The time has come for the Premier group matches of the IGN Pro Team League!
Group B Schedule: LG-IM vs StarTale - September 12 Prime vs TSL - September 19 LG-IM vs Prime - September 26 StarTale vs TSL - October 3 StarTale vs Prime - October 10 LG-IM vs TSL - October 17
When: Wednesday, Sep 12 11:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00) (we will also rebroadcast repeatedly afterwards!)
Format
Premier Division Group A is made up of four teams: Team Liquid, SlayerS, MVP, and Evil Geniuses. Group B contains LG-Incredible Miracle, StarTale, Prime, and TSL. Both groups will play round robin against each other team in their group. When group stages are over, the top two teams from each Group will play in a playoff for the $9,000 first prize!
StarTale AcE Avenge Bomber Curious Hack Harrier July Life PartinG Sound Squirtle SuHoSin TREME Aphrodite Virus Brain KingKong MisS Pet Sparta SoN Tiger Zero
The First Game of the IPTL Premier Division Group B is on Wednesday, Sep 12 11:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00) (we will also rebroadcast repeatedly afterwards!)
On September 13 2012 06:53 Walnuts wrote: The IPTL might actually be a better team league (for viewers, not prestige) than the GSTL at this point... So many great matchups!
Easier for teams to participate in too, so we get to see teams that could never attend the GSTL play.
On September 13 2012 07:06 JohnAdams wrote: This is going to be easy for startale. I'm going to say 5-2.
I really don't get why people say this. I mean, ST and IM do seem to have the best lineups right now, but what puts IM behind? Seed is roughly equivelent to Squirtle, MC is the PvZ of Parting's PvT, and Losira, First, Yongwa, Happy, and Yoda put out a really strong backup.
Cheering for Startale to win this, but looking at IM's last series, I don't think that Startale is the favourite here :/ typical heart over head choice for me.
Edit: Life all-kill incoming :D go beat Mvp, ballerest of all ballers!
Just spread out the broods in an arc around the entire expo. Was actually a big mistake by Seed to recall there, no way out and his army wouldn't be able to beat those 20 broods.
i don't think life would've won that anyways, seed had 2-3 base coming at bottom, 5k/~2k in the bank. life had barely a bank and no tech at all, no larvae, no nothing.
On September 13 2012 09:26 MasterKang wrote: Every time I see a zerg lose their entire army because they're too stupid to just fking spread it, I die a little inside
Are you really that dense? He didn't see the Mothership, because Seed flanked with it. He can't realistically keep the army spread the whole time and move it, unless he moves it 1 unit at a time, for 45 minutes. I would like to see Protoss move each stalker 1 at a time to not clump up their units, every time they're moving around the map.
Why don't Z players magic box or something their BLs? I mean, it is an inevitability that vortex will happen at some point. All BLs/Corruptors on 1 hotkey. I am not a fan of a vortex spell but I think those Z players who are not capable of controlling units (again, against the INEVITABILITY) deserve to lose.
On September 13 2012 09:30 usethis2 wrote: Why don't Z players magic box or something their BLs? I mean, it is an inevitability that vortex will happen at some point. All BLs/Corruptors on 1 hotkey. I am not a fan of a vortex spell but I think those Z players who are not capable of controlling units (again, against the INEVITABILITY) deserve to lose.
Double speed prism harass requires 20 spines and overseer per every expo... recall abuses immobility of BL infestor, then if all else fails, double vortex.
You just can't play against Toss on even bases with 3/3/3 ups. Gotta hit your timings before that.
On September 13 2012 09:26 MasterKang wrote: Every time I see a zerg lose their entire army because they're too stupid to just fking spread it, I die a little inside
Are you really that dense? He didn't see the Mothership, because Seed flanked with it. He can't realistically keep the army spread the whole time and move it, unless he moves it 1 unit at a time, for 45 minutes. I would like to see Protoss move each stalker 1 at a time to not clump up their units, every time they're moving around the map.
Not the whole time. He knew that there was recall so he should have been aware that MS was there.
Geez. T players split their units against banelings, fungals, storms, etc. all the time.
