Starcraft 2 Protoss Zealot Guide for Beginners

Starcraft 2 Protoss Zealot Guide for Beginners
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Starcraft 2 Protoss Zealot - The Basics

Bright Hub’s Starcraft 2 Protoss multiplayer guide continues with a look at the Zealot unit.

Martial monks devoted to the study of the art of warfare, the Zealot is the building block of the Protoss military forces in Starcraft 2. Initially, these units may appear expensive and time-consuming compared to their Terran and Zerg opposite numbers, but as battle is fully joined, the Zealot punches well above its weight. In this article, we’ll give the beginner SC2 player a rundown on everything you need to know, from statistics to strategies, about the Starcraft 2 Protoss Zealot.

For more advanced tactics, check out our Starcraft 2 Protoss Strategy Guide and Protoss Builds articles.

SC2 Protoss Zealot Vital Stats

Production and Properties:

  • Minerals: 100
  • Gas: 0
  • Supply: 2
  • Build Time: 33 secs
  • Produced By: Gateway
  • Requires: -
  • Hotkey: Z
  • Max Energy: 0

Movement and Protection:

  • Speed: 2.25
  • Acceleration: 999.84
  • Hit Points: 100
  • Shields: 50
  • Armor: 1
  • Armor Type: Biological, Light

Weaponry:

Psi Blades

  • Ground Attack
  • Attacks: 2
  • Range: 1
  • Damage: 8

SC2 Protoss Zealot Upgrades and Abilities

Upgrades:

Shields 1-3 (Upgrade for all of the Protoss units)

  • Level 1: (Minerals: 200, Gas: 200, Time: 140 secs)

  • Level 2: (Minerals: 300, Gas: 300, Time: 170 secs)

  • Level 3: (Minerals: 400, Gas: 400, Time: 200 secs)

  • Required: Twilight Council

Ground Weapons 1-3 (Upgrade for all Protoss ground units)

  • Level 1: (Minerals: 100, Gas: 100, Time: 140 secs)

  • Level 2: (Minerals: 175, Gas: 175, Time: 170 secs)

  • Level 3: (Minerals: 250, Gas: 250, Time: 200 secs)

Required: Twilight Council

Ground Armor 1-3 (Upgrade for all Protoss ground units)

  • Level 1: (Minerals: 100, Gas: 100, Time: 140 secs)

  • Level 2: (Minerals: 175, Gas: 175, Time: 170 secs)

  • Level 3: (Minerals: 250, Gas: 250, Time: 200 secs)

  • Required: Twilight Council

Charge (Upgrade for Protoss Zealot unit)

  • (Minerals: 200, Gas: 200, Time: 140 secs)

Abilities:

  • Charge: The Protoss Zealot has improved movement speed and will intercept enemies near it.
  • Type: Auto
  • Range: 4
  • Cooldown: 10 secs

Starcraft 2 Protoss Zealot Strategy Tips and Tricks

Starcraft 2 Protoss Zealot

Strong Against:

Vulnerable To:

Protoss vs Protoss

The basic Protoss ground unit, the Zealot is more expensive compared to the likes of the Marine and Zergling, but makes up for it with hitting power. Against a Protoss opponent, use Zealot squads to swarm slow moving heavy units such as the Immortal, and keep your enemy off-guard by making full use of the battlefield maneuverability the WarpGate offers, but beware of Colossus units and Sentries employing force fields to break up your Zealot ranks into smaller squads to pick off at their leisure.

Protoss vs Terran

When fighting groups of Terran Marines or Marauders, attempt to lure them out into open areas and make full use of the Zealot’s Charge ability to close the gap rapidly. The Zealot is highly vulnerable to fast-moving units like the Reaper and the Hellion, especially when the latter is equipped with the Infernal Pre-Igniter upgrade.

Protoss vs Zerg

Zealots can easily stand toe-to-toe with even large hordes of Zerglings, and are a good solution to a lot of Zerg ground units, but keep an eye out for movement-upgraded Roaches and Infestors casting Fungal Growth. Equip a Sentry with a Guardian Shield to provide Zealot forces with some defence against the ranged attacks of Hydralisks.

Conclusion

As with many of its race’s units, the Starcraft 2 Protoss Zealot can initially seem expensive and difficult to output in sufficient quantities compared to its Terran and Zerg equivalents, the Marine and Zergling. However, the Zealot is ultimately a far more durable unit than either of those two, and as a match progresses, a good standing force of Protoss Zealots will come into their own. Deploy them wisely, especially with support from Sentries, and these ground troops will do you proud in Starcraft 2 multiplayer.