases movement speed for 30 seconds. This is a great ability in multiplayer mode, but is unavailable in the Wings of Liberty campaign. Stimpacks are specifically a Marine Armory upgrade in the campaign.

Concussive Shells (for 70,000 in Campaign Mode) allow the explosion of a Marauder's weapon to slow opponents. This will give the Marauders and their allies more time to hit the enemy as they approach. Exclusive to the campaign is the Kinetic Foam upgrade for 90,000 Credits, which gives the Marauder a +25 boost to life.

In Multiplayer and Skirmish matches, the Marauder's Stimpack and Concussive Shell upgrades can be researched at a Barracks Tech Lab. Stimpacks cost 100 Minerals and Vespene and take 140 seconds to complete, while Concussive Shells cost 50 minerals/vespene and take 60 seconds.

A Marauder/Marine rush is a viable Terran tactic in Multiplayer. Using Stimpacks they can unleash a ton of damage in a very short amount of time. They can really chew through armored foes this way. The Marines will provide air support and pick off opponents the Marauders have weakened with their slower attack.

Marauder Counters and Strengths in Multiplayer

Strengths
Marauders are excellent counters to most any kind of ground armor, but particularly Stalkers, Roaches, and the Thor. With terrain to help them, they can protect against Zerglings and Zealots with the concussive shells upgrade, which will slow their movement and allow them to be softened on the way. Marauders can level structures very quickly due to their armored nature.

Weaknesses
All three entry-level units: Zealots, Marines, and Zerglings, are all counters to the Marauder so long as they can reach them. They're also weak to the Siege Tank, Immortal, and Hydralisk. Any form of air assault is deadly to the Marauder, as they can't fight back although it's common for them to be escorted by Marines.