Code-S Predictions
By: WaxAngel
& Emytherel
Another season of GSL is upon us and full of new participants. With former Code S mainstays MarineKing, FruitDealer, InCa and AnyPro now battling their way through Code A, could we finally see a new champion in August or will the formidable NesTea be the first player to take down back to back Code S titles?
This season of Code S is arguably the toughest yet, there are virtually no weak players left and as proven last season, having one bad day is no longer an option unless you wish to find yourself in the frozen wastes of the Up / Down Matches. Will the latest batch of rookies find their way to glory? Or will the old hands of Code S send them packing?
Predictions
Bomber: 2-0
Huk: 2-1 (foreigner bias)
Killer: 1-2
Violet: 0-2
Predictions
Alicia: 2-0
NaDa: 2-1
Keen: 1-2
Coca: 0-2
Predictions
Byun: 2-0
Puzzle: 2-1
Nuclear: 1-2
Zenio: 0-2
Group F Predictions
TOP: 2-0
Ryung: 2-1
aLive: 1-2
Trickster: 0-2
Group G Predictions
Clide: 2-0
HongUn: 2-1
Virus: 1-2
SuperNoVa: 0-2
Group H Predictions
LoSirA: 2-0
Genius: 2-1
Ensnare: 1-2
July: 0-2
This season of Code S is arguably the toughest yet, there are virtually no weak players left and as proven last season, having one bad day is no longer an option unless you wish to find yourself in the frozen wastes of the Up / Down Matches. Will the latest batch of rookies find their way to glory? Or will the old hands of Code S send them packing?
Alright, so Bomber's getting out of this group, no question. Yes, that was a weird collapse against Byun last season. No, you cannot look at the single worst performance a player has given and use that to cast suspicion on an otherwise spectacular career. Byun got his puppy, Bomber learned his lesson, all's right with the world.
Whether Huk or Killer will go second place is the point of interest in this group, but it's very hard to predict. The two are eerily similar mid-tier performers in GSL while PvP is looking as random as ever. Huk did win in their single meeting, but it's hardly anything one can go by. I may as well flip a coin here.
I'd like to say last place is also pretty clear cut, but Violet is beginning to set-off my Kyrix sense. Though he's shown a total inability to beat anyone good, Violet had the luck to go up against Kyrix (the reigning King of Code-S clinging) to make it into Code-S, and beat the completely unremarkable Anypro to remain in Code-S last season. Even though he SHOULD lose to both Huk and Killer, I just have an ominous feeling he will luck or cheese his way into another Code-S appearance.
Whether Huk or Killer will go second place is the point of interest in this group, but it's very hard to predict. The two are eerily similar mid-tier performers in GSL while PvP is looking as random as ever. Huk did win in their single meeting, but it's hardly anything one can go by. I may as well flip a coin here.
I'd like to say last place is also pretty clear cut, but Violet is beginning to set-off my Kyrix sense. Though he's shown a total inability to beat anyone good, Violet had the luck to go up against Kyrix (the reigning King of Code-S clinging) to make it into Code-S, and beat the completely unremarkable Anypro to remain in Code-S last season. Even though he SHOULD lose to both Huk and Killer, I just have an ominous feeling he will luck or cheese his way into another Code-S appearance.
Predictions
Bomber: 2-0
Huk: 2-1 (foreigner bias)
Killer: 1-2
Violet: 0-2
This group has a case of semi-déjà vu going on, as NaDa/Keen and CoCa/Alicia were the opening matches of their respective groups last season. That time, Keen and Alicia lost their openers but managed to stay in Code-S. The situations look remarkably better for Keen and Alicia this time around. Keen disposed of Coca tremendously easily the last time they met, while Alicia gets the benefit of playing his best match-up against Nada. Expect the return the of Keen's signature ceremonies for at least one game, while Alicia should advance as first place.
It's rather unfortunate for Coca, who could probably win 80% of his games against projected group winner Alicia. Alas, he's stuck playing his rather mediocre ZvT all day, unless Alicia should want to gift one of his opponents a win. In a way, it's a precarious advantage that Alicia holds. While he has the upper hand against his likely Terran opponents, he'll get handed an instant second loss by Coca should he slip up against Nada or Keen.
