EPTThis brings me to the IPL Team Arena Challenge, a Bo9 in team-all-kill format. The first series was between Slayers and Dignitas.
Clear favorites to start, Slayers opened with a B-team-Protoss player, Crank who quickly crushed his way through Merz and Killer. As the team just losing the round, Dignitas picked their next player to throw into the SlayerS meatgrinder: Bischu. As the new entrant, Bischu had map choice.
Entering a Protoss v. Protoss, Bischu made the most bizarre decision imaginable – he picked Tal’Darim Altar.
For those not familiar with the nuances (or lack thereof) of PvP, “volatile” doesn’t quite do justice to the meta-game. Hyperaggression is driven by both players having the warpgate mechanic and by static defense requiring a tech-sidestep. This leaves a minimal defender’s advantage. Even with a small choke and highground advantage, gateway aggression can smash face. With neither, the 4-Gate is King.
Enter Tal’Darim Altar
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/zQ4Qg.jpg)
Big choke, no ramp - the worst of both worlds
It was as though Bischu knelt before the Xel’Naga, and prayed for a 4-gate, offering himself as a sacrifice. Does he really think he can win 4-gate v. 4-gate against a Korean Pro? Who does this man think he is?
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/9Rsvq.jpg)
A few characters come to mind
I watched with bated breath, awaiting the slaughter of Bischu.
Then this happened:
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/bcYUO.jpg)
Gateway-robotics-gateway. Alas, this would only hasten his demise! Or so I thought.
Slowly, Bischu’s devious plan became clear. He had orchestrated a strictly Zealot-Immortal defense to deprive Crank of a 4-Gate-focused victory. The SlayerS second-stringer obliged with the full brutality of a 4-gate that he could bring to bear upon this middling Protoss from Dignitas. So sat in my mind the core question: Could Bischu really survive a 4-gate with this?
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/PK7TW.jpg)
Come at me Bro!
With early probes chrono’d out, zealots held the line as immortals dished out pain with extreme prejudice, crumpling stalkers as though they were nothing more than paper mache. Crank's Zealots gave chase to the Immortals, seeking to tear their robotic hides asunder. But no, Crank ceded advantage engagement after engagement, until all was lost.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/4Ypke.jpg)
At this point, it's not a fair fight anymore.
Bischu metagamed the living hell out of Crank. While this SlayerS Protoss supplicated to King 4-Gate, Bischu crushed his crown.
*credit where credit is due: all screenshots are taken from the IPL VOD channel
link to VOD: http://www.youtube.com/user/IGNProLeague?blend=1&ob=video-mustangbase#p/u/84/_XaYJ-3RTmE
EVERYONE who ever talks about TDA PvP is like 4gate 4gate 4gate, I guess throwing in a fast Immortal build would really screw up your opponent.
