The Dark Horse Tournament -Battle of the Disciples

Hello and welcome, sMi.magics / Fallen33 - winner of the Dark Horse Tournament and, by now if not before, a kick-ass StarCraft player. How's it going today?

It's going pretty well! Put a good day of training in with the US Army and now just relaxing, maybe playing some StarCraft!


Before we talk about the games you played against qxc in the finals, let me ask you - what was it made you interested in joining iNcontrol's Starcraft coaching program to improve your skills, and then compete in the tournament?

Well, first off, once I heard about the tournament I pm'd inc almost instantaneously, lol. There was no way I wasn't playing in this tour. I first approached inc about training after I won a huge poker tour on pokerstars, had extra cash from that floating around and decided what the hell. : )


What can you say about Geoff 'iNcontrol' Robinson as a coach and Starcraft mentor? Brutal honesty is allowed.

Well, hearing somebody pick my game apart from top to bottom not only motivated me to fix those errors, but it is really what is key to the whole process, in my opinion.
Obviously that is what your paying for when you sign up for this with him, but I think he really does a great job with it because it takes patience to teach ANYBODY ANYTHING let alone a video game.

Since the announcement of the Dark Horse Tournament, the Starcraft 2 Beta has arrived with a storm, and it's looking like it will become a most competitive game. It's safe to say that being or becoming good at the existing Starcraft: Brood War will be a great help to anyone who will be trying to make a name for himself in Starcraft 2. Do You have any future progaming dreams and aspirations?

I am a very competitive person, so being the best I can be is always my priority -- that being said, however, the time it takes to become a progamer is extraordinary and I, unfortunately, probably don't have that time. Again, that being said... If the offer presented itself, how could I say no?

Let's talk about the actual Dark Horse Tournament, which has been a small amateur event featuring the 'disciples of iNcontrol', celebrating and showcasing the improved skills of those who have taken part of the coaching programme. Given that there were some delays and the SC2 Beta in the way, how did you experience the event?

I thought it was an amazing idea when I read the original post about the tour. My experience with the tour was obviously pretty good, seeing as I won.


As mentioned, you qualified to the finals where you met qxc and fought in a fierce best-of-3, with commentary provided by none other than PsyonicReaver. Can you talk us through the matches and your decision making?

First game on Match Point - did You 2 Gate in a standard fashion or a more unorthodox choice?

I think that I did it pretty standardly, the only difference was I was very aggressive with it, almost to a point of wrecklessness. I went into the match very confident even though I hadn't played very much match point. After that it turned into a pretty standard game and I felt in control the whole time.

Second game on Destination - You chose an unusual expansion route and to go Carriers, how did that work out?

Well, I felt in this game that I lost a pretty large advantage, and that carriers were pretty much my last ditch effort. My micro was pretty bad, I was feeling lazy, and I eventually lost. qxc did a nice job hanging in there and making the nice come back.

What enabled you to win the third and final game and thereby the title of First Dark Horse?

The 3rd game I had a good feeling he was going to try to 2fact or go for a fast drop, so I decided to go for a pretty safe build even though it was cross positions. I'm pretty glad he did 2fact too, I was pretty hungry : P

Were there any particular moves, methods and strategies that you were able to perform in this event that you previously had been uncomfortable with? Are your DTs now more deadly or Carriers faster and more badass?

Well, I had been working on my tvz lately and more specifically being aggressive BEFORE the mutas come out, and I was able to show that on fighting spirit. But, tvz is just for fun, my life for auir ; )

Before we round this off, do You have any particular shoutouts to the gamers out there, taunts or famous last words?

Shout out to iNcontrol, and yourself, for putting together this tour! Also shout out to Ares[Effort] for the amazing replays and reppacks, as well as some gosu training time. Shout out to sMi as well, and the StarCraft community in general! Hi mom!

GG to that, good luck in the future of Starcraft!

Thanks! See you around!

You are playing in the Dark Hourse Tournament,
which is a tourney for those who are taking part of iNcontrol’s Coaching for Cash programme.
In what ways have you improved your Starcraft skills during this training?

I know a lot of the top foreign players personally, but wanted to tryout Incontrol’s program. He is constantly in contact, making scheduling very easy. He has a great understanding of the game and understanding your style. He can incorporate your current habits into new habits that help to improve your game.

