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Factory (Heart of the Swarm)

From Liquipedia StarCraft 2 Wiki


This article covers the now superseded Heart of the Swarm multiplayer version of this building. For other versions see Factory (Legacy of the Void) and Factory (Wings of Liberty).
[e][h]Terran Factory
Building Information
Cost:
 150  100  60
V → F
Defense:
Requirements:
Note: All time-related values are expressed assuming Normal speed, as they were before LotV. See Game Speed.

Description[edit]

The Factory is one of the advanced Terran tech buildings that allows Terran to build Hellions, Hellbats, Widow Mines, Siege Tanks, and Thors. The Factory requires a Barracks before it can be built. The Factory can be lifted off and landed elsewhere after it has been constructed.

A Factory is also required before you are able to build a Starport, thus it is a key step in the Terran Tech Tree. It is also required to build a Nuke.

Unit Minerals / Vespene Gas / Supply‎ Build Time Key
Hellion 100/0/2 30 E
Siege Tank 150/125/3 45 S
Thor 300/200/6 60 T
Hellbat 100/0/2 30 R
Widow Mine 75/25/2 40 D

Usage[edit]

If you choose to go for a mechanical unit mix towards mid/endgame, then you'll need to build a few Factories to churn out the mechanical units. With the addition of the Widow Mine and the Hellbat, Mech-Play is a lot more viable. One opener for Mech that has been seen is a push with Marines and Widow Mines to deny the natural. Another successful harassment-method with Mech is Hellbat drops in TvZ and TvT. Hellbats can also replace Marines in TvT, but you will be giving up air control. They are, however, a much better meat shield.

Alternatively, if you choose to go for a primarily Bio-based army the Factory can be used as a scout. The Starport is built as soon the Factory is finished and the Factory is Lifted from the ground and flown in the direction of the enemies base. Since the Starport tech has already started there is no downside to losing the Factory if you are not using its units for your composition. Also, the Factory has a large number of Hitpoints and 1 armor meaning it can withstand a large degree of punishment from enemy units while scouting. A side effect of using this Factory for scouting is that the Factory is landed inside the enemies base and Hellions can be produced and used for extras scouting or harassment. Again, due to the Factory's hitpoints, in the early stages of the game it can get Hellions onto the field even if the Factory is being attacked. Dustin Browder in an interview with Team Liquid, mentioned that this was not an intended usage of the Factory.[1]

The Factory is one of the key parts in the 1/1/1 build. Another successful build is a Factory opener with Hellion harass.

Abilities[edit]

Lifts off a building, making it airborne and mobile. Can be used by Command Center, Orbital Command, Barracks, Factory and Starport.

Add-ons[edit]

Build Reactor
50
50
50
Allows Barracks, Factory, and Starport to create 2 units simultaneously.
Build Tech Lab
50
25
25
Research structure, a Tech Lab can fit onto Barracks, Factory, and Starport.

Patch Changes[edit]

References[edit]