The curse of Marine 'Kong' Prime is broken. After taking second place in many major tournaments, MarineKingPrime was finally able to win his first championship. After playing through the winners bracket for nearly the entire tournament, MarineKing suffered his first defeat at the hands of col.MvPDongRaeGu in the grand finals. That 1 – 2 defeat expanded the finals to a best of seven, extended series, but MarineKingPrime struck back with three straight victories to win the finals 4 – 2.
Aggressive two-barracks play factored heavily into the final, with MarineKing winning and losing two games a piece with the strategy. It proved to be a clever set up for his economy oriented double expand in the final game on Antiga Shipyard, where he was able to use his vast resources to make an overpowering army to clinch the title.
A strong showing for non-Koreans
EG.HuK placed third in the tournament, standing at the forefront of some strong performances from the 'foreigners.' MLG Providence runner-up QxG.NaNiwa avenged his loss to eventual champion FXOLeenock on his way to a top eight finish, while Liquid`Ret and EG.DeMusliM defeated six Code S championship's worth in IMMvp and IMNesTea respectively. Additionally, Grubby eliminated IM's Losira, while QxG.SaSe eliminated NSH_San.
Out with the old, in with the new.
Widely touted to perform well at Winter Arena, multiple time GSL champions Nestea, Mvp, and MC were all eliminated from the tournament at relatively early phases. Of the players who had been prominent in the Korean Starcraft II scene since 2010, only the eventual champion MarineKingPrime was able to meet expectations.
Newer stars in Empire|viOLet, FXO_z, ST_PartinG, SlayerS_GanZi and DongRaeGu filled the upper ranks, reflecting a generation change evident in Korea's central Global Starcraft League as well.
Passing on the curse?
DongRaeGu took second place for the second time in three months, having previous taken second place at the Blizzard Cup when he lost to SlayerS_MMA by a score of 3 - 4. He will face teammate MvPGenius in the Code S finals this coming Saturday, where he will have chance to win his first major championship. Should he lose there as well, he may inherit the 'Kong' curse from MarineKing, a piece of esports folklore referring to a player who is the runner-up multiple times, without actually winning a championship.
01:03 GMT (+00:00): MKP 4 - 2 DRG. MarineKing just attacks again, and destroys a bunch of ultralisks to clinch the championship!
01:01 GMT (+00:00): MKP hits before DRG's hive units are out, but DRG uses infestors and roaches well to hold it off.
01:00 GMT (+00:00): DRG gets a twelve minute hive and puts down both an ultralisk cavern and greater spire.
00:55 GMT (+00:00): Guess it's not a bust for DRG. MKP taking a very fast third base, while DRG takes one as well. Settling down for a longer game, or so it seems.
00:54 GMT (+00:00): Reactor hellions for the first time in this series. Pretty standard game... but this roach warren seems suspicious.
00:51 GMT (+00:00): Game six on Antiga Shipyard. DRG @ 12, MKP @ 6.
00:47 GMT (+00:00): MKP 3 - 2 DRG. Whoa, is this GSL Open Season? MKP uses a two rax bunker rush, bringing a ton of SCVs along as well. He uses the classic, tried and true bunker + SCV wall on Metalopolis to take down all of DRG's drones and lings to take the series.
00:45 GMT (+00:00): Game five begins on Metalopolis. DRG @ 6, MKP @ 12.
00:41 GMT (+00:00): MKP 2 - 2 DRG. SICK floated factory blocks off the path between DRG's natural and third, allowing MKP to kill it off again. DRG GG's out.
00:39 GMT (+00:00): MKP attacks with a big ball of marines and marauders, and trades against DRG's roach/ling/bane. With a better economy, it looks nice a completely acceptable trade for MKP.
00:37 GMT (+00:00): Despite knowing his enemy's composition, DRG underestimates the defenses he needs and is forced to cancel his third base. Meanwhile, MKP safely takes his third, and looks to be quite ahead.
00:19 GMT (+00:00): DRG wipes out yet another push from MKP, and now MKP is totally dead.
00:16 GMT (+00:00): DRG cleans up a mid-sized push from MKP, secures his third and fourth bases, and even manages to kill MKP's CC at this third base. Looks massively ahead now.
00:13 GMT (+00:00): MKP starts dropship harass...mixed results, as he loses two medivacs worth of marines, but he does kill DRG's third base.
00:11 GMT (+00:00): Pretty ordinary build up from both players. DRG going spire, MKP going marine-medivac. However, DRG has got some great scouting done, so he knows exactly what MKP will be able to have at what time.
00:10 GMT (+00:00): Way better defense from DRG this time around, but not much lost for MKP. He's expanded behind his bunker rush.
00:08 GMT (+00:00): Two rax from MKP, while DRG goes hatch first... bunker rush commence! Second rax unscouted by DRG, however.
00:06 GMT (+00:00): Game three starts on Shakuras Platea. MKP top right, DRG bottom left.
00:03 GMT (+00:00): DRG 1 - 0 MKP DRG follows up with a baneling bust. MKP's stim is nowhere near finishing, DRG wins outright.
00:00 GMT (+00:00): DRG makes ~20 speedlings, and simply runs into MKP's base, killing all of his marines and a handful of SCVs. DRG making more lings and taking a third.
23:57 GMT (+00:00): Game two begins on Daybreak. DRG right, MKP left. MKP opens with a CC first build, while DRG opens hatch first as well.
23:51 GMT (+00:00): MKP 1 - 0 DRG. DRG GG's out after a second, final failed bust.
23:49 GMT (+00:00): Being quite behind, DRG decides to go for a baneling bust. However, he doesn't do very much damage, and looks very dead.
23:45 GMT (+00:00): MKP goes for a 2-rax rush with one of them proxied. DRG tries to counter attack with half his lings, but achieves nothing while MKP kills many drones the Zerg natural. All while MKP manages to expand as well.
23:28 GMT (+00:00): Finals Preview: MarineKingPrime vs coL.MvPDongRaeGu:
MKP and DRG have faced off a few times this year already, and it hasn't been pretty for MKP. DRG is 6 - 1 against the king of marines on the year, and most of those six victories were rather one sided. Whether it's been staving off early pressure from MKP, or managing ultralisks and infestors to crush him in the late-game, DongRaeGu's looked better than MKP in every way.
