[Interview] 2012 GSL S3 CodeA R1 D3

How do you feel advancing to Round 2 with a convincing win?

I really did not want to drop to Code B. I participated in the recent OSL qualifier and it made me realise that qualifiers are something you never want to be at. So I bit the bullet and practised.

You must have been excited about being in an OSL qualifier after a long time

I was excited. I practised really hard for OSL qualifiers. It was where I started my progaming career so I had a burning desire to do well and got a huge shock when I was eliminated. I’m still recovering from that shock.

How was today’s match?

In Set 1, my opponent went for a greedy build so my build countered his well. He is very capable at harassing so I thought I could win as long as I defended his medevac drops well. In Set 2, I thought he might go for an early rush so I played safely which worked out.

Aren’t you under considerable pressure to do well lately?

A progamer is always under pressure. Right now, it’s more responsibility than pressure that I’m feeling. I just try my best to realise my team’s goals.

You have to take on Parting in Round 2.

Until recently, my PvP wasn’t so good but at the moment, I don’t lose in the mirror match. That’s why Parting will have to work hard for Round 2. I can’t forget how he pulled out a ceremony on me after beating me in Code S. I will have my revenge (laugh).

Anything to add?

S-Culture, who is providing personal sponsorship, opened their website. Congratulations and I hope they get a lot of attention. I’m currently staying at the MVP house so I want to thank the coach and the players who always treat me with kindness.

You advance in convincing fashion. How do you feel?

I’m not sure yet. It’s a mixture of happiness and relief. There’s no audience and I’m not even sure if it’s broadcasted so I’m a bit lost. I think it’s because this is my first Code A in a long time.

What was today’s match like?

After I was eliminated from Code S, I checked the bracket to see that I was to face JKS. JKS used to be my former teammate on FXO. I think I had an easy time because he was nervous in his debut match.

You haven’t been doing well since joining your new team.

I’ve been thinking and I’ve come to realise that I’m a player who has to rely on practice. If I practise hard, I do well but as soon as I slack off, it shows. It’s true I haven’t been doing well since moving to Fnatic but thinking back, I also practised less. Dropping to Code A has instilled in me a sense of crisis. This is the first time I was eliminated from Code S ro32 so with that shock in mind, I once again have the motivation to put in my best effort.

Who do you want to face in Round 2?

I don’t care. I want to play a Terran but it’d be nice to face July in an official match once. He’s a bit older so he could retire at any time. I want to take him on before that happens (laugh). Maybe, it’d be nice for me to send him on his way (laugh).

You have many tournaments to attend.

After I was eliminated from Code S, I rested for two weeks but I was very uneasy during that time. I’m glad to be busy this month. It’d be a disaster for me to fail in all of these tournaments so I will make sure I work hard.

Anything to add?

I watched KeSPA vs GSL yesterday and as a viewer, I had fun but as a player, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. A player can always lose but the critics were way too harsh. KeSPA players started late sure but they have been progamers for a long time. They are already accustomed so it’s no wonder that they are improving quickly and I think people expect way too much from GSL players. It’s normal to lose sometimes so I hope the fans become more understanding. Please refrain from making comments that could hurt the players.
Lastly, I want to thank my team’s sponsors Raidcall, MSI, Eizo and SteelSeries.

You have succeeded in advancing to Code A Round 2

I feel great. I’m glad to have my name listed in Round 2 for the first time.

You used a nydus strategy in Set 1

It was a planned build. I came across it in practice just yesterday and it was so good that I decided to use it.

Was Set 2 also planned?

The 6 pool was also prepared yesterday. San recommended it to me (T/N: can’t tell if troll).

This is your first achievement in an individual league

I feel fantastic. Vines is a player with great builds so I was worried but my builds carried me to Round 2. It’s great to win in Code A and not just a team league. You get prize money in Code A (laugh).

You were eliminated in the OSL qualifiers

It’s very regrettable. I lost to San. He’s so good at all-ining.

Who do you want to face in Round 2?

I prefer Zerg to Protoss. Protoss is OP at the moment. It’s so hard to beat them.

