What exactly is a "zergling"?

bulbousb16_ESO

I'm hearing this term a lot. Sounds vaguely derogatory. What does it mean?

Lightspeedflashb14_ESO

It is 100% derogatory and said by people that want to make themselves feel superior.

Blinkin8r

Here's an example of a zergling. Note that these are completely made up names and do not refer to anyone in particular.

Chauncy is a bow/bow Dragonknight fighting for Ebonheart Pact. Chauncy's 50 man group just came across 5 Aldmeri Dominion Soldiers. Chauncy doesn't know how to do anything but arrow spray, so instead of actually fighting, Chauncy places a meat bag catapult in the open field and sieges the 5 AD soldiers down while his friends spam them with light attacks.

This would be a zergling.

bulbousb16_ESO

So, if you're not using a Meat Bag Catapult in an Open Field, you are not a "zergling"?

frostz417

Somebody who runs in uncoordinated PvDoor groups larger than 8. Keep in mind that ball groups are coordinated group comped builds while zerglings are just wearing whatever and usually just run in a large blob mindlessly taking keeps&resources and charging headfirst towards enemies with little to no strategy. Also zerglings siege a lot, typically against players while they outnumber said opponents.
Most zerglings are bad players since most zerg blobs are a bunch of noobs who cannot hold their own in a 1v1 or fight outnumbered. They typically get 1vX’d and complain about said 1vX’er and claim they run super broken sets when in reality they’re just better players.
Most of the complaints on forums regarding PvP are from zerglings.
A true good player can hold their own in a 1v1 and can fight outnumbered and play solo without having to rely on his 23 other group members to fight enemies for them.
So yes, it is a derogatory term.

Sandman929

Lightspeedflashb14_ESO wrote: »

It is 100% derogatory and said by people that want to make themselves feel superior.

The only definition that's needed.

Blinkin8r

bulbousb16_ESO wrote: »

So, if you're not using a Meat Bag Catapult in an Open Field, you are not a "zergling"?

Pretty much yea. Except there are 100's more ways to be a zergling.

Savos_Saren

A "Zerg" is a full raid of players acting as a hivemind to accomplish a goal. For instance, if you see 24 EP/DC/AD rushing a keep- I'd call that a zerg.

However, to some people, they'd call a zerg any amount of players that outnumbers them or their group. In Cyrodiil, you have tight knit battlegrounds groups that will burst a single player down. (Ratio of ~6:1) But if a group of 12 from the opposing faction teams up to burst them down (Ratio of ~2:1) they'll consider it a zerg.

It's all about perspective.

bulbousb16_ESO

frostz417 wrote: »

Somebody who runs in uncoordinated PvDoor groups larger than 8.

Well, the problem here is that "PVDoor" is a meanglingless buzzword itself, but the rest of your description explains where you are coming from.

Most zerglings are bad players since most zerg blobs are a bunch of noobs who cannot hold their own in a 1v1 or fight outnumbered. They typically get 1vX’d and complain about said 1vX’er and claim they run super broken sets when in reality they’re just better players.

A true good player can hold their own in a 1v1 and can fight outnumbered and play solo without having to rely on his 23 other group members to fight enemies for them.
So yes, it is a derogatory term.

I get it now. "Zergling" is a derogatory term used by min-maxers and 1vXers to denigrate the people who play Alliance War the way it is meant to be played - in a large scale group battle.

Gilvoth

Lightspeedflashb14_ESO wrote: »

It is 100% derogatory and said by people that want to make themselves feel superior.

that's exactly what it is.
well said.

paulsimonps

bulbousb16_ESO wrote: »

frostz417 wrote: »

Somebody who runs in uncoordinated PvDoor groups larger than 8.

Well, the problem here is that "PVDoor" is a meanglingless buzzword itself, but the rest of your description explains where you are coming from.

Most zerglings are bad players since most zerg blobs are a bunch of noobs who cannot hold their own in a 1v1 or fight outnumbered. They typically get 1vX’d and complain about said 1vX’er and claim they run super broken sets when in reality they’re just better players.

