Editing Infestor

{{Quote|True to their name, infestors spreads the Swarm's influence wherever they go. Organisms that are injected with an infestor's neural parasite become the zerg's mindless soldiers.|Unit description|Skins}}
[[File:Infestor SC2 Cncpt2.jpg|thumb|The infestor]]
The '''infestor''' is a [[zerg]] unit that appears in ''[[StarCraft II]]''.

==Overview==
Evolved from the [[borbu matriarch]],<ref name="Infestor"/> and in use by the zerg by [[2503]],<ref name="SC:G:Spectres">Kenyon, Nate. (September 27, 2011). ''[[StarCraft: Ghost: Spectres]]''. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-1439-10938-0.</ref><ref name="SC:G:STimeline">September 27, 2011. "Timeline." ''[[StarCraft: Ghost: Spectres]]''. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). pp. 393-416. ISBN 978-1439-10938-0.</ref> infestors are one of the more insidious new additions to the Swarm.<ref name="Infestor"/>

Infestors are carried by sturdy legs that secrete a corrosive substance that softens the soil and allows them to [[burrow]] in the blink of an eye.<ref name="InfestorScience"/> Unlike most zerg strains, infestors have the ability to move while [[burrow]]ed,<ref name="Infestor"/> and can do so at an astonishing speed.<ref name="SC:FManual">Barba, Rick. ''[[StarCraft Field Manual]]'' (hardcover). Insight Editions, November 17, 2015.</ref> Writhing sensory tentacles that extend from the infestor's jaw serve as a secondary, albeit more powerful, set of eyes and ears by means of thousands of microscopic growths that function as biological transceivers. Further [[Terran Dominion|Dominion]] research on the subject has been slow and fruitless.<ref name="InfestorScience"/>

Within the [[Leviathan Brood|Leviathan]] infestors, the defensive structures of the base creature are more pronounced. The [[primal zerg]] utilize infestors as well, but they are often the targets of larger creatures in their own pack. These infestors have evolved thickened plating along their back to protect themselves. Those infestors enslaved by the [[Cerberus Program]] were implanted with a titanium infrastructure to improve their survivability.<ref>[[Blizzard Entertainment]]. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]''. Collections Tab: Skins. July 19, 2017</ref>

===Offensive Abilities===
{{Quote|Even if you survive, you will never live it down.|A [[Terran Dominion|Dominion]] [[marine]] on the infestor's neural parasite ability|StarCraft Field Manual}}
[[File:Infestor SC2 Art2.jpg|thumb|An infestor]]
Infestors are used to support [[hydralisk]]s and [[roach]]es on the battlefield.<ref>[http://sea.battle.net/sc2/en/game/race/zerg/ Overview: Zerg], accessed on 2011-01-13</ref> They are used to plant [[virophage]]s.<ref name="SC:FManual">Barba, Rick. ''[[StarCraft Field Manual]]'' (hardcover). Insight Editions, November 17, 2015.</ref>

Infestors are known to ingest [[infested marine]]s to use as terror weapons on the battlefield,<ref name="InfestorScience"/> carrying them to a combat zone.<ref name="Infestor"/> The marines are stored in thick flesh cavities until the infestor regurgitates them to face their former compatriots, or anything else that might pose a threat to the Swarm.<ref name="InfestorScience"/> These infested marines can pop right out from the ground if the infestor is burrowed.<ref name="SC:FManual"/> Infestors are also capable of harboring [[larva]] and spewing them at enemies.<ref name="SC:ShadowWars_5">Watrous, Valerie (w), Manual, Garcia (i) and Javir Mena (c). (January 5th, 2018). ''[[StarCraft II: Shadow Wars: Part 5]]''. Blizzard Entertainment. [https://comic.starcraft2.com/en-gb/shadow-wars-part-5 StarCraft II: Shadow Wars: Part 5] Accessed 2018-01-07.</ref>

