EPT![[image loading]](http://i53.tinypic.com/2i0y7v4.jpg)
Due to a good reception the first time out, "the week in Starcraft 2" returns for a second outing; this time with a few more categories to hopefully make it a better overall blog! Yes it's a little late, but a lot of segments hinged on the SCReddit invitational and with all the unfortunate lag delays I tried to hold off till they finished...only for them to have to be postponed =(
The format will remain essentially the same, but I'll be doubling up on nominations in a few cases because with the GSL in full swing again, I feel that I can't overlook the fact that the best players are playing there, but I also feel that most people know what's been going on there and would appreciate more emphasis on other tournaments (do correct me if that assumption is wrong).
I'll also be spoiler tagging descriptions when I'm able to provide a vod/replay so people can read a summary of the content and then watch without spoilers if they want =)
![[image loading]](http://i55.tinypic.com/2nhfed3.jpg)
Alright this isn't a category I had planned to have, but having just watched what I think is the best series I have seen I had to include this in a special category of its own.
Morrow vs Kiwikaki - SC2Reddit invitational : 1/4 finals
http://www.justin.tv/screddit/b/277239309
http://www.justin.tv/screddit/b/277245508
(the majority of the series is in the first VoD, but they hit the 2 hour limit and half the last game is on the second ^^)
So...over the course of well over 2 hours, Morrow and Kiwikaki played one of the most epic bo5's I've ever seen. Their battle across Shakuras, Delta, Metalopolis, Lost Temple, and finally Xel Naga saw just about everything you could ever wish to see from a ZvP. A monstrous array of units and strategies from both players, and one of the most epic games of SC2 ever cast.
All I can say is that the series is an absolute must watch.
I took the liberty of polling the thread in the wake of the games, and while it's worth noting that results in the immediate wake of something can be pretty skewed, I hope this provides a compelling reason for you to go and watch if I haven't sold it to you already.
Poll: Was MorroW vs KiwiKaki the best series of sc2 you've seen
Unquestionably, that was simply awesome (81)
71%
It was great, but I've seen others to match (27)
24%
No, there have definitely been better (6)
5%
114 total votes
It was great, but I've seen others to match (27)
No, there have definitely been better (6)
114 total votes
Your vote: Was MorroW vs KiwiKaki the best series of sc2 you've seen
(Vote): Unquestionably, that was simply awesome
(Vote): It was great, but I've seen others to match
(Vote): No, there have definitely been better
![[image loading]](http://i51.tinypic.com/2e3cppt.jpg)
MorroW vs KiwiKaki - Game 3 (Bo5) : SCReddit invitational : Metalopolis
http://www.justin.tv/screddit/b/277239309 [skip to 45mins 40 if you just want this game]
There have been a monumental amount of good games this week, but the 3rd game between MorroW and KiwiKaki stands head and shoulders above them all. An absolutely epic 49minute long PvZ on metalopolis, this game had just about everything and I absolutely insist you go and watch it now if you haven't seen it yet.
Game Spoilers follow:
+ Show Spoiler +
You will have to forgive me for not having a better memory of the finer details of the game, I confess that I spent much of my time watching in various states of disbelief, and with it only having happened so recently there's no way I can go re-watch and note things down! The long and short of it was that we saw one of the most back and forth epic matches you could possibly imagine; any game that sees half the map completely mined out by one player (about 3/4s total?) is pretty awesome in my books. There were roaches and there were hydras, there were stalkers and there were sentries. There were upgrades and static defences, there were colossus and corrupters. There were High and Dark Templar, there were Ultra's and BroodLords. There were last ditch defences, and there were last second snipes. There were huge encounters, and there were delicate harassments. There were devastating drops, and there were well timed pushes. And ultimately there was one incredible game.
Honorable mentions for the week go to the following:
Boxer vs Hyperdub - Game 2 of Group C : GSL sponsorship season 1 : Shakuras plateau
vod: http://www.gomtv.net/2011gslsponsors1/vod/58864
+ Show Spoiler +
The emperor strikes back to open the new GSL season in absolutely emphatic style with one of the most impressive TvT's I've seen. Not only did both players expand furiously across Shakuras , but Boxer implemented the often talked about Mass orbital command strategy to give himself an insane economy to supply his overwhelming force. By the end he seemed to be teching towards just about everything, simply because he could afford it, though (sadly?) his overwhelming forces caused Hyperdub to GG before he could bring it to bear. Along with the strategy choices Boxer also exhibited a couple of neat little tricks, abusing the number of mules he had at his disposal to drop them onto Hyperdubs tank lines causing him to do all sorts of damage with friendly fire. Another must watch!
Socke vs DieStar - Game 3 (Bo5) : Competo Cup finals : Shakuras plateau
replay: http://www.mediafire.com/?d7gi9j51gmuq219
(this is a full finals replay pack)
+ Show Spoiler +
Socke opens up with some lovely and effective early Phoenix harass, before transitioning smoothly into chargelots and high templar as we move through the midgame. He needs a little bit more punch to his attacks to finally overwhelm DieStar though, so takes back to the skies and techs for Carriers! He's able to amass a decent amount before he pushes and he crushes DieStar's forces.
![[image loading]](http://i52.tinypic.com/156fu6w.jpg)
Well now, this one has been almost impossible to pick given the way a number of very talented players have played this week so I'm going to be a bit vague and pluralise the category this week.
Had MorroW won the SCReddit finals I think he'd have been my hands down #1 for the week given he made 2 finals of minor cups along with the finals of the SCReddit invitational. He's also showcased some truly inspiring zerg play at a level I think most didn't realise he had attained, and put on some incredible matches. Unfortunately the finals have been postponed due to connection issues, and I don't really want to delay this blog any further by waiting for the finals to actually played (no confirmed date/time yet).
