EPT
Describe the practice games and how you are doing in each matchup.
Idra: TvP is my best matchup vs the progamers by far, I'm having to completely rework my TvZ because Korean style zvt is so much different(better) than non koreans. I'm learning TvT pretty quickly given how bad I was in it before coming here. I'm doing about as well as can be expected overall, I've won some games but am still definitely the worst player in the house. I can see myself beginning to improve though.
Are they happy with your skills and attitude so far?
Idra: Yes, the best part of the whole thing so far has been the other players and coach/manager. They're all incredibly nice and have gone out of their way to make the transition easy for me and to make me feel at home. I'm not really sure what their opinion of me is because im not sure they would tell me if they thought I really sucked, but they seem pretty satisfied so far.
Daniel lee speaks english, so he probably helped with the transition greatly. How's your Korean coming along?
Idra: I'm not learning it as quickly as I would have liked, our free time is broken up into half-hour/hour segments so theres not alot of time to sit down and study and I'm able to communicate with the players pretty well as is so its not a pressing need. But I am picking up vocabulary just through everyday conversation.
They are allowing you time to play TSL? That is nice of them.
Idra: They're not making an exception for it, I just play a bit in my free time to relax. As for the final tournament if need be I can skip some practice time because they think the exposure and money is worth-while.
What are the biggest differences between Korean and foreigner playstyles in the pracitce games you've played so far?
Idra: In general just cleaner mechanics, you almost never catch their macro slip and major micro mistakes are rare. But like I said the biggest difference is the zergs, the muta micro and hive tech useage is so much better than foreign zergs its hard to believe. To give some perspective I think tvz was widely considered my best matchup outside Korea, I'm pretty sure its my worst statistically in practice games here.
How do they approach practice games differently?
Idra: Repetition mainly, when they have a specific match to practice for they play nothing but that one map for days on end, down to memorizing building placements for the different spots and things like that. As far as I know foreigners don't even go that in depth for WCG, and Koreans do it for every match.
Do you like the food?
Idra: I'm still adjusting to the new diet, alot of flavors and stuff I'm not used to. I had trouble eating alot of it at first but its slowly getting better. A lot of its good, just new.
Everyone is eagerly anticipating you showing up on the eStro bench. What are the chances of that happening anytime soon?
Idra: As soon as I earn it. I'm still an amateur at the moment, once I pass courage league I'll be eligible to play for proleague, and then its just a matter of doing well enough to get a spot on the roster.
Who does the best on inter-team practices? UpMagic?
Idra: I don't know really. We don't keep track of practice game records and the best players dont tend to practice against each other a whole lot. They all have their own proleague matchs to prepare for and so tend to play against some of the lesser pros. If I had to guess, probably upmagic or goodfriend.
Who are you friends with so far?
Idra: Well everyones been really friendly, but I spend most of my time with the B team players, since we practice in the same room. Nsp_Fancy Melon[3.33] By.Puma Younga[Kal] Suny[fOu] Sea.Same. Fancy speaks English very well and I sit next to Suny, so I've gotten to know those two in particular pretty well.
Is everyone excited after their 2-0 start to Proleague?
Idra: Ya, we're currently tied for first and if we beat MBC next match we'll be in first by ourselves. Everyones really happy, especially considering last season's performance.
Did you go out drinking with them yet?
Idra: Nah the team is only allowed to drink on our free day and I'm not allowed to go to a club until Daniel says so anyway.
TL.net and the foreign community have been eagerly awaiting updates from you!
Idra: Sorry to those who request a blog about the whole thing from me, theres just not really anything to write about. We practice everyday, all day.
Its fun though so far?
Idra: very fun.
We are excited to see a new improved Idra for TSL. We have so few Terrans!
Idra: Thanks. Ya I'll qualify, I don't have time to cherry pick or work my way into the top 16, but if I get close to 48th ill start playing more.
Have you kept in touch with media guys at all?
Idra: We talk on msn/iccup most nights during my free time.
Do the estro players play iccup for practice now that the maps are in?
Idra: I think the maps just changed and most of them aren't aware of it yet, but a surprising number of them have iccup accounts so ya I expect they'll start playing it more.
Good luck and I hope you pass courage!
Idra: thanks
