I think it's high time our good friend dApollo gets his own fanclub for his utter awesomeness at casting!
(credit to _MagnuM_ )
Just the facts, mam:
- Full name: Shaun "dApollo" Clark.
- A member of Team Dignitas since 2007, for whom he has played multiple RTS games, most notably playing Command and Conquer: Tiberium Wars at the highest level, winning the World Cyber Games 2007.
- Started playing our beloved Starcraft II from the beta on. Though a formidable player, he sadly never won a tournament.
- Got into casting when living in Korea with Tasteless. Since then, dApollo has casted the following major events in SC2: * IEM Cologne 2010 alongside Day(9) * DreamHack Winter 2010 alongside Day(9) * The SHOUTcraft Invitationals #2 and #3 alongside TotalBiscuit * Assembly Summer 2011 alongside TotalBiscuit * DreamHack Stockholm Invitational alongside DeMuslim * DreamHack Summer 2011 alongside Day(9) * Multiplay UK i40, i41, i43 and i44 alongside TotalBiscuit. * 2011 DreamHackValencia Invitational alongside TotalBiscuit * SCAN Invitational 1 through 4 tournament alongside TotalBiscuit * IGN Pro League 3 alongside DJWheat (In rotation with two other caster duos) * Grubbys Pro Invitational #3 alongside 2GD * ASUS ROG Stars Invite alongside TotalBiscuit * Dreamhack Winter 2011 alongside Totalbiscuit, Artosis, Tasteless, Day9 and MrBitters * 2012 DreamHack Open/Stockholm with Wolf, Incontrol and Semmler * MLG Spring Arena 2 with TotalBiscuit, djWHEAT, Wolf, Rob Simpson, and itmeJP * The GD Arena Starcraft 2 tournaments with Semmler and 2GD * The ASUS ROG 2012 Summer with TLO * The International stream for the Iron Squid Tournament with TotalBiscuit
- Is living in the GDStudio together with 2GD, Semmler, Trance and Skrff. (Link)
- Is British, which automatically provides him with stunningly good looks.
- "Has a strong attraction to beer and other drinks." (Liquipedia) Any further comment necessary? I think not!
So what makes his casting so good? In my opinion, dApollo is one of the most analytical casters out there. Coming from a progamer background means that he is able to quickly analyse games as they unfold. Perhaps most impressively, dApollo has an immense knowledge of just about ANY high level Starcraft II player. This has given him the uncanny ability to predict the strategies coming out of players right at the start of any match. I have seen no other caster who has been so consistently spot-on in his predictions. TotalBiscuit weighs in:
On October 09 2011 21:47 TotalBiscuit wrote: You can sign me up for this one. Very, very serious about his work, researches all the time, has a big notebook full of stuff, talks to the players on a regular basis about their strategies, coaches and plays random in Masters so is up to date on the metagame and knows timings better than any other caster in Europe. Hope to cast many more events with him, he is the perfect analyst.
signed up fans (If you signed up and don't find your name on this list after a few days, write me a pm. I try to update this list as often as possible, but I may always miss the odd name or two :o)
Sign me up. I really enjoy his casting. He is very knowledgeable about the game, knows some interesting facts about almost every player he casts and makes great predictions. But what I like the most with Apollo is that the never fakes excitement like many other casters.
I once played 3v3 with him after he asked on Twitter if anyone wants to play 3v3 on the EU server..we won..=) Was one of the coolest games I've ever played..=)
Apollo didn't have a fanclub? I first saw apollo at Stockholm invitational when he was casting with demuslim. Since then i've liked him. What i like about his casting is that he is very well spoken and analitycal. He also seems very serious when casting, without being boring. I think he is the 2nd best caster right righ after day9 and i think he is worth more attention.
You can sign me up for this one. Very, very serious about his work, researches all the time, has a big notebook full of stuff, talks to the players on a regular basis about their strategies, coaches and plays random in Masters so is up to date on the metagame and knows timings better than any other caster in Europe. Hope to cast many more events with him, he is the perfect analyst.
