How to Play the Zerg in StarCraft

Ravenous Zerg swarms are a force to be reckoned with. Their Zerglings are dangerous in packs and can be cranked out in very little time. Their Hydralisks are deadly. The growth of their swarm is almost never-ending. How do you master the tricks of playing the Zerg in StarCraft? Use these tips to get more out of your swarm.

Instructions

1. Try the Zergling Rush. This doesn't always work, but if you're playing a small single-player map or even a small multiplayer map that allows rushing, the Zerg are THE way to go if you want to win a quick game. See Resources below for our Zergling Rush article.

2. Expand the Creep. The Zerg are limited by space, in that only the Hatchery can be constructed on open terrain. All other Zerg buildings must be built on their layer of growth called the Creep. Creep Colonies expand the Creep, and can also be mutated into defensive structures.

3. Pair Creep Colonies. It may seem like a waste to put a pair of Creep Colonies right next to each other, but this is an effective defense. Mutate one colony into a Spore Colony and the other into a Sunken Colony. This will allow both to combat ground or air units that wander into their zone, and keep you from spreading your defense and leaving each colony weak to one of type of attack.

4. Use Hydralisks as your main ground unit. While Zerglings are handy in the beginning, they are quickly defeated once your enemy starts building tougher units. Hydralisks make the perfect replacement; they can attack air units, they are tougher and they can be upgraded.

5. Mix your Flyer Fleet. One of the Zerg's drawbacks is a vulnerability to highly specialized units. Guardians may be able to blast turrets before they can get shot, but they have no aerial attack, and as such are highly vulnerable to Corsair and Valkyrie strikes. By sending Guardians out with either Devourers or Mutalisks, you eliminate the threat of an air attack.

6. Use Lurkers as mobile Sunken Colonies. By morphing Hydralisks into Lurkers, you turn them into a very deadly ambush unit. Plant several by entrances to your base and they will form a first line of defense against enemy infantry. Just make sure you keep a Mutalisk or Spore Colony nearby, otherwise your Lurkers will be vulnerable to aerial assault.

7. Build extra Overlords. Not only are they necessary for expanding your army, Overlords are also used for transporting Zerg infantry and for scouting out enemy locations. Having extras around ensures you can always expand, and that you have several expendable transports/scouts.