EPT![[image loading]](/staff/DoctorHelvetica/TheUltimateWeapon/flashtheultimateweapon.jpg)
The Ultimate Weapon - 이영호
By DoctorHelvetica
TeamLiquid: Final Edits
When I watch Flash play the game, without pretense, I'm amazed. Simply amazing. I've never seen anyone who can manage the eco as well as he does. Every eco falls into perfect timing. PERFECT timing. Not only that, it seems like he's spending all his eco, yet he always have spare mineral to expand more... That really is breathtaking to watch. Is he really calculating all the timing? Or is this by his sense?
- Hong Jin Ho
The Ultimate Achievement
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This is not a boy. This is a weapon.
Not since NaDa has a player won both Starleagues simultaneously. Many have come close in the past and all have fallen short. In this age, one player stands at the cusp of a dual Starleague victory. That players name is Lee Young Ho. With a dominating performance, Flash has grabbed progaming by the throat and taken his position at the top with stunning confidence and skill.
If anyone can take two Starleagues home, it's Flash. While he may lack Stork's experience or Bisu's charm, Flash makes up for it in spades with his mechanical prowess and innovation. What Flash has is the mentality of a champion. Flash was born to win, to innovate, and to achieve. At the age of seventeen, Flash is following in the footsteps of NaDa, the most successful progamer of all time.
Jaedong was older than Flash is now when he qualified for his first Starleague. Flash's achievements at the age of fifteen are perhaps the most astonishing aspect of his career. He didn't just break the age records, he shattered them to pieces.
From the beginning as a rookie to his current domination, Flash was a unique and important player all throughout his career. Although he wasn't appreciated from the beginning, as a mere fifteen-year-old, he destroyed Stork in the OSL finals and revolutionized TvP. Flash has since led the Terran race, even during his slumps.
This is the story of The Ultimate Weapon, The Little Monster, Lee Young Ho...
The Ultimate Beginning
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A child will become a king.
Flash's story began with a young shooting game enthusiast, who hung out after school in Internet cafes. Professional StarCraft gamers like BoxeR and YellOw captured the interest of many young video game enthusiasts such as Flash. After he purchased the game for himself, it was not long before he was one of the best amateurs in Korea, showing an immense amount of natural talent and ability to synthesize other people's strategies into his own play. The young BoxeR fan soon passed the KOR (now Hite Sparkyz) gameplay test and became a practice partner. He was not satisfied with the attention he received and transferred to Pantech and Curel. In April of 2007, KTF purchased him after hearing of his high skill in Pantech practice tournaments.
Lee Young Ho went 39-24 in his first year of televised StarCraft, an excellent record for a newcomer. He qualified for his first OSL (Daum) by defeating Bisu and Free in the qualifying rounds, and went on to surprise everyone in E-Sports by beating Bisu 2-0 in the Ro8, using a controversial cheese rush on Monty Hall. Flash would lose to eventual champion GGPlay 3-2 in the semifinals. Despite these results, Flash was written off by many as just another lucky rookie who won many games by fluke.
Following Daum, Flash qualified for the OSL but did not show particularly strong play, cruising through easy groups. While he contributed in Proleague, Flash was not yet the star of KTF. It was not uncommon for mediocre players to find their way into a Starleague either through cheese or luck. To his naysayers, Flash was no different. However, Flash was something else in the practice house. After leaving Pantech in which he was infamous for his exploits in practice, he tore things up in the KTF House, shocking even the likes of YellOw and nal_rA. His dedication to practice and deep understanding of management made him the prize of the coaches. Flash was KTF's secret weapon, the ultimate Terran.
Q: Because of your time in Pantech and Curitel, everybody regards Nada as your mentor. What are your thoughts on this issue? Who is your mentor?
A: I was not yet ready to mimic Nada then. To be honest, I tried to learn from him, but I couldn’t. So I decided to improve on my own. I was on friendly terms with Firefist, Hero V and Pepe. I went to school everyday, so I had to practice during the night. These three helped me progress so much by playing with me all night. So they can be called as my mentor. Many people say that Nada was my mentor, but to be frank he was not. It was difficult to ask elder gamers for a game at such a young age, but Firefist, Hero V and Pepe took the initiative to help me out.