However, MKP has a significant advantage in coming in from the winners bracket. The two players will begin with a single best of three series, where if MKP wins, he will have won the entire tournament. If DRG wins the initial best of three, however, it will expand to a best of seven, with extended series rules in play. If MKP can get in a quick 2 - 1 or 2 - 0 victory, it might be his best chance.
Also, one can't rule out momentum. MKP went on an incredible run in Winter Arena, and his confidence will be high. It might be just what he needs to finally get over this major finals jinx, where he seems doomed to be an eternal silver medalist. In any case, this will be an intriguing final.
23:18 GMT (+00:00): DRG 2 – 0 Huk Tides of DRG are overwhelming, pushes Huk back into his natural and kills the third. DRG rallies more and more roaches and Huk taps out.
23:16 GMT (+00:00): DRG techs to infestors, attacks with roach-ling-infestor army. Fungals all the zealots and looks to be in good shape after the fight.
23:13 GMT (+00:00): DRG running across map with his army, catches Huk out of position and kills a portion of the Protoss army. They engage at Huk's third and DRG backs up into a corner, Huk cleans it up but loses a lot of probes.
23:11 GMT (+00:00): Huk taking a fast third after the gates, and getting blink. DRG getting burrow and building up roach-ling army.
23:10 GMT (+00:00): Small runby, Huk deals with it only losing a few probes. DRG gets an overlord into Huk's base and sees 6 gates.
23:06 GMT (+00:00): Huk opens forge, tries to cannon DRG's nat with 4 cannons. DRG went pool first so he has to cancel them all.
23:04 GMT (+00:00): Game 2 on Antiga, DRG@7 and Huk@3.
23:01 GMT (+00:00): DRG 1 – 0 Huk DRG slowly pushing Huk back, still powering roaches. Huk's immortal is picked off, and his sentries run out of energy. DRG keeps making roaches, and overwhelms Huk.
22:59 GMT (+00:00): Huk gets a third instead of attacking, adds a robo. DRG taking a fourth and getting burrow and both melee and ranged upgrades. DRG pressures the third as well as nat, is repelled on both fronts.
22:55 GMT (+00:00): Forge FE from Huk, double expo from DRG. Ramping up to 6 gates, +1 is started on the forge, twilight started.
22:52 GMT (+00:00): Game 1 of Huk vs DongRaeGu starting. Huk on left side of Daybreak, DRG on right.
22:34 GMT (+00:00): Huk can't deal with the drop properly, and is forced to GG as MKP kills his tech structures in the main.
22:33 GMT (+00:00): MKP retakes his natural. Huk gets DT tech, first round do no damage. Supply back to even because the 4 gate did less damage than Huk measured. MKP loads up his units into medivacs and drops Huk's main.
22:28 GMT (+00:00): Metalopolis, Huk@9 MKP@6. MKP opens with barracks, into 3rax, while Huk 4 gates. Huk breaks down the front with his first set of warpins and makes a nexus.
22:19 GMT (+00:00): MKP 1 - 0 HuK. Facing a much stronger Terran army, HuK decides to just try for the base trade. Eventually he's forced to fight the deathball, however, and that ends pretty much the way you'd expect a 40 army supply difference to end.
22:16 GMT (+00:00): HuK overextends with his colossi attack and loses them all. MKP recovers, floats a CC back to his central expansion, and seems to be in good shape, as HuK never took a fourth.
22:14 GMT (+00:00): With a large amount of colossi finally mixed into his army, HuK can finally go on the offensive. MKP has no vikings, and is forced to lift his center base.
22:13 GMT (+00:00): And there goes the main Nexus! MKP fights HuK's army near his base, and decides to casually drop his main and kill the Nexus after fighting. Standard.
22:11 GMT (+00:00): Then, MKP just walks into HuK's third, kills the nexus, and walks away. Oh well.
22:08 GMT (+00:00): HuK's DT's don't do much, and open up a window to counter attack once he has medivacs. The attack goes decent for MKP, who goes in two directions: by land, and in the main with a drop. However, MKP barely manages to NOT kill the main nexus, which he might have easily killed. In the end, HuK comes out ahead, having secured his third in the meanwhile.
22:03 GMT (+00:00): Standard FE 3-rax-gas for MKP, while HuK follows a one gate expansion with a fast dark shrine.
21:59 GMT (+00:00): Antiga shipyard. HuK @3, MKP @9.
21:54 GMT (+00:00): HuK vs MKP coming up.
21:40 GMT (+00:00): DRG 2 - 1 Oz. DRG performs a big flank with roaches to severely hurt Oz's army yet again, just as he was preparing to go for an attack. Oz goes forward with the attack anyway, and is easily dismantled by DRG's new mutas and lings.
21:37 GMT (+00:00): Oz gets both blink and a warp prism and prepares for a simultaneous attack, but he gets caught with slow reactions as his troops leave the base. DRG's roaches get right up against Oz's sentries and kill them off, crippling Oz's fighting power. To make matters worse, the zealot warp-in in DRG's main doesn't do much damage either.
21:34 GMT (+00:00): Standard stuff on both sides, forge FE vs three hatch. Oz tries some regular +1 timing zealot pressure, but DongRaeGu manages to barely find and kill the forward pylon before there's any real trouble.
21:31 GMT (+00:00): Final game on Shakuras. DRG top right, Oz bottom right.
21:23 GMT (+00:00): DRG 1 - 1 Oz. Ah, not that close then, I guess. DRGs wipes Oz's last pylon from the map and takes the win.
21:21 GMT (+00:00): DRG decides to go for a full-on base trade upon seeing the size of Oz's colossi + stalker ball. This could go either way, but the old adage does say you can't base trade mutas...
21:20 GMT (+00:00): DRG sacrifices a ton of roaches and lings in order to kill Oz's natural nexus. Now, to see if he can hold the counter attack.
21:16 GMT (+00:00): Oz decides to do a sentry drop again, but DRG stops it with minimal damage once more. Oz follows by taking his third while teching to colossi, and DRG techs to mutas.
21:13 GMT (+00:00): Standard start again, three bases for DRG, two for Oz.
21:10 GMT (+00:00): Okay, game starting anew. Same positions.
21:07 GMT (+00:00): Looks like Oz went Sentry drop into drop. Thanks to tree.hugger for the joke!
20:58 GMT (+00:00): Oz disconnects from the game. Insert LAN joke here.
