EPT
I started off as a humble poster with a preview to Shinhan 0 but when Shinhan 1 came I gave a means of an up to date thread that allowed people who fell behind in the season to quickly catch up on what's going and who's winning and who's out. I also made one for Pringles 1 MSL. I did the same for Shinhan 2 and Pringles 2 and amazingly it made an impression on a Manly man and he figured it would be sweet if I did it officially for TL.
I was going to do both Shinhan Season 3 OSL and Gom TV MSL but GrandInquisitor stepped up to the plate quite surprisingly and started one for Shinhan 3. May it be a useful resource to those who follow the Starleagues.
Initially I made these results and standings for a rather selfish reason. I wanted to get a little glory. I wanted to be recognized. But after a while I learned that that's not what this awesome community is about. It's about keeping the community alive for a 9-year-old game. I first made it to help me comprehend what was going on and bring some glory to myself. But now, I make these for the community so that they may grasp what is going on in Korea. That is why I present to you:
Gom TV MSL Results and Standings
-A Little MSL History-
04/02 KPGA 1st Tour - (T)BoxeR > (Z)YellOw
06/02 KPGA 2nd Tour - (T)NaDa > (Z)YellOw
10/02 KPGA 3rd Tour - (T)NaDa > (P)Reach
01/03 KPGA 4th Tour - (T)NaDa > (Z)ChOJJa
03/03 KTEC KPGA - (Z)YellOw > (T)BoxeR
07/03 Stout MSL - (P)Nal_rA > NaDa
11/03 Trigem MSL - (T)iloveoov > (Z)YellOw
04/04 HanaFOS CENGAME MSL - (T)iloveoov > (T)NaDa
08/04 SPRIS MSL - (T)iloveoov > (P)Kingdom
02/05 You're the Golf King MSL - (Z)GoRush > (T)NaDa
08/05 UZOO MSL - (Z)sAviOr > (P)Reach
01/06 LG CYON MSL - (Z)ChOJJa > (Z)sAviOr
07/06 Pringles 1 MSL - (Z)sAviOr > (P)Nal_rA
11/06 Pringles 2 MSL - (Z)sAviOr > (Z)SiLvEr
Note: The dates are the dates of the finals.
-Some Interesting Trends-
You may notice that the last 5 winners of the MSLs are Zerg players. If you can recall, OSL is notoriously a Terran/Protoss winner dominated starleague and MSL is a Zerg winner dominated Starleague. They have installed a map this season called Desert Fox that may reverse MSL's Zerg winner trend though.
Another interesting trend comes with the MSL's latest defending champion, sAviOr aka IPX. If you take a look at the history you'll notice that before the MSL format was adopted, NaDa won 3 KPGAs. Following him came the dominance of iloveoov when he won 3 straight MSLs. sAviOr, with his recent Pringles 2 MSL victory, sealed off number 3 for MSL victories. But what's interesting is that after NaDa and iloveoov won 3 MBC sponsored leagues, they quietly fell off the map in the MBC realm. Rather, they moved on to the OSL and won the OSL. Could this mean that sAviOr will drop off the MSL scene and win an OSL? Who knows? Maybe DJEtter knows.
-The Players-
The MSLs comprise of sixteen players in all. The top four finishers in the last MSL are seeded into this MSL automatically. The remaining twelve players qualified through Survivor League (formerly called Minor League).