A: I was not yet ready to mimic Nada then. To be honest, I tried to learn from him, but I couldn’t. So I decided to improve on my own. I was on friendly terms with Firefist, Hero V and Pepe. I went to school everyday, so I had to practice during the night. These three helped me progress so much by playing with me all night. So they can be called as my mentor. Many people say that Nada was my mentor, but to be frank he was not. It was difficult to ask elder gamers for a game at such a young age, but Firefist, Hero V and Pepe took the initiative to help me out.
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Q: In you earlier interviews, you often mentioned that you were not affected by your nerves at all.
A: Although I said such things, in truth I was a nervous wreck. Once I reached the OGN Starleague, there were too many people there. I actually couldn’t sleep the night before. I woke Hery up at dawn and practiced with him all night. I played Light without an ounce of sleep, but luckily was able to defeat him. The cheering after I won was unbelievable. I was able to turn heads with that victory, and was able to gain confidence from the match and perform well in that Starleague.
A: Although I said such things, in truth I was a nervous wreck. Once I reached the OGN Starleague, there were too many people there. I actually couldn’t sleep the night before. I woke Hery up at dawn and practiced with him all night. I played Light without an ounce of sleep, but luckily was able to defeat him. The cheering after I won was unbelievable. I was able to turn heads with that victory, and was able to gain confidence from the match and perform well in that Starleague.
As nal_rA, YellOw, and Reach diminished in skill, Flash became a consistent performer in Proleague, a trend that would continue for the rest of his career. Mentally, he was not yet in the shape for a StarLeague victory, although that day would soon come. The time between his debut and first OSL win was astoundingly short.
Mind's victory in the GOMtv MSL S3 was astounding not only because Park Sung Gyoon was the youngest progamer to ever win an individual league, but also because he defeated the dominant Bisu with apparent ease. The annihilation of a top Protoss by an extremely young Terran player surprised fans of BroodWar and brought tears to angry netizens everywhere. The sixteen-year-old Mind was a glimpse at the new generation of Terrans, a group which Flash would soon come to lead.
While Mind showed dominant timing pushes in TvP, Flash would bring the match-up to the next level and claw his way to the top in the same fashion: defeating the world's best Protoss in dominant fashion. 2007, statistically speaking, was a good year for Flash. 2008, however, would be the year that made him an unforgettable and beloved progamer.
The Ultimate Cheese?
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Flash's destruction of Bisu in the Daum OSL Round of Eight made him probably the most hated progamer amonst TL netizens. While Flash’s unpopularity was not quite as intense as Shine’s, Flash was definitely considered a player who did not really deserve to be in the Ro4. Which now, of course, is a prospect that would be considered ridiculous. Even though Flash had proved he was more than capable of a straight-up TvP and had shown his strong management, he was instantly labeled a "cheddar terran" because of this game.
Recently Flash used a bunker rush to take Jaedong out of the OSL, a decision that stirred up quite a bit of disdain amongst Jaedong fans. Much like the flaming against Shine in live report threads, some netizens have found themselves banned for their comments against Flash.
Regardless of his late-game prowess, his smart use of cheese in series games has left many aghast. When he pulls out his management builds he is criticized for being stale and predictable and when he rushes he is criticized for being a skill-less cheeser.
The Ultimate Champion
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"What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease" - Sun Tzu
Already in the KESPA Top 16, Flash qualified for both StarLeagues in 2008 and was invited to the GOMtv Star Invitational. This was a time in which Stork, Anytime, Bisu, Kal, and Free dominated Terran players; with a map pool including Katrina and Baekmagoji, it was no surprise. Few people expected Flash to go as far as he did in the 2008 season, as Flash was still considered a weak and lucky rookie player.
Flash dominated the group stages of the OSL and GOMtv Star Invitational. His streak of Starleague domination was ended in the MSL by Jaedong, who went on to win the GOMtv MSL S4 against
Kal. Flash used a mech build on Katrina in the OSL to dominate Jaedong, who had difficulty responding to Flash's unusual unit mix. By this time, Flash was starting to turn heads for his versatile play and strong macro.In TvP, Flash initially had only mixed success with his yet unrefined double armory build in the group stages of the OSL. After much work on the build, he defeated Stork in the GSI finals 3-2. This close and entertaining series gave Flash a great insight into Stork's PvT strategy. Stork learned the build Flash had used to defeat him in the GSI and prepared for it in the OSL. Stork prepared to play an extremely greedy series of games against Flash, who he expected would use his lategame oriented double armory build. While Stork adapted smartly, Flash was one step ahead of him.
