EPT
MVP_ (recovering dat confidence) DongRaeGu![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Zwuty.jpg)
Source: This Is Game
How do you feel about making it to Code S Ro16?
Well... (laughs). I feel so happy that I can't express it in words. I get to participate in the group nominations tomorrow and since I am #1 in GSL points, I get to pick first. Lately my games have not been great but I am glad that all the ones I've won were through macro games. My recent results were not because I was in a slump but because I just didn't have enough skills.
After watching today's games, you often opted to end them before hive ever came out.
I tried to do plays where I hit hive early but the ultralisks and brood lords were so slow that they just don't work with my hands. If I lose them all at once then it just puts me in a really tough situation so I just did a quick play style that fits me well.
Recently Terrans have been showing power against Zergs. Are your plays sort of an answer to that?
I wouldn't necessarily say my plays are an answer. I just think my plays are normal and necessary against Terrans.
Is DRG's play style supposed to be like this?
Instead of going muta/bane/ling in to fast hive tech, I think it's much better to engage using muta/bane/ling to grab advantages so that you can transition to brood lords. There are times where if you go for fast hive, you lack the necessary army to fend off against the Terran's army. I think this kind of play style fits me the best.
Your last game against Polt was pretty fierce.
I didn't really let it affect me. The map was good for Terrans so I just went for an economic play. I knew there was a game three so I wanted to play without feeling any pressure.
Still, it doesn't feel like the old DRG's special force has recovered yet.
I still have many areas in which I am lacking. I have a lot of areas where I need to fix as well. I don't play my ZvZs and ZvPs properly so I need to dissect them a bit more. I think if I slowly start increasing the amount of games I play I should be fine.
In OSL, you have yet to secure a Ro8 placement.
I think today's victories are going to help me out but MarineKing saw my plays so I'm worried about what kind of plays he's going to respond with. I wanted to advance along with MarineKing so this is a shame. But games against MarineKing are always fun so I want us to have a great time and when the victor is decided, then I hope that person goes on to win the whole thing.
You have the #1 pick in the group nominations tomorrow. How are you going to use it?
So there's this thing called "golden balance." Instead of mixing in races of all kinds, the best group is to just stick one kind of race in to it so I want to create that kind of group. I think I would be fine even with an all Protoss group.
Any player you specifically want to pick?
I want to pick By.Rain but he is really good. He's even that good on ladder. He's also a Protoss so I am a little worried.
So you will not be picking By.Rain?
I don't know that (laughs). I am also a man. I'm going to go back home today, see who's available, and try to create a group that will give me the bet possibility for me to advance so I can take the championship. I like to ask people's opinions during group nominations but I got completely screwed over last time so this time it's going to just be my way.
You won the 2012 Hot6iX GSL Season 1 and Hot6iX is also a sponsor of MVP. Don't you think this obligates you to win the whole thing?
I have about an 82% chance of winning the championship. That's how much confidence I have regained. I ladder a lot these days and that's helping me figure out the areas in which I am lacking in. I'm also studying by watching my opponents' replays a lot so I feel confident.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to thank our sponsors Lotte, RAZER, and partner MYM. I want to thank Monster for teaching me about how to deal with bio armies and I'm sorry to Sniper who now waiting for me in Code A. I want to thank the Terrans I face on ladder, the coach, my friends, and my girlfriend who's currently far away for always cheering for me. Also, sC is practicing so much these days and he also plays a little LoL during the weekends and late at night. He doesn't play that much so I hope people don't take it the wrong way. He still practices a ton of SC2 so I hope people don't say anything about his playing LoL.
TSL_ (return to Ro16 after one year) Polt![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/WAWrq.jpg)
Source: This Is Game
How do you feel about returning to the Ro16 of Code S after a year?
I've been with TSL for a bout a year. I believe this is my first time in the Ro16 ever since joining TSL. Which means it took a year to get in to the Ro16 since joining a new team.
You were in Code A last season. Did that process help you?
The process of climbing up Code A was really tough. Truth be told, I thought that Code A opponents would be easy when I was in Code S. I pretty much thought that I was really good and that they were not. But after spending a long time in Code A my thoughts have completely changed. I realized I was lacking so much in my skills.
So does that mean as of late, your skills have become good again?
These days I don't think I lose in a battle of basics. Regardless of who I meet, I don't lose in that area. If its' a scenario where we have no time to practice and we're just all of a sudden pitted up against each other, I am confident enough to know I won't lose. At best, it's probably around 5:5.
You grabbed GuMiho twice today to make it to the Ro16.
The goal was to beat DRG and advance so I practiced a ton of TvZ. But I think DRG got over his slump because he did so much better than he used to play. That's why it was such a tough road for me to go through.
You had to play several TvTs. You must have studied TvTs quite heavily.
We had a lot of Terrans today so preparing for TvTs was difficult. That's why I just practiced while focusing on the basics. My play style today was to be able to respond to my opponent regardless of what map he picked because that's what I focused on during practice.
Recently, the only TSL player to make a splash in Code S was Symbol.
Honestly, I thought it should be me who has to do better. It's supposed to be me who's doing better but I had no choice but to tell myself that I was doing horribly. But nowadays I think I've been able to lessen that weight on my mind.
You have GSTL soon but it seems TSL has gotten so much stronger.
Overall, our previous GSTL performance was definitely stronger than our GSTL performance two season ago. And this GSTL we are even stronger. Our team has a lot more players in the GSL now. Last season, it was such a shame that we lost in the semis so this time, we are going to raise our swords and charge straight to the finals.
What is different about when you received a Code S seed and right now as you made it in to Code S?
The opportunity I worked so hard to receive became even more valuable. I can't really tell skill wise but I think my condition has gotten better these days. I think it also has to do with the fact that I don't have overseas tournaments I need to worry about.
What are your goals for this tournament?
I want to go for the finals. I want to stand on a big stage again. I can't even remember what the Super Tournament was like anymore.
Tomorrow is the group nominations. Who do you think is going to pick you?
Since I'm weak in the TvZ area, I think a Zerg is going to pick me. I'm not really sure. I don't really think the person picking me is going to like me.
DRG could pick you tomorrow.
It's not good but it's not bad either. Personally, I know it's going to be difficult but I plan on overcoming all the areas I am weak in. So I don't really care.
You are also entered in to the Seoul University roster for CSL.
I allowed them to put my name down. I told them I would participate as long as it didn't conflict with my schedule but nothing's for certain yet.
Anything else you would like to say?
Even though I haven't been playing well lately I have a ton of people cheering for me. I can definitely see it as I check the community sites. I want to thank those people. Shine came to cheer for me again today so I want to thank him because he does this quite a lot. I truly hope he can make it to Code S this time.