And as usual, Nada is the wildcard. After some nice performances in Code-S and GSTL, he went on to disappoint terribly at Assembly by losing to those yucky foreigners (*shudder*). For now, I'll say Assembly was a one-off and book him for yet another mid-high table Code-S finish.
It's rather unfortunate for Coca, who could probably win 80% of his games against projected group winner Alicia. Alas, he's stuck playing his rather mediocre ZvT all day, unless Alicia should want to gift one of his opponents a win. In a way, it's a precarious advantage that Alicia holds. While he has the upper hand against his likely Terran opponents, he'll get handed an instant second loss by Coca should he slip up against Nada or Keen.
And as usual, Nada is the wildcard. After some nice performances in Code-S and GSTL, he went on to disappoint terribly at Assembly by losing to those yucky foreigners (*shudder*). For now, I'll say Assembly was a one-off and book him for yet another mid-high table Code-S finish.
Predictions
Alicia: 2-0
NaDa: 2-1
Keen: 1-2
Coca: 0-2
An interesting group with a lot of potential. Naturally, latest Code-A winner and widely lauded Protoss savior Puzzle will be receiving most of the attention. Though he has quite the reputation as a ladder monster, his primary GSL achievements are still just beating MMA with DTs (twice) and four-gating Tassadar (too many times to count). While he could definitely have some good games in the group stages, it looks like we're still going to have to wait a while before we get to see how he does versus the established elite.
Byun's also an interesting story, having his break out tournament last month after looking like he had reached his skill ceiling. Beating Bomber has definitely put him on the map, but he'll need to repeat last season's performance to distinguish himself among the numerous "good" Terrans. In any case, he should be making it out of this group.
While Nuclear's bizarrely sloppy series versus Boxer last season didn't leave a very good first impression, he went on to put up some solid Up/Down games to prove show that he's a talent worth watching for now. At least he's more interesting than Zenio. The GSL's stolid gatekeeper makes sure the riffraff don't get too far while, but never really challenging at the higher ranks himself. Sadly, I think that all three other players are capable of earning their passage.
Byun's also an interesting story, having his break out tournament last month after looking like he had reached his skill ceiling. Beating Bomber has definitely put him on the map, but he'll need to repeat last season's performance to distinguish himself among the numerous "good" Terrans. In any case, he should be making it out of this group.
While Nuclear's bizarrely sloppy series versus Boxer last season didn't leave a very good first impression, he went on to put up some solid Up/Down games to prove show that he's a talent worth watching for now. At least he's more interesting than Zenio. The GSL's stolid gatekeeper makes sure the riffraff don't get too far while, but never really challenging at the higher ranks himself. Sadly, I think that all three other players are capable of earning their passage.
Predictions
Byun: 2-0
Puzzle: 2-1
Nuclear: 1-2
Zenio: 0-2
Group F: It's gonna be Tricky to stay Alive and Top the group. Ryung.
ST_Trickster vs. SlayerS_Ryung & TSL_aLive vs. oGs.TOP
ST_Trickster vs. SlayerS_Ryung & TSL_aLive vs. oGs.TOP
Here's a stat that's probably gone overlooked: Ryung is 13-3 since July. Though he defeated no elite players on this way to those thirteen wins, I don't see any elite players in this group either. With that kind of momentum, it's hard not to pick Ryung to top his group.
I'd like to argue TOP is a better player than Ryung, but his recent record is much spottier. While Ryung has been busy racking up wins versus good opponents, TOP's been unfortunately losing close series to great players. For group play, at least, I'll take the guy with more raw wins.
No disrespect to Trickster (a more experienced, Protoss version of Zenio), and aLive (who's... alive? I guess?), but it's way easier to be excited about the last guy who beat Nestea in a series and the guy who demolished the Code-A wild card tournament.
I'd like to argue TOP is a better player than Ryung, but his recent record is much spottier. While Ryung has been busy racking up wins versus good opponents, TOP's been unfortunately losing close series to great players. For group play, at least, I'll take the guy with more raw wins.
No disrespect to Trickster (a more experienced, Protoss version of Zenio), and aLive (who's... alive? I guess?), but it's way easier to be excited about the last guy who beat Nestea in a series and the guy who demolished the Code-A wild card tournament.