20:57 GMT (+00:00): In the meanwhile, colossus tech from Oz back at home, while DRG nears completion on spire tech.
20:56 GMT (+00:00): Sentry drop from Oz, but DRG doesn't have too much trouble stopping it. The simultaneous 4 zealot attack into DRG's third doesn't do much either.
20:53 GMT (+00:00): Standard openings this time. Three base on DRG's side, forge FE for Oz.
20:50 GMT (+00:00): Game two begins on Daybreak. DRG on the left, Oz at the right.
20:45 GMT (+00:00): Oz 1 - 0 DRG. DRG forces an attack into Oz's natural and gets destroyed by the cannons. In the meanwhile, the hatchery at his third is destroyed by Oz's cannon. Neat, Oz won a game with only cannons :D
20:44 GMT (+00:00): Oz cannons off the hatchery at DRG's third, but doesn't know about the completed hatchery at his own third base. DRG starts making roaches at his forward hatchery, but Oz starts to overbuild cannons at his natural to remain completely, completely safe.
20:43 GMT (+00:00): With Oz blocking DRG's third with a probe, DRG decides to build his expansion at Oz's third. Weird! DRG then places a third hatchery at his own third. Meanwhile, Oz walls off his natural and expands.
20:42 GMT (+00:00): Oz builds his forge at his main ramp and goes for a cannon rush. DRG going hatch first, doesn't see the cannons until far too late, and is forced to cancel the hatch.
20:40 GMT (+00:00): "DongRaeGu on the left side in the red trunks." Grubby stealing TotalBiscuit's lines! Anyway, DRG @9, Oz @3.
20:19 GMT (+00:00): DongRaeGu beats PartinG 4 - 3, coming back from a 1 - 2 extended series. Oz defeats viOLet 2 - 0. Coming up: Oz vs DRG!
DongRaeGu vs PartinG
20:13 GMT (+00:00): DRG 4 - 3 PartinG. PartinG GG's out. How do you win after losing all your infestors in a two base infestor build? I dunno man, I dunno.
20:12 GMT (+00:00): More roach, infestor, brood lords attack, and PartinG is pretty much dead. Looks like he will try to stay in the game for as long as possible, but there's really no way back for him.
20:10 GMT (+00:00): DongRaeGu attacks with brood lords, infestors, and roaches. Already in a bad situation from having no mining, PartinG doesn't help his cause when he feedbacks overseers instead of infestors.
20:07 GMT (+00:00): DRG finishes off PartinG's softened up third and kills his just finishing fourth, while PartinG's army is out killing just one of DRG's bases. Not a good trade. No mining for PartinG, AND he's forced to waste mothership mana on a defensive mass-recall as well.
20:04 GMT (+00:00): Parting starts to secure a fourth, and his mothership is out as well.
20:02 GMT (+00:00): Having built up quite an army of stalkers and templars, PartinG tries to attack head on. However, DRG's brood lords and fungals are enough to repel the attack. Oh, did I mention DRG secured two more bases during all this?
20:00 GMT (+00:00): DRG's mutas catch most of PartinG's sentries unguarded and kill them off. Minutes later, they get annihilated by storm and stalkers during another harass attempt. All of this buys time for DRG to tech up to brood lords.
19:57 GMT (+00:00): DRG loses all of his infestors after over-extending with a ling-festor attack. Both players have successfully taken their thirds. Looks bad for DRG.
19:54 GMT (+00:00): PartinG does a cute attack trying to abuse the low-to-high ground on Tal'Darim, but nothing really comes of it. DRG makes some infestor ling, and transitions into mutas.
19:50 GMT (+00:00): PartinG 4-gates into Nexus.
19:49 GMT (+00:00): A six pool stops the forge FE from PartinG, and forces one base play. Where will it go from here?
19:45 GMT (+00:00): Last map: Tal'Darim Altar. DRG @ top left, PartinG at top right.
19:45 GMT (+00:00): DRG 3 - 3 PartinG. DRG makes a bunch of speedlings... and that's enough to stop 4-gate blink stalkers.
19:38 GMT (+00:00): PartinG going for a one base, 4-gate blink stalker all-in. He sure loves blink stalkers today.
19:33 GMT (+00:00): Third map entombed! DRG@5, Parting@8.
19:30 GMT (+00:00): DRG 2 - 3 PartinG. PartinG takes out a nice chunk of DRG's units for free, catching them burrowed while DRG doesn't expect there to be an observer. PartinG tries to ride this momentum and keeps attacking, but DRG manages to squeeze out enough muta-ling-roach to fend off the attack. Not having taken a third, this is a veritable all-in for PartinG, and he GG's out.
19:27 GMT (+00:00): DRG fends off some early voidray/zealot pressure rather easily, and looks to be in a pretty nice position. In other news, PartinG is building a ton of blink stalkers again.
19:25 GMT (+00:00): Oz opening with one base DT.
19:19 GMT (+00:00): Parting vs DRG game five! DRG top left, PartinG bottom right on shakuras.
19:14 GMT (+00:00): PartinG 3 - 1 DRG. In response to DRG's muta switch, PartinG decides to just attack with a huge amount of blink stalkers. It ends up being a great move, as it forces DRG to retreat and defend with mutas -- never a desirable scenario for Zerg. PartinG keeps attacking with more and more blink stalkers, and whittles DRG down until a GG is forced.
19:10 GMT (+00:00): After seeing that DRG already has burrow and roach speed, PartinG decides that committing to an attack is probably a bad idea. Robotics, blink, and a third base on the way for PartinG.
19:07 GMT (+00:00): Standard PvZ stuff goin' on. Forge FE, double expand from Zerg. Parting's choice of two-base all-in today? Seven-gate after stargate.
19:02 GMT (+00:00): DRG vs Parting underway, with DRG with a 1 - 2 disadvantage due to extended series. DRG @9, PartinG @6 on Metalopolis which is somehow still in the map pool.
viOLet vs Oz
19:39 GMT (+00:00):Oz 2 – 0 viOlet. Violet makes a last ditch attack to the third, can't kill it, and taps out.
19:37 GMT (+00:00): Infestors turn the tide in viOlet's favor briefly, but he can't transfer it into killing Oz's third. Oz playing defensive and looking to re-max.
