Much like the Discovery Channel's Shark Week, GomTV has Foreigner Week™, dedicated to showcasing an endangered but majestic species. First up will be MaNa, who joins NaNiwa as a rare foreign representative in the world's toughest league.
Luck is a fickle mistress. mouz.MaNa was undoubtedly fortuitous to make it into Code S, getting an Up/Down seed, and then dodging a tie-breaker round in his group as the results of matches between his groupmates worked out perfectly for him. Then, just days after he celebrated becoming one of the few foreigners to make it into Code S, MaNa learned that he had been improbably drawn into a group of death, facing TaeJa, Mvp, and MMA. In any case, this is a chance for MaNa to prove himself. Whatever doubts people may have had about MaNa from his Up/Down group, success here will show that he unquestionably belongs in Code S.
Liquid`TaeJa, who having won ASUS ROG and MLG Arena, and having hauled Liquid through IPL TAC, is now being asked to go win Code S while he's at it. For better or for worse, that's the kind of pressure you have to bear when you're seventeen, have shown a ridiculous amount of talent, and are the hottest player in the planet. After reaching the quarter-finals twice in a row – before he turned on the jets in the international scene – anything less than the semis will be a disappointment for TaeJa this time around.
While most viewers will be wondering what kind of level MaNa is at, SlayerS_MMA also gives us much to speculate about. After a good finish at IPL4 in April, MMA dropped off dramatically, even falling out of Code S. This suspiciously coincided with his demotion the SlayerS B-Team, though it was never officially said to be officially due to his poor results. Then, he was abruptly reinstated to the A-team in time for the GSTL finals, where he looked as good as ever despite losing an epic, close game to FXO's Gumiho. All the while, he quietly made his way back to Code S through Code A, taking out HongUn, HerO, and viOLet in the process. Is that enough to declare that MMA is back to being the player we know and love? We'll see tonight.
Finally, there's LG-IM_Mvp, who recently lost 0 – 2 against Baby in WCG Korea and lost a OSL game to Flying. Normally, three games should be utterly meaningless, but because Mvp was so absurdly dominant at his prime, this insignificant downswing has been blown out of proportion (Mvp losing + Elephants winning = perfect storm). In all honesty, Mvp is pretty much exactly where he was at the beginning of the Code S Season Two, where he won the championship: diminished, but far from gone. There's not much to do here but repeat the cliché, because it's true. Mvp just knows how to win.
Match-up Breakdown
Around this time last year, Protoss was in the pits. It was the height of Terran domination and the heyday of the feared 1/1/1. MC's slump meant there were zero credible Protoss contenders in Code S, while PuMa made sure that no Protoss player was going to make any money abroad. In that period of strife, MaNa emerged with a serious claim to be the best PvT player in the world.
It wasn't an airtight case, but at least he had a case – which was more than anyone else could really say at the time. With a win rate in the high 60's against non-Korean players, MaNa was dominating European Terrans, and held the rare honor of being the only Protoss player to have a winning record against PuMa in his TvP prime.
One year later, the story has changed a great deal. As Protoss players are dominating the field in Korea, MaNa himself has dropped off after hitting his peak as an elite PvT player. As one of the top foreigners, he's still 'good' at PvT by most standards, but just 'good' won't be nearly enough against his championship class Terran group. Mvp and MMA are the two most decorated Terran players in Starcraft II history, while TaeJa has been the best Terran player in the past few months.
In MaNa's recent games against Korean Terrans, he's mostly had trouble in the early-mid game, where an assortment of early marine rushes, marine-hellion drops, and stim-dropship timings took him off his stride (check his TSL4 series against ST_Hack). However, when MaNa was able to get a stable start and reach the late game, he looked as strong as ever, lasering and electrocuting his way to victory with the best of them (this win against TaeJa at ASUS ROG is a good demonstration). It's all very relevant going into this group, as MMA, Mvp, and TaeJa are players who won't shy away from trying to get an advantage early. MMA and Mvp have long since known the value of unpredictability in tournaments, while TaeJa has consciously started using a lot more cheeses ever since losing to MC in the GSL quarter-finals doing only eco-builds.
In a recent interview with Khaldor, MaNa addressed some of these potential issues, saying how he's learned a lot more about how Korean Terrans play, and how he's figured out how to better deal with their precisely executed attacks. Fans of MaNa will be relieved to hear he's practiced with MKP, the most aggressive of the aggressive – although there's no word on what the record was like in practice.
