Starcraft 2 Infestor Abilities and Strategy

In Starcraft 2, the Infestor is a new Zerg caster unit that is quite powerful when used correctly. In this article, I will list and discuss all the Starcraft 2 Infestor abilities and their function.

In order to build a Starcraft 2 Infestor, you will first need to build an Infestation Pit (requires a Lair). Once this building is up, you can start building Infestors.

Some Starcraft 2 Infestor abilities are innate and do not need to be researched. Fungal Growth is one of the most powerful Starcraft 2 Infestor abilities. Fungal Growth deals 36 damage over 8 seconds and prevents enemy units from moving. This spell costs 75 energy and effects all units within its area of effect.

On some units, such as groups of Marines, this spell is devastating. Additionally, since Fungal Growth roots units, it is very effective for a hit and run. You can keep an Infestor burrowed just outside your base, and when the enemy closes in, unburrow, cast Fungal Growth, and then reburrow and run. You should be able to escape by the time the root wears off. Chipping away at the enemy’s army is extremely effective, especially when the enemy is using light units. This is much less effective versus massive units with big health totals.

Another great use for Fungal Growth is to keep units with a short range at bay. You can root melee units like Zealots while your ranged units pick them off. You can also root ranged units while your long-ranged units (Brood Lords) pick the rooted units off from a safe range. Note that Stalkers can use Blink to escape the root.

Infestors with the Peristalsis upgrade can move at a decent clip while burrowed. Burrowing your Infestors until you are ready to use them is a great way to keep them safe.

The last of the Starcraft 2 Infestor abilities is Neural Parasite. This ability costs 150 energy and has to be researched at the Infestation Pit. This spell is a mind control ability that allows you to take control of the enemy’s unit. This mind control lasts for a long period of time as long as the Infestor stays alive.

Neural Parasite is a great way to handle larger units which do not take much damage from Fungal Growth. It is particularly effective versus large, dangerous units like Thors and Immortals. Getting off a few mind controls on these large units is absolutely devastating for the opponent. A well-timed Neural Parasite just might be the most powerful of the Starcraft 2 Infestor abilities.