Hit Points: 200 Size: Large Supply: N/A Cost: 100 Build Time: 40 Produced at: Hatchery Requires: Hatchery Base Ground Attack: N/A Base Air Attack: N/A Base Armor: 0 Range: N/A Sight: 9 (11 with upgrade) Cooldown: N/A Production Hot Key: O

The extent of the Overlords’ control over the Zerg is unknown, but it is clear that these flying behemoths provide direction for the other Zerg breeds. Although they resemble the Portuguese man-o-war of Earth, they are fairly docile creatures that tend to young larvae and transport other Zerg across the depths of space by carrying them within their shelled bodies.

With the ability to transport, detect cloaked/burrowed units, fly and provide "supply" units for the Zerg, the flying Overlord is one of the most useful and versatile Zerg units. The key to winning most battles will lie in the utilization of every ability the Overlord has to offer. Once those abilities are mastered, the Zerg can truly become a race to be feared.

Control/Supply Issues
As the provider of control and direction for the Zerg breeds (similar to the Terran Supply Depots or the Protoss Pylons in terms of "supply"), producing many Overlords is a requirement for colony growth.

When selected an empty Overlord will list Control used, Control provided, Total Control, and Control Max (which is usually 200 - except in Team Melee games where the maximum may be higher) numbers. [ Note that these stats can be seen at all times at the top right hand corner of the screen. ]

One of the major drawbacks of the Overlords is that compared to the Supply Depots or Pylons, Overlords are rather weak and vulnerable, and if left unescorted, can be easily destroyed. Because of this, Overlord Hunting often becomes a viable tactic for enemy forces. 8 control(supply) units are lost with every Overlord lost and untimely losses of Overlords will quickly put a cap on population growth. This can become a serious hindrance if it happens in the early game (particularly from Terran Marines), where there aren't enough resources to build an army and maintain an excess of Overlords, so be sure to protect them well. In the later game, be sure to have excess Overlords so that if a few are picked off, the colony will still be able to grow.

Maximizing Detection
Another highly valued function of the Overlord is its ability to detect cloaked or burrowed units. With the relatively large number of Overlords that you will have for maintaining control of the Hive, there should never be a problem defending against or attacking those cloaked/burrowed units. If using Overlords as part of an attack force, bring along more than one. The enemy may directly target the Overlords in order to reduce your detection ability, and using multiple Overlords to witness a fight will help counter this tactic. Without any detection nearby, enemy cloaked units will be able to engage your own forces undetected. In most cases a single Overlord will not suffice and the more present, the better the chances of a successful attack. To maximize the ability to detect, be sure to evolve the Overlords for Pneumatized Carapace (faster movement upgrade) and Antennae(increased sight range).

Transportation
Finally, the Overlord's ability to transport comes once its genetic code has been evolved for Ventral Sacs.

The Overlord, like the Dropship and Shuttle, has 8 transport slots and can carry:

8 Drones (1 slot each)
8 Zerglings (1 slot each)
4 Hydralisks (2 slots each)
2 Lurkers (4 slots each)
4 Defilers (2 slots each)
2 Ultralisks (4 slots each)

OR any combination of these units up to but not over the 8 slot limit

• Select the Overlord, click on the Load button, then click on the ground unit to load
• Select the Overlord, hit the L keyboard shortcut for the Load command, then click on the unit to load
• Select the Overlord, then right-click on the unit to load
• Select the unit to load, then right-click on the Overlord

Select the Overlord, issue the Unload command (either by clicking on the Unload button, or using the U keyboard shortcut) then select the drop location. The Overlord will move to the target location and unload all its units.

OR

Select the Overlord, then click on the wireframe of a single unit you wish to unload. That unit will then be unloaded directly under the Overlord's current position.

[ Click to Enlarge - 90 KB ] An Overlord watches the outskirts of a Terran outpost.

Use every opportunity to hunt down and destroy Overlords should they happen to fly astray or be left unguarded. By doing so, you reduce the Zerg control/supply, limit their detection abilities and destroy any possible means of transport (and any units they might be carrying).

Terrans

• Use Marines to quickly dispatch any scouting Overlord early in the game. For the best results, position your Marine(s) directly below the Overlord before attacking so that your Marine(s) do not waste time having to walking up or chasing after the Overlord.
• Goliaths, with their explosive air attack, can deal serious damage to Overlords.
• Use cloaked Wraiths to quickly dispatch the Zerg means of detection. If attacking or defending against a Zerg force accompanied by Overlords, kill the Overlords first and cloaking will give you the distinct advantage when attacking the rest of the force.
• Valkyries can quickly destroy packed groups of Overlords in an alarmingly short amount of time.
• Science Vessels with Irradiate are probably the Overlord's worst enemy. Once infected with an Irradiate, the Overlord is as good as dead (unless a Medic uses Restoration to save it).

[ Click to Enlarge - 81 KB ] Wraiths go Overlord Hunting.

• Dragoons can be used to destroy Overlords, but with their long cooldown times, be sure to position the Dragoons below the Overlords before attacking to get the kill before they can escape.
• Corsairs are probably the single best anti-Overlord solution. With a group of 5 or more Corsairs, Overlords are easy prey, whether they're alone or in groups.
• Scouts deal incredible aerial damage and are another prime choice for Overlord Hunting. If outfitted with weapons and speed upgrades, the Scouts can put a quick end to any Overlord.

[ Click to Enlarge - 115 KB ] Two Dragoons trap and fire on a spying Overlord.	[ Click to Enlarge - 68 KB ] Two Dragoons prevent an Overlord from spying on the Protoss town.
[ Click to Enlarge - 75 KB ] A Scout chases down an Overlord.	[ Click to Enlarge - 77 KB ] Two Corsairs seek to destroy a criticialy wounded Overlord.

Zerg

• Hydralisks are the early game solution for Overlord Hunting. Be sure to position them below the Overlord before attacking to get the most out of the attack.
• A pair of Scourge is all it takes to destroy an Overlord. Use them to quickly clear out lone scouting Overlords.
• Packs of Mutalisks can quickly destroy lone Overlords, and are even better against packs of Overlords.

Ventral Sacs 200 200 Transporting for Overlord

Antennae 150 150 Increase Overlord sight range

Pneumatized Carapace 150 150 Faster Overlord movement

Flyer Carapace Level 1 - 150 150 Level 2 - 225 225 Level 3 - 300 300

Ventral Sacs - This upgrade will allow your Overlords to act as a transport for ground troops.

Antennae - The added sight range is useful in exploring enemy bases at a safe distance, as well as for spotting Cloaked or Burrowed units.

Pneumatized Carapace - This speed upgrade is a an extremely useful evolution for the Overlord. Not only does it provide for faster transportation, the Overlord will also have a better chance of escaping from a fatal situation.

Flyer Carapace - Each upgrade adds +1 to the Flyer Carapace for a total of +3 when fully upgraded.