Hydralisk

The Hydralisk is a ranged-attack Zerg warrior.

Overview
The Hydralisk is a Zerg evolution of the Slothien. While Slothiens were peaceful herbivores, the Hydralisk is noted as being one of the most fierce and sadistic of the Zerg strains. Hydralisks commonly reach 5.5 meters in length and can draw themselves up to over 2.4 meters in height. Hydralisks are relatively slow over open terrain. As such, the Hydralisk tends to burrow and wait for enemies to approach it rather than engage them directly.

Hydralisks may attack directly with scythe-like arms or strike from a distance with volleys of armor-piercing spines, the latter being the more common method of attack. Hundreds of spines are stored in the upper carapace plates. The spines may penetrate 2cm of neosteel and are slightly poisonous. .

A more sophisticated version of the Hydralisk exists in the form of the Hunter Killer.

The first recorded encounter between Terrans and Hydralisks was aboard a cargo vessel. The Hydralisk was recorded by the derelict ship's security cameras.

StarCraft
Hydralisks have a single ranged-attack, unlike in the cinematics where they may melee attack. They are the only Zerg ground unit able to hit air targets.

In StarCraft: Brood War, Hydralisks gain the ability to morph into Lurkers.

Abilities

 * Burrow
 * Lurker Aspect
 * Cost: 200 0 200
 * Researched at: Hydralisk Den
 * Requires: Lair
 * Allows a Hydralisk to morph into a Lurker for 50 minerals, 100 vespene gas, and 1 additional control (Lurkers require 2 control).

Upgrades

 * Missile Attacks
 * Carapace
 * Muscular Augments
 * Cost: 150 0 150
 * Upgraded at: Hydralisk Den
 * Requires: none
 * Increases Hydralisk speed.
 * Grooved Spines
 * Cost: 150 0 150
 * Upgraded at: Hydralisk Den
 * Requires: none
 * Increases Hydralisk range to 5.

StarCraft: Ghost
Hydralisks are featured as a player unit in StarCraft: Ghost, in addition to acting as enemies. Hydralisk maintain their StarCraft abilities but also gain a powerful claw attack. Their needle spines attack is not particularly accurate.

Warcraft III
A Hydralisk unit is available as an easter egg in the single player campaign of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. In the second Night Elves mission, "Daughters of the Moon", the Hydralisk is hidden in the forest north of the final undead camp, almost right next to the site where abandoned Ballistas are available for rescue. They can be obtained by using the newly obtained ballistas to destroy trees, then bringing a friendly unit near it.

In WarCraft III, the Hydralisk's attack can clearly be seen - it opens shoulder plates to fire its spines at the enemy (as opposed to firing them from the groove in its lower jaw).

StarCraft II
It has not been confirmed as to whether Hydralisks will be featured in StarCraft II. However, they have appeared in several concept arts, and even in the cinematics. However, it does not necessarily mean that they are actually set to appear.

Special Hydralisk Strains

 * Frayne the Feral
 * Hunter Killers