/ kenny



I was one of the first students for iNControl, and got help my LZGamer and G5 as well during the session. I was preparing my PvZ for the CSL, unknowingly I was going to play against NonY in a TvP. haha. It was a very close 7 minute game! I almost got my expansion up! haha

But when I got the training with iNControl, I learned a few general micro techniques that I never thought existed. I was able to practice what I have learned greatly.

I practiced a ton on ICCUP in the beginning of the season, where I was one of the first 15 Americans to hit the yellow ranks (all with a winning record!) in the first day or two of the season. I was playing against A/B rank players consistently and that greatly increased my skill as well.

/ CaucasianAsian



My vs Protoss matchup has become astronomically better. I’ve also learned better scouting patterns. Lately it seems that I’m capable of beating protoss players ranked much higher than myself. In general he helped to boost my game sense and confidence.

/ iSiN



hmmm… <3 incontrol

/ Response



I’ve come to understand the game better at a strategic level. Also, my mechanics have improved a great deal.

/ nOi



iNcontroL helped me a lot with what I should be doing and my mindset at all stages of the game, especially what to do in the midgame with MnM forces in TvZ. I felt a lot more comfortable with controlling the map and playing against a mid-lategame zerg on even ground.

/ Pokebunny



Incontrol helped me understand the mid to late game much better. More specifically I learned about expanding with tempo which is expanding when resources are still abundant rather than waiting until resources are dried up to expand.

I feel like i have a better idea of where I’m actually going in my games as I have a stronger grasp of the later game.

/ qxc

The Starcraft 2 Beta is now released, and eventhough few of us have been able to play it yet,
every SC player in the world have watched the streams and videos.
What do you think of the game so far and do you have any plans/hopes of going pro with Starcraft 2?

I am one of the lucky ones who has access to the StarCraft 2 Beta through a cousin of mine, and I’m having a ton of fun. The game is amazing, although the lack of chatrooms is awful.

My short-term goal is in fact to become a top player at the game - I feel like I am in a good position with a solid team which I am planning to take to SC2, and planning to get sponsored and do well ASAP. Basically, I plan to be strong right out of the gate

/ Pokebunny



i think the game looks good, but talking about the game all I see is ppl 1a2a3a not tactical moves or FE, DT rush, no micro, but this is just beta i think they will fix it.

/ Re-Play-



I thoroughly hate the graphics, on low or on ultra, 3d rts disgusts me. However, the game is fun enough that I can get past that fact and still enjoy watching the streams, and I REALLY love occasionally playing whenever my friend allows me to. I have serious doubts however, that it can replace bw as an esport.

/ TheAntZ



I am 100% confident I will be going pro in sc2. (I’ve heard confidence is important with these sorts of things)

/ Response



I actually got into the beta and I’ve been one of the people streaming. Even though my account is unverified and I can’t play sound I still have over 500 viewer hours since I started streaming the beta.

The first couple of days in the beta Zerg felt amazingly strong but as protoss and terrans refine their builds it seems as though zerg feels weaker every game I play. The units don’t seem to be very flexible and the only splash damage we have are banelings which move ridiculously slow.

The Infester is lack luster as the new defiler. Maybe I just need to find some replays to compare my play to. I’m considering switching to protoss. However if I didn’t have commitments with school I’d absolutely consider going pro in Starcraft 2.

/ iSiN



The game I believe is a little TOO noob-friendly in my opinion, as macro techniques have gone down drastically (selecting multiple buildings as hotkeys/auto-mining) and a lot of the repetitive actions that keep SC a high paced game have been reduced significantly.

I think the game will not succeed for very long as a competitive e-sport, mostly because it’s so damn hard to figure out what unit is attacking what unit, and the graphics are too "grandeur". It feels like the movie Transformers 2.

Where the graphics are amazing, but you have no idea what the hell is going on. I don’t have any ambition to become a pro gamer in starcraft 2, but if it happens it happens.

/ CaucasianAsian



I have SC2 Beta, and I love it. The game is so fun and has a ton of potential (even more than I expected). Definitely a totally new game! I don’t plan on being competitive in this game, but sure hope to commentate a lot of great games. Only time will tell!

/ kenny

The Pokerstrategy.com Teamliquid Starleague is almost concluded, with the finals being played this weekend.
Who will claim the first prize, NonY or Mondragon, and will Iefnaij defeat Sen?

