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"Multiple air bogies detected! ETA: Right the hell now!"

The mutalisk is a zerg air unit in StarCraft II.

Overview[]

The mutalisk's attack is still able to strike multiple targets, bouncing to strike up to two additional targets as in StarCraft.[1] The attack automatically bounces towards the next closest enemy.[2]

Mutalisks are able to stack quite well[3] but it is difficult for them to remain clumped.[4] Mutalisks spread out when they move or attack.[5] With some micromanagement, mutalisks are able to attack on the move as before.[6][7]

Mutalisks are strong against vikings, brood lords, and void rays, and are weak against thors (except when spread out), liberators, archons, infestors, hydralisks, phoenixes, and corruptors. The mutalisk is also countered by marines (especially those equipped with combat shields and stimpacks) and ghosts, due to their high damage against lightly-armored units.[8]

Overall, mutalisks are more versatile than corruptors, due to their ability to raid, harass and decimate opponents without anti-air capabilities. Alternatively, the corruptor is strictly an anti-air unit.[9]

Game Unit[]

Versus[]

Abilities[]
TissueRegeneration SC2-HotS Icon
Tissue Regeneration

Mutalisks regenerate more quickly than other zerg units (1.4 HP/second).

ve
Upgrades[]
Acquisition
Purchased from
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 160seconds
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 190seconds
Required Lair
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 220seconds
Required Hive
ve

Increases armor of zerg air units.

Acquisition
Purchased from
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 160seconds
Effect +1 armor
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 190seconds
Required Lair
Effect +1 armor
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 220seconds
Required Hive
Effect +1 armor
ve

Heart of the Swarm[]

Mutalisk SC2-HotS Story1

The mutalisk upgrade screen

In the campaign of Heart of the Swarm, mutalisks are unlocked upon playing the mission "Waking the Ancient." Mutalisks can mutate into either vipers or brood lords after completing the requisite evolution mission. Their visual appearance changes accordingly. [10]

Upgrades[]
SC2 ViciousGlave Icon
Vicious Glave

Mutalisk's attacks bounce three more times. Attacks bounce further and do increased damage.

Glave wurm symbiote, simple sequences. Ample room for improvement. Can mutate constitution of cartilaginous framework, amplify damage of impact. Will increase number of targets affected by wurm before structure failure, disintegration.

Campaign Acquisition
ve
TissueRegeneration SC2-HotS Icon
Rapid Regeneration

Mutalisk regeneration increases to 10 HP per second when out of combat for at least 5 seconds.

Mutalisk fragile, in need of improved survivability. Requires restructure of sequence down to core. When wounded, cells will activate, remodels tissue to original state. Rapid regeneration. Will require almost entire focus of mutalisk, much exertion. Must devise instinctive aversion to use in combat. Dead mutalisks of minimal use.

Campaign Acquisition
ve
SC2 SunderingGlave Icon
Sundering Glave

Increases mutalisk attack damage +9 against armored targets. Attacks no longer hit multiple targets.

Alternative configuration of glave wurm possible. Similar constitution to baneling strain. Explosive. Will deal significant damage to single enemy. Wurm is destroyed upon detonation. Subsequent collisions impossible.

Campaign Acquisition
ve
BTN-HotS-Mutalisk-Brood Lord-Icon
Mutalisk Evolution: Brood Lord Strain

Can morph into a Brood Lord:

  • Besieges ground targets from long range.
  • Attacks spawn Broodlings.

Brood lord strain almost lost. Corruptor strain unable to be reconstituted. Essence unavailable. Mutalisk base must suffice.

Once morphed, spawns broodling symbiotes. Able to launch broodlings long distance. Siege ground-based foes from air. Powerful weapon.

Campaign Acquisition
ve
BTN-HotS-Mutalisk-Viper-Icon
Mutalisk Evolution: Viper Strain

Can morph into a Viper:

  • Pulls units to new locations. Enemies will be stunned for 1 second.
  • Slows enemy ground units and prevents them from attacking.
  • Drains life from allied units to restore energy.
  • Can attack air units.

Viper adapted from essence taken on Zerus. Primal sequences streamlined. Redundant mutations removed. Stronger. Fit for Swarm. Viper strain abducts targets, emits disabling cloud. Manipulates battlefield conditions to Swarm's advantage.

