The LiuLi Cup is back with another major online event, inviting 16 top players to compete for $10,000 in the 2025 grand finals (held in 2026). The tournament will be held from February 10th to the 16th, with a 16-player group stage (4x GSL-style groups) leading into a single-elimination playoffs.
Players:
Match days: Tuesday, Feb 10 11:00am GMT (GMT+00:00): RO16 Group A Wednesday, Feb 11 11:00am GMT (GMT+00:00): RO16 Group B Thursday, Feb 12 11:00am GMT (GMT+00:00): RO16 Group C Friday, Feb 13 11:00am GMT (GMT+00:00): RO16 Group D Saturday, Feb 14 11:00am GMT (GMT+00:00): Playoffs RO8 Sunday, Feb 15 11:00am GMT (GMT+00:00): Playoffs RO4 [unparsable timestamp format]: Playoffs 3rd place match + Grand Finals
On February 11 2026 09:11 TeamMamba wrote: Poor lambo losing in the cursed foreigner decider match
Creator still looks clueless in late game pvt
To be fair, most Protoss players look clueless in late-game PvT right now.
If a Protoss wins in the late-game, it's usually because they already won in the mid-game, and the Terran is going through an extended death animation.
On February 11 2026 09:11 TeamMamba wrote: Poor lambo losing in the cursed foreigner decider match
Creator still looks clueless in late game pvt
To be fair, most Protoss players look clueless in late-game PvT right now.
If a Protoss wins in the late-game, it's usually because they already won in the mid-game, and the Terran is going through an extended death animation.
I like Classic's lategame a lot. Though it's a bit similar to TvZ lategame now that P can't let T split the map, otherwise they lose. But Classic has really good tempo-play and even Clem hasn't found a way to reliably split the map vs him.
On February 11 2026 09:11 TeamMamba wrote: Poor lambo losing in the cursed foreigner decider match
Creator still looks clueless in late game pvt
To be fair, most Protoss players look clueless in late-game PvT right now.
If a Protoss wins in the late-game, it's usually because they already won in the mid-game, and the Terran is going through an extended death animation.
I like Classic's lategame a lot. Though it's a bit similar to TvZ lategame now that P can't let T split the map, otherwise they lose. But Classic has really good tempo-play and even Clem hasn't found a way to reliably split the map vs him.
Classic usually doesn’t let the games get to that point. He usually tries to win before that stage of the game.
Pretty sure toss win rate at the late stage is like 10%. Literally feels like the brood lord infestor days.
Dont let your opponent get there, but when they do it’s unwinnable
On February 13 2026 07:30 TeamMamba wrote: Another day of watching painful pvt late games
Is it just me or watching mass libs ghost is boring as hell?
Once Terran has that comp set up, it’s just an additional 10-20min slow death for the toss even if they are up 2-3 bases
Why solely blame the Terran for Protoss lack of awareness? herO was dead trying to force mass Zealot Stalker into lategame Terran army over and over and over. There was no Storm, no Stargate transition, not even a Mothership to use recall and throw the Terran army out of position.
On February 11 2026 09:11 TeamMamba wrote: Poor lambo losing in the cursed foreigner decider match
Creator still looks clueless in late game pvt
To be fair, most Protoss players look clueless in late-game PvT right now.
If a Protoss wins in the late-game, it's usually because they already won in the mid-game, and the Terran is going through an extended death animation.
I like Classic's lategame a lot. Though it's a bit similar to TvZ lategame now that P can't let T split the map, otherwise they lose. But Classic has really good tempo-play and even Clem hasn't found a way to reliably split the map vs him.
Classic usually doesn’t let the games get to that point. He usually tries to win before that stage of the game.
Pretty sure toss win rate at the late stage is like 10%. Literally feels like the brood lord infestor days.
Dont let your opponent get there, but when they do it’s unwinnable
Depends on your definition of lategame. Classic regularly wins 20+ minute games where all bases on the map are taken (mostly by him though xD). I would call that lategame by all definitions of the word. Just because the terran didn't manage to split the map and secure 5-6 bases, that doesn't mean it wasn't a lategame.
What doesn't work currently is that the Protoss sits back, builds up an ultimate army and then tries to win lategame by trading better than the opponent. But that style was boring to watch anyway so I'm not too sad it's not viable anymore.
On February 11 2026 09:11 TeamMamba wrote: Poor lambo losing in the cursed foreigner decider match
Creator still looks clueless in late game pvt
To be fair, most Protoss players look clueless in late-game PvT right now.
If a Protoss wins in the late-game, it's usually because they already won in the mid-game, and the Terran is going through an extended death animation.
