Armor: Medium
Hit Points: 80
Ground Attack: 10*
Air Attack: 10*
Attack Range: 5
Gas Required: 25
Minerals Required: 75

The Hydralisk is a core unit of any Zerg attack force. For lack of a better description, Hydralisks are a bigger, stronger Marine. This is because their attacks pack a wallop both on land and in the air, making them a versatile unit that can both attack and defend a position against nearly any enemy unit.

The Hydralisk's ranged attack allows you to use it like a mobile Spore Colony that can protect other units fromair attacks or defend your base the same way. Generally, the Hydralisk is most effective in groups of eight or more, making it difficult for enemy units to take out any one Hydralisk before the group can take them out.

A popular attack involves Hydralisks in one group and Zerglings in another group or two. The Zerglings will occupy enemy forces while the slower Hydralisks move into position and start their ranged attacks. This is a classic use of Hydralisks, but another effective tactic uses Hydralisks as backup for Guardians. Guardians essentially bombers, can do major damage to ground targets, but they're incapable of firing back when attacked by air. This is where the Hydralisks come in: A group of 12 Hydralisks and 12 Gaurdians can move over a map together and crush enemy bases very effectively. Use the Hydralisks to blow enemy aircraft out of the sky while the Guardians concentrate on anything on the ground.

Type: Medium Assault Warrior
Core Genus: Slothien
Primary Attack: Needle Spines

The peaceful, herbivore herds of Slothien were assimilated into the Zerg Swarm in order to produce one of the most fierce and diabolical of the Zerg strains. The evolutionary matrix of the caterpiller-like Slothien was supercharged by the Overmind, twisting the helpless creatures into the nightmarish killers known as Hydralisks. These once mild creatures now hunger for blood and violence, and they are infamous for acting in a particulary sadistic fashion.

The spindly, snake-like Hydralisks house hundreds of armor piercing spines within their upper carapace plates. These spines can be fired in volleys at enemies approaching from either the ground or the air, and massed groups of Hydralisks should be approached with extreme caution.

Hydralisks are especially fond of lying in wait for their prey. Groups of themhave been observed burrowing into the ground in the pathway of civilian workers, uncovering themselves when they sense an opponent is near.