Zagara Hero Week
"One day I will kill Kerrigan… don't tell her I said that."
- Zagara, Broodmother of the Swarm
If Kerrigan is the Queen of the Zerg, then Zagara is the mother of the brood. Cunning and tenacious, she commands her vicious minions on the field of battle. Zagara hails from the StarCraft universe, and if you encounter her brood you’d best beware: Mess with her children, and you answer to mama!
In Heroes of the Storm, Zagara takes on the role of a Specialist who excels at infesting lanes with creep to aid her in pushing lanes. The creep gives she and her host of minions high mobility throughout the Battleground. This Broodmother of the Swarm is definitely a Zerg that you want by your side as you seek to conquer your opponents in the Nexus!
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Like many of the Queen of Blades' creations, the Broodmother Zagara was birthed of the terrible ash and heat of Char. Unlike most Zerg, Broodmothers are capable of complex problem-solving and multi-tasking, and are possessed of the ability to command members of their race with fewer sapient traits. Each Broodmother is an important piece of the greater Zerg organism, able to provide large groups of Zerg with a nearly "independent" perspective.
Zagara is as vicious and resilient as any in the Swarm, but she is also possesses extreme cunning. In the years since her emergence, the Broodmother came to see the volcanic planet of Char as the Swarm's crucible: a brutal environment that pushes the zerg to increasing fitness, sharpening their claws and teeth and forcing their flesh to grow thicker.
Autonomic learning has convinced Zagara of the inferiority of other intelligent species, and the time she spent uniting disparate feral broods on Char only strengthened her contempt for the weakness of most races in the galaxy.
When Kerrigan first returned to Char, Zagara resisted Kerrigan's attempt to retake the Swarm, but when Kerrigan defeated her, Zagara submitted, and she now serves the Queen of Blades.
Baneling Barrage
- Target: Direction, Area: Direction Selected, Straight Line
- Launch a stream of Banelings that explode on contact with the enemy.
Hunter Killer
- Target: Enemy, Area: Enemy Selected, Will Follow
- Unleash a Hunter Killer Hydralisk on an enemy.
Infested Drop
- Target: Location, Area: Circle AoE
- Bombard an area with a Zerg drop pad that spawns Roachlings.
Creep Tumor
- Target: Battleground Terrain, Area: Click and Place
- Generates creep allowing Zagara and her minions to move faster.
Nydus Network
- Target: Location, on Flat Terrain, Area: Circle AoE
- Zagara can travel through Nydus Worms placed around the Battleground.
Devouring Maw
- Target: Location, Area: Circle AoE
- Summon a giant Maw to engulf enemies in an area, disabling and damaging them.
- Spreading Creep gives Zagara and her minions faster movement speed. Make sure to be placing “Creep Tumors” [D] as often as possible!
- “Baneling Barrage” [Q] is fantastic for sniping enemies or damaging them from afar. Use this ability to disrupt an opponent from grabbing the Dragon Knight on Dragon Shire.
- Place a “Nydus Network” [R] next to the Hall of Storms so Zagara can zip back to retrieve Mana and Health before zipping back to a lane.
"If you liked it, you shoulda put some creep on it."
Zagara’s creep brings all the ‘lisks to the yard, and her starting skin in Heroes of the Storm is ready for anyone that dares to take on this Broodmother of the Swarm!
- Insectoid Zagara - Dr. Wright hypothesized only insects would survive in the ruins of a post-apocalyptic Tarsonis. Years later, as the mutated hivemother's pincers closed around his neck, he realized how right he was.
"Consume, infest, destroy. Some of us know how to party."
- Zagara, Broodmother of the Swarm
- Zagara is a Zerg Broodmother, and the Last defender of Char.
- She is loyal to the Swarm and works towards what is best for the Zerg.
- She is ambitious, and sees other life forms as weaker.
- Zagara remained on Char after the Queen of Blades was defeated, and rallied many of the feral Zerg.
- Zagara held out against Warfield's forces but her brute tactics prevented victory.
- When Kerrigan first returned to Char, Zagara resisted Kerrigan's attempt to retake the Swarm, but when Kerrigan defeated her, Zagara submitted.
- Kerrigan found the Broodmother’s tactics brutal and straight forward. The Queen of Blades said she lacked vision, and under Kerrigan's command, Abathur made more improvements to Zagara to allow her more flexible thinking.
- Zagara did not care for the primal zerg or Dehaka, as they were not part of the Swarm.
- While invading Korhal, Kerrigan told Zagara that if anything happened to her, Zagara must prepare the Swarm to fight Amon. Kerrigan lived however, so Zagara still serves her.
- The Broodmother of the Swarm believes she may take over the swarm one day, but for now she feels Kerrigan has more to teach her.
"I dislike space. It is cold and empty. Give me a turgid, wet hatchery." –Zagara
"Parasites do not allow you to use the carpool lane. Found that out the hard way." –Zagara
"It is so adorable how Murky wants to wipe out every Terran… but he still creeps me out." –Zagara
Since Zerg’s first appearance, many talented artists have sought to illustrate these fearsome and ruthless aliens. Zagara is no exception, and below is a fantastic piece of fan art featuring the Broodmother of the Swarm, which was submitted by artist Justin Rettberg!
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| "Zagara" by Justin Rettberg |
Zagara has played an important role in the StarCraft universe, and if you’re interested in learning more about Zagara and her brood, make sure to check out the following related content:
- RISK: StarCraft (Board Game – 2012)
- Heart of the Swarm (Game – 2013)
- Zagara (StarCraft II Page)
You can check out some official art and screenshots featuring Zagara and other Broodmothers below:
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| An Early concept of What Would Later Become the Broodmother Unit in StarCraft II |
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| Kerrigan facing off against Zagara in the StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Campaign |
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| Zagara’s In-Game Unit, as Seen in StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | Zagara’s Storymode Unit, as Seen in StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm |
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| Kerrigan and Zagara, as Seen in StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm |
"No Muradin, BROOD mother. With a D. Not BREW mother."
We hope you’re enjoying our Zagara Week infestation! What’s been your favorite part so far, and what else would you like to see? Let us know in the comments below!
Previous Hero Week Blogs:
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| Muradin | Murky | Li Li | Brightwing |
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| Pajamathur | Tyrael | Tychus |
