Carl's Guides

You get to use Raynor in this mission, but he can't repaired. He'll do good on guard duty though. Another new development in this mission is that you can finally build carriers. Set Raynor and the carrier on the eastern entrance and the others, including Fenix to guarding the west. You will want a lot of probes harvesting minerals this time, probably about sixteen. That's because there isn't a very good location to start an expansion early. You need to knock out a conclave base first. When you have ten drones on minerals, build five on gas, then get the other six for minerals. During this time have a spare probe build some photon cannons at the southern side of your base, near the assimilator. This is to give Raynor and the carrier some time to move in to stave off any air attacks.

Don't build any more photon cannons (you will want some at the western and eastern entrances later) until you have two gateways, two robotics, a robotic support bay and a cybernetics facility, so you can reinforce your defense. It's important that during this time you watch Fenix's health so that enemy reavers don't kill him. Continue defending until you can amass a large force consisting of 12 zealots, four reavers and twelve dragoons. While these are building, be continually reinforcing your defenses. This will make the task of assembling the army take longer but will ensure the safety of your base. Zealots make excellent defenders, especially on the western side as they can swarm enemy reavers, which pose the largest threat.

When your army's ready and you have all the upgrades they need (I had level 3 ground attacks, 2 armor and 1 plasma shields with all unit-specific upgrades) assault the base to the east of yours. Keep your reavers up front with the zealots and dragoons to attack anything that attempts to harm them. When you see a reaver, focus all your reavers on it so it'll go down quickly. The base won't be very hard to defeat with upgraded units, and when it's done you can build an expansion there. Divert some of your probes to more streamline the gathering of minerals, and of course get three of them on gas (put the nexus close to the geyser).

Now you can defend that base with a small force and a good bit of photon cannons (to take down air). Prepare another offensive group, mirroring the last. Any leftovers can go toward this. The only difference is that you'll want six reavers this time. Another level in plasma shields and ground armor wouldn't hurt, either. Also, if you have spare resources bring in a fleet beacon and research the max interceptors upgrade. A carrier makes a very helpful defender against the reavers which assault you. The next battle will take place directly south of yours. It's not all that far away, and will be of comparable difficulty to the first. Build yet another expansion here when you're done and you'll be ready to prepare for the final assault with not so many enemies attacking you. You'll have plenty of resources to go on, and have already researched most upgrades.

You will want observers so build an observatory as soon as possible. The enemy has a lot of arbiters, which, as you know from the last mission, cloak all surrounding units. One should suffice. Otherwise, be researching your final upgrades (level 3 in everything for ground, attacks and possibly armor for air). Build carriers with your newfound resources. Four of them with the max interceptors upgrade will do great. If you have all six reavers left over you don't have to worry about building any of them, but if you don't restock them. Four shuttles, loaded with six reavers and two archons should accompany your carriers directly south of the base you just conquered.

Use an observer to have a look at the small base that is here. It's inaccessible by land. Use the carriers and take down some of the anti-air capability the enemy has, moving your shuttles in second to drop the reavers right in the center. Let them demolish the whole place. Note that this area is protected by a carrier. You're better off targeting dragoons with your carriers since the interceptors don't do much damage a well-armored carrier, but the dragoons do! Now you can build another expansion if you like (only if the funds are running low) or just restock your carriers so that you have a total of six, along with 12 zealots, six dragoons and six reavers. Use your shuttles (if you still have them) and ferry these units to the location in the screenshot (that is dead south of your northeastern base). Don't pass over the huge red base with them, rather go around it and send the forces in from the north. Keep your carriers with them. Unload the forces at the first spot you can on the eastern side, up on the higher ground. The main base is accessible from here. Use an observer to scout this out so you know the lay of the land. You will take a ramp up, then head southwest to reach the back entrance.

The final assault won't be too hard. It's likely the enemy sent a lot of reinforcements to try and keep the base you just attacked. Send your zealots in first, followed by the reavers. Keep the carriers back as the arbiters will possibly come and use the stasis field ability on your units. After they have, send the carriers in and start taking down any defenders. When your reavers are able, push them toward the stasis cell, which is not very far from the entrance. It won't take many scarabs to take it out, while your other forces back them up. When it's destroyed, you're victorious.