Finally! After almost one full year since they released the first bits of information regarding Starcraft 2, we can finally see the Zerg in all their glory. If you haven’t heard, Blizzard has unveiled the Zerg section on their site. In the early game trailers, we indeed had a brief glimpse of the Zergling unit, which apparently is the same devilish swarmer that it was in the first game. Although, it now has the ability to turn into explosive rolling cannonballs called baneling. And when working together, they can spell out “GG” on the screen... I kid. But I’m sure every Starcraft 2 Zerg fan was left drooling for more, so grab out the old slimy exoskeleton and get ready to do some Zerg-style acid phlegm spitting.

Unfortunately, the Zerg section is not very populated with information, but hey, it’s better than nothing, so we’ll just work with what they throw us. So far, only 2 units are covered on the official Starcraft 2 website, namely the hydralisks and the mutalisks although I must point out that available screenshots and videos show many other Zerg units (ultralisks, nydus worms etc.).

Starcraft 2 Zerg Overview – Hydralisks

Gameplay Dynamics

Admittedly, the hydralisk was my favorite unit in the original Starcraft game. Now, I’m not saying the Terran Ghosts, or Protoss Dark Templars weren’t cool enough to win my fav, but let’s face it…who can compete with a spitting snake-like alien versus predator assassin? Apparently, the new and improved hydralisks won’t change too much from the original ones. They still crawl in their traditional manner, they still spit at enemies (apparently the 10-year waiting didn’t improve their manners) and best of all, Blizzard even kept most of their sounds, which were excellent to begin with!

Unit Lore

Honestly, the hydralisk lore presented on the Starcraft 2 site didn’t really reveal any new information. One thing that caught my eye though: apparently “Under any circumstances, massed groups of hydralisks should be approached with extreme caution and preferably siege tank support.” This might actually be a hint towards how they’re going to develop the hydralisk counter tactics. If you don’t get what I’m talking about, let me remind you that in Starcraft 2, Blizzard has tried to design the game so that almost every unit will have a couple of counter-units that will be that much more effective against them.

Starcraft 2 Zerg Overview – Mutalisks

Gameplay Dynamics

The mutalisk will still be the same mass attack aerial unit that we learned to love or fear in the original game, depending if we were on the receiving end of its glave wurm or not. According to the Starcraft 2 Zerg section, mutalisks will make for the bulk of the Zerg forces in the air and since they’re equally effective in their air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. The only problem with mutalisks, just like in the original Starcraft is their limited vitality, although they’ll make up for that through reduced costs and numbers.

Conclusion

I don’t know about you, but I’m eagerly anticipating the rest of the units and Zerg buildings. So far the Protoss and Terran new units have been a treat and I can’t see why the Zerg would disappoint, Blizzard has always been very creative when they had to make up slimy alien creatures. If you are interested in learning more check out some of the related Links. Also Check Out the Latest Trailer: