EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ZzZYs.jpg)
Image taken from GOMTV.net
GSL October Code-S Finals Preview
2011 Global StarCraft II League OctoberThe GSL finals have been infamous for having mostly one-sided games; a huge let down considering amount of prestige. However, I have cause to believe that the eleventh will be one of the better, if not the best, GSL Grand Finals.
Before going any further, I would have to warn that there will be spoilers of GSTL March, MLG Anaheim and GSPA abound.
Firstly, we have two of the best Terrans going against each other:
Mvp, a 3 times GSL Champion, would definitely want to win another GSL Championship to overtake NesTea and be the first to win 4 GSL Championship.
MMA, on other the hand, would love to win the first GSL Championship for team SlayerS, and perhaps redeem himself from his terrible defeat back in the GSL Super Tournament.
Secondly, this is going to be the first ever GSL Finals to be held outside of South Korea. And there is no better place than Anaheim, California.
For those with a short memory span, let's review the short history of the games played between Mvp and MMA.
Global StarCraft II Team League March 2011 Finals
Ace Match
VOD: GOMTV.net (Season ticket required)
Map: Dual Sight
Both players opened with a 1 rax fast expand. With a hidden gold expansion MMA went for a fast 2/2 Bio play, while Mvp went for Mech. Upon discovering the hidden gold expansion, Mvp went for an attack at MMA's natural, but MMA reacted with a counterattack, taking out Mvp's 3rd expansion. With the supply lead, MMA continues to pressure by attacking Mvp's 3rd and Main and the same time. The finishing blow came when MMA caught Mvp's tanks unsieged and flanked with his Bio.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/umC2fl.jpg)
MMA left his tanks sieged on the left, forcing Mvp to unsiege to clear them ...
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/XhSrCl.jpg)
... and MMA flanks with his Bio!
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Despite an early 3-0 lead by Alicia, Mvp manages to tie up the series, forcing MMA out for the Ace Match. MMA lived up to his nickname of the "Legend Killer" by taking out Mvp in a close match, defeating the defending Champion team, Incredible Miracle, and winning the first GSTL for team SlayerS. Aptly, MMA was awarded the Most Valuable Player Award.
MLG Pro Circuit Anaheim 2011 Finals
Game 1
VOD: -
Map: Testbug
Both players opened with blue flame hellion drops, but Mvp's harassment was much more successful, taking a 20 workers lead. Despite the initial setback, MMA's Bio play managed to pin Mvp in his base by performing multiple drops at Mvp's bases. However, Mvp held off the harassment, and attacked with his superior Mech army.
Mvp 1 - 0 MMA
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Game 2
VOD: MLG.TV
Map: Tal'Darim Altar
MMA opened with a fast expand, while Mvp went for a fast cloak banshee. MMA suffered quite a few losses from the banshee harassment, until a viking and raven were made. A timing push by MMA's Mech army managed to break Mvp's defence and forced a contain. Mvp managed to break the contain, but it wasn't for long as a banshee arrived for MMA to take out Mvp's tanks.
Mvp 1 - 1 MMA
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/XDUC9l.jpg)
MMA breaking through Mvp's base.
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Game 3
VOD: MLG.TV
Map: Xel'Naga Caverns
Mvp opened with a fast expand, while MMA went for a fast cloak banshee. The banshee failed to do any damage, but MMA continues with an attack using marine tank. With plenty of blue flame hellions and a banshee, Mvp cleaned up the attack and pushed forward with his units. MMA had his depot down, allowing Mvp's hellions to move straight into MMA's main.
Mvp 2 - 1 MMA
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/XeCqV.jpg)
With Mvp in his base, MMA is forced to gg.
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Despite coming so close in defending his MLG Championship, MMA fell short in the finals. Mvp claims his first MLG Championship in Anaheim.
GeForce Pro/Am Winners Ro8
Game 1
VOD: Day9's YouTube
Map: Crossfire SE
MMA opened with Blue Flame Hellions while Mvp went with cloak banshee. The cloak banshee harassment was unfruitful, but Mvp manages to contain MMA with his marine tank army against MMA's hellion vikings. MMA eventually broke out of the containment and took control of the Xel'Naga tower, but not for long as Mvp flanked with his Marauders. With air control, Mvp camped at MMA's starport with his vikings, and dropped marauders in MMA's base. The harressment was eventually held off when a thor arrived for MMA. MMA moved out with his small army of tanks and thor, but they were caught by a group of marauders, and were swiftly taken out.
