Samsung_RorO's Brood War legacy was as the player who was never properly rated. That wasn't so much the fans' fault as his own, as his inconsistent play made him do the overrated/underrated dance more than any other player. He would play brilliantly for stretches, draw everyone's attention, and then tank miserably. Then, after most fans had passed him off as lucky, he'd roar back with another winning streak. This led to his reputation as the 'destroyer of fantasy proleague teams,' as his point value (derived from his performance in the previous round) never accurately reflected his actual level of play.
While RorO's form varied from game to game, week to week, and month to month, he actually evened out as a reliable player in the scope of a year long Proleague season. He never had trouble earning starts in the Proleague, and he was quickly scooped up by Samsung KHAN 2011 when his former team WeMADE Fox folded. He played just well enough in individual leagues to reach the Ro16, but got never any further. Almost poetically, he ended his Brood War career with a win-loss record just barely shy of being perfectly even, with a 49% win rate.
So far, all the evidence pointed to RorO repeating the exact same pattern in his StarCraft II career. He somehow slugged his way through the brutal WCS qualifiers to become one of the seven players to represent Korea, only to get promptly eliminated 0 – 4 at the Global Finals. He tore through Code A and B in an impressive debut run, but was eliminated from the Code S Ro32 by Hack when he made the laughable mistake of forgetting about the six ultralisks he had in a Nydus Worm.
His Proleague season has been typically RorO as well. His WCS and GSL credentials led many to believe he would be one of the top players in the first all-SC2 Proleague, but he disappointed heavily by going 4 – 4 in the first round. He then promptly turned it around in rounds 2 and 3, where he recorded a 12 – 6 record and destroyed several StarCraft II fantasy teams as well.
All that changed in the final Wings of Liberty season of the GSL. RorO's run up to the Code S finals confounds because we've never seen him do anything like it in his five year career. So far, RorO has taken down Keen, Mvp, BBoongBBoong, Life, MC, and TaeJa in his Code S run. RorO might have had some good stretches in his Brood War career, but they were built on wins over players like HyuK, Stats, and Action – not exactly championship contenders. For good measure, RorO even took down Flash and Jaedong in the Proleague matches in between his GSL appearances. Considering that he had a combined 1 – 14 record against the two in the Brood War days, you could tell that it was strange times indeed for a player long locked into the middle-class.
History tells us that RorO will have to come down to earth. Every time he's risen up before, it's always ended with a fall. It's fitting that RorO's destiny will be decided in a Zerg vs. Zerg. Not ZvP or ZvT where RorO has consistently shown strength for all of his brief StarCraft II career. No, it's the match-up where he's most recently started to play well, going on an exciting yet worrisome streak of wins. Of all the match-ups in StarCraft II, the Zerg mirror may be the most volatile, the one where win streaks are the most misleading, and the one where any top player can beat another on a given day. It's the one where RorO's recent strength may most easily be proven to be fools gold.
However, there's the chance that RorO has finally learned how to break the cycle he has been caught in for the last five years. Already, StarCraft II has proved to be a huge opportunity to ex-Brood War players who found that their talents were more suited to the sequel. Even outside earlier converts like Mvp, Nestea, and MC, there have been more recent players who have benefited greatly. Neither Rain nor Innovation were outstanding players in Brood War, but they quickly rose to the upper echelons of StarCraft II. While those two were thwarted just short of the GSL title at the Ro4, RorO has picked up where they left off, and made it one more step of the way.
But forget about elephants, this is about a man trying to change his destiny. Five years is a long time to be tied down in mediocrity, and chances like this may never come again in a lifetime. All the signs of the past say RorO is doomed to suffer his most ruinous collapse yet. Yet, RorO has picked up so much speed in the last two months, that he might be able to break free of the cycle once and for all.
Symbol: From the Ashes
by: Zealously
From the very day he broke out onto the scene, Azubu.Symbol has been all about the extremes. Best Zerg in the world, fastest rising player in the world, championship contender – turning to worst choker in the world and “mediocre player” in a heartbeat. From his reverse all-kill of LG-IM in GSTL to the now legendary reverse sweep at the hands of Seed in the GSL quarterfinals, Symbol has always been a little bit up-and-down.
