- Egon Stetmann(src)
A baneling
The baneling is an explosive zerg strain, evolved from the zergling. It is a suicide bomber unit.
Overview[]
A baneling
Banelings are created from zerglings following a brief chrysalis phase. In the new form, the zergling's claws shrivel and become withered, and a swollen sac filled with volatile chemicals grows out of its back.[1] The zergling's skin is repurposed, stretching over newly formed growths while its bone plates soften to hold bulbous, pulsating acid sacs in place. Though the remains of the carapace offer no real protection, they allow for unhindered delivery of the baneling's payload. The digestive and reproductory tracts are assimilated as nutrients to accelerate the process, and make room for the fleshy, mutated adrenal glands. These are re-purposed to produce and store large quantities of highly corrosive acid.[2] Few materials can withstand this acid burst.[3]
A baneling
Because of its mass, the baneling's legs are thicker than the zergling's. In order to stabilize itself. Its feet are replaced by sharp spikes that allow them to navigate rough terrain, albeit at a slower pace. The Swarm was able to increase the baneling's speed despite these imperfections. Yet due to their bloated nature, banelings are barely able to walk. They have been observed to tuck into a ball and roll. Banelings also possess a rudimentary sonar system—Dominion scientists have theorized that this is a degeneration of the zergling's complex optical structure. This system consists of a transmitter in the center of the baneling's skull, along with two evenly spaced receivers to the sides. The transmitter emits pulses that map the baneling's surrounding area, and echoes back to the receiver, feeding the baneling with a continuous stream of spatial information.[2] Baneling anatomy contains lungs and a heart.[4]
Leviathan Brood banelings retain the spine-like growths of the zerglings that metamorphosed into them.[3]
As all Soronan mold proteins exist in banelings, they are capable of surviving on minimal oxygen and moisture.[2] Terran scientists theorize the triggering enzyme for the baneling's ability to detonate was adapted from those of early infested terrans.[5]
When a baneling gets close enough to an enemy, it triggers a reaction within its volatile chemical payload, causing the creature to explode with a shower of searing acid. The explosion destroys the baneling but also inflicts terrible damage to its enemies,[2] highly effective against both structures and ground forces. In fact, a clutch of them is capable of wiping out a group of vehicles and infantry in the blink of an eye. The banelings' lethality is further enhanced by the zerg predilection for burrowing. An apparently safe area can soon turn into a deathtrap as these monstrosities erupt beneath their foes, giving enemies virtually no time to react.[1] By 2511, the Terran Dominion had developed a neutralizing spray for their vehicles that could stop the corrosion from baneling acid.[4]
History[]
Banelings were first observed during the Siege of Cask on Sorona, in 2503.[6] Its defenders held out against the zerg long enough so that it came to pass that only minor breeds such as zerglings continued to be spawned to be sent into battle.[7] However, queens drove the development of a new strain,[1] via zerglings incorporating an acidic native mold into themselves.[7] These new banelings were thus sent against Cask, their spray of acid destroying its defenses and eradicating the terrans present.[7]
Banelings attacking Cask
During the same year,[8] when other terrans encountered the baneling for the first time they thought it was a mutation of a previously unknown genus rather than a morph of the zergling. The baneling was duly added to the list of threats and scientists began an effort to develop chemical rounds to detonate banelings prematurely.[1]
In 2505, Abathur used the baneling strain as a base for a mutation upgrade to the mutalisk, allowing its glaive wurms to explode on impact.[9] After joining Kerrigan, Dehaka would selectively breed his pack to create similar strains of creatures among the primal zerg.
Baneling acid sacs were harvested for use in Project Simulant in the project's attempt to recreate the baneling in robotic form. The engineers had to deal with the sacs constantly melting through the surrounding plate infrastructure. Eventually they made it work. Controlled banelings with replaced nervous systems were utilized by the Cerberus Program, in spite of the significant cost to do so for a suicidal creature.[3]
Game Unit[]
StarCraft II[]
Banelings are relatively small units that slowly move around the battlefield and kill opponents with a low-damage suicide attack.
