• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 09:29
CET 15:29
KST 23:29
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL22] Finals Preview: Sweet Victory!12[ASL22] Ro4 Preview: Mirror Mirror6[ASL22] Ro8 Preview: Within Reach5[ASL22] Ro8 Preview: In A Tizzy11[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Holy Diver5
Community News
Dark completes military service, returns to SC28[BSL23] RO16 Group Stage19Weekly Cups (Nov 2-8): herO back on top?2Weekly Cups (Oct 26 - Nov 1): MaxPax, herO, Solar win0Weekly Cups (October 19-25): Clem triples first in 5.0.175
StarCraft 2
General
Greetings.. No more SC2 streamers on team liquid? Dark completes military service, returns to SC2 Serral's getting trashed by New Catsle's Mind Weekly Cups (Nov 2-8): herO back on top?
Tourneys
Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) Dark returns! GSL CK #7 4v4 Team Battle (Nov 19) soO & FanTaSy return! SC2 Kevin Scrim 4v4 (Nov 16) RSL goes to London! 2026 Offline Finals Nov 21-22 Tasteless Time Warp: SC Evo Showmatch (May 25)
Strategy
[H] ZvP Mid-Late Game: Stalkers Collossi HT
Custom Maps
[G] How to playtest arcade maps Starcraft 2 Advance [D] the control group Simple Questions/Answers
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 551 Robotic Revival Mutation # 550 Graveyard Shift Mutation # 549 Endless Sparkles
Brood War
General
List of top players active on ShieldBattery BW General Discussion Recommended BW Settings for Mouse and Video Starcraft:Brood War Discord Servers [BSL23] RO16 Group Stage
Tourneys
[$1250] International ShieldBattery League Bisu's Team vs Shuttle's Team 2026-11-14 2v2v2v2 Tournament Stage 1: Community Poll [BSL23] Ro16 Group C - Sunday 21:00 CET
Strategy
Pluto's TvP 5Marine 2Medic Push Simple Questions, Simple Answers Infested Terran strategies in 2026 Nuke strategy worked in K-League 2026-11-09
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Free Space RTS Game, optimised f. Phone/Tablet etc List of Game Threads The PlayStation 5
Dota 2
Can Game Data Analytics Help Players Improvements
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Artificial Intelligence Thread Trading/Investing Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread
Fan Clubs
Fan Club Resource Thread Reynor Fan Club The Flash Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece
Sports
TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Football (Soccer) Thread MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List Recent Gifted Posts
Blogs
The time I organised my…
AssyrianKing
Why I built Repalyzer (1.1.…
BlueStar
Innovate or Game Over?
TrAiDoS
ShieldBattery on Mac
Kraekkling
Can Bots Beat Pros?? Starcr…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 14023 users

The Mechanics of Creep - Page 2

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
Post a Reply
Prev 1 2 All
CynanMachae
Profile Blog Joined September 2006
Canada1459 Posts
July 08 2010 10:51 GMT
#21
Thanks for the writeup! I wasn't completly aware about those mechanics and it will surely change how I'm gonna spread my creep around.

And I wasn't aware the hydra was the only exception for the speed bonus (aside from the obvious Queen). The hydra is really the only unit getting more than 30%? o.o They really are slow offcreep, but I don't get blizzard's reasoning behind it

On July 08 2010 10:16 Gralamin wrote:
One option that may make two optimal is using an overlord to generate the next creep area generation. This will allow you to use the ability every 15 seconds, while it is only partially grown. Whatever still needs to be generated would quickly be filled in by the time the new tumors finish. This strategy though, essentially uses 50 energy and 100 minerals. If 25 Energy is more important than 100 minerals (which it probably is early game, but late game queens have too much energy).

I'm not sure I understand correctly here, you are saying it would cost 100 minerals because of the overlord...? Because whenever you will be using overlords to generate creep mean you've got lair, and you will have overlords already around so it's not really costing you anything.