But from his fall in 2012’s Season 3, a new player has risen from the ashes of the former TSL Zerg. And the new Symbol is much different from the old one. There have been noticeable changes in his style – the player who once planted vast forests of spine crawlers, the natural habitat of brood lords and infestors – now all about aggression, controlling the pace of the game, and bringing the fight to the opponent with a ling/ultra heavy style.
Once upon a time, Symbol might have been better off playing safe and aiming for the late-game with brood Lords, infestors and 8 hatches, various changes both to the metagame and the game itself have put Wings of Liberty in a place where it fits the Azubu Zerg much better. Not only this, but Symbol has honed his skills, perfected his abilities while he was away from the spotlight.
After his loss to Seed in Season 3, Symbol stated, he could not bring himself to practice. He couldn’t play and he couldn’t think about anything but how close he was to the semifinals. It cannot be denied that this showed for a long time after; Symbol was not the same player – not the same Zerg that inspired awe from casters, players and fans alike for a short period before his momentum was stopped so harshly by his LG-IM opponent.
But Symbol had willpower. He brought himself back from the pit of the despair, from the ashes of his failed “Become the best Zerg in the world”-campaign, and he has come back to form, and gone beyond what he was back then. The quarterfinal against Innovation showed this, proving without a doubt that he was not only still a creative Zerg, but more than capable of executing strategies on a very high level against very high level opponents. Innovation, too, is a player who excels at aggression – he was all about bringing the fight to the opponent and finding the crack in the armor, but Symbol did not break. Six months ago, he might have. I would go as far as to say that he probably would have. But Symbol went beyond not cracking, and fought back. He held on, stuck to the plan, executed well and sealed the deal with roach aggression in game five. After losing to Seed's cannon rush in game five of the Season 3 quarter-finals, Symbol proved that he, too, has the killer instincts required at the highest level.
Not too long ago, Snute stomped Symbol in the Homestory Cup VI finals, sending the GSL finalist home with a second place finish after a final where he could not even take a game off the Norwegian Zerg. Coming into his GSL semifinal against Startale’s Curious, Symbol was the underdog based on how abysmal his ZvZ had looked lately – statistically and gameplay-wise. Defying all expectations, Symbol emerged victorious and made a statement about his current form. He beat Curious, the player with the best statistical record in ZvZ in the entire world, with convincing victories in a series that ended 4 - 2. He utilized creep highways and various other unconventional strategies to varying (but mostly great) success, and he never looked like he was about to lose control of the series or let it slip out of his grip. No, Symbol stayed calm on the big stage in the most important match of his life, and he played the way he plays best – aggressively, unpredictably and to all of his strengths and all of his opponent’s weaknesses, and it has brought him here.
Last season, it was Symbol’s teammate HyuN who was in the finals, in the very same match-up against a player who was, to put it best, solid. Hyun lost that series 3 - 4 to Sniper, in a battle that saw both players driven into the ground with exhaustion. Hyun could very well have won last season against a very high caliber ZvZ-player. As stated by Symbol himself, he and Hyun are still friends despite no longer being on the same team. Symbol practiced with Hyun before his final, and Hyun will doubtlessly have returned the favor. Both players are incredibly strong and creative, and if any duo of players can prepare for a mirror match-up finals, it is these two.
Symbol is now in his first GSL final. Some would say it’s long overdue while others would say that he only got there by a fluke. He’s up against Roro, who many would agree is the favorite in this match. But Symbol has the experience advantage, having been in more elimination matches than the Samsung Zerg, and he has played in front of big live audiences before. Roro is not an easy opponent, as evidenced by his strong winrates across all match-ups, against top opposition, but Symbol is not the Zerg that lost to Seed after looking unbeatable for the first half of the series – no longer the Zerg that will be frightened by circumstances or brought off balance by external factors. What I saw in Symbol against Curious was a new player, with all the advantages of gameplay strength and good practice partners still intact, but with renewed confidence and an improved mentality.
Symbol is no longer the Zerg laid low, overshadowed by other players and considered somewhat mediocre with only flashes of brilliance sometimes showing in his play. No, tonight – all eyes are on Symbol. Like a phoenix, he has risen from the ashes and reached his first GSL final. Tonight is the most important night of Symbol’s career, and it will either be the night when he soars higher than ever before, or the night when he falls again. Looking at the confidence, composure, and intelligence he has shown this season, I know he won't fall again.
Last and 100% least.Worst GSL finals in history incoming. Roro - the most boring palyer in the universe is actually going to win GLS. Complete bullshit.
