• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 00:37
CEST 06:37
KST 13:37
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL22] Ro8 Preview: In A Tizzy7[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Holy Diver5[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Rough Waters10[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Siren's Call8[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Summer's End9
Community News
Weekly Cups (Sep 13-20): herO scores triple1BSL Season 235Weekly Cups (Sep 7-12): SHIN, ByuN, MaxPax double down1StarCraft open world shooter announced at BlizzCon101Weekly Cups (Aug 30-Sep 7): herO thrives amid growing schism10
StarCraft 2
General
How do you feel about the StarCraft shooter announcement at BlizzCon 2026? Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool The Death of Cheese: From a Professional Cheeser Weekly Cups (Sep 13-20): herO scores triple Balance hotfix patch 5.0.16b (July 16)
Tourneys
2026 GSTL Announcement Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament RSL Revival: Season 6 - Qualifiers and Main Event RSL goes to London! 2026 Offline Finals Nov 21-22 SC2 AI Tournament 2026 Fall
Strategy
[H] ZvP Mid-Late Game: Stalkers Collossi HT
Custom Maps
Nexus Wars 2021 GUIDE [M] (2) Industrial Park
External Content
Mutation # 544 Double Trouble The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 543 Enhanced Defenses Mutation # 542 The Ascended
Brood War
General
Oldest replay file. new ranked ladder hack? Bot on ladder New 3v3 BGH Ladder (and more) on ShieldBattery! [ASL22] Ro8 Preview: In A Tizzy
Tourneys
[ASL22] Ro8 Day 2 [ASL22] Ro8 Day 1 [IPSL] IPSL is Back With Winter 26-27! [BSL23] SM: Ret vs TerrOr -> DragOn vs StRyKeR
Strategy
Cliff Jump Revisited (1 in a 1000 strategy) Replay Review Process - What do you do? Simple Questions, Simple Answers Odyssey Mineral Stack Saturation
Other Games
General Games
Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread EVE Corporation Diablo IV
Dota 2
Dota 2 Champions League Season 3 Begins April 25! Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Artificial Intelligence Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine All you football fans (soccer)! Russo-Ukrainian War Thread
Fan Clubs
MarineLorD Fan Club The Creator Fan Club The ShoWTimE Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece Diablo Animated Series on Netflix
Sports
Football (Soccer) Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Recent Gifted Posts
Blogs
Gaming Intensity, Problemati…
TrAiDoS
38 yo Retired SWE loo…
PurE)Rabbit-SF
Can Bots Beat Pros?? Starcr…
namkraft
[meme] I finally understa…
LUCKY_NOOB
Regacy Esports:Our Goa…
regacyesports
Dreaming of BW patches (mod…
c3rberUs
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 8736 users

Terran Exceptionalism

Blogs > MichaelJLowell
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
MichaelJLowell
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
United States610 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-10-03 08:53:38
October 03 2011 08:50 GMT
#1
TERRAN EXCEPTIONALISM


Terran exceptionalism refers to the theory that the Terrans are quantitatively different from other races. In this view, Terran's exceptionalism stems from its emergence in StarCraft II, becoming "the most awesome race"[1] and "developing a uniquely micromanagement philosophy, based on Marines, Hellions, Tanks, Banshees, and Vikings". This observation can be traced to Artosis, the first player to describe the Terrans as "exceptionally imbalanced" in 2003.[2] Professional StarCraft II Terran player MVP has argued, "Our beliefs in micro, macro, strategy, tactics, and the well-being of our Marines came out of the beta test. So too did our idea that we Terrans are a special people with a special destiny to lead the world toward liberty and democracy."[3]

The specific term "Terran exceptionalism" was first used in 2004 by former Terran player ElkY while chastising members of Clan Dragon Ball Z Fan Club for believing that Terrans were bound to the Blizzard laws of game balance "due to the fact blizzard wants a balancd game and they dont want terran to be more powerful then the other races omfg why cant you see this".[4]

Although the term does not necessarily imply superiority, many Zerg and Protoss players have promoted its use in that sense.[1][5][6] To them, the Terrans are like the biblical story of David vs. Goliath (except Goliath wins) and are immune to the micromanagement forces and skilled players that have conquered inferior races.[7]