A true good player can hold their own in a 1v1 and can fight outnumbered and play solo without having to rely on his 23 other group members to fight enemies for them.
So yes, it is a derogatory term.

I get it now. "Zergling" is a derogatory term used by min-maxers and 1vXers to denigrate the people who play Alliance War the way it is meant to be played - in a large scale group battle.

Pretty much, 1vX ers and small group PvPers hate it when they face zergs but I love it. Used to played Warhammer online where the fights were constantly 50+vs50+ prefer the larger fights and to troll the people that hate them.

bulbousb16_ESO

It doesn't make sense, though. An archer's role is to be lightly armored, mobile and fight at range from the back lines, protected by the heavy armor. When faced one on one, they are SUPPOSED to die. They are "glass cannons".

Magic users are similar - heavy ranged damage, light armor, die when engaged by melee (at least, they are supposed to).

Why are people calling them down for fulfilling their role?

Sanguinor2

I do believe the term Comes from Starcraft from the Zerg Race to be more accurate and it is used to describe large Groups of People that just throw themselves at something and hope their numbers will win while not having tactics or good builds and mostly Arent very experienced/skilled in PvP either.
Zerg Players in Starcraft used to be able to do the same, just throw a bunch of low Level Units at your enemy early and see if its enough to win or get a significant Advantage.

NordSwordnBoard

After you convert a drone into a spawning pool, you can start spawning zerglings from the hive.

They are a force because of quantity, not quality. A single Protoss Zealot can usually take out a group of them.

bulbousb16_ESO

Sanguinor2 wrote: »

I do believe the term Comes from Starcraft from the Zerg Race to be more accurate and it is used to describe large Groups of People that just throw themselves at something.

So, people that use the term are confused and think ESO is an RTS? Makes sense, because the same people often don't understand its actually an RPG.

Sanguinor2

bulbousb16_ESO wrote: »

So, people that use the term are confused and think ESO is an RTS? Makes sense, because the same people often don't understand its actually an RPG.

No they are not confused it is simply a term that was taken from one game and is used in this and other games to describe what it is supposed to describe in a Shorter manner, I know you love saying stuff like this but if every word only had the one exact meaning it was supposed to have since its Inception we wouldnt have the current english language, or any current language for that matter.

frostz417

bulbousb16_ESO wrote: »

frostz417 wrote: »

Somebody who runs in uncoordinated PvDoor groups larger than 8.

Well, the problem here is that "PVDoor" is a meanglingless buzzword itself, but the rest of your description explains where you are coming from.

Most zerglings are bad players since most zerg blobs are a bunch of noobs who cannot hold their own in a 1v1 or fight outnumbered. They typically get 1vX’d and complain about said 1vX’er and claim they run super broken sets when in reality they’re just better players.

A true good player can hold their own in a 1v1 and can fight outnumbered and play solo without having to rely on his 23 other group members to fight enemies for them.
So yes, it is a derogatory term.

I get it now. "Zergling" is a derogatory term used by min-maxers and 1vXers to denigrate the people who play Alliance War the way it is meant to be played - in a large scale group battle.

Thanks for getting upset about something you asked for and blowing it out of proportion.
No I did not say people who play for score are all zerglings, and when I meant PvDoor I clearly meant those who only take empty keeps and try to avoid fights.
An example of a zergling is little jimmy who’s a StamDK with 39k health and using bow on both bars spamming snipe. That’s a zergling
Or billy who’s a 30k health dk who only spams roots and has 3 cc’s on his bar with werewolf on his back bar. That’s a zergling
Finally another example is bob who’s a magblade that only knows 3 buttons which are cloak, clench, and resto ultímate and also runs 3 proc sets. That’s a zergling.
But thanks for getting upset at the answer you were seeking.

Merlight

bulbousb16_ESO wrote: »

Sanguinor2 wrote: »

I do believe the term Comes from Starcraft from the Zerg Race to be more accurate and it is used to describe large Groups of People that just throw themselves at something.

So, people that use the term are confused and think ESO is an RTS? Makes sense, because the same people often don't understand its actually an RPG.