On March 09 2013 07:13 smogg wrote: Last and 100% least.Worst GSL finals in history incoming. Roro - the most boring palyer in the universe is actually going to win GLS. Complete bullshit.
Inca vs. Nestea would like a word. Or actually no, two letters: DT
I honestly can't get excited over this. Symbol is the one of the most boring players out there, never truly getting back to the point of his early hype and Roro feels untested even after making it to the finals. Best outcome for me would be neither player winning and gom declaring WoL over in the pregame show.
Ah fuck it, I'll root for Roro and hope he wins it, even though the amount of 'see, esf is a joke' bw elitism posts will drive me mad.
Thanks for the write up! I don't know yet if I can get myself to watch tomorrow, I might just stick to the VODs, as IEM is just to tempting. I'm gonna go with Roro taking it 4-2.
On March 09 2013 07:29 Derez wrote: I honestly can't get excited over this. Symbol is the one of the most boring players out there, never truly getting back to the point of his early hype and Roro feels untested even after making it to the finals. Best outcome for me would be neither player winning and gom declaring WoL over in the pregame show
I think calling Symbol boring is quite unfair. Did you see his series against Innovation, or the crazy stuff against Curious? He may have a history of turtling to BL/Infestor - but most Zergs did. He's hardly boring any more.
On March 09 2013 07:29 Derez wrote: I honestly can't get excited over this. Symbol is the one of the most boring players out there, never truly getting back to the point of his early hype and Roro feels untested even after making it to the finals. Best outcome for me would be neither player winning and gom declaring WoL over in the pregame show
I think calling Symbol boring is quite unfair. Did you see his series against Innovation, or the crazy stuff against Curious? He may have a history of turtling to BL/Infestor - but most Zergs did. He's hardly boring any more.
I remember Symbol as being pretty damn inventive. I think he went for a 7RR when he was against MKP on Entombed, because the only two builds MKP would have done were 11/11 or CC first. If I remember correctly, it worked out well for him too.
so not excited for zvz finals, the last few seasons have been mostly all zerg from the Ro4 i lose interest around then. great work on write up as always.
Even though I won't watch, I hope Symbol wins, Roro is just sniper2, just killing fan-favorite everywhere. Mvp, Life, MC, TaeJa but hopefully symbol will stop him, sadly i thing Roro will be the last WoL champion though.
On March 09 2013 07:29 Derez wrote: I honestly can't get excited over this. Symbol is the one of the most boring players out there, never truly getting back to the point of his early hype and Roro feels untested even after making it to the finals. Best outcome for me would be neither player winning and gom declaring WoL over in the pregame show
I think calling Symbol boring is quite unfair. Did you see his series against Innovation, or the crazy stuff against Curious? He may have a history of turtling to BL/Infestor - but most Zergs did. He's hardly boring any more.
I watched every game ro8 up. What I remember from Symbol this season is some creative ZvZ all roach timings, which honestly is not the stuff of legends. I don't remember the series vs innovation very well, but from what I recall he won mainly due to all-in builds and lost macro games, which deserves some merit but isn't exactly all that inspiring when he plays a race that most people would consider favored in late game situations vs T in the first place.
I think that when people look back at this GSL and the one before that in a year or two from now, these last two titles will be entirely forgotten. They'll be legit champions, but champions without a legacy.
Roro will probably win, but hey, gotta root for the underdog. Still not watching though. If this was on at a decent time, I'd check it out, but there's no chance in hell I'm staying up until 3AM for a ZvZ.
this starts at 17:10 KST (08:10 GMT (+00:00)) instead of the normal 18:10 KST (09:10 GMT (+00:00)), so it's an hour earlier than usual, don't want anyone to miss it! Check the countdown timer http://www.teamliquid.net/calendar/2013/03/#event_15362
- Roro has a much better ZvZ record. - Symbol comes straight of a 6 games ZvZ so must have exhausted his pile of builds. - Roro beat Life 2-0. - Artosis thinks Roro will win.
It's obvious really. Symbol will take this 4-0, with Roro failing hilariously in all games.
Reading the summary of both players, you kind of want both players to win it. They both deserve their place in the spotlight so much! They fought hard for this chance!
But my heart says Roro. Take it! This is your time to shine! Make Khan proud!
