The Baneling Rush is a ZvT build that focuses on rushing Banelings in order to break the Terran’s wall in of Supply Depots/Addons and go for the quick win. This build puts extreme pressure on the Terran player, and if he or she does not scout and adjust his build correctly, will usually result in a win for the Zerg player. However, if the rush fails, the Zerg player will be in an extremely weak economical position.

9 Overlord
14 Spawning Pool
13 Gas
15 Overlord
15 Queen
17 Zerglings

What do these numbers mean?

At this point you should find your enemy’s base if you haven’t yet with your Zerglings. Use Spawn Larva and keep producing Zerglings and Overlords. At 100 Gas, research the Metabolic Boost Upgrade at your Spawning Pool and right after at 50 gas begin your Baneling Nest. Once the Baneling Nest is completed, morph 6 of your Zerglings into Banelings; this should leave you with 6 Banelings and around 14-16 Zerglings. At this point you want to attack the Terran’s wall. Keep a couple of Zerlings in front of your Banelings in order to soak any damage. Once the Terran wall is destroyed, use your remaining Zerglings to wreck havoc in the Terran base.

A word of warning. If you find that the Terran player is walling in with 2 Barracks or a Barracks and a Factory (instead of Supply Depots and Addons) you MUST abort this rush and transition into a more economical build. Your Banelings will NOT be able to break through a wall of pure Barracks/Factories.

Almost all build orders are a rough estimation and can usually be adapted depending on your enemy’s actions. ALWAYS scout your opponent and adjust your build accordingly.

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