--Terran: The Pride Of War--(6)
Canata (SKTelecom T1)
HwaSIn (STX-SouL)
IriS (CJ Entus)
Justin (OGN Sparkyz)
Light (MBC Game Hero)
XellOs (CJ Entus)
--Zerg: Overcome All--(5)
Seed #1 sAviOr (CJ Entus)
Seed #2 SiLvEr (Pantech EX)
Seed #4 JJu (Samsung Khan)
Jaedong (Lecaf Oz)
aQua (KTF MagicNs)
--Protoss: Victory After Victory--(5)
Seed #3 Nal_rA (KTF MagicNs)
PuSan (MBC Game Hero)
Much {CJ Entus)
Bisu (MBC Game Hero)
Free (Hanbit Stars)
--Team Distributions--
CJ Entus: 4 (IriS, XellOs, sAviOr, Much)
MBC Game Hero: 3 (Light, PuSan, Bisu)
KTF MagicNs: 2 (aQua, Nal_rA)
Hanbit Stars: 1 (free)
Lecaf Oz: 1 (Jaedong)
OGN Sparkyz: 1 (Justin)
Pantech EX: 1 (SiLvEr)
Samsung Khan: 1 (JJu)
SKTelecom T1: 1 (Canata)
STX-SouL: 1 (HwaSIn)
eSTRO: 0 (D=)
-The Maps-
Last year we saw Arcadia 2, Shin Peaks of Baekdu, Blitz, and Longinus. As is traditionally done, MSL keeps a map or two and introduces some new ones. This MSL they are keeping Longinus and Blitz with some changes, and they introduce a semi-island map called Desert Fox, and a nostalgic retro map called Reverse Temple.
--Longinus 2--
Map kept from last season. Very few changes made to the mains for economic balance issues and some aesthetic changes in the center.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/jkillashark/3Longinus_II.jpg)
--Blitz X--
Map also kept from last season. The center ramp has been heavily modified. There is an X shaped mineral in the middle that can be mined to have two entrances. The original opening has been made big enough for a dark templar to fit through. The 12 dual gas expo had one gas taken away. The lower half of the map was also heavily modified.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/jkillashark/2Blitz_X_20.jpg)
--Desert Fox--
Semi-island map with mains blocked in by a Protoss Temple and two Terran generators. The gas natural also has a neutral creep that needs to be destroyed before anything can be built on. (Except Zerg who have disadvantages on island maps can expo more easily.)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/jkillashark/3Desert_Fox_10.jpg)
--Reverse Temple--
Nostalgic map. All the land from Lost Temple was reversed. Mineral wall added to gas naturals for balance issues.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/jkillashark/4Reverse_Temple_10.jpg)
-The Recaps-
Group of 16 Day 1 (Thursday 12/7) - written by Manifesto (Includes Preview and Group A/B Games 1/2)
Group of 16 Day 2 (Thursday 12/14)
Group of 16 Day 3 (Thursday 12/21)
Group of 16 Day 4 (Thursday 12/28)
Group of 16 Day 5 (Thursday 1/4) - written by Manifesto (Includes Group of 16 Tiebreaker games)
Group of 8 Day 1 (Thursday 1/11)
Group of 8 Day 2 (Thursday 1/18) - written by Manifesto (Includes Group of 8 Loser's sets)
Group of 8 Day 3 (Thursday 1/25) - written by Manifesto (Includes Group of 8 Winner's sets)
Group of 8 Day 4 (Thursday 2/1) - (Includes Group of 8 Tiebreak sets)
Semifinal Day 1 (Thursday 2/8) - written by Manifesto/Red_Dragon (Includes Bisu vs Nal_rA Semifinal)
Semifinal Day 2 (Thursday 2/15) - written by Manifesto (Includes HwaSIn vs sAviOr Semifinal)
Grand Final (Saturday 3/3) - written by Manifesto (Includes Bisu vs sAviOr Grand Final)
-Results and Standings of Group of 16-
The first stage in the MSL. The players are sorted into four groups of 4 in what I call the Group of 16 stage. Group because they are played in double elimination groups and 16 because there are 16 players. The players are put into the groups in an interesting selection method called the "Steal Draft"
--The Steal Draft--
I mistakenly called it "Steel" draft last season but I correct myself. It's called "Steal Draft" because as the groups are drafted, the latter players can STEAL (not steel) other players.
The steal draft works like this. The players are ranked 1-16. Seeds obviously are 1-4 and are sent to Groups A-D, respectively. The bottom 4, 13-16 are reversely put into Groups A-D. Then the remaining 8 players, 12-5 get put into a spot. But here's the catch, ah yes the catch: those who are 12-5 get to switch themselves with anyone who already has a spot (except the seeds), so it's like picking who you're gonna play first. After that complicated procedure is done, the seeds can switch around anybody they want to be their first opponent. It's a rather entertaining method though confusing at first. Players can diss each other or spark rivalries with this type of drafting system. (The OSL system makes it more difficult to pick a rival if you aren't picked early.)
