Baneling Evolution: Splitter and Hunter (Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm)

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CJake3

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Published on February 24, 2016 7:13:10 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEMm0DM6bXo

Game:

StarCraft II (2010)

Duration: 8:31

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1,327

The splitter was developed on Nelyth, home to the mitoscarab, a creature with a decentralized nervous system that could split into two upon death. To harvest the appropriate sequences, the mitoscarab prime was killed. The banelings were morphed into splitters, which were then used to destroy the Protoss forces on the planet. On volcanic Scoria, banelings were subjected to lava tides, eventually resulting in some developing jumping abilities. These hunters were then used to attack a Terran Dominion mining camp... "Baneling Evolution" mission from 'Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm' PC game... ► Watch more Starcraft videos: http://bit.ly/1b1W2yY.

Baneling:
* Splitter strain: Banelings split into smaller baneling spawns upon detonation, each baneling spawn does 5 damage.
* Hunter strain: Banelings gain the ability to jump up and down cliffs as well as leap toward opponents.

Wiki:
Banelings are created from zerglings following a brief chrysalis phase. In the new form, the zergling's claws shrivel and become withered, and a swollen sac filled with volatile chemicals grows out of its back. The zergling's skin is repurposed, stretching over newly formed growths while its bone plates soften to hold bulbous, pulsating acid sacs in place. Though the remains of the carapace offer no real protection, they allow for unhindered delivery of the baneling's payload. The digestive and reproductory tracts are assimilated as nutrients to accelerate the process, and make room for the fleshy, mutated adrenal glands. These are re-purposed to produce and store large quantities of highly corrosive acid.

Because of its mass, the baneling's legs are thicker than the zergling's, in order to stabilize itself. Its feet are replaced by sharp spikes that allow them to navigate rough terrain, albeit at a slower pace. The Swarm was able to increase the baneling's speed despite these imperfections. Yet due to their bloated nature, banelings are barely able to walk. They have been observed to tuck into a ball and roll. Banelings also possess a rudimentary sonar system—Dominion scientists have theorized that this is a degeneration of the zergling's complex optical structure. This system consists of a transmitter in the center of the baneling's skull, along with two evenly spaced receivers to the sides. The transmitter emits pulses that map the baneling's surrounding area, and echoes back to the receiver, feeding the baneling with a continuous stream of spatial information.

As Soronan mold is part of banelings' genetic structure, they are capable of surviving on minimal oxygen and moisture.

When a baneling gets close enough to an enemy, it triggers a reaction within its volatile chemical payload, causing the creature to explode with a shower of searing acid. The explosion destroys the baneling but also inflicts terrible damage to its enemies, highly effective against both structures and ground forces. In fact, a clutch of them is capable of wiping out a group of vehicles and infantry in the blink of an eye. The banelings' lethality is further enhanced by the zerg predilection for burrowing. An apparently safe area can soon turn into a deathtrap as these monstrosities erupt beneath their foes, giving enemies virtually no time to react.

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