Flash's prison rape of Stork caught people off guard. In the first set, Flash used smart tank pressure to dominate Stork. Stork was caught off guard by Flash’s deep understanding of Blue Storm and it cost him the game. In the second set, Flash assumed a greedy build from Stork on Katrina. His prediction paid off. Flash bunker rushed Stork and ended the game in less than 8 minutes. Flash trashed Stork in the third set with a strong timing attack, ending the OSL finals in record time. Flash predicted Stork would adapt to his double armory build and instead played in the exact opposite way Stork expected him to. Flash's foresight, preparation, and mental sharpness demolished his Protoss opponent.
Stork, the strongest PvT player in the world, had been utterly annihilated by the 15-year-old Terran. Stork was completely outclassed by Flash in the OSL. Flash's iron will and champion mentality left the more experienced Protoss in the ditch. Flash had surpassed Mind by becoming the youngest StarLeague winner in history. With this victory, Flash had also revolutionized TvP. The double armory build would be a staple for seasons to come, ending the dominance of 2 base reaver into carrier. Flash had proven Terrans could win with ease against Protoss on Katrina. His innovation was a ray of hope for the stagnating Terran race.
"The Flash build is more than capable of producing mid or late game Vulture harass. However, instead of relying on Vultures to hurt the Protoss economy to set up the mid to late game, the Flash build approaches the match-up with a different philosophy. In place of trying aggressively to limit Protoss expansions, particularly in the early mid game, Flash build users generally respond instead with aggressive expansions of their own, relying on the fact that the Protoss invested minerals into his economy instead of attacking units as well as the general defensive strength of Terran - particularly with the use of building walls, Mines, Siege Tanks and weapons upgrades. It should be noted however that Vulture harass is an acceptable part of the Flash build mid game." - Liquipedia on the Flash Build
The flash build depends on early goliaths and a strong defense. Because of this strong early defense, the Terran can reap full benefits from his early expansions without fear of reavers. As a result, the standard carrier follow-up is severely weakened. The Flash build relies on few units in the early-game, in return for faster expansions and upgrades. The result is a late-game attack with strong upgrades, knocking carriers out of the sky as if they were paper planes.
Protoss players attempted to respond to the greedy Flash build with aggression but the fast upgrades and generally defensive nature of the build deflected it with ease. Protoss struggled pathetically against the dynamic management style until its weakness were gradually exposed and Protoss players began devising new strategies to counter the double armory build.
The Flash build’s main weakness is its inability to punish a greedy Protoss. It takes full advantage of the defense-oriented nature of the Terran race, but lacks in early offensive capabilities. Protoss players can merely take multiple early expansions with no danger. Therefore, the best way to counter the aggressive expanding of the Terran is to expand aggressively as Protoss. Even though Protoss eventually rebounded from their period of being dominated by even mediocre Terrans using the flash build, it still to this day remains a huge part of TvP strategy. It's lasting nature has proven that the build isn't just a gimmick, but a philosophy.
Q: Let’s discuss the “anti-carrier build” in detail. It cannot be denied that the topic springs to mind the moment you are mentioned.
A: I played a similar style beforehand but was unable to show it on televised games. Then after I lost my game against Stork in the round of eight, I had a sudden flash of inspiration. The revelation was so sweet that I smiled all the way back to the KT Rolster house. It was so strong against carriers. I first used it against Free on Loki. I did not plan to use it. I was left with almost no SCVs after being surprised by proxy gates in my base, and had no choice but to use the build in order to make a come-back. I started to use the build frequently after this game, and refined it as time passed by.
A: I played a similar style beforehand but was unable to show it on televised games. Then after I lost my game against Stork in the round of eight, I had a sudden flash of inspiration. The revelation was so sweet that I smiled all the way back to the KT Rolster house. It was so strong against carriers. I first used it against Free on Loki. I did not plan to use it. I was left with almost no SCVs after being surprised by proxy gates in my base, and had no choice but to use the build in order to make a come-back. I started to use the build frequently after this game, and refined it as time passed by.
