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On July 15 2012 04:31 Lewan72 wrote: Stephano showed REALLY impressive play versus hero, but his real test is coming up. If he defeats MC man... DRG says that MC is best PvZ in the world.
Overall I'd say hero is the scarier and better pvz'er, but MC is scarier in the first 15 minutes or so. If the game goes to the late game Stephano wins.
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On July 15 2012 04:39 Azarkon wrote:Show nested quote +On July 15 2012 04:36 Otolia wrote:On July 15 2012 04:29 Azarkon wrote: I take back what I said about Stephano not practicing. There is no way he figured out this new style and opening and all the timings without practicing. GG Stephano, WP. I don't think he practiced a lot for that. PS : Confirmed in interviews. It's what he says, but Stephano loves to BS  Day9 caught him out by saying that he saw him practice hard. He certainly works more than he cares to admit but less than people thinks he does. His regularity and mindset while training is what makes his training very efficient. 10 games is roughly 3 hours, which is in line with what he said in the TL training interview. Still in korea (will be there for GSTL finals if TSL is in finals) he will probably train a lot more time-wise.
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On July 15 2012 04:39 The_Darkness wrote:Show nested quote +On July 15 2012 04:29 Azarkon wrote: I take back what I said about Stephano not practicing. There is no way he figured out this new style and opening and all the timings without practicing. GG Stephano, WP. In his post-game interview, he reiterated again that he didn't practice except for around 10 games the last two days, which is consistent with his match histories on the EU and NA servers. The explanation is that he is a genius.
My thinking is that he has a smurf account. He's immensely talented, but you still don't just get a build and a style, with all the timings and responses worked out. The build he was doing has very different timings than what he used to do, and ten games against random ladder players isn't going to allow you to get those timings.
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On July 15 2012 04:39 Azarkon wrote:Show nested quote +On July 15 2012 04:36 Otolia wrote:On July 15 2012 04:29 Azarkon wrote: I take back what I said about Stephano not practicing. There is no way he figured out this new style and opening and all the timings without practicing. GG Stephano, WP. I don't think he practiced a lot for that. PS : Confirmed in interviews. It's what he says, but Stephano loves to BS  Day9 caught him out by saying that he saw him practice hard. I think Stephano is practicing, though I don't know on what account. That build and style he showed vs. Protoss was not his usual roach max. It was very zergling heavy, with a fast tech to infestors, and no attempt to just bust the Protoss with roaches. It's not a huge change from what he used to do, but it is a change. His timings for it are crisp and his mechanics were better than what I saw from him earlier this week. He has to have practiced.
I also think he got a smurf account but I could be wrong but one thing for surden his home situation havent looked good hopefully it will get more stable soon!
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yes hes a Rockstar gifted by nature!
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Stephano is the face of Zerg and Foreigners right now. So good!
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On July 15 2012 04:43 Azarkon wrote:Show nested quote +On July 15 2012 04:39 The_Darkness wrote:On July 15 2012 04:29 Azarkon wrote: I take back what I said about Stephano not practicing. There is no way he figured out this new style and opening and all the timings without practicing. GG Stephano, WP. In his post-game interview, he reiterated again that he didn't practice except for around 10 games the last two days, which is consistent with his match histories on the EU and NA servers. The explanation is that he is a genius. My thinking is that he has a smurf account. He's immensely talented, but you still don't just get a build and a style, with all the timings and responses worked out. The build he was doing has very different timings than what he used to do, and ten games against random ladder players isn't going to allow you to get those timings. The thing I'm sure of, is that he practiced a style against the Immortal all-in against his friend and teammates KleeneX.
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On July 15 2012 04:49 Otolia wrote:Show nested quote +On July 15 2012 04:43 Azarkon wrote:On July 15 2012 04:39 The_Darkness wrote:On July 15 2012 04:29 Azarkon wrote: I take back what I said about Stephano not practicing. There is no way he figured out this new style and opening and all the timings without practicing. GG Stephano, WP. In his post-game interview, he reiterated again that he didn't practice except for around 10 games the last two days, which is consistent with his match histories on the EU and NA servers. The explanation is that he is a genius. My thinking is that he has a smurf account. He's immensely talented, but you still don't just get a build and a style, with all the timings and responses worked out. The build he was doing has very different timings than what he used to do, and ten games against random ladder players isn't going to allow you to get those timings. The thing I'm sure of, is that he practiced a style against the Immortal all-in against his friend and teammates KleeneX.
Tobad he didnt learn how to deal with that last month he could have won Dreamhack and MLG
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On July 15 2012 04:49 Otolia wrote:Show nested quote +On July 15 2012 04:43 Azarkon wrote:On July 15 2012 04:39 The_Darkness wrote:On July 15 2012 04:29 Azarkon wrote: I take back what I said about Stephano not practicing. There is no way he figured out this new style and opening and all the timings without practicing. GG Stephano, WP. In his post-game interview, he reiterated again that he didn't practice except for around 10 games the last two days, which is consistent with his match histories on the EU and NA servers. The explanation is that he is a genius. My thinking is that he has a smurf account. He's immensely talented, but you still don't just get a build and a style, with all the timings and responses worked out. The build he was doing has very different timings than what he used to do, and ten games against random ladder players isn't going to allow you to get those timings. The thing I'm sure of, is that he practiced a style against the Immortal all-in against his friend and teammates KleeneX.