Banelings do not roll[10] unless they have their speed upgrade.[11]
It is strong against marines, zealots, and zerglings, and weak against thors, stalkers, and roaches. Siege tanks are also very effective against banelings while in Siege Mode. High templar with psi storm can also obliterate tightly packed baneling groups, while the sentry can use Force Field to prevent the banelings from getting into melee range. Banelings are also useful when facing massed light units such as hydralisks.
Banelings are strong against melee units[12] and weak buildings such as bunkers, supply depots, and photon cannons[13] but are weak against ranged weapons due to their low hit points.[14] They are designed to counter zealots, zerglings, and un-upgraded marines.[15][16]
Groups of banelings do not attack individual targets with overkill, they will only detonate as many of themselves as needed to destroy one target before moving on to the next (or waiting for new orders). When assaulting multiple targets banelings can transition from a just-slain target to a still living one in a fraction of a second.
The baneling's splash attack does not injure friendly units.[17][18][19][20][21] It does full damage within the splash radius.[15][16][20]
If a baneling is killed, it explodes, dealing splash damage around it. Unlike other units, banelings do not increase a unit's kill counter.
Banelings won't accidentally target buildings when ordered to attack units.[22]
A burrowed baneling can have unburrow set to autocast, giving it an attack ability similar to that of a spider mine.
Versus[]
A baneling (early render)
A baneling (early render)
Banelings are a powerful economy-raiding force; by using overlords to transport them into an enemy base, they can quickly devastate the workers. However, a planetary fortress is well suited to destroy the banelings.[14] Use of raiding is recommended even until late game.[23]
Banelings should be mixed with zerglings when facing ranged opponents because they become difficult to focus fire; even one baneling escaping the fire can destroy a mass of ranged units.[24]
Banelings have low hit points so are best used in ambushes.[25] They can burrow, attacking like mines,[24] but can also attack from other hidden areas, such as behind trees, to accomplish the ambush.[25]
Banelings are very useful against marines and zealots, even into the late game,[23] and generally dominate units such as zerglings in combat, but zerglings can come out ahead with micro.[26] Banelings can be defeated by marines equipped with stimpacks or defended by marauders.[27]
As they do splash damage, banelings are effective against cloaked units. For instance, a group of dark templar attacking a hatchery can be eliminated by banelings that target the hatchery itself,[28] or by commanding the baneling to explode on the spot.[29]
A baneling/roach combo can be very powerful against terrans. The roaches will soak incoming damage, making it easier for the banelings to reach their targets.[30]
Upgrades and Abilities[]
- +1 damage for zerglings and broodlings
- +2 base damage，+5 building damage for banelings
- +3 damage for ultralisks
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Level 2
Level 3
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- +1 bonus to armor per level for zerg ground units.
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Level 2
Level 3
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- Increases the speed of banelings to 4.13.
- Causes banelings to roll instead of walk.
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Allows banelings to automatically target structures.
Banelings deal 80 damage to structures
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Banelings can be ordered to detonate, instantly dealing damage around them, even if burrowed. The ability is not smartcast.
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Many zerg ground units may burrow, becoming invisible and revealed primarily by detectors, and may not move or attack while burrowed.
Exceptions include:
- Roach, which may move while burrowed
- Lurker, which may attack while burrowed
- Infestor, which may move while burrowed
- Baneling, which can detonate while burrowed.
Some units can unburrow via autocast, causing them to emerge and attack when an enemy moves into range.
The ability is not smartcast.
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Heart of the Swarm[]
The baneling upgrade screen
In the campaign of Heart of the Swarm, banelings are unlocked upon playing the mission "Domination." Banelings may be evolved into either splitters or hunters after completing the required evolution mission. At Level 20, Kerrigan can use a Spawn Banelings ability to instantly create 6 banelings.
Upgrades and Abilities[]
Doubles damage inflicted to primary target. Splash damage is unchanged.
Damage output of baneling acids low. Room for improvement. Acidic compounds can be altered. Mutation of production cells within membrane of acid sacs is required. Would increase acid potency two-fold, deliver significant damage to target.
| Campaign Acquisition |
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Increases explosion radius by 50%.