![[image loading]](/staff/DoctorHelvetica/TheUltimateWeapon/flashoslvictory.jpg)
Q: So nerves don’t affect you now?
A: Nope. I still get nervous. I took medications to help with my nerves even after I won for the first time. I won on televised matches, but the games were not indicative of my skill level. On the few occasions that I perform up to my practice games’ standards I mention it during my interviews. Regular fans don’t know much about the level of gaming that goes on in the practice room. Even now, I can’t play as well as I did during practice. If I’m to be blunt, I rarely lose during practice. It doesn’t matter whether I play my teammates, or even Bisu or Jaedong. I think if I play as well as I do during practice there’s no reason to be the underdog against these players.
A: Nope. I still get nervous. I took medications to help with my nerves even after I won for the first time. I won on televised matches, but the games were not indicative of my skill level. On the few occasions that I perform up to my practice games’ standards I mention it during my interviews. Regular fans don’t know much about the level of gaming that goes on in the practice room. Even now, I can’t play as well as I did during practice. If I’m to be blunt, I rarely lose during practice. It doesn’t matter whether I play my teammates, or even Bisu or Jaedong. I think if I play as well as I do during practice there’s no reason to be the underdog against these players.
After his Starleague victory, Flash began a dominating streak in the Proleague. After ranking number one in both KESPA and the Power Rank, Flash cemented himself as the top Terran in Korea. His uncontested TvT and mental strength had made a young boy the most feared progamer in the world. The dominance he showed in 2008 is stunning to this day.
Flash's slow push execution was the best in the world, as was his management. Very much a neo-iloveoov, Flash's economic sense and the timing of his expansions and tech was flawless; however, it was his fluid defense and responsive play combined with strong economic sense and willpower that made him the "Ultimate Weapon". This solid defense made harassment nigh impossible, creating a situation in which his opponent overcommits himself to harassment and loses the macro war.
"Yes, Flash is still unquestionably the best player on earth. This kid has utterly exploded since his GSI win over Stork. Between that time and now, Flash has gone 23-3, a stretch of dominance that is unheard of in today's field. He has no weak matchups. His games aren't just victories, but sad, one-sided affairs that leave his opponent laying on the floor in the fetal position, weeping and wondering why they ever picked up a copy of StarCraft." - FakeSteve on Flash (June 2008)
Flash doesn’t just play mindgames; he wages a full-scale mental assault against his opponent. Although his play goes through occasional periods of predictability, Flash is anything but stale. His cunning rushes bring him victory after victory against S-Class opponents in important series games. No matter the circumstance, Flash plays to win.
The Ultimate Rivalries
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Flash and Stork-
Flash versus Stork was the rivalry that launched Flash to superstar status. Their first series encounter was quite embarrassing for Flash; he lost 0-3 to Stork in both the Daum OSL and the 2007 EVER OSL. Their next meeting would be in the GOMtv Star Invitational, where Flash took a win in the finals 3-2. Flash really showed the strength of his double armory build in this series and went on to dominate Stork 3-0 in the following OSL finals.Since their meeting in the Bacchus OSL finals, they've played only three times. Stork took a game off Flash in very convincing fashion in the recent OSL Round of 16, showing some of his old PvT brilliance. While Stork's chance for OSL revenge has been stolen by Shine, fans are anxious to see another clash between the two titans.
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Flash and Jaedong-
Flash versus 
Jaedong is one of the most prominent and famous rivalries of the modern age. It all started when Flash eliminated Jaedong from the Bacchus OSL and the GOMtv Star Invitational and Jaedong took Flash out of the GOMtv S4 MSL. Both players went on to win their respective individual leagues and cemented their position as the top player of their race. Their Bo3's in 2008 live in infamy, particularly Flash's metal build against Jaedong on Katrina.Their next series meeting was a huge disappointment, with Jaedong absolutely crushing Flash 3-0 in the GOMtv Classic finals. Flash's greediness and poor defense against early mutalisks led to an embarrassing defeat. The showdown between the two gamers failed to live up to the hype and left Flash fans worrying about the little monster.