You can sign me up for this. dApollo is articulate, analytical, has a good casting voice, seems to gel with whomever he is casting and comes across as a very nice chap indeed. Only downside is my wife rather likes him ...grrr
Apollo is a sick nerd baller, its just amazing how much he has improved since IEM Cologne last year. Good voice, good analysis, good synergy with his co-casters, he has it all.
You can sign me up for this. dApollo is articulate, analytical, has a good casting voice, seems to gel with whomever he is casting and comes across as a very nice chap indeed. Only downside is my wife rather likes him ...grrr
lol i can't believe this guy didn't have a fan club yet one of the few commentators who knows what he is talking about also he is a decent player sign me up
He made a massive tit of himself at WCG Cologne (threw up everywhere in the toilets at an Italian restaurant) but I still love him. Should have gotten him to sign his Team UK hoodie before he gave it to me. Hopefully I'll meet him again and see him get stupidly drunk again.
On October 09 2011 21:47 TotalBiscuit wrote: You can sign me up for this one. Very, very serious about his work, researches all the time, has a big notebook full of stuff, talks to the players on a regular basis about their strategies, coaches and plays random in Masters so is up to date on the metagame and knows timings better than any other caster in Europe. Hope to cast many more events with him, he is the perfect analyst.
damm, this is very impressive! thx for details about his word!
sign me up please. Love his analysis of the game. Its very high level, and he explains it in a way, I think is exciting to any viewer no matter their level.
I like Apollo's casting a lot. He may lack in understanding the game compared to people such as Artosis and, uhm... Artosis, but he prepares well for every event. One of the main problems I have with other casters is that they rely solely on what they already know - and perhaps on the producers backing them up on the spot. Apollodoes his research and this reduces the number of awkward situations or use of cliches significantly.
I remember playing him in some online cup one year ago.. We ended up in a 40 minute PvZ on Steppes of War and even though he won, he messaged me after the game to discuss it. It wasn't just about winning but about winning and learning, which is the proper mindset.
Sign me in, my fav. Caster from the IPL + doing a great development! Can only 100% agree to the prepost who said "best analytic caster after Artosis!" which is not at all Offensive but a great Compliment! And for sure a funny handsome guy!! Keep it on!
Just wanted to say I've been a fan of dApollo sense i saw him with Totalbiscuit and Ipl3 just enforced that he's a great caster and i really enjoyed him and wheat so, Sign me up!
I was very surprised by this popping up over IPL3 and I didn't really know what to post within So sorry for not posting at all. Anyway, thanks for your support, its really nice and motivitational when I get feedback after working so hard for a tournament to provide you guys the best commentary I can! Continue to support me and ill continue to give you what you want!
I have 4events upcoming in the next 5weeks so continue to follow me and the game!! <3
Totalbiscuit, Apollo and Select will ber on !@#$ Slasher today in 1 hour 20 minutes (5 PM ET/23:00 CET) to talk about all of today's results and predictions for tomorrow. Will talk to Select about his games vs Dimaga and expectations against Elfitajja. Will be LIVE on http://www.twitch.tv/MLG_Live
He is the perfect example how a caster should be like: He plays the game at a decent level, he is trying to have a decent game knowledge regarding all 3 races so he can actually analyze the game, not just talk about what we can all see, he is doing a research on the recent tournament results and players' styles. What else can someone want from a caster anyway.
Apollo is such a nice caster, and his analysis is just spot on! I would say Apollo is the 2nd best caster after day[9], and with some more hype added he could be the best.
apollo is an awesome caster with a good understanding of the game. he is absolutely the #1 caster in europa without a doubt! good voice (not to fast, not to slow.. not annoying), funny guy and good overview of all whats happening..
ooh and he is sooooooo sexy omg!
keep going, love you <3 would be awesome to see you even more often
This guy is pretty much the best caster for me currently. His Youtube channel and content there is awesome aswell. Also, he really pairs up great with TB. His game knowledge is pretty damn good, the guy knows what he's talking about.
Also, I don't know much about accents but compared to say, like TB's accent, I find Apollo's accent really easy to understand as a non-native speaker. TB is a little bit harder to understand, and American accent , although not harder to understand, is clearly much harder to listen to due to the stronger pronounciation in the accent.
What is it about the British guys... I could see myself going out for a drink with dApollo, Demuslim, Bling (obv not TB). If you look around most of the the other pros, I wouldn't be seen dead in a pub with them!