Mvp 1 - 0 MMA
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/TrUcil.jpg)
Mvp taking out MMA's production.
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Game 2
VOD: Day9's YouTube
Map: Shakuras Plateau
Both players opened with a fast expand. MMA followed with cloak banshee, while Mvp went for blue flame hellion. MMA's cloak banshee was rather unsuccessful as Mvp had vikings and a raven. Mvp followed up with a massive hellion attack, containing MMA in his main. MMA tried to break the contain, but it backfired and Mvp moved into the main, burning up scvs. MMA eventually cleans up the hellions, and return the harassment with a hellion drop and a couple of cloak banshee of his own. Mvp held off the harassment and attacked with 3 thors and mass hellions into MMA's 3 tanks without seige upgrade.
Mvp 2 - 0 MMA
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/SitYDl.jpg)
"Thor is here!"
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Game 3
VOD: Day9's YouTube
Map: Terminus
Mvp opened with a fast expand while MMA opening with fast banshee. With missle turrets at each base, the banshee was unable to deal any damage. MMA went for a double expand and continued the harassment with a blue flame hellion drop. The hellions managed to take out a lot of Mvp's marines, pinning Mvp in his base. MMA continues to create more command centers while controlling the map with his mech army. Mvp trades his Bio tank army with MMA's Mech army, but MMA's superior economy and production was too much for Mvp.
Mvp 2 - 1 MMA
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/zsoipl.jpg)
"When you're ahead, get more ahead."
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Game 4
VOD: Day9's YouTube
Map: Xel'Naga Caverns
Both players opted for a similar 1-1-1 strategy, with Mvp going for command center before the factory, while MMA only went for his expand after the starport. The earlier factory allowed MMA to have a soft contain with his blue flame hellions. Although the soft contain was quickly broken by Mvp, MMA's earlier tank managed to hold off a hellion attack from Mvp, giving MMA the supply lead. Both Mech army continues to engage with an even trade while both players went for their 3rd and 4th at the gold. MMA continues to hold the supply lead with his earlier 3rd and 4th. Mvp put up a valiant effort in trying to regain the map control, but MMA was always quick to counterattack Mvp's 3rd and 4th. Eventually Mvp was starved out of minerals as he was unable to defend his 3rd and 4th.
Mvp 2 - 2 MMA
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/rbsw7l.jpg)
MMA taking out Mvp's gold expansion.
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Game 5
VOD: Day9's YouTube
Map: The Shattered Temple
Mvp opened with a 1 rax fast expand followed with 2 more rax, while MMA opened with a 1-1-1 going for fast cloak banshee. The fast cloak banshee harassment turned out to be devastating for Mvp as he made a small misstep with his marines, costing him more scans. The damage from the banshees continues to snowball for Mvp while MMA takes a big supply lead. Despite having double the supply, MMA continues to play safe and secure his 3rd at the gold, while Mvp was forced to play a catch up game by taking his 2nd at the gold. When MMA's gigantic Mech army eventually marched towards Mvp's base, Mvp went for a counterattack in order to force a base race. MMA pulled his army back and caught Mvp's army.
Mvp 2 - 3 MMA
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Vc8vHl.jpg)
MMA catching Mvp's counterattacking forces.
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Despite the initial 0-2 setback, MMA persevered and eventually emerged with a 3-2 victory. It was an incredible comeback.
GeForce Pro/Am Finals
Game 1
VOD: Day9's YouTube
Map: Tal'Darim Altar
Mvp opened with a 1 rax fast expand followed with a factory and starport, while MMA opened with 1-1-1 going for fast cloak banshee. The fast cloak banshee harassment was surprisingly effective, giving MMA a 10 supply lead. But the aggression was not over as MMA placed his 2nd expand and moved out with a marine tank army. MMA's army was able to Mvp to lift off his natural, forcing a contain. With map control, MMA furthers his lead with a double expand, while Mvp struggles to mass up his army. Eventually Mvp was able to break the contain, but MMA continues to pressure Mvp's natural, punishing whenever Mvp tries to move out. Mvp sneaked two medivacs of marines into MMA's main, prompting MMA to launch an attack on Mvp's forces. With a perfect concave, MMA rolled over Mvp's army and stomped over Mvp's 3rd.
