If Sunday was Protoss’ day, Monday is definitely Zerg’s day. Two of the greatest forces of the Swarm go at it against two other top notch players. For Leenock, it is a comeback but for DongRaeGu, it will be his first time in Iron Squid.
He might be the player Iron Squid chapter I missed the most, but he will not be absent a second time. Being one of the most achieved Zergs in the world, DRG is loved by fans for his style and how tense his games are most of the time. DRG is also known to be one of the fiercest rivals of MMA, the Iron Squid champion. At the end of last year they were dominating and offered what is still one of the greatest finals to this day. Just like our champion, DRG was revealed through team leagues, carrying MvP all the way to the title. Recently overshadowed by the breakout of Sniper, it is important for DRG to show he is still the ace of MvP. The Zerg will need to advance first.
GanZi, stars can dance
GanZi and compLexity recently parted ways, and GanZi decided it was still not time to leave for his military service and he would continue being a progamer for a while longer. Iron Squid will be a perfect opportunity to showcase his talent and have the recruiters more inclined to offer him a better deal. GanZi is the one and only Terran who managed to qualify for Iron Squid II, as he made made it through the insane open qualifier’s bracket. In the finals he defeated J quite convincingly, and he will need to take advantage of his TvZ to get through a group that includes two of the best ZvT. In addition to DRG, GanZi might have to face Leenock, a player very few want to face currently. Being a Terran trained in the house of SlayerS, he has to honor the legacy of that clan.
The face up
DRG would have been more of a favorite in this match if he had not played under his standard in GSL this week. Against Noblesse, he did not manage to advance and lost all chances to comeback directly in Code S. Moreover, his ZvT looked far weaker than what it used to be, a major concern before facing GanZi. Even if he did not participate in a Korean competition for several months, GanZi is not over, and will give everything he has to advance.
SaSe, the best hat in esport
Another player that ended up teamless just before playing his Iron Squid group, SaSe was a victim of the Quantic Gaming abrupt disband. If he has yet to find a new team, the Swede will leave for Taiwan to compete in the TeSL as a player of Sen’s Gama Bears. But before leaving he as to play a very tough group where he will be the challenger and the only foreigner. SaSe is not scared by tough situation and he trained hard at StarTale’s house to be ready for those events. Even though he never won a major event, SaSe has already proved there is no one he can’t beat, his best level is required to advance though.
Leenock, the age of Iron for the Leenocktopus
FXO’s ace is among the very best players in the world at the moment. Except for the GSL Code S that keeps eluding him, Leenock has been on a roll in the others tournaments. Runner up of the last MLG, winner of IPL5, he also was a major asset in FXO’s quest to a second GSTL. Leenock has been all around the places and has developed quite a talent for dancing in front of the audience. With its 3500 seats, le Palais des Congrès will be a perfect stage for him to show off his Gangnam style. Paris is still far away though and although he is among the favorites to take the whole tournament, Leenock needs to win his group and prove that the first chapter was an accident.
The face up
Leenock has quite a history with Swedish Protoss as he won his first major title by defeating NaNiwa at Providence. The Korean is now about to take on the other Swede but should not expect the same style as the former GSL quarterfinalist, SaSe is not afraid of using all in strategies. Leenock is still a favorite, it has been a while since a Protoss managed to give him troubles.
About advancing
Leenock is expected to advance in this group, considering his opponents of the day. Beware of the ZvZ though, as it was what caused his loss in GSL. Unless there is an upset FXO’s Zerg will take the group which leaves one spot left. DRG is favored by the odds in this situation but GanZi and SaSe both have their chance to take a bo3 of him, especially the Terran.
On December 17 2012 22:26 liberate71 wrote: wow DRG and Leenock go from GSL Blizzard Cup, home for 5 hours then more matches. Wonder if they'll get sleep or just power through.
Iron Squid is cast from replays. Khaldor and Wolf go from the Blizzard Cup to casting this though
yeah, Wolfdor have been casting like 25 hours a day lately. group B of blizzard cup starts in like 8 hours and will take like 10 and this has just started, rofl. i know Khaldor doesn't need sleep when he has starcraft, but it seems that Wolf is adopting the same way of living.
On December 18 2012 04:23 Schelim wrote: yeah, Wolfdor have been casting like 25 hours a day lately. group B of blizzard cup starts in like 8 hours and will take like 10 and this has just started, rofl. i know Khaldor doesn't need sleep when he has starcraft, but it seems that Wolf is adopting the same way of living.
Yeah, but it's obvious that Wolf is pretty tired whenever he does Iron Squid casts.
On December 18 2012 04:39 Popkiller wrote: unless they break the pattern whoever gets 1st in this group will play MMA in Ro16. Sucks that it's probably Leenock...
On December 18 2012 04:39 Popkiller wrote: unless they break the pattern whoever gets 1st in this group will play MMA in Ro16. Sucks that it's probably Leenock...
Yeah, but it would be nice to see DRG vs MMA.