It's easy to be pessimistic about MaNa's chances given the name value of the players in this group, but if you think about MaNa's PvT ability at his best, it's far from hopeless. What will matter most is exactly how much he improved in his short time in Korea, and if he'll have the composure to show that improvement as he faces the pressure of playing in Code S for the first time.
While MaNa ponders how he'll do against three players with a dozen or so championships between them, the Terran trio of Mvp, MMA, and TaeJa will mostly be concerned with each other (though they'll certainly be wise enough to keep something in mind for MaNa). It will be interesting to see how they'll try and get a one-up on each other, or if that's even possible.
Past a certain skill-level, there's very little skill difference between top TvT players, with players like MMA, Gumiho, Mvp, TaeJa, Ryung, TheStC, SuperNoVa, YoDa, Polt etc. all able beat each other on a given day. The group E trio does have some minor quirks in TvT – TaeJa almost never goes mech, Mvp is more likely to transition to sky, MMA takes the most risks – but overall it's very even. MMA did happen to have Mvp's number in the days of old, when MMA was ahead of the curve in terms build order rock-scissor-paper, but time has seen to it that everyone has the same playbook now.
Predictions*
TaeJa > MaNa Mvp > MMA Mvp > TaeJa MaNa > MMA TaeJa > MaNa
Mvp and TaeJa advance.
*The writer is forbidden by sacred oath from predicting against Mvp in the GSL.
Writer: Waxangel. Graphics and Art: Meko. Editor: Waxangel.
Very bold to put MMA in front of Mana for 3rd and 4th place, but I can understand the thought behind it with MMA infamous for having a terrible TvP. But in the end I guess it doesn't matter, as only 1st and 2nd advance. As for 1st and 2nd, yep 100% agreed, anyone who thinks otherwise is either clouded by their foreign fanboyism or completely clueless.
With that being said, I really do hope Mana can put up a good performance and not go down without a fight. My inner foreigner will be satisfied if he loses with 2-1 instead of 2-0. Then he succeeds in code A and gets a easier group in next seasons Code S. Either way, tomorrow will be a good day!
TaeJa > MaNa MMA > Mvp TaeJa > MMA MaNa > Mvp MaNa > MMA
MaNa and TaeJa advance.
Never underestimate the Protoss player in the PvT. Also Im never betting on Mvp again, sometimes he looks like god other times he looks like really bad.
On September 10 2012 05:46 VavPK wrote: Cannot believe MMA is predicted to do the worst, MMA will take the group 2-0 with mana taking second. Taeja will be third, and mvp last.
no matter how good MaNa's PvT is that seemed a bit impossible.
one thing i remember tasteless said to day 9 from D9D 100, was this 'its only a group of death becasue theres people like you in it'. mana can do it, but actually doing it is different, the pressure is on teaja, mvp, mma to beat him.
On September 10 2012 05:46 VavPK wrote: Cannot believe MMA is predicted to do the worst, MMA will take the group 2-0 with mana taking second. Taeja will be third, and mvp last.
holy crap its been a while since I've seen the MMA fanboy post :O
On September 10 2012 05:46 VavPK wrote: Cannot believe MMA is predicted to do the worst, MMA will take the group 2-0 with mana taking second. Taeja will be third, and mvp last.
holy crap its been a while since I've seen the MMA fanboy post :O
This is going to be super interesting to watch, imo mana has chance to advance, only one matchup to practise, koreans will be probably more focused on beating each other. Either way, should be interesting.
You know, this is a perfect opportunity for Mvp to bomb out. His form hasn't been near his peak yet, while TaeJa's form is the best it has ever been... some may say TaeJa's form is the best that ANYONE's form has ever been. MMA, who has fallen into a slump, has Mvp's number... even if Mvp is better than MMA, MMA always seems to know how to take Mvp out. Finally, there's MaNa. We all know that TvP isn't Mvp's best matchup and an upset does seem possible.
That's exactly why Mvp will 2-0 (4-0) this group in dominating fashion and proceed to state in his interview that he recently noticed an empty spot in his trophy case which he wants to fill.
Mvp's hungry for the trophy, after all, he would be very disappointed with only one GSL trophy in 2012. Even if the number of GSL seasons has gone down, it matters not. 2 trophies per year is the minimum, 3 is the standard, 4 is his goal. This is the kind of monster that Mvp is.
