KeSPA's Other Soul – Soulkey tops Group G with a dominating 4 - 0 performance.
Things were looking grim for the top eight players of the previous Code S Season. With 5 out of 8 having dropped out in the previous groups, it was giving fans all the more cause to disregard 2012's Season Five as a fluky season due to the truncated schedule, overseas travel, and the height of brood lord infestor. With a dominating 4 - 0 performance in last night's games, Woongjin_Soulkey showed that he would not allow himself to be called a one-off.
The first series against MVP.Noblesse was difficult, with Soulkey scraping together victories in two tight games. On Icarus, Noblesse appeared to be far more prepared, exploiting the terrain of the map to his advantage. On Cloud Kingdom, he pulled out his own take on an optimized mech-timing push, putting Soulkey in a dangerous spot. However, Soulkey managed to find ways to cling on in both games, surviving until brood lords to clean up his opponent.
The real vindication for Soulkey came later, as he went up against TaeJa in the winners match. TaeJa came in having defeated Nestea handily earlier in the night, with Nestea's error-wrought play making it difficult to determine what kind of impact TaeJa's wrist injury was making. Against a more difficult opponent in Soulkey, TaeJa did appear to be a little lacking compared to his peak, but it didn't take away from the fact that Soulkey exhibited some extremely impressive play. Going for muta-ling based compositions in both games of the series, Soulkey expertly abused the mobility of his troops to keep TaeJa perfectly tied up. TaeJa spent nearly the entirety of his games chasing down Soulkey's forces and trying to put out fires, all to no avail. Having completely sealed off any the possibility of aggressive moves from TaeJa, it was all too easy for Soulkey to tech up at a leisurely pace and finish the games with brood lords.
Overall, it was a very encouraging one day performance for Soulkey, and one that shows he's still one of KeSPA's very best. Underwhelming performances in the Proleague (8 wins and 7 losses) had made viewers wonder where the GSL quarter-finalist Soulkey had gone, but it seems like he was there all along.
– TaeJa advances in second place while NesTea fails to live up to his reputation.
An injury hampered TaeJa was still TaeJa, as the Liquid Terran advanced from the group as many predicted. As decisive as his loss to Soulkey was, he did not appear to have much trouble taking down Nestea and Noblesse to advance from the group. A well executed base trade by Noblesse did cause TaeJa to drop a map in the final series to decide the second place finisher in the group, but overall TaeJa looked on top of things as he played strong macro games to take the second Code S spot.
While TaeJa trudged through in unspectacular fashion, LG-IM_NesTea became the story of the night for all the wrong reasons. The three-time GSL champion had been showing his best play in months in recent tournaments, taking third place at Iron Squid II as well as topping his Up/Down group in the GSL. However, the play Nestea showed in his Code S group made it seem obvious why he had fallen out of Code S in the first place. Sloppy play saw Nestea lose a large number of costly units, whether it was banelings, infestors, ultralisks, or brood lords.
Against TaeJa, it didn't seem to matter all that much, as Nestea appeared likely to lose regardless of his errors. Unfortunately, his mistakes could not have been more costly against Noblesse. Holding a commanding lead in terms of army composition and resources, Nestea looked all but guaranteed to get a second shot at TaeJa. Yet, somehow Nestea managed to commit a series of blunders that were almost comical in their severity. His brood lords ran forward without any kind of support, allowing Noblesse to eliminate them with ease. Then, his ultralisks committed to a terrible engagement against tanks and marauders, resulting in another one-sided donation. Almost instantly, Nestea found himself on even terms after looking like a lock to win. Noblesse and Nestea continued to slug it out for a while after, but the earlier mistakes seemed to have taken their toll. Nestea couldn't collect himself, and Noblesse finally triumphed at the end of an ugly game.
After MC and Losira advanced from their groups, it looked like there could be an old school revival in the final Wings of Liberty season of Code S. However, now that the two most decorated players in Mvp and Nestea have been eliminated, this season will have to find a different story.
All things come to those who wait. For over a year, StarCraft fans had been waiting for Stephano to finally accept the ultimate challenge known as Code S. At every other tournament around world, up against opposition of the highest caliber, Stephano had proved beyond a doubt that he was the greatest non-Korean player in the world. His prowess against even top Korean players earned him an open invitation to the GSL, one that he declined season after frustrating season. Instead, Stephano chose to tease his fans, making remarks about retirement and taking brief trips to Korea that amounted to nothing. All the while he continued to stuff his coffers, deaf to the cries of fans in and outside of Korea who wanted him to move onto a pursuit more worthy of his skill.
It's been a long time coming, but now we will finally get our wish . With the Wings of Liberty chapter of the GSL coming to an end, Stephano has decided to grace Code S with his presence. Already the best non-Korean to play the game, success in Code S would make Stephano one of the greatest, period.
Some will complain that Stephano came too late. While he isn't slumping by any means, this is far from the ideal time to play in a Code S. In late 2011, his ling-infestor style would have confounded Korean Terrans. In early 2012, his 12-minute roach max would have annihilated Korean Protosses. Now, his once revolutionary strategies have been dissected, imitated, and absorbed into the standard Zerg playbook. Stephano's Zerg vs. Zerg, while never his strong suit, was never such a liability as it is now. But what can be done? Better late than never.