I don't know how it took me so long to see this fanclub, but sign me up. He's my favorite individual caster out there - outside of Artosis I don't think there's any analytical caster better, and (like Artosis) he's a natural on the microphone.
I just thought I'd give this a bump since Apollo has been nothing but awesome on IPL4 and GD studio stuff :> And if the meeting goes as planned then he will be GM by this Wednesday.
On March 22 2012 07:02 yakitate304 wrote: I don't know how it took me so long to see this fanclub, but sign me up. He's my favorite individual caster out there - outside of Artosis I don't think there's any analytical caster better, and (like Artosis) he's a natural on the microphone.
I completely agree. He's either the best or second best analytical caster in SC2 right now!
Apollo in my opionion the best caster out there right now. He seems to genuinenly enjoy the game whether it be playing, casting or just watching a tournament. He's actually good at the game, does coaching and doesn't fall back in the meta game like so many other casters do because they don't actually follow the game outside of their own casts. He can keep the cast interesting without trying to do jokes about terrible movies or old games (i guess some people like'em).
So yeah keep doing what you do Apollo!
Every big tournament should definitely be looking to hire him imo.
Yeah I'll just chime in and say Apollo did a stellar job at IPL4 (not like he's ever done anything less than stellar). You just don't get more eSports than this guy.
Sign me up for this! Best caster at IPL4 imo. And thank GOD the producers ( or someone) made him fix his hair. He went from Hobbit to elf in no time, I bet he had professional help cause it looked really good.
Sign me up, this guy is such a good caster and an eccelent coach! If i ever manage to get time to play after my may college exams and get of bronze, it will be bacause of this guys eccelent tutorials.
okay that does it this is offically the best caster ever! he even watches supernatural which makes him awsome both as a caster and as a person (i know its stupid to base a persons personality from a tv show but screw it)
Sign me up. Apollo is the second best caster on his own, after only Day9. But he is part of the best casting duo ever: TLO and Apollo. Love to see more of them.
Breaking news from dApollo, when Hyun is 2:0, SaSe 1:1 and Forsen 0:2 in TIEBREAKERS, there is NO need for another match between SaSe and Forsen xD apperently it has to do with changing the rules of tiebreakers, but it just seems more it's about the word tie was funny
Apollo, you have once again shown at Dreamhack that you are one of the few elite casters on this planet ! Would love to see you have a casting-sparring-session with Grubby some time.
On May 30 2012 00:02 Fus wrote: Apollo streaming! Awsome! Really good player and tells his viewers what he is doing and why, you can learn alot from watching him.
Yeah one of the best streams for learning (and entertainment ^^). I really like the fact that he plays random too.
Another important tip is you should never give Apollo a lift as his luck with cars is such that your wheels will fall off, the scraping of the car base along the bottom will result in it catching fire, the airbag will fire off but turn out to have been filled with gravel and a jumbo jet will fall out of the sky and crush the smouldering remains of you and your car after it has finally grinded to a halt.
On April 23 2012 07:25 Seph02 wrote: Apollo, you have once again shown at Dreamhack that you are one of the few elite casters on this planet ! Would love to see you have a casting-sparring-session with Grubby some time.
Apollo just predicted what MKP was going to do based on a game SeleCT played against Ret in game 3 on Xel'naga from last year's MLG Dallas. I think that deserves a little bit of recognition... such an amazing caster.
I wish dApollo would just call the game instead of pretending to be a top sc2 pro who knows what they should be doing. Cos he continously proved wrong when he could of actually just been calling the game instead of telling us 'what he would do'.
sheesh just call the game - is that too much to ask ?
On June 10 2012 14:57 Parcelleus wrote: I wish dApollo would just call the game instead of pretending to be a top sc2 pro who knows what they should be doing. Cos he continously proved wrong when he could of actually just been calling the game instead of telling us 'what he would do'.
sheesh just call the game - is that too much to ask ?
I remember him casting and IEM cologne in 2010 (the one where Morrow won vs IdrA in finals) and his casting was literally speaking terrible. Nowadays he is definitely one of the best casters SC2 scene has. He has improved so much it's incredible.