Springing back from the brink of defeat, Flash wiped the floor with Jaedong in the 2009 EVER OSL. After a straight-up victory in the first set, Flash drove home the win in the second set with a bunker rush. The series enraged Jaedong fans and propelled Flash into the semifinals where he will face inter.Calm.
When Lee Young Ho and Lee Jae Dong are scheduled to play, nerds everywhere begin to drool. His rivalry with Stork is what launched his career as a top progamer. However, LeeSsangRok is one of the most important rivalries of the modern era. Much like BoxeR versus YellOw defined TvZ in 2002, Jaedong versus Flash defines TvZ in the current age.
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Flash and Bisu-
Flash's record against Bisu begins with his infamous quarterfinal match in the Daum OSL. Flash 2-0'd Bisu, making him the most hated progamer amongst TL netizens. Bisu got his revenge in the GOMtv S3 MSL but was then eliminated by Flash in the 2008 Bacchus OSL semi-finals. Flash used his double armory build to great effect and went on to dominate Stork in the finals.His Bo3 match against Bisu in the GOMtv S2 Classic saw a 1-2 loss for Flash but it was one of the highest level TvP series in recent memory. He was eliminated by Bisu in WCG during their next series game, but they have not played many games since. While Bisu is currently in something of a slump, a TvP between the two of them is a highly anticipated occurrence.
The Ultimate Weakness
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"He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must thereafter fall with the greatest loss."- Niccolo Machiavelli
Since the fall of sAviOr, people have wondered if a bonjwa would ever walk the earth again. Since then, a multitude of players were expected to take sAviOr’s place. Bisu, Flash, Jaedong, and even Stork have been considered potential bonjwas but each one has fallen short. When Flash was expected to become the next Terran bonjwa, he fell from the top of the S-Class to the bottom.
Flash saw three huge series losses in the season immediately following his OSL victory. Eliminated by Luxury in the Ever OSL, Flash's dreams of two sequential OSL victories were crushed. He was defeat by Jaedong in the GOMtv Classic, losing to the same mutalisk build twice in a row and falling apart in the late-game on Katrina, the map on which Flash had completely dominated the Tyrant in the preceding season's MSL with an innovative mech build. Jaedong used aggressive mutalisk harass to make a joke of Flash's defense, which was thought to be the strongest aspect of Flash’s gameplay.
In the MSL, Flash was decimated by fOrGG. fOrGG came in with a lower skill level but a perfect analysis of how Flash played the match-up of TvT. Flash's risky early game expansions were punished heavily by fOrGG. Flash continued to do high-risk economic builds and fOrGG predicted them each time, shutting Flash down before he could get his unstoppable macro going. fOrGG read Flash like a book and won a fair series. In a strange twist of fate, the two players who eliminated Flash from the Starleagues would later join his team.
Opinions amongst TL netizens were mixed. A majority were of the opinion that his busy schedule had tired him out, a notion which Flash would later confirm in interviews. A more alarmist minority asserted that his macro style had been “solved” and that he would fade, like a gimmick. As a fifteen-year-old carrying a professional team all by himself and facing S-Class opponents in Starleague, it isn’t that surprising that he tired out.
Flash's biggest weakness is often his blind greed and occasional neglect of defense. Flash is a player who desperately wants to play with the most efficient possible economy and cut all possible corners to create a strong late-game. The dominator became the dominated as his play-style was studied and his weaknesses revealed. With his grueling schedule, Flash didn't have enough time to create innovative strategies for all of his matches. Like Stork in the Bacchus OSL, Flash would lose using one size fits all stategies against players who had deep insight into his play.
However, TL netizens were wrong about one thing. Flash wasn't a lucky rookie like Mind, Luxury, or fOrGG who would win their Starleague and fade to nothing. Flash was born to be a champion. Like Stork, like Bisu, and like Jaedong, Flash would bounce back from his lowest moment to do what he was destined to do: win.
Q: One of your toughest moments? What were the other harsh moments for you?
A: It was harsh when I was eliminated from both individual leagues last season. I was physically drained when I played against Best in the OGN Starleague. On Wednesday I played the Winner’s League, and the very same night I had to play in the OGN Starleague and the very next day I ended up crashing out of the MSL as well. I think that my current position would have been different had I handled the situation better. They should arrange the schedule so that such a thing does not happen in my opinion. I actually wanted to quit progaming after I dropped out of the MSL. It wasn’t just the harshness of the defeat; I was worn out by gaming in general. The schedule was just too tough. I was exhausted that I told my manager that I couldn’t go on.