Last Iron Squid it was a random draw for the bracket.
On December 18 2012 04:39 Popkiller wrote: unless they break the pattern whoever gets 1st in this group will play MMA in Ro16. Sucks that it's probably Leenock...
Yeah, but it would be nice to see DRG vs MMA.
Last Iron Squid it was a random draw for the bracket.
Ah damn, yeah it was a pretty loose pattern but I thought I saw one hahaa. No two 1st place finishers played each other, for example.
On December 18 2012 05:03 scypio wrote: more squishy terrans... right now I don't even now which one I should root for, they all seem to loose in a horrible, horrible manner. Ouch.
Yeah. I'm simply rooting for them all, but I can't seem to catch a break lately.
On December 18 2012 05:03 scypio wrote: more squishy terrans... right now I don't even now which one I should root for, they all seem to loose in a horrible, horrible manner. Ouch.
Yeah. I'm simply rooting for them all, but I can't seem to catch a break lately.
On December 18 2012 05:03 scypio wrote: more squishy terrans... right now I don't even now which one I should root for, they all seem to loose in a horrible, horrible manner. Ouch.
Yeah. I'm simply rooting for them all, but I can't seem to catch a break lately.
On December 18 2012 05:20 Urbz wrote: GanZi did beat HyuN 2-0, Polt 3-1 & Luvsic 4-1 to qualify for this though. Let's hope he'll do better in the losers` match.
Yeah, that's great, the only problem is that if I were to pick 3 most-scary players of the moment two of them would participate in this very IronSquid group.
Well, at maybe W&K will be to catch some sleep tonight, they are like a couple of zombies now. Still, a surprisingly decent cast for that kind of physical state.
On December 18 2012 05:49 Shellshock1122 wrote: I missed the first 2 series. was Leenock vs Sase as 1 sided as everyone said or is it just hype from just ending?
On December 18 2012 05:49 Shellshock1122 wrote: I missed the first 2 series. was Leenock vs Sase as 1 sided as everyone said or is it just hype from just ending?
Pretty one sided; first game SaSe went for some weird timing on his gas, following a little agression timed with +1 attack on Leenock's B3. Leenock defended and counter attacked with 180 pop to 80 for SaSe.
Second game Leenock went for some Nydus build, SaSe didn't scout it. Game was over pretty much already.
On December 18 2012 06:04 Insoleet wrote: The infestor nerf is pretty cool actually. Now muta player is able to micro against infestors. But still, zerg is not forced to go muta. I like !
Honestly it was always this way. Mutas should do no damage if you get your Lair on time (Leenock didn't) and have the extra queens. Pros have always microd mutas but the problem becomes the limitations of even 400+ APM, you have to choose between managing the rest of the game while micro-ing a few mutas which take forever to kill something. Not that mutas are bad, but I think many pros just skip them (before and after nerf) because its wasteful if your opponent is prepared. Also, the extra yard mutas gained over fungal shouldn't matter since the muta player should always have a spotter to see them coming anyways...
On December 18 2012 05:42 Popkiller wrote: Man, I wish I could get behind Leenock and enjoy his numerous wins, but I just can't like the guy.
Whaaaaaat? How can you not like Leenock?
I don't knowww, it's definitely not any logical reason. It's how he looks or something...
I feel the same way about him. I like that he doesn't turtle festor/brood everygame, does lots of lair aggression, which is refreshing to see these days. But.. some reason.. I can't get myself to like him
On December 18 2012 06:04 Insoleet wrote: The infestor nerf is pretty cool actually. Now muta player is able to micro against infestors. But still, zerg is not forced to go muta. I like !
Honestly it was always this way. Mutas should do no damage if you get your Lair on time (Leenock didn't) and have the extra queens. Pros have always microd mutas but the problem becomes the limitations of even 400+ APM, you have to choose between managing the rest of the game while micro-ing a few mutas which take forever to kill something. Not that mutas are bad, but I think many pros just skip them (before and after nerf) because its wasteful if your opponent is prepared. Also, the extra yard mutas gained over fungal shouldn't matter since the muta player should always have a spotter to see them coming anyways...
I disagree, it's not that clear cut, there were plenty ways to use Mutas effectively even before patch.
Yay ZvZ! The more I watch this build the more I'm convinced that 10 pool bane is the "correct" opening... or maybe 14 pool with gas lol. ZvZ is so ridiculous, even if you micro perfectly banelings have SO much power in the early game.
On December 18 2012 05:42 Popkiller wrote: Man, I wish I could get behind Leenock and enjoy his numerous wins, but I just can't like the guy.
Whaaaaaat? How can you not like Leenock?
I don't knowww, it's definitely not any logical reason. It's how he looks or something...
I feel the same way about him. I like that he doesn't turtle festor/brood everygame, does lots of lair aggression, which is refreshing to see these days. But.. some reason.. I can't get myself to like him
so you would like him if he's better looking? this is SC2 not Mr. Universe contest.
