I apologize for this long introduction, but comments forced me to make some points before I continue on my analysis of Avilo.
Manner?
When I started writing about Avilo, I read comments about Avilo, that called him an All-inner, others said he was bad mannered because he flamed his opponents. Other saw his bad manner in the fact that he doesn’t leave a game until it is lost, other people only said that his games are to long.
In my opinion, there is no reason to talk bad about Avilo for his manner; the fact that Avilo does not automatically leave the game only because the opponent crippled him is no bad manner in my eyes.
I read that Avilo was “wasting someone’s time”, I would have to reply: “well it depends on what you want to do, gain a maximum of points on ladder in the shortest time, or get better at starcraft”.
Watching Avilo’s stream, I am often surprised by what games he wins, even if it looked bad at the beginning. Others would have tapped out, but not so Avilo, he organises his defence, turtles up and often wins, because he has been in late games, that others didn’t know existed.
The NASL votes…
I read that Avilo got a lot of votes from Athenewins and that many of his votes are not legit. To be totally honest, I don’t care.
So the real question I think is not “Is Avilo a nice guy?”, or “Where does his votes come from?” but “What is his skill?”
Game 1
Download the replay here.
Facts:
Map name: Xelnaga
CC ready at: 3:14
1. Marine ready at: 3:15
2. Barracks done at: 3:15
2. CC done at 6:14
1. Tank ready at 7:20
Siege mode ready at 08:05
2. CC landed at natural at 8:55
Summary:
This was not Avilo's game.
To make it short, Avilo loses this game and Tyler's victory is well deserved.
What I liked:
I liked Avilo dropping scans to catch observers.
What I didn't like:
It took the 2nd CC 2:30mins. to land at the natural. Avilo was not able to use the advantage of an early CC, because he didn't put use to it, except for scv production.
Avilo had bad map vision in this game, when he lost the Xel-Tower at minute 11, he was blind for the rest of the match.
Avilo misses (probably due to the missing vision) the timing window for his 3rd expansion. This makes him lack in production facilities. After trading armies Avilo has no chance, to reproduce.
Avilo misses his upgrades, and loses in a 0-0 vs. 3-0 battle.
Game 2
Download the replay here.
Facts:
Map name: Lost Temple
1. Racks is ready at 2:40
1. CC is ready at 3:14
1. Factory is done at 4:50
1. Bunker is done at 5:50
2. CC is done at 9:26
2. CC lands at the natural at 10:02
3. Expansion (Gold) at 15:25
Summary:
Tyler puts pressure on Avilo. Tyler uses a lot of upgraded gate units, he is ahead economically and supply wise. Tyler builds temps and storms a huge tank line from Avilo. Avilo drops from ~150 to ~80 food and has to sack his gold expansion. Tyler pushes 2 more times but Avilo is working on his upgrades.
After a big fight at min. 27:00 with 2-3 upgraded units (Avilo) vs. 3-2-3 units (Tyler) Avilo has broken Tyler.
Avilo's blue flames put a lot of pressure on Tyler's hightemplars and Zealots. Avilo destroys expansion nr. 4 and 5 of Tyler.
After 33:38 Tyler got to go.
What I liked:
I liked Avilo planting 3 sensor towers.
I liked the way Avilo uses his blueflames.
Avilo always had 8 scvs with him behind the frontline to repair his mech.
Avilo is patient, he is able to wait for the right timing to attack.
What I didn't like:
Avilo didn't pressure Tyler at all. He was waiting for his 3rd expansion to kick in.
Avilo didn't upgrade the way he could have done. The first big battle was a 0-1 (Avilo) vs. 3-0-3 (Tyler) fight.
Avilo again had problems with his production, after losing the first big battle (upgrades) Avilo had to build 3 factories to be able to produce against 15 (!!) warp gates.
I still think Avilo needs to work on his vision.
Stay tuned for Part 3
schi2ler