• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 03:20
CET 09:20
KST 17:20
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview10Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info3herO wins SC2 All-Star Invitational14SC2 All-Star Invitational: Tournament Preview5RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview8
Community News
Weekly Cups (Jan 19-25): Bunny, Trigger, MaxPax win3Weekly Cups (Jan 12-18): herO, MaxPax, Solar win0BSL Season 2025 - Full Overview and Conclusion8Weekly Cups (Jan 5-11): Clem wins big offline, Trigger upsets4$21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7)38
StarCraft 2
General
HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview StarCraft 2 Not at the Esports World Cup 2026 Weekly Cups (Jan 19-25): Bunny, Trigger, MaxPax win Oliveira Would Have Returned If EWC Continued herO wins SC2 All-Star Invitational
Tourneys
HomeStory Cup 28 KSL Week 85 $21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7) OSC Season 13 World Championship $70 Prize Pool Ladder Legends Academy Weekly Open!
Strategy
Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
[A] Starcraft Sound Mod
External Content
Mutation # 510 Safety Violation Mutation # 509 Doomsday Report Mutation # 508 Violent Night Mutation # 507 Well Trained
Brood War
General
Bleak Future After Failed ProGaming Career [ASL21] Potential Map Candidates BW General Discussion Potential ASL qualifier breakthroughs? BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues Small VOD Thread 2.0 Azhi's Colosseum - Season 2 [BSL21] Non-Korean Championship - Starts Jan 10
Strategy
Zealot bombing is no longer popular? Simple Questions, Simple Answers Current Meta Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread Path of Exile Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Beyond All Reason
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Hager werken embalming powder+27 81 711 1572
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club! The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How Esports Advertising Shap…
TrAiDoS
My 2025 Magic: The Gathering…
DARKING
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
How do archons sleep?
8882
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1970 users

[Interview] Linda "Pikachu" Liao

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 11 12 13 Next All
Avaclon
Profile Joined May 2010
United States80 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-10 07:15:41
November 09 2010 20:46 GMT
#1
Taiwanese star Linda Liao recently won first place as champion for ESL SC2 Female Cup. She recently accepted an interview from Blizzard Entertainment Taiwan:

* She's currently diamond rank #1 in her diamond division, not sure about sc2rank...
** Updated from proper English translation release by official Blizzard Entertainment Taiwan

[image loading]

Q: A lot of StarCraft fans from around the world are very curious about you, please give us a short introduction of yourself!

A: I was born in Taiwan and went to school in Canada. Really enjoyed performing arts so I took a lot of time going through vocal training and dance practices. I had planned to engage into the entertainment business as soon as I graduated from University so I utilized any time I had during my winter/summer vacations to audition in Taiwan. Being the only girl in the family besides my mom (2 brothers), I didn’t spend much time with Barbie dolls, I was more intrigued by Legos, robots, dinosaurs and 4wd etc. Toured many continents around the world as a choirgirl growing up. Played on the school’s team throughout my junior and senior high school years for both volleyball and basketball. Gaming wise, I play all sorts of games RTS RPG, and love my portable gaming gear as well because I travel a lot.

Q: What kind of experiences do you have with the original StarCraft?

A: I got into StarCraft just before college. I took some computer science classes as an elective, and as you know, nerds love gaming :D I would force myself to finish off my assignments early, memorize my dance choreographies ASAP just to buy more gaming hours. One of the craziest things that I did was probably being too addicted to the game to a point where I would simply sleep in my chair and would not part from my computer except for washroom breaks.

Q: Did you also use Protoss in the original StarCraft?

A: Yeah, I was a toss player in SC1 so toss was a natural choice in SC2 when I got the game. All races are so unique and it’s quite time-consuming to really get to know one race and exploit it well.

Q: What is it about StarCraft that attracts you?

A: Real Time Strategy games like Starcraft are really exciting. It not only requires technical skills, at the same time it also drains a lot of your brain juice. I really enjoyed watching other people’s RPs and developing my own strategies at the same time. It’s motivating to always game with a new build order or experiment with newly patched settings to come up with even more possibilities. Mainly I just enjoy playing the game and I also enjoy the fact that sometimes a smart move can make a twisting comeback, always fight till the last minute.

Q: What unit do you miss the most from the original StarCraft?

A: I kinda miss Reavers. They used to be one of my favorite units. For those SC1 players, reaver drops must sound familiar. I’d try to do clever drops to really damage the opponent’s economy and non-stop harass after that. It’s fun watching the reavers moving so slow yet do such incredible damage.

