• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
TeamLiquid Liquipedia LiquidDota LiquidLegends
EST 07:47
CET 13:47
KST 21:47
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
DH Last Chance: RO16 Group C Preview8[ASTL2] Power Rank23DH Last Chance: RO16 Group B Preview11DH Last Chance: RO16 Group A Preview12TL.net is recruiting SC2 writers29
Community News
DH Last Chance: RO8 Bracket Set24ESL Open #53: Zest doubles, MaNa wins EU13Ryung joins Team GP13Lilbow returns to SC2 joins Archangel Gaming88ESL Open #52: Zoun, HeroMarine, Zest win1
StarCraft 2
General
2021 GSL Super Tournament I (Qualifiers) The StarCraft Bible TL.net is recruiting SC2 writers ESL Open #53: Zest doubles, MaNa wins EU Star Nation - a Starcraft documentary
Tourneys
ITaX Ultimate Battles#3 - TY vs Rogue (BO.11) ITaX Trovo Series#12 - PartinG, Armani, Cure &Zoun ITaX Trovo Weekly#19 - Solar, Dream, Zest & Hurric [DH Masters 2020] Last Chance 2021 2021 NA Apprentice
Strategy
[G] PvZ Cheese: PartinG's "Adios Amigo" Build HuShang Tutorials Select Larvae + Morph unit Rapidfire [D] My Interpretation of Standard TvP
Custom Maps
Re-created map Wasteland [Q] BO Practice Custom Map Simple Questions/Answers [A] The Beginning (Populous 3 remake)
External Content
Mutation #248 Boom Town New edition of the Dank Templars SC2 newsletter! Mutation #247 Perfect Storm Welcome to the External Content forum
Brood War
General
[ASTL2] Power Rank Rus_Brain - great interview! (ENG SUB) Grant Davies leaves Blizzard BGH auto balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ StarCraft Human 'N' AI League
Tourneys
[ASTL2] Week 1 Day 2 [STPL] Season 4 Week 6 Jeez Weekly 2020 [ASTL2] Week 1 Day 1
Strategy
FlaSh's TvP Gas FE into 3 Tank Pressure [subbed] What is this new pvt style with no arbiters? PvP Bonyth style 2 gate 3 zealot 21 gas guide Valkyrie dmg formula?
Other Games
Heroes of the Storm
HotS: WP and Funny Moments [HotS] NA Stands Supreme
General Games
Genshin Impact - Coop RPG Cyberpunk 2077 Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread FF7 remake for PS4 announced
TL Mafia
[M][T] Personality Mafia: Mini Edition TL Mafia Plays: Diplomacy Personality Mini Mafia: Vote Thread TL Mafia Community Thread British Empire Mini Mafia II
Hearthstone
Is Hearthstone Gambling?
LoL General
LoL Tournaments
LoL Strategy
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Awesome Games Done Quick 2021! The Big Programming Thread Bitcoin discussion thread Dating: How's your luck?
Fan Clubs
The TY Fan Club Stats Fan Club The BoxeR Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Korean Music Discussion [Manga] One Piece [SCIFI Series] The Expanse Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
2020 - 2021 Football Thread 2020 NFL and College Football Corona Season NBA Season 2019-2020 NHL 19-20: Hop Off my Kakko Major League Baseball 2015
Tech Support
Simple Questions Simple Answers PC for Premiere Pro and After Effects Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List Recent Gifted Posts Happy Birthday R1CH!
Blogs
TrapGod
EheroSC2
How Do We Improve Su…
waywardstrategy
My iPhone game
GroT
Trekkertent Saor DCF 4-season …
Tak3r
Cheeseadelphia 11 Trav…
TheRealNanMan
BattleReports.com to …
Psyonic_Reaver
Shameless self promotion/opin…
WindOw
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1171 users

On Fire

Forum Index > Final Edits
108 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 Next All

On Fire

Text byDoctorHelvetica
January 10th, 2009 21:03 GMT
[image loading]

All it takes is one spark to burn an entire forest to the ground...


