A Zerg Brood (or Brood) is a formation of the Zerg race in the StarCraft universe — a fictional universe in which the StarCraft series of computer games and books are set.

Broods act under the authority of a Zerg Cerebrate, and each one of them has a particular function and characteristics best suited for its duties. Though little is known of the Broods, and their Cerebrates, Terran explorers have managed to learn about them and named each one after beasts of Earth's mythology.

Broods featured in StarCraft

Baelrog Brood

The Baelrog Brood consists of the most fearsome of all Zerg warriors. Ravenous and bloodthirsty to the extreme, the Baelrog Brood is often called upon by Gorn to sow terror and confusion among enemy ranks. The Brood manages to make even other Zerg uncomfortable, as it is not only known for their savage battle tactics, but also for their voracious cannibalism. The Baelrog are bred and trained to attack without hesitation, mercy or self-consideration.

Fenris Brood

The Fenris Brood's role is to systematically hunt down and eliminate opponents of the Zerg Swarm. The creatures of this brood are known for their formidable tracking skills and their deadly efficiency. One of the brood's main task is also to find new races suitable for assimilation into the Zerg Swarm; once such a species has been identified by the Fenris Brood, the Grendel Brood (a brood only briefly mentioned in the original StarCraft instruction booklet, named after the monster Grendel) carries out the absorption.

Garm Brood

Lead by the cunning Cerebrate Zasz, the Garm Brood is part of the Zerg Swarm's main attack wing, along with numerically far superior Jurmongand and Surtur broods. The brood makes up for its relatively small numbers by employing guerilla tactics, including surprise attacks and frequent raids. It is known both for its extreme ferocity and the speed at which it attacks.

Jormungand Brood

The Jormungand Brood is The Swarm's main support force, and one of the most numerous. Its commanding Cerebrate, Araq, relies on brute force and numeric superiority to overrun opponents to the Zerg.

Surtur Brood

The millions-strong Surtur brood, under the control of Cerebrate Kagg, is sent forth by the Overmind when the Jormungand is unable to break enemy ranks alone. This brood is described as so destructive it is kept as reserve if possible.

Tiamat Brood

The Tiamat brood is the most important and the most powerful brood of The Swarm. Its role is to protect the Overmind itself. This brood has the most evolved Zerg Overlords and Queens, and usually assists smaller broods if necessary. The Tiamat is specialized in tactical space combat and rarely fields any ground creatures.

References

• StarCraft instruction booklet, Power Macintosh edition, French Version, 1998.
• StarCraft homepage at Blizzard Entertainment
• Battle.net StarCraft Compendium