Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings Guide

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings Guide
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Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Introduction

In this latest installment of our complete Starcraft 2 Zerg multiplayer guide, we tak a close look at the strange and twisted shapes that make up the Zerg building units and structures.

The Zerg are the least technological of the three Starcraft 2 races, their armies being based on their bizarre and alien biology, and their building structures are no different. Many of them resemble the fetid imaginings of some terrible Lovecraftian nightmare. It’s vital if you’re going to play Zerg in Starcraft 2 multiplayer online that you develop a firm grasp of the various building units, as many of the Zerg units require specialized structures to Research their respective Upgrades, a fact that makes this race arguably the hardest to play as for players new to SC2. This guide will help you decide on a build order that suits your end-game needs with full information on each Zerg building unit, its stats, weapons, Abilities and Researches.

Hatchery

The Hatchery is the foundation of your Zerg colony, and expanding your territory as the match progresses, since it can be built where no Creep presently exists. The Hatchery churns out the Larva units that you will evolve into your different Zerg units, and produces Creep to allow the other Zerg building units to be constructed.

Minerals: 300

Gas: -

Build Time: 100 secs

Health: 1250

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: Larva, Queen

Required: -

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Hatchery will spawn 9 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Mutate into Lair

Cast Time: 80 secs

The Hatchery evolves into the Lair unit, allowing access to further Zerg unit and building types.

Extractor

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Extractor

The Extractor unit is the focus of your economy, converting Minerals and Gas into resources.

Minerals: 25

Gas: -

Build Time: 30 secs

Health: 500

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: -

Required: -

Spawning Pool

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Spawning Pool

The Spawning Pool is the source of researched upgrades for your Zergling ground troop units.

Minerals: 200

Gas: -

Build Time: 65 secs

Health: 750

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: -

Required: Hatchery

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Spawning Pool will spawn 6 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Researches

Evolve Adrenal Glands

  • (Minerals: 200, Gas: 200, Time: 130 secs)
  • Required: Hive

Upgrade for the Zerg Zergling unit that increase its speed of Attack by a factor of +20%.

Evolve Metabolic Boost

  • (Minerals: 100, Gas: 100, Time: 110 secs)

Upgrade for the Zerg Zergling unit that increases its speed of movement by a factor of +20%.

Evolution Chamber

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Evolution Chamber

This building unit is the focal point for upgrades for weaponry and armor for all your Zerg ground forces.

Minerals: 75

Gas: -

Build Time: 35 secs

Health: 750

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: -

Required: Hatchery

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Evolution Chamber will spawn 6 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Researches

Melee Attacks 1-3 (Upgrade for all of the Zerg ground melee units)

  • Level 1: (Minerals: 100, Gas: 100, Time: 140 secs)
  • Level 2: (Minerals: 150, Gas: 150, Time: 170 secs)
  • Level 3: (Minerals: 200, Gas: 200, Time: 200 secs)
  • Required: Lair

Ground Carapace 1-3 (Upgrade for all of the Zerg ground units)

  • Level 1: (Minerals: 150, Gas: 150, Time: 140 secs)
  • Level 2: (Minerals: 225, Gas: 225, Time: 170 secs)
  • Level 3: (Minerals: 300, Gas: 300, Time: 200 secs)
  • Required: Lair

Missile Attacks 1-3 (Upgrade for all of the Zerg ground ranged units)

  • Level 1: (Minerals: 100, Gas: 100, Time: 140 secs)
  • Level 2: (Minerals: 150. Gas: 150, Time: 170 secs)
  • Level 3: (Minerals: 200, Gas: 200, Time: 200 secs)
  • Required: Lair

Spine Crawler

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Spine Crawler

The Spine Crawler is the main ground defense building unit for protecting your bases and supply chain.

Minerals: 100

Gas: -

Build Time: 50 secs

Health: 300

Energy: -

Armor: 2

Produces: -

Required: Spawning Pool

Weapons

Impaler Tentacle

  • Ground Attack
  • Attacks: 1
  • Range: 7
  • Damage: 25
  • Bonuses: +5 vs Armored

Abilities

Root

Type: Command

Cast Time: 12 secs

The Spine Crawler unit roots itself to the designated spot. In this state it is immobile but able to attack ground units.

Uproot

Type: Command:

Cast Time: 1 secs

The Spine Crawler unit can move across the map, though it is significantly slower when not on creep and unable to attack enemy units.

Spore Crawler

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Spore Crawler

The Spore Crawler fulfils the same duties as the Spine Crawler, but this time against incoming aerial attack.