Are you confident about advancing to Code S?

I think so. I’ve faced my opponents several times so as long as I counter them, I can win. I will win in Round 3 and skip Up and Downs altogether.

Anything to add?

I was only able to win thanks to San’s build suggestions. I also want to thank other Protosses that I have friend listed on ladder as well as my family at home.

Your thoughts on making Round 2 for the first time?

I’m happy about the fact that I have secured my spot for next season straight after qualifying

How did you practise?

The bracket has been out for a month so I was able to prepare well during this time. I think that’s why I won today.

How was today’s match?

It went as I planned. Metropolis tends to produce long macro games and as it’s favourable for Zerg, I just macroed comfortably.

Your momentum from GSTL seems to be carrying you through GSL

I think I became used to playing in official matches in the team league. As a result, I get less nervous.

You face Ace in Round 2.

I think I need help from Hyun with ZvP. I’ve been practising ZvT mostly so my ZvP isn’t up to par but I will work hard to advance to Round 3.

Are you confident about advancing to Code S?

I have a good feeling about this season. I think I can make it.

If you get to Round 3, you may have to play Polt, your teammate

I haven’t really thought about teamkilling. Then again, if both of us make it to Round 3 then one of us is definitely in Code S, right? That’s a good thing, I’d say.

Anything to add?

I hope Polt does well in his evening match and that we both make it to Round 3. I want to thank Center and Punisher for practising with me and also Polt and the other Zergs who gave me a lot of advice. Lastly, I want to thank my parents and the sponsors: theHandsomeNerd and SkyDigital.

Your thoughts taking down First in a close match to advance?

I had the mindset that there was nothing wrong with losing in Code A. If that were to happen, I was going to just attend more foreign tournaments but after losing the first set, that thought was wiped clean from my mind. I started to play thinking that it was win or die so it’s a relief to have come back.

You started by dropping the first set so weren’t you worried?

I’ve faced First before in the MLG qualifier and that experience was a great help. I was actually ahead in Set 1 but had a bad engagement and lost. I was a bit taken aback by how good my opponent’s multitasking was.

What drove your comeback?

It was the confidence that I could win. I had strategies prepared so I convinced myself that I had nothing to fear from my opponent.

You take on Ganzi in Round 2.

He’s someone I’ve beaten plenty of times so I’m going to take it easy. I don’t think the match will be difficult. I just hope we have fun.

Are you confident about advancing to Code S?

Code S is the most important but participation in foreign tournaments is also important. So at the moment, I’m focusing all my efforts on attending foreign tournaments. I’ve neglected practice lately so I’m not at my best but if I start practising like I have the past three months, I will be back in no time. Once I’m working hard again, Code S will be mine automatically.

Anything to add?

I want to thank my sponsors SteelSeries, Eizo, Raidcall and MSI and also coach Kim, family and friends. I will return the favour with great performance in the GSTL.

How do you feel taking down July in a close series to advance to Round 2?

I feel great. I feel like I should work even harder for taking July down.

How did you prepare?

I heard that July was taking it easy so I wasn’t too worked up. Still, my opponent was a veteran with a long history so I tried to make my victory as certain as possible.

How was today’s match?

I think it went according to plan. I kept in mind that my opponent is an aggressive player. I think that worked very well. I think it was a great decision to play defensively.

You’ve been in quite a slump so why do you think that is?

To be honest, I think it’s because I’m not good enough. During that time, my games for some reason wouldn’t work out well. I think I was impatient in trying to qualify for GSL. Lately, I’ve been trying to remain and play with a sound mindset.

You face Oz in Round 2.

It doesn’t matter who. I think how hard I work will affect the outcome of the match.

Are you confident about advancing to Code S?

No. I don’t think I’m as good as I used to be. I have some time so I should work hard to improve.

Anything to add?

I want to thank the coach and his wife as well as the sponsors LG Electronics, Googims, Nvidia, Coca Cola and SteelSeries. Also, I want to tell my mother that she can stop worrying because I won’t be in Code B any more.