Heh, I predicted the same players advancing, but with MMA initially beating MVP, and then TaeJa beating MMA, after which MVP beats both MaNa and MMA in succesion to advance second. MVP players better under pressure, and he usually needs to warm up, and MMA, assuming his skill is what it should be, should be the one with the surprise tactics, but those won't work in a second Bo3.
If MVP beats MMA, then I 100% agree with the prediction in the preview.
As long as taeja and mana lose, it's all good. Those two along with seed, leenock, sortof, jonnyrecco, drg, and stephano are probably the most overrated players of all sc2
I would describe Mana's draw as pure luck. He has nothing to lose but stands to gain so much. He is expected to lose so any other result will be a huge upset.
MMA getting last place? I won't blame you for predicting that if you haven't been watching MMA, so I'll tell you a few things about MMA...
MMA got first in the IEM Gamescom qualifier in Korea, and then didn't attend because he said his "form wasn't good enough," as in "I want to practice for Code S"
In addition, in an interview by a slayers player (forgot which) said that MMA never does anything but practice anymore. Also, I think MC said in an interview that MMA's TvP is extremely scary.
Personally, I'm expecting MMA to come out of this group in flying colors. 50% of my post is probably my fanboy bias, but the other 50% of it is true-ish! :D
On September 10 2012 06:23 Entirety wrote: You know, this is a perfect opportunity for Mvp to bomb out. His form hasn't been near his peak yet, while TaeJa's form is the best it has ever been... some may say TaeJa's form is the best that ANYONE's form has ever been. MMA, who has fallen into a slump, has Mvp's number... even if Mvp is better than MMA, MMA always seems to know how to take Mvp out. Finally, there's MaNa. We all know that TvP isn't Mvp's best matchup and an upset does seem possible.
That's exactly why Mvp will 2-0 (4-0) this group in dominating fashion and proceed to state in his interview that he recently noticed an empty spot in his trophy case which he wants to fill.
Mvp's hungry for the trophy, after all, he would be very disappointed with only one GSL trophy in 2012. Even if the number of GSL seasons has gone down, it matters not. 2 trophies per year is the minimum, 3 is the standard, 4 is his goal. This is the kind of monster that Mvp is.
Let's go Mvp, crush through this group!
(Oh, and TaeJa.)
how is tvp mvps worse match up? you must be new to gsl or something because mvp beat naniwa parting and squirtle season 2. those 3 are the best pvters in the world and mvp beat them. you are wrong kid...just admit it.
On September 10 2012 06:41 LowEloPlayer wrote: MMA getting last place? I won't blame you for predicting that if you haven't been watching MMA, so I'll tell you a few things about MMA...
MMA got first in the IEM Gamescom qualifier in Korea, and then didn't attend because he said his "form wasn't good enough," as in "I want to practice for Code S"
In addition, in an interview by a slayers player (forgot which) said that MMA never does anything but practice anymore. Also, I think MC said in an interview that MMA's TvP is extremely scary.
Personally, I'm expecting MMA to come out of this group in flying colors.
On September 10 2012 06:41 LowEloPlayer wrote: MMA getting last place? I won't blame you for predicting that if you haven't been watching MMA, so I'll tell you a few things about MMA...
MMA got first in the IEM Gamescom qualifier in Korea, and then didn't attend because he said his "form wasn't good enough," as in "I want to practice for Code S"
In addition, in an interview by a slayers player (forgot which) said that MMA never does anything but practice anymore. Also, I think MC said in an interview that MMA's TvP is extremely scary.
Personally, I'm expecting MMA to come out of this group in flying colors.
On September 10 2012 06:37 antifan wrote: As long as taeja and mana lose, it's all good. Those two along with seed, leenock, sortof, jonnyrecco, drg, and stephano are probably the most overrated players of all sc2
worst troll of all time.
oh and mma and mvp will bomb out in 3rd and fourth place taeja advances first with mana in 2nd. come at me bros.
On September 10 2012 06:37 antifan wrote: As long as taeja and mana lose, it's all good. Those two along with seed, leenock, sortof, jonnyrecco, drg, and stephano are probably the most overrated players of all sc2
Your name is very appropriate.
I just hope Mvp advances. This group is really though to predict imo.
People say TaeJa's form is the best ever seen because he seems to have no weak match-ups. This beats out Mvp's peak form, which had weaker TvP, and Mvp's peak form beats everything else.
