EPTHe macroed like iloveoov, conscripting jaw-dropping numbers of Frenchmen for his armies. He used "divide and conquer" tactics like Xellos, using a small number of troops to hold off one opponent while his main army crushed its ally. He concentrated his artillery instead of spreading it out.
Then, after beating the rest of Europe again and again and again, Napoleon made the mistake of marching on Russia in winter, overextended his supply lines and got his ass handed to him. He was forced into exile but made a comeback in 1815, reappearing in France, declaring himself emperor and gathering an army to stand against the British and the Prussians who were determined to wipe him out.
Unfortunately, like Savior in 2009, he did not live up to his promise. He lost the Battle of Waterloo and was exiled again. This time, he didn't come back.
When I look at players like Savior and Xellos who have revolutionised Starcraft in one way or another, I think of Napoleon. The man was a genius, but he still had a standard set of tactics that could be copied and countered.
Even before Napoleon's Russia campaign, the Spanish and British were countering his tactics with guerilla warfare, something that Napoleon had no answer to. The Battle of Waterloo was close, closer than previous engagements, because Wellington had taken steps to counter Napoleon's tactics. Even if Napoleon had won, it was only a matter of time before someone who could use Napoleon's tactics better than him appeared.
A lot of Starcraft "revolutionists" are like Napoleon. They appear with unbelievable strategies that make everyone scream that some units are imbalanced, but in the end, someone finds a counter, someone learns to use their strategies even more effectively, maps change, and they always end up in exile.
The difference is that Starcraft is a more forgiving sport than war. All "revolutionists" have a chance to relook their strategies and start winning again. Even if they can't win, if they have the kind of brain that can constantly formulate new strategies like iloveoov and Boxer, they still have a bright future.
Some of them can't, because they really are one trick ponies. They can't cope with the new styles of Starcraft they helped pioneer. Others don't want to. After playing for ACE they'd rather do something else.
But that's okay. After all, when you talk about Napoleon, most people think of his glorious victories and his mighty empire. Few think of him in exile on St. Helena, a broken man with only his memories to keep him company.
And that's the way it will be with revolutionists past their prime.