Still, there are strengths Stephano will always have, no matter how time passes. He has an incredible instinct for the game, and has unparalleled skill at engagements. Dustin Browder is right; skilled players will split up their units, use them in a more effective manner that clearly differentiates them from the rest. Watching Stephano maneuver his troops, set up in a perfect formation, and destroy his opponent's army will always be a thing of beauty.
His first opponent is one of last season's semi-finalists in STX_Innovation, who like many other KeSPA players is still awkwardly finding his place in StarCraft II. BW elitists and KeSPA loyalists (as well as SC2 fans who just want a breath of fresh air) have had a tough time finding the player to hold their banner. Rain looked like he was all but destined for greatness, but he has stumbled rather severely in recent weeks. On a smaller scale, that's been the story for most of the hyped KeSPA players, as they can look like the fastest rising player one week, and have all their flaws exposed the next. In Innovation's case, he had an amazing, out of nowhere run to the Code S semi-finals that briefly made him KeSPA's top Terran. However, he failed to be anything more than merely good in the proceeding Proleague season, a disappointment for a player who was supposed to be the next big thing.
This is exactly the kind of opportunity Innovation needs to take advantage of to recover his position. He needs to do what Soulkey did last night and make up for a so-so spell in the Proleague with a dominating beatdown of established SC2 players in the GSL. Everyone's eyes will be on this group to track Stephano's progress, so there won't be a more perfect opportunity for Innovation to rebound.
MVP.DongRaeGu happens to be in this group as well, and this will be one of the few times in his career where he's overshadowed. DongRaeGu has a great story as well, even if it is somewhat less compelling than that of the best foreigner in the world taking on a once in a lifetime test.
Many will be familiar with DongRaeGu's 'slump' that started after he won MLG Spring Championship last year. While he never fell out of Code S or could ever be called even an average player, he definitely dropped out of the top tier. Some will point out his OSL 2nd place run as a sign that he was still playing well, but there's another way to look at it. OSL was actually rock bottom for DRG, lower than his losses in the GSTL and GSL that prevented him from playing in his hometown of Busan. Rock bottom was going through a deceptively easy OSL bracket and making it to the final, only to be brutally destroyed by Rain in a series that vividly demonstrated he was no longer the player he was before.
That's when DRG's real rehabilitation started, and he began the process of regaining his old, top of the world form. Ever since, DongRaeGu has been placing slightly better at each tournament, but more importantly he's been beating better opponents and is just playing better in his games. DRG is starting to show a dominance we haven't seen since last summer, and if he can fully return to his Code S winning form from one year ago, then there are few who could hope to stop him in this tournament.
Poor ST_Hack! All he wanted was to show good games and further his career a little more. Sadly, he's going to end up being the guy who either ruins DongReGu's revival, or the guy who is sacrificed for its sake. Hack has slowly but surely improved his skill over the course of a year, staying out of the spotlight while improving his Code A and Up/Down finishes before finally breaking through into Code S. Hack definitely has a bit of sleeper potential in this group. He already surprised viewers last season by narrowly squeezing through his Ro32 group, and he looks to have improved since then if his IPL6 preliminary performance is anything to go by. He made it through Crank, HogU, Squirtle, and Losira to reach the semis of the second international qualifier, which is a very respectable result. Incidentally, DongRaeGu was in that qualifier as well, who beat Hack en route to winning it all and a paid trip to IPL6.
Overall outlook and predictions:
If only because of the prospect of a Stephano ZvZ, DongRaeGu is the favorite to top this group. No other player in the group can say he has a match that could be called even the least bit easy. Just in general, DongRaeGu has been in great shape, and the only player who's been able to stop him lately has been Startale's Life, who happens to be the best player in the world. Even though we haven't seen him play that much ZvT lately, DRG has given us reason to have faith.
With two Terrans in the group, Stephano has a pretty decent chance to qualify. It sucks for him that if he does play a Zerg, that Zerg will be an excellent ZvZ player at that, but it's not worth complaining about when he got a one Zerg group in a fourteen Zerg tournament. Stephano should be slightly favored over Innovation in a macro game, but Innovation's ability to execute deadly timing attacks and cheeses makes their head to head a fairly even one. Barring some incredible ZvZ epiphany gained in practice, Stephano will probably lose to DongRaeGu, which means he's going to have to win two ZvT's to advance. Not a great proposition, nor a bad one.
Overall, I would say DRG is favored, with Hack, Stephano, and Innovation all having a fair shot at making it through as well. Hack has a slightly disadvantage from having to face DRG initially, while it's a toss-up between Stephano and Innovation to get through, depending on who takes their head to head(s). The pick? Vive La Révolution!
Interesting that you'd put Hack over Innovation, as I'd always considered Innovation to be the superior player. I haven't seen a great deal of either's TvT though, so I could be wrong.
On February 01 2013 06:53 TeamLiquid ESPORTS wrote: Hack definitely has a bit of sleeper potential in this group. He already surprised viewers last season by narrowly squeezing through his Ro32 group, and he looks to have improved since then if his IPL6 preliminary performance is anything to go by. He made it through Crank, HogU, Squirtle, and Losira to reach the semis of the second international qualifier, which is a very respectable result. Incidentally, he faced DongRaeGu in that qualifier as well, although the result is still being hidden by IPL. If Hack had the skill to beat DongRaeGu, then that could really change the complexion of this group.