On September 13 2012 09:26 MasterKang wrote: Every time I see a zerg lose their entire army because they're too stupid to just fking spread it, I die a little inside
Are you really that dense? He didn't see the Mothership, because Seed flanked with it. He can't realistically keep the army spread the whole time and move it, unless he moves it 1 unit at a time, for 45 minutes. I would like to see Protoss move each stalker 1 at a time to not clump up their units, every time they're moving around the map.
The question is, are you really that dense? The spore and spine crawlers had the Mothership spotted well in time to spread or move even if he wasn't aware of the Mothership. The fact that he was aware of the MS beforehand and still didn't spread makes it even worse.
On September 13 2012 09:30 usethis2 wrote: Why don't Z players magic box or something their BLs? I mean, it is an inevitability that vortex will happen at some point. All BLs/Corruptors on 1 hotkey. I am not a fan of a vortex spell but I think those Z players who are not capable of controlling units (again, against the INEVITABILITY) deserve to lose.
it isn't as easy as you think...
I suppose you're a Z player. Let me ask you a question: Did you scream to Life "Split! Split! Please split!"
Or do you think he should have gg'ed when MS was built.
On September 13 2012 09:26 MasterKang wrote: Every time I see a zerg lose their entire army because they're too stupid to just fking spread it, I die a little inside
Are you really that dense? He didn't see the Mothership, because Seed flanked with it. He can't realistically keep the army spread the whole time and move it, unless he moves it 1 unit at a time, for 45 minutes. I would like to see Protoss move each stalker 1 at a time to not clump up their units, every time they're moving around the map.
How is that unrealistic? People have been moving spread out armies for years. You've got 10 hotkeys to use, he has no production, no mining, all he has to do is control those units. He knows that Yonghwa's army is trapped there for the time being due to the recall. All he has to do is not get everything caught in a fucking vortex.
On September 13 2012 09:26 MasterKang wrote: Every time I see a zerg lose their entire army because they're too stupid to just fking spread it, I die a little inside
Are you really that dense? He didn't see the Mothership, because Seed flanked with it. He can't realistically keep the army spread the whole time and move it, unless he moves it 1 unit at a time, for 45 minutes. I would like to see Protoss move each stalker 1 at a time to not clump up their units, every time they're moving around the map.
Not the whole time. He knew that there was recall so he should have been aware that MS was there.
Geez. T players split their units against banelings, fungals, storms, etc. all the time.
T players don't move around with spread units. They either spread when something's coming, like when banelings are rolling in, or move, stop, then position units in a split formation, if they're expecting to be fungaled, for example. Against Vortex with Zerg units, you can't split they way marines split when banelings start rolling, it's technically impossible, because Vortex is instant and ranged.
With how clumsy and slow the late game Zerg army is, and how it naturally clumps every time you move it, you can't possibly respond to your opponent's army movement, and keep your entire army spread the whole time. The only option is to take position, stop, then spread your units based on where you think the Protoss army and the mothership exactly are. Life had just moved his army, and didn't have time to spread it. He thought it was safe to move, because he thought the Mothership was in the back with the army.
On September 13 2012 09:26 MasterKang wrote: Every time I see a zerg lose their entire army because they're too stupid to just fking spread it, I die a little inside
Are you really that dense? He didn't see the Mothership, because Seed flanked with it. He can't realistically keep the army spread the whole time and move it, unless he moves it 1 unit at a time, for 45 minutes. I would like to see Protoss move each stalker 1 at a time to not clump up their units, every time they're moving around the map.
Not the whole time. He knew that there was recall so he should have been aware that MS was there.
Geez. T players split their units against banelings, fungals, storms, etc. all the time.
T players don't move around with spread units. They either spread when something's coming, like when banelings are rolling in, or move, stop, then position units in a split formation, if they're expecting to be fungaled, for example. Against Vortex with Zerg units, you can't split they way marines split when banelings start rolling, it's technically impossible, because Vortex is instant and ranged.
With how clumsy and slow the late game Zerg army is, and how it naturally clumps every time you move it, you can't possibly respond to your opponent's army movement, and keep your entire army spread the whole time. The only option is to take position, stop, then spread your units based on where you think the Protoss army and the mothership exactly are. Life had just moved his army, and didn't have time to spread it. He thought it was safe to move, because he thought the Mothership was in the back with the army.
