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[OSL] Bring it on

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Plexa
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
Aotearoa39261 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-06-25 22:09:11
June 25 2008 16:17 GMT
#1
[image loading]

Daigomi is cooler than this guy ->


As the grand OSL boat rows forward we progress to the final stages of the tournament. After almost 3 months of OSL entertainment we're at the semifinals. Both of the semifinals promise to be highly entertaining with lots of drama to boot, but today we focus exclusively on the first Semifinal - Best vs Luxury. Both players are excellent in their own right and have had a strong run thus far in the OSL; but one of them is going home this Friday.

Before i get carried away with things, some housekeeping matters. If you are going to WWI; make sure you've checked this thread. Also, the legendary eSTRO coach, Daniel Lee, has announced his retirement and will take up a position at IEG. kOs will assume the duties of Head Coach for eSTRO. You can check out all the information here.

[image loading]

Let's get it on




Best

[image loading]

I'm going to play like this will be the last tournament I'll ever
play in and make sure I don't regret it.

[image loading]

If you don't know anything about Best then you must have been living under a rock for the past 3 months. This protoss prodigy has exploded onto the scene dominating anyone and everything. His stats are phenomenal; 66.67% Career winrate with PvP stats of 22-5 (81.48%). His dominance is reflected in the performance of SKT1 this season, who are looking set to return to the playoffs as well. There is no doubt that Best is the best PvP player right now, and perhaps ever, and he is the Protoss who broke Flashes streak against Protoss. In PvZ he stopped Jaedongs 13 game winning streak in Bacchus OSL, but out of all three matchups; this is his most untested.

Critics of Best have pin pointed PvZ as his "weak matchup" as he barely has a winrate over 50%. However, he has played only 13 PvZ's in his career; and recently some of those wins have been promising. After all he was one of the only protoss who could touch Jaedong in his prime. Best is out to silence the critics of his "weak matchup" by dominating Luxury;
I'd like to shed the image that I am weak against zergs by winning in the next match and moving on to the finals. I'll think about winning the finals after that.


With the determination and drive to succeed that this young virtuoso has, it comes as no surprise that he is the only player in this tournament to be undefeated. That right, currently Best has a 100% winrate and stats 5-0. But to further augment this, he is 8-2 in his past 10 games and 18-2 in his last twenty. Best just refuses to lose and this determination to succeed will carry him well into the semifinals against a very tough opponent. Best fans have already started to conglomerate over in this thread; so if you're a Best fan, head over there and voice your support!!


Luxury

[image loading]

This time around I think my experience will keep me from being
too nervous. The maps favor zerg so I think I have a good chance.

[image loading]


Despite faltering in Bacchus OSL, Luxury has regained his former form and is back with some new found tricks. Unlike the majority of Zerg players, Luxury is a creative player who can beat anyone at any given time. When Luxury is in the zone, you better not be in his way because once he's set his sights on you he will win no matter what it takes. When presented with Flash as his quarterfinal opponent he used some inspired builds and sound micro to overcome him. Most Zergs would have failed right then and there, but Luxury has a genius mind which continually propels him into the limelight.

There was a lot of drama in the group stages of the tournament as he was set to play his twin brother. The match itself was rather subpar, but in beating his brother he firmly cemented his stance as the better of the two twins. Yellow[arnc]'s explosion during the Shinhan OSL era is no match against Luxury's prolonged brilliance and he truly has emerged from under his brother shadow as the dominant twin. Despite a poor showing after Bacchus, in the last ten games Luxury has asserted his dominance on the scene and in the last 10 games he has gone 9-1.

So what went wrong last semifinal? His nerves kicked in and ruined his game. Luxury asserts that this will no longer be an issue for him as;
Winning like this [against Flash] gave me a new boost of confidence and I feel like I can win the whole thing.
It seems clear that Luxury will not settle for anything other than a finals appearance. With the maps slightly in his favor and his creative mind set to work, that possibility could soon become a reality for Luxury. All that stands between him and his goal is Best. The Luxury fans have also turned out en masse to support their favorite player and are doing so here. So if you support Luxury, be sure to head over to the thread and voice your support!


