High Templar

High templar are protoss warriors who use powerful psionic powers to support other protoss forces. They are the most honored and respected members of the protoss race, veteran Templar who forgo the rage and traditional combat of the zealots in order to develop their psionic powers into potent tools and weapons. (StarCraft; StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void)

Role within the Templar#

High templar are the most honored and respected members of the protoss race. They are veteran Templar who forgo the rage and traditional forms of combat common to zealots and archons in order to better develop their psionic powers. They rely on control and stoicism rather than fury. Although they sometimes carry psionic blades, the use of these weapons is regarded as a last resort, as a high templar focuses on psionic rather than physical mastery. (StarCraft; Colossus)

High templar are considered to be far along the Warrior's Path of the Templar Caste. When two high templar merge to form an archon, they complete it. (StarCraft)

Psionic powers#

High templar use the archives to commune directly with their ancient ancestors, gaining knowledge inaccessible to ordinary warriors. They may wear amulets carved from khaydarin crystals to improve their connection with the Khala and channel their psionic abilities with greater efficiency. They have been observed to levitate in battle and to move at great speed across the battlefield. (StarCraft; StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void)

The training high templar undergo amplifies their psionic powers to such a degree that they can disrupt the physical world around them. Those treading the path of the Khala are taught to close their minds to the outside world, which for powerful psychics such as the protoss may produce psychic ripples harmful to other life forms. High templar are trained to focus these ripples into terrible storms of psychic energy that can rip the minds, bodies, and machines of their enemies to shreds. They have also demonstrated psionic bolts and a short-range, lightning-like attack. (StarCraft; StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void)

A more subtle power is the ability to create illusory duplicates of other objects. These phantoms have no substance and cannot affect the material world, but they are useful to confuse and divert the enemy's attention in battle. High templar are also deeply attuned to the energy flows around them; by grasping the energy currents present in beings or machines and draining them through a violent chain reaction, they can inflict grievous wounds on living beings or massive structural damage on machines, and a target that bristles with energy may be destroyed outright. (StarCraft; StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty)

The archon and the Warrior's Path#

At one time, a high templar could merge with another high templar to form an archon, sacrificing themselves to complete the Warrior's Path and attain legendary status within the archives. After the Brood War, the means of forming an archon broadened: a high templar could achieve this by sacrificing themselves, by merging with another high templar, or by merging with a Dark Templar. (StarCraft; StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty)

In the days of the Golden Age of Expansion, attempts were made to train high templar in hand-to-hand psionic blade combat. At the advice of Grand Preserver Rohana, these attempts were halted in favor of keeping the traditional split between the blade-wielding zealots and the power-wielding high templar. (StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void)

History and changing roles#

The Brood War brought a major shift to the high templar's place in protoss society. Previously, political decisions had been left to the Judicator Caste. With the destruction of the Conclave and the disbanding of the Judicator, however, high templar were able to take on the role of teachers and leaders of their people. (StarCraft: Brood War)

During the End War in 2506, all high templar were forced to cut their nerve cords and sever themselves from the Khala or fall to Amon's corruption, a loss that was not easily borne. Even so, in their race's darkest hour they continued to hone their abilities, enhancing the power of their psionic storms and learning to channel their power into the plasma shields of their allies. After extensive experimentation, the Purifiers perfected AI warriors that possessed the same distinctive abilities as the high templar of the Daelaam, a design that Artanis himself is said to have found impressive. (StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void)

In the aftermath of the End War, many Shelak Tribe high templar wore ancient armor to venerate the role of Khas in uniting the Templar, signaling a cultural shift toward the protoss' past in the hope of quieting their fears about a troubled future. The most famous high templar in protoss history include Adun, Tassadar, Artanis, and Karass. (StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void)