Tune in this weekend for the BSL6 ProLeague cast of groups B and D, featuring our most intense players yet! Giving you an inside look at the following players is Ty2.


Group B (starts in )
Dandy
Yeti
TT1
g0rynich

Group D (starts in )
Naugrim
Wing`Zero
Nyoken
Julia

Group B Preview

Top-heavy Toss-up

Sporting some of our toughest players of BSL ProLeague, Group B has a decent claim as the group of death. Peruvian Terran Dandy looks to brush off Yeti while TT1 will try to make a good first impression against foreigner regular, Gorynich.

Dandy vs Yeti
Dandy is one of the most solid players in the tournament mechanically during the mid to late game and highly favored to win. Where he falls off is his early and early mid game where variations in play and decision making can befuddle him. That is especially true in a competitive setting, where he isn't consistent and will play markedly below his usual form.

In the opposite corner is Yeti, who by no means is a stand-out competitor of the three giants here. His late game unit control and macro isn't particularly remarkable or likely to contest Dandy. However, I reason he has enough gumption and sharp-mindedness to seize early-game advantages and take Dandy off guard with surprise strategies. Such plays include center-gate, reaver, DT, any number of proxies, or a mid game hidden carrier switch.

Any number of such crafty plays should be sufficient curve balls to force the usually cookie-cutter Dandy to adapt. On maps like Kiseyras, a reaver drop play is a distinct possibility considering the closeness of bases horizontal to each other. Yeti has shown his fondness of reaver play and drops in PvZ, and I expect much of the same is possible here. Any number of other interesting proxies on any of the select maps can also throw Dandy off.

Yeti may not opt for any specialized strategies at all. He has a certain mode-of-play that opts for slow-moving, gradual macro plays. This is a mistake and will cost Yeti if he decides to go this route. Even if Yeti gets an early advantage, he is still at risk of Dandy clawing his way back and re-solidifying his position late game. Yeti's mediocre late game makes this a prevalent possibility. Overall, Dandy is likely to win.

TT1 vs Gorynich
The tone of TT1 vs Gorynich really depends on how practiced the two individuals are. They both have had volatile and unpredictable peaks and drops in skill. For the most part, TT1 likely won't practice that hardcore, and Gorynich may be the better prepared of the two.

I would generally favor Gorynich's straightforward playstyle to TT1’s. However, Gorynich has struggled versus hyper-optimized macro tosses like Dragon. For that reason, TT1's brand of resilient and extreme macro-heavy play can act as kryptonite to Gorynich. Playing in a straight up macrofest will be to Gorynich's disadvantage. That is especially the case given Gorynich's mediocre form compared to his repeated higher finishes months ago.

For Gorynich to flourish, an aggressive play—or at minimum, a not entirely passive mid game—is needed. If Gorynich takes the time to prepare, strategies like hydra drops or 3 hatch hydra are likely candidates to be used vs TT1.

TT1 will prepare builds that suit his macro style the best. His dark archon build, where he opens a defensive DA and amasses units on two bases is common and simply runs over less-than macro-competent opponents. He has also displayed the 1 gate-FE strategy, mixing in early-game harassment to his otherwise passive palette of strategies.

For Gorynich to overcome TT1 will be a triumph of craftiness, great 1-gate defense, and avoidance of a macro war of attrition. A play along the lines of turtle zerg may be the calling here. Otherwise, a predictable TT1 victory will hail forth.

Winners' Match: Dandy vs TT1
TT1 vs Dandy truly feels like a match made in heaven, but Dandy is no mere macro player. His forte has been the 6 factory 2-base, which we will probably see unleashed here at least once. Against a player like TT1, whose micro ability isn't as prominent as his macro, this is an optimal build.

The big sweeping tactical plays and careful dissection are high pressure. For a player like TT1 in a competitive setting, odds are he won't manage to reliably pull off the plays. After all, he is against Dandy, whose initial 2-base push, even if denied, simply comes back stronger with a second wave not too far away.

Losers' Match: Gorynich vs Yeti
Gorynich is a dominant favorite in Yeti's more mediocre matchup of PvZ. Yeti's limited repertoire here consists of two choices: his beloved 1-base reaver play, a sure favorite on Kiseyras, or a fast forge expand with a shoddy sim city. Neither choice is especially breathtaking. Gorynich will make this one-sided and knock Yeti out of the BSL.

Final Match: Gorynich vs TT1
In another rematch, this time around Gorynich will make the needed adjustments to beat TT1. Gorynich is relatively good at adapting and trying for crafty plays when needed. In this final bout, TT1's robust but rigid style may fall victim to whatever improvisations Gorynich has concocted.


Gorynich and Dandy advance to the Ro16!

Group D Preview

Terran in a Zerg Palooza

The lone Terran hope Nyoken will duke it out versus three other Zergs, including Naugrim, the finalist he lost to in last season's Choboleague (now this season's GosuLeague). Will Nyoken get his revenge?

Naugrim vs Wing'Zero
Wing'Zero makes his debut against solid player, Naugrim. Much is unknown about Wing'Zero, but if he plays an aggressive brand of ZvZ, he may throw off Naugrim, who loves 12 Hatch. Other plays in the same vein can throw off the otherwise bland ZvZ play Naugrim has. Still, not many surprises were shown by our other upstart player, Dark. Likewise, Wing'Zero won't be causing any upsets against Naugrim.

Nyoken vs Julia
This is most notable for being Julia's first tourney game in years. Back then he was known foremost for his temper, and next most, his skills. His playstyle is unique: highly specific, unorthodox, and tricky plays. Against a standard player like Nyoken who struggles versus non-standard plays, that spells domination.

Then again, whether Julia's current form remotely resembles his older one is a mystery. As perhaps the only ex-pro to return to the competitive scene as he has, he must be especially hungry for competition. That is all the more reason to favor Julia, lest he opt for a dreadfully un-Julia-like 3-hatch muta.

Winners' Match: Julia vs Naugrim
Julia vs Naugrim is a bizarre contrast of ZvZ styles, one unorthodox, and the other safe and economical. Overall, I'd favor Julia to best Naugrim with his usual competitive spirit and smart mind games.

Losers' Match: Wing'Zero vs Nyoken
Nyoken will likely win against Wing'Zero. His solid timings and macromanagement will likely best what play Wing'Zero can muster. As mentioned before, little is known for Wing'Zero, but based on his newcomer status, not much is expected.

Final Match: Nyoken vs Naugrim
In an epic rematch in the making since the fateful BSL5 Choboleague finals, Nyoken gets his chance for redemption. This early in the season, and in a group with other Zergs, I doubt Naugrim will be as prepared as he was versus Nyoken in the finals. Meanwhile Nyoken has the benefit of only practicing one matchup and he has spoken of his eagerness to play Naugrim again.

In that same line of thinking, Nyoken is a strong favorite to win here unless Naugrim starts to think outside the box. Naugrim should utilize the larger map pool and do variations on his 3-hatch muta play to fit the maps. That change in play would more importantly push Nyoken out of his comfort zone into an unplanned, unrefined response. But with BSL6's map pool, even Nyoken can play differently himself. In a straightforward scenario, Nyoken will be all too free to macro to his heart's content for an easy victory.


Nyoken and Julia advance to the Ro8!