Warp Prism
Health: 100 Shields: 40 Vision: 10
Armor: None Armor Type: Armored Unit Type: Mechanical
Minerals: 200 Vespene Gas: None Build Time: 50
Source: Robotics Facility Requirements: None Supplies: 2
Movement Speed: 2.5 (Normal) Targets: None Transport Size: None
Overview
Role: Transport

Warp Prisms are the transport units for the Protoss. They function much like a transport and move units where travel by ground is not possible. If the Warp Prism is destroyed while transporting any units, then those units will also be lost in the explosion.
Abilities
Phase Mode
Cast Time: 2

The Warp Prism can act as a temporary Pylon when constructing one may not be the best option. While in Phase Mode, the Warp Prism is immobile. The Warp Prism will power all nearby Protoss structures and can warp in units from the Warp Gate just as if the area was nearby a normal Pylon.

This is a powerful ability to warp in several units anywhere on the map. A common tactic is to fly one behind the enemy base and bring in units to attack areas with low defense. With the carrying capacity of the Warp Prism and its Phase Mode, one of these ships is capable of summoning an entire army on demand.
Upgrades
Gravitic Drive
Source: Robotics Bay
Minerals: 100
Vespene Gas: 100
Research Time: 80

The Warp Prism tends to move at a slow speed by default compared to other transports. This upgrade will increase its speed to 3.37 (Fast). If you plan only to transport units between bases then this upgrade can be skipped. If you plan to use the Warp Prism to drop off units in hostile territory, then it could be worth it.
Lore
For thousands of years the protoss have studied the nature of time and space. Through their painstaking studies and experiments protoss researchers have uncovered many of the secrets of the universe. Using psionic manufacturing processes, the protoss have learned how to create a robotic mind whose programming is built into the molecules of an advanced crystal lattice. This "crystal computer" is able to manipulate matter and energy with a precision no ordinary organic mind could comprehend.

The protoss use these "warp prisms" in several ways. The primary function of a warp prism is to transport protoss forces on the battlefield. Living and inorganic subjects are transformed into energy, and their unique signature imprinted into the prism's crystal lattice core. On reaching the desired destination the operation is reversed and the stored energy signatures are reconfigured into matter in proximity to the warp prism.

A secondary but no less vital function of the warp prism is to act as a mobile focus for the protoss psionic matrix. Once the prism is deployed it can power protoss structures around it. In this configuration warp prisms can be used to temporarily replace destroyed pylons in a colony or enable the rapid establishment of a forward base of operations.
© 2009 InfestedRaynor