Still, Mvp knew how to win GSL so his peak form was probably better and more dominating.
Also, Mvp's TvP has historically been his weakest match-up. His TvT was unbeatable (unless your name was MMA) and his TvZ was considered the best in the world along with MMA (and Jjakji for a short time after he won his GSL and people started hyping him up). His TvP's win rate was ONLY 65%. After the Queen patch, TvZ became his worst match-up (and the same happened for every Korean terran whose name is not TaeJa). He seems to have figured something out with Mech play though, so it might just be that TvT is his worst match-up right now. It's hard to tell, but I would say that all of his match-ups are roughly equal right now.
On September 10 2012 06:23 Entirety wrote: some may say TaeJa's form is the best that ANYONE's form has ever been.
Who the hell says that? lol
I would. He is very solid, he has pretty much never a bad game (similar to Stephano), he has no apparent weak match up and his max level is plain ridiculousness. His game is just on another level I think, he increased the level cap of SC2 ^
He is also one of the few players I think that is hard to say why he won after he won because he keeps winning games where he does not have a clear advantaged. Taeja finds the way!
the weakest group of death I have seen. I would have gone with Seed or DRG'S group.
With Mvp playing a lot of games recently (and losing most of them) he may not have had optimal Practice time to prepare. He is going up against MaNa and MMA WhO have probably been doing so since the groups were announced. The Only matchup that Mvp has had success in recently is TvZ (and that is vs foreigners) and he won't find that Here. In the End he is still the favourite. Can he back up his reputation as GSL performer or will he fall down to code A perhaps Never to be in Code S again.
MaNa has fought through a tough up and downs group but he is still largely unproven against top Koreans. He got the Absolute ideal group of people to play. All Terrans (and not ones with Great TvP at that excluding TaeJa). Can he prove that he isn't just an average foreigner WhO got Lucky in the fickle bo1 format of ups and downs. I think that in any other group he would have almost no ChAnCe but Here he is versus Mvp, MMA and TaeJa with a ChAnCe to make HistOry.
TaeJa is without a doubt the favourite in this group. He has had an unbelievable Summer destroying everyone in his path winning tournaments and awards. TaeJa has a ChAnCe to solidify his spot at the top of the world this GSL and step ONE is dismantling the hopes of the poor foreigner he plays First.
MMA is the AcE in this group. Since his last hatch in Code A no ONE has seen him play since. This is MMA'S redemption GSL. A ChAnCe to put his struggles and problems with SlayerS behind him and bring on a New ErA of dominance for BoxeR'S favourtie SoN.
Predictions
Taeja v MaNa Mvp v MMA Taeja v MMA Mvp v MaNa MMA v MaNa
On September 10 2012 06:56 Entirety wrote: People say TaeJa's form is the best ever seen because he seems to have no weak match-ups. This beats out Mvp's peak form, which had weaker TvP, and Mvp's peak form beats everything else.
Who says this?
At Mvp's peak there were little to no Protoss players in the GSL, all Terrans and Zergs for the mostpart.
Nobody is saying this except you, so please stop suggesting it's the opinion of the majority.
Go go Mana ^.^ . Ohana is in the pool you got this haha. Could be scary long with 3 terrans, but i think they will sadly make a few quick games. Oh how I miss tvt bo5's in bw with each game going way over the mine out.
TBH id be more surprised if Mvp makes it out than I would be if MaNa makes it out. I think Mvp will go 0-2 0-2, but maybe he will look like the Mvp of last year who knows.
On September 10 2012 06:56 Entirety wrote: People say TaeJa's form is the best ever seen because he seems to have no weak match-ups. This beats out Mvp's peak form, which had weaker TvP, and Mvp's peak form beats everything else.
Who says this?
At Mvp's peak there were little to no Protoss players in the GSL, all Terrans and Zergs for the mostpart.
Nobody is saying this except you, so please stop suggesting it's the opinion of the majority.
Sorry, I never meant to imply that it was the opinion of the majority. I never even said it's my opinion... it's not my opinion. These are things that I have heard other people say.
Just because there were no Protoss in the GSL doesn't make it absolutely irrelevant that his TvP was weak.
Also, if you would read the sentence AFTER the one you quoted, you would realize that I actually do think that Mvp's peak form has been unsurpassed. You'd be surprised at how many people (NOT ME) say that TaeJa is the absolute best there ever was, and he's certainly on the road to proving this (but he's not there yet IN MY OPINION). Hopefully this clears up some confusion?