I like Classic's lategame a lot. Though it's a bit similar to TvZ lategame now that P can't let T split the map, otherwise they lose. But Classic has really good tempo-play and even Clem hasn't found a way to reliably split the map vs him.
Classic usually doesn’t let the games get to that point. He usually tries to win before that stage of the game.
Pretty sure toss win rate at the late stage is like 10%. Literally feels like the brood lord infestor days.
Dont let your opponent get there, but when they do it’s unwinnable
Depends on your definition of lategame. Classic regularly wins 20+ minute games where all bases on the map are taken (mostly by him though xD). I would call that lategame by all definitions of the word. Just because the terran didn't manage to split the map and secure 5-6 bases, that doesn't mean it wasn't a lategame.
What doesn't work currently is that the Protoss sits back, builds up an ultimate army and then tries to win lategame by trading better than the opponent. But that style was boring to watch anyway so I'm not too sad it's not viable anymore.
True now its the terran doing that, so much better Fwiw i think toss needs some adjustments in the midgame/early lategame and terran to its lategame strength wise.
I heard somebody mention that, one of the reason Terran lategame is so good against Skytoss is the improved Viking, they literally can shoot down everything flying (and Colossus) in a matter of secs unless you catch them with some huge Storm. Viking clear the Sky, Libs zone the Ground, Ghost for EMP with Bio support is just a hell to deal with. If we can nerf Viking range by 1, I think Skytoss would be a much better option lategame against Terran.
On February 14 2026 00:25 tigera6 wrote: I heard somebody mention that, one of the reason Terran lategame is so good against Skytoss is the improved Viking, they literally can shoot down everything flying (and Colossus) in a matter of secs unless you catch them with some huge Storm. Viking clear the Sky, Libs zone the Ground, Ghost for EMP with Bio support is just a hell to deal with. If we can nerf Viking range by 1, I think Skytoss would be a much better option lategame against Terran.
Pleeease don't make skytoss the answer. Also I disagree, the lategame struggles started this patch with Ghost +25 hp (not 1-shot by disruptor) and storm nerf. Well, storm is in some cases a nerf in others a buff, but in lategame I think a clear nerf with terran having plenty upgraded medivacs in lategame that just heal up any storm damage.
Yeah, the bracket looks good. First Clem's protoss vs. Maru, and if Serral meets Clem, Maru, or Reynor, it will not be before the finals or the third-place match.
On February 14 2026 00:25 tigera6 wrote: I heard somebody mention that, one of the reason Terran lategame is so good against Skytoss is the improved Viking, they literally can shoot down everything flying (and Colossus) in a matter of secs unless you catch them with some huge Storm. Viking clear the Sky, Libs zone the Ground, Ghost for EMP with Bio support is just a hell to deal with. If we can nerf Viking range by 1, I think Skytoss would be a much better option lategame against Terran.
Pleeease don't make skytoss the answer. Also I disagree, the lategame struggles started this patch with Ghost +25 hp (not 1-shot by disruptor) and storm nerf. Well, storm is in some cases a nerf in others a buff, but in lategame I think a clear nerf with terran having plenty upgraded medivacs in lategame that just heal up any storm damage.
Unfortunately it has to be, because Protoss anti-air sucks without Stargate units. Unless you want to have some Stalker upgrade that increase their air-range +2, you have to make Skytoss at some point to deal with Libs. I think PvT late game has already been in Terran favor for years even before the Ghost patch, but Terran doesnt rely on lategame because they can win outright in mid and early game. Now, its a bit harder to win that way, so Terran would just turtling on 3-4 bases when they dont have a good early game.
Btw, Classic losing 2 games to Cure proxying bring back that 2018-Maru feel.
On February 14 2026 00:25 tigera6 wrote: I heard somebody mention that, one of the reason Terran lategame is so good against Skytoss is the improved Viking, they literally can shoot down everything flying (and Colossus) in a matter of secs unless you catch them with some huge Storm. Viking clear the Sky, Libs zone the Ground, Ghost for EMP with Bio support is just a hell to deal with. If we can nerf Viking range by 1, I think Skytoss would be a much better option lategame against Terran.
Pleeease don't make skytoss the answer. Also I disagree, the lategame struggles started this patch with Ghost +25 hp (not 1-shot by disruptor) and storm nerf. Well, storm is in some cases a nerf in others a buff, but in lategame I think a clear nerf with terran having plenty upgraded medivacs in lategame that just heal up any storm damage.
Unfortunately it has to be, because Protoss anti-air sucks without Stargate units. Unless you want to have some Stalker upgrade that increase their air-range +2, you have to make Skytoss at some point to deal with Libs. I think PvT late game has already been in Terran favor for years even before the Ghost patch, but Terran doesnt rely on lategame because they can win outright in mid and early game. Now, its a bit harder to win that way, so Terran would just turtling on 3-4 bases when they dont have a good early game.
