Protoss legends Artanis and Zeratul attempt to unite their race in an intergalactic fight for survival against an ancient evil from the Void that threatens the universe. The fates of Terran hero Jim Raynor and Kerrigan, the Queen of Blades, also hang in the balance.

Archon Mode, a competitive multiplayer mode unveiled at BlizzCon, is a new way to enjoy StarCraft II with friends. In Archon Mode, two players share control over a single base and units as they take on an enemy duo in multiplayer action. By sharing the responsibility of commanding troops and managing resources, players can focus on their own areas of the battle and execute more intricate strategies.

Allied Commanders is another gameplay mode new to StarCraft II. In this objective-based, cooperative experience, players can team up and take on the roles of powerful commanders from the StarCraft saga. Each commander offers unique abilities and upgrades and bestows special bonuses on their armies. Players are able to battle through a series of special scenarios together, leveling up their commanders' capabilities as they progress.

Blizzard are excited to let you know that invites for the StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void Closed Beta are going out today!

This initial phase of the Closed Beta will include ongoing changes to previously-announced multiplayer units as well as the introduction of a new Protoss unit—the Adept. Players with access to the Closed Beta will be able to check out PvP multiplayer action as well as Archon Mode, a cooperative/competitive multiplayer mode where two players share control of one base and army, combining forces to take on another opponent or team.

In addition to ongoing updates to previously-announced MP units, Blizzard will also debut:

A New Protoss Unit: The Adept

• The Adept is a core gateway unit with a ground-only ranged attack and normal movement speed.
• The Adept has an ability that sends out a mirror image of itself, and after a fixed duration, the unit teleports to the location of its duplicate.
  • The duplicate can independently move around, but cannot attack or be attacked, and does not impede upon the actions of the main unit.

New Maps:

• Ruins of Seras – Seras is an ancient temple in a mountainous region of Aiur, the Protoss homeworld. It currently stands in ruins, surrounded by an encroaching jungle.
• Lerilak Crest – Named after the Dark Templar who discovered it, this is an area on a Dark Templar world, embedded by xel’naga ruins.
• Orbital Shipyard – Floating high above Korhal IV, this is a Terran starship repair platform

The complete list of changes and features are available in the patch notes and a general Closed Beta FAQ can be found here.

Once you receive your beta invite, you can begin beta testing Legacy of the Void by clicking on the button embedded in that email or by logging in to your Battle.net account and navigating to Games and Codes > Download Clients to download and install the game.

Multiplayer battles in Legacy of the Void will be fought with an array of new units, as well as upgrades to veteran forces. Zerg swarms will welcome the return of the Lurker, a classic creature from the original StarCraft that lays waste to infantry with deadly spines that burst from the ground. The Protoss field a new weapon called the Disruptor, which can use massive energy spikes to wreak havoc through swaths of ground forces. And the Terrans have engineered some new technology, such as Tactical Jump, which allows their Battlecruisers to teleport to any location on the battlefield. Several more new units and abilities were exhibited at BlizzCon, showcasing the new strategic and tactical options in store for players with Legacy of the Void.

Blizzard also revealed that Legacy of the Void will include functionality that enhances online multiplayer play with automated tournaments, providing players with ongoing events that support the active StarCraft II community.

Legacy of the Void will be a standalone expansion that does not require a license of the base game, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, or the first expansion, Heart of the Swarm.