19:34 GMT (+00:00): Violet gest to Oz's nat and is stopped by the next round of warp ins. They each deny each other from taking a third, Oz's second try is now uncontested by viOlet. Protoss has map control and army advantage while viOlet adds infestors.
19:32 GMT (+00:00): Oz moves into 6-gate blink with +1, viOlet stops his attack easily with banelings and drop.
19:28 GMT (+00:00): First round of DT hits before spores are up in viOlet's nat. Natural dies, they are unable to make it into viOlet's main. Oz takes his natural.
19:25 GMT (+00:00): Oz opening with one base DT.
19:23 GMT (+00:00): Game 2 on Dual Sight, DRG on the left and Oz on the right.
19:19 GMT (+00:00): Violet not taking a fifth, fighting when his army isn't all together against a freshly remade stalker-colossus force. Losing the battle, he has to GG when Oz has a much higher supply. 1 – 0 Oz.
19:17 GMT (+00:00): Oz stop mutas easily, but loses all his sentries when they wander too far from his base. Violet has a favoriable engagement when his infestors come and fungal the stalkers, he eliminates all colossus. Oz re-massing and taking a fourth.
19:14 GMT (+00:00): Violet attacks the third with roaches and lings, kills it while taking his own fourth and building mutas.
19:12 GMT (+00:00): Oz chose the other path, getting a quick third instead. Violet brings a small batch of roaches to annoy it but Oz forcefields them in and kills them. Violet getting a spire and burrow while Oz gets b link.
19:04 GMT (+00:00): Oz vs viOlet also starting, Daybreak with Oz at bottom left and viOlet at top right. Expect forge FE into some 2-base timing attack while viOlet tries to hold a third.
18:46 GMT (+00:00): La de da.
Final Bracket
MLG Winter Arena Champion: MarineKingPrime
Grand Final: MarineKingPrime vs coL.MVP.DongRaeGu
Game One: Despite scouting a proxy barracks, DongRaeGu's decision to send half of his lings towards MKP's base ended up losing him many drones at home. This put him at a big disadvantage, so he decided to go for an all-or-nothing baneling bust to follow. The bust went poorly for DRG, and he GG'd out.
Game Two: DRG makes a lot of lings, runs into MKP's natural before the wall is finished and kills all his marines. Finishes him off with a round of line/baneling shortly thereafter.
Game Three: MKP tried to two rax bunker rush again, but DRG held it off pretty easily. Afterwards, DRG also thwarted MKP's drop harassment fairly well as well, giving himself a nice economic lead. DRG proceeded to use his mutas and lings to stomp out any attacks from MKP, while critically destroying MKP's third orbital command center. The game spiraled out of control for MKP at that point, and he lost to overwhelming numbers of Zerg units a few minutes later.
Game Four: Despite scouting MKP's mass marine-marauder strategy, DRG didn't make enough units to properly defend it. He ended up losing his third base and trading some troops poorly with MKP's army, putting him at a disadvantage. Later, MKP would attack again, using a very clever factory float to block the path between DRG's natural and third, allowing him to kill it again. DRG GG'd out after that loss.
Game Five: MKP goes for a 2 rax bunker rush with a ton of SCVs in tow, and uses the map terrain and bunker to create a great niche for his marines to fire from. DRG can't break this position, and GG's out.
Game Six: Both players take their sides of their map and decide to go for the macro war, and MKP wins by cutting a path through ultralisks.
MarineKing 4 - 2 DongRaeGu *Extended series
EG.HuK vs coL.MVP.DongRaeGu
Game One: Huk opens with 7 gates, and then takes his third without attacking. DRG goes for a quick four bases, makes a ton of roaches, and beats down Huk's door until he is dead.
Game Two: Much of the same. They both get to three bases quickly, DRG forces several fights trading armies and eventually overwhelms Huk with nonstop pressure at his front from lings, roaches, and infestors.
Huk 0 - 2 DRG.
Winners Final: EG.HuK vs MarineKingPrime
Game One: MKP showed his mastery of MM tactics on Antiga, busting several many of HuK's bases and putting him at a resource disadvantage throughout the game. HuK was eventually forced into a bad base trade situation, which he lost.
Game Two: Huk opened with a 4 gate, which forced MKP's natural CC to lift right after it landed. Huk busted the front but was unable to enter the main and deal the killing blow. He made a nexus and went for DT, which proved to be useless as they did no damage. MKP brought the game back to even when he retook his natural, and finished it off with a drop to Huk's main that killed his tech.
HuK 0 - 2 MKP.
Losers Final: coL.MvPDongRaeGu vs FXO_z
Game One: Oz successfully cannon rushed DRG's natural hatchery to begin and forced a cancel. DRG decided to go for a strange proxy-hatch roach rush to counter, but Oz simply overbuilt cannons at his own base to prepare for the possibility. After failing the roach all-in, DRG GG'd out.
Game Two: After a standard build-up, the two players went to a base race scenario after DongRaeGu decided to sacrifice a ton of ground troops to kill Oz's natural. DRG's superior mobility with mutas and lings won the day against stalkers and colossi, managing to kill all of Oz's buildings first.
Game Three: DongRaeGu easily thwarted Oz's massive two base attack by catching him off guard and killing his sentries. This reduced Oz's fighting power severely, and allowed DongRaeGut to simply outproduce him and take the series.
DRG 2 - 1 Oz
Losers Round 6
19:00 GMT (+00:00) ST_Parting vs coL.MvPDongRaeGu - C
Series begins Parting 2 - 1 DRG, due to extended series.
Game One: Parting won with huge blink stalker attack that came just as DongRaeGu wanted to start harassing. DongRaeGu retreated his forces to defend, but PartinG's relentless stalker attack proved to be too much.
Game Two: PartinG goes for a big blink stalker attack again, but this time DongRaeGu manages to hold. PartinG GG's after.
Game Three: PartinG's one base blink stalker all-in is held off easily by DRG.
Game Four: A complicated game with a few twists and turns. DongRaeGu opened with a six pool to force PartinG to play off one base, but the game stabilized into a pretty normal situation. DongRaeGu looked to be at a disadvantage when his two base ling-festor attack failed, but he managed to tech switch into mutas and buy himself enough time to secure more bases and reach brood lord tech. DongRaeGu then used good counter attacking tactics to kill off PartinG's additional bases while managing his hive army well to take the game and series.