On Fire- The Miraculous Flame
By DoctorHelvetica
TeamLiquid: Final Edits

A Fresh Face


(T)Leta exploded onto the scene seemingly out of nowhere in the 2008 Shinhan Bank Proleague. He was seemingly just another no-name player who occasionally stole games from some S-Class pro's on occasion. He was compared to gamers like Violet and Ruby, the kind of guy you could count on to beat your favorite player and get eliminated in the next turn. But it wasn't long before a young Shin Sang Moon became much more than that. In an explosive turn of events, Leta went on a 10 win proleague streak; taking down beasts like Kal, fOrGG, HiyA, Bisu, BeSt, and YoonJoong. While some of his occasional wins against top class players, such as a ridiculous victory against Stork on Tau Cross, could be written off as a fluke, a streak of this significance couldn't be attributed to any sort of dumb luck.

It wasn't too long before people began buzzing about this OGN terran and his amazing proleague results. Immediately, I knew this kid was going somewhere. Although he was eliminated in his MSL group, he continued to rip it up in Proleague, giving OGN fans hope that someday a starleague could be taken by one of their players. While he lived in the shadow of their star player, Luxury eventually left to the KTF MagicNs. With Chan Soo out of the way, it was his turn to shine.

Leta was the 'rookie to watch' of the 2008 year. With the likes of by.fantasy and EffOrt, Leta stood among those who had much potential and even more expected of them in the future. Leta had "future starleague winner" stamped all over his face. With every convincing win, more and more hype has been built. The hype reached critical mass, and there was doubt to whether he could live up to the standards he set for himself.

[image loading]

Secure as the Star of OGN Sparkyz, Shin Sang Moon gives a thumbs up to the camera.


Although the hype is strong, Leta has his share of anti-fans. Many people felt his hot streak was lucky, that his play style was cheap, and that soon he would fade into nothing. Just another huge disappointment in the pro-gaming world. Of course this is not the case. After the ProLeague off-season, Leta was back and playing more dominant than ever. Expectations were high, and it is rare in the world of pro-gaming that a player lives up to what is expected of him. His dominance in pro-league has been compared to the ridiculous power of Flash in the leagues but unlike Lee Young Ho, Sang Moon faced issue with the individual leagues.

How would he do in the next season?

A Force to be Reckoned With


Leta is playing absolutely out of control right now, if you don't believe me look at his record and watch his VODs. His style is ridiculous, turning games that seem like dismal failures, into a one-sided playground for Sang Moon to rampage on at his own leisure. With a passive early game, he watched diligently for the opponent to make a mistake, or unveil a weakness.

Without hesitation, Leta uses his excellent decision making, great mechanics, and flawless positioning ability to take total map control and turn that slight weakness into a game-breaking blunder. His pressure in TvT/TvP is amazing, as he slowly turns any game into a clear victory. His early-game is an enigma, often manifesting itself in what seems will become a build order loss, but is quite the opposite. His build is tailored to his meticulous push and timing attack. His nickname in Korea is the "Miracle Boy", for miraculously turning these early game disadvantages into mid-game dominance.

However, it is this same play style that causes StarCraft fans to lack confidence in his true ability as a player. His disadvantage in the early game is compensated by his extraordinary ability to locate and exploit a players weakness. However, it undeniably takes skill to pull off his incredible wraith control, his perfect unit positioning, his incredible macro, his sick army control, his relentless pressure, and his ability to identify and exploit weaknesses in an opponent.

The fact is, Leta is dominating. Whether or not you feel his domination is legitimate, doesn't change the results. While his play is rarely chock full of cute moves and 'pimp plays', it doesn't need to be. He does exactly what he needs to do to win a game, not bothering with anything that could be construed as unnecessary. No fluff, just results. He has transcended his status as the lucky victor, to an absolute victory machine.

[image loading]

This killer is about to claim another victim...


The answer as to why he is so dominant, lies in his incredible ability and skill, and no-fluff playing style. His results have proven that he is good at one thing above all. Winning. Unfortunately his nerves have been an issue in the individual league. Much like Sea, Leta hasn't found a way to pull it off in the prestigious OSL and MSL. However, the upcoming Batoo OSL will be Leta's chance to prove naysayers wrong.

His play has been steadily improving, which is a dangerous fact. Steadily improving from complete ProLeague dominance should do nothing less than strike fear in the hearts of every progamer who may face this young star. There is no player on earth who could be said to easily be a favorite against Leta. He has defeated the likes of BeSt, Bisu, Stork, Mind, UpmagiC, fOrGG, and Sea; all fairly recently, showing no signs of giving up.

If you have any question about just how good this kid is playing, then just take a quick glance at his record. The amount of bolded wins on the TLPD chart is staggeringly impressive, especially when you realize the caliber of many of the players who have fallen to it. I recall a classmates jaws dropping when I glanced at his record in the library. I recall my own jaw dropping when I saw it for the first time as well.