On February 01 2013 06:53 TeamLiquid ESPORTS wrote: Hack definitely has a bit of sleeper potential in this group. He already surprised viewers last season by narrowly squeezing through his Ro32 group, and he looks to have improved since then if his IPL6 preliminary performance is anything to go by. He made it through Crank, HogU, Squirtle, and Losira to reach the semis of the second international qualifier, which is a very respectable result. Incidentally, he faced DongRaeGu in that qualifier as well, although the result is still being hidden by IPL. If Hack had the skill to beat DongRaeGu, then that could really change the complexion of this group.
I don't think Stephano can make it out of this group (as all 3 players are ones he would struggle against on an average day), but it is still certainly possible.
i'm hoping for Stephano and either DRG or Innovation. Hack is a little outclassed in this group i think, but he can definitely surprise. to be honest, it's a little difficult to predict all of these guys current levels, aside from DRG who i think is rather clearly the best player in the group.
Hack may be improving, but isn't INnoVation's best matchup TvT? To me this group comes down to DRG and who of Stephano and INnoVation wins the final match
Really strong group, I'm stoked to see what Stephano has in store. For once he has had ample time to prepare for a tournament and, coupled with him looking sharp on stream, I expect a lot of him. But it could go any way, should be a good watch.
On February 01 2013 07:43 Jampackedeon wrote: Really can't argue with this, and this will probably be the first GSL I get up early for since... since Fruit Dealer and the open seasons maybe!
On February 01 2013 07:13 dcemuser wrote: SOOOOOOOOOOOUL KEY!
I don't think Stephano can make it out of this group (as all 3 players are ones he would struggle against on an average day), but it is still certainly possible.
all 3 struggle against is a bit farfetched. the only two times i can recall where he actually struggled and even lost was about a year ago against Polt and later in the summer when he lost to Taeja who was at his peak. The fact that he recently roflestomped all his terran opponents with names like MMA and MVP does not say much considering that those two are in some major slumps but it does continue his legacy of exactly not "struggling" against any terran. Without too much implied bias , I forsee, a sure loss against Drg, a dominating win against Innovation and a very close win ( high chance for loss) against Hack. Two things I remain sure of though: He loses to Drg and most definetly beats Innovation, Hack is kind of a mistery, because I have the feeling he might hit stephano with some really nasty timings, but if stephano makes in to late game, its a clear win.
Best two possible finals IMO would be Stephano v. MKP or DRG v. Life (currently, in my biased opinion, the two best players in the world with Life being number 1) with that said, DRG and Bogus advance
On February 01 2013 08:15 IshinShishi wrote: predicting the two zergs to advance, color me impressed :D.
when theyre two of the best zergs to ever play the game against a fairly unknown terran and a guy relatively new to the game, yea thats going to happen.
Hack 4-0 out of nowhere, ThrowRaeGu lives up to his name (NOTE: I really like DRG, I just wanted to use that pun) and he smashes Stephano/Bogus. Problem is, the other three are pretty evenly matched, so if Hack ends up going 2-0 then 2nd place is really open.
On February 01 2013 08:15 IshinShishi wrote: predicting the two zergs to advance, color me impressed :D.
when theyre two of the best zergs to ever play the game against a fairly unknown terran and a guy relatively new to the game, yea thats going to happen.
You could be talking truth, then again terran has a grand 8-17 win rate (32%) to show for this year. Meh, who cares. Hope hack gets through.
i wouldn't be surprised to see innovation and stephano top the group. that might be a little unlikely as they play each other to start meaning one of them will be down a set, but they are both so so good.
On February 01 2013 07:13 dcemuser wrote: I don't think Stephano can make it out of this group (as all 3 players are ones he would struggle against on an average day), but it is still certainly possible.
He already beat DRG in the GSL World Championship, and I imagine he could beat Hack. Not sure about Innovation though.
On February 01 2013 07:13 dcemuser wrote: I don't think Stephano can make it out of this group (as all 3 players are ones he would struggle against on an average day), but it is still certainly possible.
He already beat DRG in the GSL World Championship, and I imagine he could beat Hack. Not sure about Innovation though.
so he beat him one time in a best of one while he was on a streak in a team match, so he's going to win in GSL?
On February 01 2013 07:13 dcemuser wrote: I don't think Stephano can make it out of this group (as all 3 players are ones he would struggle against on an average day), but it is still certainly possible.
He already beat DRG in the GSL World Championship, and I imagine he could beat Hack. Not sure about Innovation though.
That was 2 months ago and that Kr vs World thing is more of a show match. DRG 3-0ed him at Iron Squid like a week ago.
It will be a very very tough fight for Stephano, I mean DRG's ZvZ has been *almost* as good as Life's lately, and he doesn't get to play his favorite matchup. Still, I know he can do it!
On February 01 2013 08:12 rift wrote: nestea has won code s twice
3 times actualy. You need to get your facts straight mate when you talk about the Creator of the Universe.