--MSL and Double Elimination--
So what is double elimination? It's quite simple, really. You have to lose twice to be eliminated. In the Group of 16 play, if you lose twice in your group, you are eliminated from contention. If you win twice, that means you did NOT lose twice so you advance to the Group of 8. The order is played in Game 1, Game 2, Loser's, Winner's, and Tiebreak (Winner of Loser's plays the loser of Winner's).
Group of 8 double elimination is slightly more complicated but just a tad bit. It's played in exactly the same way as the Group of 16 play except that after games 1 and 2, the loser's, winner's, and tiebreaks are played as best of three sets. Don't quite get it? Feel free to ask in the thread. The only stupid questions are the ones that aren't asked.
+ Show Spoiler +
There are no stupid questions, only stupid people. ;D
--16 Group A-- (sAviOr, HwaSIn, Jaedong, PuSan)
1. HwaSIn 2-0 -> Advances to 8 Group A as A1
2. sAviOr 2-1 -> Advances to 8 Group B as A2
3. PuSan 1-2 -> Survivor League Stage 4
4. Jaedong 0-2 -> Survivor League Stage 3
A Game 1: HwaSIn > sAviOr @ Longinus 2
A Game 2: PuSan > Jaedong @ Blitz X
A Loser's: sAviOr > Jaedong @ Desert Fox
A Winner's: HwaSIn > PuSan @ Desert Fox
A Tiebreak: sAviOr > PuSan @ Reverse Temple
--16 Group B-- (SiLvEr, Justin, Much, aQua)
1. Justin 2-0 -> Advances to 8 Group B as B1
2. SiLvEr 2-1 -> Advances to 8 Group A as B2
3. Much 1-2 -> Survivor League Stage 4
4. aQua 0-2 -> Survivor League Stage 3
B Game 1: Justin > SiLvEr @ Desert Fox
B Game 2: Much > aQua @ Reverse Temple
B Loser's: SiLvEr > aQua @ Longinus 2
B Winner's: Justin > Much @ Longinus 2
B Tiebreak: SiLvEr > Much @ Blitz X
--16 Group C-- (Nal_rA, Bisu, IriS, Canata)
1. Nal_rA 2-0 -> Advances to 8 Group B as C1
2. Bisu 2-1 -> Advances to 8 Group A as C2
3. Canata 1-2 -> Survivor League Stage 4
4. IriS 0-2 -> Survivor League Stage 3
C Game 1: Nal_rA > Bisu @ Blitz X
C Game 2: Canata > IriS @ Desert Fox
C Loser's: Bisu > IriS @ Reverse Temple
C Winner's: Nal_rA > Canata @ Reverse Temple
C Tiebreak: Bisu > Canata @ Longinus 2
--16 Group D-- (JJu, Light, free, XellOs)
1. Light 2-0 -> Advances to 8 Group A as D1
2. XellOs 2-1 -> Advances to 8 Group B as D2
3. free 1-2 -> Survivor League Stage 4
4. JJu 0-2 -> Survivor League Stage 3
D Game 1: Light > JJu @ Reverse Temple
D Game 2: XellOs > free @ Longinus 2
D Loser's: free > JJu @ Blitz X
D Winner's: Light > XellOs @ Blitz X
D Tiebreak: XellOs > free @ Desert Fox
-Results and Standings of Group of 8-
Group of 8 play is very similar to that of the Group of 16. They are both double elimination but after the first two games in your group, the games are played in best of three sets. So it has the same Game 1, Game 2, Loser's, Winner's, Tiebreak sets, except that after Game 2 they are best of threes. Players who got first in their group get to thumbs down a map.
--8 Group A--
Group A is made up of A1, B2, C2, and D1. A1 is HwaSIn, B2 is SiLvEr, C2 is Bisu, and D1 is Light. Relatively young group.