No, they are not confused. These words have escaped StarCraft, and outside of StarCraft they've grown broader meaning. Zerg, originally an alien race, is commonly used to describe a large group exploiting strength in numbers. Zergling, originally one kind of Zerg, denotes a member of such group.

Gilvoth

frostz417 wrote: »

bulbousb16_ESO wrote: »

frostz417 wrote: »

Somebody who runs in uncoordinated PvDoor groups larger than 8.

Well, the problem here is that "PVDoor" is a meanglingless buzzword itself, but the rest of your description explains where you are coming from.

Most zerglings are bad players since most zerg blobs are a bunch of noobs who cannot hold their own in a 1v1 or fight outnumbered. They typically get 1vX’d and complain about said 1vX’er and claim they run super broken sets when in reality they’re just better players.

A true good player can hold their own in a 1v1 and can fight outnumbered and play solo without having to rely on his 23 other group members to fight enemies for them.
So yes, it is a derogatory term.

I get it now. "Zergling" is a derogatory term used by min-maxers and 1vXers to denigrate the people who play Alliance War the way it is meant to be played - in a large scale group battle.

Thanks for getting upset about something you asked for and blowing it out of proportion.
No I did not say people who play for score are all zerglings, and when I meant PvDoor I clearly meant those who only take empty keeps and try to avoid fights.
An example of a zergling is little jimmy who’s a StamDK with 39k health and using bow on both bars spamming snipe. That’s a zergling
Or billy who’s a 30k health dk who only spams roots and has 3 cc’s on his bar with werewolf on his back bar. That’s a zergling
Finally another example is bob who’s a magblade that only knows 3 buttons which are cloak, clench, and resto ultímate and also runs 3 proc sets. That’s a zergling.
But thanks for getting upset at the answer you were seeking.

none of those things are a description.
those are just insults.

and you could say those things about any skill or weapon or playstyle or class in eso.

bulbousb16_ESO

frostz417 wrote: »

An example of a zergling is little jimmy who’s a StamDK with 39k health and using bow on both bars spamming snipe. That’s a zergling

Cool. I just built one of those. I've never used a bow before, looking forward to sniping it up.

But thanks for getting upset at the answer you were seeking.

Yes, look at me rage!

Odovacar

LARGE groups of your rival alliances rolling through Cyrodiil's landscape looking to destroy anything & everything. Most would agree a group of 12+ is a "zerg" (arguably). The derogatory use of the term ZERGLING is commonly given because many can survive with sub optimal PvP skill and still achieve their desired results.

However, smaller groups working together have been know to burn down entire large group-zergs, but most die to either the lag they bring or load screens, well..because of the lag they can generate. Too much skill-animation and not enough performance...this is why I mostly enjoy battlegrounds as of late.

Either way enjoy Cyrodiil if you can and don't worry what other people say!

Savos_Saren

I do think that the exception to the whole "Zergling" concept would be PVP healers. (I don't run any healers) But they're most likely going to be with groups wherever they go... and I don't think dedicated healers will squirrel off to fight anyone. I'd say they get a pass on the Zergling concept.

Dojohoda

It's derogatory. It implies that you don't have enough skill to kill one player without your teammates pitching in.

Sandman929

Basically if you hear it, you're hearing the bruised ego of an adolescent who's video game prowess is both a sore spot and a point of incredible pride in their lives.

bulbousb16_ESO

Savos_Saren wrote: »

I do think that the exception to the whole "Zergling" concept would be PVP healers. (I don't run any healers) But they're most likely going to be with groups wherever they go... and I don't think dedicated healers will squirrel off to fight anyone. I'd say they get a pass on the Zergling concept.

So, there is a role for people in Alliance War that support their side, but aren't going to win 1 on 1 fights.

Dojohoda wrote: »

It's derogatory. It means that you don't have enough skill to kill one player without your teammates pitching in.

How does "skill" enter in to the picture? As mentioned above, a healer isn't going to kill anyone 1 on 1. But they can still be effective, and they can still do a lot of damage. But they need protection.

It's the same with achers and mages. They have good AoE damage and can be very effective in group battles. But again, they need protection because they will probably die 1 on 1 with heavy infantry.

