Ultralisk

The Ultralisk is a Zerg heavy ground unit.

Overview
The Ultralisk is a 20 meter long and 5 meter high living battering ram, evolved from the docile Brontolith; a creature that the Ultralisk now bears little resemblence to. Ultralisks serve as the backbone of the Zerg Swarm, possessing an exceptionally thick carpace.

Ultralisks attack using large, bone-like scythes which portrude from their backs. Known as "Kaiser Blades", these scythes are nearly indestructible. Possessing monomolecular edges, these scythes are able to tear through most substances with ease.

Prolonged exposure to Vespene gas later resulted in an enhancement of the Ultralisks' physical capabilities, among which was the evolution of a more hardened exoskeletal shell and the ability to carry out anabolic synthesis, alterations being made to the glands that produce endomorphins and adrenal fluids. These "evolutions" manifested widely during the Brood War.

Game Unit
The Ultralisk's main boon is staying power. Its attack is not so impressive given its size and expense, but it can last long enough to deal out the damage. Perhaps most importantly of all it may draw attention that would otherwise be directed against less survivable Zerg units. The Ultralisk is relatively slow and unwieldy. Care must be taken to ensure that it attacks with the rest of the force and does not get stuck in chokepoints. Swarms of smaller units, cloaked units and air units can easily trap an unsupported Ultralisk and bring it down. Alternatively, units that can deal high damage individually (such as Siege Tanks and Zealots)can bring a fast end to a Ultralisk when in significant groups (4 zealots can kill a Ultralisk relatively fast).

Ultralisks are one of the few Zerg ground units that cannot Burrow.

Upgrades

 * Melee Attacks
 * Carapace
 * Anabolic Synthesis
 * Brood Wars Only
 * Cost: 200 0 200
 * Upgraded at: Ultralisk Cavern
 * Increases speed.


 * Chitinous Plating
 * Brood Wars Only
 * Cost: 150 0 150
 * Upgraded at: Ultralisk Cavern
 * Increases armor by 2.

StarCraft: Ghost
Ultralisks appear in StarCraft: Ghost.

StarCraft II
The Ultralisk features in current builds of StarCraft II. It made an appearance at the Game Developers Conference 2008. The new Ultralisk has four tusks. The image is still subject to change; it is not the final version.

The Ultralisk is capable of stepping over smaller units such as Zerglings and has a cleaving ability to attack multiple enemy units. It has evolved the ability to burrow and can use a special "head attack" which deals extra damage to structures.

Special Ultralisk Strains

 * Blade Guardian
 * Torrasque
 * Wise Old Torrasque
 * Zergrinch Juggernaut

Trivia
The Ultralisk's name is often shortened to "Ultra" in online culture (most notably among Korean players).