Ghoul (Warcraft III)

For lore, see ghoul.

Ghoul
Race	Ghoul
Faction	Undead Scourge
Statistics
Hit points	340
Hit point regeneration	Blight
Hit point regeneration rate	2.00 HP/sec.
Level	2
Gold	120
Food	2
Produced at	Crypt
Build time	18 sec.
Attacking priority	5
Hotkey	G
Combat
Normal attack:	13 avg (17.5*)
Can attack:	Ground, Structure
Range	Melee
Attack type	Normal
Cooldown	1.30 (1.04*) sec.
Secondary attack:	2 (12.5*)
Can attack:	Tree
Cooldown	1.35 (1.08*) sec.
Armor Type	Heavy
Armor	0 (6*)
Day Sight	140
Night Sight	80
Movement Speed	Average (270) (Fast (350)*)

This article or section contains lore taken from Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, the manuals, and/or official bonus maps.

Ghouls are the basic warriors of the Undead Scourge. These lumbering, rotting corpses were once Zombies that have made the final transition into true 'undeath'. Ghouls have great stamina and revel in combat with living beings. Ghouls are ravenous cannibals who can regenerate their wounds by eating the flesh of fallen warriors.

In addition to being combat units, Ghouls also harvest Lumber. They harvest 20 Lumber as opposed to Human Peasants and Orc Peons that start with 10.

Information

Ghouls are the basic shock troops, who also serve as lumber harvesters for the Undead. They can carry up to 20 wood at a time, whereas peasants and peons can gather 10 (though peasants can be on par and later surpass with researches) and wisps 5. Ideally, the player should have three to five Ghouls devoted to gathering wood. If the map contains a Goblin Laboratory, replace them with two Goblin Shredders, as they'll gather 400 wood for the same food cost.

Ghouls work exceptionally well with Dreadlords; the Dreadlord casts Sleep on an enemy Hero, who is then surrounded by the ghouls and quickly torn apart if they cannot teleport out. His Vampiric Aura also allows them to leech some health off from their attacks, since they are melee fighters.

If the player intends to use ghouls for combat, then it is important to research Cannibalize and Ghoul Frenzy. Both of these technologies will make your ghouls significantly stronger, although the latter requires a Black Citadel which means the tech tree must be rushed, as Ghouls will quickly fall out of usefulness otherwise.

Ghouls are best when combined with the Death Knight's Unholy Aura and the Dread Lord's Vampiric Aura.

Don't continue to focus on Ghouls when it is clear that they are not cutting it. Instead, build up to Abominations, Necromancers, or Frost Wyrms.

Spells and Abilities

Cannibalize

Consumes a nearby corpse to heal 10 hit points per second. It takes 33 seconds to fully consume a corpse.

Research Cost Researched At Upgrade Time 75 Crypt 30 sec.
Duration Allowed Targets Effect 33 sec. Dead Heals 10 HP/sec.

The ghoul requires a corpse in order to start cannibalizing, whether it be on the field or provided by a Meat Wagon. Since the corpse is being devoured by the ghoul, it cannot be used for reanimation or the summoning of skeletons. If the ghoul dies or is forcibly moved while cannibalizing the corpse, then it automatically disappears. Ghouls will also not follow group orders while cannibalizing a corpse; they will only do so after they finish.

Upgrades

Ghoul Frenzy

Increases the attack rate of Ghouls by 0.25, and increases their movement speed by 80.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time
100 150	Crypt	Graveyard, Black Citadel	45 sec.

If ghouls are intended to be use in combat, then this research is mandatory for them.

Unholy Strength

Increases the attack damage of Ghouls, Meat Wagons, Abominations, Skeleton Warriors, and Skeletal Mages.

Research Cost	Researched At	Upgrade Time
125 50	Graveyard	60 sec.

Improved Unholy Strength

Further increases the attack damage of Ghouls, Meat Wagons, Abominations, Skeleton Warriors, and Skeletal Mages.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time
200 150	Graveyard	Halls of the Dead	75 sec.

Advanced Unholy Strength

Further increases the attack damage of Ghouls, Meat Wagons, Abominations, Skeleton Warriors, and Skeletal Mages.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time
275 250	Graveyard	Black Citadel	90 sec.

Unholy Armor

Increases the armor of Ghouls, Abominations, Skeleton Warriors, and Skeletal Mages.

Research Cost	Researched At	Upgrade Time
125 50	Graveyard	60 sec.

Improved Unholy Armor

Further increases the armor of Ghouls, Abominations, Skeleton Warriors, and Skeletal Mages.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time
200 150	Graveyard	Halls of the Dead	75 sec.

Advanced Unholy Armor

Further increases the armor of Ghouls, Abominations, Skeleton Warriors, and Skeletal Mages.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time
275 250	Graveyard	Black Citadel	90 sec.

Backpack

Gives the ability to carry up to two items. Items carried by the unit will be dropped upon death.

Units can not use or gain benefits of items that they carry.

Research Cost Researched At Requires Upgrade Time 50 25 Townhall-type Structure Player-built Shop 20 sec.

Quotes

• See Warcraft III Ghoul quotes

Patch changes

• Patch 1.10 (2003-07-03):
  • The Frozen Throne
    • Ghoul hit points upgraded to 340 from 330.
      
• Patch 1.04 (2002-11-04): Player-controlled Ghouls no longer turn off pathing against units when they are instructed to harvest lumber.
  

External links

battle.net Warcraft III - Undead -> Units -> Ghoul