Finally, the time has come. The first Heart of the Swarm GSL has played out to its final stage, and we are ready to crown the first champion of the new expansion. While there are a number of players who can claim to be champions of HotS, it is undeniable that this GSL final is the point where order is truly established for the first time. Some champions won too early, before the game was figured out. Others won against weaker pools, filled with international players who would be hard pressed to make Code A in Korea. With the conclusion of this tournament, we will be able to say for the first time that we truly know something about how HotS is played at the highest level, and more interestingly, we will be able to say who is the best player in the world.
The Hope: Woongjin_Soulkey
by Zealously
Days since Woongjin Stars' last title: 2,142 (GGPlay, Daum OSL)
Soukey's road to the finals: 2-1 Maru, 0-2 Flash, 2-1 Maru, 2-0 Yoda, 2-0 Flying, 3-2 Parting, 4-3 sOs
What's on the line: The honor of the Zerg race, the hopes and dreams of Woongjin Stars, and the ever-elusive title of "best player in the world."
History Lesson: Terran is Cruel
The Zerg race appeared to maintain its dominance in StarCraft II after the release of HotS as Life won MLG and Leenock won Dreamhack. However, Korea has recently become an increasingly perilous place for the members of the Swarm. This is mostly due to the feats of just one, incredibly dangerous player: STX SouL's INnoVation. Every Zerg who once put the fear of the swarm into the hearts of men has been crushed under his boot heel. Jaedong, Leenock, effOrt, HyuN, Symbol, Life, and RorO: all terminated with extreme prejudice. Only Symbol's unorthodox, hyper-aggressive play managed to even take maps off Innovation in the GSL. Who can stop this xenophobic madman?
Outside the GSL, only one Zerg has managed to stand up to Innovation's reign of TvZ terror. That Zerg is Woongjin Stars' Soulkey. First garnering attention in 2010 with an impressive Dream League (the 'minor league' for Proleague) record, Soulkey was heralded as the next in a long line of great Zergs. However, he just didn't have the time to live up to his potential in Brood War, unable to step out of the shadow of his more accomplished teammate/rival ZerO whose 2011 ABC Mart MSL silver dwarfed any of Soulkey's achievements.
Soulkey was relieved enough to beat sOs in the semis, now he faces a challenge on another level.
Now, having attained great power in StarCraft II, Soulkey can look back at ZerO's second place finish in Brood War and feel a strange sense of déjà vu. As ZerO headed into the MSL finals against Flash two years ago, StarCraft fans were cautiously optimistic about the Woongjin Zerg's chances. Flash was the master of macro and unmatched in long games, but of all the Zergs in the world, ZerO looked like the one who might beat Flash at his own game.
Alas, Flash is now known as God, and compared to that, ZerO is... zero. The Ultimate Weapon utterly demolished ZerO in a completely one-sided 3-0 stomping, and ZerO never made another finals after that. Having seen his teammate reduced to rubble by a heartless Terran machine, Soulkey knows the horrors that might await him. Can Soulkey stop history from repeating itself?
There is some reason to be optimistic. Soulkey has proven himself capable of fighting on even ground with his opponent, as he took a win against Innovation some weeks ago in the Proleague, in a prolonged macro game setting both players prefer. Utilizing banelings and backdoor attacks to great effect, Soulkey was able to keep the economy of an unsuspecting Innovation under control, and eventually wrung a GG out of his tenacious opponent.
In the Proleague rematch just a few days ago, Innovation struck back and took the win in another close game, putting their head-to-head record in HotS at 1-1. Innovation made some adjustments, didn't take too much damage from Soulkey's attacks on his economy, and wore him down with his trademark stream of marines, mines, and medivacs. On the back of those games, the two look evenly matched and fairly comfortable against the other's style in both games. Of all the Zergs in the world, Soulkey looks like the one who could be called Innovation's equal, with a real chance of beating him in a best of seven series.
Or maybe that's just fool's gold. ZerO, too, played one incredible game against Flash leading up to the MSL finals, giving fans hope that God could be beat at his own game. As the ending 0 - 3 scoreline showed, what happens in Proleague doesn't always matter come the finals.
