The long-awaited return of StarCraft isn’t happening on PC – it’s coming to tabletops this May with the release of the *StarCraft Tabletop Miniatures Game* from Archon Studio.
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What Fans Expected Was StarCraft 3, But They’re Getting Miniatures
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The essentials in 3 points:
- The highly anticipated return this May is the expansive *StarCraft Tabletop Miniatures Game* by Archon Studio.
- The large Terran vs. Zerg starter set will cost approximately €169. Note that the miniatures require assembly and painting!
- Two StarCraft shooters are reportedly in secret development, with announcements expected at BlizzCon in September.
You hoped for StarCraft 3? Think again! The major return in May is happening on the table with Archon Studio’s miniatures game.
If you’ve been online in recent days, you’ve likely seen the headline: “StarCraft is making a comeback in May.”
Naturally, the hearts of veteran gamers skipped a beat. You may have dusted off your keyboard shortcuts, ready to launch a Zergling rush in under four minutes. Was this a surprise announcement for StarCraft 3?
Except… no. Place that mouse down.
The return of StarCraft is real, and scheduled for this May. But it won’t be happening on a screen. The true “comeback” will seize place on our living room tables.
In a long list of unexpected returns, a StarCraft wargame wasn’t necessarily on many radars. Archon Studio, the team behind adaptations of Masters of the Universe and Heroes of Might & Magic III, secured the license from Blizzard. Pre-orders launched in mid-March, and the first wave of boxes is arriving at the finish of April – beginning of May.
A Brief History for Those Who Missed the 90s
Before discussing miniatures, let’s take a step back. Because if the announcement of a simple plastic figure stamped “Koprulu” is causing a stir online, there’s a reason. This isn’t just a license; it’s a legend.
Let’s rewind. 1998. Blizzard released a strategy game on PC. Initially, the press scoffed and called it Warcraft in Space. But the studio scrapped everything mid-development to create the absolute gold standard of the RTS (real-time strategy) genre.
The stroke of genius? Total asymmetry. You land in the Koprulu Sector, a remote corner of the galaxy, where three factions are happily battling it out. And they are completely different from each other.
On one side, the Terrans. Forget the pristine Federation from Star Trek. Here, we’re talking about exiled outlaws, space rednecks smoking cigars in rusty armor, and fueled by warm beer. Facing them, the Zerg Swarm. A biological nightmare teeming with life, a collective consciousness that exists only to assimilate other species (think Alien, but on steroids). And in the middle, the Protoss. Millennia-old aliens, golden, possessing psionic powers and an ego so oversized that it slowly drives them towards extinction. En Taro Adun, guys.
The lore isn’t just a pretext; it’s a truly gritty space opera. Jim Raynor, the disillusioned rebel sheriff. And especially Sarah Kerrigan, betrayed, abandoned to the Zerg, and then reincarnated as the Queen of Blades. Literally one of the most tragic and badass villains in video game history.
But if StarCraft made history, it was for its multiplayer. It’s the godfather of modern esports. Long before Twitch, South Korea turned it into a state religion. Dedicated TV channels 24/7, stadiums packed to the rafters, and pro players treated like rock stars clicking at 300 APM (Actions Per Minute) whereas ruining their carpal tunnels.
StarCraft II took up the mantle in 2010. And then… not much. A HD remaster in 2017, a competitive scene kept afloat by die-hard fans, and deafening silence from Blizzard.
That’s why we’re excited. And why the arrival of a miniatures game in 2026 is getting us hyped (and starting to save money or sell a couple of kidneys on Vinted).
Koprulu in Plastic (and to Paint)
And we’re not talking about a simple family board game to capitalize on nostalgia. This is a full-fledged skirmish wargame. The 2-player “Founders” Edition starter set packs a punch: Terran versus Zerg, with Kerrigan and Jim Raynor miniatures. It includes a neoprene playmat, scenery, piles of dice, and cards… everything you need.
In terms of price, it’s a premium product. Expect to pay around €169 for the large box. It’s a bit steep. But given the size of the kit, it’s understandable.
One small but important detail: this is a hobby project. A real one. The figures arrive on sprues. You’ll need to secure out the sprue cutters, plastic glue, and your brushes. If the idea of cleaning up 20 Marines makes you sweat, pass this one by. (And for Protoss players crying in the back: don’t panic, a dedicated faction box is sold separately).
What Does it Look Like on the Table? Because Pushing Plastic is All Well and Decent
So, what’s under the hood of StarCraft Protoss?
That’s the real question. Having a shelf full of painted Zergs is cool. But if the rules require a doctorate in astrophysics or fall asleep after two turns, no thanks. And yes, there are some really clever things going on. Archon has really tried to translate the tension and nervousness of the famous RTS onto a tabletop.
First, forget the bland deployment where you place all your figures in neat rows on each side before starting. At turn 1, the table is… empty. Nothing. All of your army (purchased before the game with a budget of “Minerals”) starts in reserve. You’ll deploy it piecemeal from the edges of the table, limited by your “Supply.”
This pool increases each turn. Better yet: when your squads die, it frees up Supply to bring in reinforcements. No more terrible snowball effect where you lose half your troops in turn 1 and spend the rest of the game just suffering. The fog of war is total; you never know what your opponent is holding back.
On the field, forget about the “I play my whole army while you go get coffee” syndrome. It’s alternating activation within each phase (Movement, Assault, Combat). I activate a squad, you activate yours. It’s quick-paced. And the little sadistic subtlety: the first player to decide to “pass” their turn grabs the initiative for the next phase. Horrible choices ahead.
And the dice? You roll piles of 6-sided dice to hit, and the other player rolls their armor saves. Classic. Except they’ve added the “Surge” mechanic. Basically: the good old rock-paper-scissors of StarCraft. If you shoot with the right weapon at the right target (like anti-armor at a heavy tank), a critical hit via a special die will simply ignore the opponent’s armor. It’s going to hurt.
Ah, and for mischievous players, the game incorporates a deck of Tactical Cards. You can literally play a card to do a “Six Pool” and vomit Zerglings as quickly as possible onto the table, or use Terran Dropships to exfiltrate your troops in extremis. Esports in your living room, here we come.
Shooter Rumors
But why is everyone on the internet getting so excited about the franchise all of a sudden? Because this miniatures game is only the tip of the iceberg.
Since the acquisition by Microsoft, things have been moving behind the scenes. Persistent leaks claim that two StarCraft video games are in development. One internally at Blizzard, the other subcontracted to Korean company Nexon. They would be shooters. First-person shooters. Not RTS games.
I know what you’re thinking. StarCraft: Ghost.
Yes, the scar still stings. Blizzard already tried to pull that stunt with a FPS in this universe, canceled it after years of unbearable teasing, and then tried again in 2016… only to cancel it again in 2019. So two shooter games at once? I’ll believe it when I see it. Especially since the community is just asking for a good old strategy game.