Since the launch of StarCraft II in 2010, "Bronze League scholars" have rejected Terran exceptionalism, arguing that "6-Pool is the strongest strategy in the game" and "you have to block off the ramp before the ling's come through good luck lol". Furthermore, they saw every race as subscribing to some form of exceptionalism, depending on which race these scholars had just lost to on the StarCraft II ladder.[8]

See Also

- List of Overpowered Units (Redirects to "List of Terran Units")
- 2011 Global StarCraft II League August
- Infernal Pre-Igniter
- List of June 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints
- List of July 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints
- List of August 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints
- List of September 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints


****
http://www.learntocounter.com - I'm a "known troll" so please disconnect your kid's computer when I am on the forums.
Heyoka
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Katowice25012 Posts
October 03 2011 08:57 GMT
#2
I can't help but notice you don't link any of your sources. It really calls into question the validity of this whole concept.
@RealHeyoka | ESL / DreamHack StarCraft Lead
Jinsho
Profile Joined March 2011
United Kingdom3101 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-10-03 08:59:13
October 03 2011 08:58 GMT
#3
TERRAN PRIDE
WORLD WIDE

+ Show Spoiler +
not actually a T player
MichaelJLowell
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
United States610 Posts
October 03 2011 09:03 GMT
#4
On October 03 2011 17:57 heyoka wrote:
I can't help but notice you don't link any of your sources. It really calls into question the validity of this whole concept.

I can promise you that this information comes from some of the most reputable web sites that were once hosted on GeoCities. You have my word.
http://www.learntocounter.com - I'm a "known troll" so please disconnect your kid's computer when I am on the forums.
Azzur
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Australia6267 Posts
October 03 2011 09:13 GMT
#5
I fully agree! Terran is the best race!
251
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States1401 Posts
October 03 2011 09:31 GMT
#6
Great job!

"This observation can be traced to Artosis, the first player to describe the Terrans as "exceptionally imbalanced" in 2003." <-- sick
"If you can chill..........then chill."
BookTwo
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
1985 Posts
October 03 2011 09:46 GMT
#7
On October 03 2011 17:57 heyoka wrote:
I can't help but notice you don't link any of your sources. It really calls into question the validity of this whole concept.


errr.... counter counter feint? teamliquid always messes with my head.
PH
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6173 Posts
October 03 2011 10:11 GMT
#8
Artosis chose to play T because it was considered the hardest race to play. I specifically remember him saying during a commentary during one of the TSLs (can't remember if it was 1 or 2) that he was a, "cocky little nerd" or something to that extent.

Lol, I would pay money to hear Artosis say that BW T was ever overpowered or imbalanced, lol. His rants about how OP Z and P are were legendary.
Hello
EvilTeletubby
Profile Blog Joined January 2004
Baltimore, USA22261 Posts
October 03 2011 10:13 GMT
#9
On October 03 2011 18:03 MichaelJLowell wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 03 2011 17:57 heyoka wrote:
I can't help but notice you don't link any of your sources. It really calls into question the validity of this whole concept.

I can promise you that this information comes from some of the most reputable web sites that were once hosted on GeoCities. You have my word.


Ahahahahaha
Moderatorhttp://carbonleaf.yuku.com/topic/408/t/So-I-proposed-at-a-Carbon-Leaf-concert.html ***** RIP Geoff
turdburgler
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
England6749 Posts
October 03 2011 10:32 GMT
#10
one planet under god
wonderwall
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
New Zealand695 Posts
October 03 2011 10:49 GMT
#11

Lol, I would pay money to hear Artosis say that BW T was ever overpowered or imbalanced, lol. His rants about how OP Z and P are were legendary.


I remember some ancient post of Artosis where he claimed that just because Terrans had a 50/50 winrate on a map that map wasn't balanced. Terran was in a bad state at the time and had pretty low ratios (rationes?) on most maps so in order for the map to be balanced Terran should really be getting like a 60-70% win ratio on that specific map

Artosis logic....
Djabanete
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
United States2786 Posts
October 03 2011 11:05 GMT
#12

- List of June 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints
- List of July 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints
- List of August 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints
- List of September 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints

Nice!
May the BeSt man win.
turdburgler
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
England6749 Posts
October 03 2011 11:08 GMT
#13
On October 03 2011 19:49 wonderwall wrote:
Show nested quote +

Lol, I would pay money to hear Artosis say that BW T was ever overpowered or imbalanced, lol. His rants about how OP Z and P are were legendary.


