EPT![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/Batoo_Final/batooomfg.jpg)
Thanks zXk3 for this truly magnificent banner
A Grand Summation
With the finals having been played out over a week ago now, Batoo OSL has very much become a part of the history books. While detailing the happenings of the final in explicit detail is rather pointless now this news post will instead aim to provide an overview of the tournament in addition to examining the finals. It will outline the things that Batoo OSL will be remembered for, why Batoo OSL matters in the long run, what the best games were and what we should be looking for next OSL. Let's kick things off with a rundown of the finals written by riptide...
The Finals - by Riptide
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Of course, the day didn't start out perfectly for our Zerg hero. He was meeting one of the best Terrans playing the game, the Terran Revolutionist, apprentice of BoxeR and oov. The heir to SKT T1's storied Terran line did not disappoint. Not only did Fantasy's mech build completely neutralise The Tyrant's agents of death, they also dodged his scourge with ease. From the perfect sieging and unsieging of tanks, to the beautiful timing of his pushes, the set opener was a Fantasy funfest. As Jaedong typed out, Coach Choi put on a clown suit and gave out candy to all the kids. The Terran circus had come to town.
Game 2 – Vulture Vendetta
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Batoo_Final/2.jpg)
The only verdict is vengeance; delivered by my vultures, a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.
- Fantasy, when asked to comment on his vultures in Game 2 (with apologies to Alan Moore)
The only verdict is vengeance; delivered by my vultures, a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.
- Fantasy, when asked to comment on his vultures in Game 2 (with apologies to Alan Moore)
Game two began with a brief proxy rax interlude, and then progressed into a vulture overture that netted more drones than notes in an Aphex Twin piece. The harassment got so bad that at one point even the intervention of a nearby sunken went unheeded, and the drones had to resort to filing class action. Fantasy's vultures were not available for comment at the time this piece went to print.
By the time the vultures were fended off, Jaedong's economy was looking worse than America's, and despite various appeals and petitions by Zerg fanboys on ICCUP, the Senate refused to pass funds for yet another bailout. Meanwhile, Fantasy continued to blatantly violate international law by laying mines indiscriminately, continuing his harassment of Jaedong's expos, and leading innocent hydralisks into said mine traps. With the game on the line, The Tyrant's fans watched in horror as the muta master flew a lone mutalisk into five waiting goliaths. The end, they knew, was near. Resorting to hydras against tanks and goliaths, the Tyrant lost many a unit to neatly placed mines before finally typing out.
It would be nice to think that Jaedong had a fighting chance in this game, but in fact, he never seemed to. From the early economic hit, to the careless hydra losses to mines, Jaedong's play was sloppy, or as it was said at the time, maybe Fantasy's play was just much better.
From builds, to timings, game sense and just plain mechanics, the SKTT1 wonder kid was matching his Zerg counterpart play by play, and beating him comfortably. Nowhere in those two early games does Fantasy ever look like he is out of control. He engages Jaedong where he chooses to, and basically decides the ebb and flow of the game. In those first two games, he completely outclassed his opponent, and for this, he deserves much credit.
Jaedong's second OSL title seemed as far away as ever, and save his groupies, very few viewers could have expected a comeback from him. Fantasy was in the zone, and it didn't look like anyone could dislodge him. As the countdown for Game 3 started, Zergs everywhere started having horrific flashbacks of the GOMTV MSL S1 finals. So, while Jaedong readies himself to face the toughest game of his life, dozens of Zerg ladder players fire up photoshop and begin defacing Bisu pics.
Game 3 – Muta Clinic
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Batoo_Final/3.jpg)
Harry, you must learn to love the Mutalisk. They make faithful pets, and with some gosu micro can do much damage. - Albus Dumbledore
Harry, you must learn to love the Mutalisk. They make faithful pets, and with some gosu micro can do much damage. - Albus Dumbledore
So we are brought back in to the stadium for Game 3, and the commentators are showing a playback of Fantasy's vendetta vultures. As if once wasn't enough. Then, a welcome shot of Jaedong's hotkeys (which of course would be analysed to pieces on the forums later on), and then the Zerg himself, looking at least collected, if not quite calm. Finally, a shot of Fantasy, the man of the hour, just one flawless build away from being the new OSL champion.
