Editing Swarm host

{{Quote|Last, but not least, is the spawner of the swarm: the Swarm Host. These guys can create numerous pesky [[locust]]s and now, we know how. So check out all the details, and arm yourself and those around you with an understanding of one of our greatest foes.|[[Radio Liberty]]|url=http://us.battle.net//sc2/en/blog/17093340}}
[[File:SwarmHost SC2-HotS Art2.jpg|thumb|A swarm host]]
The '''swarm host''' (otherwise known as the "egg monster" by [[terran]]s)<ref name="Signing">2015-09-18, [http://starcraft.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/nycc-2015-james-waughs-starcraft-field-manual-signing-schedule NYCC 2015 – James Waugh’s StarCraft Field Manual Signing Schedule]. ''Blizzplanet'', accessed on 2015-09-23.</ref> is a [[zerg]] strain in ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''.

==Overview==
{{Quote|Adapted using [[Primal zerg|primal]] [[essence]]. Spawns locusts to kill enemies.|[[Abathur]]|The Crucible}}
[[File:SwarmHost SC2-HotS Art1.jpg|thumb|A swarm host spawning locusts]]
Generated by the [[infestation pit]], the swarm host [[burrow]]s into the ground in order to provide a seemingly endless supply of [[locust]]s.<ref name="SwarmHost"/> A single swarm host is capable of overwhelming an entire army.<ref name="Collections"/> The large, mushroom-shaped structure on the swarm host's back is a breeding ground that weaponizes the millions of diminute [[larva]]e inhabiting the creature's acidic bloodstream. Through a simple system of membranes for matter exchange, glands that pump the offspring full of hormones to hyper-accelerate growth, and ducts for efficient transportation to the bubbling pockets on the surface of the incubator, the swarm host births deadly, short-lived locusts to destroy threats to the Swarm. The larvae also feed on damaged tissue, sealing wounds, and destroying anything foreign that enters their domain. When the creature is threatened or engaged in combat, a subtle chemical reaction signals the larva to head for the incubator, where they are evolved into living weapons.<ref name="SwarmHostScience">2014-12-04, [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/unit/swarm-host#science Swarm Host Science]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2014-12-06.</ref>
[[File:SwarmHost SC-FM Art1.jpg|thumb|A swarm host]]
The swarm host is often used in defensive maneuvers.<ref name="SwarmHost"/> Its legs boast powerful muscles that allow them to vibrate at hypersonic speeds, not unlike the teeth of the [[nydus worm]]. Despite that, the creature couldn't burrow fast enough to adapt to shifting battlefield conditions. To correct this, a set of fragile (albeit regenerating) capillaries was put into place. Now, when the swarm host digs, the capillaries break and the creature's acid blood softens the soil, allowing it to go underground in seconds. Flexible osseous structures of varying thickness slide and lock into position when the swarm host prepares to strike. Bearing a resemblance to [[siege tank]] hydraulics, this specialized skeletal system allows the swarm host to maintain position and balance when spewing locusts or when under heavy fire.<ref name="SwarmHostScience"/> The swarm host lacks mobility however, which leaves it vulnerable to quicker enemies with area damage like the [[hellion]].<ref name="SwarmHost">[http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/unit/swarm-host Swarm Host], ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed on 2014-01-08.</ref>
[[File:2. Swarm Host Leviathan.jpg|thumb|A Leviathan Brood swarm host]]
The swarm hosts of the [[Leviathan Brood]] are uniquely specialized for amphibious assault and bear many genetic advantages that allow them to quickly move through the oceans and assail their prey.<ref name="Collections">[[Blizzard Entertainment]]. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]''. Collections Tab: Skins. July 19, 2017.</ref>

===History===
Progenitors of the swarm hosts, named [[primal host]]s, were first encountered by the Swarm utilized by the [[primal zerg]] on [[Zerus]], used against [[Sarah Kerrigan|Kerrigan]]'s forces by the pack leader [[Brakk]],<ref name="SC2:HotS_WakeAncient"/> although one large, powerful primal host, [[Slivan]], was a pack leader herself. Swarm host strains were incorporated into Kerrigan's Swarm soon afterwards by [[Abathur]], adapted through primal [[essence]].<ref name="SC2:HotS_Cruicible"/> The essences of the primal host were later adapted in to create the swarm host.<ref name="Collections">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]''. Collections Tab: Skins. October 17, 2016.</ref>

Reports within the [[Terran Dominion]] have suggested that swarm hosts have developed the ability to spawn locusts without being burrowed.<ref name="Signing"/>

As primal zerg fought alongside the Zerg Swarm, many swarm hosts strains began to merge with their primal host progenitors, creating strains with many similar traits between the two.

