Next Zerg Unit: Overseer
Previous Zerg Unit: Hydralisk
Banelings are so bloated with fluid-filled sacs that they can barely walk; they have even been observed tucking into a tight ball and rolling! When a Baneling gets close enough to an enemy, it triggers a reaction within its volatile chemical payload, causing the creature to explode with a shower of searing acid. The explosion destroys the Baneling but also inflicts terrible damage to its enemies. The Baneling’s lethality is enhanced by the Zerg predilection for burrowing. An apparently safe area can turn into a death trap as these monstrosities emerge and charge into the midst of their foes, giving little time to react.
Previous Zerg Unit: Hydralisk
Units
Baneling
25 
25
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20
100 
100
160
General Strategy
- Ground demolitions unit.
- Heavy damage against lightly armored foes like zerglings or marines, as well as structures.
- Can do high levels of damage very quickly when massed and allowed to hit the same target.
- Since buildings cannot dodge or evade, they make ideal targets for groups of banelings, as do slow-moving troops and infantry.
- Do ’splash’ damage (lesser damage in a small range around the ’blast radius’) when detonating.
- Can burrow with the [BURROW] upgrade.
- Able to detonate while burrowed.
- Can upgrade their speed with [CENTRIFUGAL HOOKS].
- Effective against light infantry – marines, zealots, zerglings.
Tech Lab Upgrades
- Burrow: Allows the unit to take cover underground, rendering it unable to attack. A burrowed unit is invisible unless revealed by detectors or effects.
- Centrifugal Hooks: Increases the speed of banelings.
Countermeasures
VS Terran
- Use Siege Tanks in siege mode – their immense range can allow them to detonate banelings before they get anywhere near the tanks.
- Armored units take less damage from baneling attacks – place them near the front of your armies.
- Attempt to ’kite’ banelings – flee from them with a large group of units while allowing one unit to lag behind and take the brunt of their explosions in a sacrifice play.
VS Zerg
- Groups of ranged anti-ground units like Hydralisks and Roaches (particularly with upgraded attacks) can destroy Banelings before they are able to detonate at key targets.
- Use Roaches as a meat shield.
VS Protoss
- All armored units are good at tanking Baneling damage.
- It’s possible to kill the Banelings before you engage using Psi Storm.
- Immortals also take minimal damage from Banelings due to their armor, and can strike them at range.
Reported!
[Close]Comments (86)
the baneling is not strong against marines. it is only strong against scv's.
marines 60minerals 0gas vs banelings 75minerals and 25gas are very to expansive and thanks to stim marines counter the banelings then.
2) banelings vs marine is arguably the biggest counter in the game
As far as stim goes, having speed zerglings run around and block the marines the marines from running is generally a good idea.
Furthermore, as I am starting to sound like a strategy guide, there is a big difference between fighting on creep and off creep. Zerg ground units get a big speed boost on creep, which is one reason why zerg players should try to goop up the map as much as possible with creep tumors.
Splitterling-when he explodes he splits into two new banelings that can explode
Dont now name-when kills unit you get some minerals or gas
Unupgraded Banelings: They see me walkin'...they be happy.
they are fine as they are.