No NesTea did win Code S twice, and he also won an Open Season(Open Season 2).
It doesn't really matter. The article claims he is a 3 time GSL champion, not a 3 time Code S champion. The article is correct.
Most of the time when people claim he won 3 Code S seasons, they're counting the Open seasons as equivalent to the later Code S variant. Which they basically were. It feels a little nitpicky (while factually true) to correct someone every time they incorrectly label the first championship as Code S win. It's easy to see why it happens.
I would love to see DRG/Stephano through, although maybe for racial balance Stephano + Hack... or if Stephano doesn't make it, Hack + Innovation. It will be funny if DRG goes 0-2 and Stephano goes out 1-2, and people will still talk about how terrible Stephano is and ignore DRG's performance (just hypothesizing. I am neither a fan nor an anti-fan )
BoguS and Hack!!!! If I shout it loud enough maybe it will happen. Let my terran bias rain down upon these zergs and give them terrible pregame indigestion!
I just thought of something you could add to these previews. It'd be awesome if you asked some liquibet leaders of the season to give their predictions.
Bogus will advance, and - maybe - he will leave place for someone else too, but I'm not too sure! He could decide to advance from both slots.~ (elephants take a lot of space)
Me too! I'm more sure about DRG than about Stephano though.
Second that. DRG is starting to remind me of his GSTL dominating days. While Stephano's recent performance is rather dissapointing.. EG curse or not, I hope he gets past this round.
Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I wholeheartedly agree. The fact his build has worked against MKP (and MVP, Ganzi and MMA, among others) is indicative of nothing.
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I wholeheartedly agree. The fact his build has worked against MKP (and MVP, Ganzi and MMA, among others) is indicative of nothing.
The -LAST- thing I want is 2 zergs progressing. Hack and Innovation >>> Stephano and DRG. I mean, let's be honest, doesn't everyone think there's ENOUGH zerg already? And Innovation is like, THE BEST Terran....
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
Very few people are picking the Stephano and Innovation combo. That's my pick. Seeing as the masses tend to be dead wrong very often, I will pick what the masses do not.
On February 01 2013 12:25 FeyFey wrote: Stephano should do everything to avoid Hack. I doubt anyone warned him about Hack. But if you aren't prepared for him you will lose.
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I am definitely bookmarking this post. I'll be sure to bring this back when Stephano advances.
DRG looks a lock for 1st. On paper, Stephano should take 2nd handily with his dominant ZvT but his cockiness may have him coming in dangerously unprepared.
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I am definitely bookmarking this post. I'll be sure to bring this back when Stephano advances.
DRG is looking really good recently, no doubt he'll advance. Bogus hasn't been doing super well lately, and Hack definitely played some really raelly good Starcraft (but also some really terrible ones). This group is so volatile except for DRG.
GOGO Stephano tho, i'm not rooting for DRG cuz I'm sure he'll advance ;P
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I wholeheartedly agree. The fact his build has worked against MKP (and MVP, Ganzi and MMA, among others) is indicative of nothing.
you know, any zerg build can probably work against mkp, mma, ganzi and a deadwrist mvp haha.
Edit: I guess I shouldn't say "this group," cause it's one of the best groups for him, I just think the Korean/Western home-court advantage goes a long way.
I still think Stephano making it through would be an upset. He might have had a good chance in yesterdays group, but with his loss against DRG almost guaranteed, and bogus and hack having so much preparation time, I'd be surprised if he made it.
On February 01 2013 15:13 SLAYER29 wrote: Can some one please PM me and let me know if this is free stream or on PPV? I've been having some issues with GOM player
You forgot to mention in your wonderful Preview. That even though Stephanos worst matchup is ZvZ, He still beat DRG in the GSL World Championship that almost came to an all kill comeback, had Stephano not tried to be fancy with his ZvP and played properly instead of opting for a roach/hydra troll win only
This was like 9 minutes and he has 10+ hellions or so with Blue flame? Did anyone follow the build precisely - as in, when did he get gas and expansion and factories?
On February 01 2013 18:58 BjoernK wrote: Can someone give a short summary of what happened in the first Stephano Innovation game? My work computer won't run twitch.
Game was pretty long but in short, Innovation opened with rax-expand-expand-4additional rax. He proceeded to make mass marines and added tanks and medivacs gradually.
He killed Stephano by CONSTANTLY dropping drop different sides and simultaniously attacking with medium groups of MMM and a tank here and there. He sniped spawning pool (2 or 3 times), hatcheries, and basically just dropped dropped dropped while sniping a far away hatch with like 8 marauders etc..
Stephano couldn't produce enough and be on all fronts at the same time and he slowly died while Innovation constantly expanded all over (his bases were mostly safe because fight was always on Stephano's side)
Stephano gogo! I believe in you, even u lost to Innovation (really sick terran) - first game map win (huglly favour terran), second game build order win (stephano didnt scout mass blue flame hellions but his micro with drones is sick! - too bad you cant win with it a game...), gogo and advance from second place Stephano!!!
On February 01 2013 18:58 BjoernK wrote: Can someone give a short summary of what happened in the Stephano Innovation games? My work computer won't run twitch.
Game 1: Innovation dropped stephano 12000 times in the same location at the same base until it killed him. Stephano never built defenses, and only prepared once.
