On December 05 2023 15:34 Philippe wrote: Hopefully the American qualifier does not turn into a Korean vs EU mud Fest. Shades of DreamHack Last Chance 2021-2022 there
damn, that's EXACTLY what I'm hoping for
I've wanted a TRUE last chance qualifier ever since DH miscalculated the points system headed into their old "Last Chance" event, and now we actually have it.
On December 05 2023 15:34 Philippe wrote: Hopefully the American qualifier does not turn into a Korean vs EU mud Fest. Shades of DreamHack Last Chance 2021-2022 there
That is exactly what will happen I d be suprised if even 2 of the 4 spots go to NA players
Tough brackets tomorrow, particularly Classic, Byun, Ragnarok, DRG. Crazy that at least 1 and likely 2 of those 4 will have to qualify through other regions.
I think given the recent history with double-elim in SC2, I wouldn't be shocked if the final list of IEM Katowice players is just the entire Aligulac top 24 (maybe minus a single player or two who are separated by like 40 points).
On December 06 2023 07:20 Waxangel wrote: I think given the recent history with double-elim in SC2, I wouldn't be shocked if the final list of IEM Katowice players is just the entire Aligulac top 24 (maybe minus a single player or two who are separated by like 40 points).
No need to look further than the AfreecaTV Champions Cup II to have a stark reminder of it. Anybody not being close to that level might dream but that's about. For example, sad as it is even Scarlett or Firefly could be left out of it.
About your comment about how the previous Last Chance events were inadequate, sort of. These were mostly equal to Season Finals without preceding regionals. For those who desperately needed points for ro36 or ro24 prospects, this wasn't cutting it. There, no points but direct WC slots might make it different.
On December 06 2023 07:20 Waxangel wrote: I think given the recent history with double-elim in SC2, I wouldn't be shocked if the final list of IEM Katowice players is just the entire Aligulac top 24 (maybe minus a single player or two who are separated by like 40 points).
You won't believe the current rank of Reynor. Checking out aligulac might SHOCK you!
Its good that 2 more CN players making it this time, and we have big name players left that are not yet qualified including Gumiho, Classic and Bunny. Not sure if they have a shot qualify through EU server, but the NA one will be their target.
Really cool to see 2 chinese players make it, especially pretty "fresh" faces to the global scene
But dang Creator lost to Firefly again... And Stats beating sOs to make it out damn. Poor Ty too. I wonder why it's taking a while for him to get back to anywhere close to where he was. I feel like if Maru went to the military and came back he wouldn't be so much worse. But i get it, the game is hard. Seems like Stats might be catching back up though.
Hoping Creator can make it through somehow in the AM or EU qualifiers lol
sOs beating Showtime and GuMiho and then falling flat against Firefly and Stats is peak sOs somehow...
And seeing Fireflys and Cyans performance...seems like WTL is really helping some players to take the next step. Constantly playing against the best and having an "important" match every week seems to be good practice. Makes you wonder if ShowTime and HeroMarine aren't missing out.
On December 06 2023 22:42 Balnazza wrote: sOs beating Showtime and GuMiho and then falling flat against Firefly and Stats is peak sOs somehow...
YEAH, like Firefly isn't bad at all (quite good from his online showings i saw recently), but it's funny how he beat 2 mainstays somehow but then just lost. Inconsistent as always
Really hoping he finds some luck soon though so he doesn't get discouraged and quit or something
On December 06 2023 23:41 tigera6 wrote: Bunny Classic Creator Gumiho Nightmare already signed up for the EU qualifier, so it will be interesting to see how its goes.
Wow, Korean top8s dropping out. Interesting. Coming from the Open side is pretty grueling -- any of the top25 Europeans could honestly upset any of these guys in a single bo3, so... it will be very tough for them.