We at Alpha X are happy to announce the second rendition of King of Battles! With $15,000 and 1280 EPT points on the line it's an opportunity for players to earn fame, fortune and important points towards the IEM Katowice 2022 World Championship!
These qualifiers are server qualifiers, players from all regions may play in as many of them as they like. There is no region lock. Double-elimination, 3 spots awarded in each qualifier, 15 qualifier spots total Seeding rule: EPT Combined Standings on the day of the qualifiers.
KR Qualifier #1: Tuesday, Oct 26 10:00am GMT (GMT+00:00) sign up here.
KR Qualifier #2: Thursday, Oct 28 11:00am GMT (GMT+00:00) sign up here.
EU Qualifier #1: Wednesday, Oct 27 4:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00) sign up here.
EU Qualifier #2: Wednesday, Nov 03 2:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00) sign up here.
NA Qualifier: Tuesday, Nov 02 11:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00) sign up here.
Our only invited player this time around will be last year's winner: Maru!
Group Selection
After the qualifiers are concluded and we have our 16 participants we will perform a GSL-style group selection where players nominate each other. This way we will ensure full transparency and a bit of added spice for the players. As a tribute to some of the hard-working Liquipedia admins and editors we will be naming our groups after them. Group CynicalDeath Group DARKING Group hjpα Group Kashim
Main event
The main event will be held between November 19th and November 21st. Exact times will be announced after the qualifiers conclude. 4 groups of 4 players each will lead into an 8 player single-elimination playoff bracket. You can find all infos on Liquipedia.
American Red Cross
After the first two broadcasting days we will hold a series of special fundraising showmatches! Participating players and details will be revealed later. There will also be an exciting new twist that will make your donations be meaningful not just outside of the game but inside of it too!
Want to support Alpha X if you are a fan of our events focused style of developing SC2 talent? We frequently organize events of all kinds to support our talents like Astrea, Zoun, Classic & RagnaroK etc and showcase premier players like Rogue, PartinG, ByuN etc. Support and more information via Patreon @ https://www.patreon.com/alphaxsc2
After the qualifiers are concluded and we have our 16 participants we will perform a GSL-style group selection where players nominate each other. This way we will ensure full transparency and a bit of added spice for the players. As a tribute to some of the hard-working Liquipedia admins and editors we will be naming our groups after them. Group CynicalDeath Group DARKING Group hjpα Group Kashim
This is such a good idea, hopefully players get into the spirit of the thing.
On September 21 2021 03:56 Nakajin wrote: Yayyyyy!!!!
Also:
Group Selection
After the qualifiers are concluded and we have our 16 participants we will perform a GSL-style group selection where players nominate each other. This way we will ensure full transparency and a bit of added spice for the players. As a tribute to some of the hard-working Liquipedia admins and editors we will be naming our groups after them. Group CynicalDeath Group DARKING Group hjpα Group Kashim
This is such a good idea, hopefully players get into the spirit of the thing.
Amazing idea. Seriously, more tournaments should do this, too!
On September 21 2021 03:56 Nakajin wrote: Yayyyyy!!!!
Also:
Group Selection
After the qualifiers are concluded and we have our 16 participants we will perform a GSL-style group selection where players nominate each other. This way we will ensure full transparency and a bit of added spice for the players. As a tribute to some of the hard-working Liquipedia admins and editors we will be naming our groups after them. Group CynicalDeath Group DARKING Group hjpα Group Kashim
This is such a good idea, hopefully players get into the spirit of the thing.
The prize split wasn't the big problem of Asus ROG (RotterdaM talked about it on his stream why), although I can see how it's a big deal.
For me it was more about the number of invites, and then "free" EPT points handed out that way for Kato qualification. In that sense KOB 2 handles it better than ROG
On September 21 2021 14:18 Philippe wrote: The prize split wasn't the big problem of Asus ROG (RotterdaM talked about it on his stream why), although I can see how it's a big deal.
For me it was more about the number of invites, and then "free" EPT points handed out that way for Kato qualification. In that sense KOB 2 handles it better than ROG
Can you give a TLDR of what Rotti said on stream? But I agree the insane amount of invites wasn t ideal either.
That mean the four highest seed will choose whoever he want for his group, and then the top seed can swap whoever he want into his group A (possibly CynicalDeath), isn't it? How they decide who the four are?
I assume the two highest seed will be allocated for Korea, another two to Europe. Clem may survive from being handpicked into a group with three Korean Protoss at most since he is the top seed from Europe now.
On September 21 2021 16:29 swarminfestor wrote: That mean the four highest seed will choose whoever he want for his group, and then the top seed can swap whoever he want into his group A (possibly CynicalDeath), isn't it? How they decide who the four are?
I assume the two highest seed will be allocated for Korea, another two to Europe. Clem may survive from being handpicked into a group with three Korean Protoss at most since he is the top seed from Europe now.