On June 24 2012 16:51 Art.FeeL wrote: I remember him casting and IEM cologne in 2010 (the one where Morrow won vs IdrA in finals) and his casting was literally speaking terrible. Nowadays he is definitely one of the best casters SC2 scene has. He has improved so much it's incredible.
Yeah I remember those casts.He was whispering all the time.But he improved himself so much.He is my favourite caster now with grubby.
I've been too lurkish to join the fan clubs I should be in -- but no more! Please sign me up. He's my favorite caster and I just think he's an awesome guy. I got to play Monobattles with him the other day, too (poor guy and his Ravens).
On October 21 2012 04:20 WindWolf wrote: When the VOD for Nerchio - Nightend G1, DH: Bucharest Group stage 2 comes up, watch some hilarious action from Apollo
+1 :D
Also please sign me up, shame on me for not having that done a long, long time ago!
On October 21 2012 04:20 WindWolf wrote:If it ever will be available, the power went out mid-game
And apparently they have so many problem that they canceled the rest of that stream for the day. We can just hope that what was recorded gets published on DHs Youtube
First cast by Apollo I saw (what a great name btw) was Dreamhack winter 2010 and I've been a fan ever since. Why? Because he sets the standard to which every other caster from now on must be judged. And this is a good thing for esports in general and SC2 in particular. Apollo can make a tournament better just by adding his hard work, intelligent insight and personal experience in a package made even more impressive by his articulate enthusiasm.
How does he rank among the current top casters? I would venture so far as to say that he is number one, slightly edging out Artosis for the top spot. Artosis on his side has however found the perfect sidekick in Tasteless and whether Apollo finds his own perfect sidekick, or even wants one, remains to be seen. He does make all his co-casters better, as you are all probably aware already, and which is, of course, the mark of talent.
And to be honest, there is quite a gap from these two top casters to the rest. Surely, no doubting the enthusiasm of other good contributors, we need more than just "good", we need the insight, the hard work, the preparation, the dedication, the part of being not just a caster, but an educator, one who spreads wisdom.
So here's a cheer for an autodidact of the first order and the finest caster currently working in SC2!
On February 14 2013 05:39 Spinoza wrote: Sign me up!
First cast by Apollo I saw (what a great name btw) was Dreamhack winter 2010 and I've been a fan ever since. Why? Because he sets the standard to which every other caster from now on must be judged. And this is a good thing for esports in general and SC2 in particular. Apollo can make a tournament better just by adding his hard work, intelligent insight and personal experience in a package made even more impressive by his articulate enthusiasm.
How does he rank among the current top casters? I would venture so far as to say that he is number one, slightly edging out Artosis for the top spot. Artosis on his side has however found the perfect sidekick in Tasteless and whether Apollo finds his own perfect sidekick, or even wants one, remains to be seen. He does make all his co-casters better, as you are all probably aware already, and which is, of course, the mark of talent.
And to be honest, there is quite a gap from these two top casters to the rest. Surely, no doubting the enthusiasm of other good contributors, we need more than just "good", we need the insight, the hard work, the preparation, the dedication, the part of being not just a caster, but an educator, one who spreads wisdom.
So here's a cheer for an autodidact of the first order and the finest caster currently working in SC2!
Apollo, I am a fan!
Cheers to you and others who think this, I work hard because of thoughts like this and I will continue to do so and bring you the best possible commentary. Thank you Spinoza
I agree with Spinoza, but for one point.... You could put Day9 among Apollo and Artosis...
Despite Day9 not having the same "professional image" those 2 have, Day9 is a scholar of Starcraft2. Both Artosis and Apollo have a great knolowdge of the game, but Day9 knows builds, tatics and timings of the game like no other caster, and he also knows how to explain them.
Next time I meet you in a club, I will definitely buy you a beer Was too tired and drunk to think of that yesterday, hope you had a great night though.
EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/NLV5b.jpg)
great great
So sorry for not posting at all. Anyway, thanks for your support, its really nice and motivitational when I get feedback after working so hard for a tournament to provide you guys the best commentary I can! Continue to support me and ill continue to give you what you want! ![[image loading]](http://i43.tinypic.com/2hrgylj.jpg)
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