On July 08 2010 15:17 delayed reflex wrote:
Does this mean that if you have 34 overlords clustered they will instantly saturate the area (after the 2 second delay)?

From what I've understood, after the delay, yea they would instantly fill the area with creep. That makes sense with what I've observed too.
Jang Yoon Chul hwaiting!
kiritaku
Profile Joined June 2010
10 Posts
July 08 2010 12:15 GMT
#22
creep tumors have a 15 second cooldown and then take 15 seconds to cast so they can be spawned every 30 seconds. at the end i think you say something about using them every 15.

thanks for making the mechanics clear though, nice post.
stet_tcl
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
Greece319 Posts
July 08 2010 12:55 GMT
#23
Great OP mate, interesting stuff.

You should add this to Liquipedia!
MangoTango
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
United States3670 Posts
July 08 2010 13:22 GMT
#24
On July 08 2010 21:15 kiritaku wrote:
creep tumors have a 15 second cooldown and then take 15 seconds to cast so they can be spawned every 30 seconds. at the end i think you say something about using them every 15.

thanks for making the mechanics clear though, nice post.


It would appear that there has been an unlisted patch change (or bug) that causes the CD to be 30 seconds at the moment.
"One fish, two fish, red fish, BLUE TANK!" - Artosis
Loddigesia
Profile Joined April 2010
247 Posts
July 08 2010 20:08 GMT
#25
Very interesting post with all the numbers (and also because it helped me learn that creep does not increases health regeneration rate )

Maybe it will require an update if the 15 to 30 seconds cooldown change for creep tumors is confirmed.
aka gorfou
Gralamin
Profile Joined July 2010
Canada5 Posts
July 09 2010 01:23 GMT
#26
Good to see so many responses!

On July 08 2010 19:51 CynanMachae wrote:
Thanks for the writeup! I wasn't completly aware about those mechanics and it will surely change how I'm gonna spread my creep around.

And I wasn't aware the hydra was the only exception for the speed bonus (aside from the obvious Queen). The hydra is really the only unit getting more than 30%? o.o They really are slow offcreep, but I don't get blizzard's reasoning behind it

Show nested quote +
On July 08 2010 10:16 Gralamin wrote:
One option that may make two optimal is using an overlord to generate the next creep area generation. This will allow you to use the ability every 15 seconds, while it is only partially grown. Whatever still needs to be generated would quickly be filled in by the time the new tumors finish. This strategy though, essentially uses 50 energy and 100 minerals. If 25 Energy is more important than 100 minerals (which it probably is early game, but late game queens have too much energy).

I'm not sure I understand correctly here, you are saying it would cost 100 minerals because of the overlord...? Because whenever you will be using overlords to generate creep mean you've got lair, and you will have overlords already around so it's not really costing you anything.

While true, very often spreading creep with overlords puts them in a vulnerable position. As an optimist, you can say it costs nothing. As a bit of a Cynical person, I count that overlord as already being effectively dead.


On July 08 2010 15:17 delayed reflex wrote:
Does this mean that if you have 34 overlords clustered they will instantly saturate the area (after the 2 second delay)?

From what I've understood, after the delay, yea they would instantly fill the area with creep. That makes sense with what I've observed too.[/QUOTE]
Well, its the laws of diminishing returns. Without infinite overlords, you can never do it instantly past the two second delay, but you can get it to happen extremely quickly.



On July 08 2010 15:20 bbsss wrote:
Good post, I've been wondering if bringing a queen to a place with overlords-creep and putting a creep tumor down there would be viable for the time/resources spent.



Show nested quote +
On July 08 2010 14:19 figq wrote:
creep =/= vision, is important, because for example your hatchery doesn't have vision about a tile and a half within the edge of its creep. This means the enemy could sneak over the edge of the hatchery's creep and not be seen at all.