Campaign Acquisition
ve

Co-op Missions[]

Mutalisks are available to Kerrigan and Abathur in Co-op Missions. Kerrigan is able to evolve her mutalisks into brood lords, while Abathur's evolve into guardians and devourers. Both require a greater spire to evolve their mutalisks.[11][12]

Dehaka has the ability to create primal mutalisks from primal hydralisks at level 6.[13]

Mengsk can summon temporary enthralled mutalisks at the cost of Imperial Mandate as part of his Dogs of War calldown.[14]

Kerrigan Upgrades[]

Icon Zerg Brood Lord
Brood Lord Morph

The mutalisk can morph into a brood lord, a flying heavy-assault unit that shoot broodlings.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available
Acquisition
Hotkey B
Cost 150 Minerals 150 ZergVespene SC2 Game1
Mastery: -1.5 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 per Reduced Combat Unit Vespene Gas Cost mastery point. Down to a maximum 105 Vespene gas
2 Control
15seconds
Required Greater spire
ve
TissueRegeneration SC2-HotS Icon
Rapid Regeneration

Mutalisks regenerate 10 health per second when not in combat for 5 seconds.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available
Acquisition
Purchased from Spire/Greater spire
Hotkey R
Cost 150 Minerals 150 Vespene gas 60seconds
Mastery: -3 Minerals -3 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 -1.2seconds per Expeditious Evolutions mastery point. Down to a maximum 60 Minerals 60 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 24seconds
ve
SC2 ViciousGlave Icon
Vicious Glave

Mutalisks attacks bounce three more times. Increases glave's search radius from 3 to 5.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Spire/Greater spire
Hotkey V
Cost 150 Minerals 150 Vespene gas 90seconds
Mastery: -3 Minerals -3 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 -1.8seconds per Expeditious Evolutions mastery point. Down to a maximum 60 Minerals 60 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 36seconds
ve
SC2 SunderingGlave Icon
Severing Glave

Subsequent bounces no longer decrease in damage.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Reach Kerrigan Level 11
Acquisition
Purchased from Spire/Greater spire
Hotkey R
Cost 200 Minerals 200 Vespene gas 120seconds
Mastery: -4 Minerals -4 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 -2.4seconds per Expeditious Evolutions mastery point. Down to a maximum 80 Minerals 80 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 48seconds
Required Hive
ve
SC2 ZergAirWeap
Zerg Flyer Attacks

Increases the attack damage of zerg air units

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Spire/Greater spire
Hotkey M
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 160seconds
Mastery: -2 Minerals -2 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 -3.2seconds per Expeditious Evolutions mastery point. Down to a maximum 40 Minerals 40 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 64seconds
Effect Damage: 10->5.33->3.11 (basic)

10->5.33->3.11->3->1->1 (with Vicious Glave)

10->9.33->9.11->9->9->9 (with Vicious and Severing Glaves)
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 190seconds
Mastery: -3.5 Minerals -3.5 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 -3.8seconds per Expeditious Evolutions mastery point. Down to a maximum 70 Minerals 70 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 76seconds
Required Lair/Hive
Effect Damage: 11->5.66->3.22 (basic)

11->5.66->3.22->3->1->1 (with Vicious Glave)

11->9.66->9.22->9->9->9 (with Vicious and Severing Glaves)
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 220seconds
Mastery: -5 Minerals -5 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 -4.4seconds per Expeditious Evolutions mastery point. Down to a maximum 100 Minerals 100 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 88seconds
Required Hive
Effect Damage: 12->5.99->3.33 (basic)

12->5.99->3.33->3->1->1 (with Vicious Glave)

12->9.99->9.33->9->9->9 (with Vicious and Severing Glaves)
ve
SC2 ZergAirCara
Zerg Flyer Carapace

Increases the armor of zerg air units.

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Spire/Greater spire
Hotkey M
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 160seconds
Mastery: -2 Minerals -2 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 -3.2seconds per Expeditious Evolutions mastery point. Down to a maximum 40 Minerals 40 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 64seconds
Effect Armor: 1
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 190seconds
Mastery: -3.5 Minerals -3.5 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 -3.8seconds per Expeditious Evolutions mastery point. Down to a maximum 70 Minerals 70 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 76seconds
Required Lair/Hive
Effect Armor: 2
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 220seconds
Mastery: -5 Minerals -5 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 -4.4seconds per Expeditious Evolutions mastery point. Down to a maximum 100 Minerals 100 ZergVespene SC2 Game1 88seconds
Required Hive
Effect Armor: 3
ve

Abathur Upgrades[]

IconGuardianSC2
Guardian Morph

The mutalisk can morph into a guardian, a long-range anti-ground airborne artillery flyer.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available
Acquisition
Hotkey G
Standart
Cost 50 Minerals 100 ZergVespene SC2 Game1
125 (With Tunneling Horror) Vespene gas
15seconds
Required Greater spire
With Mutagenic Potential
Cost 25 Minerals 50 ZergVespene SC2 Game1
62 (With Tunneling Horror) Vespene gas
8seconds
Required Greater spire
ve
Icon Zerg Devourer
Devourer Morph

The mutalisk can morph into a devourer, a powerful anti-air flyer that can use Corrosive Acid.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available
Acquisition
Hotkey D
Standart
Cost 150 Minerals 50 ZergVespene SC2 Game1
62 (With Tunneling Horror) Vespene gas
15seconds
Required Greater spire
With Mutagenic Potential
Cost 75 Minerals 25 ZergVespene SC2 Game1
31 (With Tunneling Horror) Vespene gas
8seconds
Required Greater spire
ve
SC2 Abathur AC - Biomass
Biomass Gatherer

Mutalisks gain +3% hit points, +1% attack speed and +1% Biotic Leech per stack of Biomass. Can stack up to 100 Biomass.
Passive: Heal 1% hit points per Biomass.