[[File:InfestorMarine ShadowWars Comic1.jpg|thumb|Infestors attack [[marine]]s]]
Perhaps the infestor's most dangerous feature is the neural parasite, a multi-mouthed<ref name="SC:FManual"/> symbiotic creature living within infestors that, when spat, attaches to an enemy and controls its mind for a short period of time.<ref name="Infestor"/> This is inserted through a parasitic stinger, a flexible appendage that is capable of boring through both natural and organic plating. The parasite is then inserted directly into the target's central nervous system. The amorphous, multi-mouthed parasite cannot survive for long within a foreign body, but whatever horrific deeds the host carries out while under the influence of the Swarm will leave everlasting scars.<ref name="InfestorScience">2014-09-25, [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/unit/infestor#science Infestor Science]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2014-09-27</ref> The neural parasite embeds itself near the top of the spine of the victim, and the parasite's host can still communicate through the creature's native language to their former allies.<ref name="SC:TheExitStory">McAleese, Dany. "[[The Exit]]." (July 1, 2014). Blizzard Entertainment. [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/lore/short-stories/the-exit/1 StarCraft Lore: The Exit] Accessed 2014-07-02</ref> Seeing the immense potential of this parasite, the [[Sarah Kerrigan|Queen of Blades]] carried out incubation of new strains capable of living longer outside of their host.<ref name="Infestor">Blizzard Entertainment staff. 2010-07-24. [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/unit/infestor Units: Infestor]. ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed 2010-07-24.</ref>

[[File:Infestor SC-FM Art2.jpg|thumb|left|An infestor]]
Hardened plates of assimilated mold and fungus offer infestors protection from enemy fire and would-be predators.<ref name="InfestorScience"/> Upon developing the fungal growth mutation,<ref name="SC:FManual"/> this armor can also function as a weapon, as the infestor can turn the inner layer of its carapace into a viscous fluid that breaks down matter in seconds and immobilizes anything it comes in contact with.<ref name="InfestorScience"/> The fluid is sprayed over an area, and any enemy it touches suffers both damage and immobilization. The growth reveals both [[cloak]]ed and burrowed enemies.<ref name="SC:FManual"/>
{{Clear}}

==Game Unit==
{{UnitBox
|name=Infestor
|bgcolor=
|fgcolor={{Black}}
|game=SC2
|image=Infestor SC2 DevHead2.jpg
|imgsize=
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|image2=1. Infestor Default.jpg
|imgsize2=
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|race=Zerg
|faction={{FlagKerrigan}} [[Zerg Swarm]]<br/>
{{FlagHybrid}} [[Amon's Forces]]<br/>
[[Feral zerg]]
|campname=
|baseunit=
|role=*Infestation specialist
*Anti-infantry
*Anti-structure
|useguns=
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|energy=200 (init. 75) (Versus)<br>
200 (init. 50) (Co-op and Campaign)
|engyregen=0.5625
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|type=*[[Biological]]
*[[Ground]]
*[[Psionic]]
|armortype=*[[Armored]]
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|sight=10<br>
8 (when burrowed) (Versus)
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|energycost=
|costgas=150
|supply=2
|campcost=
|time=36
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|evolvesfrom=[[Larva]]
|req=[[Infestation pit]]
|hotkey=F
|speed=3.15<br>
2.8 (burrowed)<br>
2.5 (WoL Campaign)<br>
1 (burrowed，WoL Campaign)
|accel=1000
|lataccel=46
|decel=0
|creepbonus=
|creepmultiplier=x 1.3
|collision=0.75
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150 (HotS campaign)
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Infestors are strong against {{link|marine|SC2}}s, {{link|mutalisk|SC2}}s, and [[immortal]]s, but are weak against {{link|ghost|SC2}}s, {{link|ultralisk|SC2}}s, and {{link|high templar|SC2}}.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment staff. 2010-07-24. [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/unit/infestor Units: Infestor]. ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed 2010-07-24.</ref>

The infestor is a ground support unit which is capable of moving while [[burrow]]ed. The infestor does not have a standard attack. The infestor's abilities are largely geared towards enemy harassment, since it can spawn infested terrans even while burrowed; if snuck behind enemy lines, one can cause havoc among workers. It can also temporarily take control of a single enemy unit with its Neural Parasite ability. Workers taken by neural parasite can construct buildings while under the parasite's control, allowing the player to potentially have the army of another race.

When an infestor moves, it leaves behind a trail of slime. When burrowed, visible cracks on the surface can be seen by its controlling player.

Upon death, an infestor's abdomen will swell and the explode. When killed with fire, it will flail its front legs and then roll onto its side. The fungal growth is also useful at revealing cloaked units such as dark templar and ghosts.