Parting 3 - 4 DongRaeGu * Extended Series
19:00 GMT (+00:00) Empire|viOLet vs FXO_z - A1
Game One: Oz takes an early third on Daybreak, and despite losing it early he holds back and gets an army that beats down Violet when the Zerg doesn't continue to expand.
Game Two: Oz opens with DT, kills viOlet's natural while he takes his own natural. Game goes into 2base vs 2base war for control over the center, eventually Oz wins by taking and holding a third with a pure gateway army vs viOlet's roach infestor.
It's going to be tough for DRG, being down 1-2 in extended series. Don't know why MLG did not change that rule, after it was made clear that the community generally opposes it.
Mkp and violet are my favorites. Both really deserve the win. I have been a follower of violet ever since he arrived to the US and I have only high hopes for him. Plus Huk's weakest matchup by far is PvT and he hasnt faced a terran up to this point. MkP take him out!
On February 27 2012 03:56 Bagration wrote: It's going to be tough for DRG, being down 1-2 in extended series. Don't know why MLG did not change that rule, after it was made clear that the community generally opposes it.
MLG is very consistant in turning a deaf ear to any negative feedback from the community.
On February 27 2012 03:56 Bagration wrote: It's going to be tough for DRG, being down 1-2 in extended series. Don't know why MLG did not change that rule, after it was made clear that the community generally opposes it.
i'd like it if they made extended series 3 best of 3's. so drg is down 1 series, if he wins the next Bo3 they will play a third series, if he loses it's over. at least they both start each series 0 - 0.
dealing with a grand finals in a double elimination with one player having one loss and the other having no losses it really tough. i have no good idea on how to fix the weird situations they can and will come from this, especially when the winners bracket player faces someone he already beat. that just makes a crappy finals.
On February 27 2012 03:56 Bagration wrote: It's going to be tough for DRG, being down 1-2 in extended series. Don't know why MLG did not change that rule, after it was made clear that the community generally opposes it.
MLG is very consistant in turning a deaf ear to any negative feedback from the community.
Because doing exactly what the community wants will always lead to great success.
Don't understand how, based on his recent form, Huk has gotten so far in this tournament (obviously, I don't have a pass to watch it). He must have very suddenly picked up SIGNIFICANTLY.
I wish him luck and all, but think he'll be hard pressed to win it all - again, based on recent form.
On February 27 2012 04:14 Lordanubis wrote: Don't understand, based on his recent form, Huk has gotten so far in this tournament (obviously, I don't have a pass to watch it). He must have very suddenly picked up SIGNIFICANTLY.
I wish him luck and all, but think he'll be hard pressed to win it all - again, based on recent form.
He didn't have the hardest bracket. The only korean he had to face was Oz in a PvP, and he beat Ret with 2 2base gateway all ins (didn't catch the Oz vs Huk games)
On February 27 2012 04:14 Lordanubis wrote: Don't understand, based on his recent form, Huk has gotten so far in this tournament (obviously, I don't have a pass to watch it). He must have very suddenly picked up SIGNIFICANTLY.
I wish him luck and all, but think he'll be hard pressed to win it all - again, based on recent form.
He didn't have the hardest bracket. The only korean he had to face was Oz in a PvP, and he beat Ret with 2 2base gateway all ins (didn't catch the Oz vs Huk games)
Ah, I see. That makes a bit more sense to me then, as such a sudden significant upturn would be quite the surprise - even from Huk.
In which case, I'm even less confident he can win it all. Luck of the draw can only get you so far after all. GL though, I guess :/
On February 27 2012 03:56 Bagration wrote: It's going to be tough for DRG, being down 1-2 in extended series. Don't know why MLG did not change that rule, after it was made clear that the community generally opposes it.
MLG is very consistant in turning a deaf ear to any negative feedback from the community.
Because doing exactly what the community wants will always lead to great success.
You are right in that not everything the community wants is a good business idea, far from it (for instance I can perfectly understand that MLG ignores the feedback on PPV and relies on its internal numbers instead). However, when it comes to game formats, extended series or not cost essentially the same to MLG, so the only deciding factor should be the excitement level provided by the format, or possibly the players' welfare - but in that specific case, both the spectators and the players agree.
Who is writing these updates and why are they so opinionated? Hating on maps, players play styles, etc?
Just read the updates, they are... Opinionated indeed ! Not what I'm used to seeing in TL headlines - although it's still very mild compared to your everyday live report.
On February 27 2012 04:14 Lordanubis wrote: Don't understand, based on his recent form, Huk has gotten so far in this tournament (obviously, I don't have a pass to watch it). He must have very suddenly picked up SIGNIFICANTLY.
I wish him luck and all, but think he'll be hard pressed to win it all - again, based on recent form.
He didn't have the hardest bracket. The only korean he had to face was Oz in a PvP, and he beat Ret with 2 2base gateway all ins (didn't catch the Oz vs Huk games)
Dude dont talk badly about Oz like he isnt good. Oz is amazing he is crushing violet right now is he not?
And btw, Liquid'Ret is one of my favorite zergs and Huk responded the way he felt would be able to beat a greedy style.
The tone just seems like you really dont appreciate what Huk is doing for foreigners. W.e.
Something to consider: if HuK is playing this well in this tournament, there might be a good chance one of the Code S or Up/Down seeds is going to him, if I remember correctly those seeds are for everyone (not just foreigners) who play well in foreign tournaments... seems like HuK has a shot, considering DRG is Code S next season and MKP and Oz have a good chance of making that as well.
Has anybody else realized, that you actually can watch all of those games for free, if you open http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/live/ in Chrome, while browsing incognito?
DRG's the man. ! @barakos: i thought everyone gets to watch the first game of the day for free? or one hour? don't know exactly, but im sure this has nothing to do with the browser.
On February 27 2012 05:23 Barakos wrote: Has anybody else realized, that you actually can watch all of those games for free, if you open http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/live/ in Chrome, while browsing incognito?
You dont have to be incognito I'm watching MLG without incognito....
On February 27 2012 05:23 Barakos wrote: Has anybody else realized, that you actually can watch all of those games for free, if you open http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/live/ in Chrome, while browsing incognito?