Minerals: 75

Gas: -

Build Time: 30 secs

Health: 400

Energy: -

Armor: 2

Produces: -

Required: Evolution Chamber

Weapons

Spore Crawler

  • Air Attack
  • Attacks: 1
  • Range: 7
  • Damage: 15

Abilities

Root

Type: Command

Cast Time: 12 secs

The Spore Crawler unit roots itself to the designated spot. In this state it is immobile but able to attack air and detected units.

Uproot

Type: Command:

Cast Time: 1 secs

The Spore Crawler unit can move across the map, though it is significantly slower when not on creep and unable to attack enemy units

Detector

The Spore Crawler can detect burrowing, cloaked and hallucination enemy units

Hydralisk Den

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Hydralisk Den

The Hydralisk Den is required for the vital Grooved Spines upgrade for the Zerg Hydralisk unit.

Minerals: 100

Gas: 100

Build Time: 40 secs

Health: 850

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: -

Required: Lair

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Hydralisk Den will spawn 6 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Researches

Evolve Grooved Spines

  • (Minerals: 150, Gas: 150, Time: 80 secs)

Increases the range of the Zerg Hydralisk unit’s attacks.

Baneling Nest

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Baneling Nest

This building unit is the home for upgrades for Zerg Banelings.

Minerals: 100

Gas: 50

Build Time: 60 secs

Health: 850

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: -

Required: Spawning Pool

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Baneling Nest will spawn 6 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Researches

Evolve Centrifugal Hooks

  • (Minerals: 150, Gas: 150, Time: 110 secs)

This upgrade for the Baneling unit increases its movement speed.

Lair

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Lair

The Lair is an upgraded Hatchery that opens up Researches for Burrowing units and the Zerg Overlord.

Minerals: 150

Gas: 100

Build Time: 80 secs

Health: 1800

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: Larva, Queen

Required: Spawning Pool

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Lair will spawn 9 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Mutate into Hive

Cast Time: 100 secs

The Lair will evolve further into the Hive unit, allowing access to further researches and buildings.

Researches

Evolve Burrow

  • (Minerals: 100, Gas: 100, Time: 100 secs)
  • Required: Lair

This upgrade for certain Zerg units allows them to burrow and remain undetected by enemy units.

Evolve Pneumatized Carapace

  • (Minerals: 100, Gas: 100, Time: 60 secs)

Upgrade for the Zerg Overlord unit that increases its movement speed.

Evolve Ventral Sacs

  • (Minerals: 200, Gas: 200, Time: 130 secs)

Upgrade for the Zerg Overlord unit that allows it to act as a unit transport.

Roach Warren

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Roach Warren

As is the established Zerg pattern, the Roach unit has its own dedicated Research building unit.

Minerals: 150

Gas: -

Build Time: 55 secs

Health: 850

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: -

Required: Spawning Pool

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Roach Warren will spawn 6 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Researches

Evolve Glial Reconstitution

  • (Minerals: 100, Gas: 100, Time: 110 secs)

Upgrade for the Zerg Roach unit that increases its movement speed.

Evolve Tunneling Claws

  • (Minerals: 150, Gas: 150, Time: 110 secs)

Upgrade for the Zerg Roach unit that gives it the ability to move while burrowed and also allows it to regenerate lost Hit Points when under the ground.

Infestation Pit

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Infestation Pit

The Infestation Pit provides the Zerg Infestor with its vitally important Neural Parasite Ability, allowing it to take control of enemy units and turn them against their comrades.

Minerals: 100

Gas: 100

Build Time: 50 secs

Health: 850

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: -

Required: Lair

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Infestation Pit will spawn 6 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Researches

Evolve Pathogen Glands

  • (Minerals: 150, Gas: 150, Time: 80 secs)

Upgrade for the Zerg Infestor unit that increase its starting Energy stat by +25

Evolve Neural Parasite

  • (Minerals: 150, gas: 150, Time: 110 secs)

Upgrade for the Zerg Infestor unit that unlocks the Neural Parasite Ability.

Spire

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Spire

The Spire unlocks Researched Weapon and Armor Upgrades for Zerg aerial units.

Minerals: 200

Gas: 200

Build Time: 100 secs

Health: 600

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: -

Required: Lair

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Spire will spawn 6 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Mutate Into Greater Spire

Cast Time: 100 secs

The Spire unit will mutate into a Greater Spire unit, unlocking researches for Zerg aerial units.