Styles Make Fights
But until hope is disproved, stifled, and utterly snuffed out, we must entertain the possibility that Soulkey will win. As he seeks to solve the puzzle that is Innovation, he will have to think about the best way to approach the match.
Innovation's playstyle revolves around heavy harassment and intense aggression, growing ever more deadly as the game goes on. For every base you take, Innovation has a drop ready, and for every attack stopped, there is another wave coming. Life, Soulkey, and Symbol all had single games where they looked like they were just as fast as Innovation, able to match his constant aggression as they built up their economies... ...but only for around sixteen minutes. Things fell apart almost instantly as they tried to transition to hive, with the smallest break in unit production, the slightest investment in anything outside the hyper-mobile muta-ling-bane allowing Innovation to start knocking the dominoes down.
Well, GomTV certainly knows how to get to the point.
Although Soulkey's macro play and multitasking on defense is stellar and matched perhaps only by one or two other Zergs, his most potent weapon is not his speed, his defense, nor his ability to play a straight-up game with Innovation. No, Soulkey's answer doesn't lie in playing for late-game, but in the phases before that. There, intelligent builds, lethal backstabs and great ling control can give Soulkey the edge.
Symbol, arguably a weaker player than Soulkey in more or less every aspect except creativity, was able to take two games off Innovation in the semis with roach-bane and ling-bane busts that simply killed Innovation off before he could get his desired three-base economy going. Soulkey and his teammates have no doubt analyzed what Symbol did right and what he did wrong, and we should expect nothing less one very well-executed all-in at the minimum. Cheese and aggression are already staples of best of seven series, but they are also the best options Soulkey has for stopping Innovation from getting away with his Flash-level greed.
While the Woongjin Zerg should no doubt mix in greedy plays to vary things up—and as a championship class player, he will certainly be confident enough to try and fight fire with fire in at least a couple of games—he has to make sure he remains the aggressor. Soulkey might be nicknamed the "Iron Wall" in Korea, and he may show a strong preference for macro play in most of his games—but this is not the match to fall on familiar habits. Once he's forced on the defensive by Innovation, it will become nearly impossible to break out onto the map and fight back. In the blink of an eye, there'll be marauders in his base, mines unaccounted for, and marines scouring the map for hidden bases.
Barring a veritable ZvT revolution brought about by the great minds at Woongjin Stars, this is the reality for Soulkey. If he knows where his opportunities lie and abuses Innovation's greed and apparent early-game weakness, this GSL is Soulkey's for the taking. He has shown that he has what it takes by being one of the anchors on the most dominant team in Proleague. He has shown that he has what it takes by reaching the playoff rounds three seasons in a row against brutal opposition. He has shown it in his gameplay, by being one of the most impressive players of the winningest race in GSL history.
In 2011, a Woongjin Zerg faced off against a near-perfect Terran with all the hype in the world behind him. The Zerg fell woefully short, unable to match the overpowering might of The Man Called God. However, history doesn't have to be a portent for Soulkey—it can be the foundation upon which he builds his legacy. He knows everything he needs to know, he has learned all his lessons, and he has all the tools he needs to beat Innovation. The past can't be re-written for Woongjing Stars, but the future is here for the taking.
The Ender of Hope: STX_Innovation
by stuchiu
Days since STX Soul’s last title: 1,030 (Calm, Avalon MSL)
Road to the finals: 1-2 Rain, 2-0 Hyun, 2-0 Rain, 2-1 Flash, 2-0 Life, 3-0 Roro, 4-2 Symbol
What’s on the line: Reclaiming the GSL title for the Terran, the utter destruction of Zerg, and the fulfillment of MajOr's prophecy.
"The Terran Kingdom had become fully infested. The likes of Life and Roro defiled the throne that once belonged to Mvp, and his castles were laid to waste by Leenock and Soulkey. No corner of the realm was left untainted, not even MKP’s silver stool which was taken by the tunneler, Symbol. But from the ashes of defeat rose a champion to bring a new dawn. Reborn under the waters of Yongsan and anointed on the Korean ladder, Bogus became Innovation.