Group F Predictions
TOP: 2-0
Ryung: 2-1
aLive: 1-2
Trickster: 0-2
I think this group should go as planned, seeing Virus and SuperNoVa fighting over third place while Clide and HongUn go Pistols at dawn for the better seed in the Ro16.
HongUn managed to go to the semis last season after beating MC, complaining all the while about the terrible pain in his wrist. Now, let's say he's NOT the worst sandbagger in the world. He'd still have been good enough to have made two GSL semi-final runs. If his wrist starts feeling better, than I suppose we'd all better watch out.
Meanwhile, Clide completes the Terran component of the Trickster-Zenio-Clide trio. But while his brothers are stuck in groups with more interesting, younger talent, Clide gets to play against SuperNoVa and Virus. The gates shall be shuttered.
HongUn managed to go to the semis last season after beating MC, complaining all the while about the terrible pain in his wrist. Now, let's say he's NOT the worst sandbagger in the world. He'd still have been good enough to have made two GSL semi-final runs. If his wrist starts feeling better, than I suppose we'd all better watch out.
Meanwhile, Clide completes the Terran component of the Trickster-Zenio-Clide trio. But while his brothers are stuck in groups with more interesting, younger talent, Clide gets to play against SuperNoVa and Virus. The gates shall be shuttered.
Group G Predictions
Clide: 2-0
HongUn: 2-1
Virus: 1-2
SuperNoVa: 0-2
LoSirA returns to the stage for another run at the championship. Will he be thwarted again? Certainly not by anyone in this group. Both LoSirA and July have been to the promised land of a GSL Code S final but July hasn't gotten anywhere close again. In fact, his performances have been slipping steadily and he narrowly avoided the Up / Down matches last season.
Ensnare had the misfortune of meeting NesTea in the Ro16 last season and had his run cut short, while Genius met the same fate at the hands of another ZvP terror in CoCa. Thankfully for both, July hasn't been at that level lately. That leaves the door wide open for second place in the group.
Form suggests that it won't be July. Looking at the stats, a gambling man would put his dollars Genius as he hasn't been bested in a TvP since he lost to NaDa back in May.
Ensnare had the misfortune of meeting NesTea in the Ro16 last season and had his run cut short, while Genius met the same fate at the hands of another ZvP terror in CoCa. Thankfully for both, July hasn't been at that level lately. That leaves the door wide open for second place in the group.
Form suggests that it won't be July. Looking at the stats, a gambling man would put his dollars Genius as he hasn't been bested in a TvP since he lost to NaDa back in May.
Group H Predictions
LoSirA: 2-0
Genius: 2-1
Ensnare: 1-2
July: 0-2
Foreigner Interviews
by WaxAngel
Unfortunately, we were unable to conduct interviews with FnaticMSIFenix due to a scheduling issue with our translator. dignitas.Naniwa was unreachable for comment.
Kim "SaSe" Hammar
First question: Could you introduce yourself briefly. Optionally, spice it up since this is a boring question.
Check qxc's latest tweet and you got a nice introduction. [qxc0000: Tying my shoes near Sase in Shanyang airport. He tells me "It's your time to shine qxc." /confused. "Blow me now. Right here. Right now."]
So how's Korea? Is it to your liking?
Actually I have only been in Korea for two hours. I was in China for a week before that and played some on the Korean ladder. It has been a good experience but now it will be even better since I've arrived at the GOM house and can put a lot of more time into the game without moving around and such. I have been in Korea three times before and I loved it. Nice food, nice people and best practice. That's all I need ^.^
So I heard you had some hardware trouble at CPL, and that it affected your game versus MKP.
Some guy spilled water in my keyboard like ten minutes before my game so it stopped working. I had to borrow Jinro's keyboard. I am not sad or angry about losing to MKP, I don't believe I could have beaten him. But I'm very sad that I couldn't play my best. I am really happy though that I had time to find a new, identical keyboard before I left China. There's just one day left until my GSL game and it would be hard to find it in Korea by myself. I changed my mindset pretty much and started to accept that things go wrong sometimes and you cant do anything about it, except staying positive all the time instead of whining. It makes me focus alot better
You mentioned you got some Korean ladder experience. Do you think you've learned much yet, or do you still need some more time?