So we spawn, and Jaedong's play has changed visibly. From a beautiful hydra supported muta push, to great lurker surrounds and goliath sniping, it was as if the Zerg said ok thx Fantasy I'll conduct this orchestra of death from now kk. With perfect timing, Jaedong manages to push the Terran expo, time and time again, each harass compounding damage until Fantasy doesn't quite know what to do anymore. Finally, Jaedong decides lol ok this is enough hydra lurk up ramp ez. A lone Fantasy vulture attempts some harassment at a Zerg expo, but the drones, bolstered by their new legal representation, appear unconcerned. Meanwhile, in the Terran main, as the hydras enjoy a nice SCV bbq, the lurkers flank to join in the fun, and Fantasy, visibly traumatised, types out. IRC goes nuts, but not as nuts as Jaedong's mom.
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Jaedong's mom, providing imba support to our Zerg hero.
This was the beginning of the end for our SKT1 mech machine. He didn't know it at the time, but Jaedong had slipped in the zone behind him, and homoerotic imagery aside, had begun steadily edging him out. This game being as one sided as it was, it's easy to forget that even with the loss, Fantasy was still just one game away from an OSL title. This fact, however, did not seem to concern Jaedong in the least.
Game 4 – Wraith? Really?
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Batoo_Final/5.jpg)
Fantasy's wraith, pictured above, was nominated for the Hall of Fail.
Fantasy's wraith, pictured above, was nominated for the Hall of Fail.
Game 4 starts off with some cute drone and SCV micro, before Jaedong's star sense comes into play, and he spots Fantasy's proxy factory. Upon being discovered, Fantasy gulps, and immediately twitters oh wtf he found me
. Meanwhile, Jaedong's drone has done a good job of denying the early factory, and though it gets built soon enough, it is these little advantages that Jaedong once again stacks up to sway the game in his favour.Meanwhile, as Jaedong's fans will an overlord to checkout the Terran base and see the quick starport, the unit in question appears to be a teenager, and an angsty one at that. Unable to decide whether he wants to see the Terran base or not, the ovie does a back and forth dance of self pity before finally deciding to go for it. Of course, the emo overlord's life soon comes to a somewhat fitting end at the hands of Fantasy's first wraith.
Back at Jaedong's nat, there is a vulture harass in progress, and pretty soon the wraiths also join in the fun. Of course, Jaedong is quick to respond with muta madness™ , and a fun filled muta vs wraith melee ensues. I'm sure that Fantasy had a very good reason for going two port wraith against someone with muta micro like Jaedong, but to most of us, it seemed like insanity.
FANTASY_Spyfire: Muta > Wraith
Word. As Fantasy readies a CC on his cliff and desperately tries to expand, Coach Choi looks on forlornly, perhaps wondering which SKT1 team house chores to assign his young padawan next. Harassing from the safety of two overlords, and generally making a right royal pain of himself from the cliff, Jaedong pushes up with his hydras as well, and game four looks like it's pretty much over. The hydras arrive at Fantasy's depot rax wall, and stop for a moment to LOL at it before proceeding to spit profusely. A depot goes down, many hydra walk up the ramp, and a solitary marine is dispatched to that last big rax in the sky. By now, the game really is beginning to look like a Jaedong game, and perhaps the only reason Fantasy didn't type out at this point was denial. However, soon he is forced to bring his SCVs into play and then ggs, and suddenly, everything seems different.
Fantasy was one game away from the title. Now Jaedong is too. What a finale. What a final.
Coach Choi calls Fantasy aside for a chat. Moments away from the curtain call, one cannot imagine the thoughts that were running through the young Terran's mind. Having been denied the glory once, it is difficult not to feel for this player, an innovator who as we have said before, is brilliant in his own right. Looking at Fantasy talking to Choi though, it's evident that he was, even at this point, losing the mental battle. Standing there, looking defeated, it is no wonder that he got so severely trounced in set five.
Game 5 – Starsensed
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In Game 5, Lee Jaedong decides to deploy his maphack.
In Game 5, Lee Jaedong decides to deploy his maphack.
Both players open with fairly standard builds, and apart from some early ninja scouting by drones and SCVs, both seem to be setting up for their usual play style. While Jaedong's spire goes down at his expo, Fantasy's first vulture is headed for the temple, and uses the SCV trick to squeeze in through it. Jaedong, of course, the Jaedong we're used to seeing, is all over it, and proceeds to trap and take it down with two lings and a drone. Fantasy looks like he just ate a lime. No, make that a bag of limes. Starsense Inc., you have a new brand ambassador.