And before he descended upon the studios of Gangnam, he gave his last sermon. ‘Warn them. Warn them all to flee now, for not a Zerg shall survive my fury. If they surrender, they may leave in peace to the lands of Europe and America. If they stay, I will have no mercy.
'Widow mines will split open the earth, releasing the fiery bats of hell. The skies will grow black with the shadows of the medivacs, and they shall see no light but the harsh exhaust of afterburners. Mules will rain from the heavens, and they shall be deafened by the sound of concussive shells. The GSL will be cleansed of the Zerg, and the Terran will reign supreme once more.' And I wept, for I knew his words to be true."
So it was said and so it has come to pass. It has been 19 months since we had a new Terran finalist. It has been 13 months since Mvp won the last GSL for Terran. It has been 8 months since a Terran was even in the finals of GSL. Since then, Zergs have gone on a rampage and the Terran race has been looking for a new hero to save them from their oppression. But who was left that could stand up to the Zerg menace? Mvp was slain by Life and was exiled to Europe. Taeja’s wrists were too injured to carry the burden. The OSL Champions Flash and Fantasy did not yet have the strength in this new world. No, it fell upon to INnoVation, the unlikeliest of heroes. There was nothing particularly interesting about him or his history. Just another good Terran player from one of the less popular Kespa teams. It was easy to overlook him in favor of the champions like Flash, Bisu, Stork and Jaedong. But step by step, game by game, it became clear. They are the past and Innovation is the future.
Innovation almost looks bored after winning the semi-finals.
There were eight other players who stood above all the rest before this season started: Flash, Parting, Rain, Life, Symbol, Roro, Soulkey, and Leenock. Innovation's path has included 5 of them: Rain, Flash, Life, Roro, and Symbol. Never has a path to the GSL finals looked so hard, and been walked so easily. RorO was the defending champion. Symbol was the paragon of consistency. Rain was the world’s strongest macro Protoss. Flash was the living legend of Brood War. Life was the Prodigy that won his first GSL at 15, and took five tournaments in under five months. They are all lying broken in the dust.
Rain gave Innovation a scratch in the Ro32, but Innovation easily rallied and crushed Rain in the rematch to eliminate the SKT ace to move onto the Ro16. The Ro16's Group B, the group of death, ended up being Group Bogus as he mangled both Life and Flash and crushed their dreams. He drubbed both finalists from the last GSL, RorO and Symbol, on his way to the finals, barely breaking a sweat. Only 3 players are left on that list: Leenock, Parting and Soulkey. Innovation butchered Leenock at MLG before the season started. Parting... well you can't have 'em all. Now, Soulkey awaits in the finals. We often call the GSL champion the best player in the world, on the merit of winning the best tournament in the world, not necessarily beating the best players. If Innovation beats Soulkey on Saturday, he will be the #1 player because he ran over numbers two through seven with a steamroller.
Roughly translates to "I beat Life and RorO, Zergs cannot TOUCH me!"
Innovation is now 21 - 3 in TvZ. Only two players have even dented him. Symbol took advantage of the only weakness he could find, and used some desperate all-ins to catch Innovation off guard and stole two games. But only Soulkey has gone for blow for blow with Innovation’s speed and multitasking and won. In their two Proleague meetings, Soulkey took the first game in a tightly contested firefight on Whirlwind by out multi-tasking Innovation on both offense and defense. he second time they met it became an even larger brawl as Innovation and Soulkey once more took the game long as they fought on all fronts. That time Innovation proved to be the better player, with Soulkey flinching first. That was all Innovation needed to force the game to snowball out of control, cleaning up Soulkey in a matter of minutes.
