EPT
Ace interview from game.163.com (网易游戏 )
Ace is an ex-WC3 pro. His first big appearance in SC2 is in the Stars War tournament, where he defeated F91 and Lx in the Chinese qualifiers, and then went on to reverse All-kill Team Korea, and then beat IdrA vs. Team USA to secure Team China’s 2-0 victory.
![[image loading]](http://img3.cache.netease.com/game/2010/6/2/20100602211026168f7.jpg)
Liu Bin, ID: Panda.ACE, former Warcraft 3 progamer, CIG2008 champion.
Warcraft 3
![[image loading]](http://img3.cache.netease.com/game/2010/6/2/201006022250594ff18.jpg)
When did you first approach gaming? How did you get into WC3?
-I remember in 5th grade when I first played Starcraft in a PC Café. No one taught me, and I just started using Zerg. After 30 minutes I was still 9 supply, because I didn’t know how to make an Overlord, so I abandoned the game. It was only in 2005 that I entered into the WC3 community. I joined team NS, and we did a lot of offline training, and that’s how I entered the community.
Why did you leave WC3?
-There was a period when I lacked the drive to practice, and I played MMORPGs and DotA for a year, so I lost my WC3 basics.
What is your most unforgettable moment in WC3? Do you still follow the scene?
-Definitely when I won CIG in 2008. Did an underdog victory against Like in groups, and comeback against Guangmo, and clean swept in the finals. Out of habit I still browse WC3 sites every day, read some news, and only after that will I go practice SC2.
Starcraft 2
![[image loading]](http://img3.cache.netease.com/photo/0031/2010-04-19/64LV8FMI2IIQ0031.jpg)
When did you begin SC2? Initial thoughts? Comparisons to WC3?
-I started shortly after beta started. I think it’s much better than both SC1 and WC3. I think the balance still needs time.
Why did you pick Protoss? Do you think Undead is similar to Protoss?
-The warp-in building model is similar to Undead, and Protoss is easy to start with, I just picked based on feeling. After I got better with the race, I naturally didn’t feel like switching.
What’s your SC2 style?
-I don’t feel like I have a particular style. I’m still kinda noob…
Favorite/least favorite/useless Protoss units?
-I really like the Mothership, I think the two spells are really fun. I also hate the Mothership, because it’s too slow and you can only get one, and you can even get Neuraled by an Infestor. After it get NPed, it still takes up your supply, which is painful.
Least favorite unit of another race?
-I don’t like Terran Tanks. Terrans can attack, can defend, it’s just too good. It’s like a standard Blizzard RTS, Terran is too good when turtling, and Tanks are the main culprit.
General thoughts on Protoss strategies and matchups?
-You need early pressure vZ. Get an early expo, research upgrades, mass, and continuously pressure. Also when defending, take note of Baneling rushes and Nydus Worms.
vP, it’s simpler. It’s just scouting and micro. On larger maps it’s recommended to go tech faster, and expo earlier. Take note of Sentry usage and army positioning.
vT, you need to scout. The first Stalker can go straight to to the Terran base to scout, you need to find out ASAP what tech route Terran is taking, and then counter. Also keep a few troops at home to defend harassment drops.
![[image loading]](http://img3.cache.netease.com/game/2010/6/2/201006022100063443b.jpg)
Ace at Stars War
How do you practice? It seems like you have a lot of strange cheeses/rushes, how do you develop these builds?
-Normally it’s just laddering and custom games. I don’t really have anything too unusual, it’s only beta, my goal is to try to figure out the characteristics of every unit. For example, I used a lot of Void Rays before, and also I had a Mothership Vortex strategy, but now that’s being changed. I’ll never see that glorious scene again…
Favorite/least favorite map?
-Favorite is Lost Temple, least favorite is Incineration Zone.
If you can change SC2, what would you change?
-I want to change the Phoenix cost.
Who are the strongest players you feel?
-Korea is strong as a whole. Cool is probably the best. Europe/America is mainly White-Ra, TLO, and Dimaga. China we’ll wait and see for the newcomers. It’s not me =(
Talk about your team, Panda.
-It’s a very solid team, good atmosphere, good work ethic. Everyone’s honest and open, and practices hard.
What tournaments will you participate in next?
-Depends on what the team arranges.
Did you follow KeSPA vs. Blizzard? Thoughts on how it will impact SC2’s development?
-I think it’s better for Chinese SC2 players. We don’t need to consider associations and league regulations, and can just practice. Comparatively, the Koreans have so much more to be mindful of.
After SC2’s release, how do you think it will do? Can it surpass SC1 and WC3? Will you become a SC2 progamer?
-It can definitely surpass them. I’m already a progamer, and I’ll definitely work hard to play my best in every games.
Thanks for the interview, anything for the fans?
-Thanks for the friends who’ve supported me. I still have a distance with a world class player, and I haven’t reached a satisfactory skill level yet. All my teammates are improving faster than me, I’ll try my best. I hope to play good games for everyone who supports me.
http://game.163.com/10/0602/21/6870GLA5003145S1.html