Game 2: Innovation built like 8 Blue Flame Hellions. Despite having a complete roach warren, Stephano built nothing, followed by more nothing, and a large dose of nothing, then some lings.
It was like watching someone else play with a Stephano mask on.
On February 01 2013 19:00 Midday wrote: Stephano making mistakes some mid masters wouldn't make...
List his mistakes pls because I watched those 2 games and it was: first game - map win for Innovation, and second - just one mistake from Stephano - he didnt scout mass blue flame hellions.
On February 01 2013 19:04 Chargelot wrote: Game 2: Innovation built like 8 Blue Flame Hellions. Despite having a complete roach warren, Stephano built nothing, followed by more nothing, and a large dose of nothing, then some lings.
Yeah, i didnt get that. First i thought he somehow lost or canceled the coach warren. But it was sitting there in his main ... idk what the hell was that?!.
On February 01 2013 18:58 BjoernK wrote: Can someone give a short summary of what happened in the Stephano Innovation games? My work computer won't run twitch.
Game 1: Innovation dropped stephano 12000 times in the same location at the same base until it killed him. Stephano never built defenses, and only prepared once.
Game 2: Innovation built like 8 Blue Flame Hellions. Despite having a complete roach warren, Stephano built nothing, followed by more nothing, and a large dose of nothing, then some lings.
It was like watching someone else play with a Stephano mask on.
Game 1: true, he lost due to permanent drops, sometimes there were 3 at a time on different locations while Stephano didn't split army enough. He started defending to drops in a game stage where he already lost pretty much and then he didn't do it well enough. Game 2: 8 Hellions is a Joke, it was more like 20 and reinforcing. Stephano really forgot to make roaches, I think he was under heavy pressure/nervous.
first game he got outclassed second game kinda bad luck not scouting those hellions i think the reaction was not good he made 3 more spines i thought he was going to put a full wall to give the roaches time, i hope he can pull a comeback against the rest maybe a re-match vs bogus later
On February 01 2013 19:00 Midday wrote: Stephano making mistakes some mid masters wouldn't make...
List his mistakes pls because I watched those 2 games and it was: first game - map win for Innovation, and second - just one mistake from Stephano - he didnt scout mass blue flame hellions.
MAP win for innovation? Well you gotta be kidding me, since when are huge maps better for terrans? Or are u trolling? Huge Maps, easy to expand, lots of creep = Terran is favored?? WHUT? Stephano refused to harass, scout for drops (an obvious thing on this map) and had bad engagements. This map isn't IMBA at all, it just needs some adaption. If Zerg keep making slow unit compositions (BL that is), and don't defend to drops or are not prepared (how about making not only 1 or 2 unit grous?) then you lose.
Game 2: he saw tons of hellions in the making, he DID scout that. He already made roach warren, but FORGOT to make roaches. If he just made roaches he wins, cause 10 roaches win 15 bluflame hellions and Innovation had NOTHING else (ok 4 marines)
On February 01 2013 19:00 Midday wrote: Stephano making mistakes some mid masters wouldn't make...
List his mistakes pls because I watched those 2 games and it was: first game - map win for Innovation, and second - just one mistake from Stephano - he didnt scout mass blue flame hellions.
MAP win for innovation? Well you gotta be kidding me, since when are huge maps better for terrans? Or are u trolling? Huge Maps, easy to expand, lots of creep = Terran is favored?? WHUT? Stephano refused to harass, scout for drops (an obvious thing on this map) and had bad engagements. This map isn't IMBA at all, it just needs some adaption. If Zerg keep making slow unit compositions (BL that is), and don't defend to drops or are not prepared (how about making not only 1 or 2 unit grous?) then you lose.
Game 2: he saw tons of hellions in the making, he DID scout that. He already made roach warren, but FORGOT to make roaches. If he just made roaches he wins, cause 10 roaches win 15 bluflame hellions and Innovation had NOTHING else (ok 4 marines)
This map highly favour drop play - final game! go for mutas Stephano instead of infestors and kill all Innovetion drops!!!
Stupid cheeser - I hope he will be elminated in ro16, but Stephano should know he will go for cheese - it was just Innovation's only chance to win....eh
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I wholeheartedly agree. The fact his build has worked against MKP (and MVP, Ganzi and MMA, among others) is indicative of nothing.
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I am definitely bookmarking this post. I'll be sure to bring this back when Stephano advances.
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I wholeheartedly agree. The fact his build has worked against MKP (and MVP, Ganzi and MMA, among others) is indicative of nothing.
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I am definitely bookmarking this post. I'll be sure to bring this back when Stephano advances.
Aww, how's it feel to be retarded?
Don't you think that you're at little harsh? He went 3-4 in his group and Innovation 4-3. Stephano had the best score for any 3rd place in this round alongside Creator.
On February 01 2013 21:39 Goladkin wrote: Stupid cheeser - I hope he will be elminated in ro16, but Stephano should know he will go for cheese - it was just Innovation's only chance to win....eh
Ahah ! Stephano made 5 time the same build. Did you really expected that BoguS would let him do what he wants ? It's Stephano's fault if he looses. Look one more time the last game. Whirlwind is a sh*tty map for Terran, He saw 4 Baracks, he can expect a timing push. He didn't scoot when the push was coming (his overlord / Xel'naga didn't see nothing) ... With a little Zergling waiting outside the base of BoguS, Stephano would have seen those units coming and I'm pretty sure he would have win this.
