Freeters can now legally play StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty without forking cash as Blizzard launches StarCraft II: Starter Edition. As with World of Warcraft, all you need is a Battle.net account and a working Internet connection to play the game, well some of it anyway. Just like the free edition of WoW, there’s quite a few limitations to SC2’s Starter Edition.

StarCraft II: Starter Edition features:

• The first four missions of the StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty single-player campaign, including Mar Sara 1-3 and the choice to embark on Tychus’s first mission or Dr. Hansen’s first mission.
• The first two Challenges: Tactical Command and Covert Ops.
• Access to the terran race in Custom Games and Single-Player vs. AI.
• Access to the following custom maps (map selection may rotate over time):
  • Xel’Naga Caverns
  • Shattered Temple
  • Discord IV
  • High Orbit

As for the cons? Free accounts don’t have access to versus and co-op matchmaking, most custom maps, chat channels, and the party system. If you’re looking to a create a map, the Starter Edition gives you access to most of the Map Editor’s features, excluding the ability to publish maps to Battle.Net

If you’re just interested in watching replays then you’re in luck, the free account will allow you to watch StarCraft 2 replays. No neet to resort to installing a patched copy of the game ^_^.

Here’s the full FAQ for your convenience:

Starter Edition FAQ
Q. What is the StarCraft II Starter Edition?
A. The StarCraft II Starter Edition is a new, free version of StarCraft II that gives anyone with a Battle.net account and an Internet connection a chance to try a wide array of single-player and multiplayer content in StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. Unlike our past trial versions of StarCraft II, the Starter Edition does not have any time restrictions and offers a wider range of content to players.

Q. What’s included in the StarCraft II Starter Edition?
A. The Starter Edition gives players access to the first three campaign missions on Mar Sara, and then gives the player the ability to choose a fourth mission — either the first mission offered by Dr. Hanson or the first mission offered by Tychus Findlay in the campaign. Players will also get access to a pair of Challenge Missions, a selection of multiplayer maps, and a custom-game map. The multiplayer and custom game maps available may be cycled from time to time.

In addition, Starter Edition players can earn achievements within the available content; can view profile, ladder, and achievements pages; and can access many functions of the map editor.

Q. How do I get the StarCraft II Starter Edition?
A. Players can simply sign up for a free Battle.net at the StarCraft II Starter Edition page here, or log in to an existing Battle.net account to get started.

Q. What are the restrictions of StarCraft II: Starter Edition?
A. Starter Edition players can only play up to the fourth campaign mission, and most Challenge Missions are unavailable. Starter Edition players are also unable to use versus and co-op matchmaking, most custom maps, chat channels, and the party system. Publishing custom maps to Battle.net is also restricted, and offline play is unavailable to Starter Edition players. For single-player and custom games, Starter Edition players may only choose the Terran race.

Q. Which maps are available?
A. Currently, Starter Edition players have access to Xel’Naga Caverns, Shattered Temple, Discord IV, and High Orbit. StarJeweled will also be made available soon to Starter Edition players. It is possible that different maps will be cycled in and out of the available map list for Starter Edition players from time to time.

Maps which are available to Starter Edition players are denoted by a symbol to the left of the map name in the custom map list.  By default these maps are sorted to the top for Starter Edition players on the Create Custom game screen.

Q. How do I create a multiplayer match?
A. Multiplayer matches are available through the custom game interface. Click Multiplayer at the top left, and then create or join a custom game. Available maps will be shown at the top of the list. Starter Edition players are restricted to Terran-only for custom games.

Q. Can I play a match with other players who have the full game? Can I create a match with a friend?
A. Yes. StarCraft II players with a full game license can join a custom game on the Starter Edition maps to play with Starter Edition players. You may play matches with friends by simply creating a custom game on a trial map and using the game invite functionality to invite friends to the game.

Q. Can a player with a full game create a game on a Starter Edition map?
A. Yes. If a player with a full license wants to create a custom game that can be joined by a Starter Edition player, he or she should select one of the maps marked by the special symbol.

Q. Can I watch replays using the Starter Edition?
A. Yes! Starter Edition players can watch any replay.

Q. Can I create and publish maps using the Starter Edition?
A. Many map editor functions are available to Starter Edition players. However, the full version of the game is required to use the Test Map function and to publish maps to Battle.net.

For more information, just head over to the Starter Edition page here, or log in to an existing Battle.net account.