EPTWell... probably when I read it a while later I'll lol hard at what I've written... But nonetheless...
Credits for inspiration and the post's template go to Caladbolg and also to this Hydra vs. Stork ro16 topic (gogo check it out!)
Note: underlined words (other than the player names) are clickable and are usually VODs of some example games.
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Introduction
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/fDBPN.jpg)
Neo.G_Soulkey is Integrality.Different players draw fans' attention because of different qualities. Some become remarkable by being extremely aggressive, the other become famous for some particular unit's control, some because of their late game macro-management, some because of their game sense and decision making and some because of the great ideas they bring into the game. Thinking about how to define Neo.G_Soulkey's game and its best sides, I can't help thinking that while he really isn't outstanding in any of those little paricular qualities, he's still one of the most impressive Zerg players.
If I had to name one quality that would distinguish him from everyone else, it's the fact how orderly his game looks when he's truly at his best. I mean, it's the case when you look at the game screen from the perspective of his opponent and ask yourself "How the fuck do I beat THAT?!" His last games vs. Fantasy and vs. Leta are a perfect example of that.
I mean, I don't state that Soulkey's play is the most flawless of all, certainly not. He can fail vs timing attacks, as well as he can make wrong decisions or fail at micro sometimes. Let's attribute that to the lack of experience. I mean that, by what I've seen from him, this integrality of all game qualities is likely to be an objective and characteristic for the player. And even more, this kind of perfectionism might be pretty well responsible for a good part of his losses. But the game is worth the candles as we've all seen how beastly he can be when he's in his prime.
As a lyrical digression - I could say that the Tarot card representative for Soulkey would be "The World". (While
Jaedong = "Death", 
Bisu = "Star", 
Sea = "The Hanged Man" and Flash probably would have something like "The World" too, or at least, if we don't select the one-and-only representative, he would still have "The World" in his "spectrum")![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/N11Ib.jpg)
He has a rather defensive early game style of play, which is set to back up his excellent late game management. This defensive style can sometimes backstab him, as it allows very much freedom for his opponent. This kind of style is not very common for a zerg, but woe unto you if you think that he's gonna wait more than he really needs! His timing sense is pretty good, and he will attack whenever he can, and most likely at your weakest point. Dante's Peak game vs. Fantasy, as well as R1 SPL game vs. Stork, are the examples of that. His reaction to ingame events is lightning fast - he is not a player that will just sit in the fight at the other side of the map for 10 seconds when his drones are being wiped out by vultures. His micro is just good. Probably the weakest point is decision making, but who is perfect at that. Only experience can help it become better, and as it goes, the "WTF how to beat that" feeling will grow even more in those who face him.
And oh, he also likes some non-standard strategies. What is a true sign that the game released 13 goddamn years ago is still alive? The development of strategy of course! When you still see something really new in it, you know that its time is not even about to end. Hi-tech ZvZ / Queens vs. Mech ZvT anyone? And there, his mentioned above key quality also shows itself - while he is certainly not first to succesfully use Queens in ZvT, he's the person who is most likely to show how it is PROPERLY done, and his games vs. Fantasy in RO32 looked really like it's just a standard everyday ZvT build. I mean, very little random queen losses (Hi
Calm! lol), Queens entering the stage rather early and being the essential part of the strategy (unlike ZerO vs Flash for example, where ZerO could really have won without those queens, by only sending the endless shitstream from his many bases). These games vs. Fanta already have been called a possible Z vs.Mech revolution.His Hive ZvZ play hasn't still really shown itself, with him losing his Hive games so far (here's the link to the latest one), but does that stop a Woongjin zerg? I think no.
So, he has everything that can both get him a place in RO8 and make the spectators delighted with the quality of his games. The key moment is to get all those qualities together. And soon we will see how will he complete that task.
Objectives: Ro8
Soulkey's definitely very modest. He doesn't speak too much of his ambition and instead focuses on what truly matters - quality of the game. There's not much to say on this point, as he clearly told about his objectives here - to advance to the next round. Captain Obvious to the rescue! (LOL)
Just to note, that his personality seems to be so different from his Ro16 adversary, who is a very loud and open person in public, and likes to talk about himself and show himself (LOL). So this is a battle of opposites.
Not-So-Historical Representative
Saladin.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/FP7K7.jpg)
Yussuf ibn Ayub Salah ad-Din, better known in Western world as "Saladin", was a great medieval war leader, a Sultan of Egypt and Syria. He is most known for his successful wars against the mighty conquerors - the Crusaders (Terran Mech). Defeating some of the most powerful European monarchs in a war to protect his domains, he showed the true knight morale and qualities such as nobility, mercy and bravery, which got him respect even from his enemies. (As Soulkey has showed some typical "terran" qualities such as the outstanding macro endurance and multitasking, which made him admired even by Terran players).
Saladin's politic and war decisions are said to be very weighed and cautious, such as SK's play is very secure and wise. Saladin is known for raising the economy of Egypt and reforming its army. (~~Soulkey's drone-heavy early game, Queen-Hydra combination, Hydralisk bombs, Hi-tech ZvZ, etc.)
Though generally a wise and cautious man, Saladin is known for showing big passion for the unknown. In his younger years he is said to have been an adventurer and a risky man. And this is definitely Neo.G_Soulkey's case too.
Salah ad-Din suffered a rather uninspired death from yellow fever at not-so-old age of 55. Soulkey must be very careful as he tends to fall short to some really simple, primitive attacks, while having an ability to show an S-class macro and game sense.
