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The Swarm Host has no weapons of its own, but can represent an army unto itself. Generated by the Infestation Pit, it spawns parasitic symbiotes known as Locusts, which attack any nearby enemies with volleys of acidic saliva. This crawling monstrosity burrows into the ground in order to provide a seemingly endless supply of ferocious biological minions, and is often used in defensive maneuvers. This lack of mobility can leave the Swarm Host vulnerable to quicker enemies with area damage like the Hellion.

Legacy of the Void Heart of the Swarm

Unit Statistics

3D Model

Basic information

Race:	Zerg
Life:	160 Regeneration: 0.273
Armor:	1 (4)
Movement:	Fast Acceleration: 1000 Turn Rate: 360.000
Cargo Size:	4
Attributes:	Armored - Biological

Production

Producer:	Larva
Hotkey:	A
Requires:	Infestation Pit
Cost:	200 100
Supply:	3
Build time:	40

Combat

Upgrades:	Zerg Ground Carapace Level 1 Upgrades the armor of all Zerg ground units. Hotkey: C Cost: 150 150 Build time: 160 Zerg Ground Carapace Level 2 Further upgrades the armor of all Zerg ground units. Hotkey: C Cost: 225 225 Build time: 190 Zerg Ground Carapace Level 3 Maximizes the armor of all Zerg ground units. Hotkey: C Cost: 300 300 Build time: 220 Evolve Burrow Enables all Zerg ground units to use the Burrow ability. Burrow allows a unit to take cover underground, rendering it unable to attack. A burrowed unit is invisible unless revealed by detectors or effects. Hotkey: B Cost: 100 100 Build time: 100
Ability:	Burrow Buries the unit underground. Burrowed units are unable to move or attack, but they cannot be seen without detection. Hotkey: R Requires: Burrow Duration: 3 Spawn Locusts Spawns 2 Locusts. Locusts have a 18 second timed life. Can attack ground units. Hotkey: C Cooldown: 60 Flying Locusts Locusts spawned by the Swarm Host can fly. Flying Locusts can use Swoop to land and attack.

3D Model

Basic information

Race:	Zerg
Life:	160 Regeneration: 0.273
Armor:	1 (4)
Movement:	Normal Acceleration: 1000 Turn Rate: 360.000
Cargo Size:	4
Attributes:	Armored - Biological

Production

Producer:	Larva
Hotkey:	A
Requires:	Infestation Pit
Cost:	200 100
Supply:	3
Build time:	40

Combat

Upgrades:	Zerg Ground Carapace Level 1 Upgrades the armor of all Zerg ground units. Hotkey: C Cost: 150 150 Build time: 160 Zerg Ground Carapace Level 2 Further upgrades the armor of all Zerg ground units. Hotkey: C Cost: 225 225 Build time: 190 Zerg Ground Carapace Level 3 Maximizes the armor of all Zerg ground units. Hotkey: C Cost: 300 300 Build time: 220
Ability:	Burrow Buries the unit underground. Burrowed units are unable to move or attack, but they cannot be seen without detection. Hotkey: R Duration: 3 Spawn Locusts Spawns 2 Locusts. Locusts have a 15 second timed life. Can attack ground units. Hotkey: C Cooldown: 25

SPECIMEN ANALYSIS

The large, mushroom-shaped structure on the Swarm Host’s back is a breeding ground that weaponizes the millions of diminute larvae inhabiting the creature’s bloodstream. Through a simple system of membranes for matter exchange, glands that pump the offspring full of hormones to hyperaccelerate 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 legs of the Swarm Host 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 Terran Siege Tank hydraulics, this specialized skeletal system allows the Swarm Host to maintain position and balance when spewing Locusts or when under heavy fire.

Millions of these diminutive larvae swim through the acid bloodstream of the Swarm Host, feeding off of damaged tissue, sealing wounds, and destroying anything foreign that may enter 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.

0.65 0.43 0.67 0.83 0.44 0.79 0.29 0.59

General Strategy

Medium-sized unit that has no basic attack, but spawns free, temporary units called Locusts when burrowed.
Locusts attack ground units only.
Spawning a group of Locusts, then instantly retreating with your Swarm Hosts is an excellent way to make sure the Hosts remain safe.
Combine Swarm Hosts with ranged units such as Roaches or Hydralisks in order to use the free Locusts as a shield while the other units deal damage.

Strong Against

Weak Against

Countermeasures

Terran VS

Splash damage units such as Hellions or Siege Tanks are effective at taking out Locusts.
Because Locusts can’t attack air units, use Banshees along with a Raven or the Scanner Sweep ability to deal with Swarm Hosts.
Swarm Hosts spawn Locusts at set intervals. Once a wave of Locusts has been killed, use Marines’ Stimpack ability so that they can quickly move out and kill Swarm Hosts before the next wave.

Zerg VS

Mutalisks are effective at fighting large numbers of Swarm Hosts.
Because the zerg race doesn’t have many options for splash damage against Locusts, utilize the mobility of Zerglings or Roaches to surround them.

Protoss VS

Coupled with Observers, both Void Rays and Phoenixes with the Graviton Beam ability are strong counters to Swarm Hosts.
The Sentry’s Force Field ability can trap Locusts, allowing other Protoss units to take care of Swarm Hosts.
Dark Templars can be effective against Swarm Hosts.
Against large numbers of Swarm Hosts, build Colossi or High Templars for their splash damage.

Terran
Zerg
Protoss

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