Psionic matrix
the energy lattice that powers the protoss
The psionic matrix, also called the psi-matrix, was a field of energy emanating from Aiur that powered protoss structures and units. Tapped through pylons and nexus links, it was first sparked in 500 B.C.E. and later dismantled to deny Amon the Golden Armada.
The psionic matrix, also known as the psi-matrix, was a field of energy that emanated from Aiur and powered the structures and, to a lesser extent, the units of the protoss. It underpinned protoss colonization across the Koprulu sector and became a strategic target in the war against Amon. (StarCraft (manual); StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void)
Powering the protoss#
The psionic matrix was spread across the Koprulu sector, and protoss structures, along with their units to a lesser extent, drew their energy from it. A nexus provided a link to the matrix, but khaydarin crystal-based pylons were needed to actually tap into the energy required to supply new colonies. Each pylon generated a short-ranged aura of energy that could power the structures and warp gates within it. If a protoss building lost its connection to the matrix, it shut down until reconnected, and new units could not be gated in if there was insufficient energy to power them. The matrix could be supercharged by a mothership core, allowing a nexus to use its energy as a defensive measure. Protoss warp gate units could be warped in within the matrix created by pylons and by the warp prism. (StarCraft (manual); StarCraft Field Manual; StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty; StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm)
Origins and destruction#
The psionic matrix was first conceived on Endion and formed from a lattice of khaydarin crystals embedded within the crust of Aiur at the Citadel of the Executor, a temple, and the xel'naga caverns. It was sparked around 500 B.C.E., and after Aiur fell the matrix continued to function. (StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void; StarCraft Field Manual)
In 2506, the psionic matrix was dismantled to prevent Amon from recalling the Golden Armada to Aiur to defend his host body. The power structure in the Citadel of the Executor was destroyed by Matriarch Vorazun and Highlord Alarak, and the power structure on the temple grounds by Phase-smith Karax and Talandar, the purifier built from Fenix's mind. Their actions released a massive overflow of psionic energy from the surface of Aiur, and Hierarch Artanis kept ahead of the resulting energy storm to destroy the power structure in the xel'naga caverns. After the End War, the Daelaam reconstructed the psionic matrix, building a temple around its central hub, where funerals for fallen protoss were often held. (StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void; One People, One Purpose)
Frequently asked questions
- What is the psionic matrix in StarCraft?
- The psionic matrix, also called the psi-matrix, was a field of energy that emanated from Aiur and powered protoss structures and, to a lesser extent, their units. It spread across the Koprulu sector and underpinned protoss colonization.
- How do the protoss tap into the psionic matrix?
- A nexus provided a link to the matrix, but khaydarin crystal-based pylons were needed to actually tap the energy required to supply new colonies. Each pylon generated a short-ranged aura that powered the structures and warp gates within it, and a building cut off from the matrix would shut down until reconnected.
- When and where did the psionic matrix originate?
- The psionic matrix was first conceived on Endion and formed from a lattice of khaydarin crystals embedded in the crust of Aiur at the Citadel of the Executor, a temple, and the xel'naga caverns. It was sparked in 500 B.C.E. and continued to function even after Aiur fell.
- Why was the psionic matrix dismantled?
- In 2506 the matrix was deliberately dismantled to prevent Amon from recalling the Golden Armada to Aiur to defend his host body. Vorazun and Alarak destroyed the power structure in the Citadel of the Executor, Karax and Fenix destroyed the one on the temple grounds, and Artanis destroyed the structure in the xel'naga caverns while outrunning the resulting energy storm.
- What happened to the psionic matrix after the End War?
- After the End War, the Daelaam reconstructed the psionic matrix and built a temple around its central hub, where funerals for fallen protoss were often held.
Sources
- GameStarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, Blizzard Entertainment, 2010
- GameStarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, Blizzard Entertainment, 2013
- GameStarCraft II: Legacy of the Void, Blizzard Entertainment, 2015
- BookStarCraft (manual), Peter Underwood, Bill Roper, Chris Metzen and Jeffrey Vaughn, Blizzard Entertainment, 1998
- BookStarCraft Field Manual, Rick Barba, Insight Editions, 2015
- WebOne People, One Purpose, Alex Acks, Blizzard Entertainment short story, 2020
Spotted a factual error or a primary source we missed? Email a correction. Every flagged claim gets reviewed.
Followed from this entry
Khaydarin Crystal
Khaydarin crystals were psi-active psionic artifacts left behind by the xel'naga on many worlds. Used by the protoss to power their technology and strengthen their psionic bond, the crystals restored the Khala at the end of the Aeon of Strife and remained central to protoss civilization.
Warp gate
The warp gate, derived from the gateway, was a protoss structure that opened a rift to teleport warriors across light-years in seconds. Built on reverse-engineered xel'naga technology and powered by the psionic matrix of the pylons, it let the protoss reinforce distant battlefields almost instantly.
Warp Prism
The warp prism was a flying protoss machine that carried troops across the battlefield by converting them to energy, and could deploy as a mobile focus for the psionic power matrix that sustains protoss structures.
Aiur
Aiur was the homeworld of the protoss, a verdant world on the galactic fringe engineered by the Xel'Naga and seat of the Protoss Empire. It was overrun by the zerg in 2500 and reclaimed by the Daelaam after the defeat of Amon.
Alarak: the highlord who turned on Amon
Alarak won the Rak'Shir against Highlord Ma'lash and took the Tal'darim for himself. When Amon cast his people aside, he turned the death fleet on him.
Artanis
Artanis was the Hierarch of the Daelaam, a renowned warrior who rose from executor during the zerg invasion of Aiur to lead the reunited protoss. He forged the Khalai and Nerazim into one people, reclaimed Aiur, and led the alliance that banished Amon from the Khala.
Mentioned in2 entries
Every Protoss Unit in StarCraft and StarCraft II, Explained
Every protoss warrior, war machine and starship from StarCraft, Brood War and the three StarCraft II games. Each entry covers who fights in it or builds it, how it fights, what it did in the story and which games it appears in, plus the Nerazim, Tal'darim and Purifier versions from Legacy of the Void.
Warp gate
The warp gate, derived from the gateway, was a protoss structure that opened a rift to teleport warriors across light-years in seconds. Built on reverse-engineered xel'naga technology and powered by the psionic matrix of the pylons, it let the protoss reinforce distant battlefields almost instantly.
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