I really hope Mondragon wins (because ret fell out of it). However, Nony has been showing, for the most part, immaculate preparation, and I don’t know if Mondragon will be able to keep up with him. Then again, I haven’t seen Mondragon ZvP in a long time, and the last time I did it was sick so we’ll see.
As for the 3rd place, I think Sen will win. I like JF, and he was my pick to win TSL1 even before any matches started. However, seeing Sen’s games and the way in which he dismantled Draco, I think Sen is too strong right now for an inactive JF. Sen’s style looked awesome in those games, one of the few times in foreigner starcraft where I have truly thought that.

/ ketomai

I’ll probably throw up if Nony doesn’t win, me and him go way back in broodwar, but also because Mondragon has won tournaments for years and years, it doesn’t seem fair for him to win this as well:-P

/ Response



I want NonY to win and I think that he can win. The only thing is you can’t really count Mondragon out of anything. Both are very strong players, and I’m hoping some great games will come from them.

/ nOi



i think NonY will win cause he has a good chance agains Mondragon cause he is good at PvZ, and Sen will own Iefnaij

/ Re-Play-



Im fairly certain it will be
NonY > Mondragon
Sen > JF
but my Liquibet stats are horrible so dont take my word on that happening

/ TheAntZ

I think NonY will have a solid 4-1 or 4-2 in the finals. I don’t see him losing too many games to Mondragon, he is just too mechanically solid and he is a very smart player. I like both players about equally, so I am just hoping for a fun final.

I think Sen will win 3rd - JFs PvZ is untested in TSL and he has been fairly inactive, so probably hasn’t been practicing it that much, while Sen’s ZvP is in tip-top shape and has always been his best matchup.

/ Pokebunny



The zerg in me wants to root for mondragon but the patriotism out weighs that feeling Nony will win in 7. I think JF will have no problem beating Sen as long as he uses his reavers T.T

/ iSiN



NonY is definitely a strong player, and I would not be surprised to see him win. However Mondragon has been around for ever. Ever since the days ToT was a BGH team, Mondragon was surpassing everyone and was THE foreigner to beat.

I believe Sen is the huge favorite here. Even though JF is a great player, and he won TSL last season, Sen is just like Mondragon. He has been around forever, and he has been smashing players ever since he has been able to log onto Battle.net for the first time.

So I believe Nony/Mondragon is a coinflip, and Sen will get 3rd, and JF will claim 4th.

/ CaucasianAsian



Nony all the way. I’ve always loved his style, and I think when he sets his mind on something, he does it. He’s proved that to us countless times As far JF vs Sen, JF all the way.

/ kenny



Why and how will YOU win the Dark Horse Tournament?

I wont, i am almost certainly the weakest player in the tournament. I am here to provide whoever faces me in the first round a by ^__^

/ TheAntZ

I won’t, haha

/ kenny

Well, I don’t think I’m a favorite to win the tournament. I haven’t been playing much recently. To be honest, I’m playing a lot more poker than usual to hopefully pay for a nice vacation this somewhere for a month or two.

But I don’t believe I’m that much of an under-dog. If I make it to the round of 4 I’ll be very content with myself. PvZ is probably my worst matchup, but if I can run good (unlike ret! lol!) and avoid zergs I think I can make it pretty far

/ CaucasianAsian



I will win this tournament by cheesing my way through 5 pool every game! I’m kidding of course, It’s clear to me that my chances are quite slim since I’ve mostly been playing Starcraft 2.

My goal is to win my first round then from there on play it by ear. I’m probably the Darkest Horse in this race but I’ll run as fast as I can.

/ iSiN

I hope to win the darkhorse tournament through superior understanding of the game and strong mechanics. I’m extremely active and spend a lot of time thinking about the game. Check out my games played between my various accounts (qxc, val-qxc, frd-qxc, g2g.qxc, qxc(od), saf.qxc).
I’ve been working really hard the last year and think it’s about time I won something.

/ qxc



I have been training a lot lately. I also don’t think that I will win. If I get lucky with the brackets and my opponents mess up, I could go far. I will not say that I am going to win.

Good Luck to everyone in the tournament, looking forward to playing : )

/ nOi



I feel that I am one of the more active and higher level players, aside from response. Even after almost exclusively playing SC2 the past week, I still feel like I am in better shape than ever. I am very confident against any opponent but Response or a cheesy protoss.
Dear other iNcontroL students,
you are screwed.
Love,
Pokebunny