Mutalisk

"TEKELI-LI-I-I-I-I!"

- A mutalisk screams

The mutalisk is an airborne zerg breed. Terrans occasionally refer to mutalisks as "mutas."

Overview
Mutalisks are evolved from the mantis screamer from the desolate Dinares Sector. The mutalisk has retained its predecessor's ability to travel through both air and space, although what other forms of propulsion it may have aside from its leathery wings were unknown. Recently it was revealed that mutalisks excrete a gas which they can use to propel themselves in space; flapping their wings when there is no atmosphere does nothing of use and is a leftover instinct.

In battle, mutalisks form the primary flying forces of the zerg, making hit-and-run attacks against vulnerable installations and wheeling across the skies in prodigious numbers above zerg nests or land-based forces. Many attempted engagements with the zerg have collapsed due to the rapid arrival of large numbers of mutalisks before any meaningful air defense could be mustered. Under these circumstances the total loss of the forces involved is virtually guaranteed. Conversely, powerful air defenses have succeeded in keeping mutalisks at a distance, for the creatures are limited in vitality. However, they remain agile and dangerous opponents. In large numbers or against weak defenses, mutalisks will always be a deadly threat.

The mutalisk is not an especially intelligent creature and exercises little initiative, preferring to drift lazily through the air. Once engaged however, it demonstrates a blind bloodlust that makes it dangerous to all those around it, including itself. In addition, mutalisks are able to trace terran transmissions to their source.

Mutalisks are an infamous strain among terrans, known for their ability to shred through targets in a single attack.

Glaive Wurm
The mutalisk spawns small, voracious creatures called "glaive wurms", or "glave wurms", and projects these creatures to attack. Glaive wurms fly between multiple targets as they degrade explosively. The mutalisk's reproductive system&mdash;its ovipositor&mdash;has been adapted into a weapon delivery system.

Acidic Blood
A mutalisk's fangs are also deadly and given that mutalisk blood is acidic, able to melt through even CMC armor, such close quarters are hardly favorable to a mutalisk's intended victim(s). This being said, the mutalisk is not without its vulnerabilities. Its own acidic blood is injurious to itself and its wings are exceptionally fragile, able to be shredded even by glass. As such, it is a viable tactic for terrans to aim for the wings when trying to down a mutalisk.

The acidic blood frustrates the Dominion, as it has made it difficult to dissect a corpse.

Canny Mutalisks
Mutalisks have a minor resistance to their acidic blood, but few live long enough to develop a greater resistance due to their lack of self-preservation instinct. On very rare occasions, less than one in a million, a "Big Fish" or "Canny Mutalisk" will develop immunity. The Terran Dominion Special Research Ops sought such a mutalisk, as they would finally be able to dissect one. Eventually, one such mutalisk was captured on Choss. The corpse was transported in a coldbox to Project Blackstone.

StarCraft

 * For StarCraft gameplay information see: Mutalisk (StarCraft).

StarCraft: Ghost


The mutalisk cannot regenerate like most other zerg units; instead, it can abduct land-bound terran units, draining their life (which restores the mutalisk's health). The mutalisk's attack is a powerful bio-plasma attack that does splash damage; the attack becomes more powerful if charged.

The mutalisk is the most expensive zerg unit in the Invasion Mode, costing five points.

StarCraft II

 * For StarCraft II gameplay information see: Mutalisk (StarCraft II).

Special Mutalisk Strains

 * Evolved Mutalisk
 * Fiend (cut content)
 * Fury (cut content)
 * Kukulza
 * Primal mutalisk
 * Lilev (cut content)
 * Zergrinch Drake

Individuals

 * Cardis the Destroyer
 * "Scar", a "canny mutalisk"