On paper, RorO should have this, but I firmly believe in the Nephalem Zerg. RorO does not have the kind of creativity to upset his focus, and if Symbol of victory keeps his focus tonight, he cannot be beaten!
Symbol goes up 3-0, only to have Roro remove his mask, revealing Seed, who promptly reverse sweeps again, and saving the last WoL code S from the zvz hell it's been in for ages.
I watched every game so far in this Code S, and for it to come to a finals that I won't even watch, won't even look up who won, wouldn't remember anyways...it's sad. Seems like this happened just last season.
I don't know how Symbol could be considered "suffering" because of getting outplayed in previous GSLs. I'm glad he's doing well, but I think the exaggerations on the TL front page are BEYOND RIDICULOUS at this point.
Seriously, this site is a hop, skip, and a jump away from being a full-blown propaganda station with pictures of TL staff in army general clothes, with funny mustaches.
On March 09 2013 10:29 Tibbroar wrote: Symbol goes up 3-0, only to have Roro remove his mask, revealing Seed, who promptly reverse sweeps again, and saving the last WoL code S from the zvz hell it's been in for ages.
On March 09 2013 07:19 TommyP wrote: Artosis: RorO 4 - 2 Symbol
dammit i liquibet'd roro
But Fionn predicted Symbol. Who has the stronger curse?
Forget about Roro and Symbol, this match should be rebilled as FIONN VS. ARTOSIS: BATTLE OF THE CURSE
On March 09 2013 07:01 TeamLiquid ESPORTS wrote: TeamLiquid Writer Predictions Fionn: Symbol 4 - 2 RorO Kollin: Symbol 4 - 2 RorO monk: RorO 4 - 3 Symbol Stuchiu: RorO 4 - 2 Symbol Waxangel: Symbol 4 - 1 RorO Zealously: Symbol 4 - 3 RorO
Personally, I don't see how Symbol isn't the underdog here. His zvz has been abysmal, recently losing 4-0 to Snute in the HSC finals, 3-0 to Scarlett at IS2. The only exception was his victory over Curious, but then Curious basically just did the same two strategies (mutas into roach/infestor or roach/infestor) over and over the entire series. Symbol played well but it was also a disappointing showing from Curious. Symbol has made a leap of improvement this GSL, but I question how far you can improve a weak matchup in such a short span of time.
Roro's zvz on the other hand is already world class. He has a 62% win, and 71% in Proleague. He beat Life this GSL, who is often considered the best zvz'er and best player in the world (Life also 2-0'd Symbol earlier this GSL.) He shifts between all-out aggression and standard macro effortlessly. His preparation and scouting are meticulous, as we have seen earlier. He's unpredictable, he adapts his play to his opponents' weaknesses. His own play is tight with no obvious weaknesses for others to exploit. His results have been on a steep upward trajectory. In short, he is a complete player.
On paper, Roro has to be considered the favourite. Of course that hasn't meant squat this GSL. In fact, it's meant reverse squat. Almost every single round Symbol has been counted out, and every single time he has squeaked past. He just barely made it to code S in the first place on wildcards. The list of players who were supposed to send Symbol home on his way here is noteworthy: Creator, MKP, Squirtle, Innovation, and Curious.
Will Symbol pull off one last upset and complete the trend this GSL of underdogs upsetting favourites? All I can say is, between the Roro we have seen so far, and the Symbol we have seen so far, Roro is a cut above.
I think that when people look back at this GSL and the one before that in a year or two from now, these last two titles will be entirely forgotten. They'll be legit champions, but champions without a legacy.
Both of their legacies will last as long as they continue to remain relevant. If they fade into the Code B doldrums for HOTS they're easily forgotten (or always remembered as flukes I suppose) but staying in the limelight would help legitimize those legacies. There's a reason Jjakji and Seed are working real hard to make comebacks for the new expansion.
On March 09 2013 07:13 smogg wrote: Last and 100% least.Worst GSL finals in history incoming. Roro - the most boring palyer in the universe is actually going to win GLS. Complete bullshit.
I think the Artosis curse is actually stronger than Fionn's being able to hit even in the middle of some series which seem unloseable...so kespa gonna get 2nd place =))
On March 09 2013 13:42 igay wrote: i think id only watch zvz finals if DRG or nestea were playing
Life? Leenock?