I'm so glad DRG didn't sleep in and forget this online matches this time... even more happy that he just bitchsmacked leenock off his zergy throne....twice!!! (blizzardcup)
On December 18 2012 06:12 Maloreon wrote: Yay ZvZ! The more I watch this build the more I'm convinced that 10 pool bane is the "correct" opening... or maybe 14 pool with gas lol. ZvZ is so ridiculous, even if you micro perfectly banelings have SO much power in the early game.
Why does Wolf keep saying Ganzi has been hopping around teams? He's been on coL for almost a year and it's only his second team (third if you count IM).
Foreigners need to stop playing so scared and insecure against koreans.. They never cheese, never take the slightest risks, extend games for too long when way ahead etc.
I was a bit worried for SaSe, before his 1st attack - when stim finished and medivacs were coming and he still didn't attack, but then he attacked with such a huge force that no stim or 2 poor medivacs could have saved Ganzi :p
On December 18 2012 06:52 hifriend wrote: Foreigners need to stop playing so scared and insecure against koreans.. They never cheese, never take the slightest risks, extend games for too long when way ahead etc.
im shocked that sase didn't just attack the clearly upgrading techlab. I mean he won anyway but marines without combat shields would have made it even less close
On December 18 2012 06:52 hifriend wrote: Foreigners need to stop playing so scared and insecure against koreans.. They never cheese, never take the slightest risks, extend games for too long when way ahead etc.
Someone missed Dimaga vs MKP on the weekend.
That was an exaggeration but in general? Wonder if there is such a trend or just confirmation bias on my part because I've thought about it a lot. Like there's some sort of collective mental block among foreign players whenever they're up against koreans.
This whirlwind map looks horrible for T in TvZ, the third feels like completely impossible to defend. I wonder why they picked it up for the tournament. Now Antiga should be more balanced, but I doubt GanZi can take out the Leenocktopus
On December 18 2012 07:39 Ender985 wrote: This whirlwind map looks horrible for T in TvZ, the third feels like completely impossible to defend. I wonder why they picked it up for the tournament. Now Antiga should be more balanced, but I doubt GanZi can take out the Leenocktopus
It's actually an amazing map. Watch Ryung TvZs on it or Nobleesse in Code A vs DRG. It favors zerg early but late game it is a Terran map.
On December 18 2012 07:39 Ender985 wrote: This whirlwind map looks horrible for T in TvZ, the third feels like completely impossible to defend. I wonder why they picked it up for the tournament. Now Antiga should be more balanced, but I doubt GanZi can take out the Leenocktopus
Gumiho destroyed Sniper on this map very recently in the FXO vs MVP GSTL final.
Ryung has also destroyed DRG on this map.
Not saying the map is balanced, just saying it is not unwinnable
On December 18 2012 07:39 Ender985 wrote: This whirlwind map looks horrible for T in TvZ, the third feels like completely impossible to defend. I wonder why they picked it up for the tournament. Now Antiga should be more balanced, but I doubt GanZi can take out the Leenocktopus
It's actually an amazing map. Watch Ryung TvZs on it or Nobleesse in Code A vs DRG. It favors zerg early but late game it is a Terran map.
Ryung DRG whirlwind was awesome. I think it was season 3 ro16 game 1 if you wanna watch it (talking to original guy that said it looks bad for T, which it probably is lol)
Ganzi was the greedy one and Leenock was the ballsy one - the outcome was predictable .
You can't just take your 3rd with 6 marines and 2 sieges on the map . MKP tried to play also very greedy in Numericable M-House Cup and I just hope that is the new trend amongs terrans .
EPT![[image loading]](http://ftp.ironsquid.tv/visual/chapter2/TL/TL_IS2_player_E.jpg)
Dragon 0-2 ForGG ![[image loading]](http://ironsquid.tv/data/img/season2/TLpreview.png)
![[image loading]](http://ftp.ironsquid.tv/visual/chapter2/players/EGroup/DRG.png)
![[image loading]](http://ftp.ironsquid.tv/visual/chapter2/players/EGroup/GanZi.png)
![[image loading]](http://ftp.ironsquid.tv/visual/chapter2/players/EGroup/SaSe.png)
![[image loading]](http://ftp.ironsquid.tv/visual/chapter2/players/EGroup/Leenock.png)
![[image loading]](http://ironsquid.tv/data/img/season2/TLStreams.png)
![[image loading]](http://ironsquid.tv/data/img/season2/TLmatches.png)
DongRaeGu - GanZi 
SaSe - Leenock ![[image loading]](http://ironsquid.tv/data/img/season2/TLresults.png)
DongRaeGu <Whirlwind> 
GanZi
SaSe <Daybreak> ![[image loading]](http://ironsquid.tv/data/img/season2/TLLivereport.png)
![[image loading]](http://ironsquid.tv/data/img/season2/TLrecommended.png)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/YhGnb.png)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/YGVyP.png)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/tqLls.png)
.
and Leenock was the ballsy one 
- the outcome was predictable 
