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Canada5062 Posts
Well, looks like we have ourselves a razor-mean new Protoss player on the scene - 'cept just not who everyone thought. Here's how things went down yesterday in the Finals:
1) Nal_rA (P) ("Kang Min") > Kingdom (P) ("Bak Yong-wook") - Avant Garde II
2) Nal_rA < Kingdom - Neo Bifrost
3) Nal_rA < Kingdom - Gaema Gowon
4) Nal_rA > Kingdom - Neo Forbidden Zone
5) Nal_rA < Kingdom - Avant Garde II
So, Kingdom gets the automatic seed in the next OnGameNet Starleague (beginning sometime early 2003), while Nal_rA must once again struggle with the demons in the Duel Tournament.
About as evenly matched as two players can be in a series. Both different styles, but both doing a dream job of adapting and counter-adapting to the other's strats. The two that Nal_rA won were quick affairs, with Nal_rA going fast triple expo and mass carriers on AG II, while reaver dropping Kingdom into submission on Neo FZ. I actually thought it was all over when the game score was 2-1 in favor of Kingdom with Neo FZ coming up - Kingdom's undefeated on this map, even in practice games! Leave it to Nal_rA tho to just whup Kingdom's ass on it with a beautifully executed fake ground expo to draw away Kingdom's superior goon forces while reaver dropping with a speed-upgraded shuttle. Perhaps the fastest match ever on the map, even quicker than the Reach v Nada affair a few weeks ago in Starleague.
The other matches were a bit longer and harder fought, and Nal_rA certainly had the worse share of bad luck (like getting the dreaded 5 position on Gaema Gowon - while Kingdom got 7!!!), but all credit to Kingdom, who played mistake free Starcraft when it mattered and just played better in the three matches he won. I thought Kingdom did extremely well to play aggressively after his opening match loss (where he held back and paid for it) to throw Nal_rA off his game plan (and you KNOW Nal_rA always has a game plan), doing all sorts of initial harrassments imaginable (manner pylons, cannon rushing, gas rushing, pylon at expo, etc.). The key to all his wins, I think. The key to winning any match v Nal_rA. Once Kang gets into his groove, it's pretty much lights out.
In the final analysis, the result isn't really a surprise. Could have gone either way (thank god there's no "Deuce" format in OGN tournaments - otherwise they'd still be playing), but PvP is almost always mass strat > any other strat (more Kingdom's style than Nal_rA's) and Kingdom did beat Kang a few months ago in the finals of the KTF Nazit one day tournament. Oh, and did I mention Kingdom's the next Reach? Watch for this boy. He's for real. As real as Xellos.
And, I wouldn't fret about Nal_rA too much, either. He'll be in the Duel Tournament and, the way he's been playing, I'll be surprised if he doesn't make it into the next Starleague anyway. His time's due.
[EDIT] And speaking of evenly matched, I should mention the practice partners for the two Toss titans. Nal_rA got helped out by fellow GO teammate forU (aka [Dak]ddong), while Kingdom got the assist from none other than Reach himself (both on same HanbitStars team). Like I said, very evenly matched...
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United States37500 Posts
Hey mensrea, nice of you to update again. =)
Go Nal_rA! Still got faith in your Toss. Shake it up in Duel Tournament.
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arg nal_ra you lost~!~!~!
thnx mensrea for this info.
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Rea is back!!!!!!!! :D
Thx for good news :D
As usual :D
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Unbalanced positions at Gaema Gowon? I don't think so...the map is almost simmetric, you guys are paranoic about map unbalances.
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Hey, ever gonna put up summary of Lee vs Boxer, etc, from last week?
Thanks for this one.
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United States33465 Posts
I want to say that Reach is the next Kingdom, not the other way around. Kingdom was out and raping a long time ago, he just had to take that unfortunate break ;(
The king has returned :O
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Norway28701 Posts
aqeloutro I don't have the numbers anywhere but I seem to remember that the 5 location on gaema gowon only wins like 20% of the time in the pro gamer scene. :[
if my numbers are correct then that clearly shows imbalance.. :/
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Canada5062 Posts
Just about to say the same thing, Drone.
The % is closer to 15% now btw. I'm still doubtful about map imbalance for the 5 position, but after more than 30 official OGN games from the 5 postion resulting in such a low win %, I've got to give it some mention...
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It was asked before...but I'll ask it again. WHY is the 5 position on Gaema Gowon unbeneficial? I don't get it. Maybe the main looks a little smaller, I dunno.
And even tho I already watched all the VOD's from last weeks OGN, I still want your reports, Mensrea...come on man, we love you.
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Canada5062 Posts
The reasons given by pros in Korea about why the 5 position may be "slightly at a disadvantage" include the following:
1) The min patch at 5 is spread east-west (versus north-south for all others) forcing min gatherers to go down-up (versus left-right) - apparently slightly less efficient for gathering purposes.
2) The distance from the 5 main to the natural is slightly farther.
3) The distance from the main to the map center is slightly farther.
4) The distance from the 5 natural to the map center is slightly farther.
5) The 5 main is actually slightly larger in area than the other mains, thus making it more difficult to defend v drops.
These may not seem very significant, but they're what the pros here have been giving when asked why Gaema Gowon 5 is so crappy. I honestly don't get it myself - but the stats clearly indicate something's wrong, and for ALL races caught in that position. Just bizarre...
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Canada5062 Posts
I've counted no less than 6 requests around this site for a detailed update on last week's OGN Starleague - even after people have already watched the VoDs!
I got caught during a very busy weekend (hitmen didn't take care of Naz as expected, etc.), so didn't have time to write one up. I may have to do one afterall if people keep clamoring like this tho. Sheesh.
C'mon, guys. Be reasonable!
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Norway28701 Posts
well the difference between the different pro gamers is just so small that tiny tiny differences in the map is often more than enough to decide the outcome of a game. :[
in addition, getting a position that only wins 15% of the time sorta gives you a psychological disadvantage. :O
nevertheless that does not explain how the spot only got 15% wins in the first place. 
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Mensrea, will it count as 7 requests if I ask again?
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Count the seventh request  mensrea...
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Assuming I count - Ninth request!
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Canada5062 Posts
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EPT