I am not sure I learnt anything special but it opened my mind to a lot of strategies. Also the micro is crazy. In Europe you don't need micro to be good but here it's kinda impossible to win without it. I feel like I dont know how to dance the microdance with the Koreans yet because I never danced it before, but after three months I can hopefully catch up a little at least.^^ I am far from having reached the limit of the game. I was so happy getting crushed here since it felt like I got a lot of new stuff to learn. It felt like a new game!
Speaking of Korean ladder, the Terran 1/1/1 all-in: Bulls***, or TOTAL bulls***?
I accepted what's hard to play against as well. I stopped looking for 'imbalance' and started trying to find solutions instead. I don't find Terrans that hard in Europe but on the Korean ladder it's really tough because their micro is crazy. It will be nice to practice against it since in Europe most games are over when I take my third.
You said that you hope to catch up in three months. What kind of goals and time frame do you have for your stay in Korea?
I plan to stay in Korea until I quit SC2. I believe in one year players outside of Korea and China won't stand a chance against people living here. The gap is already really big and it's just getting bigger. It's time to catch up!
Interesting to see you included China together with Korea there. You beat a few Chinese opponents at CPL, what did you think of their skill level? And why do you believe they will do well in the future?
All the best Chinese players practice on the Korean server so there is not much of a difference. The game has been out longer in Korea than in China so it's obvious the skill level is higher in Korea. Actually, my favourite Protoss is LoveCD. He's got really good builds versus Zerg and Terran. The Chinese players I practiced with before CPL crushed me as hard as the Koreans on the ladder^^
How does your team situation affect your plan? Are you looking for a Korean team to join, or do you have some other options in mind?
I would like to find a team but I want to take an offer I feel good about, and not just the best one I can find today. My dream is to play SC2 without having to worry about anything except the game because then I can play my best. No team offered me that yet. I felt really good playing CPL without a team since there was no pressure from anyone except myself. I already put so much pressure on myself, I don't want to have to hear it from anybody else; it will just make me play worse^^
A lot of the promising foreigners who went to Korea couldn't adjust to the Korean lifestyle, or they got homesick and had to return. What makes you able to endure such a long stay in a foreign country?
I agree it's very hard to adapt to a totally different country. I have pretty much been away from home since I was 19 years old. I remember the first weeks in China very clearly. I missed my home and my mother so much. But after being away for more than three years I don't worry about getting homesick at all. I already got a new kick from playing the Korean ladder even if it was just for two days. My motivation is on top, just gotta learn how to play now
Do you always wear a hat?
Haha, I started to wear a hat when I lived in China some years ago, because my hair was too long to style. I wear it now sometimes when I dont feel very comforable. When I wear a hat it feels like less people are watching and so on. I could wear sunglasses as well but it's harder to see then
So you're going to wear it in GomTV booths? A similar concept has worked well for qxc, who's now known as 'bandanna man.'
Nah, it will be impossible to wear it with the banshee headset, would be a funny look though
So, about your upcoming Code-A match. How do you feel about your opponent, and what do you think your chances are?
I don't want to predict anything. If I had a crystal ball, I would be a billionaire already^^
You're making it tough if I can't ask about your match. In that case, what foreigners would you like to see come to Korea?
Naniwa, MorroW, Sjow, Cloud, ToD, White-ra, Dimaga and Kas. Hope I didn't forget someone ^^
Ok, I won't keep you any longer. Any shout outs or final comments?
Thanks, iG, for taking care of me in Beijing and letting me practise with you guys! Thanks to CPL for inviting me to your tournament, thanks to my mother and family, thanks to everyone who is supporting me, I will try to get a stream up with HQ now Take care, all of you and stay happy ^.^v
Jonathan "Liquid`Jinro" Walsh
First, let's get some MLG aftermath. After saying your goals weren't terribly high going in, how do you rate your performance, and what are your new goals now?
My goals weren't high but I still wanted to reach pool play so I would rate it pretty low. My goals now are just practicing and resting as much as i can, and hopefully being in good condition for next MLG. I didnt realize Raleigh was so close to Anaheim, I wish it was a bit longer since I just got back home yesterday.
MC said that he was going to tone down his foreign tournament activity because the schedule was too tiring and interfering with his practice. What do you think is a realistic level of foreign tournament for a Korea based gamer?
I think a better way of doing it for me is just trying to prepare hard during the MLG off season. I intend to go to every MLG unless it conflicts with something bigger.
