EPT
Is it finally time for a Protoss domination in the MSL? In this season’s finals we have two hot Protoss players in both Stork and Bisu. Stork cruised into both leagues and advanced further in both than any of the other players, not being eliminated in the OSL until the semifinals and making it all the way to the finals in this MSL. A shoadow of doubt has been cast upon his road here, he was eliminated by Savior in the first elimination rounds, only to go an a tear and win the wildcard slot, which only appeared due to Oversky having to join the military. And then there is Bisu, back to defend his title after the thrashing he gave Savior last season. These will mark the First PvP games in this MSL since a pair of games during the Group Stage and one Wildcard game, two of which were played, and won, by Stork. These players don’t have much to look back on in being able to decide which PvP strategies might be successful on the exclusively MSL maps. Both have defeated teammates on their way here, and neither would want that to be for anything less than a championship. Is it finally time that Stork won an individual league? Or will Bisu prove to us that he truly is a three match-up wonder?
Game 1:
Loki kicks the night off and we haven’t even seen a real PvP match here, aside from a single game which involved the tasting of some cheese. Cheese, which I might add, that was made from a teammate of Stork’s. Perhaps Stork could get a little bit of insight from that, but I wouldn’t count on it. Additionally, Bisu’s one loss on Loki came from Oversky, and Stork just happens to be that player’s replacement. Maybe Stork will be able to tap into these irrelevant energies and pull off a win. I dropped a Korean 10000 Won Bank note from my ceiling, because I don’t have any coins, and used that to determine my pick for this opening game (front for Bisu and back for Stork). When it landed, it folded in half. I took that to mean that the back side (Stork) would completely envelop the front side (Bisu).
Game 2:
Desperado is where Stork has previously met victory against an enemy Protoss player. Although it is also the map he thumbed down for this series. Perhaps he thumbed it down just to give Bisu a fighting chance, but then again, none of the players seem to like this map. When both players had an option to thumb down a map, there has only been one instance when this wasn’t thumbed down. During the Round of Sixteen, more than half of the matches chose Desperado as the one map that would not be played. Who knows what the build order war might look like here, the extra gas at main will likely brew up something unique for at least one of the players. I am going to say that Bisu has the advantage here though. Stork previous win doesn’t exactly help him in my eyes; it just allows Bisu with a way to study at how Stork won his game there. Coupled with bisu not having lost a game here, and never having been the one to thumb it down, I have a feeling that he likes this map and will pull out a victory.
Game 3:
Neither of these players seem to disagree too much with Python. Stork, despite his single loss has looked unbeatable here. Again though I think this might work against him. His time is up on this map, his 7-0 run ended with a sloppy loss. If a player wins enough if gives the other players more time to analyze the play for a weakness or an opening, it is only a matter of time before anyone dominant will have his fall. Despite Bisu’s lack of experience on the map in comparison to Stork, I believe Bisu will strike with a superior build order here. It seems to be something he is very good at, making counter build orders. Will Stork be quick enough in each of these game to be able to read Bisu in advance? Probably not every time.
Game 4:
Monty Hall was thumbed down by Bisu, which is no real surprise to me. He has just come off several losses to cheese on this map and is possibly fed up with that, even more so since one of those losses to cheese is when Bisu was trying out his own. I expect something cheesy here tonight. It could come from either player: Bisu who failed at it last time and wants to do it right, or Stork who has seen that Bisu is susceptible on this map to such strategies. If the game doesn’t end quickly, it will go long (duh) and I expect Stork to be able to take the long game with superior play.
Game 5:
I expect Loki to be played a second time, or rather I really hope it happens. As most fans should. A final that goes to a final deciding game would definitely be exciting. I am thinking back to that 10000 Won Bank Note and what the folding could mean. I tested the dropping a few more times and it never did it again, it always landed on one side or the other. Maybe the folding in half meant that Stork would win both games? Would they split games on Loki? Am I retardedly superstitious in overanalyzing the landing of this bank note? Whatever the case may be, Stork failed to make his appearance in the other finals. He will come into this match with a determination, he has the stronger will, I believe, as he would not want to get so close and then still fall short twice in one season. If it gets this far, I’m am hoping for Stork to win, but obviously I can’t keep it out of Bisu’s hands, he also has the capability to put it away.
These two progamers have met only once before, earlier this year in Proleague, when both Stork and Samsung were victorious that night. Will Bisu be intimidated by his pathetic loss there or will Stork be overconfident? If the age of Protoss truly has begun, will it be Bisu continuing the charge into that era, or will he be passing the baton onto Stork?
Last 10 Games:
Bisu: 6-4
Stork: 5-5
Bisu (PvP)
Loki: 2-1 (0-0)
Desperado: 4-0 (0-0)
Python: 2-2 (0-0)
Monty Hall: 5-3 (0-0)
Stork (PvP)
Loki: 3-1 (0-0)
Desperado: 3-2 (1-0)
Python: 7-1 (2-0)
Monty Hall: 7-4 (2-2)
My Predictions:
Bisu < Stork @ Loki
Bisu > Stork @ Desperado
Bisu > Stork @ Python
Bisu < Stork @ Monty Hall
Bisu < Stork @ Loki