On September 10 2012 06:56 Entirety wrote: People say TaeJa's form is the best ever seen because he seems to have no weak match-ups. This beats out Mvp's peak form, which had weaker TvP, and Mvp's peak form beats everything else.
Who says this?
At Mvp's peak there were little to no Protoss players in the GSL, all Terrans and Zergs for the mostpart.
Nobody is saying this except you, so please stop suggesting it's the opinion of the majority.
Sorry, I never meant to imply that it was the opinion of the majority. I never even said it's my opinion... it's not my opinion. These are things that I have heard other people say.
Just because there were no Protoss in the GSL doesn't make it absolutely irrelevant that his TvP was weak.
Also, if you would read the sentence AFTER the one you quoted, you would realize that I actually do think that Mvp's peak form has been unsurpassed. You'd be surprised at how many people (NOT ME) say that TaeJa is the absolute best there ever was, and he's certainly on the road to proving this (but he's not there yet IN MY OPINION). Hopefully this clears up some confusion?
That seems a little hard to believe, TaeJa hasn't even been dominant for that long, he just seems like a solid all-round player to me (in mid-late 2011 he was great at TvZ and TvP, but was a little lacklustre in TvT).
In terms of form TaeJa perhaps looks like MarineKing and DongRaeGu when they broke out earlier this year, each peaking at MLG's before slumping slightly. So far the longest and highest peak in terms of performance and form has been by Mvp.
Not to say that TaeJa may not be on his way to beating that peak, but he isn't there yet.
EDIT: TaeJa is definitely considered the best performing player in the world at this moment though.
On September 10 2012 06:23 Entirety wrote: You know, this is a perfect opportunity for Mvp to bomb out. His form hasn't been near his peak yet, while TaeJa's form is the best it has ever been... some may say TaeJa's form is the best that ANYONE's form has ever been. MMA, who has fallen into a slump, has Mvp's number... even if Mvp is better than MMA, MMA always seems to know how to take Mvp out. Finally, there's MaNa. We all know that TvP isn't Mvp's best matchup and an upset does seem possible.
That's exactly why Mvp will 2-0 (4-0) this group in dominating fashion and proceed to state in his interview that he recently noticed an empty spot in his trophy case which he wants to fill.
Mvp's hungry for the trophy, after all, he would be very disappointed with only one GSL trophy in 2012. Even if the number of GSL seasons has gone down, it matters not. 2 trophies per year is the minimum, 3 is the standard, 4 is his goal. This is the kind of monster that Mvp is.
Really good writeup, Waxangel, I like it a lot. So many TvT's incoming - that will be a lot of fun with three masters of their race in one group.
MaNa has slim chances at best in my opinion, but in this group he really has nothing to lose. There's no weak link, if he wins, it'll be damn impressive.
It's too much of a longshot to even predict MaNa to win a single series IMO. And anyone who's seen Mvp's recent games will know his current status. Although, given his prowess late game it's not such a long shot. But MMA and Taeja look like they have the mechanics to destroy him via marine/tank
MMA and Mana to advance imo. MMA is one of the best TvT while Taeja isn't and MVP is not so hot right now. Beside that Mana deserves some recognition there for sure.
MANA definitely has a shot though, only needing to practice one matchup... the other 3 might underestimate him while trying to prepare for the world's hardest TvT matches they also have to play
On September 10 2012 05:51 TommyP wrote: TaeJa > MaNa MMA > Mvp TaeJa > MMA MaNa > Mvp MaNa > MMA
MaNa and TaeJa advance.
Never underestimate the Protoss player in the PvT. Also Im never betting on Mvp again, sometimes he looks like god other times he looks like really bad.
The thing is, he often wins even when he looks really bad :s
>TL site >TL player advances over 2x GSL champion MMA. >ok lol
Your forgetting that MMA's GSls were along time ago, he hasn't looked up to that level since, and the TL player is considered to be the best Terran player in the world.
On September 10 2012 09:03 Misacampo wrote: >TL site >TL player advances over 2x GSL champion MMA. >ok lol
although the write-ups show some bias occasionally, this is not one of those cases. TaeJa is probably the best terran atm, maybe best player. But i do think MMA will prevail
As much as I love Taeja, people gotta remember that just because a player is good in one matchup doesnt mean he is good on others.
