Rush (video games)

They may employ inexpensive combat units, worker units, or offensive structures placed near an opponent's base. Because the attacker diverts resources away from longer-term development, containing the attack can leave the rushing player at a disadvantage. The tactic became particularly associated with the Zerg faction in StarCraft, giving rise to the term Zerg rush. Strategic decision-making in RTS games includes choosing how much to invest in economic development, technology, and the production of combat units. Santiago Ontañón and his co-authors define rushing as rapidly constructing an army and sending it to attack as early as possible. Ben Weber and Michael Mateas similarly classify rushing as a build-order strategy intended to overwhelm an opponent with inexpensive units early in a match. They distinguish it from a timing attack, which is launched after a particular trigger, such as completing an upgrade. Rushes are therefore defined principally by the timing and commitment of the attack rather than by one fixed unit composition.