Savos_Saren

Dojohoda wrote: »

It's derogatory. It implies that you don't have enough skill to kill one player without your teammates pitching in.

@Dojohoda

This isn't necessarily true, either. Just like with a healer (support role)- you do have tanks (support role) who's main focus is to aggro as many players away from keeps/resources in order to let their alliance take points.

Since there is no actual "taunt" skill in PVP- these tanks will literally "troll tank" people into fighting them. You'll see a bunch of PUGs teaming up on a single troll tank... which is actually accomplishing his mission. He's drawn aggro and keeping them occupied.

I find the playstyle pretty boring- but it's effective. Troll tanks can cause uncoordinated people to ball up and make an easy kill for siege. They also can rez their allies without fear of dying. Again, it's pretty boring, though.

Dojohoda

bulbousb16_ESO wrote: »

Savos_Saren wrote: »

I do think that the exception to the whole "Zergling" concept would be PVP healers. (I don't run any healers) But they're most likely going to be with groups wherever they go... and I don't think dedicated healers will squirrel off to fight anyone. I'd say they get a pass on the Zergling concept.

So, there is a role for people in Alliance War that support their side, but aren't going to win 1 on 1 fights.

Dojohoda wrote: »

It's derogatory. It means that you don't have enough skill to kill one player without your teammates pitching in.

How does "skill" enter in to the picture? As mentioned above, a healer isn't going to kill anyone 1 on 1. But they can still be effective, and they can still do a lot of damage. But they need protection.

It's the same with achers and mages. They have good AoE damage and can be very effective in group battles. But again, they need protection because they will probably die 1 on 1 with heavy infantry.

Did you catch the part about it being derogatory? Insults are not always an honest assessment of the situation.

Gilvoth

Savos_Saren wrote: »

Dojohoda wrote: »

It's derogatory. It implies that you don't have enough skill to kill one player without your teammates pitching in.

@Dojohoda

This isn't necessarily true, either. Just like with a healer (support role)- you do have tanks (support role) who's main focus is to aggro as many players away from keeps/resources in order to let their alliance take points.

Since there is no actual "taunt" skill in PVP- these tanks will literally "troll tank" people into fighting them. You'll see a bunch of PUGs teaming up on a single troll tank... which is actually accomplishing his mission. He's drawn aggro and keeping them occupied.

I find the playstyle pretty boring- but it's effective. Troll tanks can cause uncoordinated people to ball up and make an easy kill for siege. They also can rez their allies without fear of dying. Again, it's pretty boring, though.

that also includes the taunt "jumping and bunny hopping" used as an aggro and pull players away.
and also the players that use running away to get a group to chase them.

driosketch

There's a lot of bias in some of these answers. I'm going to try and give as neutral a description as possible for those who honestly just want to know what the term means.

A zerg is a massive amount of attacking players from the same alliance. How large is "massive"? It's subjective, but the general consensus is large enough to where their potential for success is seen as solely the result of numbers, irrespective of the skills of any members of the group (zerg).

A zergling is a single unit/player of a zerg. The term is indeed derogatory. Given that skill level is irrelevant to a zerg win, the assumption is therefore that the skill level of any given zergling is minimal.

**edited to clarify.

bulbousb16_ESO

driosketch wrote: »

large enough to where their victory is seen as solely the result of numbers, irrespective of the skills of any members of the group (zerg)... Given that skill level is irrelevant to a zerg win, the assumption is therefore that the skill level of any given zergling is minimal.

That sounds like a sour grapes assessment from a losing side. "They sucked, they just had more people".

Sandman929

bulbousb16_ESO wrote: »

driosketch wrote: »

large enough to where their victory is seen as solely the result of numbers, irrespective of the skills of any members of the group (zerg)... Given that skill level is irrelevant to a zerg win, the assumption is therefore that the skill level of any given zergling is minimal.

That sounds like a sour grapes assessment from a losing side. "They sucked, they just had more people".

It is. Even when I'm muttering it to myself. The truly annoying people will go out of their way to make sure that you share in their anger/self-consolation by whispering you.