Taeja's TvT is his weakest matchup but is performing very well in recent tournaments. MVP's strongest matchup is TVT yet suffers from wrist injuries. MMA lies in the middle, yet we are unsure whether he is still slumping or not. Mana's strongest matchup is PvT yet were talking Foreigner vs 3 of the most solid Terrans in the world.
Keep in mind that other than TaeJa the other 2 Terrans don't have spectacular TvPs... before people cite MVP's latest GSL win keep in mind that he didn't have to prepare for 2 ridiculous Terrans as well. So pretty much MaNa has his best matchup against 2 people for which TvP is their wost.
Just remember how everyone voted against MVP in season 2, I don't get how u can think he will be wiped out. Bet he'll make it out 2-1.
On September 10 2012 09:39 NAMeCHa wrote: Keep in mind that other than TaeJa the other 2 Terrans don't have spectacular TvPs... before people cite MVP's latest GSL win keep in mind that he didn't have to prepare for 2 ridiculous Terrans as well. So pretty much MaNa has his best matchup against 2 people for which TvP is their wost.
U mean when MVP beat the very 2 best undisputed PvT players in the world? I remember how I thought he'd have no chance against Parting at all after seeing Parting in MLG/GSTL a couple weeks before :D
Taeja and Mvp advance. If Mana manages to win somehow, I'll have to check these vods. I'm considering staying up for this, but I have class in the morning and I'm not a big TvT fan.
predictable prediction by the writer as always. when i saw the title on the frontpage i already knew he is droping mana and mma. mana since he is a foreigner very new to the gsl environment. mma since we haven't heard of him lately. thats his criteria in his predictions. who's hot today. rofl. please do consider also the skillz and the matchup. a terran always fights an uphill battle vs protoss in the lategame that is why foreign protoss like naniwa and mana can always beat the top top terrans. and in tvt, anyone really can win. i see them as equal in tvt. also, although taeja is so hot right now, its primarily because of his tvp and some tvz. we haven't seen enough is his tvt. and let us not forget how mma raped mvp in 2011.
On September 10 2012 10:29 mecharmy wrote: predictable prediction by the writer as always. when i saw the title on the frontpage i already knew he is droping mana and mma. mana since he is a foreigner very new to the gsl environment. mma since we haven't heard of him lately. thats his criteria in his predictions. who's hot today. rofl. please do consider also the skillz and the matchup. a terran always fights an uphill battle vs protoss in the lategame that is why foreign protoss like naniwa and mana can always beat the top top terrans. and in tvt, anyone really can win. i see them as equal in tvt. also, although taeja is so hot right now, its primarily because of his tvp and some tvz. we haven't seen enough is his tvt. and let us not forget how mma raped mvp in 2011.
On September 10 2012 10:29 mecharmy wrote: predictable prediction by the writer as always. when i saw the title on the frontpage i already knew he is droping mana and mma. mana since he is a foreigner very new to the gsl environment. mma since we haven't heard of him lately. thats his criteria in his predictions. who's hot today.
Going into Week 2, Porcelina leads the Writing Prediction Group with a 2 for 2 record. Me and Wax are tied for going 1 for 1 in our advancement predictions. Stu picked MC and Jaedong, so he trails with 0-2 heading into the second week.
No one should need the reminder that MVP has won more GSL Code S titles than any other player in SC2. No one should need the reminder that MVP will do whatever it takes to win, including double proxy-rax in the final game of a championship match. And no one should need the reminder that MVP keeps winning even with wrists that have suffered extreme damage and don't permit the highest level of micro and comfort. For that reason if no other, I never bet against MVP.
Taeja because it feels wrong to bet against Taeja right now. Although he hasn't dominated for an extended period like MVP and Nestea, the way in which he has been slaughtering players left and right is so cavalier and so one-sided in many cases that I just can't bring myself to see his talent failing to carry him further than this round.
MMA is a tough one to drop for me, but with the exception of his yesterday ability to snipe MVP, he has never looked as exceptional as the other top players in anything EXCEPT TvZ, and MMA doesn't have any Zergs to slaughter here. Plus, the decline of build order wins in TvT means his ability to snipe MVP is going to be lessened.
MaNa just suffers from the misfortune of being in a group with 1 unpredictable former star who can be VERY scary (MMA), a rising talent who MAY be the best SC2 player in the world right now (Taeja), and someone who always finds a way to win, no matter the scenario (MVP). I just can't pick MaNa to make it out of the group.