Btw, Classic losing 2 games to Cure proxying bring back that 2018-Maru feel.
I think we saw in clem maru that just trading can work with positioning and running in circles but its also very map dependant. In general i think you could try to nerf terrans lategame without forcing the toss into skytoss (its mostly the libs i'd say). But it's also neeed to nerf toss in a way that they dont dominate the midgame and can take the whole map, which is also not easy :D
I think the irony of Clem's PvT switch is that vsT has remained a weakness in big tourneys. His TvT was actually really, really strong in online cups and tournaments; it was just top Korean T's who gave him trouble in big tourneys.
I can understand if he still prefers PvT because it's less random/variable than TvT in terms of certain early game builds tho.
Yeah, Serral's first match was a beautifully patient and clinical dismantling of Maru's turtle terran. Maru getting opportunities to strike back though. I was surprised that Serral would commit so heavily to the mutas in the second game.
On February 16 2026 00:46 Antithesis wrote: Yeah, Serral's first match was a beautifully patient and clinical dismantling of Maru's turtle terran. Maru getting opportunities to strike back though. I was surprised that Serral would commit so heavily to the mutas in the second game.
All downhill after that first game
Viper not being able to snatch siege tank really makes it harder for Zergs to engage +25 hp to ghosts makes Terran late game highly OP compared to Zergs and Toss
However is it just me or is it satisfying seeing ultra vs ultra chopping at each other?
Taking down 3 top EU player in a row is just nice to hear as a Maru fanboy like me. With the exception of game 1, where Maru just cant hold off Serral from mining both corner bases, his lategame turtling TvZ is back again, and sure as hell frustrate Zerg to no end.
Damn, even tho it's "just" an online tourney, big hurdle to overcome from Maru. Especially since he was looking a step off his top form for a while now.
On February 16 2026 00:46 Antithesis wrote: Yeah, Serral's first match was a beautifully patient and clinical dismantling of Maru's turtle terran. Maru getting opportunities to strike back though. I was surprised that Serral would commit so heavily to the mutas in the second game.
All downhill after that first game
Viper not being able to snatch siege tank really makes it harder for Zergs to engage +25 hp to ghosts makes Terran late game highly OP compared to Zergs and Toss
However is it just me or is it satisfying seeing ultra vs ultra chopping at each other?
They went 1-1 in the long games though, Maru won the series mostly in the early-mid game
Wow, I am not that surprised that Maru beat Clem in TvP, but beat both Reynor and especially Serral? Impressive! I mean there is no more mega prizepool tournament but if he can do it in the "biggest" tournaments available later on, it'd be pretty dope ggz
GG Maru, well played. Crazy good control Though I really dislike these kind of turtling Terran games. Terran superlategame is too good. RaNgeD Lib + Ghost with some fall back tanks and PF... Ghost is just OP and needs at least one weakness. They are fast, they can be healed, can be picked up, have decent damage, Imba spells, a lot of HP... I Mean come on. At least nerf snipe. Range is okay'ish but tune down damage or higher energy cost or more TIME to Complete or sth
On February 16 2026 18:41 Harris1st wrote: GG Maru, well played. Crazy good control Though I really dislike these kind of turtling Terran games. Terran superlategame is too good. RaNgeD Lib + Ghost with some fall back tanks and PF... Ghost is just OP and needs at least one weakness. They are fast, they can be healed, can be picked up, have decent damage, Imba spells, a lot of HP... I Mean come on. At least nerf snipe. Range is okay'ish but tune down damage or higher energy cost or more TIME to Complete or sth
Like Rotti was saying on stream when Maru beat Reynor, there's no need to balance whine when one of the best to ever do it is winning. If other players could do the same things Maru is doing, they would.
You might notice that 3 of the final 4 were Zerg, also. It's okay to just accept that Maru was playing the best that day.
On February 16 2026 18:41 Harris1st wrote: GG Maru, well played. Crazy good control Though I really dislike these kind of turtling Terran games. Terran superlategame is too good. RaNgeD Lib + Ghost with some fall back tanks and PF... Ghost is just OP and needs at least one weakness. They are fast, they can be healed, can be picked up, have decent damage, Imba spells, a lot of HP... I Mean come on. At least nerf snipe. Range is okay'ish but tune down damage or higher energy cost or more TIME to Complete or sth
Like Rotti was saying on stream when Maru beat Reynor, there's no need to balance whine when one of the best to ever do it is winning. If other players could do the same things Maru is doing, they would.
You might notice that 3 of the final 4 were Zerg, also. It's okay to just accept that Maru was playing the best that day.
