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Innovation vs. Symbol
Semi-final Recap


Brackets and standings on Liquipedia

by Zealously

Flash may be the god of Brood War, and Azubu.Symbol may be the god of Nydus Worms, but unfortunately for them STX_INnoVation is an atheist. With a 2-1 victory over the Ultimate Weapon already in the bag, the STX Terran moved on to take a convincing 4 - 2 semi-final victory over last season's runner-up, utterly decimating Symbol in macro games and only dropping games when his opponent successfully killed him before he could get his economy going.


For all his reputation of being a cheesy, Kwanro-style player since the release of HotS, Symbol did try to go for straight-up macro play in game 1 on Atlas, but he was run over as Innovation went up to his comfortable three bases and into his favored biomine-style, which tore Symbol apart despite his best efforts to minimize mine damage. Innovation's over-whelming, Life-killing, Leenock-owning aggression eventually forced a punch-drunk Symbol to tap out.

In a twist of fate, the cheeser ended up being the cheesed in game two as Innovation deviated from his usual formula of 1) Get many bases 2) Get marines and mines 3) Kill Zerg, to throw down a proxy 2rax. This ended up countering Symbol's own early-pool cheese perfectly, and Innovation was able to kill Symbol before he knew what hit him


Finding his protegé down 0-2, the spirit of the great Kwanro showed up to show Symbol the way, forcing the AZUBU Zerg to go for a mass roach drop build, with a nydus worm added in for good measure. But you could say that Innovation has a nose for nydus worms, and he was well-prepared when roaches, lings and queens began popping up inside his main. Without ever really looking in danger, Innovation's medivac-supported bio slaughtered the zerg forces to force a five-minute death animation for the Zerg.


Down 0-3, with nothing to lose, Symbol instead decided to call upon the spirit upon another Zerg. This time, Life's ghost descended upon Symbol as he decided to abandon roaches, nydus worms and even lair tech altogether as he went for an old-fashioned but highly effective baneling bust. Innovation had gone for another quick CC, and didn't seem very interested in building units. For once, it came back to bite him as Symbol's banelings exploded all his SCVs faster than Innovation could blink.

With the all-in momentum in his favor, Symbol went for yet more early aggression in the next game as he ran down Innovation's front with roaches, lings and banelings while Innovation refused to build enough bunkers after a critical misread on Symbol's intent. Overrun by units and with no real infrastructure or economy left, the STX Terran was forced to tap out for the second game in a row, much to Tasteless and Artosis's dismay.

However, there would be no come-back for Symbol as Innovation had an epiphany in game six. Innovation finally realized that Symbol kind of likes using roaches and banelings (shocking, we know), and in response built the half-forgotten, largely abandoned unit that was the backbone of Terrans throughout WoL: the siege tank. And he didn't just build one, but several. Having realized that a single bunker and a few marauders wouldn't cut it, Innovation placed siege tanks in crucial spots where they were allowed free reign when the roach/bane attack inevitably came. Inadequately prepared for the onslaught of heavy splash damage, Symbol watched his banelings disintegrate and saw the 'oomph' go out of his attack, He was given no choice but to surrender when Innovation's superior economy produced the units that kicked down his front door mere minutes later, securing the STX SouL Terran the spot in the finals opposite of Woongjin Stars' Soulkey. That guarantees a trophy for either of the tormented teams STX or Woongjin, their first in nearly six years.


In review, Symbol did everything he could to win in this series, but it wasn't enough. Innovation has shown over the course of this GSL season that his standard, straight-up macro play is almost unbeatable as he proceeds to roll over every opponent who allows him to get away with his Flash-level greed. The AZUBU Zerg ventured into macro territory in the first game, but quickly switched to doing what he did best and managed to take more games off Innovation than anyone (including GSL champions) else this season. But with more experience against well-executed all-ins, Innovation should be well-prepared going into his first finals against Soulkey. He saw almost every variation of roach/bane all-ins in existence against Symbol, and he should have no trouble holding more of them if that is what Soulkey decides to go for. Then again, Soulkey has defeated Innovation in a macro game in Proleague, so he may be confident enough to make that his main strategy in a best of seven series.

Writers: Zealously.
Graphics: petad.
Editor: Waxangel.