Stats
| Basic Information | Production | ||
| Race: | Zerg | Producer: | Zergling |
| Life: | 30 | Hotkey: | E |
| Armor: | 0 (3) | Requires: | Baneling Nest |
| Movement: | Normal | Cost: | 25 Minerals and 25 Gas |
| Cargo Size: | 2 | Supply: | - |
| Attributes: | Biological | Build Time: | 20 |
Upgrades
| Name | Hotkey | Cost | Build Time |
| Zerg Melee Attacks Level 1 | M | 100 Minerals + 100 Gas | 160 |
| Upgrades all Zerg melee attacks. | |||
| Zerg Melee Attacks Level 2 | M | 150 Minerals + 150 Gas | 190 |
| Further upgrades all Zerg melee attacks. | |||
| Zerg Melee Attacks Level 3 | M | 200 Minerals + 200 Gas | 220 |
| Maximizes all Zerg melee attacks. | |||
| Zerg Ground Carapace Level 1 | C | 150 Minerals + 150 Gas | 160 |
| Upgrades the armor of all Zerg ground units. | |||
| Zerg Ground Carapace Level 2 | C | 225 Minerals + 225 Gas | 190 |
| Further upgrades the armor of all Zerg ground units. | |||
| Zerg Ground Carapace Level 3 | C | 300 Minerals + 300 Gas | 220 |
| Maximizes the armor of all Zerg ground units. | |||
| Burrow | B | 100 Minerals + 100 Gas | 100 |
| Enables all Zerg ground units to use the Burrow ability. Burrow allows a unit to take cover underground, rendering it unable to attack. A burrowed unit is invisible unless revealed by detectors or effects. | |||
| Centrifugal Hooks | C | 150 Minerals + 150 Gas | 110 |
| Increases the movement speed of Banelings. | |||
Abilities
| Burrow | Buries the unit underground. Burrowed units are unable to move or attack, but they cannot be seen without detection. |
| Explode | The Baneling detonates where it is standing, damaging nearby enemy units and structures. |
| Enable Structure Attack | Allows Banelings to automatically target structures. Banelings deal 80 damage to structures. |
General Strategy
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Ground demolitions unit.
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Heavy damage against lightly armored foes like Zerglings or Marines, as well as structures.
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Can do high levels of damage very quickly when massed and allowed to hit the same target.
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Since buildings cannot dodge or evade, they make ideal targets for groups of Banelings, as do slow-moving troops and infantry.
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Do ’splash’ damage (damage in a small range around the ’blast radius’) when detonating.
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Can burrow with the Burrow upgrade.
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Able to detonate while burrowed.
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Can upgrade their speed with Centrifugal Hooks.
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Effective against light infantry – Marines, Zealots, Zerglings.
Evolutions
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BURROW: Allows the unit to take cover underground, rendering it unable to attack. A burrowed unit is invisible unless revealed by detectors or effects.
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CENTRIFUGAL HOOKS: Increases the speed of Banelings.
Countermeasures
VS Terran
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Use Siege Tanks in siege mode – their immense range can allow them to detonate Banelings before they get anywhere near the tanks.
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Armored units take less damage from Baneling attacks – place them near the front of your armies.
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Attempt to ’kite’ Banelings – flee from them with a large group of units while allowing one unit to lag behind and take the brunt of their explosions in a sacrifice play.
VS Zerg
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Groups of ranged anti-ground units like Hydralisks and Roaches (particularly with upgraded attacks) can destroy Banelings before they are able to detonate at key targets.
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Use Roaches as a meat shield.
VS Protoss
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All armored units are good at tanking Baneling damage.
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It’s possible to kill the Banelings before you engage using Psi Storm.
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Immortals also take minimal damage from Banelings due to their armor, and can strike them at range.
