5 Pool

The earliest possible spawning pool in ZvZ — built at 5 supply, before any additional drones. Six zerglings are produced as soon as the pool finishes and sent directly to the opponent's base. If the opponent has gone for a later pool like 9 pool or 12 hatch, your zerglings arrive before they have any meaningful defense.

Execution is straightforward: build pool at 5 supply, then three pairs of zerglings. Rally them to the enemy base and target drones. Pull your own drones to help fight if the opponent's zerglings meet yours. This is a pure all-in — you have no economy behind it.

Best on close spawn positions on two-player maps where rush distance is minimal. It is also effective on four-player maps if you scout your opponent's location early. Transition is nearly impossible if the rush fails — you are too far behind in economy to recover. Weak against opponents who also go early pool and defend with drones, or against 9 pool speed builds where the speed upgrade gives their zerglings a micro advantage.