On February 08 2023 01:05 Khabra wrote: Cure by far the strongest competitor in this bracket imo. Would love to see soOjwa back in top shape!
Isn't Zoun in that bracket too? Not sure I'd rank Cure over Zoun. Based on historic results sure, but Cure hasn't been putting up those results recently (or he wouldn't have to fight his way through the Ro36). Either way, Cure and Zoun look like they got the easier bracket. Really just Has and Harstem who might contest. Top with soO, Ryung, Classic, Scarlett and Elazer looks way harder.
If I would break them into tier, it would probably be: Most likely to make it: Cure, Zoun Probably make it if they show up: Scarlett, Elazer, Ryung, Spirit, Soo, Classic Will be surprised but cool if they make it: Nightmare, Charm, Has, Harstem
On February 08 2023 15:01 Gescom wrote: Expecting to see the Koreans plow through this round, but always excited for some good games and potential upsets and dark horses. :0)
Spirit doing a ByuN live on A stream, that does not bode well for his play-in run :/. (he paused due to wrist pain) edit: saw Coffee destroy Zoun in g3, he used a clever 2 base all-in with a lot of tanks on a new map with a sweet tank spot. The disruptors were unable to shoot effectively due to the rocks + reduced nova, maybe protoss will struggle this IEM? Too early to tell but Coffee beating Zoun is an insane upset imho
I'm loving the fact that Alex crew saw the WTL hexagon and decided to take the obsurdity further lol, can't wait to see that 76/74 speed edge for Elazer.
On February 08 2023 23:33 Nakajin wrote: I don't want to live in a world where Scarlett get 2-0 out of Katowice by Nightmare and Cham
It was Classic and Cham, and imo Classic was in worse form than NightMare. With the new maps and patch it is hard to gauge player power level accurately though, Classic might not be as bad as he seemed to be a few months ago
On February 09 2023 01:33 Waxangel wrote: side stream games have been pretty sick, feels like main stream is getting unlucky with these interminable PvZ standoffs :[
They should know by now to not show ZvP and TvT early on unless nothing else is available
On February 09 2023 01:33 Waxangel wrote: side stream games have been pretty sick, feels like main stream is getting unlucky with these interminable PvZ standoffs :[
They should know by now to not show ZvP and TvT early on unless nothing else is available
Did Classic pay the cabal to give him the patchnotes / maps in advance? We thought he was in bad shape in 2022, but he was doing a Lilbow and actually practicing for the World Championship
Classic's a very smart player, I'm not surprised to see him do well in a fresh patch/map pool. His execution still has a ways to go but is much better than it was a few months ago.
If Classic loses this series after going up 2-0 and almost winning the 3rd game before killing his own units with a disruptor that will be one of the saddest results ever.
On February 09 2023 02:27 JJH777 wrote: If Classic loses this series after going up 2-0 and almost winning the 3rd game before killing his own units with a disruptor that will be one of the saddest results ever.
On February 09 2023 02:46 tigera6 wrote: Hydra stuttering off-creep looks OP to me
Why did they buff a staple and strong unit? It's like buffing the marine, it seems really weird especially since zerg was not struggling. They can add micro potential in some other places
On February 09 2023 02:46 tigera6 wrote: Hydra stuttering off-creep looks OP to me
Why did they buff a staple and strong unit? It's like buffing the marine, it seems really weird especially since zerg was not struggling. They can add micro potential in some other places
Hydra with range upgrade and this new speed off-creep make it nearly impossible to use Storm against them, they can just shoot from afar and move back when the storm drop down. I think Classic realize that as well and use Colossus on the last game instead,
Edit: Imagine if Classic get through the Ro36 only to be put on group D.
Stranding 40 army supply in the corner of the map randomly for minutes on end and grossly overspending on post-patch Ravens two games in a row leaving the center path wide open. So frustrating.
On February 09 2023 02:46 tigera6 wrote: Hydra stuttering off-creep looks OP to me
Why did they buff a staple and strong unit? It's like buffing the marine, it seems really weird especially since zerg was not struggling. They can add micro potential in some other places
Hydra with range upgrade and this new speed off-creep make it nearly impossible to use Storm against them, they can just shoot from afar and move back when the storm drop down. I think Classic realize that as well and use Colossus on the last game instead,
Edit: Imagine if Classic get through the Ro36 only to be put on group D.
Hydra speed wasn't buffed tho. If you just move, hydras move at the same speed as before patch. The difference is just in how fast you can tell them to move again after a shot. Nothing has really changed in their ability to Dodge storms. Now if you were complaining about them kiting stalkers or something then yes, that was changed. But not their speed at which they can run away from storms....
