You have gotten into Code S Semi-finals for the first time in your life. Tell us how you feel about today's win and advancing to the Semi-finals
This was the first time I felt so nervous since my debut match. There were too many minor mistakes. I am slightly dazed but still feeling great at the same time.
You were very aggressive right from the first set so was there a reason?
I watched every VOD of Innovation that was available and he seemed to play standard every time. I found gaps in such play. Zerg always gets ahead if both players are greedy so I planned to set up a strong economy early on and use it to strike my opponent. As long as I chose the right timing, I was convinced I would get ahead with my superior supply.
Your loss in Set 1 must have been disappointing
The build I used in Set 1 was designed to counter a quick expansion by Innovation. It's a build HyuN used to use but I altered it slightly to suit my style. I was supposed to take out the siege tanks with the Broodlords but Innovation saw through my play and took them out. I was very ahead but nerves got the better of me.
In Set 2 on Neo Planet S, you used a strategy similar to the one in Set 1. This map is known for the roach/infestor aggression lately so what was your rationale for choosing the strategy?
Neo Planet S has no watchtowers. This means a Zerg can spread creep at an uncontrollable rate. This strategy counters not only bio but also mech. When I saw that Innovation had a bio composition, I chose banelings instead of infestors. I was convinced I could win in a battle of attrition.
Did you expect Banshees in Set 3?
Not at all. I saw three dots on the minimap and assumed they were medivacs. So I made some banelings and lo and behold, flying menaces in my base. Then again, I was going to attack into him even if he were macroing up.
Set 4 left a lot to be desired
I used a roach/ling/bling attack but at the time, I was fine with it being defended and not doing any actual damage. As planned, I spread creep to my opponent's third base location and normally, no one scouts this area. However, Innovation did. From then on, I was behind. I chose an all-in strategy and Innovation countered perfectly with a macro strategy. It was very hard to catch up from there.
You used the Nydus Worm in Set 5
I tried macroing on the map and it never worked well for me. That's why I chose an all-in. I watched every single VOD played on Icarus. I saw True on Team 8 use the Nydus Worm. So I copied it straight away and no Terran was able to hold it. Normally, no one has marines on the low ground but Innovation seems to have expected my strategy and had marines ready. Even so, I was sure I would break through. This is strategy is foolproof. Even if the Terran counters it all out, they lose SCVs and they have a hard time in the late game.
Who do you want to face in the next round?
I don't really mind. I think a Protoss would be good for putting on good games.
You recently joined your team's training house. How is the atmosphere?
We got close very quickly. I didn't know too many hyungs (T/N: respectful term for older male used by younger males) in my old team but they're all nice to me so it's no problem getting to know them. Also, everyone is playing HotS now so it's kind of difficult to ask for practice on WoL when I'm the only one playing it. Well, what could I do. I wanted to win my games so I asked for practice nonetheless and they were more than willing to help me out.
Many Zerg players are complaining about HotS
I haven't played it myself but I watch VODs and streams to get an idea. Defintely, ZvT looks difficult. Zerglins are supposed to surround the enemy's army while on creep but Hellbats negate that completely. Medivac Boost needs changes also.
How likely do you think it is that you win the whole season?
I haven't thought about that yet. I was hoping desperately to get past RO8. Really not sure yet. I will try my best.
Anything to add?
I asked Coach Iris for a favour because I wanted to get to the studio early today. I want to thank him for dropping me off so early even though he is very busy. I want to thank my teammates and Center on Quantic who helped me practise even though they are busy switching to HotS. Also, former TSL Zergs gave me so much help. I can't express how grateful I am. I also want to thank True who showed me the solution to Icarus. I am not happy with my play which has too many mistakes arising from nerves. I promise to show better form in RO4.
You have succeeded in advancing from RO8 to RO4. How does it feel to beat your PB?
Fantastic. PartinG told me that he would stop me but I was confident that wouldn't happen. I didn't get to show all of them but I have several very strong ZvP strategies.
Your play was full of ambition and resilience. What was your focus?
Lately, the age of infestors had ended in ZvP. So I focused on the Mutalisk. I became convinced during practice that I could take the win today. I almost never lost in practice.
You showed a long macro game with Broodlords in Set 1
I should have ended it with 3-3 upgraded Broodlords, Corruptors and Infestors. However, I somehow screwed up my army composition and did not have enough corruptors while maxed out. My attack was defended due to that mistake but I abused the map to my advantage. I believe that was the best way for me to win.
You took the win in Set 2 with Mutalisks
PartinG likes to go nexus first without scouting so I had a strategy prepared for that. However, I saw him scout with a probe. I used that again him. That convinced me that he was going double nexus and took control of the game with Mutalisks. There was nothing PartinG could have done at the point to scare me.
You went for Hydras in Set 3
Life had a big impact on me. Seeing him use Hydras in tournament games was so cool so I asked him to teach me. Hydra builds can be countered heavily so I had it saved for one set only.
