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Since the revelation of new zerg units, it's only fitting to start using them in the Showdown Series. This week, there's going to be a knockdown-drag-out fight between the Zergling - which everyone remembers seeing in mass early-game rushes from a Zerg opponent - and the Baneling, which is the exploding ground unit that the Zergling can now morph into.

The Zergling

The Zergling is an extremely cheap unit -- 25 minerals and one resource point -- that's available almost immediately to Zerg players. Build the spawning pool and you've got the chance for Zerglings on the battlefield. Analogous to the Protoss Zealot or the Terran Marine, the Zergling is the basic infantry building block of any Zerg player's forces

Pros:

• Cheap to build.

• Able to build two at a time after selecting each larva.

• Can become a large force quicker than any other infantry unit.

• Very powerful in the early game before strong defenses are built.

• Their small wings are rumored to let them jump over obstacles.

• Reuseable.

Cons:

• Can only attack ground units.

The Baneling

The Baneling is an advanced version of the Zergling, with the major difference being that Banelings rush their enemies and then explode. Similar to a ground version of the Scourge, which sadly did not make the cut for Starcraft II.

Pros:

• Function as moving landmines.

• Cheap to build.

• Very damaging in large numbers.

• Moves fast against its enemies.

• Can take down powerful enemy units very easily.

• Heavy splash damage.

Cons:

• Single use. The unit, like the airborne Scourge in Starcraft I, kills itself to attack enemies.

The Verdict

The Baneling's explosive ability is tremendously dangerous, and the splash damage can take out large numbers of weaker units or easily bring down the more advanced weapons of their enemies. It's a close call because both units are cheap to produce and can come out in large numbers -- but the Banelings win after detonating on the mass of Zerglings one after the other. The Zergling claws are no match against the heavy explosive capability of the Banelings. This was a close one in the competition of old versus new.

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