[image loading]

Q: Why did you decide to pick the ID “Pikachu”?

A: I gamed as Pikachu for SC1, so I just went along with this name for SC2, can’t recall why I chose it in the first place.

Q: If you were a StarCraft II unit, which one would it be?

A: I think I probably relate myself as a sentry summoned hallucinated colossi, can look intimidating at times but really no harm

Q: Zerg: Gross or cute?

A: I love zergs! Especially when I see a bunch of banelings rolling around, so cute!

Q: Which matchup (PvP, PvT, PvZ) are you the most comfortable with and which one do you think you need to improve the most?

A: I don’t really have a most confident matchup since all races are quite powerful and it really depends on your opponent’s units and strategies then come up with a countering strategy in each battle. Strategies can be really different depending on the maps as well. Maps with smaller and narrower ramps are easier to defend but then at the same time hard to penetrate through. I would have to say perhaps PvP are the battles that I find more intimidating simply because I know protoss the best and know more possibilities, the more you know the more complicated it gets.

Q: Does you especially dislike a certain race (Terran or Zerg) or is there are certain unit that you really enjoy destroying?

A: I love all the races, seeing ‘gg’s on my screen makes my day

Q: What is your favorite Protoss unit quote?

A: “Khassar'Detemplari”! (High Templar)

Q: Who do you usually play with?

A: Family, friends and the players who are battling it out on BattleNet every day.

Q: What is your favorite strategy or unit combination to use?

A: I like mixing units as a basic build, and do adjustments based on scouting information. Compositions of funny walking immortals, sentries, zealots and stalkers etc. If the game drags on, I’d get some high tech units, like high templars, colossus, void rays etc but of course it really depends on what your opponent is doing. Of course at times, a few dark templars can do the trick XD.

Q: From the time you released your first replay, you improved at an incredible pace, reaching 1v1 diamond level in only a couple months time, can you share with us how you trained?

A: The first RPs casted the infant Pikachu, now Pikachu has grown up, lol. Women can’t resist Diamonds, I wasn’t paying much attention on gaming skills, getting these glittering diamonds to my profile page was the primary goal XD.

Q: What do you think about the current balance situation of StarCraft II? Do you think there are any units that should be buffed or nerfed?

A: Being able to warp in colossii sounds like a good idea

Q: What advice can you give to new players who find it difficult to get the hang of StarCraft II?

A: Offense is the best defense!

Q: How do you balance gaming, work, and life in general?

A: There is no balance. I do not sleep.

Q: How do you think StarCraft II could be improved as it is right now?

A: Nothing really. This is already the best game ever.

Q: Do you also play the single player campaign?

A: Not really familiar with the story mode, I just started gaming on the ladder right away.

[image loading]

Q: Many male players after seeing you play so well think, “Wow, if only my girlfriend could play StarCraft II with me…”. Do you have any advice for recommending StarCraft II to girls?

A: 9BE, 12BG…with extra strength whitening effect! ; )
(Note: In Taiwan and most countries in Asia a lighter or “whiter” skin tone is considered to be desirable as opposed to being “tanned”, therefore if you stay in playing StarCraft you will be paler.)

Q: What was your reaction when you heard about the ESL SCII Goes Female Cup? Did you hesitate or want to sign-up right away?

A: I was thinking about entering a tournament before I knew about this cup. So when the news hit me, I just signed up for it.

Q: What was going through your mind before the first match of the tournament? Were you nervous?

A: 1st games are always a bit nerve racking, thought about applying different strategies before the tournament. Competing in tournaments is very different from doing ladder games, especially when the game setting is BO1 with all the games except the finals. I gamed a few before the tournament in order to adjust to a more suitable build that can defend off of the early pushes or unorthodox strategies. I had a lot of possibilities in my head but then when countdown finished, as my probes started to mine, I just immediately switched to game mode. To be honest, I was more nervous watching my own RP after the tournament.

Q: In the second game of the finals match your opponent (Czeck player DJena) snuck a probe into the back of your base and built a proxy pylon to warp in Zealots. What did you think when you saw it, and looking back aside from discovering it sooner is there anything else you think you could have done to stop it?

A: I was too careless that game, didn’t even scout my base parameters especially on this map. I would usually build my 3rd or 4th pylon by the backdoor on Blistering sands to eliminate any surprise attacks. Yeah, I was just too sloppy that game.

Q: In the last game of the finals match you used a well placed force field to trap your opponent’s forces on the ramp, taking many of them out. When your army was marching across the map for the counter-attack did you feel that the game was yours? How did it feel to see that “gg” and know that you had won the championship?