Shin Sang Moon is over 70% in TvT and TvZ, dominant statistics even for a newer player. His TvP is lacking, only at 50% wins. However, his proleague record is essentially uncontested. He is #2 in the individual ACE match ranking, and number 2 in general individual play. He is 18-5 in the 08-09 proleague. 11-1 vs T, 3-1 vs Zerg, and 4-3 vs Protoss with an ELO of 2151; the 4th highest in the league. If he does well in the individual leagues this season, his ELO will soar and he could easily beat the peak ELO of 2336. These spots on the rankings are of incredible magnitude for such a new player, especially one who will obviously get much better within the next few seasons.

+ Show Spoiler +
Selected VODs of Leta:


This game is an excellent example of Leta transitioning from a weak early-game into a dominant mid-late game. His mistakes are non-existant and the commentators are left in disbelief. Frankly, so was I.


RuBy was the player Leta was most compared to. If you still think they're in any way similar, this game will change your mind.


Leta proving that he is not a one match-up wonder. Luxury is in top shape, but no match for our young Terran. Pay particular attention to his wraith usage, it's very educational.

[image loading]

This sight is all but too common these days...


Future Flame


What can we expect from our dear Leta in the future? If his dominance continues to grow as it has, he could easily be a StarLeague victor by this or next season. I predict he will win an OSL/MSL by the end of this year and cement himself as one of the most valued players in the entire proscene. The korean commentators have compared his play to the dominant and flawless style of Lee Young Ho and the resultant victories have only proved them right. With players like Leta and Flash around, there will still be a favorite. There will still be a dominant player.

He is one of the sole aces of OGN Sparkyz, Leta and Yarnc essentially hold up the entire team. With the loss of Luxury, there is little chance for the player depth they need to be a dominating team. Although as long as they keep a player like Shin Sang Moon around, they will continue to prosper and salvage victory from the pure might of Leta's gosu ProLeague play.

Leta is no longer just a rising star. He's no longer just a flash of dominance who is doomed to disappear in the next season. Leta is here to stay and succeed. We haven't seen the best of him and until we do, we can only settle for calling him merely one of the greatest players in the world. Leta has earned his membership to the that special club, that elite group of gamers who seem to be invincible; something stronger than the 6 dragons. Leta is a rookie no more. He's on fire and he may just burn everyone else up too.

[image loading]

Future Bonjwa? Maybe...


Leta
is one of the few faces of the new generation of Progamers. He walks with Lee Young Ho, Lee Jae Dong, Do Jae Wook, and Heo Young Moo. With limitless potential, Shin Sang Moon hasn't shown us the best of his play and that is a frightening prospect. This is a player who won't disappear on us anytime soon. Leta is here to stay and dominate. Shin Sang Moon Fighting!

+ Show Spoiler +
As always, thanks to my good friend Dave (twoeightsix) for the sick banner. Thanks also to the entire TL.net staff for doing such a great job at maintaining the best community on the web. Thanks to Fomos for taking such excellent photos, as well as neverGG for taking the time to send me some excellent photos of Leta as well. Of course, thanks to Leta for inspiring me to write this article. Shin Sang Moon Hwaiting!
Facebook Twitter Reddit
^ this post is just a mere spook
thunk
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States6233 Posts
January 11 2009 00:27 GMT
#2
Nice TLFE.

I thought Leta was going to royal road/bonjawa status, but currently he's going along the same path as Sea (being eliminated early) We'll see how this season turns out. He's still in the OSL and MSL and I look forward to his games.
Every time Jung Myung Hoon builds a vulture, two probes die. || My post count was a palindrome and I was never posting again.
cgrinker
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States3802 Posts
January 11 2009 00:32 GMT
#3
Nice writeup
Bifur
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
Russian Federation1208 Posts
January 11 2009 00:44 GMT
#4
Nice, but too categorically
Bifur
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
Russian Federation1208 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-01-11 00:50:02
January 11 2009 00:48 GMT
#5
I'd like to add that TvP of Leta is greatly improving
Most of his loses to protosses were before the summer 2008.
And since summer he is 12-4 in TvP (75%)
He is really on fire in all three match-ups.
DoctorHelvetica
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States14909 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-01-11 00:51:06
January 11 2009 00:50 GMT
#6
On January 11 2009 09:48 Bifur wrote:
I'd like to add that TvP of Leta is greatly improving
Most of his loses to protosses were before the summer 2008.
And since summer he is 12-4 in TvP (75%)
He is really on fire in all three match-ups.