It's true that Innovation does not have a gravitas of a Flash, the charisma of a Bisu or the outward intensity of Jaedong. However, he doesn't need any of that. Gameplay speak louder than any words. He came into SC2 with raw strength, a bull in a China shop running roughshod over his competition in Code A. Since then, he has smoothed out roughness, refined his mechanics, honed his instincts and he has become a well oiled war machine. Constantly producing, constantly marching, constantly attacking, dominating every corner of the map. There has never been a weapon more optimized for beating Zerg. Now Innovation stands alone at the top for the Terran race just as Soulkey stands at the top for Zerg. Between the heavens and earth, only Innovation and Soulkey are left, but only one can remain standing come Saturday.
If I only could get the subscription to see this! I hope either wins honestly as neither is a previous BW demi-god. But I play Terran and hope Innovation can show several styles of play throughout the series rather than just multi-dropping each game.
So pumped! my last exam is friday so i have no reason to not watch it live. Reclaim the throne ender. The new movie of Ender's Game is actually gonna be a Starcraft 2 documentary about Innovation. LETS GO TERRAN!!!! RECLAIM THE THRONE!!!!!!!
I would love nothing more than for SoulKey to 4-0 Innovation and slap some Terrans in the face while he does it.. .... even though i am a huge Flash Fan
In the first GSL of this game, a zerg player is playing against a terran player. That terran is a player known for his excellent harassment and for crushing zergs all over the place. He's recently changed his name and everybody's expecting him to win the finals. Zerg is having a tough time at the moment but the zerg player in this finals has managed to battle his way here. He didn't meet his potential in brood war but he's doing much better now.
It only makes sense; I predict Fruitdealer 4-1 Rainbow
Innovation is gonna beat Soulkey unfortunately. He's just too good, and having lost the last two Proleague matches Soulkey can't be feeling 100% confident.
This whole article was fantastic. I feel like it isn't said enough but the writers for TL are not only really good at writing about the game, but just generaly good writers.
On May 31 2013 04:13 Yonnua wrote: In the first GSL of this game, a zerg player is playing against a terran player. That terran is a player known for his excellent harassment and for crushing zergs all over the place. He's recently changed his name and everybody's expecting him to win the finals. Zerg is having a tough time at the moment but the zerg player in this finals has managed to battle his way here. He didn't meet his potential in brood war but he's doing much better now.
It only makes sense; I predict Fruitdealer 4-1 Rainbow
:D :D :D
OH SNAP Next you'll be saying they both came from brood war!!
On May 31 2013 04:21 Haighstrom wrote: "If Innovation beats Soulkey on Saturday, he will be the #1 player because he ran over numbers two through seven with a steamroller."
On May 31 2013 04:21 Haighstrom wrote: "If Innovation beats Soulkey on Saturday, he will be the #1 player because he ran over numbers two through seven with a steamroller."
So pumped to watch these finals good lord. Gonna go shopping to get all my snacks ready for tomorrow night. The Major quote is absolutely glorious, especially the part about the sun obscured by the haze of the medivac afterburners..
The match is gonna be absolutely ridiculous but I gotta say I think Innovation is gonna take it. I'm sure he's more than well aware of his early game susceptibility to all ins etc and will make sure to scout thoroughly and cover all his options until he hits his stride late game. Either way...bunch of macro TvZs coming up? Count me in! Great write up too :D
On May 31 2013 04:46 Scoobers wrote: Isn't it like a year since most of us was last time hyped for GSL finals? GOGOGO INnoVation! Purify the zerg scum!
These "stars" come and go. There have been so many hyped players over the past two years that I can't even remember all their names. Innovation and Soulkey will eventually join their ranks. Won't someone with staying power ever appear? I'm talking like a 1-2 year reign at least. Oh well, should be good games anyway.
On May 31 2013 04:57 jeeeeohn wrote: These "stars" come and go. There have been so many hyped players over the past two years that I can't even remember all their names. Innovation and Soulkey will eventually join their ranks. Won't someone with staying power ever appear? I'm talking like a 1-2 year reign at least. Oh well, should be good games anyway.
What on Earth are you talking about? Mvp? Leenock? Life? Would you prefer BW where it was basically already known Flash was going to win?
On May 31 2013 04:57 jeeeeohn wrote: These "stars" come and go. There have been so many hyped players over the past two years that I can't even remember all their names. Innovation and Soulkey will eventually join their ranks. Won't someone with staying power ever appear? I'm talking like a 1-2 year reign at least. Oh well, should be good games anyway.
