Picking up where Heart of the Swarm left off, Legacy of the Void casts you in the role of Hierarch Artanis, leader of the technologically advanced protoss race. Years ago, the protoss homeworld of Aiur fell to the merciless zerg Swarm. Now, you have raised a powerful fleet of warships known as the Golden Armada and are poised to reclaim your world. But an ancient evil threatens your destiny and the fate of the entire Koprulu Sector. The galaxy's only hope is for you to reunite the protoss factions and defeat the coming darkness.

The fates of Terran hero Jim Raynor and Kerrigan, the Queen of Blades, also hang in the balance.

In addition to the single-player campaign, Legacy of the Void will feature a host of new features that will make it the ultimate StarCraft multiplayer experience. Two heads are better than one, and Archon Mode applies this maxim to competitive gaming. In this brand-new two-player mode, players merge together to become a greater, unified force by sharing control over a single base. It's the perfect mode for rookies to learn tactics from seasoned veterans—and a fun way to amplify the power of a burgeoning all-star.

Allied Commanders is a new, open-ended game mode with campaign-style objectives that breathes new life into the StarCraft cooperative experience. Here, each player will choose a powerful commander to lead their favorite army into battle and fight in diverse scenarios with dynamic, campaign-style objectives. Players can then level up these commanders to gain access to new units, abilities, and customization options for their armies.

The thrill of competing in a StarCraft II tournament is like no other gaming experience around, and Legacy of the Void makes it easier than ever for everyone to get in on the action. With Automated Tournaments,players from around the world canprove their might in no-holds-barred daily online competitions.Tournaments will be held for players of all skill levels,unlocking the potential for anyone to feel the excitement of surviving through elimination rounds and clawing their way to victory.

Players can pre-purchase StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void now via the official Legacy of the Void website, and you’ll gain immediate access to all three “Whispers of Oblivion” prologue missions featuring the legendary Dark Templar Zeratul. Those who pre-purchase digitally or lock in their pre-order at select retailers will also gainentry to the ongoing Legacy of the Void beta test.

“With Legacy of the Void, we’re giving some of Blizzard’s most iconic characters an unforgettable sendoff and delivering the climactic StarCraft finale players deserve,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “At the same time, we’re excited to bring StarCraft II multiplayer into a whole new era with a host of major new gameplay modes and enhancements—we can’t wait to see what the future holds for StarCraft II competition.”

The Whispers of Oblivion prologue bridges the storyline between Heart of the Swarm and Legacy of the Void. In these missions, players will join Zeratul to unravel the mysteries of the Xel'naga prophecy. Whispers of Oblivion will be available to everyone free of charge before the Legacy of the Void launch, but players who pre-purchase now will receive instant access to all three prologue missions in the Legacy of the Void beta test.

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.

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 also be available in a retail-exclusive Collector’s Edition, which comes equipped with the digital bonus items from the Digital Deluxe Edition, as well as a special edition of the upcoming full-color hardcover StarCraft Field Manual (retail edition SRP $45); a DVD loaded with cinematics and special features; and a CD soundtrack. The Collector’s Edition will be available at select retailers for a suggested retail price of $79.99. Players should check their local retailer for details and availability and be sure to lock in their preorder, as supplies are limited.

In addition, anyone who purchases or pre-purchases any edition of the expansion will also unlock access to an upcoming, yet-to-be-revealedStarCraft Warrior Hero in Heroes of the Storm^™, Blizzard’s recently released free-to-play team brawler.