.... oh man.....
The army was TRAPPED! He knew exactly where they would come from because they couldn't go anywhere else. All he had to do was spread and use move + hold position as he watched the enemy forces melt to the BLs. Instead he a-move clumped and got owned by a single vortex.
On September 13 2012 09:26 MasterKang wrote: Every time I see a zerg lose their entire army because they're too stupid to just fking spread it, I die a little inside
Are you really that dense? He didn't see the Mothership, because Seed flanked with it. He can't realistically keep the army spread the whole time and move it, unless he moves it 1 unit at a time, for 45 minutes. I would like to see Protoss move each stalker 1 at a time to not clump up their units, every time they're moving around the map.
Are you trolling? Even if you don't see the Mothership, he knew it was at the battle. There's absolutely no reason whatsoever to not have your broodlords and corruptors ALWAYS spread out. What on earth are you talking about. You create a concave with blords around Seed's army and just select everything and a move, they will stay spread enough so that he doesn't lose every single unit to one vortex. That was an absolutely terrible fuck up by Life to lose an unlosable game, and you would have to be extremely "dense" to not see that
Casters forgetting Bomber as ace! Also, I think protoss players are the best bet vs Seed.
Regarding the brood lords, when you know where your opponents army is positioned, it's really, really easy not to get more than 5-6 out of your 20 broods in a vortex. Was just sloppy play from Life.
On September 13 2012 09:51 DJHelium wrote: Casters forgetting Bomber as ace! Also, I think protoss players are the best bet vs Seed.
Regarding the brood lords, when you know where your opponents army is positioned, it's really, really easy not to get more than 5-6 out of your 20 broods in a vortex. Was just sloppy play from Life.
On September 13 2012 09:51 DJHelium wrote: Casters forgetting Bomber as ace! Also, I think protoss players are the best bet vs Seed.
Regarding the brood lords, when you know where your opponents army is positioned, it's really, really easy not to get more than 5-6 out of your 20 broods in a vortex. Was just sloppy play from Life.
should not have Bomber today as he is playing GSL
Not sure but normally these are casted in advance so these aren't live or anything. Although if you mean he was busy preparing for GSL instead, I could totally see that.
On September 13 2012 10:20 usethis2 wrote: If Curious grows balls and end this game quickly I'd change my opinion on him. (if slightly) Not in a mood for a 30 min+ game.
You probably don't know how zerg works if you think they can dictate how a game plays on. Our all ins are pretty pathetic when its so easy to scout just by the fact if we are taking gas or not (disregarding early pool builds which are really pathetic against workers.) Its up to MVP to end it.
On September 13 2012 10:20 usethis2 wrote: If Curious grows balls and end this game quickly I'd change my opinion on him. (if slightly) Not in a mood for a 30 min+ game.
You probably don't know how zerg works if you think they can dictate how a game plays on. Our all ins are pretty pathetic when its so easy to scout just by the fact if we are taking gas or not (disregarding early pool builds which are really pathetic against workers.) Its up to MVP to end it.
Oh I think I do know. It's coin flippy, sure, but I'm sure you'd agree that being idra every game isn't exactly going to get you success.
On September 13 2012 10:14 Darthsanta13 wrote: MVP chose Metropolis.... against Zerg?
Interesting way of saying you have never seen mvp play Metropolis against zerg. Aka Mvp giving Blizzard a reason to not buff the raven :p
Oh I've seen the game you're talking about, I just kinda assumed that there must be a better map for him to play on than such a zerg favored map. Although I'd definitely like to see some more mass raven play if that's how the game turns out.
edit: With that being said, I'll probably switch over to NASL and come back in half an hour when the ravens come out
On September 13 2012 10:20 usethis2 wrote: If Curious grows balls and end this game quickly I'd change my opinion on him. (if slightly) Not in a mood for a 30 min+ game.
You probably don't know how zerg works if you think they can dictate how a game plays on. Our all ins are pretty pathetic when its so easy to scout just by the fact if we are taking gas or not (disregarding early pool builds which are really pathetic against workers.) Its up to MVP to end it.