A: It was harsh when I was eliminated from both individual leagues last season. I was physically drained when I played against Best in the OGN Starleague. On Wednesday I played the Winner’s League, and the very same night I had to play in the OGN Starleague and the very next day I ended up crashing out of the MSL as well. I think that my current position would have been different had I handled the situation better. They should arrange the schedule so that such a thing does not happen in my opinion. I actually wanted to quit progaming after I dropped out of the MSL. It wasn’t just the harshness of the defeat; I was worn out by gaming in general. The schedule was just too tough. I was exhausted that I told my manager that I couldn’t go on.
![[image loading]](/staff/DoctorHelvetica/TheUltimateWeapon/flash12.jpg)
Q: There were moments where you slumped after you earned your first title.
A: Even now, although I lose to S-class players, I don’t lose too much to lower level players. It’s because I never underestimate my opponents. I do admit that there were periods during which didn’t practice too much. What with getting sick at times and getting my teeth straightened, there were times that I didn’t do as well as I could. But it’s all behind me now, and I’m ready to spread my wings and fly.
A: Even now, although I lose to S-class players, I don’t lose too much to lower level players. It’s because I never underestimate my opponents. I do admit that there were periods during which didn’t practice too much. What with getting sick at times and getting my teeth straightened, there were times that I didn’t do as well as I could. But it’s all behind me now, and I’m ready to spread my wings and fly.
BroodWar has undergone drastic changes since the days of BoxeR and H.O.T-Forever.The overwhelming amount of highly skilled players has made it very difficult to stay at the top. Even Flash and Jaedong lose games to no-names on occasion. No one expected Flash to dominate indefinitely.
Even when fantasy was posting better results, there was little doubt that Flash was still a top Terran. Fantasy had an undeniable advantage over Flash: a team in which he was not the sole strong player. Fantasy could take a break if he needed so, because Bisu, BeSt, and Canata were there to pick up the slack. However, when Flash could not play, KTF was no longer a viable team.
Since late 2008, Flash has been the standard by which other Terrans are judged. While players like Leta and Fantasy have approached Flash’s level, Flash has led the race since his OSL victory. No matter the state of Flash’s play, there is little doubt he will soon return to form. With a newly stacked KT Rolster, Flash is in a much healthier environment.
The Ultimate Weapon
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"I'm sorry, but this throne is insufficient."
"I'm sorry, but this throne is insufficient."
Flash is on a warpath, along with the newly invigorated KT Rolster. Flash's team finished round one of Proleague in first place and has continued winning into the second round. Flash is still the most reliable player on his team, however, no longer is he forced to carry the team on his shoulders. Luxury, 815, and HoeJJa lead KT Rolster’s solid Zerg line. On the Protoss side of the team, Violet and Stats have breathed new life into the team. Violet has been put in the ace match for KT Rolster and has won when it counts. Stats is currently crawling his way through the MSL and showing a dominant PvT and PvP.
While fOrGG has been nothing but a disappointment since he was traded to KT, Flash has only lost two games in Proleague. With a fierce new style of bionic TvZ, speculation about a brand new TvP build, and the same invincible TvT he's always had, Flash looks stronger than ever. The Ultimate Weapon has continued to innovate the game since his breakout in 2008.
Q: This season’s KT Rolster feels different, perhaps highlighted by the fact that it is the beginning of the season, but different nonetheless.
A: Luxury’s revival has given me the greatest strength. Also, most of the first team members have been relegated to the reserve team one time or the other during the off-season period. They all practiced all night to gain their spot back (laughs). The coaching staff also helped control our mindset and scolded us a lot. The name change from KTF to KT also brought about change for the better in general. With our new uniforms and new mindset, we were able to produce better results.
A: Luxury’s revival has given me the greatest strength. Also, most of the first team members have been relegated to the reserve team one time or the other during the off-season period. They all practiced all night to gain their spot back (laughs). The coaching staff also helped control our mindset and scolded us a lot. The name change from KTF to KT also brought about change for the better in general. With our new uniforms and new mindset, we were able to produce better results.