Mine just hits the time limit and then tells me to buy... I honestly would pay like $5 dollars or maybe $10 for today only but that's not an option. "/
15:45 EST (-05:00): Oz 1 - 0 DRG. DRG forces an attack into Oz's natural and gets destroyed by the cannons. In the meanwhile, the hatchery at his third is destroyed by Oz's cannon. Neat, Oz won a game with only cannons :D
This is fucking embarrasing for blizzard. You can tell Rob Simpson was squirming while everybody else was doing their best to not make LAN comments. Blizzard seems to rather have tournaments fail like this rather than having the risk of the tournament-only lan version leaked/a slight uptick in piracy. Greedy pigs. The community should do something about this.
On February 27 2012 04:14 Lordanubis wrote: Don't understand, based on his recent form, Huk has gotten so far in this tournament (obviously, I don't have a pass to watch it). He must have very suddenly picked up SIGNIFICANTLY.
I wish him luck and all, but think he'll be hard pressed to win it all - again, based on recent form.
He didn't have the hardest bracket. The only korean he had to face was Oz in a PvP, and he beat Ret with 2 2base gateway all ins (didn't catch the Oz vs Huk games)
Ah, I see. That makes a bit more sense to me then, as such a sudden significant upturn would be quite the surprise - even from Huk.
In which case, I'm even less confident he can win it all. Luck of the draw can only get you so far after all. GL though, I guess :/
Ok let me clarify this. Who did ret beat?
MVP. Thats right LIquid Ret beat MVP. So ret is not 'Easy' player. he is a baller.
Come on give foreigner credit. Friggin Devil Terran Demuslim took out NESTEA. Like holy shit.
Everyone in this tournament can be considered best of the best. so No Run in this tournament is easy. Sure some may be easier than others but it isn't a walk in the park.
im a little sad about this spoiler thingy, with both mlg and assembly, i rather see spoiler free onces, i dont wanna skip going on tl becuse i dont wanna know the results
On February 27 2012 03:56 Bagration wrote: It's going to be tough for DRG, being down 1-2 in extended series. Don't know why MLG did not change that rule, after it was made clear that the community generally opposes it.
I dont see why it would get negative feedback through I think its actually a raelly good set up. It either benefits the person who won before which it should in my opinion or makes for an amazing series so either way in my mind its a win win.
On February 27 2012 07:42 RaiD.RaynoR wrote: Really impressed with MKP. Finally HuK gets shown his place! The finals are going to be exactly what I wanted to see, the best of the best!
Right so Huk having been in Code S for quite awhile since this past summer (before this past GSL season) dosnt mean anything meaning he isn't one of the best? I think you need to learn the definition of the words you use cause Huk is clearly one of the best in the world. Between having continually been a fixture in Code S an being the only player to win 2 MLGs he is clearly one of the best the world has to offer. Im no fan of protoss but even I can see and acknowledge that fact.
On February 27 2012 07:42 RaiD.RaynoR wrote: Really impressed with MKP. Finally HuK gets shown his place! The finals are going to be exactly what I wanted to see, the best of the best!
Right so Huk having been in Code S for quite awhile since this past summer (before this past GSL season) dosnt mean anything meaning he isn't one of the best? I think you need to learn the definition of the words you use cause Huk is clearly one of the best in the world. Between having continually been a fixture in Code S an being the only player to win 2 MLGs he is clearly one of the best the world has to offer. Im no fan of protoss but even I can see and acknowledge that fact.
? To have the title of being one of the best in the world is dynamic, HuK is not in code S as of now and if you're going to make the argument that any player who WAS in code s is one of The best then that is no just a chronological fallacy. You're not a fan of protoss but you're obviously a fan of HuK... even I can see and acknowledge that fact.
MLG definately should have put up like a $5 one day ticket or so. Would have pulled in some extra money for sure. Thanks TL though for keeping me updated. Even though I'm still new to the game, fun to read about the pros and can't wait to watch the VODs
MarineKing hasn't dropped a game since Round 1 (against Losira). Even though DRG's playing amazingly, I just don't think he's gonna be able to beat MKP.
On February 27 2012 08:24 iss wrote: MarineKing hasn't dropped a game since Round 1 (against Losira). Even though DRG's playing amazingly, I just don't think he's gonna be able to beat MKP.
FYI,DRG 2-0 MKP at GSL round of 16 and 4-0 him at the Kings of Kongs .DRG is the heavy favourite for this one.Though MKP have been kicking things up a notch.
bahhhhhh another zvt final at this point I would take any non Terran final and be happier. PvP ZvZ or ZvP.... can't believe that I said it... but even more I can't believe it's true. So sick of watching countless Korean terran's doing the same shit and winning SAD FACE.
On February 27 2012 09:06 Dukage wrote: bahhhhhh another zvt final at this point I would take any non Terran final and be happier. PvP ZvZ or ZvP.... can't believe that I said it... but even more I can't believe it's true. So sick of watching countless Korean terran's doing the same shit and winning SAD FACE.
On February 27 2012 09:06 Dukage wrote: bahhhhhh another zvt final at this point I would take any non Terran final and be happier. PvP ZvZ or ZvP.... can't believe that I said it... but even more I can't believe it's true. So sick of watching countless Korean terran's doing the same shit and winning SAD FACE.
I use to hate TvZ's but i actually like them a lot, because all the Koreans know what the others would normally do they are more likely to do some crazy things. But i also like it because although most builds are the same (Reactor Hellions-expand) you really get to see the decision making and micro skills of the Terrans and Zerg in which case DRG and MKP are world class.
OMFG, whats wrong with this fucken bad streaming always! otherwise pretty nice to see these games but it seriously cannot be that hard to get good streaming capabilities.......
Awww.... I ran out of free streaming time just before MKP won... how sad, haha. Congrats to you, Marine King! You've deserved this one for a long time Now just get GSL for us next season, ok?? :D
And now that MKP has proved himself to be able to win tournaments, I predict that MKP is gonna leave Prime, leaving Prime sad and leaving everyone confused as to what MarineKing's name should be
Even though the Koreans took the gold it doesn't look bad for the foreigners, some strong showings (Stephano and Naniwa). Hope for a foreigner to win the next big tournament.
Gotta love that idiotic extended series ruining games... starting off 2-0 or 2-1 is absolutely ridiculous.... Maybe as an advantage you get to pick everymap played in the series? Instead of free wins
On February 27 2012 10:18 NeMeSiS3 wrote: Gotta love that idiotic extended series ruining games... starting off 2-0 or 2-1 is absolutely ridiculous.... Maybe as an advantage you get to pick everymap played in the series? Instead of free wins
Picking every map could be just as big of an advantage. MKP got the bonus for not losing to anyone and its a fair enough rule.