===Versus===
====Abilities====
{{SC2ZergBurrow}}
{{SC2InfestorBurrow}}
{{SC2NeuralParasite}}
{{SC2InfestorFungalGrowth}}
{{SC2MicrobalShroud}}

====Upgrades====
{{SC2ZergCarapace}}
{{Clear|left}}

===Wings of Liberty===
In the ''[[Wings of Liberty]]'' campaign, enemy infestors only utilize their ability to spawn {{Link|infested terran|SC2}}.
{{SC2InfestedMarine}}

===Heart of the Swarm===
Infestors are introduced in the mission "[[Infested (Heart of the Swarm mission)|Infested]]," where they are required to implant [[virophage]]s to infest nearby [[infested civilian]]s.<ref name="SC2:HotS_Infested">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: ''[[Heart of the Swarm]]'', [[Infested (Heart of the Swarm mission)|Infested]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

The infestor's Fungal Growth is stronger and applied instantly, while Neural Parasite is permanent and doesn't need to be channeled. They also have the Consumption ability, like [[viper]]s. They cannot create infested terrans; these are instead generated through plot-based mechanics (the [[virophage]]).

====Upgrades and Abilities====
{{SC2InfestorFungalGrowthCamp}}
{{SC2ParasaticDomination}}
{{SC2Consumption}}

===Legacy of the Void===
Infestors are available in the epilogue mission "[[Amon's Fall]]." They do not have their Neural Parasite ability, but can spawn infested terrans.

===Co-op Missions===
[[Egon Stetmann (Co-op Missions)|Stetmann]] has access to the [[mecha infestor]] in [[Co-op Missions]], which allows him to heal and recharge allies, damage buildings and spawn waves of [[mecha roach]]es and [[mecha ravager]]s.

===Achievements===
{{VersusOpsAchieve - Ranked4}}
{{VersusOpsAchieve - Ranked5}}
{{Clear}}

===Development===
[[File:Infestor SC2 DevHead1.jpg|thumb|Development Portrait]]
{{Main|Infestor/Development}}
Blizzard devised a new infestor model over the course of development. [[StarCraft II beta]] files label(ed) the old incarnation as a [[swarm host]].<ref>2010-02-28, [http://sclegacy.com/editorials/103-starcraft-ii-beta/613-starcraft-ii-beta-game-images StarCraft II Beta Game Images]. ''StarCraft Legacy''. Accessed on 2010-06-22</ref> It has also been dubbed "[[Unused units|Fatty]]."

A proposed change in August 2017 was for the infestor's Fungal Growth ability to no longer hit air units, and units hit on [[creep]] would be slowed instead of rooted, but would not be able to move off the creep. Its overall radius was increased.<ref name="MajorDesign">2017-08-17, [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/20975163/starcraft-ii-multiplayer-major-design-changes-8-17-2017 StarCraft II Multiplayer - Major Design Changes]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2017-08-20</ref>

In ''[[Legacy of the Void]]'', infestors were to gain the Aggressive Mutation ability. This granted a flat damage bonus to allied units, making it especially effective when used on {{link|zergling|SC2}}s and other cheap units with a low cooldown.<ref name="LotVYTZerg">Blizzard Entertainment. 2014-11-07. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkVMd1-ZyM8 Legacy of the Void - Multiplayer Update: Zerg]. ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed 2014-11-09.</ref> This ability was removed during development.
{{PatchII}}
{{Clear}}

==Special Infestor Strains==
[[File:Infestor SC-FM Art1.jpg|thumb|An infestor]]
*[[Choker]]
*[[Mecha infestor]] ([[terran]] replicant)

==Images==
;Skins
<gallery>
2. Infestor Leviathan Brood.jpg|[[Leviathan Brood]] infestor
3. Infestor Primal.jpg|[[Primal zerg]] infestor
4. Infestor Simulant.jpg|[[Simulant]] infestor
5. Infestor Cerberus.jpg|[[Cerberus Program|Cerberus]] infestor
</gallery>

;Portraits
<gallery>
Infestor SC2-LotV Head3.jpg|[[Leviathan Brood]] infestor portrait
Infestor SC2-LotV Head4.jpg|[[Primal zerg]] infestor portrait
Infestor SC2-LotV Head5.jpg|[[Simulant]] infestor portrait
CerberusInfestorPortrait SC2SkinImage.jpg|[[Cerberus Program|Cerberus]] infestor portrait
</gallery>

==References==
{{Ref|scroll=x|col=2}}
{{Zerg (StarCraft II)}}
{{Zerg Breeds}}
[[es:Infestador]]
[[Category:Swarm zerg breeds]]