Oh I think I do know. It's coin flippy, sure, but I'm sure you'd agree that being idra every game isn't exactly going to get you success.
So you rather coin flip then play a solid macro game which you have confidence on? Hilarious.
On September 13 2012 10:14 Darthsanta13 wrote: MVP chose Metropolis.... against Zerg?
Interesting way of saying you have never seen mvp play Metropolis against zerg. Aka Mvp giving Blizzard a reason to not buff the raven :p
Oh I've seen the game you're talking about, I just kinda assumed that there must be a better map for him to play on than such a zerg favored map. Although I'd definitely like to see some more mass raven play if that's how the game turns out.
It's one of the very few map where sky terran is possible. So it's a very good choice if that's what he have in mind.
On September 13 2012 10:20 usethis2 wrote: If Curious grows balls and end this game quickly I'd change my opinion on him. (if slightly) Not in a mood for a 30 min+ game.
You probably don't know how zerg works if you think they can dictate how a game plays on. Our all ins are pretty pathetic when its so easy to scout just by the fact if we are taking gas or not (disregarding early pool builds which are really pathetic against workers.) Its up to MVP to end it.
Oh I think I do know. It's coin flippy, sure, but I'm sure you'd agree that being idra every game isn't exactly going to get you success.
So you rather coin flip then play a solid macro game which you have confidence on? Hilarious.
NOT EVERY FRIGGING GAME. Jesus. Just this one game.
On September 13 2012 10:20 usethis2 wrote: If Curious grows balls and end this game quickly I'd change my opinion on him. (if slightly) Not in a mood for a 30 min+ game.
You probably don't know how zerg works if you think they can dictate how a game plays on. Our all ins are pretty pathetic when its so easy to scout just by the fact if we are taking gas or not (disregarding early pool builds which are really pathetic against workers.) Its up to MVP to end it.
Oh I think I do know. It's coin flippy, sure, but I'm sure you'd agree that being idra every game isn't exactly going to get you success.
So you rather coin flip then play a solid macro game which you have confidence on? Hilarious.
NOT EVERY FRIGGING GAME. Jesus. Just this one game.
Well you need to remember, MVP has wrist problems. Its sort of a dirty tactic, but you can wear him down, he is a monster after all and its wise to wear him down then let him be on a roll.
On September 13 2012 10:14 Darthsanta13 wrote: MVP chose Metropolis.... against Zerg?
Interesting way of saying you have never seen mvp play Metropolis against zerg. Aka Mvp giving Blizzard a reason to not buff the raven :p
Oh I've seen the game you're talking about, I just kinda assumed that there must be a better map for him to play on than such a zerg favored map. Although I'd definitely like to see some more mass raven play if that's how the game turns out.
It's one of the very few map where sky terran is possible. So it's a very good choice if that's what he have in mind.
On September 13 2012 10:36 ImNightmare wrote: Good lord how do you break that shit... planetary fortress, tanks... ravens...vikings...wtf.
You wait for tournament to remove the map, because there's actually no way to break terran on this map once he has 2 PF at each road + 15 ravens
meh... I don't think its broken, don't get me wrong, I am not balance whining. Just , its amazing how mvp plays terran like how no other people play terran.
On September 13 2012 10:36 ImNightmare wrote: Good lord how do you break that shit... planetary fortress, tanks... ravens...vikings...wtf.
You wait for tournament to remove the map, because there's actually no way to break terran on this map once he has 2 PF at each road + 15 ravens
meh... I don't think its broken, don't get me wrong, I am not balance whining. Just , its amazing how mvp plays terran like how no other people play terran.
Cus it is REALLY hard to get to that point.
MKP vs Suhoshin (right after he holds 6 pool with CC first) was even worse.
On September 13 2012 10:36 ImNightmare wrote: Good lord how do you break that shit... planetary fortress, tanks... ravens...vikings...wtf.
You wait for tournament to remove the map, because there's actually no way to break terran on this map once he has 2 PF at each road + 15 ravens
meh... I don't think its broken, don't get me wrong, I am not balance whining. Just , its amazing how mvp plays terran like how no other people play terran.
Cus it is REALLY hard to get to that point.
MKP vs Suhoshin (right after he holds 6 pool with CC first) was even worse.
