Roach Warren Tactics
Starcraft 2 Roach Warren tactics are essential when a Zerg player is looking to use Roaches against their opponent. There are several strategies that a player can follow in order to reach the highest level of play though one should keep in mind that Zerg function best as a combined arms force.
The Roach Warren requires a Spawning Pool to be created before this structure can be built. This building allows for Roaches to be spawned from Zerg larvae. This building also contains upgrades for the Roach unit that are enabled once the Zerg player has a Lair.
The first upgrade available at this building is called Tunneling Claws. This ability allows Roaches to move around while underground and it increases their hit point regeneration rate while underground. Roaches must first be able to burrow before they can take advantage of this upgrade.
The second upgrade is known as Glial Reconstitution. This upgrade increases the movement speed of Roaches. Given the fact that Roaches are rather slow off of the Creep this is an important upgrade as it helps Roaches stay viable later in the game against mobile forces.
The Roach Warren should be created within the safe confines of your own base as this structure does not have many hit points compared to other structures such as a Barracks. Also if this structure gets destroyed then you will be unable to spawn any new Roaches.
The Roach unit itself is a hardy ground unit with an acidic attack that can only be used against ground targets. It is somewhat effective against most ground targets although it is vulnerable to units such as the Immortal and Marauder which inflict extra damage against armored targets.
Roaches are most effective when they are being used as front line support for less sturdy Zerg units. Roaches can also be rather effective against other Zerg opponents as they are pretty tough and can withstand quite a few hits from Banelings and Zerglings for example.
An army consisting of pure Roaches can still be effective provided that you catch your opponents off-guard. This can be tricky to achieve in practice however. Roaches certainly have their weaknesses which is why they should be supported by other more mobile and powerful Zerg units. For example a pure Roach army will lose to a combined Roach and Hydralisk army provided that the micromanagement level is the same for both players.
The Roach Warren does not enable other Zerg buildings although it can still be an important building depending on the strategies of the Zerg player. Keep in mind also that Roaches have an attack that is short ranged and slow to reload.
When playing against other opponents online you need to be observant of your opponent’s activities. The Zerg are mostly known as a reactionary race and so scouting your opponent will help you a lot as this will help determine which tactics you should go for.