Lair and Hive do not increase the creep range, but increase the vision range +1 each time. With Lair the enemy can still barely step over the edge of the Lair's creep and not be seen. With Hive the vision goes beyond its creep range, so a unit could be spotted even off creep, if they are near it.

Check this thread too: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=133410&currentpage=2


this really should be added to the op


I'll go edit that in after this post.


On July 08 2010 22:22 MangoTango wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 08 2010 21:15 kiritaku wrote:
creep tumors have a 15 second cooldown and then take 15 seconds to cast so they can be spawned every 30 seconds. at the end i think you say something about using them every 15.

thanks for making the mechanics clear though, nice post.


It would appear that there has been an unlisted patch change (or bug) that causes the CD to be 30 seconds at the moment.

It has indeed been changed. Building a Creep Tumor takes 15 seconds, and the ability has a 30 second cooldown. I'll go edit in new solutions.
Rigel of Cyrosea
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Canada66 Posts
July 10 2010 14:31 GMT
#27
This stuff should be added to this page on liquipedia so it doesn't get lost in the thread spam from beta coming back.
Gralamin
Profile Joined July 2010
Canada5 Posts
July 11 2010 07:45 GMT
#28
On July 10 2010 23:31 Rigel of Cyrosea wrote:
This stuff should be added to this page on liquipedia so it doesn't get lost in the thread spam from beta coming back.

I don't feel comfortable editing the wiki here with one thread behind my belt. I'll let someone else do it.
blackodd
Profile Joined April 2010
Sweden451 Posts
May 29 2011 10:39 GMT
#29
This post is great and every zerg should read it
For I am the Queen of Blades. And none shall ever dispute my rule, again...
Adrenaline Seed
Profile Joined August 2010
United States194 Posts
July 22 2011 20:14 GMT
#30
I know old post, but just want to clarify since I don't play Zerg. Do Zerg units gain speed upgrade on dead creep (Creep that has no vision or source and is fading away)?
Think Big. Act Small. Fail Fast. Learn Quickly.
HARMevent
Profile Joined November 2010
Barbados28 Posts
July 22 2011 20:25 GMT
#31
Creep is creep, whether it's decaying or expanding. So yes, they do.
Adrenaline Seed
Profile Joined August 2010
United States194 Posts
July 22 2011 20:29 GMT
#32
Ok thanks
Think Big. Act Small. Fail Fast. Learn Quickly.
sLiniss
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
United States849 Posts
July 22 2011 20:49 GMT
#33
On July 08 2010 10:16 Gralamin wrote:
The major advantage of creep is speed. It increases the movement speed of all zerg units by 30%, with a few exceptions. Queens move 170% faster. A Hydralisk moves 50% faster. Both Crawlers move 150% faster.


Drones get no speed advantage on creep.
Firesilver
Profile Joined December 2010
United Kingdom1190 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-22 20:59:19
July 22 2011 20:57 GMT
#34
On July 23 2011 05:49 sLiniss wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 08 2010 10:16 Gralamin wrote:
The major advantage of creep is speed. It increases the movement speed of all zerg units by 30%, with a few exceptions. Queens move 170% faster. A Hydralisk moves 50% faster. Both Crawlers move 150% faster.


Drones get no speed advantage on creep.


Larvae also get none.
Caster at IMBA.tv -- www.twitter.com/IMBAFiresilver -- www.youtube.com/FiresilverTV
UniversalSnip
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
9871 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-22 21:03:56
July 22 2011 21:03 GMT
#35
On July 23 2011 05:49 sLiniss wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 08 2010 10:16 Gralamin wrote:
The major advantage of creep is speed. It increases the movement speed of all zerg units by 30%, with a few exceptions. Queens move 170% faster. A Hydralisk moves 50% faster. Both Crawlers move 150% faster.


Drones get no speed advantage on creep.


