Changeling

	This article is about the StarCraft II unit. You may be looking for:
	The Changeling short story

"SKREEEEE!"

- A changeling^(src)

A changeling in its original form

The changeling is a zerg spy produced by the overseer. It is a very weak and unstable creature with a short lifespan.

Overview

A changeling

The changeling, composed of a protoplasmic substance, is capable of shape-shifting into a form resembling a terran. It can shift between specific appearances. It can even send out psionic impressions leading terrans to believe that everything is "all right".

It is intelligent, capable of operating computers. It possesses more strength than an unarmored human and can transform part of its body into a deadly bone blade, although its primary purpose does not appear to be combat.

History

"Zerg ain't dormant like they say, Sarge. Looks like they walking amongst us now."

- Wynne^(src)

The changeling was developed as late as 2503 by the Queen of Blades, who was testing it against the terrans before war broke out. The Terran Dominion, learning about the new breed, also conducted their own tests. And also, when a changeling takes the shape of a zergling, it will have wings. The Galaxy Map Editor also refers the changeling's zergling shape as "zergling with wings". The wings can also be seen at the wireframe of the unit. And it will also try to fly when ordered to move to somewhere.

Game Unit

Changeling
Unit
Race	Zerg
Role	Spy
Properties
Life span	150
Sight	8
Production
Energy cost	50
Control	0
Produced from	Overseer
Hotkey	C
Movement
Speed	2.25 (basic)
Acceleration	1000 (basic)
Lateral acceleration	45.0625 (basic)
Deceleration	0 (basic)
Creepmultiplier	x1 (no effect; basic)
Collision radius	0.375 (basic)
Protection
Shields	0 (appears as replicated shields value)
Hit points	5 (appears as replicated hit point value)
Hit pointregen/second	0.2734 (basic)
Armor	0
Type	Biological
Armor type	Light
Meta
Targetpriority	20
Kill score	50
Productionscore	25
Miscellaneous
Notes	The changeling's movement stats and collision radius vary depending on what form it is replicating. For instance, a changeling which resembles a zergling moves faster, and moves even faster if replicating a zergling with the Metabolic Boost upgrade.

Changelings

The changeling has a limited lifespan, which is measured by a decreasing bar visible on the interface below the name, and it will die when the bar is zeroed. The changeling has its own wire-frame and portrait when not transformed. The changeling sometimes speaks, and its voice does not change when transformed.

The changeling game unit has no attack or abilities other than shape-shifting; any weapons it appears to carry are false. Changelings can easily be detected if you select your zealots/marines/zerglings, and use /dance. The changeling will not dance.

The changeling's maximum hit points do not change, but they appear as the duplicated unit's hit points. For instance, a changeling resembling a marine will appear to have 45 hit points, but will in fact still have five hit points.

Abilities

Shapeshifting

The changeling shifts upon approaching an enemy unit. It takes on the color of the nearby enemy, and the form and wireframe of the basic combat unit (marine, zealot, or zergling) of the nearby enemy's race. The transformation is permanent.

The changeling appearance exactly matches the assumed unit's form at the time of transformation; the changeling gains only the visual effects of upgrades.

Shapeshift may be autocast.

v • e

Achievements

Meet the Spy
Points	10
Criteria	Kill 5 Changelings in a single League game.
Notes
A Team Fortress (Valve) reference.

References

Zerg Units and Structures of StarCraft II v • e

Versus units and structures Terrestrial units Larva Drone Zergling Baneling Roach Ravager (LotV) Hydralisk Lurker (LotV) Infestor Ultralisk Queen Swarm host (HotS) Aerospace units Overlord Overseer Mutalisk Brood lord Corruptor Viper (HotS) Spawned units Broodling Changeling Infested terran Locust (HotS) Basic buildings Hatchery Creep tumor Extractor Evolution chamber Spawning pool Baneling nest Roach warren Automated defenses Spine crawler Spore crawler Advanced buildings Lair Hive Infestation pit Spire Greater spire Hydralisk den Lurker den Nydus network Nydus worm Ultralisk cavern Transition units Baneling cocoon Broodmother cocoon Brood lord cocoon Egg Impaler cocoon Infested swarm egg Lurker cocoon Overseer cocoon Ravager cocoon Ultralisk chrysalis Others Creep Campaign and Co-op Missions units and structures Terrestrial units Aberration Blightbringer Brutalisk Defiler Impaler cocoon Infested colonist Infested diamondback Infested marine Infested trooper Infested medic Infested SCV Infested siege tank Omegalisk Pygalisk Pygalisk cocoon Swarmling Volatile infested Aeropsace units Guardian Leviathan Sac Scourge Swarm guardian Infested banshee Infested liberator Buildings Impaler den Infested terran buildings Infested command center Toxic nest Virophage Automated defenses Bile launcher Impaler colony Scourge cannon Spore cannon Sunken colony Infested bunker Infested missile turret Variant units Zergling Strains Raptor Swarmling Baneling Strains Hunter Splitter Baneling spawn Roach Strains Corpser Roachling Vile Queen Strains Aiur queen Broodmother Swarm queen Hydralisk Strains Hunter Killer Impaler Lurker Ultralisk Strains Noxious Stank Torrasque Swarm host Strains Carrion Creeper Locust Strains Flying locust Mutalisk Strains Brood lord Viper Guardian Strains Swarm guardian Canceled Zerg Units and Structures of StarCraft II v • e Scrapped Removed Units Behemoth chrysalis Bone wasp Cobra Dracolisk Fiend Fury Gigalisk Gorgeling Huge queen Incubus Infested protoss Klurken Large queen Larval queen Leech Lilev coccoon Magnasaur Magnathar Mantalisk Mantis Miasmalisk Morphalisk Nihilisk Primalisk Prowler Scavenger Siegeling Spore host Swarm Swarm guardian Swarm larva Terrorling Trichinella Removed Buildings Broodling nest Creep colony Creep tower Infested protoss buildings Nydus destroyer Nydus warren Shrieker Spore colony Swarm clutch Swarm infestation Underfiend