 | It is believed that the semi-intelligent spacefaring leviathans known as the Gargantis Proximae were first inducted into the Swarm so that their heightened senses could benefit the Zerg in battle. Whatever their starting point, Overlords were rapidly evolved to relay commands and keep the Swarm coordinated during combat. The importance of this function is underlined by the sheer number of Overlords found accompanying Zerg forces. Overlords are extremely flexible in their support role, often serving as advanced scouts and disgorging creep to prepare the way for further Zerg conquests. With the correct growth stimuli, Overlords are even capable of evolving the ability to transport Zerg warriors within their hollow carapaces. |
Stats
| Basic Information | Production | ||
| Race: | Zerg | Producer: | Larva |
| Life: | 200 | Hotkey: | V |
| Armor: | 0 (3) | Cost: | 100 Minerals |
| Movement: | Very Slow | Supply: | - |
| Attributes: | Armored - Biological | Build time: | 25 |
Upgrades
| Name | Hotkey | Cost | Build Time |
| Zerg Flyer Carapace Level 1 | C | 150 Minerals + 150 Gas | 160 |
| Upgrades the armor of all Zerg air units. | |||
| Zerg Flyer Carapace Level 2 | C | 225 Minerals + 225 Gas | 190 |
| Further upgrades the armor of all Zerg air units. | |||
| Zerg Flyer Carapace Level 3 | C | 300 Minerals + 300 Gas | 220 |
| Maximizes the armor of all Zerg air units. | |||
| Pneumatized Carapace | P | 100 Minerals + 100 Gas | 60 |
| Increases the movement speed of Overlords and Overseers. | |||
| Ventral Sacs | E | 200 Minerals + 200 Gas | 130 |
| Allows Overlords to transport units. | |||
Abilities
| Morph to Overseer | Advanced aerial observer. Provides the same supply as an Overlord. Can use the Spawn Changeling and Contaminate abilities. |
| Generate Creep | Makes the Overlord start to generate creep. Creep will only be generated when the Overlord isn’t moving. Creep feeds nearby Zerg structures. |
General Strategy
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Air-based supply and transport unit.
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Provides ’unit supply’ to increase the army’s capacity as more Overlords are spawned -– the death of Overlords can result in a significant drop in the army’s supply.
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Can transport and drop Zerg units with Ventral Sacs upgrade.
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Can scout more effectively with the Pneumatized Carapace speed upgrade.
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Can excrete creep in order to increase the Zerg army movement speed on the battlefield and to inhibit non-Zerg races from building structures.
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Able to evolve into Overseer detection units.
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Effective but slow scout unit.
Countermeasures
VS Terran
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The most basic Terran unit, the Marine, is more than sufficient to take down Overlords, especially when used in groups.
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Sensor Towers increase the range at which Terran players will be able to spot incoming Overlords, to intercept and destroy them before they reach key locations.
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Missile Towers make short work of eavesdropping Overlords.
VS Zerg
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Queens at your base can take down Overlords, while patrolling groups of Hydralisks deal enough damage to eliminate them before they can learn about your base defenses or production.
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Placing Spore Crawler buildings at the edges of your bases can limit the amount of intelligence an Overlord is able to gather before it has to flee or be destroyed.
VS Protoss
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Most anti-air defenses are effective at defeating Overlords – Stalkers and static Photon Cannons are sufficient to eliminate nearly any size scouting group quickly.
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Small Phoenix fleets make great Overlord hunters.