I personally feel that the top seed should not have the power of the swap, it make the selection kinda lopsided. Although if the roster is similar to Asus Rog, aka stacked everywhere, then it might not even matter.
On September 21 2021 16:29 swarminfestor wrote: That mean the four highest seed will choose whoever he want for his group, and then the top seed can swap whoever he want into his group A (possibly CynicalDeath), isn't it? How they decide who the four are?
I assume the two highest seed will be allocated for Korea, another two to Europe. Clem may survive from being handpicked into a group with three Korean Protoss at most since he is the top seed from Europe now.
I personally feel that the top seed should not have the power of the swap, it make the selection kinda lopsided. Although if the roster is similar to Asus Rog, aka stacked everywhere, then it might not even matter.
Well there could have still been a group with Astrea, herO and Neeb/MaxPax + one Top Seed Player It would have been significantly easier than the other 3 Groups imo
I gues it would be way better if there was no swaping Power. Especially because the seeding is pretty tough anyways with Players from multiple regions
After the qualifiers are concluded and we have our 16 participants we will perform a GSL-style group selection where players nominate each other. This way we will ensure full transparency and a bit of added spice for the players. As a tribute to some of the hard-working Liquipedia admins and editors we will be naming our groups after them. Group CynicalDeath Group DARKING Group hjpα Group Kashim
American Red Cross
After the first two broadcasting days we will hold a series of special fundraising showmatches! Participating players and details will be revealed later. There will also be an exciting new twist that will make your donations be meaningful not just outside of the game but inside of it too!
These things alone make the tournament worth it as far as I'm concerned, awesome stuff!
Really digging the lack of invites, bringing back just the champ from last time makes sense. Group selection is a nice addition too, be interesting to see the dynamics there and what it reveals about how players judge each other.
Hoping this is the tourney Gumi, Classic and herO can continue their comebacks in!
On September 22 2021 21:41 WombaT wrote: Great stuff.
Really digging the lack of invites, bringing back just the champ from last time makes sense. Group selection is a nice addition too, be interesting to see the dynamics there and what it reveals about how players judge each other.
Hoping this is the tourney Gumi, Classic and herO can continue their comebacks in!
Yups! I really wish the ESL would do this for the European region, since there are so many players there. Just do two rounds like GSL used to be, with the Ro16 being player selection in this way.
Actually, never felt he was as heavily committed to the game as many other pros. Talked about studying programming or something. After becoming a world champion at 19, he's got all the time he needs for another career, if that were his choice.
On October 28 2021 03:44 Gina wrote: Actually, never felt he was as heavily committed to the game as many other pros. Talked about studying programming or something. After becoming a world champion at 19, he's got all the time he needs for another career, if that were his choice.
I think he just hit a tough stride for the last couple months or so, he said he really wanted to win, not like he doesnt care about the result. Gameplay-wise, I think people are trying to use Reynor habit against him more these days, like making Libs and all that in TvZ. When Reynor is out of rhythm, his play start to show some holes in it. But I am still expecting him to bounce back and get stronger.
On October 28 2021 03:07 JoeCool wrote: Has Reynor given up on SC2?
He is qualified for Worlds and still top 3 EU, so I guess he's fine. If he can win another Worlds is an enitrely different subject. I would definitely not favor him right now
Shoutout to MaNa! The most unexpected player that qualified. With these names in the lineup, he will be most likely teared into pieces here, but it's always fun to see him do the magic.
On November 04 2021 06:39 Khabra wrote: Shoutout to MaNa! The most unexpected player that qualified. With these names in the lineup, he will be most likely teared into pieces here, but it's always fun to see him do the magic.
Classic and Ragnarok are also quite suprising I d say. Considering Trap, Zoun, Parting and Dream didn t qualify
On November 04 2021 06:39 Khabra wrote: Shoutout to MaNa! The most unexpected player that qualified. With these names in the lineup, he will be most likely teared into pieces here, but it's always fun to see him do the magic.
Classic and Ragnarok are also quite suprising I d say. Considering Trap, Zoun, Parting and Dream didn t qualify
Classic is surprising? He has been looking better and better and being the S-class player he is its only a matter of time when he starts contending with the best players. I think he is very close to being a solid challenger for a GSL title, already playing better than all the other Korean returnees.
Ragnarok, Mana and Elazer are surprising for sure I expected other Koreans to qualify
Classic seems back in top shape or close to it, wherever I look on liquipedia he always seem to do well! GSL Super Tournament 3 will be interesting for sure, and since protoss always do well in those he might even just win it
Classic qualifying is not totally surprising but it wasn't expected; he's one of the players who are especially appreciated on this forum. Zoun is arguably a stronger player right now, Classic is nowhere near his past glory and I would really, really be shocked if he would come close to win a Code S playing this way. Also, despite Classic is doing well for a returnee, Byun looked by far the best right after he was discharged and he's approaching that level again.