The splitter is a variant strain of the baneling that is able to split into baneling spawn upon detonation.

Overview

The splitter was evolved from the mitoscarabs of the planet Nelyth. The unique decentralized nervous system of the mitoscarab was emulated by the splitter. Upon death the splitter would split into two smaller baneling spawns. However this process can only occur once, as further splitting will result in acidic fluid of limited sentience.^[1]

History

During Kerrigan's resurgence in the Second Great War, Abathur discovered the splitter strain in a number of mitoscarabs of the planet Nelyth. After acquiring the essence of the mitoscarab, the splitter was formed. Kerrigan then turned the splitters on Daelaam defenders of Nelyth shrines, testing the splitter against their colossi. The Daelaam forces were annihlated.^[1]

During the End War, Kerrigan utilized splitters against Amon's Forces.^[2]

	This article or section contains information derived from Co-op Missions, and should not be considered part of the official StarCraft storyline.

Broodmother Zagara utilized the splitter strain in her fight against Amon's Forces.^[3]

Game Unit

Heart of the Swarm

The splitter has a very minor aesthetic difference from the regular baneling, simply letting out a light green smoke from its abdomen.

The splitter splits into two smaller baneling spawns upon detonation, each baneling spawn does 5 damage/10 to structures and has 20hp and the same armor as the baneling.

In comparison to the hunter strain, the splitter strain has greater overall damage potential due to the baneling spawns, which add more damage output per baneling. Though they lack the closing ability of the hunter strain, this can be compensated via Kerrigan's Spawn Banelings ability, placing the splitters right in the middle of an enemy formation. They also have a comparable-to-better closing ability on low numbers of enemy siege tanks; both hunters and original-form splitters will usually die in one shot from a siege tank in siege mode, who vastly out-distance the jump range of the hunters, however the splitter will still make the baneling spawns that can continue the approach after that shot.

Co-op Missions

Zagara's banelings automatically upgrade to the splitter strain when she reaches Level 14. Unlike campaign, Zagara's splitter use the Leviathan's Brood skin.

Burrow

Buries the unit underground. Burrowed unit are unable to move or attack, but they cannot be seen without detection.

Usage
Hotkey R Cost 2 (burrow) 1 (unburrow)

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.

v • e

Centrifugal Hooks

Increases banelings movement speed.

Usage
Passive

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.

Acquisition
Purchased from Baneling nest Hotkey C Cost 100 100 60

v • e

Corrosive Acid

Increases banelings attack damage to primary target by 100%. Splash damage remains the same.

Usage
Passive

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Reach Zagara Level 11.

Acquisition
Purchased from Baneling nest Hotkey A Cost 150 150 90 Required Lair/Hive

v • e

Rupture

Increases banelings splash damage radius by 50%.

Usage
Passive

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Reach Zagara Level 11.

Acquisition
Purchased from Baneling nest Hotkey R Cost 150 150 90 Required Hive

v • e

Zerg Ground Attacks

Increases the attack damage of zerg ground units.

Usage
Passive

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.

Acquisition

Purchased from Evolution chamber Hotkey M Level 1 Cost 100 100 160 Effect Damage: 44 (+44 vs Structure) Mastery: +1 attack damage per Baneling Damage mastery point. Up to a maximum 74 (+44 vs Structure) Level 2 Cost 150 150 190 Required Lair/Hive Effect Damage: 48 (+48 vs Structure) Mastery: +1 attack damage per Baneling Damage mastery point. Up to a maximum 78 (+48 vs Structure) Level 3 Cost 200 200 220 Required Hive Effect Damage: 52 (+52 vs Structure) Mastery: +1 attack damage per Baneling Damage mastery point. Up to a maximum 82 (+52 vs Structure)

v • e

Zerg Ground Carapace

Increases the armor of zerg ground units.

Usage
Passive

Campaign Acquisition
Unlock Initially available.

Acquisition
Purchased from Evolution chamber Hotkey M Level 1 Cost 100 100 160 Effect Armor: 1 Level 2 Cost 175 175 190 Required Lair/Hive Effect Armor: 2 Level 3 Cost 250 250 220 Required Hive Effect Armor: 3

v • e

Development

During the development of Heart of the Swarm, the splitter was known as the splitterling.^[4]

References