On February 01 2013 21:39 Goladkin wrote: Stupid cheeser - I hope he will be elminated in ro16, but Stephano should know he will go for cheese - it was just Innovation's only chance to win....eh
Only chance to win. Funny how he beat stephano 2 games straight with normal play
On February 01 2013 21:39 Goladkin wrote: Stupid cheeser - I hope he will be elminated in ro16, but Stephano should know he will go for cheese - it was just Innovation's only chance to win....eh
Only chance to win. Funny how he beat stephano 2 games straight with normal play
well 3 factory mass blue flame allin isn't what i'd call normal play
neither is double 11 proxy rax nor 6 rax marine/marauder/scv allin
but i also dont think allin is his only chance to win..i think his macro play is stronger overall. he likes to do risky builds a lot though
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I wholeheartedly agree. The fact his build has worked against MKP (and MVP, Ganzi and MMA, among others) is indicative of nothing.
On February 01 2013 12:30 pwnz0r wrote:
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I am definitely bookmarking this post. I'll be sure to bring this back when Stephano advances.
Aww, how's it feel to be retarded?
Don't you think that you're at little harsh? He went 3-4 in his group and Innovation 4-3. Stephano had the best score for any 3rd place in this round alongside Creator.
Nope. He went 1-4 against Innovation. He 2-0'd probably the worst player in Code S who is pure gimmick and can't play a macro game to save his life.
Can't just look at total scores man, gotta look at who they faced.
He's not close to Code S ready. Doesn't play the right way at all. If he ever wants to do well in Code S, he needs to rebuild himself, which I doubt he'll take the time to do.
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I wholeheartedly agree. The fact his build has worked against MKP (and MVP, Ganzi and MMA, among others) is indicative of nothing.
On February 01 2013 12:30 pwnz0r wrote:
On February 01 2013 11:20 Flinch wrote: Oh man, I can't wait. Not for the games, but for the fallout afterwards. People are gonna go insane when Stephanie gets knocked out. How to set yourself up for disappointment: overrate Stephano, think that the GSL WC was serious and that Stephano's Roach/Hydra TvZ is actually gonna work against someone like Innovation.
I am definitely bookmarking this post. I'll be sure to bring this back when Stephano advances.
Aww, how's it feel to be retarded?
Don't you think that you're at little harsh? He went 3-4 in his group and Innovation 4-3. Stephano had the best score for any 3rd place in this round alongside Creator.
Way to twist the numbers around.
He went 1-4 against Bogus. That's what matters.
Bogus went 0-2 against DRG who's the best ZvT sans Life (who's on another level) while Stephano 2-0 Hack who's arguably the worst non-Huk Code S player.
Also I still can't believe how anyone could possibly think that Innovation would go last place in this group. Like, seriously.
On February 01 2013 19:00 Midday wrote: Stephano making mistakes some mid masters wouldn't make...
List his mistakes pls because I watched those 2 games and it was: first game - map win for Innovation, and second - just one mistake from Stephano - he didnt scout mass blue flame hellions.
MAP win for innovation? Well you gotta be kidding me, since when are huge maps better for terrans? Or are u trolling? Huge Maps, easy to expand, lots of creep = Terran is favored?? WHUT? Stephano refused to harass, scout for drops (an obvious thing on this map) and had bad engagements. This map isn't IMBA at all, it just needs some adaption. If Zerg keep making slow unit compositions (BL that is), and don't defend to drops or are not prepared (how about making not only 1 or 2 unit grous?) then you lose.
Game 2: he saw tons of hellions in the making, he DID scout that. He already made roach warren, but FORGOT to make roaches. If he just made roaches he wins, cause 10 roaches win 15 bluflame hellions and Innovation had NOTHING else (ok 4 marines)
This map highly favour drop play - final game! go for mutas Stephano instead of infestors and kill all Innovetion drops!!!
so? Every race can drop, how is it then the MAPs fault that Innovation won? Also: yeah, what about mutalisks preventing drops and using them for harassement? He got outplayed. Sad as it is, I am disappointed but not surprised
On February 01 2013 21:39 Goladkin wrote: Stupid cheeser - I hope he will be elminated in ro16, but Stephano should know he will go for cheese - it was just Innovation's only chance to win....eh
Ahah ! Stephano made 5 time the same build. Did you really expected that BoguS would let him do what he wants ? It's Stephano's fault if he looses. Look one more time the last game. Whirlwind is a sh*tty map for Terran, He saw 4 Baracks, he can expect a timing push. He didn't scoot when the push was coming (his overlord / Xel'naga didn't see nothing) ... With a little Zergling waiting outside the base of BoguS, Stephano would have seen those units coming and I'm pretty sure he would have win this.
Lol which games have u seen? 1st game ling pressure later roach 2nd game no ling pressure build, made roach warren as a reaction to mass hellions 3rd game different build etc. U just think he made same BUILD over and over again, cause he had the same types of units in the end? So is it then, that this is the ONLY build Zerg can play...