What on Earth are you talking about? Mvp? Leenock? Life? Would you prefer BW where it was basically already known Flash was going to win?
That's like asking me if I'd still watch basketball if I knew Lebron James was the best player in the league.
I believe Innovation to be a god-like player. Having watched SC2 religiously since WoL came out, I have never seen another player like him. One who always watches drops with the eyes of a hawk, while somehow hitting every depot and macro cycle on the dot. It's like Bomber's macro and MMA's multitasking had a baby.
However, I do think he is semi-weak to all-ins due to his semi-greedy style (depending on build choice). So, I think he will likely lose one map to cheese as Soulkey will inevitably do at least once, just like the OP says.
The prophecy has been foretold, but the pronounced champion is untrue.
As my 1000th post, my prediction shall come true.
Against all will, the dominion shall fall as we hold the key that is true. The lings, the banes, and the mutas too, we shall overcome this impossible task. And the blades of justice shall pierce through the fire to show the truth.
I really don't mind who gets the title, they are both amazing and they both deserve it. However I would prefer Innovation to win only cause it's been a few months since zergs are dominating the GSL. Also, now that Kespa players have raised the skill level in the pro scene I'm sure it's going to be very unlikely to see random ''lucky'' champions that are not able to keep up with their performances as it happened in the past. I hope a protoss wins the GSL championship after the current one, maybe sOs or Rain.
I think Soulkey can win in longer macro games if Innovation plays a bit safer early game (aware that all-ins are a 'weakness'). If Inno, say, gets a tank or two I feel like his 3 base eternal MMMM push could be delayed/diluted enough for Soulkey to defend or even become the aggressor himself.
Also, Soulkey got a good start in the game he beat Innovation by going for really fast mutalisks, keeping Innovation in his base.
I think the most important thing is injects. You need a *constant* stream of zerglings rallying out.
I remember back in the GSL when Life won, tastetosis said that there were two players who were just dominating the ladder with win rates of 70% - one was Life, and the other was Innovation. His skill level has been on par with Life for probably close to a year now, but in WoL he didn't get to show it cos of the TvZ imbalance, and he still managed to get as far as he did with some incredibly cheesy (but innovative) builds - the 2 rax execution and the two mass marine timings against Stephano were just genius, I haven't seen any other Terran player come out with such audacity in SC2.
He should be named the Duracell Terran - the never-ending push shall not stop even with this GSL.
Sure is a lot of hype for a clear soulkey win IMO. As long as he doesn't get affected by nerves that is. : / soulkey 4-2 I think, the swarm reign will continue
Some of the finals I said who really cares, but this is one I have been looking forward too. People like dominant players and innovation brings some needed hype to the finals since he has been basically destroying everyone, and soulkey looks like a strong opponent. It feels like these two guys actually deserve to be here as opposed to lucky brackets or a fluke win or something
no way soulkey can win it's impossible you cannot i just refuse to believe never i pray for an innovation 4-0 but my head says soulkey will do some all-ins and it will be 4-2
no way soulkey (or any other zerg in the WHOLE WORLD can currently take innovation in a macro game)
On May 31 2013 07:17 Confuse wrote: Sure is a lot of hype for a clear soulkey win IMO. As long as he doesn't get affected by nerves that is. : / soulkey 4-2 I think, the swarm reign will continue
Innovation has been able to beat the best zergs in the world with the same strategy. The only thing that Soulkey can study is that strategy. He can easily mix in other stuff that Soulkey cant even study.
Innovation 4-2, he will drop a game to a roach/bane allin.
On May 31 2013 08:15 Mikelius wrote: As JP just said, if Soulkey somehow someway manages to win, would it be the biggest upset in SC2 history? Pretty much everyone writes him off as dead.
On May 31 2013 08:15 Mikelius wrote: As JP just said, if Soulkey somehow someway manages to win, would it be the biggest upset in SC2 history? Pretty much everyone writes him off as dead.
Biggest upset was Jjakji beating Leenock.
