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
Race	Zerg
Role	Close combat strain
Statistics
Hit points	35
Size	Small
Production
Control	0.5
Minerals	25
Build time	28
Produced at	Larva
Requires	Spawning Pool
Hotkey	Z
Combat
Ground Attack	5
Armor	0
Range	1 (melee)
Sight	5
Cooldown	8 (6 upgraded)

The Zergling is the basic Zerg warrior.

Contents 1 Overview 2 Game Unit 2.1 StarCraft 2.1.1 Upgrades 2.2 StarCraft: Ghost 2.3 StarCraft II 2.3.1 Abilities 2.3.2 Upgrades 2.3.3 Strategies 3 Special Zergling Strains 4 Appearance 4.1 StarCraft 4.1.1 StarCraft I 4.1.2 StarCraft: Ghost 4.1.3 StarCraft II 4.2 Warcraft 4.2.1 Warcraft III 4.2.2 World of Warcraft 5 Images 6 References

[edit] Overview

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 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.^[5] 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 shreads 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. ^[6] They do this by entering a brief chrysalis phase before emerging in their new form. This evolution was controlled by the new Queen breed.^[7]

[edit] Game Unit

[edit] StarCraft

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 units. 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.

The fast cooldown of the Zergling means it is devastating against units such as Dragoons.

[edit] Upgrades

• Burrow
• Carapace
• Melee Attacks
• Metabolic Boost
  • Cost: 100 100
  • Upgraded at: Spawning Pool
  • Requires: none
  • Increases Zergling speed.
• Adrenal Glands
  • Cost: 200 200
  • Upgraded at: Spawning Pool
  • Requires: Hive
  • Decreases cooldown time to 6.

[edit] 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.^[8]

[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
Race	Zerg
Role	Close combat strain
Statistics
Hit points	35[9]
Type	Ground, biological, light.
Production
Control	0.5
Minerals	25
Build time	23[10]
Produced at	Larva
Requires	Spawning Pool[9]
Hotkey	Z
Combat
Ground Attack	5[9]
Armor	0[9]
Range	1 (melee)

Zerglings have evolved, affecting such things as their appearance. They have small wings but cannot use them to fly.^[6]

[edit] Abilities

• Baneling Morph

Main article: Baneling

• Upgraded at: Baneling Nest^[11]
• Transform the Zergling into a green, glowing creature called a "Baneling" with a low-damage suicide attack.^[6]

Burrow
Acquisition
Minerals	50
Gas	50
Evolution time	35
Evolved at	Hatchery/Lair/Hive
Hotkey	B
Many Zerg ground units may burrow, rendering themselves invisible but incapable of moving or attacking.
Source

[edit] Upgrades

Metabolic Boost
Acquisition
Minerals	100
Gas	100
Evolution time	80
Evolved at	Spawning Pool
Hotkey	M
Increases the speed of Zerglings.
Source

Adrenal Glands
Acquisition
Minerals	200
Gas	200
Evolution time	80
Evolved at	Spawning Pool
Hotkey	A
Increases the attack rate of Zerglings by 20%.
Source

[edit] Strategies

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.^[12]

Banelings usually dominate zergling, but zerglings can win with micro.^[12]

[edit] Special Zergling Strains

• Devouring One
• Devours Children
• Meat Eater
• Meserole the Marauder
• Screamer
• War Zergling
• Zergrinch Goblin

[edit] Appearance

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.

[edit] StarCraft

[edit] StarCraft I

In StarCraft, they are bipedal creatures with Velociraptor-like legs. They have three webbed toes on the end of each. Protruding from below their head are two arms ending in scythe-like claws. When Zerglings stand still these scythes fold down against their stomachs. Zerglings run by hopping on all four lower limbs, and attack by extending their upper claws and slashing down, then quickly stabbing forward and slashing with the lower before the first motion ends. They can be upgraded to do this even faster, via adrenal glands. This design is based on the picture in the manual; in-game, they're slightly different (primarily in the upper claws).