Yeah, all of his match-ups are improving, and his TvP isn't at all bad.

It's just the weakest of all his match-ups.

He's taken down the likes of BeSt and Stork, so ofc it isn't weak in general. just relatively, I suppose.
^ this post is just a mere spook
CDRdude
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States5554 Posts
January 11 2009 00:51 GMT
#7
Leta is certainly a good player. I'll strongly consider putting him in my fantasy PL team next round.
Force staff is the best item in the game.
Bifur
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
Russian Federation1208 Posts
January 11 2009 01:04 GMT
#8
This game vs Luxury reminded me Boxer games with his excellent micro.
When he killed a hydra with his scv and medic I lol'ed
Empyrean
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
16811 Posts
January 11 2009 01:07 GMT
#9
Wonderful write-up.

I always thought Leta looked really young...he also has a great nick haha.
Moderator
Crunchums
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
United States11119 Posts
January 11 2009 01:12 GMT
#10
Fuck yeah, Leta!
brood war for life, brood war forever
Tadzio
Profile Blog Joined October 2006
3286 Posts
January 11 2009 01:15 GMT
#11
It's about time someone wrote a Leta TLFE. thanks!
Dark_Luster
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Korea (South)413 Posts
January 11 2009 01:17 GMT
#12
leta's my favorite player +_+
#1 Horangee fan
Zoler
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Sweden6257 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-01-11 01:19:28
January 11 2009 01:19 GMT
#13
Sorry Leta, you're nothing compared to Flash. <3

(and you're ugly)
Lim Yo Hwan forever!
n.DieJokes
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
United States3442 Posts
January 11 2009 01:24 GMT
#14
Still not impressed wiht leta strong TvT and TvZ but weak toss reminds me of FBH and I HATE FBH, but fantastic write up, thank you.
MyLove + Your Love= Supa Love
fanatacist
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
10098 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-01-11 01:35:24
January 11 2009 01:34 GMT
#15
Stronger than the 6 Dragons is a bit much.
Peace~
Empyrean
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
16811 Posts
January 11 2009 01:42 GMT
#16
By the way, the front page link mouse-over is broken. There's no picture that appears.
Moderator
DoctorHelvetica
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States14909 Posts
January 11 2009 01:47 GMT
#17
On January 11 2009 10:24 n.DieJokes wrote:
Still not impressed wiht leta strong TvT and TvZ but weak toss reminds me of FBH and I HATE FBH, but fantastic write up, thank you.


He isn't weak vs Toss at all. It's just his weakest match-up, but his TvP is leagues better than FBH's.

On January 11 2009 10:42 Empyrean wrote:
By the way, the front page link mouse-over is broken. There's no picture that appears.


Yeah I noticed. I don't know how to fix this. Mod help?
^ this post is just a mere spook
meegrean
Profile Joined May 2008
Thailand6198 Posts
January 11 2009 01:48 GMT
#18
Leta's very good, but I have some doubts unless he wins a title. For me, Leta is kinda like FBH and Sea.. good players with a lot of potential but never actually get there.