As it is I think he would have been my leading contender, with honourable mentions to IMMvp for once again exhibiting his superb TvZ at the GSL and beating a very good field to pick up the Gainward tournament trophy, as well as to TLO and Kas for both picking up major EU based tournament victories.
I'd also like to take a moment to mention Effka's excellent performance at craftcup lite 27; we don't see many female gamers in the competitive scene, but she showed some fantastic TvT taking down beastyqt and Kas in the earlier rounds, and then turning in an awesome performance to beat Diestar 2-0 in the finals.
![[image loading]](http://i54.tinypic.com/1zpqvyp.jpg)
Root.Kiwikaki vs EG.Machine :: SCReddit Invitational.
Kiwikaki is one of those guys that make Starcraft an absolute joy to watch at times; always exciting and constantly innovating, you're never quite sure just what he's going to pull out next. In the first game of his series with Machine he seals the game in one devastating play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyP92qD8psA
Start from 5minutes in if you're short of time and just want to see the way Kiwi works towards the final outcome, though I'd recommend you just watch the whole game. I won't bother with a text summary because, well really, my poor words are never really going to do it justice.
![[image loading]](http://i52.tinypic.com/254ydqg.jpg)
SCReddit Invitational: http://screddit.com/
This tournament was in possession of 4 things that all good tournaments need to be successful; an incredible line up, an excellent format, brilliant production (organization too), and wonderful casting. With that kind of framework in place, all that's left is for the games to deliver, and boy did they ever. A number of impressive series, and as detailed previously in this blog, an absolute classic.
A great tournament all around, and if you're stuck idly wondering where to find some quality SC2 to watch swing by the website @ http://screddit.com/ and get stuck in on the VoDs (when they do go up =p). Really can't rate this one highly enough!
![[image loading]](http://i53.tinypic.com/dzxunp.jpg)
I have decided to make this a somewhat flexible category for something I can't quite fit in anywhere else, whether it's a player I think people should keep an eye out for, an upcoming event that looks entertaining, or simply a cool tournament that didn't get much attention. This week's fits into the latter category and is:
The EU Custom map cup tournament
Replays: http://www.mediafire.com/?55dgf825c8yx06j
VoDs: http://www.own3d.tv/RageQuittv (a little way back in the archive now)
8 top EU players playing a knockout tournament across 7 great iCCup maps, what more could you want!? It's a great watch and really interesting viewing for those who feel the current Blizzard map pool is letting down competitive SC2. As you'd expect, the maps are all absolutely gorgeous to look at (mmm testbug <3),and provide for a number of exciting games.
If you only have time for one series, I'd suggest checking out the very close Rine vs Darkforce games. They are highly entertaining and really show the potential that a number of these maps have for exciting games.
![[image loading]](http://i54.tinypic.com/2wghxdf.jpg)
Poor SanZenith, poor poor SanZenith. After stating that he hoped to get some longer games under his belt at the new GSL season, this weeks $1 Cream Cheese dealer oGsInca dealt him a crushing loss in under 5 on Metalopolis.
It was obvious Inca had some nefarious plans in mind as he instantly sent out his scouting probe, and much to his delight he discovered SanZenith's position on close rush distances first try. Sneakily checking the mineral patches mined quantity to determine whether San was there , Inca's probe snuck in unnoticed before the pylon went up for sight at San's ramp.
San scouted him and realised something was up, and immediately started searching for the likely proxy locations outside his base (feeling safe that nothing had got in...), meanwhile Inca let us all know that you can fit a pylon, forge, and a gateway neatly in the smoke at the back of a metalopolis main. A few moments later and we had the first stalker rampaging around San's main with cannons being dropped for covering fire. San scrambled desperately to defend but it was too much and he was forced to GG; the camera cut to his booth in the immediate aftermath and it was almost depressing to see how shell-shocked he looked., and for that, Inca is this week's #1 Cheeser.
![[image loading]](http://i51.tinypic.com/4h3y2h.jpg)
(all prize money converted to $'s from native currency where applicable)
Gainward SC2 Tournament [KR]
#1 IMMvp [$4,300] || #2 IMNesTea [$2,600] || #3 MarineKingPrime [$1,700]
PokerIdol SC2 championship [UK]
#1 LiquidTLO [$2,320] || #2 Sjow [$1940] || #3 Select [$1160]
SCReddit Invitational [online]
#1 MorroW/WhiteRa [$1200 + $600 to charity] || #2 MorroW/WhiteRa [$600] || #3 Minigun[$250]
(massive respect to totalbiscuit who got so excited when casting that he donated $300 from his own pocket to the prizepool)
JustinTV invitational [online]
#1 Root.catZ [$400?] || #2 ppgbubbles [?] || #3 mouzmana/kawaiirice [?]
TL Open #8 [online]
#1 Empire.Kas [$100 + qualifies for TSL3|| #2 Ciara [$50] || #3 Naniwa [$25]
************
And that about wraps up another week of Starcraft 2; once again I hope that if you've made it this far it has been worth the read. I have to say that the positive reception of the first one really made it worthwhile and spurred me on to try keep them coming.
I will attempt to make this particular blog a regular thing, though naturally it's an awful lot of SC2 for one person to follow (working on one monitor, sc2 on another =p) so if anyone happens to see something awesome (particularly during US weekly events since they are a bit harder for me to catch) please feel free to send me a heads up.
We've got another stacked week of SC2 on the horizon, so be sure to enjoy it!