Its not difficult actually, its all about proper bulding placements and knowing you don't have to end a game quickly. Too many terrans get hasty with ending a game early instead of being defensive or mess up their building placements. MVP plays terran to near perfection because he knows where to place his buildings and how opponents (especially zergs) will engage.
Blizzard really needs to get rid of the raven and replace it with the science vessel. I think that will make for a much more interesting TvZ and also give sky terran a chance.
I turned the stream off. The ads ruined the game. What is the point in watching if I don't get to see what happens? Will there be vods or maybe a rebroadcast?
On September 13 2012 10:50 iAmJeffReY wrote: LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADIES AND GENTLEMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN
I feel MVP didn't get rid of the infestors quick enough though, there were a bunch in his base but he opt to keep his tech hidden instead of killing off the infestors.
On September 13 2012 10:39 GreyKnight wrote: wow curious is playing like shit....
what? why?
he'll win anyways but that's because of the huge advantage he gained from MVP being so passive
No, how was he playing bad?
terrible ultralisk/broodlord/infestor control and bad multi-tasking. it's not something that would cause him the game because of MVP's strategy being so bad vs lategame zerg
On September 13 2012 10:50 iAmJeffReY wrote: LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADIES AND GENTLEMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN
I didn't catch mvp game, how'd he lose?
Chose to play biotank, standart opening 3 OC. Did an attack who got crushed by a baneling flank. Go into 5 bases turtle metropolis mode with PF at intersection. Try to go sky terran but lose too many ravens despite surviving the Ultra push. Transition into BCs but lose everything in his bases to 30 infestors and didn't have any Ravens left
On September 13 2012 10:51 Smurphy wrote: I turned the stream off. The ads ruined the game. What is the point in watching if I don't get to see what happens? Will there be vods or maybe a rebroadcast?
I wonder if Curious is good enough to beat 3 GSL champions in a row. And Jesus IPL, stop spamming ads during games please. It's incredibly annoying to the viewers.
On September 13 2012 10:39 GreyKnight wrote: wow curious is playing like shit....
what? why?
he'll win anyways but that's because of the huge advantage he gained from MVP being so passive
No, how was he playing bad?
terrible ultralisk/broodlord/infestor control and bad multi-tasking. it's not something that would cause him the game because of MVP's strategy being so bad vs lategame zerg
It's actually really good against lategame zerg, but Mvp didn't execute it properly (didn't go full sky terran transition, but went with a mix of bio / sky, and being too passive).
On September 13 2012 10:51 ImNightmare wrote: I feel MVP didn't get rid of the infestors quick enough though, there were a bunch in his base but he opt to keep his tech hidden instead of killing off the infestors.
The problem is that infestors basically counter every unit late-game, the only way he could have won that is if he had brought all his CC's with his army and perhaps if he had a raven or two (but ravens die instantly to fungals, and fungal range is huge).
On September 13 2012 10:51 ImNightmare wrote: I feel MVP didn't get rid of the infestors quick enough though, there were a bunch in his base but he opt to keep his tech hidden instead of killing off the infestors.
The problem is that infestors basically counter every unit late-game, the only way he could have won that is if he had brought all his CC's with his army and perhaps if he had a raven or two (but ravens die instantly to fungals, and fungal range is huge).
Nothing to be done.
Yeah.. you must have watch the game huh. So no energy infestors in mvp base counters all unit late game? nice zerg flag btw, you probably thought fungals cost 25 energy too huh?
That observing in the end kind of bothered me. We knew that MC's force was walking unopposed through Curious's base, we didn't know about the insane phoenix micro buzzing around those mutas.
On September 13 2012 11:08 Talionis wrote: What was that build? I wasn't watching. Did MC only build 1 phoenix?
Yes, it was 1 phoenix into robo. But considering the phoenix got an overlord kill, forced multiple spores, got full scout, forced overlords back to base. I think it was worth it.
On September 13 2012 11:08 Talionis wrote: What was that build? I wasn't watching. Did MC only build 1 phoenix?
Yes, it was 1 phoenix into robo. But considering the phoenix got an overlord kill, forced multiple spores, got full scout, forced overlords back to base. I think it was worth it.
