zero-k strategy guide

Zero-K Strategy Guide: From Beginner to Competitor Core Philosophy Zero-K is a symmetric real-time strategy game where both sides start with identical options. Victory comes from out-economying and out-positioning your opponent through superior resource management, map control, and unit composition. Economy Fundamentals Resource System: Metal: Primary resource for units and structures Energy: Secondary resource for advanced units and upgrades Build Power (BP): Your construction capacity Key Principles: Always Be Expanding: More metal extractors = more income Balance Energy: Maintain positive energy for maximum metal extraction Don't Float Resources: Unspent resources are wasted potential Protect Your Economy: Losing extractors cripples your production Opening Build Orders Standard 1v1 Opening: Commander builds 2-3 Solar Collectors First constructor builds Metal Extractor Commander builds 2nd constructor Split constructors: one expands, one defends Build Light Assault Bots for early scouting/defense Economic Boom Opening (larger maps): Rush multiple constructors (4-5) Rapid expansion to 5-6 metal spots Delay military for economic advantage Transition to T2 units before opponent Unit Composition & Counters Rock-Paper-Scissors System: Bots Fast, versatile, weak to explosives Vehicles Balanced, good firepower Hovercraft Amphibious, map control Aircraft Mobile, fragile, high DPS Ships Water control only Key Unit Roles: Scouts: Radar bots, fighters Frontline: Grunts, warriors, riot tanks Anti-Air: Skysweepers, archers Artillery: Shellshocks, catapults Raiders: Darts, sparks (harass economy) Map Control & Positioning Critical Map Features: Chokepoints: Place defenses here High Ground: Vision and range advantage Metal Patches: Your expansion targets Cliffs: Use for artillery positioning Vision is Victory: Always have scouts on the map Build radar towers at expansions Use fighters for aerial reconnaissance Maintain forward vision to see attacks coming Technology Progression When to Tech Up: T2 transition: When you have 8-10 metal extractors T3 transition: When map is saturated with T2 extractors Never stop producing units while teching Critical Upgrades: Construction Turrets: Faster building Resource Allocation: More efficient economy Advanced Units: Unlock game-changing options Common Strategies Early Game (0-5 minutes): Rush: Fast aggression with basic units Fast Expand: Claim 3-4 metal spots quickly Tech Rush: Skip early military for T2 advantage Mid Game (5-15 minutes): Map Control: Secure 60% of metal spots Harassment: Constant pressure on enemy economy Tech Advantage: Hit with superior units Late Game (15+ minutes): Experimental Units: Titans and superweapons Full Map Control: Deny enemy expansions Decisive Engagement: Win the big fight Advanced Tactics Micro Techniques: Stutter-stepping: Attack-move with artillery Kiting: Range advantage with fast units Focus Fire: Eliminate high-value targets first Dodging: Manual evasion of artillery fire Macro Techniques: Hotkey Groups: Army and constructor control groups Queue Management: Always have units building Camera Locations: Save key map positions (Ctrl+F1-F10) Common Mistakes to Avoid Idle Constructors: Always have them building Overbuilding Defenses: Static defense doesn't win games Clumping Units: Vulnerable to area damage Ignoring Air: One bomber can wipe your economy Tunnel Vision: Watch the whole map, not just fights Practice Routine Master one build order until it's automatic Practice against AI focusing on economy Watch replays of top players (zk://replays) Join team games to learn from others Analyze your losses - identify one thing to improve Community Resources In-Game Tutorials: Complete all tutorial missions Replay Browser: Watch high-level games (F11) Zero-K Wiki: Detailed unit stats and mechanics Discord Community: Active player base for questions Remember: Zero-K has a steep learning curve but incredible depth. Focus on fundamentals first - economy and map control win more games than fancy micro. Your first 50 games are about learning, not winning. GLHF! Pro tip: Use the in-game "Chicken" mode to practice unit control against swarms of enemies.