Standard Hatch First (ZvX)

BeginnerZvxEconomic
By GWLLO • Patch 5.0.14

Play Style

The gold standard Zerg opener. Hatchery first allows for maximum larva production and economy. Safe against almost everything if scouted properly.

Strategic Goals

  • → Maximum economy
  • → Queen production
  • → Zergling speed
  • → Map control with Creep

Counters

  • • Macro play

Weaknesses

  • • Cannon rush
  • • 12 Pool (if not careful)

Build Order Steps

SupplyTimeActionCostNotes
13-
Overlord
Overlord
100
Minerals
18s
Produces control and is no longer a detector like the StarCraft I version.
Overlord
100
Minerals
18s
—
16-
Hatchery
Hatchery
300
Minerals
71s
Spawns larvae to be morphed into other zerg strains, generates creep and digests minerals and gas into a usable form. The queen is spawned directly from the hatchery.
Hatchery (Natural)
300
Minerals
71s
—
18-
Extractor
Extractor
25
Minerals
21s
Allows drones to extract vespene gas.
Extractor
25
Minerals
21s
—
17-
Spawning Pool
Spawning Pool
200
Minerals
46s
Required for production of zerglings and queens and researches zergling upgrades.
Spawning Pool
200
Minerals
46s
—
20-
Overlord
Overlord
100
Minerals
18s
Produces control and is no longer a detector like the StarCraft I version.
Overlord
100
Minerals
18s
—
20-
Queen
Queen
150
Minerals
36s
The new queen is very different than its StarCraft I counterpart, being a powerful attacking ground dwelling support unit ideal for zerg defense.
Queen x2
300
Minerals
36s
—
20-
Zergling Speed
Zergling Speed
Metabolic Boost. Increases Zergling movement speed significantly.
Zergling Speed 		—
24-
Zergling
Zergling
50
Minerals
17s
Fast but weak melee attacker ideal for swarming attacks in large numbers.
Zergling x4
200
Minerals
17s
Defense/Scouting
30-
Hatchery
Hatchery
300
Minerals
71s
Spawns larvae to be morphed into other zerg strains, generates creep and digests minerals and gas into a usable form. The queen is spawned directly from the hatchery.
Hatchery (Third)
300
Minerals
71s
—
32-
Overlord
Overlord
100
Minerals
18s
Produces control and is no longer a detector like the StarCraft I version.
Overlord
100
Minerals
18s
—
36-
Baneling Nest
Baneling Nest
100
Minerals
50
Gas
43s
Required for baneling production and researches baneling upgrades.
Baneling Nest
100
Minerals
50
Gas
43s
Safety measure
40-
Lair
Lair
150
Minerals
100
Gas
57s
Upgrade of the hatchery giving access to more advanced buildings and providing upgrades for overlords and overseers.
Lair
150
Minerals
100
Gas
57s
—
44-
Evolution Chamber
Evolution Chamber
75
Minerals
25s
Provides basic upgrades for the zerg ground units.
Evolution Chamber x2
150
Minerals
25s
—

Transitions

Roach/Hydra, Muta/Ling/Bane