Zergling

"It's a zergling, Lester...smaller type of zerg..."

- Sarge to Lester after hitting a zergling with their LRV.

The zergling is the basic zerg warrior.

Overview
"Um...ever try to wrestle a zergling? Not fun."

- A Dominion marine

Zerglings form the most numerous of the zerg mutations&mdash;their simple DNA (distilled from the dune runners' genetic code to its most simple form) allows two zerglings to be spawned from a single larva. The larvae get the genetic information from the 'primordial ooze' of spawning pools. Zergling replication is so efficient that they thrive even when exposed to exceedingly high mortality rates, which are greater than almost all other zerg strains.

Zerglings are the smallest zerg strain apart from the larvae, and equivalent in size to a large dog, zerglings are one meter tall and possess webbed feet. Further mutations may be made to zergling DNA, namely the alteration of their physiology through a metabolic boost to increase their reflexes and rate of movement and the mutation of their adrenal glands, changing their glandular balance to induce a battle frenzy. These adrenal glands have been observed to be unusually large for a creature of the zergling's size. Further analysis has revealed evidence of genetic manipulation, which also increased zergling aggression, driving them into a state of frenzy. In such a state, zerglings can bring down armored vehicles and structures with ease.

The rapid genesis modification to zergling cells allows their gestation to proceed at remarkable speed. Zerglings have tough, adaptable, leathery skin which prevents moisture loss, while still allowing fluid circulation to keep the zergling's body temperature at appropriate levels. As per their origins, zerglings have an efficient nutrient storage system. Zerglings can derive the necessary compounds for life (even water) from anything they eat. This allows zerglings to operate away from a hive cluster for extended periods of time.

Zerglings are physically adaptable creatures, able to climb near vertical surfaces and are extraordinarily fast, though they are generally easy to exterminate, one ending up as roadkill after being run over by a recon vehicle. Zerglings have a complex optical structure, and their eyes have an optical aperture which allows them to see in the dark. This ability is further enhanced by a layer of tissue that reflects light, and the production of a substance which, depending on saturation levels, makes a zergling's eyes glow orange or red. This glow is an indicator that a zergling's vision has fully adapted to whatever low-light conditions it has found itself in. However, zergling eyes have also appeared as pure black in such conditions.

The zergling's spiked tail allows the creature to maintain balance while running at high speeds. The spikes that extend from the tip have no discernable purpose, and Dominion scientists have speculated that it is vestigal from their dune runner forebears.

Outside of combat, zerglings can serve as lookouts and lone zerglings serve as scouts, though may have a retinue of hydralisks if they scout an exceedingly long distance away from a hive cluster. When they attack however, zerglings move in large groups, ranging from a dozen to a hundred, often acting as "meat shields" for more powerful zerg strains. Individually, zerglings are little more than feral animals, but work well in large groups under the command of larger zerg warriors. In combat, zerglings are fond of ripping enemies to shreds with their sickles and fangs, indicating a sadistic streak (although not to the extent of the hydralisk). When paired with roaches, they can be nearly unstoppable against marines bereft of siege tank or bunker support.

Zerglings are allergic to lemon juice. During the Second Great War, its validity became a Terran Dominion rumor. Abathur resolved to solve the problem.

History
Zerglings were evolved from the Zz'gashi dune runner when the latter were assimilated into the Zerg Swarm. The zergling may be a relatively recent addition to the swarm given that Zz'gash seems to be located close to the Koprulu sector. Zerglings continued to evolve after the, gaining the ability to metamorphose into banelings. The evolution came from an experiment conducted by the zerg at the Dominion colony of Sorona, in which they incorporate a native acidic mold into their body structure. This evolution was controlled by the new breed.

The Terran Dominion has a secret program which uses zerglings to track psychic terrans.

StarCraft

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

StarCraft: Ghost


Zerglings in StarCraft: Ghost maintained their burrowing and health regeneration abilities. In addition, zerglings gained a "bloodlust" ability, which increased their damage and possibly speed when zerglings moved in groups.

The zergling was the basic zerg unit in the Invasion Mode. It could transform into a hydralisk, infested marine or mutalisk, costing one, two and five points respectively.

They were present as early as one of the game's earliest builds.

StarCraft II

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

Warcraft
A zergling unit appears in Warcraft III.

In World of Warcraft, zerglings appear as "vanity pets" and look much like in Warcraft III but are shorter, fatter, lack the spiked tail, are solid brown, and have wider mouths. They look generally cartoony, befitting their status as non-combat vanity pets.

The zergling pet will attack Grunty the murloc marine, who will also attack them.

Heroes of the Storm
Zerglings appeared as minions in early builds of Heroes of the Storm. Kerrigan could ride a zergling mount in later builds. Kerrigan can choose to amplify an ability to also spawn zerglings.

Zerglings can be spawned on the map Braxis Holdout, and are part of the zerg attack waves that are sent against opponents.

Variant Strains

 * Devouring One
 * Eats the Fallen
 * Primal zergling
 * Raptor
 * Screamer
 * Swarmling
 * War Zergling
 * Zergrinch Goblin

Evolutions

 * Baneling

Individuals

 * Broken-horned zergling
 * Devours Children
 * Meat Eater
 * Meserole the Marauder
 * "Scar"

Trivia
The zergling is often nicknamed "ling" in online culture. The Metabolic Boost zergling is often nicknamed "speedling" and the Metabolic Boost and Adrenal Glands zergling is often nicknamed "crackling".

Zerglings were used as the basis of PETA's "Zerglings Have Feelings Too" campaign.

Merchandise

 * A baneling/zergling plushie was available at BlizzCon 2013, along with a Carbot Animations-style zergling t-shirt.


 * A Carbot-style zergling keychain was available at the 2014 San Diego Comic Con.


 * Zergling slippers will be on sale at BlizzCon 2015.