Current membrane toughness of acid sacs too low. Can restructure membranes, thicken. Will allow acid sacs to carry increased volume, improved radius of spray upon detonation. Will decrease likelihood that enemy survives inevitable rupture.
| Campaign Acquisition |
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Baneling explosion heals allied units and structures.
Discovery. Successful mutation of baneling acid spray, infused with debriding properties of swarm queen's transfusion. Upon detonation, acid spray dissolves necrotic tissue from injured zerg within radius. Allows wounded zerg to regenerate quickly.
| Campaign Acquisition |
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- Splits into two Baneling Spawn on death.
- Baneling Spawn deal less damage.
Decentralized nervous system of splitter strain increases efficiency at siege warfare. Upon detonation, two baneling spawn split from remains, continue pressing assault. Split only occurs once. Further splits invariably result in acidic fluids of limited sentience.
| Campaign Acquisition |
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- Leaps over obstacles and onto targets from long range.
- Can jump up and down cliffs.
Hunter strain, strategic asset. Extreme conditions used to guide evolution. Hunter strain can propel itself up cliffs, attack foes caught unawares. Able to leap over Swarm troops, bombard enemies. Banelings no longer trapped behind hungry zerglings.
| Campaign Acquisition |
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Co-op Missions[]
Banelings are used by Zagara in Co-op Missions. In addition to normal production from zerglings, Zagara can upgrade baneling nests to periodically spawn banelings over time.
Mecha banelings are used by Stetmann. These banelings have an energy barrier allowing them to survive longer until contact with their enemy.
Upgrades and Abilities[]
Buries the unit underground. Burrowed unit are unable to move or attack, but they cannot be seen without detection.
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Increases banelings movement speed.
| Usage |
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Passive
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| Campaign Acquisition | ||
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Increases banelings attack damage to primary target by 100%. Splash damage remains the same.
| Usage |
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Passive
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| Campaign Acquisition | ||
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Increases banelings splash damage radius by 50%.
| Usage |
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Passive
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| Campaign Acquisition | ||
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Increases the attack damage of zerg ground units.
| Usage |
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Passive
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| Campaign Acquisition | ||
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| Acquisition | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
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Increases the armor of zerg ground units.
| Usage |
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Passive
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| Campaign Acquisition | ||
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| Acquisition | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
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Upgrades Zagara's banelings into splitters.
Suicide unit. Deals damage over a small area upon death. Splits into smaller units as it dies.
Can attack ground units.
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Development[]
Heroes of the Storm[]
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The following section contains information from Heroes of the Storm and is not canon to StarCraft continuity
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Banelings can be spawned by Zagara in Heroes of the Storm.[31] They also replace Tychus's Shredder Grenades in his Infested Tychus skin.[32]
Banelings can be spawned on the map Braxis Holdout, and are part of the zerg attack waves that are sent against opponents.[32]
Special Baneling Strains[]
A baneling
- Gorgeling (cut content)
- Hunter
- Kaboomer
- Mecha baneling (terran replicant)
- Splitter
- Terrorling (cut content)
Trivia[]
- Daxxarri(src)
- In a poll conducted by Blizzard Entertainment, banelings were voted as throwing "the best parties in the Koprulu Sector."[33]
- The baneling is often nicknamed "bling" in online culture.
- Various real-life hive insects (such as ants) have the ability to "explode," drenching their opponents in haemolymph. The process is known as "autothysis." However, it is rarely used; usually against creatures invading the ants nests.
- "Baneling" was the codename of the second alpha testing phase in Stormgate. The phase was named in reference to the baneling.[35]
Merchandise[]
Baneling plushie
- A baneling/zergling plushie was available at BlizzCon 2013.[36] A San Diego Comic Con special edition of the reversible plushie allowed the zergling to turn into a hunter baneling.[37]
- A baneling shirt with the titled "This is how we roll" was available from Jinx.com.[38]
- A baneling pet in World of Warcraft is available for those who purchased the digital deluxe or collectors edition of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm.[39]
Images[]
- Skins
- Portraits
References[]
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