 | The small, savage Dune-Runners of the sandworld Zz’gash were incorporated into the Swarm to serve as lookouts and assault troops. Although Zerglings are little more than feral animals, they work well in large groups under the command of larger Zerg. The voracious Zerglings are fond of ripping enemies to shreds with their razor-sharp, sickle-like limbs and fangs. Because the genetic code of the Zergling is so simple to replicate, a single Larva can spawn two separate Zerglings. |
Stats
| Basic Information | Production | ||
| Race: | Zerg | Producer: | Larva |
| Life: | 35 | Hotkey: | Z |
| Armor: | 0 (3) | Requires: | Spawning Pool |
| Movement: | Fast | Cost: | 50 Minerals |
| Cargo Size: | 1 | Supply: | 1 |
| Attributes: | Light - Biological | Build time: | 24 |
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. | |||
| Adrenal Glands | A | 200 Minerals + 200 Gas | 130 |
| Increases the attack speed of Zerglings by 20%. | |||
| Metabolic Boost | M | 100 Minerals + 100 Gas | 110 |
| Increases the movement speed of Zerglings. | |||
Weapon
| Name | Target | Range | Speed | Type | Damage |
| Claws | Ground | Melee | Fast | Normal (Melee) | 5 (8) |
Abilities
| Burrow | Buries the unit underground. Burrowed units are unable to move or attack, but they cannot be seen without detection. |
General Strategy
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High-speed, fast-attacking ground unit.
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Inexpensive and fast, but individually fragile.
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Can increase movement speed with the Metabolic Boost upgrade, which can help assist in surrounding enemy units and catching fleeing foes.
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Can increase attack speed with Adrenal Gland upgrade.
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Can burrow with the Burrow upgrade.
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Can be turned into Banelings with the baneling morph upgrade.
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Effective scouting unit due to low cost and ability to burrow once researched.
Countermeasures
VS Terran
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Employ Hellions, which burn multiple Zerglings with single flamethrower shots. Their speed also gives them an opportunity to run away from Zerglings. Get the Infernal Pre-Igniter upgrade.
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Wall off entry points to your base with bunkers or supply depots, attempting to either prevent zerglings from entering or funneling them into a narrow chokepoint while blasting at them with ranged units.
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At range, Stimpacks increase the Marines’ effectiveness against Zerglings.
VS Zerg
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Utilize Roaches against Zerglings, and burrow when needed to regenerate their health.
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Ultralisks can deliver destructive area-of-effect attacks that eliminate multiple Zerglings at the same time, as can detonating Banelings.
VS Protoss
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Utilize photon cannons to protect your base –- they can kill smaller groups of Zerglings very quickly, and can also be used to create chokepoints to funnel Zerglings through and limit their attacks.
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Zealots, especially those with weapon upgrades and the Charge ability, can efficiently slay Zerglings without taking heavy losses themselves. Create choke points for your Zealots using Sentry Force Fields.
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Area-of-effect attacks or attacks with ’splash damage’ like those of Colossi can be extremely effective in taking down Zerglings. High Templars’ ’Psi Storm’ ability can achieve a similar effect.
