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Primal roaches are primal zerg creatures based off the Zerg Swarm's roach strain.

Overview[]

Primal roaches were one of the first Zerg Swarm strains whose essences were stolen by the primals shortly after the Swarm landed on Zerus.[1][2] They were later mutated by the chaotic essences of the primals to have the ability to evolve into primal igniters and primal guardians.[3]

Game Unit[]

Primal roaches are similar in basic appearance to normal roaches, though they have different colors, have a slightly more bulbous carapace, and possess larger claws. They also have more health than normal roaches in the campaign and same as normal roaches in Co-op Missions.

Heart of the Swarm[]

Primal roaches appear as enemies on Zerus.[4] They later appear as part of Dehaka's pack after Kerrigan's rebirth and also during her attack on Korhal.[5]

Kerrigan, in her Primal Queen of Blades form, can summon sacs containing a group of primal zerg consisting of primal zerglings, primal hydralisks, and primal roaches. These units have a timed life and do not have any of the benefits normal roaches gain from the evolution pit.[6]

Abilities[]

RapidRegeneration
Roach Regeneration

Roaches regenerate at 5 hit points/second when burrowed.[7]

The rate of healing increases with the Tunneling Claws upgrade to a rate of 10 hit points per second.[7]

The regeneration doesn't stack with the medivac dropship's healing ability.[8]

ve

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.

Usage
Hotkey R
Cost 2 seconds to burrow, 1 second to unburrow seconds
Acquisition
Purchased from Hatchery/Lair/Hive
Hotkey B
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 71seconds
Required Lair (WoL)
Hatchery (HotS/LotV)
ve

Co-op Missions[]

Primal roaches can be constructed by Dehaka in Co-op Missions. They regenerate health quickly while burrowed, and can mutate into a primal igniter or primal guardian.[9]

Upgrades and Abilities[]

SC2ZergBurrow
Burrow

Buries the unit underground. Burrowed unit are unable to move or attack, but they cannot be seen without detection.

Usage
Hotkey R
Cost 2 (burrow)seconds
1 (unburrow) seconds
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
ve
RapidRegeneration
Roach Regeneration

The primal roach regenerates life very quickly while burrowed. Regenerates 10 health per second.

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
ve
DehakaPrimalIgniterIcon
Primal Combat: Primal Igniter

Two Primal Roaches battle and the survivor evolves into a Primal Igniter.

Assault unit with an area damage attack. Regenerates life quickly when burrowed. Can attack ground units.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Reach Dehaka Level 2.
Acquisition
Hotkey V
Cost Recover 1 Control
8seconds
Required Glevig's den
ve
DehakaPrimalGuardianIcon
Primal Combat: Primal Guardian

Two Primal Roaches battle and the survivor evolves into a Primal Guardian.

Long range anti-ground flyer. Can attack ground units.

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Reach Dehaka Level 6.
Acquisition
Hotkey G
Cost 100 Vespene gas
Recover 1 Control
8seconds
Required Murvar's den
ve
DehakaGlialReconstitution Icon
Glial Reconstitution

Increases the movement speed of primal roaches by 31% and primal igniters by 19%.

Acquisition
Purchased from Glevig's den
Hotkey E
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 60seconds
ve
PrimalZerg Damage Upg
Primal Attacks

Increases the attack damage of all primal zerg units.

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Primal hive
Hotkey A
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 160seconds
Effect Damage
Basic: 18
From Glevig with Primal Contender: 34
Level 2
Cost 150 Minerals 150 Vespene gas 190seconds
Required Glevig's den
Effect Damage
Basic: 20
From Glevig with Primal Contender: 36
Level 3
Cost 200 Minerals 200 Vespene gas 220seconds
Required Murvar's den
Effect Damage
Basic: 22
From Glevig with Primal Contender: 38
ve
PrimalZerg Armor Upg
Primal Carapace

Increases the armor of all primal zerg units.

Usage
Passive
Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.
Acquisition
Purchased from Primal hive
Hotkey C
Level 1
Cost 100 Minerals 100 Vespene gas 160seconds
Effect Armor: 2
Level 2
Cost 175 Minerals 175 Vespene gas 190seconds
Required Glevig's den
Effect Armor: 3
Level 3
Cost 250 Minerals 250 Vespene gas 220seconds
Required Murvar's den
Effect Armor: 4
ve

Notes[]

  • A primal roach skin is available in multiplayer for players who reach level 3 with the zerg Katowice 2018 War Chest.[3]

References[]

  1. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after Waking the Ancient. (in English). 2013-03-12.
  2. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Abathur (in English). 2013-03-12.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. Collections Tab: Skins. October 17, 2016
  4. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Heart of the Swarm, Waking the Ancient (in English). 2013-03-12.
  5. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Heart of the Swarm, The Reckoning (in English). 2013-03-12.
  6. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Kerrigan's abilities and status (in English). 2013.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II Map Editor. (Activision Blizzard) (in English). July 27, 2010
  8. Karune. 2009-02-18. StarCraft II Q&A - Batch 49. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2009-02-18.
  9. 2017-08-21, Patch 3.17 Preview: New Co-op Commander Dehaka.Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2017-08-28
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