A: I was the one who chose the 3rd map, wanted a smaller map because I assumed my opponent would push early in the game. The ramp at home is quite small and narrow so sentries can be put into effective use. Having cut her forces and outnumbered advantage, I just countered right away without thinking. I was actually still warping units after the opponent had said “gg”, winning the tournament didn’t really hit me till after I got out of the game and started reading congratulations messages in the chat room. Looking at the final tournament tree was when I got quite emotional and realized that I had won.

Q: During the ESL tournament did you have any chance to interact with the other players? Is there one of your opponents that made an impression on you?

A: I met this player Laejten in the final 8 match, she told me that she’s a friend of TLO's and that TLO had told her Pikachu is probably the only player she can’t beat in this tournament. Wow, that was kinda cool.

Q: For the ESL SCII Goes Female tournament you had to play from about 2am to 5am, how did you keep your focus and not get sleepy?

A: I had a lot of coffee before the tournament to stay awake, but once in game mode my energy level just shot through the roof!

Q: After the tournament ended on Monday morning you posted the good news on your Facebook page and created quite a stir, even pro players like Canadian Huk and fellow Taiwanese Sen personally congratulated you, how did it feel to receive some much support and blessings?

A: I was very touched to see everyone’s congratutions! I am nowhere near Huk and Sen level! I’m gonna just continue to work hard on this game!

[image loading]

Q: The Taiwanese community has given you the title of “Protoss Queen” (With SEn being Taiwan’s Zerg King), what do you think of the name? Does it give you any pressure?

A: Actually I was thinking about giving Terran a try, hmm… :D

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say to the global StarCraft community?

A: Thank you everyone for your support, and once again: Offense is the best defense!
IcyPringle
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Canada210 Posts
November 09 2010 20:50 GMT
#2
lol awesome
SC2: IcyPringle.137 - Terran
SmoKim
Profile Joined March 2010
Denmark10305 Posts
November 09 2010 20:54 GMT
#3
On November 10 2010 05:46 Avaclon wrote:
[image loading]


so that's why people thought Terran were OP
"LOL I have 202 supply right now (3 minutes later)..."LOL NOW I HAVE 220 SUPPLY SUP?!?!?" - Mondragon
GildedAdonis
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States70 Posts
November 09 2010 20:55 GMT
#4
Ehhh...I kinda feel like...who cares? There are much better players than her and it's silly to get worked up over a girl just because she plays Starcraft. Most girls I know that play video games are far less than desirable and I see no immediate reason why I would prefer her over someone more outgoing and accomplished.
AnodyneSea
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
Jamaica757 Posts
November 09 2010 20:55 GMT
#5
yay linda, linda fighting!
Lost within the hope of freedom, not for control but in the light of our cause
baller
Profile Blog Joined March 2006
527 Posts
November 09 2010 20:57 GMT
#6
Q: Why did you pick the ID 'Pikachu'?

A: I've used this ID since Starcraft 1, so in Starcraft 2, I registered with it. Forget why I choose Pikachu initially....

i can help, for every1 wondering, she probably chose this ID bc "pikachu" is a famous pokemon from the video game and tv show pokemon
Diamond
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
United States10796 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-09 20:57:46
November 09 2010 20:57 GMT
#7
On November 10 2010 05:55 GildedAdonis wrote:
Ehhh...I kinda feel like...who cares? There are much better players than her and it's silly to get worked up over a girl just because she plays Starcraft. Most girls I know that play video games are far less than desirable and I see no immediate reason why I would prefer her over someone more outgoing and accomplished.


Are you talking about her playing skills or dating her? Sounds like your sizing her up like a potential mate.

This shit is good for E-Sports, stop being so damn negative.

On November 10 2010 05:57 baller wrote:
Show nested quote +
Q: Why did you pick the ID 'Pikachu'?

A: I've used this ID since Starcraft 1, so in Starcraft 2, I registered with it. Forget why I choose Pikachu initially....

i can help, for every1 wondering, she probably chose this ID bc "pikachu" is a famous pokemon from the video game and tv show pokemon


LMAO!
Ballistix Gaming Global Gaming/Esports Marketing Manager - twitter.com/esvdiamond
MrCon
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
France29748 Posts
November 09 2010 20:57 GMT
#8
Haha the pikarine is cute :D
Wished Jason Lee would have asked her how does she deals whith a protoss who tries to slip his canon in her backside, I always have problems against this.
Nice interview, didn't knew her.
backtoback
Profile Joined March 2010
Canada1276 Posts
November 09 2010 20:58 GMT
#9
isn't it odd TLO would tell his friend that she can't beat pikachu? hmm
Strategos
Profile Joined June 2010
Canada132 Posts
November 09 2010 20:58 GMT
#10
I think this is wonderful!
Dont Think there are enough female players this is a great start =D

Though i do feel the game has alot of potential to attract a more diverse fanbase
Also the interview was quite funny imo, shes quite the character!
Pretty interesting.