On February 01 2013 21:39 Goladkin wrote: Stupid cheeser - I hope he will be elminated in ro16, but Stephano should know he will go for cheese - it was just Innovation's only chance to win....eh
Sadly, that wasn't cheese. It was him punishing Stephano for having some of the greediest play of all the Zerg players. Innovation also beat Stephano 2 - 0 by playing macro in the first set.
On February 01 2013 21:39 Goladkin wrote: Stupid cheeser - I hope he will be elminated in ro16, but Stephano should know he will go for cheese - it was just Innovation's only chance to win....eh
Sadly, that wasn't cheese. It was him punishing Stephano for having some of the greediest play of all the Zerg players. Innovation also beat Stephano 2 - 0 by playing macro in the first set.
the 2nd game of the first set was very well cheese: it was mass blueflame hellions with no follow up (no starport, upgrades mech or whatever), 2 base. Stephano made one mistake: not making roaches when warren was ready. Why he didn't do it, we will never know. But 10 roaches would have killed ALL hellions and killed Innovation who had NOTHING at home (ok 4 marines). This was an 2 base all in build, counting on the fact that his opponent does a special build (if he didn't, the build of Bogus doesn't work and he is out - cheese.)
On February 01 2013 21:39 Goladkin wrote: Stupid cheeser - I hope he will be elminated in ro16, but Stephano should know he will go for cheese - it was just Innovation's only chance to win....eh
Only chance to win. Funny how he beat stephano 2 games straight with normal play
well 3 factory mass blue flame allin isn't what i'd call normal play
neither is double 11 proxy rax nor 6 rax marine/marauder/scv allin
but i also dont think allin is his only chance to win..i think his macro play is stronger overall. he likes to do risky builds a lot though
Yeah agree. I also meant the first 2 games were normal play. Not the 2 last ones.
I'm happy to see that Stephano was punished for his poor scouting, in multiple games. I think he's a good player, but when people cut that corner all the time, it just makes my eyes bleed. Hopefully he stops doing that.
Disappointing to see Stephano cheesed out of GSL, but isn't that the essence of GSL?
One of the things I've always found so alluring about this tournament is that it's the "cutthroat, anything to win" league. If you lose to a 7 pool, no one apologizes. It's a streetfight, not a gentleman's duel.
In other top tier tournaments, it does appear that there's sort of a "let's give 'em a good show!" kind of meta, where both players want to play late game and really showcase big, impressive starcraft.
Then there's GSL, where you're just as likely to get proxy rax'd or 7pooled as Gold league. I wish the foreign star had won, but I love what makes GSL what it is; these guys play to win.
I'll still be watching, because I *really* want this to be the Bomber's hour. But it's sad to see the final GSL of WoL have someone like b4 advance and no Stephano (no offense b4).
On February 01 2013 23:11 Crownlol wrote: Disappointing to see Stephano cheesed out of GSL, but isn't that the essence of GSL?
One of the things I've always found so alluring about this tournament is that it's the "cutthroat, anything to win" league. If you lose to a 7 pool, no one apologizes. It's a streetfight, not a gentleman's duel.
In other top tier tournaments, it does appear that there's sort of a "let's give 'em a good show!" kind of meta, where both players want to play late game and really showcase big, impressive starcraft.
Then there's GSL, where you're just as likely to get proxy rax'd or 7pooled as Gold league. I wish the foreign star had won, but I love what makes GSL what it is; these guys play to win.
In my opinion, "cheesed out" doesn't apply to proffesional players at this level. If someone manages to beat another Code S player with a 6-pool, then he outplayed him. There is no excuses.
Because at Code S level, you know all the tools, strategies and styles your opponent has at dispossal. Particulary in TvZ, every terran is totally aware of how strong Stephano is when he reaches infestors or when he plays confortably, so is natural to think in some heavy drop play or all-ins (cheese if necessary) to prevent him to reach his best spot. And I'm sure that Stephano, as Code S level, did know about that possibility.
He did know that and still lose. Simple: he got outplayed.
In my opinion, "cheesed out" doesn't apply to proffesional players at this level. If someone manages to beat another Code S player with a 6-pool, then he outplayed him. There is no excuses.
Because at Code S level, you know all the tools, strategies and styles your opponent has at dispossal. Particulary in TvZ, every terran is totally aware of how strong Stephano is when he reaches infestors or when he plays confortably, so is natural to think in some heavy drop play or all-ins (cheese if necessary) to prevent him to reach his best spot. And I'm sure that Stephano, as Code S level, did know about that possibility.
He did know that and still lose. Simple: he got outplayed
I think stating that he simply got outplayed is a little silly i understand this is just ur opnion but this annoys me alot if someone 2 Rax's you its a cheese plain an simple u hold or u dont thats fine but stating he gets out played because he didnt drone scout (btw drone scout may not of found it as it was outside of 3rd not actually there an the usal check is 3rd then back to base or tower 3rd base).
