Zerg vs. Terran (StarCraft)

=Orders of Battle=

Expect the opposing terrans to be utilizing the Terran vs. Zerg orders.

Early Game
Common Strategies

4-Pool/5-Pool Zergling Rush
A "4-Pool" means you're starting to build a spawning pool using your 4th drone. This means do not purchase a drone with your first mineral coffers, but instead wait to use them for the 200 mineral cost for a pool. Once the pool is completed, immediately build 6 zerglings, and send them and as many drones as you can spare to attack. A "5-Pool" is similar, but does build a drone with the starting 50 minerals. A 5-Pool is only slightly slower, but provides an extra drone to scout or defend with.

The 4-Pool gives the zerg one of the fastest, most vicious, early rushes in the game. However, success depends significantly on speed and the distance between opponents - even more so then most rushes. On large maps, it's critical to know where your opponent is so you can attack the right location as soon as the zerglings are done. (Obviously, this is not a problem in 2v2 on 4-player maps, and so this strategy is common in 2v2 games and can be used against any race. The build is so dangerous because it strikes down a terran before marines/medics, when marines are most vulnerable.

Countering 4-Pool/5-Pool Zergling Rush
If you suspect a 4-Pool, don't fast expand. StarCraft is a game of many rock-paper-scissors, and it is very tricky to beat a 4-pool while expanding. Instead, try and get your barracks up on 10/11 SCVs at the latest. While 4-pool is so early you can miss it if you scout it last, it gives a critical advantage if successful. If you see the zerglings coming, use SCVs or buildings to block your entrance, and place the marines you have behind. You can also clump your buildings together near your command center and hide your marines in your mineral line, thus making it very hard for the zerglings to attack any of your units or buildings. Don't hesitate to fight back with as many SCVs as you need, or use them as walls for your marines. If you can deflect the 4-pool you will likely have an easy win.

Firebats are effective against mass zerglings.

Fast Expand
Rare Strategies

Mid Game
Common Strategies

2-Hatch Muta
Rare Strategies

Hydra Bust
Similar to the Zerg vs. Protoss Hydra Bust. Very vulnerable to tanks.

Late Game
Common Strategies

Ultra-Ling

 * Main article: Ultraling

Drop
Mass overlord drop of ground units.

Hydra-Ling
Rare Strategies