I was really looking forward to DongRaeGu coming back and taking it all, he had a really great day taking out a bunch of great players. Grats to MKP though. f.y.i MLG I am more than willing to pay for quality starcraft but 20 bucks was way too much, thanks for not fixing the bugs in the stream.
On February 27 2012 10:22 GuitarBizarre wrote: THE KING OF KONG IS DEAD. LONG LIVE THE KING OF KONG!!!!!!!!!!!!
On February 27 2012 10:15 PhoenixVoid wrote: Well that was one of the most anti-climactic finals ever. But at least MKP finally has broken out of the Kong Line.
On February 27 2012 10:25 SpearWrit wrote: REPENT. THE END IS NIGH. MKP HAS WON A CHAMPIONSHIP. The world is going to end. The end times are coming.
'Fraid not. Kong liners usually win special events. It's proper star leagues where they're the eternal runners-up.
On February 27 2012 10:18 NeMeSiS3 wrote: Gotta love that idiotic extended series ruining games... starting off 2-0 or 2-1 is absolutely ridiculous.... Maybe as an advantage you get to pick everymap played in the series? Instead of free wins
Picking every map could be just as big of an advantage. MKP got the bonus for not losing to anyone and its a fair enough rule.
Every pro gamer/caster says the same thing... Earning a 2-0 or 2-1 lead is completely unfair... It's also bad for the viewer, imagine watching the superbowl and having one team start up 7-0 because they were leading in points all season, or watching NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and having the starting team in a bo7 up 2-0 or even 3-0 (to keep the only 2 games require d to win) that would fucking blow for the viewer...
Honestly, I can't see how you think picking every map = winning 2 games for free... That seems rather poorly thought out.
On February 27 2012 10:15 PhoenixVoid wrote: Well that was one of the most anti-climactic finals ever. But at least MKP finally has broken out of the Kong Line.
seeing mkp win makes me want to ladder again..2 rax is the way to go against zerg ! zerg always fast expand vs terran nowadays.. great tourney , excellent play by DRG during the whole weekend , mkp also sublime
You know the Koreans are way ahead when you say that a 3rd and tied for 7th finish is a strong showing for non-Koreans. :| Also, both of the players are training in Korea. :|
Although im still concerned about the balance TvZ and the bunker rush timigs of terrans, congratz to MKP!!! He truly deserves it. Even a GSL Code S Title. The extended series rule is a farce.
On February 27 2012 11:41 Slanina wrote: Although im still concerned about the balance TvZ and the bunker rush timigs of terrans, congratz to MKP!!! He truly deserves it. Even a GSL Code S Title. The extended series rule is a farce.
' You do realize that MKP wouldn't have won MLG without it thou right?
And... I was just logging on to catch up on the VODs for the finals and I see this huge picture and description... what a spoiler :-/
Edit: Haven't watched it yet, but I do wanna say that I'm super happy for MKP. He's been trying so hard for so long and all those second places would seriously get to me too. Congratz MKP!!
On February 27 2012 11:41 Slanina wrote: Although im still concerned about the balance TvZ and the bunker rush timigs of terrans, congratz to MKP!!! He truly deserves it. Even a GSL Code S Title. The extended series rule is a farce.
' You do realize that MKP wouldn't have won MLG without it thou right?
Actually the outcome would've been the same wheter if the finals were bo5 or bo7.(no idea why it would be bo3) bo5 MKP winning 3-2 and bo7 MKP winning 4-2
Only difference is that now MKP had a chance to take the whole thing with 2 wins, would've been better to start from 0-0 with bo7 but it's not the worst thing ever to give the winners bracket winner an advantage.
Well that was a shocker. DRG's ZvT is... renowned to say the least. If you would have switched the names in the results, I would have thought that that was how the series actually went. Regardless, excellent win for MKP! He's really showing us just how good he is. Worrisome for DRG, though. He may be falling into the infamous mental block referred to as the Kong curse.
On February 27 2012 10:18 NeMeSiS3 wrote: Gotta love that idiotic extended series ruining games... starting off 2-0 or 2-1 is absolutely ridiculous.... Maybe as an advantage you get to pick everymap played in the series? Instead of free wins
You do realize that they only start an extended series at 2-0 or 2-1 if the players have already played each other. They set the score to what the two players left off with after their first meeting They don't give free wins. Extended series wins and losses depend on what the player earned from the previous match.
Drg and MKP were 0-0 when they met. MKP was not given any wins and did not start the series with a win lead because they had yet to face each other. However, MKP did make it through the Winner's Bracket with no losses and was given an advantage by having to only win 1 B03. He lost that B03 2-1 and the series continued on as a B07 in which he won 4-2. He had to play for and achieve those 4 wins just like anyone else.
Giving a player the advantage of picking every map would cause even more bitching than the extended series.
Seriously, what happend to being at least a bit discreate about showing the winnner. As it is right now it's pretty much impossible to visit this site without being spoiled, not that well done.
I did however love MKPs face after winning since it looked like he didnt understand what was happening at all :D
On February 27 2012 14:27 puKKa wrote: Seriously, what happend to being at least a bit discreate about showing the winnner. As it is right now it's pretty much impossible to visit this site without being spoiled, not that well done.
I did however love MKPs face after winning since it looked like he didnt understand what was happening at all :D
If I had to moderate this site, and read all the posts for say 2 hours or whatever the shift is, I think I would end up tearing my eyes out.
On February 27 2012 16:32 Phays wrote: Finally mkp is no longer then kong but the king!
but he is. mlg ppv is definitely nowhere near gsl in terms of prestige. it is special event. if this is enough to leave Kong line drg is even less Kong line member - he won dh valencia and iem (new York, i believe).
I was like doot dee doooo.. time to come home from working after missing only the grand finals of the event, and I'll watch the vods. Little did I know I forgot I had teamliquid front page up on my screen, and that it autorefreshes itself or something. Great, spoiled!
that last game was ridiculus. why didn't DRG fight on? he should've sacked his third, made a new bunch of units and crushed the push. HE HAD 5 FUCKING BASES. really, really weird, especially the mannermules. maybe those confused him?
