Starting out with Zerg
Zerg
Zerg should almost always try to attack quickly with six Zerglings unless
there is no chance for a very early attack. These would include maps like
Discovery and Dire Straits. Here's a conservative build order:
1. 5 Drones
2. fifth Drone makes a Spawning Pool
3. Another Drone, put it on Minerals
4. While that Drone is building, take a Drone off of minerals and
make a gas Extractor
5. Make an Overlord
6. Another Drone: put this Drone on gas
7. The Overlord and Spawning Pool should finish at about the same
time, and you'll have 150+ minerals. Three larvae should also be
squirming around so you now have a choice. You can make six
Zerglings for an early attack, 3 Drones for building up your
economy further, or some combination of the two.
In most cases, particularly against Protoss players, you'll want to use the
six Zerglings and strike at the Probes. Against Terrans, it's also wise to
deal some damage before they can set their defenses in place. On an
island map or a map where a rush from the enemy player is highly
unlikely, you'll want to make Drones at step 7 to build up the economy
and get a Hydralisk Den up sooner. Of course on an island map, you'll
want to start your Lair upgrade before putting up a Hydralisk Den. In the
event that you're going for a Mutalisk rush, skip the Hydralisk Den
altogether and rely on masses of Zerglings and a Sunken Colony or two
for defense until you can get Mutalisks out.
Building a second Hatchery
You'll soon reach a point in the early minutes where you're bringing in
minerals faster than you can spend it. When you're finding that larvae
aren't popping out of your Hatchery fast enough (minerals are piling up
over 300), it's time to build a second Hatchery. I almost always build my
second Hatchery in the starting town because it's necessary for Zerg to
attack in huge numbers (especially against Protoss). Having a second
Hatchery early on will afford you this luxury. You'll usually do this
sometime after your third Overlord is flying about, and after your Hydralisk
Den is operational.
The Zergling-Hydralisk combination
Against Protoss Zealots, your best bet is a combination of Zerglings and
Hydralisks. Have about 2x-3x as many Zerglings as Hydralisks, and use
the Zerglings to attack first. The idea is that you want the Zerglings to
occupy the Zealots while your Hydralisks attack from a distance,
unscathed. Of course, early on, you might have to fight a battle or two
against Zealots with Zerglings only. Obviously you'll need to outnumber
the Zealots by a lot, so having that early second Hatchery and an Overlord
over their base will help your planning and execution tremendously. During
the battles, be sure you target individual Zealots with 5 or 6 Zerglings at a
time for maximum efficiency. Don't let your Zerglings spread their attention
too thinly.
Those darn Bunkers
Against Terrans, attacking early can be risky. Bunkers are very dangerous
for Zerglings to go up against. In the case that there are two full Bunkers
within firing range of each other, even 24 Zerglings might not be enough to
break the defense, especially if your opponent uses SCVs to repair the
Bunkers as they're being attacked. Zerglings supported by Hydralisks
might stand a chance, but if there are Bunkers established, the best thing
to do is run around the Bunkers and find SCVs and/or buildings that are
not within the protective embrace of the Bunkers. Attack these and try to
bait your opponent into leaving his Bunkers to protect his buildings. If
there's no way to bypass the Bunkers, you should probably lay back and
wait until you get long range units (Guardians) or Defilers, whose Dark
Swarm can provide protection. If nothing is covering the SCVs at the back
of the town, go for an air drop of Hydras, and/or Mutalisks.
Zerg vs Zerg
Playing Zerg on Zerg opens up some interesting possibilities. You'll
definitely want to fly your Overlord over your enemy's town to see what
he's up to. This should be pretty safe until your adversary gets Hydralisks;
once you see a Den being built, scoot out of the area.
If your enemy is going for a Zergling rush, you'll need to do the same thing
to defend. In the case you're both going with Zerglings, don't attack first.
You'll want to wait for him to come to you, so you'll outnumber him (it will
take your opponent extra time to walk over). Chances are, you'll beat back
that early rush easily and beat him to two Hatcheries if you can bait him
into attacking first. In the event he's going for early Mutalisks, go with two
Hatcheries and overwhelm your opponent with Zerglings before he can get
Mutalisks.
Next: Zerg Reconnaissance Tips