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The Zerg Swarm - Units and Structures

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STARCRAFT
  Race Overview
    Terran
    Zerg Units
    Zerg Structures
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Go to GameSpot's Guide to Broodwar

Queen's Nest

This almost artistically symmetrical dome-like structure provides Zerg Larva with the genetic information necessary to morph into the dreaded Queen. The Queen's Nest becomes available after your Hatchery is upgraded to a Lair, and in turn lets the Lair upgrade to a Hive, so you must construct it as soon as resources allow, whether you intend to deploy Queens or not.

Hit Points 850
Time to Build 60
Cost 150m 100g
Requires Lair
Special Options   Evolve Spawn Broodlings 200m 200g Time 80
  Evolve Ensnare 100m 100g Time 80
  Evolve Gamete Meiosis 150m 150g Time 166

Queens are fast, versatile flying units that use various parasitic organisms to benefit the Zerg by harming the enemy. You may evolve new abilities for your Queens at the Nest, including Spawn Broodlings, a fatal attack that imbibes most any ground units with a vicious pair of infant Zerg creatures; and Ensnare, which coats the target in a sticky film that slows it down. Evolving Gamete Meiosis increases your Queens' maximum energy capacity by 50 points, letting them employ their useful abilities more often.

Spire

Once your Hatchery is upgraded to a Lair, you may set up a Spire that lets your Larva morph into Mutalisks and Scourge suicide bombers, two key members of the Zerg airforce. The Spire is very slow to build, expensive, and vulnerable, yet the Zerg airforce is so powerful that the investment and risk tends to be worthwhile. After you upgrade your Lair to a Hive, you may in turn upgrade to a Greater Spire, which lets your Mutalisks morph into their Guardian aspect. The Spire can also be used to evolve attack and carapace upgrades for your flying units. Attack upgrades do not affect the naturally deadly Scourge, but greatly benefit your Mutalisks and Guardians (once they become available). You need a consistently fast flow of resources to build a Spire and hatch the costly flying units it makes available.

Hit Points 600
Time to Build 120
Cost 200m 150g
Requires Lair
Special Options Upgrade Flier Attack
  Level 1 100m 100g Time 266
  Level 2 200m 200g Time 298 Requires Hive
  Level 3 250m 250g Time 330
Evolve Flier Carapace
  Level 1 150m 150g Time 266
  Level 2 225m 225g Time 298 Requires Hive
  Level 3 300m 300g Time 330
Mutate Greater Spire 100m 150g Requires Hive