So let's get into the nitty gritty, and examine each game in the series;

[image loading]


Set 1

(P)BeSt
Hwarangdo
(Z)Luxury
[image loading]
1-4
[image loading]


Of all maps to begin and end the series, it has to be Hwarangdo. Statistically this is the worst PvZ map in the entire map pool. But i suppose seeing as this is the OSL's new map its balance get pushed aside. This map is difficult for Protoss because of the gasless natural; meaning the standard FE is rather useless. With many possible harass routes, fast expansions aren't usually the best option. Instead Protoss typically use 1 gate tech, which hasn't always yielded the best results for protoss in the past.

Luxury has a nice buffer map here, and should be the strong favorite. His creative minds should aid him significantly here as Best will no doubt be looking for some means to overcome the imbalance. Best might be up to that challenge, but i wouldn't hold your breath. As much as i am Best supporter, i think that he's got his work cutout for him here. Luxury should take this set with ease.

Set 2

(P)BeSt
Andromeda
(Z)Luxury
[image loading]
8-13
[image loading]


While Zerg hold an advantage on this map, the statistics are deceiving. This map is actually a fairly decent PvZ map. Protoss have tried a variety of strategies here from straight up play to the Nal_ra art of Sair/Reaver with mixed results. But on the whole, typically the better player has won which in my eyes levels the playing field. There is only so much you can do to be creative on such a heavy macro map like this, so i expect this match to either be a blatant proxy (unlikely) or a straight up macro war.

Best's style is focused around macro and without doubt this map works in his favor. Best has also had mixed results on this map, going 1-1 in proleauge. That being said, i have every faith that he'll pull some sweet macro out and dominate luxury on this map. So if you haven't already gathered, Best should take this map and tie it up 1-1.

Set 3

(P)BeSt
Troy
(Z)Luxury
[image loading]
3-2
[image loading]


Ah Troy, the Protoss haven. As the TSL proved, this map is incredibly Protoss favored here. However, Luxury has shown us some of his most brilliant games on this map. Some of you might remember his 5pool against Bisu - this is where it happened. Luxury knows that this map puts him at a disadvantage and he will work out a plan to over come that. Best has also shown some really clever play on this map though, with epic moves against Sea in Bacchus sealing his spot in the Round of 8.

This map is completely up in the air. Troy invokes creativity and punishes standard play. Both of these players are capable of playing creative, especially lux, and the protoss imbalance makes things even harder to call. I have a feeling Luxury, against all odds, will take this map and pull ahead 2-1.

Set 4

(P)BeSt
Othello
(Z)Luxury
[image loading]
2-3
[image loading]


Othello is considered to be a balance map by most of us, and i would agree with that sentiment. This map always plays standardly despite the cliffs around all of the naturals. However, there is much room for creativity, with drops being a viable opening and various other proxies and styles can work on this map as well. Although in both the TSL and OSL this map has slightly favored Zerg, i don't think that slight imbalance is going to change much in this matchup; both of these players are too good to let imbalances affect them.

I think this map will support Best's style the best out of the four maps. My bet is that Luxury overextends himself here and Best simply mops up the pieces. Lux may try a lurker drop or something similar, but i think that Best's mechanics and reactions will nullify any lasting damage and will progress with an advantage. Ultimately i expect Best to win here and tie it up against 2-2.

Set 5

(P)BeSt
Hwarangdo
(Z)Luxury
[image loading]
1-4
[image loading]


And so we arrive back here, on hwarangdo, the severely imbalance Z>P map. I have no idea whats going to happen in this game. I'd like to think that Best has some brilliant game 5 clincher strategy; but somehow i doubt it. My fear is that nerves get to him and he simply plays a straight up game; the worst thing you can do on this map against Zerg in my opinion. Luxury on the other hand, can afford to play standard as the map favors Zerg.

In all honesty, i think Luxury is going to win this set; and millions of Best fans will be sorely disappointed. However, i have faith in the young prodigy; and beleive that he will win this set and eliminate Luxury from the competition. This really is a coin flip decision.




This weeks OSL is something that you should not miss for any reason. Best and Luxury will no doubt provide us with top class entertainment as both of them are monsters in their own right. There will be creative builds, strong macro, nice micro and many great moves throughout these games - these two gamers are too good not to have any of these features in this series. Thus it will be a great Friday night of Broodwar - like the days of old. Hell this series may even rival that of the epic 3rd/4th playoff between YellOw and Reach! (which was pretty epic if you remember). So tune in at 18:30 KST on Friday to enjoy the first semifinal of Ever 2008 OSL!!

Plexa



Thanks to intothewow and heavenpanda for the sick semis picture!

