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TargA's NASL Mid Season Update: A Crossroads
It's hard to believe that the NASL regular season is already half over. With half of the games already played, the divisions have begun to take shape. The scope of competition and games we as viewers have been treated to has been amazing. Generally, the player's have fallen into an order that one could expect to see. With the exception of Fnatic's Rain the Korean talent has managed to stay out of the bottom third of their division rankings, typically floating near the top. Puma, and liquid HerO in particular have put on amazing showings, each 5-0 in series wins. That said, NASL Season 3 is not without it's fair share of upsets and surprises. FXOLoWeLy for example stands strong at 4-0, hanging amongst the big dogs in Division 4. However fascinating the brackets are to analyze and mill over, there are still many games to be played. The stories and intricacies of each player's quest toward the seasons live event and ultimately a shot at the real money, are far too expansive to cover sufficiently in one post. To that end, Mindfreak eSports invites you to narrow your scope to their standard bearer(and standard bear!), TargA.
We find our hero Zerg in an intriguing spot in his division as we move into the latter segment of the North American Star League's regular season. Four series ahead, four series behind; and with a 2-2 series record. In terms of both progress through the season and performance in his played matches TargA is by literal definition, in the middle of the road. Not to denote mediocrity of course, up till now the Norwegian Zerg has shown promising talent. In fact, his close wins against both Sheth and Jinro could easily be considered upsets worthy of admiration. Yes, it's safe to say TargA has been blazing his own trail as of late. The elephant in the room though is this; if TargA wants a shot at a chunk of the hundred grand in prizing that's up for grabs in July he must get out of the middle of the road. And this Sunday, that opportunity will come knocking as TargA prepares to do battle with none other than the tactical toss himself, White-Ra
Also sitting with a 2-2 series record in Division 5, White-Ra's Sunday match against TargA represents a metaphorical crossroads towards success in the regular season. Even though a win does not guarantee an automatic seed into NASL's live event, the victor of tomorrow's series will set off on a more easy going path toward their goal. With juggernauts like Polt and Puzzle on the horizon, every win counts. Both players stand poised to climb the rankings but for one to rise, another must fall. The stars have aligned for the upcoming Zerg Vs Protoss match. Each player ultimately wish to emerge toward the top of the division rankings before the seasons up, neither will concede their chance without a fight. TargA, the eager underdog and White-Ra the tested veteran, who will win?
From the evolution of four gates, to three gate expands, and the advent of MC and Genius style Stargate builds and finally the refinement of the Forge Fast Expand, the match up has seen a turbulent past. Things settled down once the Protoss took note of appropriate timings and exercised proper execution. Eventually Zergs were forced to respond with timings and the proper build of their own to counter the new style. Which brings us to essentially where we are now. That is to say, Protoss goes Nexus first or FFE; Zerg gets down two expansions as fast as possible. Stephano and other intelligent Zerg users came around and discovered when they should abusively spam Roaches, or tech to Brood Lords. And for awhile(as a Zerg player myself), all was right with the world! Of course Protoss have since learned a few new tricks of their own. The point being, the match up seems to be developing exponentially things get figured out. Furthermore it could also be argued that what Stephano did for Zerg playstyle development, White-Ra has done for Protoss.
A glance at White-Ra's recent NASL games against Sheth and Morrow exemplifies this sentiment. Take game one against Sheth on Daybreak for example, a notoriously difficult map for Protoss in ZvP. The wide attack routes into the third and natural made Roach pressure king of the map for awhile. It is extremely difficult for a Protoss to hold a conventional third base, two base all-ins seemed like the only option. White-Ra found a creative solution to the problem. Doing the unthinkable by forgoing extra gasses and gateways White-Ra planted his third at an unbelievable 6:20 game time. Despite being 60 supply behind, and losing a small fortune in probes he was able to hold Sheth's relentless multi-pronged attacks. All the while utilizing a proxy pylon to deny Sheth's fourth from ever getting up. The play was brilliant. Granted, when he tried the same strategy on that map versus Morrow a few weeks later it was shut down. Because Morrow had clearly seen the game.
To put it bluntly, what makes White-Ra such a scary opponent is simply his ability to innovate and develop strategy in ways generally overlooked. Dropping a nexus early, without extra gas and gateways seems suicidal. White-Ra was able to make it work. This is what TargA must be prepared to face. With years of experience behind him, White-Ra seems to strategize at another level. Will it be a two gate stalker opening into expand with mass gateways? Is it a warp prism play? Is he going just one stargate or is it two, and is he following it up with a +1 all in push? It's seemingly impossible to determine exactly which kill method White-Ra will pull from his arsenal.
It is this skill as a player that makes White-Ra so formidable. That said, he is not unbeatable. TargA knows this, and if he's done his homework, he will know how to prepare. White-Ra isn't known for his amazing mechanics and macro. His micro and creative game planning will be the sharp tip of the spear. So long as TargA scouts diligently, denies proxy pylons, and maintains the ability to correctly respond to White-Ra's cunning, he may know victory.
Is TargA prepared to dispatch a player of the caliber of White-Ra, or will we be mercilessly reminded whats so special about those tactics? Win or lose, look forward to TargA's continued success and development as a player through the season. Be sure to catch the games over on NASL.tv to show your support. Good luck to both White-Ra and TargA in their match tomorrow.
We here at Mindfreak eSports are hoping for nothing but the best games!
Result:
+ Show Spoiler +
2-0 to TargA
~ By Stephen Spor
Don't forget to check out the other posts of TargA's NASL journey
Match preview vs Jinro: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=335244
Match preview vs MC: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=332947
Match preview vs Sheth: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=331357
Match preview vs QXC: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=329135
Links:
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Mindfreak Esports www.mindfreak-esports.com - Twitter - Facebook
SteelSeries www.steelseries.com - Twitter - Facebook
ScufGaming www.scufgaming.com - Twitter - Facebook