Swarm hosts enslaved by the [[Cerberus Program]] were enhanced with microfactories that allowed them to control locusts spawned from them with remote controlled head gear.<ref name="Collections"/>

During the [[End War]], a number of swarm hosts came under [[Amon]]'s control, and were inducted into [[Amon Brood|his brood]]. They were destroyed by [[Tal'darim]] [[Highlord]] [[Alarak]] and [[Nerazim]] [[Matriarch]] [[Vorazun]] on [[Aiur]].<ref name="SC2:LotV:TemplarsReturn">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]''. Mission: [[Templar's Return]]. (in English). November 10, 2015.</ref>

==Game Unit==
===StarCraft II===
{{UnitBox
|name=Swarm Host
|bgcolor=
|fgcolor={{Black}}
|game=SC2
|image=SwarmHost SC2 Head1.jpg
|imgdesc=
|image2=1. Swarm Host Default.jpg
|imgdesc2=
|race=Zerg
|faction={{FlagKerrigan}} [[Zerg Swarm]]<br>
{{FlagHybrid}} [[Amon Brood]]
|campname=''[[Heart of the Swarm]]''<br>
''[[Legacy of the Void]]''<br>
[[Co-op Missions]]
|baseunit=
|role=Living host
|useguns=
|usearmor=
|energy=
|engyregen=
|timedlife=
|size=
|type=*[[Biological]]
|armortype=*[[Armored]]
|transcapacity=
|transsize=4
|sight=
|detect=
|broodling=
|costmin=100 {{Min}}
200 (HotS campaign & Co-op Abathur)
|energycost=
|costgas=75 {{SC2ZergGas}}
100 (HotS campaign & Co-op Abathur) {{SC2ZergGas}}<br>
125 (Co-op Abathur with '''Tunneling Horror''')
|supply=3
|campcost=
|time=29 {{Time}}
40 (HotS campaign & Co-op Abathur)
|produced=
|parent=
|evolvesfrom=[[Larva]]
|req=[[Infestation pit]]
|hotkey=A
|speed=3.15<br>
2.25 (Co-op)
|accel=
|lataccel=
|decel=
|creepbonus=+2.22<br>
+0.68 (Co-op)
|creepmultiplier=x1.3
|collision=
|shield=
|shieldregen=
|hp=160 (Versus)<br>
120 (HotS, LotV campaigns & Co-op Abathur)
|hpregen=
|armor=1 {{SC2ZergCarapaceIcon}}
|gun1name=
|gun1strength=
|gun1attacks=
|gun1ground=
|gun1air=
|gun1cool=
|gun1range=
|gun1upgrd=
|addons=
|evolvesto=*[[Brutalisk]] (Co-op Abathur)
|produce=[[Locust]]
|allows=
|research=
|ability=
|priority=
|killscore=
|makescore=
|lostscore=
|notes=
|structure=
|hero=
|campaign=
|npc=
|cancel=
|nocat=
}}
Swarm hosts cannot attack directly, and summon [[locust]]s to fight for them. A swarm host can summon two locusts at a time.

====Versus====
As of ''[[Legacy of the Void]]'', swarm hosts can produce locusts on the move;<ref name="LotVYTZerg"/> this ability is now manually activated.<ref name="LotVMP"/> These locusts are more powerful but do not spawn as quickly. In the late game the locusts can fly<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> over terrain. The locusts must then "swoop" to attack.<ref name="LotVMP">Blizzard Entertainment. 2014-11-08. [http://us.battle.net//sc2/en/blog/16654945 Legacy of the Void: Multiplayer Preview]. ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed 2014-11-09.</ref>

Swarm hosts require the [[burrow]] ability to be researched for them. They no longer collide with locusts.<ref name="BetaPatch"/>

Swarm hosts require detection to locate, but reward positioning. Air units and flanking attacks are helpful against groups of swarm hosts, but leaving them unattended and attacking waves of locusts can slowly wear down an army.

