An overlord
The overlord is a zerg flyer that provides control for lesser minions.
Overview
An overlord during the Great War
Overlords were evolved from the Gargantis proximae, a species of giant space-faring and semi-intelligent creatures[1] which volunteered to be assimilated in order to avoid extinction.[2] Once assimilated, they were used to help cerebrates control and coordinate their broods and scout using their enhanced senses.[1]
Overlords with the correct growth stimuli[1] can carry other zerg within hollows in their hides.[3] In this form they become deep-space transports[4]; the importance of their function is underlined by the sheer number of overlords found accompanying zerg forces.[1]
The overlord's cerebral structure is complex with neural pathways woven throughout the body; this makes it a powerful psionic energy transmitter. To preserve this capability, the zerg only altered neurologically impotent parts, including the carapace and pulmonary chambers. As a result, the overlord's core genetic matrix is atypically homogenous: over 90%. The minimal alterations also preserved memories;[5] ancient overlords, essentially assimilated Gargantis, regained their individuality upon becoming feral.[1] Overlords use helium-filled gas sacs and a weak telekinetic psi-ability for lift and motive power.[6] Their exoskeletons are strong enough to resist a lightning strike.[7]
An overlord
Unlike most other zerg breeds, overlords have a greater capacity to act on their own judgement, though their mental flexibility is still severely limited.[8] Overlords typically only relay orders. They are technically capable of directly controlling lesser zerg, but only with extreme difficulty.[2]
Overlords are fairly docile. Additional duties include tending to young larvae[4] and monitoring the progress of drones through a type of instinctive telepathy.[9] By the Second Great War, overlords could disgorge creep to prepare the way for zerg conquests, and were used to metamorphosize into overseers. Overseers feature enhanced senses and could spawn changelings.[1]
After Kerrigan's defeat at Char, some overlords attempted to form pockets of organized zerg in the same manner as broodmothers. However, this was a token effort, and most zerg regressed to a feral state.[10]
Game Unit
StarCraft
The overlord is a versatile zerg flier that provides control, detection and air transportation once upgraded. It is slower than other transport units even with Pneumatized Carapace.
Abilities
Template:ZergDetection
Upgrades
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Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
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- Increases overlord sight range to 11.
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Development
Early overlord concept
During StarCraft alpha development, overlords had an attack value of 4.[11]
StarCraft: Ghost
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This article or section contains information about StarCraft: Ghost, which has been declared non-canon. Elements may be taken as 'flavor lore' however.
The content may be significantly out of date. Please do not add speculation to this article, and remember to cite a published source for details. |
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This following section contains information from concept art that may not be canonical.
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Caged overlord
Overlords make an appearance in StarCraft: Ghost. Some have been locked into tanks or subjected to cybernetic surgery. The latter are known as brain spectres.
StarCraft II
In StarCraft II, the overlord provides control but does not provide detection. The overlord may evolve into the overseer which is a detector and spellcaster. Against protoss, it is recommended to keep overlords surrounded with strong anti-air defense as they are highly vulnerable targets for phoenixes used in the harass role.
The reason for the changes and the split between the overlord and overseer in terms of detection was that the zerg "were somewhat 'detectorific'" in StarCraft.[12]
Abilities
The overlord creates a 2x2 patch of creep through an activated ability, the radius steadily expanding.[13]
| Usage | ||||
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| Acquisition | ||||
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Upgrades
Increase speed of the overlord from 0.902 to 2.63, overlords with Ventral Sacs from 1.099 to 2.83, and the overseer 2.62 to 4.73.
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 Ventral Sacs The overlord can transport units. This upgrade is removed in Legacy of the Void. Overlords must now be upgraded individually.
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Heart of the Swarm
A special overlord skin is unlocked via leveling in Heart of the Swarm.[14]
When Kerrigan reaches a certain level overlords provide more control and are spawned instantly. This ability is called Improved Overlords'.
Development
The following section contains information from a previous version of StarCraft II which is no longer valid.
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They regained the ability to transport units as of December 2008.[15]
Early StarCraft II overlord
Overlords used to have a slime ability, but that has been removed from the latest build.[16]
- Slime (also known as "Corrupt Minerals")
- The overlord could drop a non-attacking slime creature,[17] temporarily disabling resource nodes and xel'naga towers.[18][19] The minerals can be covered as they're being harvested, enabling raids which slow down an enemy's economy.[17] The creature must be killed before the minerals can be accessed.[17][12]
- This ability took some time to "cast" and had a small cooldown timer.[17]
Known Overlords
An overlord
Variant Strains
Evolution
Individuals
References
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