Koprulu Sector

A distant frontier where three ancient races collide in a struggle for dominance.

The Koprulu Sector is a distant part of the Milky Way galaxy where the StarCraft saga unfolds. Set at the beginning of the 26th century, this region became the battleground for a galactic struggle among three primary species: the adaptable Terrans, the ever-evolving insectoid Zerg, and the powerful Protoss. Long before the main events, the Xel'Naga genetically engineered both the Protoss and the Zerg, but the Overmind they created turned on its makers and assimilated them, though Amon and other Xel'Naga survived. Exiled from an overpopulated Earth, the Terrans reached the sector after an attempt to colonise a nearby system went wrong, and formed several factions there.

Quick Facts

Location

Koprulu Sector (distant part of the Milky Way galaxy)

Primary species

Terran
Zerg
Protoss
Xel'Naga

Dominion capital system

Korhal

Lore & Background

The history of the Koprulu Sector begins with the Xel'Naga, who genetically engineered the Protoss and later the Zerg. When the Zerg turned on and consumed the Xel'Naga on Zerus, the sector was left to develop without them. In the late 23rd century, roughly 200 years before StarCraft began in 2499, the United Earth Directorate (UED) launched a colonization effort to solve overpopulation, but the automated navigation systems malfunctioned, propelling the ships far off course to the edge of Protoss space.

Out of contact with Earth, these Terrans formed independent factions like the Confederacy and rebels led by Arcturus Mengsk. The Protoss remained hidden, observing humans from a distance without protecting them, until the Zerg began targeting Terrans for their psionic potential. This forced the Protoss to destroy tainted colonies, sparking a conflict that escalated into full-scale war involving the UED, the Dominion, and the Zerg Swarm.

Reader's Guide

Key systems include Tarsonis, the former Confederate capital now scarred by Zerg infestation; Char, the primary hive cluster of the Zerg where Raynor later invaded with Valerian Mengsk to restore Kerrigan's humanity; Shakuras, the dark templar homeworld that served as a refuge for Protoss survivors; and Mar Sara, a mining world where Raynor first discovered Xel'Naga artifacts. Players witness the rise of the Terran Dominion under Mengsk, the evolution of Kerrigan from captive to Queen of Blades, and the desperate alliances formed against Amon's hybrid threat.

Did You Know?

StarCraft debuted at the 1996 Electronic Entertainment Expo and used a modified Warcraft II game engine.
By June 2007, StarCraft and Brood War had sold nearly 10 million copies combined.
The franchise's lifetime revenue totaled over $1 billion by the end of 2017.
StarCraft holds four Guinness World Records in the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition of 2008.
As of 2017, the original StarCraft, its Brood War expansion, and StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty are free to download and play from Blizzard's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Koprulu Sector?

The Koprulu Sector is a remote region within the Milky Way galaxy that serves as the primary setting for the StarCraft universe. It became a contested frontier where three distinct civilizations clashed during the mid-26th century.

Which races fight in the Koprulu Sector?

This sector hosts the conflict between humanity (Terrans), the insectoid Zerg swarm, and the energy-based Protoss empire. Their struggle defines the political and military history of this distant star cluster.

Where is the Dominion capital located?

Korhal serves as the capital system of the Terran Dominion, functioning as the political heart of human authority in the region. It remains a strategic target near key worlds like Tarsonis throughout the wars.

How do the Xel'Naga relate to this region?

The ancient Xel'Naga engineered both the Protoss and the Zerg, creating the Overmind to unify the Zerg, before they departed. Their legacy left behind ruins that influence the evolution of both Protoss and Zerg species.