That says a bit. I also think Stephano lose quits on ladder - ie leaves when he gets into the game - when the opponent isn't who he wants to practice against. This is easily able to keep a smurf account down in the mid GM ranges where he is able to practice but not make people think there's a pro smurfing.
I don't think he practices 12-16 hours a day, mind you. Very few NA / EU players do. But he does concentrated practice that allows him to develop new styles and timings. Still has no stability in ZvZ, though, but he knows he isn't facing a Zerg in NASL.
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WP ! I'm really eager to see him vs mc now, they both felt so strong during their previous matches
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On July 15 2012 04:43 Azarkon wrote:Show nested quote +On July 15 2012 04:39 The_Darkness wrote:On July 15 2012 04:29 Azarkon wrote: I take back what I said about Stephano not practicing. There is no way he figured out this new style and opening and all the timings without practicing. GG Stephano, WP. In his post-game interview, he reiterated again that he didn't practice except for around 10 games the last two days, which is consistent with his match histories on the EU and NA servers. The explanation is that he is a genius. My thinking is that he has a smurf account. He's immensely talented, but you still don't just get a build and a style, with all the timings and responses worked out. The build he was doing has very different timings than what he used to do, and ten games against random ladder players isn't going to allow you to get those timings.
Another possibility is that you misread the situation based on insufficient evidence and, in fact, Stephano already was aware of the timings, etc., but in the games you watched he botched something, missed something, etc. Every time he talks about the match he's extremely analytical and knowledgeable. I will say that the smurf account is a possibility but Bling confirmed he doesn't practice much (and they hang out all of the time) and when he was in EG prior to MLG he wasn't practicing at all and he had great results. So it's possible he's just a rare talent.
Edit: Typo
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On July 15 2012 04:53 Azarkon wrote:Show nested quote +On July 15 2012 04:49 Otolia wrote:On July 15 2012 04:43 Azarkon wrote:On July 15 2012 04:39 The_Darkness wrote:On July 15 2012 04:29 Azarkon wrote: I take back what I said about Stephano not practicing. There is no way he figured out this new style and opening and all the timings without practicing. GG Stephano, WP. In his post-game interview, he reiterated again that he didn't practice except for around 10 games the last two days, which is consistent with his match histories on the EU and NA servers. The explanation is that he is a genius. My thinking is that he has a smurf account. He's immensely talented, but you still don't just get a build and a style, with all the timings and responses worked out. The build he was doing has very different timings than what he used to do, and ten games against random ladder players isn't going to allow you to get those timings. The thing I'm sure of, is that he practiced a style against the Immortal all-in against his friend and teammates KleeneX. That says a bit. I also think Stephano lose quits on ladder - ie leaves when he gets into the game - when the opponent isn't who he wants to practice against. This is easily able to keep a smurf account down in the mid GM ranges where he is able to practice but not make people think there's a pro smurfing. I don't think he practices 12-16 hours a day, mind you. Very few NA / EU players do. But he does concentrated practice that allows him to develop new styles and timings. Still has no stability in ZvZ, though, but he knows he isn't facing a Zerg in NASL.
Yeah but you've been going on about how all of these features of Stephano's play have been slipping (injects, creep spread, etc.) -- now you think he practices a bunch on a smurf account. I don't think you can have it both ways.
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On July 15 2012 04:58 The_Darkness wrote:Show nested quote +On July 15 2012 04:53 Azarkon wrote:On July 15 2012 04:49 Otolia wrote:On July 15 2012 04:43 Azarkon wrote:On July 15 2012 04:39 The_Darkness wrote:On July 15 2012 04:29 Azarkon wrote: I take back what I said about Stephano not practicing. There is no way he figured out this new style and opening and all the timings without practicing. GG Stephano, WP. In his post-game interview, he reiterated again that he didn't practice except for around 10 games the last two days, which is consistent with his match histories on the EU and NA servers. The explanation is that he is a genius. My thinking is that he has a smurf account. He's immensely talented, but you still don't just get a build and a style, with all the timings and responses worked out. The build he was doing has very different timings than what he used to do, and ten games against random ladder players isn't going to allow you to get those timings. The thing I'm sure of, is that he practiced a style against the Immortal all-in against his friend and teammates KleeneX. That says a bit. I also think Stephano lose quits on ladder - ie leaves when he gets into the game - when the opponent isn't who he wants to practice against. This is easily able to keep a smurf account down in the mid GM ranges where he is able to practice but not make people think there's a pro smurfing. I don't think he practices 12-16 hours a day, mind you. Very few NA / EU players do. But he does concentrated practice that allows him to develop new styles and timings. Still has no stability in ZvZ, though, but he knows he isn't facing a Zerg in NASL. Yeah but you've been going on about how all of these features of Stephano's play have been slipping (injects, creep spread, etc.) -- now you think he practices a bunch on a smurf account. I don't think you can have it both ways. His mechanics were once almost DRG like. Nowadays he is behind. You could say almost everyone is and that's true but comparing Stephano to DRG is the only reasonable things to do (at least in ZvP) when they both lead the zerg all around the world. So either his mechanics declined (slightly) or DRG improved.
