 | In the years following the Brood War, Kerrigan became obsessed with the genetic codes of species with hyper-regenerative properties. The most impressive example was the unassuming acidic Zantar Slug living in the humid, mountainous depths of Garrxax. This tiny slug was capable of healing itself at rapid rates, and it also excreted mucus that could eat through neosteel. Consequently it was quickly assimilated into the Swarm. Thus the Roach was evolved, a creature that can heal itself rapidly and deliver deadly ranged acid blasts. In a one-on-one battle, not much can stand against this regenerating monstrosity. |
Stats
| Basic Information | Production | ||
| Race: | Zerg | Producer: | Larva |
| Life: | 145 | Hotkey: | R |
| Armor: | 1 (4) | Requires: | Roach Warren |
| Movement: | Normal | Cost: | 75 Minerals and 25 Gas |
| Cargo Size: | 2 | Supply: | 2 |
| Attributes: | Armored - Biological | Build Time: | 27 |
Upgrades
| Name | Hotkey | Cost | Build Time |
| Zerg Missile Attacks Level 1 | A | 100 Minerals + 100 Gas | 160 |
| Upgrades the attacks of all Zerg ground ranged units. | |||
| Zerg Missile Attacks Level 2 | A | 150 Minerals + 150 Gas | 190 |
| Further upgrades the attacks of all Zerg ground ranged units. | |||
| Zerg Missile Attacks Level 3 | A | 200 Minerals + 200 Gas | 220 |
| Maximizes the attacks of all Zerg ground ranged units. | |||
| 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. | |||
| Glial Reconstitution | G | 100 Minerals + 100 Gas | 110 |
| Increases the movement speed of roaches. | |||
| Tunneling Claws | T | 150 Minerals + 150 Gas | 110 |
| Enables Roaches to move while burrowed. Increases the life-regeneration rate of burrowed Roaches. | |||
Weapon
| Name | Target | Range | Speed | Type | Damage |
| Acid Saliva | Ground | 4 | Slow | Disintegrate (Ranged) | 16 (22) |
Abilities
| Burrow | Buries the unit underground. Burrowed units are unable to move or attack, but they cannot be seen without detection. |
| Rapid Regeneration | The Roach regenerates life very quickly while burrowed. |
General Strategy
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Short-ranged anti-ground unit.
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Can burrow with the Burrow upgrade, and move while burrowed with the Tunneling Claws upgrade.
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Difficult to kill due to regeneration ability.
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Regenerates hitpoints faster while burrowed.
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Can upgrade their above-ground movement speed with the Glial Reconstitution upgrade.
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Effective at skirmishing and blocking chokepoints due to regeneration.
Countermeasures
VS Terran
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Employ high-damage units such as Siege Tanks and Banshees. Their damage output will allow them to take the Roaches down quickly.
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Use Ravens to help spot burrowed Roaches and prevent them from sneaking up on Siege Tanks in Siege Mode.
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Utilize Marauders since they deal bonus damage against the Roach’s armor and also significantly outrange them. It’s possible to kite the Roaches using the Concussive Shells upgrade which slows down targets hit by the Marauder.
VS Zerg
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Include an Overseer in your attack squadrons to help spot burrowed Roaches.
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Utilize Mutalisks to attack Roaches from the air, where they won’t be able to fire back.
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In open areas, upgraded Zerglings beat Roaches.
VS Protoss
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Immortals take extremely minimal damage from Roach attacks, and kill them fairly quickly.
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High-damage air units such as Void Rays also do well against Roaches.
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Observers help spot burrowed Roaches and allow your army to kill them before they can regenerate their hit points.
