Starcraft 2 Zerg Advanced Structures

Starcraft 2 Zerg Units and Structures --> Zerg Advanced Structures (you are here)

After building a Spawning Pool and then a Lair, players are able to access the Starcraft 2 Zerg Advanced structures.

In this article below, I will cover all of these structures along with related units, technologies, and upgrades. I will also tell you which upgrades are "must haves" and ones that are usually not worth the resources.

Lair

Requires: Hatchery, Spawning Pool
Cost: 150 minerals, 100 vespene gas
Allows the evolution of Overseers from Overlords and the building of the Hydralisk Den, Nydus Network, Spire, and Infestation Pit
Researches: Pneumatized Carapace, Ventral Sacs, Burrow

The Lair can be evolved from the Hatchery after building a Spawning Pool. This building unlocks many advanced Starcraft 2 Zerg Structures.

This is a key building for nearly all Zerg games. Some games however, particularly in Zerg vs Zerg, may be ended before a Lair is produced.

It is important for most Zerg players to access the Lair quickly in order to get anti-air units.

Hydralisk Den

Requires: Lair
Cost: 100 minerals, 100 vespene gas
Allows production of Hydralisks at Hatchery
Researches: Grooved Spines (increases Hydralisk range)

The Hydralisk is the first (aside from the Queen) Zerg anti-air unit, making this building a must have versus any players getting air units.

Players can research Grooved Spines (150 minerals, 100 vespene gas) which increases Hydralisk range. This is a must-have ability if you plan to use Hydralisks.

Spire

Requires: Lair
Cost: 200 minerals, 200 vespene gas
Allows production of Mutalisks and Corruptors
Researches: Flyer Attack, Flyer Carapace

The Spire is the building which grants Zerg the ability to build air units. It is also the site that players are able to upgrade the attack and armor of Zerg air units.

This building is essential for most games as Zerg; Mutalisks are one of the best Zerg units and can help control the map. The downside to this building is its high cost and unusually long build time (100 seconds; compare that to 40 seconds on the Hydralisk Den!).

After players upgrade their Lair to a Hive, the Spire can be upgraded to a Greater Spire. This allows the conversion of Corruptors into Brood Lords.

Greater Spire

Requires: Hive, Spire
Cost: 100 minerals, 150 vespene gas
Allows evolution of Corruptors into Brood Lords
Researches: Flyer Attack, Flyer Carapace

The Greater Spire is an upgrade from the Spire. The only advantage of this building is that it allows the production of Brood Lords.

Given the cost of Brood Lords, make sure that you really want to use these units or that you have an extremely high economy before making this building.

When the Spire is upgrading, you cannot upgrade Flyer Attack or Flyer Carapace.

Infestation Pit

Requires: Lair
Cost: 100 minerals, 100 vespene gas
Allows production of Infestors and evolution of the Lair into a Hive
Researches: Pathogen Glands, Neural Parasite

The Infestation Pit is the Tier 2.5 building that gives players access to the Hive and Tier 3 Starcraft 2 Zerg structures.

This building also allows the production of the Infestor and contains Infestor-related technologies.

Pathogen Glands (150 minerals, 150 vespene gas) increases the starting energy of Infestors by 25. This is not a good upgrade unless you have extra resources and are relying heavily on Infestors. However, it does allow a fresh Infestor to use Fungal Growth.

Neural Parasite (150 minerals, 150 vespene gas) is one of the most powerful Infestor abilities. I would recommend researching this if you opponent is building any "big" units like Thors as it is very effective.

Nydus Network

Requires: Lair
Cost: 150 minerals, 200 vespene gas
Allows production of Nydus Worm

With the Nydus Network, Zerg players can build Nydus Worms for 100 minerals and 100 vespene gas. These worms build in 20 seconds.

Once the Nydus Worm is up, players can then transport units rapidly between the Nydus Network and the Nydus Worm. The Worm can be placed on any unclaimed territory; creep does not need to be present.

This building is at the cornerstone of many Zerg strategies. Due to the fast building time of the Nydus Worm, players can build worms in the enemy's expansion or even main base. These units can then quickly take out the opponent's main base and then use the Nydus Worm to get back to their main base.

Players can also use this building to quickly transport units between the main base and expansions. This is just one of many Zerg tools used to control the map.

Hive

Requires: Lair, Infestation Pit
Cost: 200 minerals, 150 vespene gas
Allows the evolution of the Spire into the Greater Spire, the construction of the Ultralisk Cavern, and the ability to research the Zergling's Adrenal Glands and Roach's Organic Carapace
Researches: Same as Lair

The Hive can be evolved from the Lair after an Infestation Pool has been created.

The Hive is the gateway to Tier 3 Starcraft 2 Zerg structures. This building is not often produced by Zerg players unless they are relying heavily on Zerglings, Roaches, or need to make Brood Lords.

Ultralisk Cavern

Requires: Hive
Cost: 150 minerals, 200 vespene gas
Allows the production of Ultralisks
Researches: Chitinous Plating

The Ultralisk Cavern allows the production of Ultralisks and is one of the highest-tier Zerg buildings.

The Ultralisk Cavern can upgrade the Ultralisk to have Chitinous Plating (150 minerals, 150 vespene gas) which increases Ultralisk Armor by +2. This is useful when the opponent is massing marines or other light units.

Ultralisks can have +6 armor when fully upgraded (1 naturally, +2 from Chitinous Plating, and +3 from upgrades). Additionally, they attack with splash damage, allowing them to tear through massed Marines, Zerglings, and Zealots when fully upgraded.

The Ultralisk is particularly strong versus Terran players, whom vs Zerg players traditionally struggle. The Ultralisk with the speed upgrade is a great infantry and anti-Siege Tank unit. Bring along a few Infestors to control the Thors and you are good to go!