^ 2 of the most entertaining zergs ever :S
Any two of those four would be a fantastic finals for WoL. But these two... I'm going to watch anyway, but we all know it could and should be a much better matchup.
Great write up. Thanks liquid guys for this pre finals hype.
I hope its an exciting and creative display. ZvZ does not often lend itself to excitement, if only because the inevitable mid and late game is rather uninteresting roach infestor wars, with an occasional foray into ling bane and mutas. Symbol has shown some creativity recently in the matchup, in particular with his series against Curious, so I have some hope that I might see something I haven't ever seen before. I feel like Roro is going to be most comfortable with taking it late game and hive tech. Symbol has taken to doing mutli prong roach aggression timing, or at least he did against curious, but I think a strong mechanical player like Roro is very unlikely to fold to that kind of pressure. I hope symbol doesn't try to play roro as if he is a weaker mechanical player than himself. I would very much like it if roro can edge away from playing completely safe at least once or twice, and show is something innovative and interesting. Its really hard to cheer for a player that just executes the same builds we have all seen a hundred or more times before.
On March 09 2013 10:35 ineversmile wrote: I don't know how Symbol could be considered "suffering" because of getting outplayed in previous GSLs. I'm glad he's doing well, but I think the exaggerations on the TL front page are BEYOND RIDICULOUS at this point.
Seriously, this site is a hop, skip, and a jump away from being a full-blown propaganda station with pictures of TL staff in army general clothes, with funny mustaches.
RorO!!! Only fitting that the final GSL of WoL goes to a Kespa player. Looks likely all the hots titles will go their way as well, maybe with some LG-IM victories to deny a clean sweep lol.
GZ Roro yeah really fitting that last gsl win goes to Kespa Sad that Symbol could not take it though. TSL zergs are and will always be the best zergs even though you couldn't win symbol
gz again to Roro well played whole season!
(btw fun thing to note MKP was the only person to win both gsl winners of last 2 seasons Sniper and Roro :D...Never win GSL but still beat the champion ;_;)
Kind of thought there'd be a bigger emphasis on RorO's ZvZ excellence, but symbol can potentially defy the trend. 4-2 RorO, though it kills my heart to say it Also, I miss the player predictions! Can you bring them back for the next GSL final please?
On March 09 2013 23:12 DavoS wrote: Kind of thought there'd be a bigger emphasis on RorO's ZvZ excellence, but symbol can potentially defy the trend. 4-2 RorO, though it kills my heart to say it Also, I miss the player predictions! Can you bring them back for the next GSL final please?
The better player won. Roro proved he's all around the better player. On his path to the title he dominated a lot of good players and ex-champions. He deserved the win.
On March 10 2013 07:59 Nedved wrote: Symbol should win it, he is the more accomplished player and is a WoL great. RorO will have his chance in HOtS if he is good
What do you mean more accomplished? RorO was considered to be better than Symbol in terms of results during the BW days.
On March 10 2013 07:59 Nedved wrote: Symbol should win it, he is the more accomplished player and is a WoL great. RorO will have his chance in HOtS if he is good
What do you mean more accomplished? RorO was considered to be better than Symbol in terms of results during the BW days.
does that make bisu a better sc2 player than rain? different games, man
Wait, if I'm reading this line correctly, this means that Symbol was the favorite from the gambling community? This seems odd considering you'd expect Roro with his Kespa support would certainly be the favorite.
Wait, if I'm reading this line correctly, this means that Symbol was the favorite from the gambling community? This seems odd considering you'd expect Roro with his Kespa support would certainly be the favorite.
Wait, if I'm reading this line correctly, this means that Symbol was the favorite from the gambling community? This seems odd considering you'd expect Roro with his Kespa support would certainly be the favorite.
That's a multiplier system I think, which means Symbol has worst odds since you'd win more if you bet on Symbol and was correct than if you bet on Roro and was correct.
EPT
Samsung_RorO's Brood War legacy was as the player who was never properly rated. That wasn't so much the fans' fault as his own, as his inconsistent play made him do the overrated/underrated dance more than any other player. He would play brilliantly for stretches, draw everyone's attention, and then tank miserably. Then, after most fans had passed him off as lucky, he'd roar back with another winning streak. This led to his reputation as the 'destroyer of fantasy proleague teams,' as his point value (derived from his performance in the previous round) never accurately reflected his actual level of play.
ZvZ-hater, no passion
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/662.jpg)