Lastromantic: JAEDONG MICRO HACKS
LJD_miseiler: I thought savior had the sense of a star, wow
sadsadsadsa: WHAT JUST HAPPEND
Indeed, what just happened? It was crazy, perhaps insane, and certainly far, far beyond flawless mechanics or micro. It was, as pointed out above, some truly nutty starsense, the kind that the scene had perhaps not seen since the maestro was occupying the throne. Amid accusations of maphacking on IRC, Jaedong's drone and lings return to his nat, and he continues with his build.
Fantasy does a nice vulture drop in Jaedong's main, but the Zerg's muta timing is near perfect, and he manages to salvage the situation with only a few drone losses. Now, with mutalisks out, and three bases from which to keep pumping them, Fantasy is on the back foot, and rushing to get turrets up in his base. A valkyrie is manufactured, but appears to be of inferior quality to the invincible ships that dominated in the first game. It dies quickly to Jaedong's many muta, and the harassment in Fantasy's main continues. As another turret goes down, lings come knocking at Fantasy's depot wall, and once again, the end seems near. With lings at the front, and mutas in the main, the roles are now reversed, and the circus, it seems, was this time brought to town by the Zerg.
The wall is breached, and we get a closeup of Fantasy looking quite understandably devastated. Meanwhile Jaedong chases a valkyrie into the middle of three turrets and manages to take it down, settling the battle once and for all. More turrets go down, scourge meet Fantasy's last valkyrie in mid air, and the final gg is called. What madness, what micro, what mind. Turning the tide, Jaedong rode games three and four through to a psychological advantage which he exploited well in the final set. For all intents and purposes, game five was over before it even started, and from the early vulture trap, to the beautiful turret, marine and valkyrie snipes, Jaedong was all over Fantasy. This symphony, though as complex as the first, was administered with a cold determination that few players out there are blessed with.
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Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, we all know that's part of the game. Yet, every once in a while, a player will step up and set the standard for both by pulling off something truly incredible. Coming back from 0 – 2 to win a series is not an easy task. Doing so in the final of the biggest gaming competition on earth is even harder. On the 4th of April 2009, Lee Jaedong proved once and for all that he is a player who will go down in the annals of Broodwar history.
Although the Starcraft community will always remember him for his ridiculous mutalisk control, and his amazing Hive play, I myself, and I think many others, will remember this comeback, this Batoo OSL Final where he showed beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has what it takes to go the distance when everything is on the line. It is said that you can learn the most about a person when he or she is pushed to the edge. Last weekend, as thousands in Korea and abroad watched, Lee Jaedong, The Tyrant, walked, nay, waltzed along that edge, and in doing so, even managed to make it look easy.
Although his mechanics and micro were perfect in the final three sets, it was not this alone that pushed Jaedong towards the title. It was something he had inside him, the ability to refocus, rethink, and indeed, rebound. You can teach mechanics, you can teach timing, but you can't teach mindset. Where lesser players would have crumbled, Jaedong stepped up and delivered three consecutive wins, each executed as flawlessly as Fantasy's first two.
When against all odds, some will fumble, some will fall, and some will rise, to the sound of beating wings and falling turrets, and once the rubble is cleared, will remain, unconquered, resplendent, burning like a fire in the night. This is a fire that cannot be quenched, for it roars from within, withering the storms of victory and defeat to outlive, outlast and outperform, and it is from this fire that true champions are forged.
-- riptide
The Legacy
I'm sure a number of people on this website are familiar with my obsession with history and my desire to map out the history of Brood War as a series of turning points, noting various patterns along the way. I first joined the scene briefly during EVER 2004 and witnessed the crowning of a Monster. Iloveoov had just defeated Boxer is possibly the best final of all time and history was made. Oov's dominance amounted to 3 MSLs before he won his first OSL. Before the scene had time to breathe, a young Zerg by the name of Ma Jae Yoon defeated Nada on Luna in Uzoo MSL and made a name for himself as one of the bright new hopes of Zergs.
