Due to new map changes which should take effect in the OSL as well, the previous predictions have to be radically changed. http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=337537 Set 1: JangBi < Neo Ground Zero > Bogus This would be the game of the night if not for the new map changes. Due to the new changes to Neo Ground Zero, the third base gas has been removed and the cliff behind the natural removed. This removes the possibility of siege tank drop ship play as well as makes it very difficult for the terran to do a 3 base doom push due to reduced gas. The map now heavily encourages early-mid game timing pushes from the terran or a more vulture heavy style of play to punish the protoss before the protoss' macro gets out of hand. It's a difficult prediction but Jangbi should take this one.
Jangbi was 2-1 vs terran on the previous iteration of the map with his loss to Flash and wins over Bad TvPers Sea and Light. Where as bogus has pulled off convincing wins against Stats and By.Sun. But due to the changes to the map I predict that if Bogus can not win the game with a early-mid game push then jangbi will win.
Set 2: Rush < Neo Electric Circuit > Grape Neo Electric Circuit has gone unchanged. Grape has a 2-0 record on this map but only against zergs, Rush also has a 1-0 record but only against zerg. The PvT sample size on this map is also literally just 1 game, making this game very difficult to predict as both players have literally next to no showing in this match up. Grape's vT has never been inspiring and the only pedigree Rush has vP is beat Stats in his prelim matches to qualify for the ODT. I'm leaning towards Grape taking this one simply by virtue of having more broadcasted vT experience.
Set 3: Hydra < Gladiator > SoulKey Gladiator has a radial structure almost ensuring that the players will opt to scout cross map with their first overlord. The map has a very open center with ramps that allows very easy ways to hide zerglings for back stabs and surprise attacks. Hydra's vZ has been very shaky lately and even though the last two games of Soulkey's have also been loses, one was an awesome game vs Jaedong. Again this becomes a very difficult game to predict but expect speedling shenanigans. I'm leaning towards Soulkey taking this one.
Set 4: ZerO< New Sniper Ridge > Horang2 This could easily be the game of the night. Sniper Ridge has been readjusted for a more exposed third, but that wouldn't affect the state of PvZ till the late game if the zerg opts to go for expansions at the corner main/natural spots. Head to head Zero is 1:0 over Horang2 with a game on Neo Electric Circuit, and though his vP record seems bad at a glance, two of his losses were against Kal and Stork. Horang2's record vs Z has also been a 0-2 wipe this season but showed glimpses of brilliance in his first game against Flash in the playoffs. The map is more advantageous for the zerg due to the ability to stall protoss forces in the middle of the map with ramps and long travel distance to avoid being killed by the two base doom push from the protoss. Expecting a win by ZerO with a lurker contain or just straight out macro game from >=4 bases.
I predict Jangbi, Grape, Soulkey and Horang2 gogo! The Soulkey/ hydra match will be interesting. i have a feeling Jangbi will play really well even though Bogus is on a tear at the OSL.
On May 15 2012 15:45 Caihead wrote: Since no one's done one yet and it's only a few hours to the games I threw this one together, pm me if you want to add things or use your own thread.
This used to be pretty unthinkable for OSL Ro16. So sad to see BW in its state now. I can only hope for good games where you can see players actually practicing. But won't be surprised if game quality is more reminiscent of the ODTs.
On May 15 2012 15:45 Caihead wrote: Since no one's done one yet and it's only a few hours to the games I threw this one together, pm me if you want to add things or use your own thread.
This used to be pretty unthinkable for OSL Ro16. So sad to see BW in its state now. I can only hope for good games where you can see players actually practicing. But won't be surprised if game quality is more reminiscent of the ODTs.
Yea, I'm doing predictions to get some hype going, hope for some good games tonight, not sure if the map changes are taking effect already, writing predictions with them in mind.
Predictions: Due to new map changes which should take effect in the OSL as well, the previous predictions have to be radically changed. http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=337537 Set 1: JangBi < Neo Ground Zero > Bogus This would be the game of the night if not for the new map changes. Due to the new changes to Neo Ground Zero, the third base gas has been removed and the cliff behind the natural removed. This removes the possibility of siege tank drop ship play as well as makes it very difficult for the terran to do a 3 base doom push due to reduced gas. The map now heavily encourages early-mid game timing pushes from the terran or a more vulture heavy style of play to punish the protoss before the protoss' macro gets out of hand. It's a difficult prediction but Jangbi should take this one.
Jangbi was 2-1 vs terran on the previous iteration of the map with his loss to Flash and wins over Bad TvPers Sea and Light. Where as bogus has pulled off convincing wins against Stats and By.Sun. But due to the changes to the map I predict that if Bogus can not win the game with a early-mid game push then jangbi will win.
Set 2: Rush < Neo Electric Circuit > Grape Neo Electric Circuit has gone unchanged. Grape has a 2-0 record on this map but only against zergs, Rush also has a 1-0 record but only against zerg. The PvT sample size on this map is also literally just 1 game, making this game very difficult to predict as both players have literally next to no showing in this match up. Grape's vT has never been inspiring and the only pedigree Rush has vP is beat Stats in his prelim matches to qualify for the ODT. I'm leaning towards Grape taking this one simply by virtue of having more broadcasted vT experience.
Set 3: Hydra < Gladiator > SoulKey Gladiator has a radial structure almost ensuring that the players will opt to scout cross map with their first overlord. The map has a very open center with ramps that allows very easy ways to hide zerglings for back stabs and surprise attacks. Hydra's vZ has been very shaky lately and even though the last two games of Soulkey's have also been loses, one was an awesome game vs Jaedong. Again this becomes a very difficult game to predict but expect speedling shenanigans. I'm leaning towards Soulkey taking this one.
Set 4: ZerO< New Sniper Ridge > Horang2 This could easily be the game of the night. Sniper Ridge has been readjusted for a more exposed third, but that wouldn't affect the state of PvZ till the late game if the zerg opts to go for expansions at the corner main/natural spots. Head to head Zero is 1:0 over Horang2 with a game on Neo Electric Circuit, and though his vP record seems bad at a glance, two of his losses were against Kal and Stork. Horang2's record vs Z has also been a 0-2 wipe this season but showed glimpses of brilliance in his first game against Flash in the playoffs. The map is more advantageous for the zerg due to the ability to stall protoss forces in the middle of the map with ramps and long travel distance to avoid being killed by the two base doom push from the protoss. Expecting a win by ZerO with a lurker contain or just straight out macro game from >=4 bases.
thanks Caihead, I enjoyed reading predictions. I think that Bogus, however, should be a favourite. And Rush will stomp Grape for sure (I guess I'm just afraid of terrans).