Man, this group is such a bummer for me somehow.. It has my 3 alltime favorite Starcraft 2 terrans in it, and then the foreign hope, MaNa... I feel like im going to watch four of my friends fight each other to the death, until only 2 survives D: Hunger Games style
Have to go with TaeJa advancing though... After him, I hope either MVP or MaNa, sorry MMA
On September 10 2012 05:46 VavPK wrote: Cannot believe MMA is predicted to do the worst, MMA will take the group 2-0 with mana taking second. Taeja will be third, and mvp last.
no matter how good MaNa's PvT is that seemed a bit impossible.
What is impossible about it? MMA could win it. Mana could get second. He is good enough. MVP hasn't looked in top shape so I'd personally say he could be the first out.
The Fanboy inside of me and myself COMPLELY DISAGREE about the TvT analysis. It can't be said that theStc & co all have the same TvT. I think the matchup is far from being equal for anyone. I think MMA is one of the strongest TvTer (second or third I would say) and I think he has his chances versus MVP, even if not versus Taeja.
So I would say in fact :
Taeja > MaNa : MaNa is good, but not that good MMA > Mvp : MMA is very good at TvT Taeja > MMA : MMA is good at TvT, but not that good MaNa > Mvp : GSL Champ versus foreigner never turned out to be good for the foreigner, in GSL at the least. MMA > Mvp : Like the good old times =)
Anyways it's gonna be an amazing group ! Can't wait ! ^^
On September 10 2012 05:46 VavPK wrote: Cannot believe MMA is predicted to do the worst, MMA will take the group 2-0 with mana taking second. Taeja will be third, and mvp last.
On September 10 2012 05:46 VavPK wrote: Cannot believe MMA is predicted to do the worst, MMA will take the group 2-0 with mana taking second. Taeja will be third, and mvp last.
LOL
which part of that was LOL to you? The part where the 2-time GSL champ got 1st, or the part where the foreigner, who everyone disregarded in the up/down matches, gets 2nd?
It seems so random which threads get the most comments. How did this thread, with only a preview, end up with 8+ pages, when other GSL preview/recap combos average to around 3? This group is not even as big of a group of death, as I would argue MKP/MC/Curious/Jaedong was.
predicting mvp to get last for some reason, i think taeja 1st and mma 2nd, or mana 2nd, but taeja will probably be first while mvp be last, idk why, its just a feeling i have that mvp will dissapoint us this season
On September 10 2012 15:35 NrGmonk wrote: It seems so random which threads get the most comments. How did this thread, with only a preview, end up with 8+ pages, when other GSL preview/recap combos average to around 3? This group is not even as big of a group of death, as I would argue MKP/MC/Curious/Jaedong was.
Probably because the LR was put up very late compared to usual, I just threw it up about 20 minutes ago when Opterown usually makes it 24 hours in advance. So all the comments came here instead.
On September 10 2012 15:35 NrGmonk wrote: It seems so random which threads get the most comments. How did this thread, with only a preview, end up with 8+ pages, when other GSL preview/recap combos average to around 3? This group is not even as big of a group of death, as I would argue MKP/MC/Curious/Jaedong was.
You picked the wrong group as the group of death but that's ok. Taeja, MMA, MVP, and Mana are all very popular. Mana is a foreigner which gives him tons of support and he is fairly likable by all I can tell. Plus there is more to argue about here. The other group was a fair bit more cut and dry.
On September 10 2012 15:35 NrGmonk wrote: It seems so random which threads get the most comments. How did this thread, with only a preview, end up with 8+ pages, when other GSL preview/recap combos average to around 3? This group is not even as big of a group of death, as I would argue MKP/MC/Curious/Jaedong was.
You picked the wrong group as the group of death but that's ok. Taeja, MMA, MVP, and Mana are all very popular. Mana is a foreigner which gives him tons of support and he is fairly likable by all I can tell. Plus there is more to argue about here. The other group was a fair bit more cut and dry.
Yea, I agree, the group I picked wasn't that deathy. I'll give another example: MKP/MC/Symbol/Squirtle from last season. Also, I like Dodgin's explanation. K, back to work!
On September 10 2012 15:30 Xiahou wrote: Man, I'm like the biggest MVP fanboy in the pond, but I don't see how he can possibly make it out of the group.