My bet is on both cases.
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On July 15 2012 04:49 Otolia wrote: The thing I'm sure of, is that he practiced a style against the Immortal all-in against his friend and teammates KleeneX.
That is true but I doubt it was really useful for Stephano, I believe it was rather meant to help NeX to own zergs at WCS France!
I don't think Stephano has a smurf account btw, he just understands the game really well. He pretty much knows every protoss timings according to the time they take their gases @ B2. His game senses are actually incredible but he still lacks of something, like "diversity". I wish he could add drop play or muta in his play, but I guess he doesn't need it since he wins kinda easily with his own style.
On another note, a Bo7 against MC won't be easy since MC probably has a lot of strategies in his mind but it will probably a great match .
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On July 15 2012 05:02 SyDe wrote:Show nested quote +On July 15 2012 04:49 Otolia wrote: The thing I'm sure of, is that he practiced a style against the Immortal all-in against his friend and teammates KleeneX. That is true but I doubt it was really useful for Stephano, I believe it was rather meant to help NeX to own zergs at WCS France! I don't think Stephano has a smurf account btw, he just understands the game really well. He pretty much knows every protoss timings according to the time they take their gases @ B2. His game senses are actually incredible but he still lacks of something, like "diversity". I wish he could add drop play or muta in his play, but I guess he doesn't need it since he wins kinda easily with his own style. On another note, a Bo7 against MC won't be easy since MC probably has a lot of strategies in his mind but it will probably a great match  . Btw, congrats on passing stage 1 Hot Shot
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On July 15 2012 04:58 The_Darkness wrote:Show nested quote +On July 15 2012 04:53 Azarkon wrote:On July 15 2012 04:49 Otolia wrote:On July 15 2012 04:43 Azarkon wrote:On July 15 2012 04:39 The_Darkness wrote:On July 15 2012 04:29 Azarkon wrote: I take back what I said about Stephano not practicing. There is no way he figured out this new style and opening and all the timings without practicing. GG Stephano, WP. In his post-game interview, he reiterated again that he didn't practice except for around 10 games the last two days, which is consistent with his match histories on the EU and NA servers. The explanation is that he is a genius. My thinking is that he has a smurf account. He's immensely talented, but you still don't just get a build and a style, with all the timings and responses worked out. The build he was doing has very different timings than what he used to do, and ten games against random ladder players isn't going to allow you to get those timings. The thing I'm sure of, is that he practiced a style against the Immortal all-in against his friend and teammates KleeneX. That says a bit. I also think Stephano lose quits on ladder - ie leaves when he gets into the game - when the opponent isn't who he wants to practice against. This is easily able to keep a smurf account down in the mid GM ranges where he is able to practice but not make people think there's a pro smurfing. I don't think he practices 12-16 hours a day, mind you. Very few NA / EU players do. But he does concentrated practice that allows him to develop new styles and timings. Still has no stability in ZvZ, though, but he knows he isn't facing a Zerg in NASL. Yeah but you've been going on about how all of these features of Stephano's play have been slipping (injects, creep spread, etc.) -- now you think he practices a bunch on a smurf account. I don't think you can have it both ways.
In my defense, they were slipping, and I still think he isn't practicing a huge amount because he's continuing to float minerals and not having enough larvae during the 8-15 min mark - ie his mechanics haven't improved, though they're better than what he had in DH.
But what NASL demonstrates is that you don't know how well prepared Stephano is in a tournament from looking at his match history. He was still doing the roach max last time we saw him ZvP against MaNa. Now he's switched it up to a speedling opening that is able to crush immortal builds and knows all the timings for it. He developed that build between the two weeks we haven't seen him in a major tournament. How did he do it without practicing?
So yeah, I made a call on him based on his recent performance, but my mistake was that Stephano's performance swings from tournament to tournament depending on his preparation, which we are not able to see. Mind you, his PvZ is still not my biggest problem with his play - and after losing 4x to the same build, it's due time that he developed a counter to it. But I'm obviously wrong about him stagnating because he's no longer practicing - he's not stagnating, he's just adapting without us being able to see that adaption, which is smart from him because it disallows his opponents from meta-gaming him. HerO fell victim to that.
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On July 15 2012 05:05 Drunk wrote: in redbull lan mc won
Well, it could easily have gone either way. I really think Stephano can win this (as in, this is close to 50/50)
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One thing for sure Azarkon his ZvZ sucks ass and he needs to work on that
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On July 15 2012 05:06 Otolia wrote:Btw, congrats on passing stage 1 Hot Shot 
Thanks :D 2nd Stage will be way harder but I will try my best ;P
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