True, that was when Leenock had just won MLG right?
On May 31 2013 08:15 Mikelius wrote: As JP just said, if Soulkey somehow someway manages to win, would it be the biggest upset in SC2 history? Pretty much everyone writes him off as dead.
Biggest upset was Jjakji beating Leenock.
This one would be the bigger upset, given the bigger audience, since now you have BW fans watching as well.
Best write up you TL writers have done in a while, and I don't think you guys have ever put one out that was anything but awesome. Way to go. The hype is tangible.
I want Soulkey to crush Innovation 4-0 in straight-up macro games. I want him crushed so hard, he changes his ID back to Bogus. I like Innovation as a player, but its a stupid name.
I hope soulkey prepares something special, cause it sure doesn't seem like anyone else could do anything. Worst scenario: He gets facestomped and it makes for a very flat final.
Maybe the roach/hydra/infestor into broodlord that violet showcased tonight vs Major will be used? It seemed really good vs. widow mines.
On May 31 2013 03:48 TeamLiquid ESPORTS wrote: Only 3 players are left on that list: Leenock, Parting and Soulkey. Parting... well you can't have 'em all.
Innovation is good, but if innovation misses one baneling attack for a split second somewhere on the map, or gets a bad hit on widow mines soulkey could take the game. I think innovation is a little too heavily favored given how easy it is to make a big mistake.
On May 31 2013 11:34 dyDrawer wrote: After reading that piece by Major.. As a Protoss player, I shed a tear. When will a son of Aiur finally rise to that height?
It's still May, and Fall is just around the corner....
Soulkey a massive underdog. This is like Rocky I, except Innovation would crush him if they meet again next year. The new WCS setup may allow Innovation to become to the greatest player of all time..
Yeah, MajOr with the SIIICK prophecy.. really impressive.
On May 31 2013 11:58 insanet wrote: what is the origin of the Major prophecy? did he write that in a blog or something? or got interviewed and he said that?
I hope to see more scripture from our prophet MajOr, that made my night. "-MajOr 16:1" haha Innovation is taking this series 4-1. Better luck next time my dearest zerg soulkey <3
im sure its been mentioned by some other nitpicker but it seemed kind of harsh on zero to rag on him for "not making another finals" after ABCmart msl
that was the last msl and he made the semifinals of tving osl, where if he didn't fuck up to jangbi's miraculous protoss destiny han bang attack or whatever zero would have won 3-1 and been in tving osl finals.
i.e. basically zero made the finals and the semifinals in 2 of the the last 3 bw tournaments, that's pretty legit
If life "reaches the next level" he'll be able to compete evenly with innovation. I have high hopes for leenock as well. Roro is very intelligent and I hope to see some improvement from he and Soulkey, i rate soulkey as #3 or #4 zerg (odd i know)
@ N.g Zero... over the next couple moths I expect to see some amazing improvements and performance from him. Hopefully Jaedong hits his stride soon too, I'd love to see him competing toe to toe with flash at the least.
Why are INnoVation's cheeks so puffy? Anyway, INnoVation has renewed my Terran dreams and his play is absolutely inspiring. I think it will be a close series but I'm just excited because I know, especially in a Bo7, the quality of play is going to be amazing. I hope INnoVation can take it for the hopes and dreams of the Terran race, but I wouldn't be absolutely crushed if Soulkey won either
"The Terran Kingdom had become fully infested. The likes of Life and Roro defiled the throne that once belonged to Mvp, and his castles were laid to waste by Leenock and Soulkey. No corner of the realm was left untainted, not even MKP’s silver stool which was taken by the tunneler, Symbol. But from the ashes of defeat rose a champion to bring a new dawn. Reborn under the waters of Yongsan and anointed on the Korean ladder, Bogus became Innovation.
And before he descended upon the studios of Gangnam, he gave his last sermon. ‘Warn them. Warn them all to flee now, for not a Zerg shall survive my fury. If they surrender, they may leave in peace to the lands of Europe and America. If they stay, I will have no mercy.