Essence Hoarder: Mutalisks can collect an additional 25 Biomass (summary 125).

The Limitless: Mutalisks can collect an additional 100 Biomass (summary 200), but gain +1.5% hit points, +0.5% attack speed and +0.5% Biotic Leech per stack.

Usage
Range 4
Notes

The amount of collected biomass vary, based on difficulty and the amount of supply consumed by the killed enemy unit:
Collect 5 biomass per supply (Casual and Normal)
Collect 4 biomass per supply (Hard)
Collect 2.5 biomass per supply (Brutal)

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Basic: Initially available.
Biotic Leech: Reach Abathur level 15.
Acquisition
Basic
Effect Hit Points: +3.6 per Biomass. Up to a maximum 480
Attack Speed: +1% per Biomass. Up to a maximum 0.76
Biotic Leech: +1% per Biomass. Up to a maximum 100%
With Essence Hoarder
Effect Hit Points: +3.6 per Biomass. Up to a maximum 570
Attack Speed: +1% per Biomass. Up to a maximum 0.68
Biotic Leech: +1% per Biomass. Up to a maximum 125%
With The Limitless
Effect Hit Points: +1.8 per Biomass. Up to a maximum 480
Attack Speed: +0.5% per Biomass. Up to a maximum 0.76
Biotic Leech: +0.5% per Biomass. Up to a maximum 100%
ve
Icon Zerg Leviathan
Evolve to Leviathan

The Mutalisk evolves into a Leviathan. Can be set to autocast.

Essence Hoarder: Evolve to Leviathan is unavailable.

The Limitless: Evolve to Leviathan is no longer limited to 3, but requires 200 stacks of Biomass for evolution.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Reach Abathur Level 2.
Acquisition
Basic
Cost 5seconds
Required Collect 100 Biomass
Cannot have more than 3 at the same time.
With The Limitless
Cost 5seconds
Required Collect 200 Biomass
ve
SC2 Abathur AC - BiomassRecovery
Biomass Recovery

When killed, your units have a 50% chance to drop all their Biomass.

Essence Hoarder: Increases the Biomass Recovery chance from 50% to 100%.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Reach Abathur level 7.
ve
TissueRegeneration SC2-HotS Icon
Rapid Regeneration

Mutalisks regenerate 10 health per second when not in combat for 5 seconds.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available
Acquisition
Purchased from Spire/Greater spire
Hotkey R
Cost 150 Minerals 150 Vespene gas 60seconds
Mastery: -1.2seconds per Structure Morph and Evolution Rate mastery point. Down to a maximum 24seconds
ve
SC2 ViciousGlave Icon
Vicious Glave

Mutalisks attacks bounce three more times. Increases glave's search radius from 3 to 4.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Spire/Greater spire
Hotkey V
Cost 150 Minerals 150 Vespene gas 90seconds
Mastery: -1.8seconds per Structure Morph and Evolution Rate mastery point. Down to a maximum 36seconds
ve
SC2 SunderingGlave Icon
Sundering Glave

Mutalisk attacks deal +100% damage to armored enemies. Flyer Attacks upgrade also increases damage for armored targets.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Reach Abathur Level 11
Acquisition
Purchased from Spire/Greater spire
Hotkey R
Cost 200 Minerals 200 Vespene gas 120seconds
Mastery: -2.4seconds per Structure Morph and Evolution Rate mastery point. Down to a maximum 48seconds
Required Hive
ve
SC2 ZergAirWeap
Zerg Flyer Attacks

Increases the attack damage of zerg air units

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Spire/Greater spire
Hotkey M
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 160seconds
Mastery: -3.2seconds per Structure Morph and Evolution Rate mastery point. Down to a maximum 64seconds
Effect Damage: 10->5.33->3.11 (basic)

10->5.33->3.11->3->1->1 (with Vicious Glave)

10->5.33->3.11->3->1->1 (+10->+5.33->+3.11->+3->+1->+1 vs Armored) (with Vicious and Sundering Glaves)
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 190seconds
Mastery: -3.8seconds per Structure Morph and Evolution Rate mastery point. Down to a maximum 76seconds
Required Lair/Hive
Effect Damage: 11->5.66->3.22 (basic)