I remember some ancient post of Artosis where he claimed that just because Terrans had a 50/50 winrate on a map that map wasn't balanced. Terran was in a bad state at the time and had pretty low ratios (rationes?) on most maps so in order for the map to be balanced Terran should really be getting like a 60-70% win ratio on that specific map

Artosis logic....


it was widely considered that at the same time, all the best players in the world were terran, and they still only went 50/50. that was artosis's point. at the moment in sc2 noone knows who collectly has the best set of players, id argue its still terran but that doesnt rule out imbalance
figq
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
12519 Posts
October 03 2011 12:49 GMT
#14
That's because Terrans have mothers - to tell everyone that they are special. (please Jessica, don't take it personally)

Meanwhile Zergs pop up from dirt, and Protoss warp in from the void. So no one gives a damn.
If you stand next to my head, you can hear the ocean. - Day[9]
m0ck
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
4194 Posts
October 03 2011 12:54 GMT
#15
(South Korea only)
pyaar
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States423 Posts
October 03 2011 13:14 GMT
#16
On October 03 2011 18:03 MichaelJLowell wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 03 2011 17:57 heyoka wrote:
I can't help but notice you don't link any of your sources. It really calls into question the validity of this whole concept.

I can promise you that this information comes from some of the most reputable web sites that were once hosted on GeoCities. You have my word.


hahahahaha I logged on just to 5/5 you for that.
Darpa
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
Canada4413 Posts
October 03 2011 14:14 GMT
#17
On October 03 2011 18:03 MichaelJLowell wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 03 2011 17:57 heyoka wrote:
I can't help but notice you don't link any of your sources. It really calls into question the validity of this whole concept.

I can promise you that this information comes from some of the most reputable web sites that were once hosted on GeoCities. You have my word.



hahahahaaha awesome response!
"losers always whine about their best, Winners go home and fuck the prom queen"
Sufficiency
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Canada23833 Posts
October 03 2011 14:52 GMT
#18
No references
https://twitter.com/SufficientStats
OopsOopsBaby
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
Singapore3425 Posts
October 03 2011 15:01 GMT
#19
5/5. +1 for sniping heyoka.
s3x2-2 xiao3x2+2 bone3+2+2
Celial
Profile Blog Joined June 2006
2602 Posts
October 03 2011 15:08 GMT
#20
Actually, Artosis promoted Protoss superiority in the Broodwar days, leading to the official motto of MicroMedia: "We would all be progamers already if we played Protoss".
Do not regret. Always forward, never back.
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 5h 23m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
WinterStarcraft538
RuFF_SC2 201
EnDerr 19
StarCraft: Brood War
Rain 2800
GuemChi 1768
Icarus 5
Dota 2
NeuroSwarm193
League of Legends
JimRising 774
Counter-Strike
m0e_tv577
taco 428
Heroes of the Storm
Trikslyr23
Other Games
summit1g10560
PiGStarcraft525
C9.Mang0408
Maynarde143
Livibee98
Mew2King35
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1073
BasetradeTV52
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• practicex 21
• mYiSmile18
• intothetv
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• Pr0nogo 39
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota22252
• lizZardDota213
League of Legends
• Rush1055
• Stunt448
Upcoming Events
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5h 23m
Afreeca Starleague
5h 23m
Light vs EffOrt
OSC
7h 23m
PiGosaur Cup
19h 23m
Kung Fu Cup
1d 6h
The PondCast
2 days
Replay Cast
2 days
Korean StarCraft League
3 days
CranKy Ducklings
4 days
GSL
5 days
[ Show More ]
Yamato Cup
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Afreeca Starleague
6 days
WardiTV Weekly
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Super Anchor Qualifying S3
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Big Dog Cup 2026 Div 1

Ongoing

ASL Season 22
CSL 2026 AUTUMN (S22)
Acropolis #5
Acropolis #5 - GSA
Calamity Invitational
Logitech G Play Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026

Upcoming

Acropolis #5 - GSB
Acropolis #5 - GSC
BSL Season 23
SC4ALL II: Brood War
BSL 23: Non-Korean Championship
HSC XXX
Stellar Fest 2: Lunar Cup
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
Copium Cup
PGL Major Singapore 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 6
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026
IEM Beijing 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 5
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
1win Private Club #2
Thunderpick World Champ. '26
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
1win Private Club #1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.