You are right. Like I said, Maru played really well. It's more out of frustration because these turtle Terran games are boring af compared to Clems "all out brawl" games.
On February 16 2026 18:41 Harris1st wrote: GG Maru, well played. Crazy good control Though I really dislike these kind of turtling Terran games. Terran superlategame is too good. RaNgeD Lib + Ghost with some fall back tanks and PF... Ghost is just OP and needs at least one weakness. They are fast, they can be healed, can be picked up, have decent damage, Imba spells, a lot of HP... I Mean come on. At least nerf snipe. Range is okay'ish but tune down damage or higher energy cost or more TIME to Complete or sth
Like Rotti was saying on stream when Maru beat Reynor, there's no need to balance whine when one of the best to ever do it is winning. If other players could do the same things Maru is doing, they would.
You might notice that 3 of the final 4 were Zerg, also. It's okay to just accept that Maru was playing the best that day.
You are right. Like I said, Maru played really well. It's more out of frustration because these turtle Terran games are boring af compared to Clems "all out brawl" games.
On February 16 2026 18:41 Harris1st wrote: GG Maru, well played. Crazy good control Though I really dislike these kind of turtling Terran games. Terran superlategame is too good. RaNgeD Lib + Ghost with some fall back tanks and PF... Ghost is just OP and needs at least one weakness. They are fast, they can be healed, can be picked up, have decent damage, Imba spells, a lot of HP... I Mean come on. At least nerf snipe. Range is okay'ish but tune down damage or higher energy cost or more TIME to Complete or sth
Like Rotti was saying on stream when Maru beat Reynor, there's no need to balance whine when one of the best to ever do it is winning. If other players could do the same things Maru is doing, they would.
You might notice that 3 of the final 4 were Zerg, also. It's okay to just accept that Maru was playing the best that day.
You are right. Like I said, Maru played really well. It's more out of frustration because these turtle Terran games are boring af compared to Clems "all out brawl" games.
but Maru didnt turtle in this series no?
I don't think he did either. Besides, rushing or 2-base all-in against Serral - unless you're Clem - is not a good idea.
Maru chose his spot to be aggressive and push when the right opportunity is there, he wasnt just turtling hard at home and hope the opponent attack into him all the time. In fact, he almost lost a couple of games to Reynor because he was pushing and let Reynor counter attack elsewhere while defending his push. Surely its not the same level of aggression like Clem but it still requires a high level of execution, like Gabe said multiple times in his review cast, he would probably die several times if he tries to copy Maru playstyle.
On February 16 2026 18:41 Harris1st wrote: GG Maru, well played. Crazy good control Though I really dislike these kind of turtling Terran games. Terran superlategame is too good. RaNgeD Lib + Ghost with some fall back tanks and PF... Ghost is just OP and needs at least one weakness. They are fast, they can be healed, can be picked up, have decent damage, Imba spells, a lot of HP... I Mean come on. At least nerf snipe. Range is okay'ish but tune down damage or higher energy cost or more TIME to Complete or sth
Like Rotti was saying on stream when Maru beat Reynor, there's no need to balance whine when one of the best to ever do it is winning. If other players could do the same things Maru is doing, they would.
You might notice that 3 of the final 4 were Zerg, also. It's okay to just accept that Maru was playing the best that day.
You are right. Like I said, Maru played really well. It's more out of frustration because these turtle Terran games are boring af compared to Clems "all out brawl" games.
but Maru didnt turtle in this series no?
Probably referring to Reynor series. Where after the first game it was clearly obvious he wasn't going to lose unless he made mistakes. (Also just a demoralizing game in general when you're maxed with a huge bank but have no way to attack.) Obligatory comment about not being able to abduct tanks being one of the most asinine changes this game has ever received.
As much as people want to poke at the units, which are objectively better - it's important to remember one race will always have this. The issue is that mules are the root of the problem. A CC landing and the cost of 400 energy + a single minute results in 5 minutes of the game being negated.
Maru had 12 orbitals on Old Republic in game 1 vs Reynor. Twelve. One - Two. It's absurd.
Easiest band-aid fix is to have Oribtals limited to a maximum of (3), but I'd rather them just axe the unit(Mules) completely. Calldown supply is already a macro mechanic, no reason there should be overlap. You can very easily buff Orbital energy regen somewhere in the 0.15 to 0.25/sec range and call it a day. I'd personally do 0.15 bonus energy a second and take 8 seconds off the Orbital construction time.
FWIW they should have also done something similar with the queen. Limit 1 per hatchery and increased their stats, movespeed, energy regen and add a massive tag.
Something really needs to be done. It isn't even fun to watch anymore, and that is always infinitely better than actually playing. Interference matrix also needs a duration reduction a long with a cost increase. Would make TvT much more palatable.
EPT
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