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StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm

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StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm - Hydralisk

The evolutionary matrix of the caterpillar-like herbivorous Slothien was supercharged by the original Overmind, who twisted the hapless creatures into nightmarish killers known as Hydralisks. Within the plates of their carapaces, Hydralisks house hundreds of armor-piercing spines that can be fired in volleys at enemies approaching from ground or air.

The remarkable musculature of the Hydralisk (4,000 muscles compared to a Terran’s 629) can launch a Needle Spine at astounding speeds, easily penetrating 2 centimeters of solid neosteel even at maximum range. Under any circumstances, massed groups of Hydralisks should be approached with extreme caution, and preferably with Siege Tank support.

Stats

              Basic Information             Production
Race: Zerg Producer: Larva
Life: 80 Hotkey: H
Armor: 0 (3) Requires: Hydralisk Den
Movement: Normal Cost:  100 Minerals and 50 Gas
Cargo Size: 2 Supply: 2
Attributes: Light - Biological Build Time: 44

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.
Grooved Spines C 150 Minerals + 150 Gas 80
Increase the attack range of Hydralisks by +1.
Muscular Augments A 150 Minerals + 150 Gas 100
Hydralisks move 25% faster off creep.

Weapon

Name Target Range Speed Type Damage
Needle Spines Any 5 Fast Normal (Ranged) 12 (15)

Abilities

Burrow Buries the unit underground. Burrowed units are unable to move or attack, but they cannot be seen without detection.

General Strategy

  • High-damage ranged unit.

  • Able to attack air and ground units.

  • Best paired with other unit types to protect their high damage output from enemies.

  • Can improve attack range with Grooved Spines upgrade.

  • Can burrow with Burrow upgrade.

  • Can improve movement speed off of creep with the Muscular Augments upgrade.

  • Effective at attacking air units when grouped in large numbers.

    Countermeasures

    VS Terran

    • Use vehicles such as Siege Tanks in Siege Mode to attack Hydralisks from range. Siege Tanks are especially effective when Hydralisks are grouped which can give you the opportunity to eliminate multiple Hydralisks at once.

    • Hellions with upgrades kill Hydralisks quickly. Make sure to approach the Hydralisk pack to maximize on the splash damage.

    VS Zerg

    • Swarms of upgraded Zerglings are able to swiftly surround and destroy individual Hydralisks; similarly, Banelings get a significant boost to their detonation damage against Hydralisks.

    • Roaches’ armor and health pools allow them to efficiently defeat Hydralisks.

    VS Protoss

    • Use Sentries equipped with the “Guardian Shield” ability to significantly reduce damage to your units when faced with large groups of Hydralisks.

    • The High Templar’s “Psi Storm” ability is extremely effective against stationary Hydralisks.

    • Zealots have the ability to cheaply soak up a large amount of damage from Hydralisks, while dealing a fair amount back. Research Charge to make sure Hydralisks can’t kite.

    • Colossus splash damage also destroys Hydralisk swarms.

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    StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Units

    Terran

    SCV Marine Marauder Reaper Ghost Hellion Siege Tank Thor Viking Medivac Raven Banshee Battlecruiser Hellbat Widow Mine

    Zerg

    Larva Drone Overlord Zergling Queen Hydralisk Baneling Overseer Roach Infestor Mutalisk Corruptor Nydus Worm Ultralisk Brood Lord Swarm Host Viper

    Protoss

    Probe Zealot Stalker Sentry Observer Immortal Warp Prism Colossus Phoenix Void Ray High Templar Dark Templar Archon Carrier Mothership Mothership Core Tempest Oracle

    4.31/5
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    Quick Details

    Franchise(s)
    StarCraft II
    StarCraft
    Developer(s)
    Blizzard Entertainment
    Publisher(s)
    Blizzard Entertainment
    Key People
    Chris Metzen
    Chris Sigaty
    Dustin Browder
    Frank Pearce
    Claudio Gentilini
    Eric Matteson
    Kristoffer Barcarse
    Rodney Tsing
    Kaeo Milker
    Jordan Womack
    Release Dates
    Microsoft Windows

    Mar 12, 2013

    Mar 12, 2013

    Mar 12, 2013

    Mac OS

    Mar 12, 2013

    Mar 12, 2013

    Mar 12, 2013

    Genre Strategy
    Sub-Genres(s) Real-Time Strategy
    Theme(s) Sci-Fi
    Alternative Name(s) HOTS, SC

    Page Contributors

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    42 points Skarrian

    10 points Sohli
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        • Zealot
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        • Bunker
        • Missile Turret
        • Sensor Tower
        • Factory
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        • Starport
        • Ghost Academy
        • Fusion Core
      • Zerg
        • Hatchery
        • Lair
        • Hive
        • Extractor
        • Spawning Pool
        • Roach Warren
        • Baneling Nest
        • Evolution Chamber
        • Spine Crawler
        • Spore Crawler
        • Hydralisk Den
        • Infestation Pit
        • Nydus Network
        • Spire
        • Greater Spire
        • Ultralisk Cavern
        • Creep Tumor
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        • Assimilator
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