![[image loading]](/staff/DoctorHelvetica/TheUltimateWeapon/slyflash_2.jpg)
Q: Are there any titles you wish to gain as of now?
A: I want to win the “player of the year” award. I’ve already won the “terran player of the year” and “newcomer of the year” awards. Since I’m playing well this season, with a “player with the most victories” award for the past two proleague seasons already under my belt, I think I can win the award in the near future. Jaedong already won two individual leagues this year, so this year’s award will probably go to him, but perhaps I can steal it away if I do well in the remaining time frame. I plan on getting the award in at least three years time even if I don’t get it this year.
A: I want to win the “player of the year” award. I’ve already won the “terran player of the year” and “newcomer of the year” awards. Since I’m playing well this season, with a “player with the most victories” award for the past two proleague seasons already under my belt, I think I can win the award in the near future. Jaedong already won two individual leagues this year, so this year’s award will probably go to him, but perhaps I can steal it away if I do well in the remaining time frame. I plan on getting the award in at least three years time even if I don’t get it this year.
KT has been a team known for buying big name gamers. In contrast, Flash’s career was birthed in the ranks of the KT house. Since his breakout as a rookie, he has been the resident Proleague monster for KT. In the 2008-09 Shinhan Bank Proleague, Flash went 53-15 overall, an incredible 70% record, dropping games only to the highest echelon of progamers. This season he has been equally impressive and Flash just may surpass his past success.
Despite a lackluster performance in last season’s individual leagues, Flash has torn through the OSL and MSL like a monsoon. After passing through a difficult group in the Round of 16, he was set to face Lee Jae Dong in the quarterfinals. Flash returned the favor he received in the GOMtv Classic Finals and smashed Jaedong to pieces. Flash doesn't just win close games. Flash doesn't just barely pull victory out of the jaws of defeat. Flash beat Jaedong the only way he knows how: utter annihilation.
![[image loading]](/staff/DoctorHelvetica/TheUltimateWeapon/flashchairs.jpg)
A break between dominating zergs.
While passing through the MSL facing only zerg opponents, Flash has shown a dominance in a non-mirror that was most recently rivaled by his 2008 performance against Protoss upon the invention of the double armory build. Indeed, Flash currently has been eating zergs for breakfast.
His TvZ stands out above the rest at the moment. His aggressive and pressure dependent midgame leaves his opponent without a third gas and while pressuring the zerg on all fronts he amasses absurd amounts of units to steamroll his opponent. After deflecting mutalisk aggression with superb micro and usually flawless turret placement, Flash's relentless midgame pressure denies the zerg from catching up in the economy and they eventually get overrun. HyuN was able to take a game off of Flash after Flash made two critical mistakes. The first mistake was not placing turrets near his mineral line as HyuN merely ran past the turrets near the edge of Flash's base and willingly took the damage in order to deal more back to Flash. The second mistake was losing his small group of medics and marines early on. Putting a dent in Flash's early game is the best way to get on even economic terms with him and put a stop to his midgame dominance, however, the task is easier said than done.
His TvZ is certainly very impressive but his TvP has been quite lacking recently. Despite his revolution of TvP, it was never his strongest overall match-up. Despite his TvP not being on quite the same level as his TvT or TvZ, his TvP is still unquestioningly among the best. With his talk of a new management style for TvP that he is planning to make use of in the future, another revolution might be under way.
"He’s not just a progamer, he’s also a philosopher of retention and control. You feel as if at any given moment, Flash can tell you his body temperature down to the hundredth of a degree centigrade. He’s that composed." - EvoChamber on Flash
Flash is certainly a strong contender during a time when zerg players are dominating the scene. The possibility of a double Starleague title is on the horizon and if anyone can accomplish such a feat, it is Lee Young Ho. In one season he has set the highest single matchup streak, the fastest 100 wins in Proleague, and the all-time ELO peak record and at this point an accomplishment such as a double championship does not seem too strange.
Q: Do you want to play into your thirties? Could you disclose some of your plans for the future?
A: I think I’ll keep playing until I get drafted into the military. I have yet to think of playing in my thirties like Boxer. I’m sorry to say this to the older players out there, but they say that you’re not as nifty once you get old. I won’t give up the moment I feel some limitations. I don’t have such problems as of now anyway.