Q: How does it feel advancing into round 2?
A: I've been playing very poorly in actual competitions recently. This causes me to be very worried about my condition before the games. I am very happy to have advanced, and I am determined never to come in fourth in the Code S groups and be eliminated again.

Q: Is the burden of playing in Code A very big?
A: The pressure of playing in round 1 of Code A is really really big. It was more nerve-wrecking than the finals.

Q: Any particular reason for your recent dip in form?
A: My results in practice are not that bad, so I never really thought about that. Even though I lost really horribly in Code S, I don't think my condition is really that horrible. It feels like I'm just slightly down on my luck.

Q: What are your thoughts about your next match?
A: My results in ZvZs during practice haven't been too good, and my next round opponent is Life, a really strong Zerg. This makes me a bit worried. ZvZ is my worst matchup out of the 3, so it makes me feel quite uneasy.

Q: You lost your first game today.
A: I was harassed so badly by my opponent's DTs, so I knew I would lose. Since I was already in such a horrible position from the start, I was just planning for my second game during the mid-game of the first game.

Q: It went into a base race in the second game.
A: I couldn't possibly win if our main armies had clashed, so I chose to have the base race. It felt like that was my only hope of winning.

Q: How about the third game?
A: I thought I played pretty well. I thought that the third map would be Antiga Shipyard, so that was the map that I practised. I panicked a bit when I saw that the map was actually Daybreak. It was a good thing my opponent chose to all-in that I was able to win.

Q: You haven't really had any very good results ever since you came in as runner up.
A: Even though I haven't achieved any good results, I feel like my results so far haven't been that bad either. I can't be too impatient for now, and I believe that it won't be long before I have my rise.

Q: You have a GSTL match coming up.
A: Actually, I'm hoping that I won't have to play in the match. I'm really not feeling good about it. Hopefully, Lucky or Tear will just finish off the match.

Q: Anything else you wish to add?
A: I want to thank my team mates who practised with me, Recently my mum has been asking me why I have been losing so much, and she's now really worried about me. I just want to say that it's just my condition not being too good recently, and I will be back to peak conditions before long. Hopefully she won't be too worried about me.

How do you feel advancing to Round 2?

I was worried about being eliminated so I’m happy to have advanced.

How did you prepare for today’s match?

I was really worried about losing in recent GSL matches. I felt like today’s match might not go so well so I went for more strategic play rather than macro based play.

It must have been difficult to prepare for your opponent as he is a newcomer

The lack of data did make it somewhat difficult. Other than that, it was alright.

What’s the reason behind your recent losses?

I think I get too nervous. I’m often sent out for the more important games in the team league and having lost those, my nerves are a bit frayed. I think I need to find a way to play comfortably.

Why do you think you are underperforming in the GSTL?

The pressure to win is getting to me. I’m really sorry to my team for my loss streak especially when they believe in me. If I get sent out early, I think I can play without pressure but being sent out so late means that I have more responsibility.

You showcased some great unit control.

Since it’s a strategy that makes you get a late expansion while attacking, you have to have good control to win. So I focused on unit control while practising.

How is TvP lately?

I haven’t had to play TvP in a long time so haven’t had much practice in the match up. I’ve played a lot of TvZ lately so I had become somewhat unfamiliar with TvP. But through today’s match, I’m once again comfortable with the match up.

You haven’t done well in Code S lately so when can we see you in the upper round once more?

Since joining TSL, I’ve been eliminated in ro32 most of the time. However, If I make it to Code S this time, I’ll get over the ro32 hurdle.

Your next opponent is Maru from Prime

He’s gotten a lot better recently but I’ll have to take him down on my way to Code S.

We haven’t seen your TvT recently so how are you in that match up?

TvT hasn’t been affected by any patches for a long time so it’s stayed the same. TvT is a matchup where the better player wins.

Your teammate Symbol is doing fantastic these days so does he motivate you?

While on Prime, it was MKP who motivated me. But nowadays, Symbol provides that motivation. It’s very helpful so I enjoy it.

Anything to add?

Shine and Punisher came to cheer me on so I am very thankful and I want to thank Cyrano and Inori for practising with me. I also want to thank SkyDigital for their sponsorship.