Historic moments are all around us, every OSL is something new to add to the legacy of Starcraft. Batoo OSL will be remembered as the culmination of Jaedong's skill that has been brewing over the past 3 seasons. He won EVER 2007 as a bright new rookie and was thrust into the cruel limelight of Stacraft. He entered Bacchus as a favourite to take the tournament, but was nipped in the Round of 8 by Flash; another new bright spark to the scene. He eventually won GOMTV S4 MSL then was eliminated by Backho in the following ODT. Jaedong then fought his way back into the OSL from the offline preliminaries to take Batoo.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/snowbird/Jaedongaward.jpg)
Jaedong from last years KeSPA awards
Starcraft is not the same as it was two years ago. Two years ago we witnessed Bisu literally turn the Starcraft world on it's head as he took out Savior. Over the course of the year, the old players we forum veterans had known for years began to slip away - and were replaced with a bunch of rookies we had no emotional affiliation with... Well, that was until they took out our beloved players from the OSL/MSL. The new gamers had been accumulating since the Shinhan series of OSLs but were only just now spilling over into full league dominance. The names Bisu, Stork, Jaedong, Flash, Luxury, Yellow[arnc], Best, Kal, free, firebathero, Mind, Jangbi and Hwasin became familiar, and we grew to love them just like we had done with the previous generation.
Batoo OSL is a point where we have once attained a balance in the proscene. The players making it far into the leagues are not masses of random rookies that are unfamiliar to us, they are players that we know and love who have been growing over time. Now we have the majority being veterans, and only a few newcomers. Consequently, the skill level of Batoo is the highest it has ever been in a Starleague. No player can afford to have an off day - or they will get eliminated. Just see what happened to Flash or Bisu during this tournament to see proof of this. We are living in a new Starcraft age - and to me at least, it finally doesn't feel weird any more. This is what Starcraft is now and its still beautiful.
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Batoo_Final/jaedong.png)
But Batoo will be remembered more so for Jaedong than any other reason. Jaedong's dominance over the past three seasons really can be compared to the likes of iloveoov in his prime. Both players utterly dominate their opponents in an unreal fashion. They make comebacks that are sickening to watch, the play games that make you think "this just can't be happening" and "this defies everything I know about Starcraft". The Monster, and now The Tyrant, have rocked the Starcraft world and left it forever changed.
The similarities between Jaedong and Oov run deep. Both won an "EVER" Starleague in the Fall Season and then won their second OSL 3 Seasons later in the Winter. Their innovations in each matchup have defined gameplay over the course of their dominance - Jaedong is the curator of modern ZVP taking the disparate innovations offered by July, 815 and the like and synthesising them into what we know as modern ZvP. He also has defined ZvT with his 2 Hatch muta play; this mutalisk oriented style has been central to the ZvT repertoire and only recently has the been moves away from this back towards Lurker based play. Jaedong in ZvZ is simply amazing; 80% winrate in ZvZ proves that not even luck can stop the Tyrant from dominance.
The second OSL also puts Jaedong in striking range of the Golden Mouse. Although history tells us that he should be slumping very hard soon - as has happened with Boxer, Oov, July and Nada. Whether or not he can avoid this will be the difference between that third title and being placed amongst the greatest of all time and him just being classed as one of the best gamers of his era. Nevertheless, I'm sure we are all confident Jaedong will be able to overcome this barrier and take his third OSL before SC2 hits the shelves.
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Batoo_Final/jaedong2.png)
Batoo OSL had everything; great games, great stories and great moments. It had the upsets that we have come to expect, it had the epic final that ever OSL deserves. We have the unresolved questions lingering in our minds about the future of fantasy and OSL title that continues to elude Bisu's grasp. Batoo was, in a sense, the perfect OSL. We will look back on this OSL and think - wow, this really was something special. Whatever happens next season this will be remembered forever, and its been great to witness it first hand. Just like the rise and fall of Savior, the dominance of Jaedong from Ever07 through Batoo will be a story we tell our grand kids when they too are trying to pick up SC.
Mirror Mirror
As a spectator, mirror matchups are typically the most boring matchups to watch. The same units, the same builds, the same tactics - it all gets a little bit bland after a while. The novelty of the matchup wears off after the first 15 games and then you are left to dread each upcoming mirror. Batoo OSL however did not conform to the norm and produced some of the best mirrors of all time. So let's start counting down the best mirrors of Batoo OSL - for surely these are not games you should dread to watch.
5.
