Description [ edit ]

The Roach is an Armored-ground unit that can be produced after a Roach Warren has been built.

With the Tunneling Claws upgrade, the Roach becomes one of two units (the other being the Infestor) that is able to move while burrowed. This is also indicated by the appearance of crystals on the backs of the Roaches.

The Roach is useful in all three match-ups because it can absorb large amounts of damage. Roaches have very high HP values considering their cheap cost. This is augmented by its ability to regenerate its health at a tremendous rate of 7 HP/second while Burrowed. This allows for a full heal in just over 20 seconds.

Note that while the Roach also has a melee attack animation, it is affected by Range Attack upgrades, but not by a Guardian Shield or the now removed Point Defense Drone.

Abilities [ edit ]

Rapid Regeneration While burrowed, the Roach regenerates its health at an extremely fast rate of 7 hit points per second.

Morph to Ravager 25 75 1 Duration: 9 s 9 s Hotkey: V This ability morphs a Roach into a Ravager

Upgrades [ edit ]

Competitive Usage [ edit ]

Roaches are used to pin units in place, have a large amount of life, and are gas efficient. Their ability to morph into Ravagers, which have a longer ranged attack, allows the Zerg players to morph only the units they need instead of having to make dedicated units like Hydras that are more gas expensive. Storms are not very effective against these units (as opposed to Zerglings).

Roach-Ravager compositions, with the Roach as the backbone, are serious threats to Terran in the early game. When used correctly in timing builds that combine +1 missile and Roach Speed, this alone can often end the game right there before the 8-minute mark. Of course, the effectiveness of this unit depends on the player's skill and, in this case, macro. Large Roach-Ravager armies combined with other units to counter the Terran forces are still deadly and used by many in the late game, as well.

Gallery [ edit ]

Quotes [ edit ]

Patch Changes [ edit ]

Patch 3.14.0 [1] Undetected burrow move visual effects are now more visible.

Patch 4.7.1 [2] Tunneling Claws cost decreased from 150/150 to 100/100.

Tunneling Claws no longer increases the health regeneration rate of Roaches from 7 HP/second to 14 HP/second.