Researches

Flyer Attacks 1-3 (Upgrade for all of the Zerg air 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: Hive

Flyer Carapace 1-3 (Upgrade for all of the Zerg air units)

  • Level 1: (Minerals: 150, Gas: 150, Time: 140 secs)
  • Level 2: (Minerals: 225, Gas: 225, Time: 170 secs)
  • Level 3: (Minerals: 300, Gas: 300, Time: 200 secs)
  • Required: Hive

Nydus Network

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Nydus Network

The Nydus Network illustrates the crossover between technology and biology in the Zerg forces. It allows a giant worm to act as a troop transport for your units to ferry them across the battlefield.

Minerals: 150

Gas: 200

Build Time: 50 secs

Health: 850

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: Nydus Worm

Required: Lair

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Nydus Network will spawn 6 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Summon Nydus Worm

Cast Time: 20 secs

The Nydus Network unit will summon a Nydus Worm allowing the transport of friendly units to any other Nydus Network on the map.

Load

Type: Command

The Nydus Network will take onboard an unlimited amount of friendly units.

Unload

Type: Command

The Nydus Network will unload all the transported units.

Hive

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Hive

The further upgrade for the Hatchery and Lair buildings.

Minerals: 200

Gas: 150

Build Time: 100 secs

Health: 2500

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: Queen

Required: Infestation Pit

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Hive will spawn 6 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Researches

Evolve Burrow

  • (Minerals: 100, Gas: 100, Time: 100 secs)
  • Required: Lair

This upgrade for certain Zerg units allows them to burrow and remain undetected by enemy units.

Evolve Pneumatized Carapace

  • (Minerals: 100, Gas: 100, Time: 60 secs)

Upgrade for the Zerg Overlord unit that increases its movement speed.

Evolve Ventral Sacs

  • (Minerals: 200, Gas: 200, Time: 130 secs)

Upgrade for the Zerg Overlord unit that allows it to act as a unit transport.

Ultralisk Cavern

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Ultralisk Cavern

This structure provides the Ultralisk with its Chitinous Plating Upgrade.

Minerals: 150

Gas: 200

Build Time: 65 secs

Health: 600

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: -

Required: Hive

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Ultralisk Cavern will spawn 6 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Researches

Evolve Chitinous Plating

  • (Minerals: 150, Gas: 150, Time: 110 secs)

Upgrade for the Zerg Ultralisk unit that increases its Armor stat by +2

Greater Spire

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Greater Spire

An evolved Spire, unlocking Researches for aerial units.

Minerals: 100

Gas: 150

Build Time: 100 secs

Health: 1000

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: -

Required: Hive

Abilities

Spawn Broodlings

Cast Time: Instant

The Greater Spire will spawn 6 Broodlings when destroyed by enemy units.

Researches

Flyer Attacks 1-3 (Upgrade for all of the Zerg air 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: Hive

Flyer Carapace 1-3 (Upgrade for all of the Zerg air units)

  • Level 1: (Minerals: 150, Gas: 150, Time: 140 secs)
  • Level 2: (Minerals: 225, Gas: 225, Time: 170 secs)
  • Level 3: (Minerals: 300, Gas: 300, Time: 200 secs)
  • Required: Hive

Creep Tumor

Starcraft 2 Zerg Buildings - Creep Tumor

An unusual structure produced from a Zerg Queen unit, that acts as a Creep generator allowing you to expand your building network.

Minerals: -

Gas: -

Build Time: 15 secs

Health: 50

Energy: -

Armor: 1

Produces: -

Required: Queen

Abilities

Spawn Creep Tumor

Type: Command

Cast Time: 15 secs

Energy: 25

This ability produces a burrowed Creep generator that will feed nearby Zerg building units.

Conclusion

The Starcraft 2 Zerg buildings are a weird and disturbing collection of biological growths. Mastering a build order while playing Zerg in Starcraft 2 multiplayer online is vital, due to so many of the Zerg units requiring individual structures to access their Upgrades. Learn the information contained within this building units guide, and then apply it to overwhelm and absorb your many enemies on Battle.net.

This post is part of the series: The Complete Starcraft 2 Building Units Guide

Bright Hub has compiled one of the most indepth guides to all the available Building Units and Structures for Terran, Protoss and Zerg players in Starcraft 2 online multiplayer available anywhere on the Web. Each article has all the stats, Upgrades, Abilities and Researches info you need for SC2.

  1. Guide to Terran Buildings in Starcraft 2
  2. The Complete Starcraft 2 Protoss Building Units Guide
  3. The Complete Starcraft 2 Zerg Building Units Guide