Zerg Build Orders for Starcraft 2

Your Zerg build order strategy is critical to winning the game. Small adjustments in your Zerg build order strategy can have a major impact on the success or failure of the game. I’ve set up a general guideline and 2 different specific strategies below that you should attempt. Both of them can be effective when fighting against different races, depending on the map and your opponent’s strategy. A must do with the Zerg is to keep make sure to scout as you build your buildings and soldiers. You should alter your build orders depending on what your scouts learn.

The Zerg must spawn workers and fighters from the same resource, which means it is truly critical to focus on Zerg macro – carefully plan to maximize your production capabilities. Protoss or Terran races will usually produce worker and fighter units simultaneously at the start of the game, while the Zerg race can focus entirely on one or the other. The number of Hatcheries you have and the Larva that come from them become the most important factor for your build.

Zerg Build – Early Game|Zerg Build Order Strategy – Early Game

These Zerg build orders will put you past the first part of the game in good position, and is effective vs. any race.

Generally, you should start with 9 Overlord. Nine Overlord is way better for your economy than 10 Overlord or extractor tricks.

Issue a scouting drone at 12.

Go with 13 Spawning Pool. This will greatly assist against six pools or Proxy Gates, and should save you nearly five seconds when compared to 14 Spawning Pool.

This will of course also give you five seconds on Baneling Nest or ‘ling Speed.

14 Overlord – Save larva

Now generate up to six Zerglings. Put them out on the offensive quickly to either get into the enemy base if he hasn’t walled in yet, or attack his initial army.

Once you mine 100 gas, start your Drones mining minerals Over gas.

Hatchery and Overlord at 20 – 22 food

Once your first larva injection pops, start mining gas again with your drones.

With the exception of small maps against a Terran, you almost always should set up a second base quickly so you can make more Larva. A single Hatchery is just not enough. When you develop the second Hatchery, your resource collection will really improve.

Zerg Build Order Tactic – Fast Drones

The starting purpose of this Zerg build order strategy is to spawn ten Drones as soon as is feasible.

Once you generate the Drones, develop an Overlord, and then three additional Drones, and wait until you max out at 200 minerals.

When you’ve collected the 200 minerals, build a Spawning Pool. Be certain to place the Spawning Pool in a tough to get to location, because it is usually a top priority target for your opponent. While the Spawning Pool is being generated, set an Extractor up and place 3 Drones on it, then continue to create additional Drones until it’s done. As soon as it is finished, get a Queen out immediately, and then some Zerglings and more Drones.

Upgrade your Spawning Pool with the speed buff when you accumulate 100 Vespine gas.

To protect your base, build a Baneling Nest as well as several Banelings. Banelings are supreme defensive units that can protect you against attackers while defending your base and Spawning Pool.

Eric has been playing Starcraft 2 since its beta release in Feb 2010. He is a Diamond League player thanks to playing with the Diamond Gamer for Starcraft 2 and Shokz Guide for Starcraft 2.