'Widow mines will split open the earth, releasing the fiery bats of hell. The skies will grow black with the shadows of the medivacs, and they shall see no light but the harsh exhaust of afterburners. Mules will rain from the heavens, and they shall be deafened by the sound of concussive shells. The GSL will be cleansed of the Zerg, and the Terran will reign supreme once more.' And I wept, for I knew his words to be true."
On May 31 2013 11:58 insanet wrote: what is the origin of the Major prophecy? did he write that in a blog or something? or got interviewed and he said that?
Lols.....
I was referencing MajOr's actual "prophecy" from SotG #75, The Origin.
On May 31 2013 14:45 Polygamy wrote: "The Terran Kingdom had become fully infested. The likes of Life and Roro defiled the throne that once belonged to Mvp, and his castles were laid to waste by Leenock and Soulkey. No corner of the realm was left untainted, not even MKP’s silver stool which was taken by the tunneler, Symbol. But from the ashes of defeat rose a champion to bring a new dawn. Reborn under the waters of Yongsan and anointed on the Korean ladder, Bogus became Innovation.
And before he descended upon the studios of Gangnam, he gave his last sermon. ‘Warn them. Warn them all to flee now, for not a Zerg shall survive my fury. If they surrender, they may leave in peace to the lands of Europe and America. If they stay, I will have no mercy.
'Widow mines will split open the earth, releasing the fiery bats of hell. The skies will grow black with the shadows of the medivacs, and they shall see no light but the harsh exhaust of afterburners. Mules will rain from the heavens, and they shall be deafened by the sound of concussive shells. The GSL will be cleansed of the Zerg, and the Terran will reign supreme once more.' And I wept, for I knew his words to be true."
Best piece of writing pree match ever!!!!!
I agree, gets me so hyped. Truly reflecting the level of Innovation's domination right now.
I'm quite glad that the majority of writers predict a close series. Most fans in the thread are predicting complete walkover for Innovation. Which I personally believe won't be the case at all, but we'll see.
lol, it starts early in the morning here, 8 :D I look quite forward too this, and for me, I dont care if this is going to be a complete walkover with ofcourse innovation winning, its about time Terran shows just how strong it is.
Soulkey is still a champ though, such an amazing zerg regardless. But as usual, zergs just come back later and wreck this, its still quite early in the expansion.
On May 31 2013 17:34 FuRong wrote: Innovation 4-2 or 4-1, and in doing so he will have taken the hardest path in GSL history to get first place.
Well hardest path in terms of quality of players defeated maybe, but he had his way paved with his best matchup by far all the way to the finals.
He only played 3 non-TvZ bo3 for the whole season (1-2 then 2-0 vs Rain in Ro32, 2-1 vs Flash in Ro16), and out of those 3 he lost one. Of course Rain and Flash are no pushovers and defeating them shouldn't be overlooked but i'd say that relative to his different matchup strengths he couln't really have gotten a better path.
I can't wait to finally hear Future World Music - Dream Chasers again when one of these guys wins the GSL. When that music kicks in, it brings a tear to my eye every time :D
For reference (put it on 720p and chuck it to 1:28)
On May 31 2013 05:16 Prplppleatr wrote: The prophecy has been foretold, but the pronounced champion is untrue.
As my 1000th post, my prediction shall come true.
Against all will, the dominion shall fall as we hold the key that is true. The lings, the banes, and the mutas too, we shall overcome this impossible task. And the blades of justice shall pierce through the fire to show the truth.
FOR THE SWARM!
Sweet Blades of justice is what Protoss Zealots say, btw (sorry)
Having just watched both their proleague games, I feel soulkey definitely has a good chance in a macro game. Overall the series gonna be close, with a small edge given to Innovation, mainly because he seems so damn consistent.
On May 31 2013 18:21 Batcha wrote: Bogus mops up the patchzerg 4-1
User was warned for this post
What is the reason for this crude behavior towards the people who bring up the term "patchzerg"? It feels like being in Germany after WW2.. We can't just pretend that the dark era of Starcraft 2 never happened, and it is a matter that should be publicly discussed. Only by accepting the hard truth can you hope to grow as a person.