Great article though!
Brood War loyalist
oo_xerox
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States852 Posts
January 11 2009 01:48 GMT
#19
:/ Leta still doesnt convince me.
I could get a more coherent article by gluing a Sharpie to a dog's cook and letting it hump the page.
darktreb
Profile Joined May 2007
United States2998 Posts
January 11 2009 01:52 GMT
#20
Ehh Leta is really good but let's not go nuts and say he could "easily beat the peak ELO of 2336" so quickly. It's stuff like that that makes it hard to take Leta fans seriously.
1 2 3 4 5 6 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
OlimoLeague
11:00
Week 216
ByuN vs GogojOeyLIVE!
Liquid`Crank 1568
ALGaming 678
Maynarde553
Liquipedia
AfreecaTV Starcraft Tea…
10:00
Round-robin Day 2/8
JyJ vs FlashLIVE!
BeSt vs Action
Shuttle vs free
Afreeca ASL 6073
DeathfateSCR 107
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Liquid`Crank 1568
DeMusliM 938
Maynarde 553
PartinGtheBigBoy 371
Harstem 314
SC2ShoWTimE 250
SortOf 80
StarCraft: Brood War
Bisu 7733
GuemChi 7097
Sea 5769
Shuttle 2488
Calm 2307
Horang2 2111
Flash 1606
ZerO 1148
Pusan 737
BeSt 723
[ Show more ]
EffOrt 613
Larva 515
firebathero 396
Soulkey 288
Sea.KH 256
Stork 230
actioN 162
Snow 158
Rush 90
hero 78
Zeus 75
Aegong 56
Free 53
Noble 49
MisO 41
Soma 39
PianO 35
sorry 28
yabsab 26
Sharp 24
sSak 20
BrAvO 11
Heroes of the Storm
crisheroes663
AxAlicia23
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
SPUNJ861
Other Games
nookyyy 390
OGKoka 159
Organizations
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
ESL CS:GO2231
StarCraft 2
ESL.tv419
OGamingTV SC2 205
SC2 Vod Archives96
Blizzard YouTube
[ Show 18 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• D4rkn0ob1k 11
• hirohiro 1
• Dystopia_ 1
• Tree_Stump
• AlphaB_SC2
• Matiz_pl
• Laughngamez YouTube
• LaughNgamez Trovo
• IndyKCrew
• Genesis Gaming
• Kozan
• intothetv
• aXEnki
• Alpha X_
SC2: Legacy of the Void
• KarlJayG
• PSISTORM Gaming
StarCraft: Brood War
• sscaitournament2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
Upcoming Events
WardiTV 2021
4h 13m
Alpha Pro Series
19h 13m
RagnaroK vs ByuN
OSC
20h 13m
WardiTV 2021
22h 13m
Genesis Legends Cup
1d 5h
Bly vs MaxPax
Cham vs souL
Vanya vs MaxPax
Bly vs souL
Bly vs Vanya
Cham vs MaxPax
Bly vs Cham
souL vs Vanya
Shinhan Tank Proleague
1d 7h
Alpha X Event
1d 18h
Nice vs Cyan
RagnaroK vs TBD
Dream vs TBD
Zoun vs TBD
Patience vs TBD
OSC
2 days
WardiTV 2021
2 days
WardiTV 2021
2 days
[ Show More ]
Genesis Legends Cup
3 days
SKillous vs MilkiCow
ArT vs SouLeer
SortOf vs MilkiCow
SouLeer vs SKillous
ArT vs MilkiCow
SortOf vs SKillous
ArT vs SKillous
SortOf vs SouLeer
Shinhan Tank Proleague
3 days
PSISTORM Gaming Misc
3 days
ITaX Trovo Weekly
3 days
Solar vs Hurricane
Dream vs Zest
WardiTV 2021
3 days
PSISTORM Gaming Misc
4 days
Cheesadelphia
4 days
The Three-Winged Angel
4 days
Alpha X Junior Champion…
4 days
ITaX Trovo Series
4 days
PartinG vs Armani
Cure vs Zoun
AfreecaTV Starcraft Tea…
4 days
Cheesadelphia
5 days
The Three-Winged Angel
5 days
La Espira
5 days
ESL Pro Tour
5 days
ITaX Ultimate Battle
6 days
TY vs Rogue
The Three-Winged Angel
6 days
ESL Pro Tour
6 days
ESL Pro Tour
6 days
AfreecaTV Starcraft Tea…
6 days
OlimoLeague
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

2020 KCM Challenge Season 4
DH Masters: Last Chance 2021
NGS Storm Division S2 Qual. 2
IEM Global Challenge

Ongoing

Ultimate Battle
Shinhan Tank Proleague S4
BWCL Season 52
ASTL Season 2
BW Jeez weekly GF 2020
KCM Race Survival 2020 Season 4
NGS Storm Division S2 Quals
Community Clash League S1

Upcoming

Rogue City Rumble
Polish Starcraft League 3
IEM Katowice 2021
2021 AfreecaTV GSL Super Tournament 1
Cheeseadelphia Winter
WardiTV 2021
Masters Clash Champ. 2021
NGS Storm Division S2 Qual. 4
MCC 2021 Qualifier 1
MCC 2021 Qualifiers
NGS Storm Division S2 Qual. 3
ESL Pro League Season 13
IEM Katowice 2021
BLAST Premier Spring Groups
DreamHack Open Jan 2021
cs_summit 7
BLAST Premier Global Final
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2021 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.