Without the Game Genie magic, he's just another solid macro Terran.
and that's enough for Mvp to come out because other terrans in his group are just "another solid macro terran" too.
On September 10 2012 15:35 NrGmonk wrote: It seems so random which threads get the most comments. How did this thread, with only a preview, end up with 8+ pages, when other GSL preview/recap combos average to around 3? This group is not even as big of a group of death, as I would argue MKP/MC/Curious/Jaedong was.
MVP and MMA are known for preparing well for their matches, Taeja isn't. He has extremely high overall skill but as seen in the previous Seasons he lacks in preparing for specific opponents. From this view I would never ever call MMA < Taeja...but its ok, Taeja got a lot success in the last month and MMA was slumping hard so no one can really predict what will happen without deeper insight.
Be realistic please people, Mana is getting stomped tonight. The other three have similar odds; I'd probably say Taeja will come out first and 2nd place is pretty tight between MVP and MMA.
As long as Mana doesn't advance I'll be happy - enough protoss dominance tyvm.
*The writer is forbidden by sacred oath from predicting against Mvp in the GSL.
THAT'S RIGHT! LETS HOPE YOU LEARNED YOUR LESSON FROM IEM YOU UNBELIEVING HERETIC! BOW DOWN TO THE TERRAN KING!
I dont think he did because the whole oath thing was "dont bet against Mvp in the GSL but anywhere else he's fair game" or something along those lines. this was already in place before IEM
On September 10 2012 05:48 Incomplet wrote: Very bold to put MMA in front of Mana for 3rd and 4th place, but I can understand the thought behind it with MMA infamous for having a terrible TvP. But in the end I guess it doesn't matter, as only 1st and 2nd advance. As for 1st and 2nd, yep 100% agreed, anyone who thinks otherwise is either clouded by their foreign fanboyism or completely clueless.
With that being said, I really do hope Mana can put up a good performance and not go down without a fight. My inner foreigner will be satisfied if he loses with 2-1 instead of 2-0. Then he succeeds in code A and gets a easier group in next seasons Code S. Either way, tomorrow will be a good day!
i don't think it's clueless to say MMA can advance in a group where he could potentially only face TvT. how have people already forgotten how absurdly strong he is (and has always been) in the match up?
On September 10 2012 05:48 Incomplet wrote: Very bold to put MMA in front of Mana for 3rd and 4th place, but I can understand the thought behind it with MMA infamous for having a terrible TvP. But in the end I guess it doesn't matter, as only 1st and 2nd advance. As for 1st and 2nd, yep 100% agreed, anyone who thinks otherwise is either clouded by their foreign fanboyism or completely clueless.
With that being said, I really do hope Mana can put up a good performance and not go down without a fight. My inner foreigner will be satisfied if he loses with 2-1 instead of 2-0. Then he succeeds in code A and gets a easier group in next seasons Code S. Either way, tomorrow will be a good day!
i don't think it's clueless to say MMA can advance in a group where he could potentially only face TvT. how have people already forgotten how absurdly strong he is (and has always been) in the match up?
At last someone that uses his brain and not the flipchart with tournament results from the last 4 months.... thank you god ~~ xD
PS: Not sayin' Taeja cant make it, but in the best case he is head to head with MMA in chances
On September 10 2012 05:46 VavPK wrote: Cannot believe MMA is predicted to do the worst, MMA will take the group 2-0 with mana taking second. Taeja will be third, and mvp last.
LOL
which part of that was LOL to you? The part where the 2-time GSL champ got 1st, or the part where the foreigner, who everyone disregarded in the up/down matches, gets 2nd?
I'd say both parts are pretty lol, but especially the second one is pretty funny.
On September 10 2012 05:46 VavPK wrote: Cannot believe MMA is predicted to do the worst, MMA will take the group 2-0 with mana taking second. Taeja will be third, and mvp last.
On September 10 2012 05:46 VavPK wrote: Cannot believe MMA is predicted to do the worst, MMA will take the group 2-0 with mana taking second. Taeja will be third, and mvp last.
Well done on predicting who was getting out of this group. I would personally have liked Taeja and MMA (obviously MaNa as well, but there was nooo way)
MvP and Taeja will make it out of this group. Being honest here MaNa and MMA do not stand a chance. I can see MaNa making it out but not by playing straight up. If hes going to win hes got to use strategies that are gimmicky
EPT
mouz.MaNa, 
Liquid`TaeJa, 