But to say he got outplayed i find silly. If u want to say he made bad choices an the terran out thought stephano i would agree he went the same bulid every game an the terran ideintifed this an beat him using the information he had gathered and realised in the game. Know not to say this is an excuse for stephano but i very much doubt he is the kind of player to sit down an watch 5-10 games of his oppents matches (where is in genral koreans do this more) an this gives u insight into these kind of things for instance i cant rember the last time when i saw stephano baneling bust or go pool + gas rather then 4 queen.
but at the end of the day the best 2 players advanced.
(stephano could of punished no bunker on the natural for all four games btw XD).
P.S 2 rax is very hard to identifie dont know if u play zerg but 13/14 drone is needed to scout
I think it's more accurate to say that Stephano got out-strategized. For Pro players, you play to win, anything goes. You wouldn't see Lebron not attack a smaller player in the post just because it's not nice. If there's a weakness, you attack it, plain and simple.
In my opinion, "cheesed out" doesn't apply to proffesional players at this level. If someone manages to beat another Code S player with a 6-pool, then he outplayed him. There is no excuses.
Because at Code S level, you know all the tools, strategies and styles your opponent has at dispossal. Particulary in TvZ, every terran is totally aware of how strong Stephano is when he reaches infestors or when he plays confortably, so is natural to think in some heavy drop play or all-ins (cheese if necessary) to prevent him to reach his best spot. And I'm sure that Stephano, as Code S level, did know about that possibility.
He did know that and still lose. Simple: he got outplayed
I think stating that he simply got outplayed is a little silly i understand this is just ur opnion but this annoys me alot if someone 2 Rax's you its a cheese plain an simple u hold or u dont thats fine but stating he gets out played because he didnt drone scout (btw drone scout may not of found it as it was outside of 3rd not actually there an the usal check is 3rd then back to base or tower 3rd base).
But to say he got outplayed i find silly. If u want to say he made bad choices an the terran out thought stephano i would agree he went the same bulid every game an the terran ideintifed this an beat him using the information he had gathered and realised in the game. Know not to say this is an excuse for stephano but i very much doubt he is the kind of player to sit down an watch 5-10 games of his oppents matches (where is in genral koreans do this more) an this gives u insight into these kind of things for instance i cant rember the last time when i saw stephano baneling bust or go pool + gas rather then 4 queen.
but at the end of the day the best 2 players advanced.
(stephano could of punished no bunker on the natural for all four games btw XD).
P.S 2 rax is very hard to identifie dont know if u play zerg but 13/14 drone is needed to scout
Well, I was pointing a general opinion, not only reffering to that match (because yes, using just one match to say he got outplayed is silly). Also yes, I play Zerg and I know what you say. But anyways, I think, as striderxxx said, he got out-strategized. And I think, as you say, that at the end of the game the best 2 players advanced.
To me this is just a drawback from Stephano. This is his first GSL, I'm totally sure he will do better next time, he has plenty potential to go further.
On February 01 2013 22:51 ineversmile wrote: The best 2 players advanced.
I'm happy to see that Stephano was punished for his poor scouting, in multiple games. I think he's a good player, but when people cut that corner all the time, it just makes my eyes bleed. Hopefully he stops doing that.
Yeah his scouting was really poor, even I (I am plat) when I would see 4 rax in a wall would be very carefull of possible mass attack with bio, so Stephano should be aware and ready for that possiblity. He has great macro games, but why he always play like the opponent wouldnt cheese him?? I dont understand.
Innovation's play was far from cheese. his multitasking in game one of the first seris was remarkable late game play with mass drops he was able to take the lead and get the better econ after being behind for some time and then he just kept trading units for the win. his play was very mvpish as he used various builds to punish stephano's predicabilty and lack of scouting. that rax all in seemed the perfect counter to stephano's build because of how late he was always getting a baneling nest. At the same time stepano proved he has the mechanics and skill to belong in code S. he was better then hack by far and even better then bogus but he just didnt have the mind games down that come in code s that you really cant learn untill you experence it.
CHeese or no Stephano got destroyed by Bogus. U can't really say a player "outplayed/destroyed/owned etc" assume 100% perfect macro play, what matters is the overall score.
It's probably worth noting that Stephano went out with a total map score of 3-4 w/l. That's the best map score of any player who got knocked out this round. Aside from Creator, who holds the same map score.
On February 02 2013 05:59 Kassokilleri2ff wrote: So is stephano completely out yet? I wasn't able to watch past his match vs innovation.
Yeah he's out of code s, but you'll be able to watch him in code a whenever that starts.
On February 01 2013 22:51 ineversmile wrote: The best 2 players advanced.
I'm happy to see that Stephano was punished for his poor scouting, in multiple games. I think he's a good player, but when people cut that corner all the time, it just makes my eyes bleed. Hopefully he stops doing that.
i agree stephano didnt show good scouting and thus deserved his loss. you can make overseers and at LEAST check front with lings, station a ling at the front and he did none of that, he didnt scout with any drones early game. he then made a very poor decision bringing drones to the barracks when he should have just saced the natural and tried to make it work.
def typical zerg "standard ladder build beats most" mentality being played which depresses me since stephanos so good
also to those who are like "he cheesed stephano waaa. did you see the first set? stephano got outplayed SO hard by multi tasking, innovations a monster
EPT
Soulkey <Icarus> 
Noblesse
SK_MC
?
i predict he makes it out
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