Luxury vs GGPlay
Luxury vs GGPlay
This is a great ZvZ, although on the surface it appears to just be an easy build order win for Luxury. However, that is far from the truth. Luxury demonstrated why he is clearly the second best ZvZ in the world at the moment through playing one level beyond GGPlay. His initial rush was deflected by GGPlay and only managed to kill 2~3 drones. That pretty much equalised the drone count but gave GGPlay an economical advantage because he had a 2nd Hatch but Luxury had the tech advantage because his Lair had already started. Knowing he was behind in tech, GGPlay made lots of Zerglings to pressure Luxury but Luxury showcased perfect ramp-defense and held off GGPlay. GGplay proceeded to spore up which kept him safe from Luxury's impending mutalisks.
Now here is the key part of this; Luxury does a few neat things here to win the game from here. Knowing that GGPlay is now low on lings after losing a bunch at his ramp, he expands to his natural which gets him back in the economic fight then goes to harass GGPlay with his mutalisks. With about 6 spores distributed over 2 bases, there isn't anything Luxury's Mutalisks can do - so he masses lings. Instead of attacking GGplay's lings at his natural, luxury runs past them and up into GGplay's main and uses his Mutalisks to prevent GGPlays lings from getting up the ramp. This allows him to kill the spire, a few drones, and seals the game for him. Excellent play by Luxury and a great ZvZ.
4.
Fantasy vs Leta
Fantasy vs Leta
Batoo OSL was blessed with three sublime TvT's - and this is one of them. This is a very long game, 45 minutes infact, but it features some excellent tactical play on both sides. Fantasy gains a slight advantage at the start with some great user of wraiths and takes that advantage and runs with it as hard as he can. Leta's defense is perfect though, and manages to stay in the game and with same great moves gets to a late game situation. Both players then tech up to Battle Cruisers and the real war begins. With Yamato's flying all over the place eventually fantasy's advantage becomes too much and Leta concedes. Nevertheless, this is a great example of TvT and an excellent game.
3.
Jaedong vs Luxury
Jaedong vs Luxury
#1 in the world at ZvZ, Jaedong, squares off against #2 in the world ZvZ, Luxury, in one of the best ZvZ games of all time. Luxury somehow manages to secure a slight Build Order advantage; which is enough to tip the scales in his favour and forces Jaedong to play catchup. Jaedong, of course, is up to the task and showcases absolute precision control, micro, timing, sense and management. In doing so he is able to steal the game from Luxury and provide a truly breath-taking game. Words cannot do the skill Jaedong demonstrated in this game justice, so just watch it for yourself.
2.
Flash vs Hwasin
Flash vs Hwasin
Separating the top three games was tough, they were all of really great quality. This is probably one of the greatest comebacks of all time. At one point in this game, Flash was down 100 supply to Hwasins 150 - yet he still managed to take the game. This isn't an example of perfect TvT; this is an example of sheer will, determination and drive to succeed from Flash. He managed to work himself into a terrible position after failing with Dropship play, and only worsens his position after he tried to do a tank break. But somehow, against all odds, Flash manages to stay in the game and fights Hwasin with every last breath.
Fortunately for Flash, Hwasin’s decision to mass expand instead of attack cost him the game. Flash’s dropship play went from abysmal to Boxeresque, as he was able to shut down every expansion attempt while simultaneously destroying Hwasin’s main. From then on, the Ultimate Weapon crafted ultimate weapons in the form of wraiths to eradicate Hwasin’s tank-only army and extract the GG. It was a beautiful sight to behold - and earns this game the second best mirror played.
1.
Flash vs UpMagic
Flash vs UpMagic
Making one huge comeback is one thing, but this game is something else. I cannot count how many times the balance swung back and forth during this game. Similar to the game above, Flash gets into a bad position after trying to pressure UpMagic too hard. This allows UpMagic to divide the map and take a large economic lead by securing 9 and 3. And then things get crazy. Flash begins to make Battle Cruisers while UpMagic decides to counter with Wraiths. Flash takes this one step further and gets Valkyries - which prove their worth after they shred UpMagic's wraith force. With the momentum firmly on Flash's side, he continues to press through 9 as UpMagic struggles to stall with Wraith while he builds his own Battle Cruiser fleet.