He did specify with a few exceptions. Flying units also...
"How fucking dare you defile the sanctity of DotA with your fucking casual plebian terminology? May the curse of Gaben and Volvo be upon you. le filthy casual."
PiLoKo
Profile Joined January 2011
Mexico144 Posts
July 23 2011 00:26 GMT
#36
On July 23 2011 05:57 Firesilver wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 23 2011 05:49 sLiniss wrote:
On July 08 2010 10:16 Gralamin wrote:
The major advantage of creep is speed. It increases the movement speed of all zerg units by 30%, with a few exceptions. Queens move 170% faster. A Hydralisk moves 50% faster. Both Crawlers move 150% faster.


Drones get no speed advantage on creep.


Larvae also get none.


How do you know larva got no speed bonus on creep?
I like to troll in-game :)
Prev 1 2 All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
WardiTV Invitational
21:00
WardiTV Not-Summer Championshi
ByuN vs SHIN
MaxPax vs Solar
Clem vs TBD
herO vs TBD
Lambo vs TBD
Rogue vs TBD
WardiTV981
IntoTheiNu 904
ComeBackTV 775
TaKeTV 359
IndyStarCraft 227
Rex120
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
IndyStarCraft 227
Rex 120
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 67855
Calm 6744
Rain 1803
Jaedong 1616
BeSt 757
EffOrt 599
FanTaSy 584
Larva 397
Rush 341
Hyun 201
[ Show more ]
Hyuk 190
ZerO 174
actioN 100
Mind 99
Yoon 92
Last 84
Sharp 84
Zeus 81
Soulkey 73
Sea.KH 68
Pusan 55
JYJ 44
ToSsGirL 41
Mong 37
Bale 34
sSak 32
Killer 24
hero 23
sorry 23
Shine 22
Hm[arnc] 21
Movie 18
Aegong 16
Sacsri 15
ajuk12(nOOB) 14
Terrorterran 14
Dota 2
Dendi1730
qojqva276
canceldota102
Counter-Strike
byalli716
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor245
Other Games
FrodaN2837
singsing2336
B2W.Neo496
Lowko376
KnowMe232
Beastyqt160
XaKoH 146
mouzStarbuck75
ViBE67
ZerO(Twitch)25
Railgan15
CosmosSc2 14
fpsfer 1
Organizations
Other Games
EGCTV616
[ Show 12 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• Azhi_Dahaki22
• ChaeLyn 6
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV206
League of Legends
• Jankos2498
Upcoming Events
IPSL
2h 31m
TerrOr vs IJ_Terran
rasowy vs Hazorath
BSL
5h 31m
TerrOr vs OyAji
UltrA vs Gosudark
Sparkling Tuna Cup
19h 31m
WardiTV Invitational
21h 31m
IPSL
1d 2h
Art_Of_Turtle vs KameZerg
Radley vs George
BSL
1d 5h
Artosis vs Dewalt
Ret vs Tech
SOOP
1d 19h
soO vs FanTaSy
WardiTV Weekly
1d 21h
Monday Night Weeklies
3 days
PiGosaur Cup
3 days
[ Show More ]
The PondCast
3 days
GSL
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
KCM Race Survival
5 days
RSL Revival
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-11-12
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
HCC Season 3

Ongoing

Acropolis #5
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 4
International ShieldBattery League
Individual League
BSL Season 23
IPSL Winter 2026-27
Calamity Cup Div. A Season 8
Underdog Cup 2026 Div 2-3
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026
IEM Beijing 2026
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 5
1win Private Club #2
Thunderpick World Champ. '26
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
1win Private Club #1
Logitech G Play Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026

Upcoming

YSL S4
Sector 591
SC4ALL II: Brood War
BSL 23: Non-Korean Championship
HSC XXX
Stellar Fest 2: Lunar Cup
StarCraft2 Weekly Open Tournament 2026 Grand Finals
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
IEM Kraków 2027
PGL Bucharest 2027
BLAST Bounty Winter 2027
PGL Major Singapore 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 6
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.