So you're going up against FXOLucky, in Code-A. How do you feel about your opponent, and how do you feel about TvZ?
Dunno much about him, and I'm not that good at TvZ. I'm pretty sick and super exhausted from traveling, so you won't get much bravado at the moment!
Did the travel affect your preparations a lot?
We had to wait fifteen hours at the airport, and I got sick on top of that. It cost me a lot of practice time. Not being able to play in Chinese PC Bangs unless you're a Chinese citizen cost me some more.
Besides those unfortunate events, how was the CPL trip? What's the Chinese SC scene like?
WCG china was at the exact same time pretty much, so some the best Chinese players weren't there (although the ones that played were pretty high class as well). Hard to tell how it is overall from just one event, but I remain positive .
Quite a few of your foreign compatriots are also going to try their hand at Code-A. You think they'll do well? And do you hope they're in this for the long haul like you?
Code A is tough but they all have the ability to do well, and I hope they will. It would be nice to see all of them staying, but I dont really know too much about Thorzain and Naniwa's long term plans. It's nice to have a language nobody else knows :D
If you got to play in the oGs-TL vs F.United GSTL match, who would you want to face?
Maybe moon, playing TvZ is fun. I don't wanna face foreigners though. When I play teamleague games I already put a lot of pressure on myself. I'd rather save pride games for individual leagues.
Many newer SC II fans might not know this, but you're a famous long time Brood War fanboy. What did you think of Boxer's performances at MLG, and the recent rumors that Yellow might be switching as well?
I think BoxeR always got way more shit than he deserved (Rain too) so I'm happy he can show that he's still pretty damn good.
YellOw, I will wait and see how serious this move is - I hope he's in it for the long term as well.
Alright, let's wrap up. Anything final comments?
I'm sort of tired and sick now, but I feel pretty good about the rest of the year. I'm going to start streaming soon, so I hope my fans will enjoy it. Of course, thanks to our sponsors TLAF (thelittleappfactory) and Razer, and I good luck to all the foreigners!
Marcus "mouzThorzain" Eklöf
You've been in Korea before for other tournaments, but this will probably be your longest stay. What are your goals and planned length of stay for this trip?
My goals are mainly to improve as a player. I'm planning on staying here for one month. More if things go well. I can't define "well" yet nor do I know how much more it would mean. If I made it into Code-S, I'd like stay in Korea as long as I remained in Code-S, if my team allows it.
Your first opponent is YuGiOh, a Zerg player from slayers, what do you think of him, and would you like to use this interview as an opportunity to mind game him?
I dont know much about him. I watched some of his games but most of them were from a very long time ago. But he's a Korean Zerg from SlayerS, so I'm expecting him to be very good!
And I'm too tired/hungry to be funny, I haven't eaten for twenty hours already, and breakfast isn't for four more hours.
You had some wrist problems that forced you to take a short break from gaming. Is that all cleared up now? Is it okay for you to practice intensely at a Korean house?
After my break and getting some wrist support "gloves" that I play with and sleep with, it's much better, and I can play as much as I want. At least up until now. I hope it stays like this!
Is there any aspect of your play you hope to work on in particular while you're there?
I want to improve my TvZ. But it's hard. Even for months before I left Sweden, the majority of my games were TvZ, but I didn't seem to improve very much at it.
Which competition are you looking forward to the most: Code-A or GSTL?
I just hope that I win my game in Code A today so that I can prepare and play better for the next round. I don't feel that I will be able to play my best with this jet lag and no time to prepare. If I lose my focus will obviously be on GSTL.
A lot of people have been pointing you out since months ago as a foreigner who's just as good as the Koreans. Do you think of yourself as an underdog, or someone who can stand up to the Koreans on even terms?
I just want to improve as much as possible and compete with the koreans on a high level. I hope to not make the foreigners ashamed of me as "just another foreigner that loses to koreans."
Anyone you'd like to play against in particular while you're there? How about MC, who you have a history with?
I would like to play against MC again, yes. He's up 8-5 against me and I want to even the score!
Well, I'll leave you to your practice. Anything you'd like to say in conclusion?
Thanks to all my fans for supporting me! I'll try to make you proud in Korea. Thanks to mousesports and sponsors Medion, Razer, Geil and Intel for their support as well!