Alas, it is not enough, and Flash rolls over 9 and then kills most of UpMagic's main and Battle Cruiser fleet with his own large Battle Cruiser fleet. UpMagic however, does an excellent job of wearing down Flash's Battle Cruisers and only after some sick Yamato Cloning does UpMagic look to be unable to defend his main. So UpMagic counters with everything he has - which is super effective. Flash retreats to save his base and the game just goes crazy from here. UpMagic produces Golaiths and an epic BC vs Goliath battle takes place. The map gets mined out except for the 4 mineral patches in the middle on the left hand side. After an intense brawl for these minerals - UpMagic comes out ahead; and takes the game just like that. A truly epic encounter worthy of spot #1.
To the Future - Next Season
The SKT Trio
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Batoo_Final/skttrio.png)
Over the past three OSLs there has been an SKT player in each of the finals. In each of those finals, the SKT player has lost to his opponent. Bisu, Best and Fantasy are three of the most deserving players to win OSL titles after all they have been through. BeSt has only been an A-Team gamer for just over a year, and in that time he has made the Round of 8 or better in every Starleague since Bacchus. He made it to the Round of 8 in Bacchus, Incruit, and Batoo and the Finals of EVER2008. This guy is the modern GoodFriend. Always posting great showings in tournaments, but never quite cracking the finals (and losing to July in the final that he did make it to). This is kinda sad to see, but BeSt has somewhat faded into mediocre much like Goodfriend did - but all could change next season if BeSt's drive returns after his neck heals.
Fantasy also deserves a title after finishing 2nd, twice. The only other person to finish second twice in a row was Stork - every other player has won one of their two finals (Nada, Nal_ra, July, Boxer). He was even denied his Royal Road in a painful fifth set against Stork in InCruit. History tells us that fantasy is going to have an off-season this time around, just as Stork did. After this odd season he is going to be big, and take his OSL on his third third. Only time will tell if he lives up to my prophecy.
And lastly we have Bisu... oh Bisu.. Batoo was meant to be your OSL. After 3 MSLs it was time that he stepped up and took a Gold in the only tournament which matters - the OSL. Bisu isn't a real champion until he manages to take an OSL title. While people may disagree with that, the fact is, the OSL is the pinnacle of Starcraft - no other tournament comes close. The prestige attached to it makes it the most important tournament in Korea. Progamers don't grow up dreaming of MSL victories, they grow up dreaming of the moment they kiss their first OSL trophy under the confetti rain. Until the day Bisu steps up and wins that elusive OSL, he can't be considered a true champion.
Yes, I know Bisu has a whole host of other accomplishments to boast about. But it's comparable to those guys who make up for their "shortcomings" by buying expensive Cars and whatnot. Without an OSL Bisu's career is empty and everything else just compensation for what he is lacking. Bisu needs to stop getting 3-0'd in the Semifinals first though, and thats what we should be looking to see next season.
Golden Mouse #3?
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Batoo_Final/goldenmouse.png)
The question following Jaedong every Starleague from now on is "are we going to see another Golden Mouse?". History tells us that Jaedong will not be winning his third OSL next season - but then again Jaedong doesn't play by histories rules. He appears to be immune to the OSL curse and hence it is quite likely we'll see Jaedong up receiving another trophy next season. However, if he does do that, a part of me will die inside and some of the magic of Starcraft will be lost forever. Boxer is the only player to win back to back OSLs, and should Jaedong do the same, it will be a sad day for us old schoolers. Nevertheless, the future is in Jaedong's very capable hands.
The Map Pool
The map pool this seaons was immensely anti-Protoss. After the era of the 6-Dragons who can blame the map makers though. Tears turned out to be terrible for Protoss in TvP and ZvP while the other maps weren't too great for Protoss either - aside from Medusa. With the new maps just being release for proleauge it will be interesting to see which maps are kept and which are brought in for the new season. As always, the maps could very well decide our next champion - so here's hoping for a good set of maps! And not a set like Shinhan S1... (Cultivation Period, Old Peaks, Rush Hour and 815; there were 23 ZvZ's that season)
Zerg Invasion?
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Batoo_Final/zergling.png)
In the most recent MSL preliminaries we saw that there were a disproportionate amount of Zergs qualifying. Couple this with a fresh batch of Zerg favoured maps in Proleauge and you have yourselves another Shinhan S1. The questions that need to be ask here are whether it is the maps which are making the difference? Or has the skill of the Zerg gamers just risen so much that they are flooding the leagues. I tend to think it is the former, but there are a good few Zerg rookies who could have quite a bit impact this season. We had by.hero last season, who knows who it will be next time.
