Terran players who want to gain better insight into their opponent's strategies should consider learning more about the important Sensor Tower tactics available to them. Many a battle has been lost due to poor intelligence, and the failure to utilize this basic sensor tool can sometimes be the biggest mistake any Terran player can possibly make. These buildings require an Engineering Bay to be created prior to their construction.
Unlike other structures that may function as detectors, these towers are designed to provide long-range surveillance over large swaths of terrain. They also serve a vital role in the early detection of attacking units. Along with these benefits, however, there are also a variety of weaknesses that savvy enemies can exploit. Still, even these weaknesses can be countered with the right strategy.
Terrans must understand what these towers can and cannot do. As the name suggests, Sensor Towers sense the presence of enemy forces. They do not, however, detect them in the same way that other detection units can. Enemy forces end up being displa[censored] with a red exclamation mark provided that they are not cloaked. The actual identity of the force will remain a mystery, though, since the towers are incapable of gathering any intelligence other than their location.
The major drawback to using towers in this manner is simple: enemy players understand that these towers are generally located in close proximity to a Terran home base and they can see the tower's radius on the mini map. Many players will immediately marshal their forces to launch an assault in the area of any discovered towers, since they assume that the opponent's base is located there. That risk can be negated by a smart Terran player who uses that knowledge to his advantage and lays a clever trap.
The trap is simple. By placing a Sensor Tower far from his home base, the Terran can often draw his opponent to that area. If the Terran army is lying in wait at that location, it can launch a surprise assault upon the enemy forces as they appear. Often times, this type of trap can deter similar aggression for the foreseeable future, even as it succeeds in diminishing the opponent's available army.
Another useful strategy involves the placement of a tower at or near an enemy's home base. Many times, the opponent will react to this excursion by launching a major assault against the offending invader. As he does so, the Terran player can launch an attack against the enemy's mineral line with impunity, and effectively disrupt his production efforts without facing serious resistance.
Because these towers are so critically important to the continual gathering of intelligence, Terran commanders should always ensure that they are adequately protected from assault by the enemy. Some onslaughts will begin with a determined effort to destroy the enemy's sensors and means of sensing their movements, thus paving the way for other units to launch a possible surprise attack later on.
In a game where many Terran players complain about their lack of constant intelligence, it is sometimes surprising to see just how many people fail to make use of these towers. Seasoned players, however, understand the real value of learning the best Sensor Tower tactics and use them on a regular basis to maintain an intelligence edge over their opponents.