P.S. Due to important exams being held on Monday, expect the next OSL post on Wednesday with Battle Reports of this Semi and a preview of July vs Backho!
Administrator~ Spirit will set you free ~
IntoTheWow
Profile Blog Joined May 2004
is awesome32274 Posts
June 25 2008 16:22 GMT
#2
woooooo

Go BeSt!!
Moderator<:3-/-<
RoC)Ninjah
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
United States238 Posts
June 25 2008 16:40 GMT
#3
nice =) hoping for lux!!!!!!
Much will win a title before his hair turns grey.
BreaK
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
Canada890 Posts
June 25 2008 16:41 GMT
#4
Best vs July Finals all the way.
formerly ClouD.BreaK ~ gogo KTF! & Liquid!
Scaramanga
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Australia8090 Posts
June 25 2008 16:50 GMT
#5
On June 26 2008 01:22 IntoTheWow wrote:
woooooo

Go BeSt!!

wooooo
Loda talked about the fun counter, it's AdmiralBulldog on his natures prophet
cyronc
Profile Joined March 2008
218 Posts
June 25 2008 16:55 GMT
#6
metalslug player select screen WOOOHOOOOOO!!!
iH82G8!
ZergZoul
Profile Joined April 2007
Mexico408 Posts
June 25 2008 16:58 GMT
#7
Why Hwarangdo, why? T_T
gotwater
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
United States179 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-06-25 17:01:28
June 25 2008 17:00 GMT
#8
haha nice metal slug templates
gogo ZvZ finals
Everything counts.
grobo
Profile Blog Joined February 2007
Japan6199 Posts
June 25 2008 17:18 GMT
#9
Luxury fighting!
We make signature, then defense it.
Last Romantic
Profile Blog Joined June 2006
United States20661 Posts
June 25 2008 17:20 GMT
#10
That 3rd/4th series was so good

holyshit. Reach/YellOw matches are always hot.
ㅋㄲㅈㅁ
Goosey
Profile Blog Joined September 2005
United States695 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-06-25 17:25:31
June 25 2008 17:24 GMT
#11
Sick writeup, I am really hyped for this series :D

Edit: although I do think you gave Lux the nod on Troy just to justify it going to 5 games. Best has a great chance here to get a win and follow it up by ending the series 3-1. Thats my prediction
#1 Shuttle Fan.
GeneralStan
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
United States4789 Posts
June 25 2008 17:25 GMT
#12
BeSt is going to pull a JD. Weak matchup? WHAT WEAK MATCHUP?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
raga4ka
Profile Joined February 2008
Bulgaria5679 Posts
June 25 2008 17:37 GMT
#13
Actually Luxury is pretty good on Andromeda and i expect him to win there if Best doesn't pull a Stork (Cannon+ reaver + storm heavy turtle) then it might go either way . I don't know if Lux plays like July Hwarango he should demolish Best if he does thought .
Raithed
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
China7078 Posts
June 25 2008 17:47 GMT
#14
best
will
rape
lux

yup.

lux isnt creative.
sry.
he isnt.
disciple
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
9070 Posts
June 25 2008 17:53 GMT
#15
BeSt will FE no matter what, I dont expect 1base stuff from him, he will just go mass speedlots on hwarango
Administrator"I'm a big deal." - ixmike88
Harem
Profile Joined November 2007
United States11390 Posts
June 25 2008 17:56 GMT
#16
ZvZ finals ftw.
Moderator。◕‿◕。
dinmsab
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
Malaysia2246 Posts
June 25 2008 18:08 GMT
#17
Yeah.. the OSL is like metal slug, kill everything that gets in your way. Rooting for Luxury.. but i feel best has a better chance of winning this. July and backho just seem out of place.....
..
JWD
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States12607 Posts
June 25 2008 18:12 GMT
#18
Do Jaewook Fighting!

This is BeSt's OSL, no puny Zerg can stand in his way!
✌
thunk
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States6233 Posts
June 25 2008 18:19 GMT
#19
Nice writeup. Best had a chance to thumb down Hwarangdo so he must feel even slightly good at it.

Best fighing~!
Every time Jung Myung Hoon builds a vulture, two probes die. || My post count was a palindrome and I was never posting again.
Alur
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Denmark3900 Posts
June 25 2008 18:28 GMT
#20
Looking forward to Luxury winning this.
AKA No can Dazzle | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlTpX7z3Pok
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