Mvp 0 - 1 MMA
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/QSL0cl.jpg)
MMA's units with the perfect concave crushing Mvp's units.
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Game 2
VOD: Day9's YouTube
Map: The Shattered Temple
Both players opened with a 1 rax fast expand. MMA opted for an additional 3 rax, while Mvp went for only 1 more rax but with a factory. In an uncanny twist of fate, both players took out the rocks and moved their 2nd orbital command to the gold. Mvp moved out with his marine army and despite having an earlier stim upgrade, Mvp unfortunately engaged right at the second MMA completed his stim upgrade. With a larger marine army, MMA wiped out Mvp's forces and take the supply lead. MMA continues by pushing into Mvp's gold, but was swiftly cornered, evening up the supply. Both players take their 3rd at the natural, and teched up to seige tanks. After cleaning up a drop by Mvp, MMA pushes forward and caught Mvp's forces right outside his gold. MMA was able to seige up a split second faster, and with 2/2 marines, MMA crushed Mvp's 1/1 marines.
Mvp 0 - 2 MMA
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/wIRyEl.jpg)
A split second makes all the difference.
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Game 3
VOD: Day9's YouTube
Map: Crossfire SE
Both players opened with 1-1-1, except MMA proxied his factory. The factory was found by Mvp's marine. MMA brought his marines to defend the factory, but Mvp managed to snipe the scv, forcing MMA cancel the factory and retreat. A marine hellion drop made quick work of MMA.
Mvp 1 - 2 MMA
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/qaMJsl.jpg)
Mvp microed his hellions to achieve maximum splash damage across MMA's marines.
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Game 4
VOD: Day9's YouTube
Map: Terminus
Mvp opens with his usual 1 rax fast expand, while MMA went for a greedy fast expand before rax. Mvp followed up with a factory and starport for blue flame hellion with cloak marine, while MMA went for 3 rax with yet another expansion. Mvp's hellion and banshee were rather successful, but MMA held off well and had a fast recovery with his earlier 3rd. Both players transitioned into marine tank medivac, and Mvp moves his army towards MMA's base. MMA responsed with dropping two medivacs of marines in Mvp's natural, prompting Mvp to pull his whole army back and deal with the drop. With 2/2 upgrades almost complete, MMA moves out with his army and both players take their 4th. Both army engages in a standstill in the middle of the map, but Mvp positioned his army closer to his 4th, and MMA found a small hole in Mvp's defence, allowing his marines to slip through, cutting off Mvp's reinforcement. MMA smartly re-positioned his tanks to cover his marines, which took out Mvp's marines by surprise when they ran back to defend the 3rd. With a much larger marine count, MMA proceeded to take out Mvp's remaining units.
Mvp 1 - 3 MMA
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/zp1w9l.jpg)
MMA's marines slipped through a hole in Mvp's defence ...
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ZThSnl.jpg)
... and re-positions 3 tanks to cover his marines.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/X8fNxl.jpg)
Unknowingly, Mvp walked his marines straight into the arc of fire of MMA's siege tanks.
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Althought Mvp mostly opens with the relatively safer 1 rax fast expand, MMA was able to scrutinize, exploit and punish Mvp for every tiny mistake. MMA often risky and unorthodox playstyle also made it very difficult for Mvp to predict.
With all the above games accumulated, the current standings are:
Mvp 5 - 8 MMA
The TvT records for their GSL October runs are:
Mvp 7-1, 87.5%
MMA 10-4, 71.4%
Mvp has a much more consistent performance for his GSL October run, with a strong 87.5% TvT win rate, whereas MMA has a much lower 71.4% TvT win rate. However, MMA had proven to have what it takes to win Mvp, even with a 0-2 setback.
Will Mvp win his 4th GSL Championship?
Or will MMA win his 1st GSL Championship, and have his revenge for MLG Anaheim?
My prediction: Mvp 3 - 4 MMA
So, what's your prediction?