The Best of the Best
Bisu vs Fantasy Game 2
This game is one of those fun games we all love to watch. Both players open up with drop based builds after their expansions. This lead to some severe peon ownage on both sides. Fantasy dropped a handful of vults into Bisu's main and with some elegant control killed off a good number of probes. Bisu on the other hand had his Reaver hack on and severely wrecked Fantasy's natural. The game was unclear; who had done more damage? After a brief lull it was clear that fantasy had gained the advantage and proceeded to obliterate what was left of Bisu. A great unconventional game.
There were no standout games from the Jaedong-Fantasy encounter, yet it was a great final. But if one game had to be picked, Game 4 was probably the best. Tears of the Moon has provided some intense games over the tournament, and this was no exception. Fortune smiled on Jaedong in this game, and it allowed him to have hack like precision in his scouting throughout the game. Despite this, Fantasy threw everything he had at Jaedong harassing as best he could with 2port wraith and a floated factory. It was not enough, and the Tyrant rose from the harass with but a few grazes and proceeded to destroy fantasy.
July vs Bisu
This is a great back and forth PvZ between two of the best. July and Bisu are both famous for their skill in this matchup, and like their previous encounters - this game was memorable. July opened up strongly and neutered Bisu's Sair/Reaver attempt with great scourge play. Bisu fought his way back off two bases and the island and was able to limit July's expansions and square things up about even. As the game approach the end the two scrambled to get up an expo, each doing everything possible to stop the flow of minerals to their opponent. In the end, Bisu came out on top after some great Storms.
This is as tight as TvT gets. Flash's epic comeback here against Hwasin is fully further of placing in the top games of Batoo. The tension and suspense as the units slowly get eliminated and the expansions get shut down is immense. And then, right at the very end, a single wraith is the deciding factor. This is a one in a million game, and it is surprising that we had multiple TvTs of this caliber in the tournament.
And here is the other great TvT from the tournament. There is just something sexy about seeing 12+ Battlecruisers simultaneously douse another Battlecruiser fleet with Yamato guns. This game is such a roller coaster ride filled with epic battle scenes - it is the classic TvT encounter.
by.hero vs Hwasin Game 1
One of the great ZvT games of this year. by.hero showed us exactly why Mutalisks are the most potent unit in Starcraft in the right hands. His Mutalisk control was sublime, but Hwasin was not prepared to give up just yet. He fought back hard, cutting down hero's expansion attempts. Unable to deliver the killer blow, Hwasin was left high and dry as his available minerals dwindled and eventually he ran out of fuel. Hero was able to secure some bases, and then Ultralisks finished the job. A brilliant TvZ in every right.
Credits
GrandInquisitor
Grinq deserves special mention for the sheer effort he has put into this site. This has been his seventh season doing the OSL R&S thread. In units of time - thats over two years maintaining that thread. It is always kept up to date and tidy which is a real credit to Grinq. OSL coverage would not be the same without you, and my deepest gratitude goes out to you for all the effort you have put in.
DoctorHelvetica, Riptide, semioldguy and Last Romantic
These guys have all helped out the reporting of Batoo this season. Each one has offered their insight and opinion into this great tournament and it is very much appreciated. From odd recaps through to full blown news posts, all your contributions are appreciated and hopefully you will come back next season to help out as well.
zXk3 and Pachi
Thanks for the banners guys
Sorry zXk3 for forgetting to host the Batoo banner on TL and instead direct linking to your own website - burning through over 20gb over the season. I'm already excited wondering what masterful banners you guys will conjure up next season. You
My thanks must go off to you of course. You are what makes TeamLiquid so great. It is your continued presence on this site, your contributions in whatever form and your posts which make this community so great. Because of the awesome users here at TL, it is a pleasure and an honour to be able to bring you coverages of the various Korean leagues - and we'll keep on doing it for years to come.
And that is all from Batoo OSL. Jaedong has ascended and taken his rightful place as one of the greatest players of all time and has made history along the way. We saw the 5th ever 0-2 -> 3-2 comeback, Bisu losing in another semifinal, and a host of great games along the way. Batoo has been a special OSL, and one that will remain fond in our memories for years to come.
Plexa
