Zergling

From StarCraft Wiki

"It's a zergling, Lester...smaller type of zerg..."

―Sarge to Lester after hitting a zergling with their jeep.^[src]

Zergling

Unit
Race	Zerg
Role	Close combat strain
Armament	Claws
Properties
Hit points	35
Production
Minerals	25
Control	0.5
Build time	28
Produced by	Larva
Requires	Spawning Pool
Hot key	Z
Combat
Ground attack	5
Cooldown	8 (6 upgraded)
Armor	0
Attack range	1
Sight range	5

The zergling is the basic zerg warrior.

[edit] Overview

The initial post-Brood War zergling

The current post-Brood War zergling

Zerglings were evolved from the Zz'gashi dune runner when the latter were assimilated into the Zerg Swarm. The zergling may be a relatively recent addition to the swarm given that Zz'gash seems to be located close to the Koprulu Sector.^[1] Zerglings form the most numerous of the zerg mutations; the simple DNA allows two zerglings to be spawned from a single larva. The larvae get the genetic information from the 'primordial ooze' of spawning pools.^[2] As the smallest zerg strain apart from the larvae,^[3] zerglings are one meter tall and possess webbed feet.^[4] Further mutations may be made to zergling DNA, namely the alteration of their physiology through a metabolic boost to increase their reflexes and rate of movement and the mutation of their adrenal glands, changing their glandular balance to induce a battle frenzy.^[2]

Zerglings are physically adaptable creatures, able to climb near vertical surfaces and are extraordinarily fast. Usually, zergling eyes are orange (see images), though have been observed to be red.^[5] Such is their ability to see in low light conditions, these eyes can appear pure black (courtesy of the expanding pupils to allow more light to the retina).^[3]

Lone zerglings serve as scouts,^[4] though may have a retinue of hydralisks if they scout an exceedingly long distance away from a hive cluster.^[6] When they attack however, zerglings move in large groups, ranging from a dozen to a hundred, often acting as "meat shields" for more powerful zerg strains.^[4] Individually, zerglings are little more than feral animals, but work well in large groups under the command of larger zerg warriors.^[2] In combat, zerglings are fond of ripping enemies to shreds with their sickles and fangs, indicating a sadistic streak (although not to the extent of the hydralisk).^[2]

Zerglings continued to evolve after the Brood War, gaining the ability to metamorphose into banelings. They do this by entering a brief chrysalis phase before emerging in their new form.^[7] This evolution was controlled by the new queen breed.^[8]

[edit] Game Unit

[edit] StarCraft

StarCraft I sprite

Zergling stat profile

The individual zergling is the weakest of the basic troops, but this is compensated by low cost and ease of production. Usage in swarms is critical, especially to ensure some survive to attack fortified targets or units that deal splash damage.

The zergling is used in every part of the game and is useful in all games like the zealot, befitting its status as the zerg basic unit. In later game, the zergling is used as cannon fodder(or other attack fodder for that matter) for more powerful units like the ultralisk or guardian. It is very useful with mutalisks and the ultralisk, and it spawned tactics like the Ultraling.

The zergling is useful for rushes in early game, able to quickly rip up defenses. When they are able to surround a unit they can do a significant amount of damage very quickly.

The fast cooldown of the zergling means it is devastating against long cooldown units such as dragoons.

It is particularly vulnerable to units that do splash damage, such as reavers or firebats, and units that can do exactly 35 points of damage in only a few hits, such as zealots with 1 weapon upgrade.

[edit] Abilities

Burrow

Acquisition
Minerals	100
Gas	100
Evolved at	Hatchery/Lair/Hive
Hotkey	B

Usage
Hotkey	U

Notes

Many zerg ground units may burrow, rendering themselves invisible but incapable of moving or attacking.

[edit] Upgrades

Melee Attacks

Evolved at

Evolution chamber

Hotkey

M

Properties

Level	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Minerals	100	150	200
Gas	100	150	200
Required	Hatchery	Lair	Hive

Notes

+1 bonus per attack per level for broodlings and zerglings.
+3 bonus per attack per level for ultralisks.