On May 31 2013 18:21 Batcha wrote: Bogus mops up the patchzerg 4-1
User was warned for this post
What is the reason for this crude behavior towards the people who bring up the term "patchzerg"? It feels like being in Germany after WW2.. We can't just pretend that the dark era of Starcraft 2 never happened, and it is a matter that should be publicly discussed. Only by accepting the hard truth can you hope to grow as a person.
Because Soulkey is not and never was a patchzerg, Also patchzerg is a derogatory term and should never really be used when referring to anyone.
Therefore thus says the Terran INnoVation: "I will stretch out My hands against the Zerg, and I will cut off the Hives and destroy the remnant of the Swarm.
"I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Champion of the GSL, when I lay My vengeance upon them."
regardless of if he wins or not, I'd like to see soulkey beat innovation in 2 macro games. Then I will be a happy zerg. My head says its going to look like the semis though, innovations bio mine is just insane.
I'll give two games to Soulkey because I'm sure he'll be able to come up with some all-ins that will take Innovation off guard. But Innovation winning is almost a sure thing.
After seeing how easily Innovation ripped through 2 of the other best zergs in the world it's hard to think this won't be one-sided. That being said, Soulkey has a lot of time to prepare and he is probably the best zerg around these days.
Jaedong, Leenock, effOrt, HyuN, Symbol, Life, and RorO: all terminated with extreme prejudice. Only Symbol's unorthodox, hyper-aggressive play managed to even take maps off Innovation in the GSL. Who can stop this xenophobic madman?
Zealously is such a rebel with the predictions. :D Personally, I root for InNoVation 4-2 Soulkey, I'm really hyped up for this and will get up at 7 to watch it!
I love these MajOr bible references btw. they just seem so epic *.*
On May 31 2013 23:51 Epamynondas wrote: I think people tend to underestimate Soulkey a lot, so I have no idea who'll win this match.
And overestimate Bogus on the stage of important individual match. He may be the best in team matches, in practice and in studio booths, but we'll see if he has the mindset to become a champion yet. IMO, he was capable of winning GSL already last year when he lost his semifinal on the big stage in Las Vegas.
Well, Soulkey is getting the underdog luck from almost all TL commenters... That's bad seeing all the GSL Finals ending in a "upset"... I still believe in the Terran pride...
On June 01 2013 13:01 KaiserCommander wrote: Well, Soulkey is getting the underdog luck from almost all TL commenters... That's bad seeing all the GSL Finals ending in a "upset"... I still believe in the Terran pride...
Actually, looking at all the GSLs, most of the are not upsets. There are definitely several upsets, but the amount of upsets is what you would expect.
On June 01 2013 13:01 KaiserCommander wrote: Well, Soulkey is getting the underdog luck from almost all TL commenters... That's bad seeing all the GSL Finals ending in a "upset"... I still believe in the Terran pride...
Actually, looking at all the GSLs, most of the are not upsets. There are definitely several upsets, but the amount of upsets is what you would expect.
Yes, in fact, 83% of all GSL finals are not upsets
Anyone who can take 4 games in a row off innovation deserves a GSL title!!!! ggwp. I am glad I just got the last 2 games - save my eyes from the cheeses before no doubt!
On June 01 2013 17:56 kinsky wrote: wtf happenend?!?!?! and why did the finals start that early?! i missed everything!!!!
Yea, wasn'tthe finals supposed to start two hours later than they actually started? And I'm kinda mad that innovation lost.. man, oh man soulkey played well though.
gratz to soulkey, well deserved. overall I still think innovation is the best player on the planet overall game/mechanical wise, but his adaption to allins/aggression sometimes lacks (tanks f.e.). and his mental quality is probably another point, going 3:0 and still losing is just a huge choke.
On June 01 2013 18:00 drzlobjul wrote: The most undeserved win ever ! Flash`s final couple months ago at least had the excusion he was new to the Heart. Imbalanced zerg race...
OMG, after THAT final how can you say such a thing? A failed rush or failed drops are Zerg's fault?