A1. HwaSIn 0-1 -> Loser's 2-0 -> Tiebreak 2-1 -> Semifinals
C2. Bisu 1-0 -> Winner's 2-1 -> Semifinals
A Game 1: Bisu > HwaSIn @ Reverse Temple
A Game 2: Light > SiLvEr @ Longinus 2
A Loser's Set
A Loser's Game 1: HwaSIn > SiLvEr @ Blitz X
A Loser's Game 2: HwaSIn > SiLvEr @ Longinus 2
A Winner's Set
A Winner's Game 1: Light > Bisu @ Desert Fox
A Winner's Game 2: Bisu > Light @ Reverse Temple
A Winner's Game 3: Bisu > Light @ Blitz X
A Tiebreak Set
A Tiebreak Game 1: Light > HwaSIn @ Longinus 2
A Tiebreak Game 2: HwaSIn > Light @ Blitz X
A Tiebreak Game 3: HwaSIn > Light @ Reverse Temple
--8 Group B--
Group B is made up of A2, B1, C1, and D2. A2 is sAviOr, B1 is Justin, C1 is Nal_rA, and D2 is XellOs. Methinks 8 Group B is hella scary.
A2. sAviOr 1-0 -> Winner's 2-1 -> Semifinals
C1. Nal_rA 0-1 -> Loser's 2-0 -> Tiebreak 2-1 -> Semifinals
B Game 1: Justin > XellOs @ Blitz X
B Game 2: sAviOr > Nal_rA @ Longinus 2
B Loser's Set
B Loser's Game 1: Nal_rA > XellOs @ Reverse Temple
B Loser's Game 2: Nal_rA > XellOs @ Blitz X
B Winner's Set
B Winner's Game 1: sAviOr > Justin @ Longinus 2
B Winner's Game 2: Justin > sAviOr @ Desert Fox
B Winner's Game 3: sAviOr > Justin @ Reverse Temple
B Tiebreak Set
B Tiebreak Game 1: Justin > Nal_rA @ Desert Fox
B Tiebreak Game 2: Nal_rA > Justin @ Longinus 2
B Tiebreak Game 3: Nal_rA > Justin @ Blitz X
--Semifinals--
Only two players from each group of 8 advance for a grand total of 4. Top advancer from a group plays the second advancer from the other group. A1 vs B2, B1 vs A2. The matches will played as a best of five. Winner's of their semifinals advance to the finals for all the guts and glory. Last season there was no Loser's final to determine who gets 3rd and 4th. I THINK they use some other sort of tiebreaker but my Korean is soso at best and I don't know.
--Semifinal Match A--
Semifinal A Game 1: Bisu > Nal_rA @ Blitz X
Semifinal A Game 2: Bisu > Nal_rA @ Reverse Temple
Semifinal A Game 3: Bisu > Nal_rA @ Desert Fox
--Semifinal Match B--
Semifinal B Game 1: sAviOr > HwaSIn @ Longinus 2
Semifinal B Game 2: HwaSIn > sAviOr @ Reverse Temple
Semifinal B Game 3: sAviOr > HwaSIn @ Desert Fox
Semifinal B Game 4: HwaSIn > sAviOr @ Blitz X
Semifinal B Game 5: sAviOr > HwaSIn @ Longinus 2
*****GRAND FINAL*****
We've narrowed down the 16 players to only two players. These two players fight for the 1st place of the Gom TV MSL and a place in the history books. The grand final is also played as a best of five.
sAviOr thumbs down Desert Fox
Bisu thumbs down Reverse Temple
(This means that these maps won't be played twice in the matchup. Longinus 2 will be the map played in Game 1 and 5.)
GRAND FINAL MATCH
Grand Final Game 1: Bisu > sAviOr @ Longinus 2
Grand Final Game 2: Bisu > sAviOr @ Reverse Temple
Grand Final Game 3: Bisu > sAviOr @ Blitz X
Final Standings
1. Bisu
2. sAviOr
3. HwaSIn
4. Nal_rA
5th-8th in no order
XellOs
Justin
Light
SiLvEr
9th-16th in no order
Canata
IriS
Jju
Jaedong
aQua
Much
free
PuSan
Once again, I hope that this was a useful resource to all of you who were following MSL. I'm looking forward to covering next season's MSL and OSL. I'm not too sure about Proleague but we'll see.
Enjoy
jkillashark 님
