Zerg Brood

A Zerg Brood (or Brood) is a formation of the Zerg race in the StarCraft universe — a fictional universe in which the StarCraft series of computer games and books are set.

Broods act under the authority of a Zerg Cerebrate, and each one of them has a particular function and characteristics best suited for its duties. Each Brood is made up of sub-Broods whose Cerebrates serve the main Cerebrate. Though little is known of the Broods, and their Cerebrates, Terran explorers have managed to learn about them and named each one after beasts of Earth's mythology.

Broods featured in StarCraft

Baelrog Brood

The Baelrog Brood consists of the most fearsome of all Zerg warriors. Ravenous and bloodthirsty to the extreme, the Baelrog Brood is often called upon by Gorn to sow terror and confusion among enemy ranks. The Brood manages to make even other Zerg uncomfortable, as it is not only known for its savage battle tactics, but also for its voracious cannibalism. The Baelrog are bred and trained to attack without hesitation, mercy or self-consideration.

Baelrog was destroyed when its Cerebrate, Gorn, was slain on Aiur by Zeratul.

Baelrog Brood

Cerebrate commander	Gorn
Estimated size	6,000
Primary directive	terror squad
Distinctive color	white (apears green in starcraft brood war icelands)
Named after	Balrog (Tolkien mythology)

Fenris Brood

The Fenris Brood's role is to systematically hunt down and eliminate opponents of the Zerg Swarm. The creatures of this brood are known for their formidable tracking skills and their deadly efficiency. One of the brood's main tasks is to find new races suitable for assimilation into the Zerg Swarm; once such a species has been identified by the Fenris Brood, the Grendel Brood (a brood only briefly mentioned in the original StarCraft instruction booklet, named after the monster Grendel) carries out the absorption.

Fenris Brood

Cerebrate commander	Nargil
Estimated size	5,500
Primary directive	hunter swarm
Distinctive color	green
Named after	Fenrisulfr (Norse mythology)

Garm Brood

Lead by the cunning Cerebrate Zasz, the Garm Brood is part of the Zerg Swarm's main attack wing, along with numerically far superior Jormungand and Surtur broods. The brood makes up for its relatively small numbers by employing guerilla tactics, including surprise attacks and frequent raids. It is known both for its extreme ferocity and the speed at which it attacks. This brood was destroyed by the Jormungand Brood after the death of Zasz on Char.

Garm Brood

Cerebrate commander	Zasz
Estimated size	10,000
Primary directive	primary assault force
Distinctive color	orange
Named after	Garm (Norse mythology)

Jormungand Brood

The Jormungand Brood is The Swarm's main support force, and one of the most numerous. Its commanding Cerebrate, Araq, relies on brute force and numeric superiority to overrun opponents to the Zerg.

The Jormungand Brood captured Sarah Kerrigan, and a sub-Brood Brood was created from some of its members to serve Infested Kerrigan. This brood's Cerebrate is the player's character.

Jormungand Brood

Cerebrate commander	Araq
Estimated size	3 million
Primary directive	primary support force
Distinctive color	purple
Named after	Jormungand (Norse mythology)

Surtur Brood

The millions-strong Surtur brood, under the control of Cerebrate Kagg, is sent forth by the Overmind when the Jormungand is unable to break enemy ranks alone. This brood is described as so destructive it is kept as reserve if possible.

Surtur Brood

Cerebrate commander	Kagg
Estimated size	2.6 million
Primary directive	heavy support force
Distinctive color	blue
Named after	Surtur (Norse mythology)

Tiamat Brood

The Tiamat brood is the most important and the most powerful brood of The Swarm. Its role is to protect the Zerg Overmind itself. The Tiamat is specialized in tactical space combat and rarely fields any ground creatures. It has access to the advanced Hunter Killer breed.

Tiamat

Cerebrate commander	Daggoth
Estimated size	6.5 million
Primary directive	command fleet
Distinctive color	red
Named after	Tiamat (Babylonian and Sumerian mythology)

Other Broods have appeared in StarCraft, but their histories are mostly unknown.

References

• Underwood, Peter, Bill Roper, Chris Metzen and Jeffrey Vaughn. StarCraft (Manual). Irvine, Calif.: Blizzard Entertainment, 1998.
• StarCraft homepage at Blizzard Entertainment
• Battle.net StarCraft Compendium