On February 27 2012 10:18 NeMeSiS3 wrote: Gotta love that idiotic extended series ruining games... starting off 2-0 or 2-1 is absolutely ridiculous.... Maybe as an advantage you get to pick everymap played in the series? Instead of free wins
Picking every map could be just as big of an advantage. MKP got the bonus for not losing to anyone and its a fair enough rule.
Every pro gamer/caster says the same thing... Earning a 2-0 or 2-1 lead is completely unfair... It's also bad for the viewer, imagine watching the superbowl and having one team start up 7-0 because they were leading in points all season, or watching NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and having the starting team in a bo7 up 2-0 or even 3-0 (to keep the only 2 games require d to win) that would fucking blow for the viewer...
Honestly, I can't see how you think picking every map = winning 2 games for free... That seems rather poorly thought out.
I think its unfair simply due to the fact that if you get knocked down into the loser's bracket, your "punishment" is that you end up having to play way more matches than the guy from the winner's bracket anyway. Up to the point of the Grand Finals, DRG played 8 matches, where as MarineKing only had to play 5, so I would assume that going into the finals, MarineKing would be better prepared because he had more time to rest, more time to think about his game plans, and less stressed out than DRG.
Considering the fact that the quality of Starcraft being played these days entails longer games in which one huge mechanical blunder can cost you the game (thus, more stress incurred), the advantage of playing less matches before any match (let alone, a final) as well as not having the pressure of having to win the first stage of a multi-stage series (whether it be bo3, bo5 or whatever) to take it to an extended series is more than enough of an advantage in my opinion.
But anyway, I love both of these guys, so I hope DRG can take GSL! <3
On February 27 2012 16:50 attenzionee wrote: Thanks to MLG for a free HD Stream for so many people all weekend long ! gj !
I paid and enjoyed the product. I don't really care if you watched it for free or found some glaring loophole in the security system. Money and popularity will cause that shit to get closed up pretty damn quickly.
Seriously TL, what happened to SPOILER FREE? I pop up the main page and Assembly AND MLG is being spoilered majorly yay! So now, when MLG finally decides to let the vods out NEXT WEEK I will be really thrilled who might win
On February 27 2012 18:57 Vanimar wrote: Seriously TL, what happened to SPOILER FREE? I pop up the main page and Assembly AND MLG is being spoilered majorly yay! So now, when MLG finally decides to let the vods out NEXT WEEK I will be really thrilled who might win
Good to see MKP win, he deserved this IMO. And DRG still has GSL, though going 2nd is hardly a disappointment.
What I find interesting is that all of the recent big finals (except GSL) were TvZ. Not that I'm complaining. MKP vs DRG in Winter Arena, Polt vs. Stephano in Assembly, Supernova vs. Violet in IEM Sao Paulo, MMA vs. Dimaga in IEM Kiev...
I think it's weird how Huk gets such a relatively easy route through MLG, mostly getting paired up against foreigners. Frankly his result doesn't reflect his skill, considering how badly DRG and MKP beat him. Too bad MC didn't have Huk's route to the winners finals, would have been really interesting.
On February 27 2012 07:39 Jippie wrote: im a little sad about this spoiler thingy, with both mlg and assembly, i rather see spoiler free onces, i dont wanna skip going on tl becuse i dont wanna know the results
I never understood this attitude. Why would you visit the main SC2 community if you don't want to get information about the tourneys?
It's a great decision that that TL reports in a more sports way. It's a small minority that for whatever reason watch things a week later on vods, why would you anyway?
The extended series did not help MKP to win. In fact, it could've hurt him more. he even said he thought it was 2 bo3 which is normal for a tournament like this. however, it wasnt. He lost the first bo3 2-1. So then there should be another BO3 starting at 0-0. He needed to win 3 more games to win because of extended series instead of just winning 2 more. If you want to complain about extended series then i am all for it, however if you want to complain about it because MKP won then you just dont know what you are talking about.
What did I wrong? After came from work, saw MKP won MLG winter final. Wanted to watch VODs. Logged in MLG hompage not free?? OK.... It said SUBSCRIBE $20... OK did it through paypal. Payment done good... and tried VODs again. It still says SUBSCRIBE and found .... already subscribed? Log in here .. I clicked Sign in to twitchTV turns up.. typed justinTV ID/PW but answer is Not recognized Please re-try..
congrats to MKP good to finally see the guy win a tournament, he was a few wins away from being the best sc2 player in korea back in the early days of GSL but as a constant runner up he was considered second class to players like MC, MVP and Nestea, unfortunaltely i think its too late for him to take up the mantle of Optimus Prime that he once claimed he would take after he won the gsl. MKP Fighting! Foxer Forever!
correction to article: mkp was not 2-2 when 2raxing. One of his two losses was after a cc first on daybreak.
he was 3-1 with 2rax. He got game-deciding advantages from it (even though scouted) on metal, entombed, and dual sight. He surprisingly dropped a game with it on shakuras by executing it poorly.
Reminds me of that epic mlg extended Idra v. Boxer series where Boxer was 3-0 when 2raxing and 0-4 when not. It seems top zergs have trouble consistently not dying to 2rax, even when scouting it.
On February 28 2012 02:26 shappens wrote: Please help.
What did I wrong? After came from work, saw MKP won MLG winter final. Wanted to watch VODs. Logged in MLG hompage not free?? OK.... It said SUBSCRIBE $20... OK did it through paypal. Payment done good... and tried VODs again. It still says SUBSCRIBE and found .... already subscribed? Log in here .. I clicked Sign in to twitchTV turns up.. typed justinTV ID/PW but answer is Not recognized Please re-try..
On February 28 2012 02:26 shappens wrote: Please help.
What did I wrong? After came from work, saw MKP won MLG winter final. Wanted to watch VODs. Logged in MLG hompage not free?? OK.... It said SUBSCRIBE $20... OK did it through paypal. Payment done good... and tried VODs again. It still says SUBSCRIBE and found .... already subscribed? Log in here .. I clicked Sign in to twitchTV turns up.. typed justinTV ID/PW but answer is Not recognized Please re-try..
What have I done wrong? Where has my $20 gone???
try it again! worked for me at the 7th try.
Thanks for reply but I tried more than 30 time T...T
not to discredit Huk or anything but Huk is very lucky cuz hes been playing almost if not all foreigners along the way to top 3.The game he played MKP and DRG he got dismantled.
EPT