![[image loading]](/staff/DoctorHelvetica/TheUltimateWeapon/youngballer.jpg)
Q- Do you consider yourself a child prodigy?
A- No I don't. I don't like the word prodigy at all. To me prodigy sounds like a person who was 'gifted' all these things rather than a person who earned all these talents by hard training. I want to be a player who can be acknowledged as great to everyone. And for that to happen, I must train harder to reach my goal.
A: I think I’ll keep playing until I get drafted into the military. I have yet to think of playing in my thirties like Boxer. I’m sorry to say this to the older players out there, but they say that you’re not as nifty once you get old. I won’t give up the moment I feel some limitations. I don’t have such problems as of now anyway.
Q- Do you consider yourself a child prodigy?
A- No I don't. I don't like the word prodigy at all. To me prodigy sounds like a person who was 'gifted' all these things rather than a person who earned all these talents by hard training. I want to be a player who can be acknowledged as great to everyone. And for that to happen, I must train harder to reach my goal.
There will always be those who refuse to recognize the genius that is Lee Young Ho. They will call him boring without realizing the art in his timing, his build, and his management. They will call him a turtle while he plays a super aggressive and dominant TvZ. They will call him stale while he single handedly revolutionized TvP and reversed the trend of Zerg dominance.
No matter what the anti-fans may say, one thing will never change. Flash's skill, mental fortitude, and innovative play will be a constant in Brood War for seasons to come. As the youngest Starleague winner, the all-time ELO peak holder, the revolutionist of TvP, the greatest player of TvT to ever walk the earth; Flash is an impressive character from any perspective.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6R7maYAAKk&feature=player_embedded
The brilliant decision making and foresight of Flash.
Flash has unstoppable mental fortitude. It takes an immense willpower and intense discipline to bring oneself to the level of a gamer like Flash. He is always one step ahead of his opponent; with constant scouting he's always prepared for what is coming to him. What some would call a "boring turtling style" is something much greater underneath the surface. It is a fluid and reactive defense with a complex train of decision that relies on deep foresight and precision timing.
"Flash is a new kind of champion, one who understands the importance of maintaining peak mental condition at all stages during a tournament. One who realises that no matter who his opponent is he must crush their mental strength to achieve a convincing a dominating victory. His amazing fundamentals and creative mind are simply the vessel to enact this punishment on his victims. He does everything in his power to win each set, and inflicts as much mental anguish as possible when he does so. This is exactly how Flash crushed the best that Protoss and Zerg had to offer. In addition to this his own mental strength grows with each win, just as his momentum does. And this makes him a very daunting opponent no matter who you are." - Plexa, A State of Starcraft
![[image loading]](/staff/DoctorHelvetica/TheUltimateWeapon/flashissocuuute.jpg)
Even kings sleep like the rest of us.
Flash defines the modern Terran: versatile, confident, and defensively perfect. He is a young boy who dreamt of being like BoxeR and became a progamer. He is a young boy who with his brilliant mind and prodigal skill set the standard for every Terran to follow him at the mere age of 15, an inspiration to younger gamers.
With two consecutive Starleague titles, Jaedong has set the bar high for everyone to follow him. Flash is walking NaDa's path toward a dual victory with confidence and the swagger of a champion. The largest obstacle in his path, Jaedong, was obliterated with ease.
Lee Young Ho is everything NaDa was. He can execute flawless early-game aggression, flawless mid-game timing pushes, and flawless late-game management. Flash began his career pushing TvP to its absolute limit, continued it by defining TvT, and is now at the absolute top of TvZ players. Flash can and should pull off a double OSL/MSL victory. The Ultimate Weapon is armed and ready to explode.
![[image loading]](/staff/DoctorHelvetica/TheUltimateWeapon/thankyou.jpg)
Thanks to Plexa/Hot_Bid for the massive editorial help and to HnR)Insane/motbob for fixing all my silly grammatical errors and mistakes. Credit for the photos goes to Fomos, SplashImage, by.SlaSh, and Daily E-Sports. I'd like to thank IntoTheWow/GTR/MrHoon for their help as well. The information for this article came from TLPD, Liquipedia, Articles by Plexa and Zoler, and from various Flash interviews.
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