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Introduction
![[image loading]](http://i39.tinypic.com/omgk3.jpg)
Leta is AmbitionWell, Leta is skillful and cute. Leta is loud and bright. There is no way you can be interested in Korean pro-scene and not know Leta. He is a leader and captain of his team, which is pretty uncommon (usually the captain isn't among the current top players). He has no particular weak match ups - a reliable TvP, an aggressive and effervescent TvZ, and a sturdy TvT. He has quite a public personality, doesn't hesitate to talk about himself and remark how good he is ( xDDD ), and he often makes some laughable ceremonies during different Starcraft fun events. Leta is driven by the force of ambition and he definitely has some necessary things to fulfill it!
However, by his face and behaviour it sometimes seems that this ambition is sometimes too much for him to handle, as if he took too much weight to carry by himself, but now can't do anything about it, because to give up one's goals is to give up oneself in general. Sometimes (not always!) his typical arrogant smile - ;D - seems somewhat labored, as when the stress is too much and one can't deal with it.
But as an extroverted personality he doesn't climb down deep into himself and doesn't become any less of a public person, as well as finds a way to overcome the difficulties with his gameplay.
Well, according to the previous "lyrical digression", if I had to name a Tarot card for Leta, it would definitely be "The Chariot". Some reference to the "historical representative" here, heh.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Z70Lm.jpg)
His TvZ is famous for his brilliant use of 2 Port Wraith opening, and his Wraith micro is among the very best in the pro scene. His vulture control is also top-class, and his sudden switches to 7+ factory mass vultures (when I first saw it I was like "ZOMG") can spell death for a Zerg player that can't compete with him in micro and multitasking. Though, this must not be his current adversary's case.
But sometimes Leta suddenly has difficulties in making the last game-deciding push, and that is somewhat consonant with what was said above. Nonetheless, Leta is always dangerous. Always. You just can't underestimate him (if you do you're dead). Even in the match-up when you naturally can't afford too much aggression (TvP), Leta still often favors aggressive 2 fac pushes, setting up contains from one base and so on.
Regretfully, Leta hasn't yet gotten past the Ro8 in the individual leagues, and his performance in them has yet been "tragic" as he himself said. Here's the opportunity for him to change this.
Objectives: semifinal
Well, his goals are clear - one of the most talented, bright and universal terran players out there, and still no success in the individual leagues. To be honest, Leta's lack of achievements seems even more inexplicable than
Sea's. He has never gotten past Ro8, while Kwanro or great hadThough it's going to be very tough, 'cause, judging by current KeSPA rank, he is likely to face someone like
Jaedong or Stork in the 1/4, if they all advance.Not-So-Historical Representative
Marcus Licinius Crassus.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/RAOnO.jpg)
(Crassus potrayed by Laurence Olivier)
One of the three most remarkable Roman generals of his time, along with Pompeius (
Fantasy, in this field of analogy ) and Julius Caesar (Flash). He was known for being both a talented war general and a solicitous civil leader. Crassus was also very skilled in oratory, which attracted people to him. Though it was arguably not his "inborn" quality, he could overcome that by working and preparing hard. He is said to be a very public person, to the point of knowing almost everyone by name.His first victories were very impressive and gained him a lot of glory for his supreme command. (Like Leta's TvZ and TvT play style impressed everyone from the start). He is remarkable for showing his strength when it mattered most, as when in times of being yet just an army flank's commander, he turned the tides of the almost lost battle near Porta Collina, leading the whole Roman army to the subsequent victory. Or when he neutralized Spartacus' rebellion which threatened Rome with the global civil war. (And Leta is notable for his high ace match win rate).
Despite being a very successful general and a popular leader among people (team leagues, in Leta's case), he couldn't reach much individual height and power, unwillingly stepping aside for Pompeius and Julius Caesar, only being able to stand with them as an equal, but never really surpassing them in power. (And thus, Fantasy and Flash had gotten far more successful in individual leagues than Leta). Crassus was probably the one who suffered the most from the creation of the First Triumvirate (while Caesar got the most benefits from it).
His negative sides were said to be avarice and vanity. Though it's not literally Leta's case, it has something to do with this. Ambition needs fulfillment. When it doesn't meet it for long it becomes just a heavy burden that does you no good.
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Analysis and Prediction
Well... I'm not so good at it. I will just say that I don't know what to expect from this match. This could go many ways.
I hope that
Neo.G_Soulkey takes it, seeing how convincingly he took their last encounter in Shinhan Proleague... but their head to head record is still 1-3 in favor of Leta. Leta owns the thing that Soulkey often falls prey to - fierce aggression. Though in late game, I'd favor SK over Leta.Map Order:
Set 1 - Dante's Peak SE
Set 2 - Circuit Breaker
Set 3 - La Mancha
(Leta, at the right of 1st place RO32 group finisher, thumbed down Monte Cristo, so it won't be played. Wise decision, given its present 0-4 TvZ stats).
We see that La Mancha, the last set's map, is somewhat TvZ favored on paper. I'd say that this doesn't matter (as well as a little Z>T on Circuit Breaker, or has it already changed? o_O).
I expect, of course, some Wraith action from Leta, as well as some Queen action from Soulkey. But omg does that really matter?.... (Honestly I'm writing this section only because it has to be, I'm so tired of writing omg.... :D ) I think we'll see everything with our own eyes, and that won't necessarily meet any expectation, so just let's wait and then gogo watch the games!