11->5.66->3.22->3->1->1 (with Vicious Glave)

11->5.66->3.22->3->1->1 (+11->+5.66->+3.22->+3->+1->+1 vs Armored) (with Vicious and Sundering Glaves)
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 220seconds
Mastery: -4.4seconds per Structure Morph and Evolution Rate mastery point. Down to a maximum 88seconds
Required Hive
Effect Damage: 12->5.99->3.33 (basic)

12->5.99->3.33->3->1->1 (with Vicious Glave)

12->5.99->3.33->3->1->1 (+12->+5.99->+3.33->+3->+1->+1 vs Armored) (with Vicious and Sundering Glaves)
ve
SC2 ZergAirCara
Zerg Flyer Carapace

Increases the armor of zerg air units.

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Spire/Greater spire
Hotkey M
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 160seconds
Mastery: -3.2seconds per Structure Morph and Evolution Rate mastery point. Down to a maximum 64seconds
Effect Armor: 1
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 190seconds
Mastery: -3.8seconds per Structure Morph and Evolution Rate mastery point. Down to a maximum 76seconds
Required Lair/Hive
Effect Armor: 2
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 220seconds
Mastery: -4.4seconds per Structure Morph and Evolution Rate mastery point. Down to a maximum 88seconds
Required Hive
Effect Armor: 3
ve

Development[]

Mutalisks lost the ability to morph into anti-ground flyers because the anti-air corruptor became "useless" once the zerg player had "swept the sky." The corruptor needed the morph more.[15]

There was some community concern about the effects of massed mutalisks against protoss. Blizzard considered whether a change was truly necessary in early 2012.[16]

Heart of the Swarm[]

Mutalisks had two upgrades in the campaign that were cut. One, called "Fibrous Core," increased their maximum life by 35. The other, "Interlocking Scales," gave the mutalisk +1 armor.[17]

In Balance Update #8 of the beta, the mutalisk's speed increased from 3.75 to 4. Balance Update #9 added the Mutalisk Regeneration passive, where it was renamed Tissue Regeneration in Balance Update #11 and had its tooltip updated.

Images[]

Skins and Art
Portraits

References[]

  1. Burnes, Andrew. 2008-03-10. StarCraft 2 - Zerg Attack: New Screenshots, Unit Images & Unit Info! IGN.com Accessed 2008-03-10.
  2. Karune. 2009-02-18. StarCraft II Q&A - Batch 49. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2009-02-18.
  3. Karune. 2008-08-18. StarCraft II Q&A - Batch 43. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-08-18.
  4. There has not been extensive testing of this yet, but in terms of Mutalisks, players will be able to stack, but it will be much harder to keep them clumped up. As more info surfaces about this, I will keep you informed. Karune. 2008-08-28. Karune About stacking!! Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-08-28.
  5. Dustin Browder, Lipton, Karune. 2009-04-22. The Official STARFEEDER Starcraft 2 Q&A. Starfeeder. Accessed 2009-04-22.
  6. Karune. 2008-12-17. StarCraft II Q&A - Batch 47. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-12-17.
  7. Also, Mutalisks at first in StarCraft II while slowed down a bit before they attacked, but the code has been fixed to allow it to attack on the move like the original StarCraft. Karune. 2008-08-28. Karune About stacking!! Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-08-28.
  8. Thors and Marines (with stimpack and the additional hp upgrade) are quite effective against mass Mutalisks. Additionally as mentioned already in this thread, BCs are also very effective, especially with its new missile barrage ability (but of course this is at a later tech). Groups of stalkers are also lethal against mutalisks. Ghosts are good at taking out mutalisks as well, since they get a bonus to light armor, and have a very long range. Add that to snipe, cloak, or a bunker and it is quite a formidable counter as well. Karune. 2008-11-05. Karune, how is Terran air vs Zerg air? Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-11-05.
  9. 2011-08-01, StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Q&A With Dustin Browder. Gamespot, accessed on 2011-08-13
  10. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Heart of the Swarm, Mutalisk Evolution (in English). 2013-03-12.
  11. Blizzard Entertainment. Co-op Missions. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Sarah Kerrigan (in English). 2018.
  12. Blizzard Entertainment. Co-op Missions. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Abathur (in English). 2018.
  13. Blizzard Entertainment. Co-op Missions. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Dehaka (in English). 2018.
  14. Blizzard Entertainment. Co-op Missions. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Arcturus Mengsk (in English). 2019.
  15. Michael Graf. 2010-03-25. Starcraft 2 - Exclusive interview with lead designer Dustin Browder. Gamestar. Accessed 2010-03-27.
  16. 2012-01-25, Questions from the Community. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2012-01-26
  17. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Map Editor. (Activision Blizzard) (in English). March 12, 2013
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