In StarCraft's cinematics they look rather similar. However, they're much thinner, their head is more separate from the body, and they lack the upper arms. Their scythe-arms are more agile and do not tuck below the stomach, and they stand more upright. They hop the same way, and attack with quick alternating slashes from each claws. Their heads are more rounded in this form, and their chests are quite thin and have very visible ribcages; their faces resemble those of Hydralisks. Also, their rear legs have less joints, and simply go straight back then bend straight down when they stand still (on contrary to their legs supposed to be digitigrade). They are more agile than the other forms, and have been seen rearing up and leaning to the side in order to dodge incoming fire. Despite having fewer pairs of weapons, these seem to be the most dangerous incarnation of the Zergling.

[edit] StarCraft: Ghost

In StarCraft: Ghost, the appearance of the Zergling changed from a raptor-like bipedal creatures to catlike four-legged animals with an extra limb protruding from the back. This kind of design is followed by all the later versions of Zerglings, including in Warcraft 3 and World of Warcraft.

[edit] StarCraft II

In StarCraft II, they have two large scythe-like arms and small insectoid wings protruding from their backs. As in StarCraft, Zerglings are spawned in pairs.^[9]

[edit] Warcraft

[edit] Warcraft III

In Warcraft III, they look like dogs with chitinous silver armor on their backs. Scythes protrude diagonally about halfway between each set of limbs. Massive mandibles are found on their seemingly eyeless heads. They attack by slashing inward with their scissor-like claws.

[edit] World of Warcraft

In World of Warcraft, they appear as "vanity pets" and look much like in Warcraft III but are shorter, fatter, lack the spiked tail, are solid brown, and have wider mouths. They look generally cartoony, befitting their status as non-combat vanity pets.

[edit] Images

Zergling profile in StarCraft I	A 'wing ling'	The Zergling's profile in StarCraft II	A Swarm of Zerglings (StarCraft II)
The Zergling in Warcraft III	World of Warcraft vanity pet

[edit] References

Zerg Units and Structures of StarCraft/Brood War
Ground units	Larva · Drone · Zergling · Hydralisk · Lurker · Defiler · Ultralisk
Air units	Overlord · Mutalisk · Guardian · Devourer · Scourge · Queen
Infestation units	Broodling · Infested terran
Transition units	Egg · Lurker egg · Cocoon
Basic buildings	Hatchery · Extractor · Evolution chamber · Spawning pool · Creep colony · Spore colony · Sunken colony · Hydralisk den
Advanced buildings	Lair · Hive · Spire · Greater spire · Queen's nest · Nydus canal · Defiler mound · Ultralisk cavern · Infested command center

Zerg Units of StarCraft: Ghost
Ground units	PC Units — Hydralisk · Infested marine · Zergling — Other Units — Infested terran · Larva · Lurker · Ultralisk
Air units	PC Units — Mutalisk — Other Units — Overlord · Brain spectre

Zerg Units and Structures of StarCraft II
Land units	Larva · Morphalisk · Drone · Zergling · Baneling · Roach · Hydralisk · Lurker · Infestor · Ultralisk · Queen (Large) (Huge)
Air units	Overlord · Overseer · Mutalisk · Swarm guardian · Corruptor
Spawned units	Changeling · Infested marine · Swarm
Transition units	Egg · Baneling egg · Overlord cocoon · Guardian egg · Queen cocoon · Lurker egg
Basic buildings	Hatchery · Creep tumor · Extractor · Evolution chamber · Spawning pool · Spine crawler · Spore crawler · Roach warren · Baneling nest · Hydralisk den · Deep warren
Advanced buildings	Lair · Hive · Infestation pit · Spire · Greater spire · Nydus network · Nydus worm · Ultralisk cavern
Infestation Buildings	Infested terran buildings · Swarm Infestation
Removed Units	Infested protoss
Removed Buildings	Infested protoss buildings · Shrieker · Spore colony · Sunken colony · Swarm clutch