Carapace

Evolved at

Evolution chamber

Hotkey

C

Properties

Level	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Minerals	150	225	300
Gas	150	225	300
Required		Lair	Hive

Notes

+1 bonus to armor per level for broodlings, defilers, drones, hydralisks, infested terrans, larvae, ultralisks, zerglings.

Metabolic Boost

Evolved at

Spawning pool

Properties

Minerals	100
Gas	100

Notes

Increases zergling speed.

Adrenal Glands

Evolved at

Spawning pool

Hotkey

A

Properties

Minerals	200
Gas	200
Required	Hive

Notes

Increases the attack rate of zerglings by 20%.

[edit] StarCraft: Ghost

The zergling in StarCraft: Ghost

This article or section contains information about StarCraft: Ghost.
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.

Zerglings in StarCraft: Ghost maintain their burrowing and health regeneration abilities. In addition, zerglings gain a "bloodlust" ability, which increases their damage and possibly speed while zerglings move in groups.^[9]

The zergling is the basic zerg unit in the Invasion Mode. It can transform into a hydralisk, infested marine or mutalisk, costing one, two and five points respectively.^[10]

[edit] StarCraft II

This article or section contains information about a StarCraft II unit or structure.
The content may be significantly out of date as StarCraft II experiences a new build weekly and may change substantially as more information becomes available. Please do not add speculation to this article, and remember to cite a published source for details.

Zergling

Unit
Race	Zerg
Role	Fast melee creature^[11]
Armament	Claws^[12]
Properties
Hit points	35^[12]^[13]
Type	Ground^[12] Biological^[12]
Armor type	Light^[12]
Production
Minerals	25^[12]
Control	0.5^[12]
Build time	24^[12]
Produced by	Larva^[12]
Requires	Spawning pool^[13]
Combat
Ground attack	5^[12]
Armor	0^[12]
Attack range	1^[12]

Zerglings have evolved, affecting such things as their appearance. They develop small wings when given the speed upgrade.^[14]^[15] Zerglings have been reduced in size and have much better pathfinding than in StarCraft I.^[16]

[edit] Abilities

Main article: Baneling

Baneling Morph

Acquisition
Evolved at	Zergling
Requires	Baneling nest

Usage
Minerals	50^[17]
Duration	10^[18]

Notes

Transforms zergling into baneling, a glowing green creature with a low-damage suicide attack.^[7]

Edit

Burrow

Acquisition
Minerals	50^[19]
Gas	50^[19]
Evolution time	35^[19]
Evolved at	Hatchery/Lair/Hive^[11]^[20]
Hotkey	B^[19]

Notes

Many zerg ground units may burrow, rendering themselves invisible but incapable of moving or attacking.

Edit

[edit] Upgrades

Metabolic Boost

Evolved at

Spawning pool^[19]

Hotkey

M^[19]

Properties

Minerals	100^[19]
Gas	100^[19]

Notes

Increases zergling movement speed.^[14]^[15]

Edit

Adrenal Glands

Evolved at

Spawning pool^[19]

Hotkey

A^[19]

Properties

Minerals	200^[19]
Gas	200^[19]
Evolution time	80^[19]

Notes

Increases zergling attack rate by 20%.^[19]

Edit

[edit] Strategies

Zerglings are useful even into the late game due to their ability to surround opponents quickly.^[21]

[edit] Zerg vs Zerg

Zerglings or roaches are usually used in zerg vs zerg matches. Zerglings are an offensive unit with incredible mobility and have the advantage, for cost, against roaches in open areas; roaches are defensive and gain an advantage in chokes. Later in the game, when numbers are greater, roaches can beat zerglings even in open areas.^[22]

Banelings usually dominate zerglings, but zerglings can win with micro.^[22]

[edit] Special Zergling Strains and Individuals

[edit] Appearance

Early Zergling concept art

The zergling's appearance varies from product to product, and even in the in-game to cinematic appearance in the same product. This reflects stages of product development and artistic styles over time. In the long run, this could also reflect the constantly evolving state of the zerg.