Wow what a series. Feel like Cure just dragged those games to the point theyre both making tons of mistakes, but Cure had slightly more stability and endurance. TvT feels like the weak spot for all foreign Ts.
Pretty good chance all 4 advancing are KR too especially after Spirit had to play that draining series
On February 09 2023 05:11 Moonerz wrote: Wow what a series. Feel like Cure just dragged those games to the point theyre both making tons of mistakes, but Cure had slightly more stability and endurance. TvT feels like the weak spot for all foreign Ts.
Pretty good chance all 4 advancing are KR too especially after Spirit had to play that draining series
I have very little faith in Ryung's TvZ, so I think it'll be 3 Koreans.
On February 09 2023 06:12 JJH777 wrote: It's too bad for Ryung that he had multiple Zergs in his path. In a TvP, TvT path it looks likely he would have advanced.
At some point he needs to just not be so helpless in TvZ, he can't rely on bracket luck to avoid Zerg in every tournament especially if he's going to play in an international tournament.
On February 09 2023 06:12 JJH777 wrote: It's too bad for Ryung that he had multiple Zergs in his path. In a TvP, TvT path it looks likely he would have advanced.
At some point he needs to just not be so helpless in TvZ, he can't rely on bracket luck to avoid Zerg in every tournament especially if he's going to play in an international tournament.
On February 09 2023 02:46 tigera6 wrote: Hydra stuttering off-creep looks OP to me
Why did they buff a staple and strong unit? It's like buffing the marine, it seems really weird especially since zerg was not struggling. They can add micro potential in some other places
Hydra with range upgrade and this new speed off-creep make it nearly impossible to use Storm against them, they can just shoot from afar and move back when the storm drop down. I think Classic realize that as well and use Colossus on the last game instead,
Edit: Imagine if Classic get through the Ro36 only to be put on group D.
Hydra speed wasn't buffed tho. If you just move, hydras move at the same speed as before patch. The difference is just in how fast you can tell them to move again after a shot. Nothing has really changed in their ability to Dodge storms. Now if you were complaining about them kiting stalkers or something then yes, that was changed. But not their speed at which they can run away from storms....
They were buffed off creep in movement speed too, it says so and it shows when you play against them or watch games. Reading patch notes is hella annoying by nature especially with such a long list, but I read it thoughtfully
The thing in TvZ is I just think theres a mechanical floor you need to be able to succeed. I dont think theres much room for tactical or strategic victories (until TY big brains the matchup but even he complained about this in the past) like you can get vP and especially vT. Just seemed like Ryung lacked control in critical situations.
Looked rough for Zoun, maybe he's just tired from the long day but his reactions were awful there. His initial response to the mines was sloppy and even after cleaning up the drop he wasn't re-saturating his base. And then the supply blocks lost him the game
On February 09 2023 09:35 TossHeroes wrote: Very doable group for Classic mainly PvT
As long as he doesn’t play macro game
I mean, maybe I'll be proven wrong but I feel like any of those Terrans will stomp him. Maru and Bunny at least.
When Classic play PvT recently, he has some of the strongest timing push, what failed him was the execution, just like how he lost the Prism to Elazer. If he can clean it up then he has a good shot.
Poor Clem got the short hand of the stick with this draw, as usual. Group B is the weakest by far while Maru got a good draw in Classic in theory (let’s see on this mappool / patch).
On February 09 2023 14:45 Poopi wrote: Poor Clem got the short hand of the stick with this draw, as usual. Group B is the weakest by far while Maru got a good draw in Classic in theory (let’s see on this mappool / patch).
Honestly, Cure didn't look great today. Spirit just about took him out, and would have if not for some mistakes. If Clem is in form to do well in this tournament, he should 'easily' advance, alongside Dark. If he can't get out of group then he woulda got bopped in the subsequent round anyhow.
On February 09 2023 14:45 Poopi wrote: Poor Clem got the short hand of the stick with this draw, as usual. Group B is the weakest by far while Maru got a good draw in Classic in theory (let’s see on this mappool / patch).
Honestly, Cure didn't look great today. Spirit just about took him out, and would have if not for some mistakes. If Clem is in form to do well in this tournament, he should 'easily' advance, alongside Dark. If he can't get out of group then he woulda got bopped in the subsequent round anyhow.
I guess we'll find out very soon either way...
I am pretty certain Cure will play better in the following days, he should be a bit more rested. I can see Clem lose to Dark and Cure and be upset by any of the three other players, even though he is still the favorite to advance 2nd or 3rd depending on Dark’s form.