Yeah, that was what I was thinking. That was pretty sick.
On September 13 2012 10:50 usethis2 wrote: God against MC I'll root for Curious.
:O
What did MC do to you? Whoa.
I think he's even worse than Curious. There are plenty of good protoss that I can root for - Squirtle, Seed, Parting, Genius, Creator, etc.
You hate Curious 'cause you think he plays dumb even if his mechanics are good. What do you hate MC for?
I'm highly confused by someone cheering for Squirtle but cheering against MC, 'cause they're basically the same breed of Protoss.
Are you serious? Squrtle and MC, same breed? Squirtle is much more reactive and creative. MC is more of a do or die player.
Like Squirtle 2-base colossus pushing all the way through IPL?
Almost all players are bull-headed with their strategies if they think the strategy has a high chance of success. It's the same for MC and the same for Squirtle. It's just that MC tends to stick to strategies he picks, because he's super-confident in his own control, and it often pays off, which just feeds back into that confidence. If other players cannot adapt to it and defend it even if they know it's coming, then it's their fault, not his. Squirtle plays a very similar "two-base timing" into "macro game" style. It's just that he tends to be much less vicious with it for whatever reason, which I honestly consider a bit of a fault. It doesn't pay to be wishy-washy in SC2. (Which is not to say that he isn't as good as MC. I just think he'd do better with a bit more of MC's killer instinct added on top of his willingness to assess a situation and call off an attack.)
Also, considering MC is pretty much the pioneer of all X-gate timing attacks, I think it's unfair to consider him less creative than Squirtle. :/
On September 13 2012 11:31 power-overwhelming wrote: The best part about MC winning is the butthurt people here on TL that cries about how he won. But I guess people just can't handle his swag.
I'd think that more people were fans of MC than Curious. And some who cheered for Curious might have only done so because he was the underdog and had already taken out 2 GSL champions.
On September 13 2012 10:39 GreyKnight wrote: wow curious is playing like shit....
what? why?
he'll win anyways but that's because of the huge advantage he gained from MVP being so passive
No, how was he playing bad?
terrible ultralisk/broodlord/infestor control and bad multi-tasking. it's not something that would cause him the game because of MVP's strategy being so bad vs lategame zerg
I disagree, I thought it was top notch. He made 1 mistake the whole game but I felt like he outplayed Mvp in almost every way.
On September 13 2012 10:39 GreyKnight wrote: wow curious is playing like shit....
what? why?
he'll win anyways but that's because of the huge advantage he gained from MVP being so passive
No, how was he playing bad?
terrible ultralisk/broodlord/infestor control and bad multi-tasking. it's not something that would cause him the game because of MVP's strategy being so bad vs lategame zerg
I disagree, I thought it was top notch. He made 1 mistake the whole game but I felt like he outplayed Mvp in almost every way.
On the contrary, every attack Curious tried failed miserably, and his army control was sub-standard at best, he merely held the centre and waited for Mvp to mine out with mules.
Mvp's downfall was trying something crazy and fun to watch, when he played standard (before the sky Terran switch) he was far ahead.
On September 13 2012 11:31 power-overwhelming wrote: The best part about MC winning is the butthurt people here on TL that cries about how he won. But I guess people just can't handle his swag.
I'd think that more people were fans of MC than Curious. And some who cheered for Curious might have only done so because he was the underdog and had already taken out 2 GSL champions.
meh don't count to much on those GSL champ tittles. Nestea got 3 and pretty much any one in code S can beat him, same as Jjajky and Polt. BTW Curious isn't the underdog, he might have less results but in a BO 1, no one predict any.
On September 13 2012 14:16 Dodgin wrote: Mvp keeps playing really well in his team league games lately but still losing =/ vs Jjakji in GSTL and now this. WP by Curious though.
MVP always plays entertaining games. He just doesn't always win, but no-one holds that description anyway =P
However yeah, at a glance you'd think MVP sucked at team leagues.
Im really loving the IPTL and I see it as a premiere league with games just as good as the GSTL. The casters are fantastic and they are even courteous enough to offer free rebroadcasts as well as the stream itself is quite good quality. The only thing I wish for was that the prize pool was a bit bigger. All in all, great production IPTL.