;Upgrades and Abilities
{{SC2ZergBurrow}}
{{Clear|left}}
{{Clear|left}}
{{SC2FlyingLocust}}
{{SC2ZergCarapace}}

====Heart of the Swarm====
Swarm hosts appear as [[primal zerg]] enemy units in "[[Waking the Ancient]]."<ref name="SC2:HotS_WakeAncient">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Waking the Ancient]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> Afterwards, the player gains access to them in "[[The Crucible]]."<ref name="SC2:HotS_Cruicible">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[The Crucible]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> They have access to a number of upgrades in the [[evolution pit]].<ref name="SC2-HotS_StoryEvolutionUnits">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Evolution pit]] units (in English). 2013.</ref>

In the ''Heart of the Swarm'' campaign, swarm hosts function differently. They do not burrow, instead using the root command. While rooted, a swarm host cannot move but is still visible. They do not autocast spawn locusts in the same way as in the multiplayer game. Instead, they only spawn locusts while rooted when an enemy comes into range, or the player selects spawn locusts and clicks a location.

;Upgrades and Abilities
[[File:SwarmHost SC2-HotS Story1.png|thumb|The swarm host upgrade screen]]
{{HotSSwarmHostBurrow}}
{{HotSRapidIncubation}}
{{HotSPressurizedGlands}}
{{HotSCarrionStrain}}
{{HotSCreeperStrain}}

====Legacy of the Void====
{{main|Legacy of the Void}}
In ''[[Legacy of the Void]]'', swarm hosts can produce locusts on the move;<ref name = "LotVYTZerg"/> this ability is now manually activated.<ref name = "LotVMP"/> These locusts are more powerful but do not spawn as quickly. In the late game the locusts can fly<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> over terrain. The locusts must then "swoop" to attack.<ref name = "LotVMP">Blizzard Entertainment. 2014-11-08. [http://us.battle.net//sc2/en/blog/16654945 Legacy of the Void: Multiplayer Preview]. ''Blizzard Entertainment.'' Accessed 2014-11-09.</ref>

Swarm hosts require the [[burrow]] ability to be researched for them. They no longer collide with locusts.<Ref name = "BetaPatch"/> They can no longer move while burrowed.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. 2015-05-21. [http://us.battle.net//sc2/en/blog/19254692 Legacy of the Void Beta: Balance Update Preview - May 21]. ''Blizzard Entertainment.'' Accessed 2015-05-22.</ref>

====Co-op Missions====
{{Link|Abathur|coop}} is able to mutate swarm hosts in [[Co-op Missions]]. Like other variants, they spawn 2 Locusts to attack, which deal a total of 16 DPS in co-op. The Swarm Host itself comes with Burrow already unlocked, and can be upgraded when Abathur reaches Level 9 with the Deep Tunnel ability so they can move around the map faster. They spawn locusts much more quickly with biomass.

Instead of this unit, {{Link|Dehaka|coop}} is able to create the [[primal host]] variant, as well as its primal evolution the [[creeper host]].

;Upgrades and Abilities
{{CoopBurrow|Abathur}}
{{CoopSpawnLocust}}
{{CoopBiomassGathererSwarmHost}}
{{CoopBrutaliskEvolution
|name=[[Swarm host]]
|supply=-1}}
{{CoopAbathurBiomassRecovery}}
{{CoopDeepTunnelSwarmHost|Swarmhost}}
{{CoopPressurizedGlands}}
{{CoopZergCarapace|Abathur|Mastery2
|effect1='''Armor:''' 2
|effect2='''Armor:''' 3
|effect3='''Armor:''' 4
}}

====Development====
{{Dev|StarCraft II}}
[[File:Infestor SC2 Cncpt1.jpg|thumb|Infestor development image, dubbed "swarm host"]]
:''Main article: [[Infestor/Development]]''
The 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> was expected to be available in the campaign and map editor of ''[[StarCraft II]]''.<ref name="PCGamer2009June">Didier, Samwise, PC Gamer staff. "Alien Makeover: Blizzard shows off the new look of the zerg." <u>PC Gamer</u> June 2009: 20-22.</ref> During ''Heart of the Swarm'', the design was revisited, but it was initially of a flying unit much like a [[overlord]] with the ability to land, burrow, and produce "swarmings." This was scaled back to a ground based unit.<ref name="PhilGonzo">PhilGonzo Deviantart. [https://www.deviantart.com/phillgonzo/art/Zerg-Swarm-Host-359035464 Zerg Swarm Host] ''Devinaart.com''. April 20, 2019.</ref> The idea behind its current design was to give zerg players their own siege unit, but make sure it functioned in a different manner to the {{Link|siege tank|SC2}} or [[colossus]].<ref name="Explained">June, 2012, [http://www.g4tv.com/videos/59213/starcraft-2-heart-of-the-swarm-new-units-explained-by-david-kim/ Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm "New Units" Explained by David Kim]. ''G4'', accessed on 2012-06-21.</ref>