Though i do still wish i could get my girlfriend to play this game, tough tho as shes not asian =(.
Hmm...
Ah well...
Thanks for the intresting interview!!
"Good news MLG fans, WE HAVE CHAIRS THIS YEAR!"
Weavel
Profile Joined January 2010
Finland9221 Posts
November 09 2010 20:58 GMT
#11
I'd like to know her ranking, but as usually its not mentioned. I guess some thinks are more important than skill...
Life/Seed//Mvp/NaNiwa fighting! ZeNEX forever!
Raigeki
Profile Joined September 2010
Hong Kong207 Posts
November 09 2010 20:59 GMT
#12
a-move over!
GGQ
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
Canada2653 Posts
November 09 2010 21:00 GMT
#13
Don't switch to Terran!
GenoZStriker
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States2914 Posts
November 09 2010 21:00 GMT
#14
Hands down one of the best players interviews I've read in a long time. If female SC2 scene can grow somewhat bigger that would be great. Although I do not expect much I still think it could be something.
eSports Prodigy & Illuminati member.
EchOne
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
United States2906 Posts
November 09 2010 21:02 GMT
#15
That was a very colorful and entertaining interview compared to most others I've read. I really hope she stays as Protoss.
面白くない世の中, 面白くすればいいさ
Alou
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States3748 Posts
November 09 2010 21:02 GMT
#16
Seems like a nice person. Hope she continues to play.
Life is Good.
Avaclon
Profile Joined May 2010
United States80 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-10 08:11:27
November 09 2010 21:02 GMT
#17
On November 10 2010 05:58 backtoback wrote:
isn't it odd TLO would tell his friend that she can't beat pikachu? hmm


TLO tell his friend that HE can't beat Pikachu.

*double check top \ source... * yup, pretty sure.


My bad. After getting better translation source, that is indeed what he said. Although since this is TL I'm sure TLO can come by and speak up to correct us

oxxo
Profile Joined February 2010
988 Posts
November 09 2010 21:02 GMT
#18
On November 10 2010 05:58 Weavel wrote:
I'd like to know her ranking, but as usually its not mentioned. I guess some thinks are more important than skill...


Yea, from what I can tell she wasn't even Diamond until recently?
Ezze
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada934 Posts
November 09 2010 21:02 GMT
#19
On November 10 2010 05:58 Weavel wrote:
I'd like to know her ranking, but as usually its not mentioned. I guess some thinks are more important than skill...


Last I checked she was Diamond with about 65% win rate.
mierin
Profile Joined August 2010
United States4943 Posts
November 09 2010 21:04 GMT
#20
I wish she wouldn't dye her hair
JD, Stork, Calm, Hyuk Fighting!
1 2 3 4 5 11 12 13 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 3h 41m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
SortOf 249
BRAT_OK 38
StarCraft: Brood War
PianO 373
Larva 358
actioN 264
Jaedong 228
ZergMaN 70
Shuttle 66
ToSsGirL 63
Dewaltoss 59
Mong 51
Backho 51
[ Show more ]
Noble 37
HiyA 21
Bale 17
Dota 2
XaKoH 560
NeuroSwarm149
League of Legends
JimRising 619
C9.Mang0438
Other Games
gofns6928
summit1g3483
WinterStarcraft574
Happy359
crisheroes49
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick859
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 12 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Jankos1026
• Stunt446
Upcoming Events
HomeStory Cup
3h 41m
Replay Cast
15h 41m
HomeStory Cup
1d 4h
Replay Cast
1d 15h
Replay Cast
2 days
Wardi Open
3 days
WardiTV Invitational
4 days
The PondCast
5 days
WardiTV Invitational
5 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Escore Tournament S1: W6
OSC Championship Season 13
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

CSL 2025 WINTER (S19)
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Acropolis #4 - TS4
Rongyi Cup S3
HSC XXVIII
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S1: W7
Escore Tournament S1: W8
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League Season 23
ESL Pro League Season 23
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.