Did you expect a 3:0 victory?
Yes. If I took the first set, 3:0, if not, 3:1.
Your next opponent is Symbol who like you has just advanced to RO4 for the first time in his life
So far, Symbol has been doing better than me but as those who have smashed their own limitations, I hope we can put on great games. I hope whoever wins out of us goes on to win the whole season as an ESF Zerg representative. Not that I plan on losing to give him that chance.
Was it difficult to prepare for ZvP?
I found it difficult at first but I eventually figured it out. Teammates were also a lot of help. I think that's when my ZvP started improving. I actually lost a lot on the ladder trying to keep my strategies hidden. However, I wasn't worried at all since I had my cards ready.
Today's match had the theme of KeSPA vs ESF
I don't really distinguish between the two. Not that KeSPA players are lower class or anything but I do wish ESF players stepped it up a bit.
How far will the Code S reader advance?
I think I did well to get past RO8. I think PartinG underestimated me way too much thinking of how I used to be. I have been honing my skills and waiting for the right moment. Having advanced so far, I guess I should send everyone down to Code A (laugh) Even if you aren't in Code A for next season, I can certainly send you there if we meet. Also, I declared that I would be reborn as a champion in HotS and I think that rebirth just might happen sooner than expected (laugh)
Anything to add?
I want to thank the sponsors Red Bull, Zowie and Joy Gear. I owe today's victory to Life, Avenge and Panic. FXOTear and LG-IM Younghwa also helped out a lot. I would like to thank PartinG for today's match.
Symbol's nydus play was pretty strong but I feel like he basically told terran players it's going to happen to them when he plays on that map. We shall see if he ends up playing Taeja.
Curious's interview was really confusing to me. + Show Spoiler +
Good interview from Symbol with interesting insights of his build orders and how they were supposed to work on the played maps. Thanks for the interview, obviously looking forward to Curious' interview!
Ha, right after the Seeker and Wozzot alliance, storywriter pops in and robs'em blind. Man I'm happy for Curious and Symbol, they've deserved a semi-final for so long.
On February 22 2013 01:45 Zealously wrote: CURIOUS ROUND OF 4 WOOHOO NOTHING ELSE EVEN MATTERS
Code S finalist reader.
Curious is like Ryung. Plays memorable games (for good or bad ie Curious v Creator on Cloud Kingdom BL/Infestor/Spine v Carriers) and noone ever roots for them. Double Forgotten Sons
Seeker and wozzot are curiously absent from this thread.
Also, Curious will read the shit out of Symbol in the Round of 4 and go straight to the finals. If MC shows up, he'll destroy him. If it's Taeja, even more so.
I really hope Symbol takes out Curious. Having Curious in the finals seems very weird...and even weirder if I think about Curious being the last WoL champion. Feels wrong :| GL symbol.
On February 22 2013 03:48 Tachion wrote: I really hope Symbol takes out Curious. Having Curious in the finals seems very weird...and even weirder if I think about Curious being the last WoL champion. Feels wrong :| GL symbol.
On February 22 2013 03:48 Tachion wrote: I really hope Symbol takes out Curious. Having Curious in the finals seems very weird...and even weirder if I think about Curious being the last WoL champion. Feels wrong :| GL symbol.
god both those games were so sick holy sht. i was shivering for a good half an hour afterward. For some reason I was reading curios' interview in a very low deep voice?
On February 22 2013 03:48 Tachion wrote: I really hope Symbol takes out Curious. Having Curious in the finals seems very weird...and even weirder if I think about Curious being the last WoL champion. Feels wrong :| GL symbol.
Dude, both of them being there is weird, haha. Of course they are both good players, but Symbol or Curious taking this final WoL tournament is pretty random, lol.
Ok anyone but MC winning this GSL is just plain wrong. Funny thing is that he won't. Damn, Wol is so fucked up, the champion's gonna be really random this time too....
I don't see Symbol winning as that weird, he had a really good period in mid 2012 where it looked like he could win, Curious on the other hand is like Sniper in the way that he never stood out as a championship contender until the season he won.
Taeja gonna have to play his heart out, I don't think he'll be able to beat Soulkey, and I honestly hope either him or MC make it to Ro4. 3-4 zergs in Ro4 leading to a ZvZ is a huge turn off.
On February 22 2013 07:00 Kazeyonoma wrote: woo, while i want to see non-zergs make it to the finals at least SOMETIME in the past few gsls, i'm glad ESF held off the kespa wave.
Ok it's not balance whine, but people's memories have basically become fictional since the patch. Zerg was only 5/12 of all finalists for 2012, we've only had 2 ZvZ finals in the history of GSL. People too ready to blow out impressions of imbalance for their own means.
Not saying there's not a zerg issue because it's notably how WoL has ended. But I keep seeing people say things like "Oh we're going to get another all zerg semis" and I am so confused.
EPT
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