The swarm host's current form was to give the zerg a new aesthetic, something to distinguish the unit from the usual claws and teeth that other zerg units possess.<ref name="SamNew">June, 2012, [http://www.g4tv.com/videos/59212/starcraft-2-heart-of-the-swarm-new-units-gameplay-preview-with-sam-didier/ Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm "New Units" Gameplay Preview With Sam Didier]. ''G4'', accessed on 2012-06-21.</ref>

"Egg monster" and "digester" are terms used for the swarm host in the [[Heart of the Swarm beta|beta files]] of ''[[Heart of the Swarm]]''.<ref name="HotSBetaEditor">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[Heart of the Swarm beta]] Map Editor''. (Activision Blizzard) (in English). September 4, 2012.</ref>

In the ''Heart of the Swarm'' campaign, the swarm host had two unused upgrades. One increased the movement speed of locusts by 50%, the other increased their attack speed by 20%.<ref name="HotSEditor">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]] [[Galaxy Map Editor|Map Editor]]''. (Activision Blizzard) (in English). March 12, 2013.</ref>

Balance Update #8 of the ''Heart of the Swarm'' beta increased the swarm host's health from 120 to 160.

The swarm host changed dramatically in April 2015 for patch 2.1.9. Their cost was changed from 200 minerals and 100 gas to 100 minerals and 200 gas, their supply was increased from 3 to 4, and their movement speed increased from 2.25 to 2.95. The Summon [[Locust]] ability is now manually cast with the hotkey "C" and the cooldown was increased from 25 seconds to 60. It can be used whether the swarm host is [[burrow]]ed or not, which now must be researched. The Enduring Locusts upgrade was replaced with Flying Locusts, and locusts no longer collide with swarm hosts.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. 2015-04-07. [http://us.battle.net//sc2/en/blog/18598811 Heart of the Swarm Balance Update -- April 9, 2015]. ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed 2015-05-11.</ref>

For ''Legacy of the Void'', patch 2.5.1 Balance Update #1 reverted the unit and supply costs to 200/100 and 3 supply, and removed the Flying Locusts upgrade. Swarm hosts could also move while burrowed, though this was reverted in the next patch. Patch 3.3 reduced the unit cost to 150/100, and 3.8 to 100/75.

Swarm hosts' move speed was reduced from 4.13 to 3.15 in patch 4.0, in order to increase the number of counter-play options against them.<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>
{{SC2IncreasedLocustLifespan}}

===Heroes of the Storm===
{{DotA}}
Swarm hosts appear as a boss mercenary on the [[Warhead Junction]] map of ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]''.<ref name="HeroesoftheStorm">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]'' (Blizzard Entertainment) (in English). June 2, 2015.</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Variant Strains==
*[[Carrion]] 
*[[Creeper]] 
*[[Primal host]]
**[[Creeper host]]
{{Clear}}

==Images==
;Skins
<gallery>
SwarmHost HotS Evolution SC2 Rend.jpg|Swarm host variants in ''Heart of the Swarm'': [[creeper]] variant (left) and [[carrion]] variant (right)
2. Swarm Host Leviathan.jpg|[[Leviathan Brood]] swarm host
3. Swarm Host Primal.jpg|[[Primal zerg]] swarm host
4. Swarm Host Simulant.jpg|[[Simulant]] swarm host
5. Swarm Host Cerberus.jpg|[[Cerberus Program|Cerberus]] swarm host
</gallery>

;Portraits
<gallery>
Swarmhost SC2-LotV Head3.jpg|[[Leviathan Brood]] swarm host portrait
PrimalHost SC2-LotV Head2.jpg|[[Primal zerg]] swarm host portrait
Swarmhost SC2-LotV Head4.jpg|[[Simulant]] swarm host portrait
CerberusSwarmHostPortrait SC2SkinImage.jpg|[[Cerberus Program|Cerberus]] swarm host portrait
</gallery>

==References==
{{Ref|scroll=x}}
{{Zerg (StarCraft II)}}
{{Heart of the Swarm}}
{{Zerg Breeds}}
{{Primal Zerg}}
[[es:Huésped del enjambre]]
[[Category:Swarm zerg breeds]]
[[Category:Primal zerg breeds]]
[[Category:Heroes of the Storm]]