DRG's back. Probably. Most likely. Receiving the NesTea Award for ten consecutive Code S appearances seemed to invigorate the veteran Zerg as he topped his Ro32 group, even defeating Innovation's seemingly invincible TvZ in straight-up, macro games (the fact that he also defeated GuMiho 2 - 0 is almost a footnote in comparison). It was the kind of achievement that could be called a landmark for both Zergs around the world and DongRaeGu himself, who finally looked like he was back in his old championship shape.
Meanwhile, INnoVationstill advanced to the Ro16 by flattening herO[jOin] by a combined score of 4 - 0, despite suffering a blow to his pride by losing in his vaunted TvZ. Overall, the gap between the top and bottom 2 players looked wider than in any other group thus far.
The first series of the day began on new map Frost, with herO[jOin] and INnoVation spawning on cross positions. herO opted for a quick 3-bases and defended it with a chargelot archon based army. He was able to keep Innovation cautious with some clever hallucinated colossus play, but it clued the terran to his build, prompting him to go for ghosts instead of vikings. An SCV pull soon after on 2.5 bases proved to be enough as the Acer Terran overwhelmed herO's third and eventually forced a gg. Game 2 followed a different pattern with herO choosing a forge+robo build instead, but it was still another one sided affair as Innovation simply walked across the map with a well macro'd army, ran up with stim, and trapped all of herO's units in a corner of the natural. It looked like a dominant return for Innovation after a disappointing WCS Season 2 Finals, and he awaited the winner of the next match confident of advancement.
The next set featured two of the longest tenured players in Code S: DRG with his newly received NesTea Award, and GuMiho who was one Code S away from the same achievement. Game 1 on Akilon Wastes was quite a treat, with GuMiho deciding to use mech. The first bit of action occurred when a bizarre 20 hellion attack caught DRG's roaches out of position, frying 26 drones. The damage was actually not what most expected with the number of hellions rolling in, but a cool but ultimately useless hellion-into-hellbat transformation allowed a lot of drones to escape. GuMiho's passivity allowed DRG to take an easy 4 bases and spread his creep all the way to GuMi's pocket third, but GuMi was still able to max out on 4 bases. There was action all over the map, but DRG's use of blinding cloud was consistently good and his transition into Swarm Host+Infestor proved to be too efficient for GuMiho to break. DRG ended up using most of Zerg's arsenal as we saw everything but BroodLords.
Game 2 had a completely different build from GuMiho as he opted for Bio instead. GuMi repeatedly tried to apply pressure, but DRG was on top of his defense, relying on roaches, lings and hydras in the mid game. A near max roach hydra push caught GuMi loitering between bases, letting DRG to take a good concave between the natural and the third which fell soon after. The Towel Terran tried his best to do damage on 2 bases, but his income ran out and so did his chances of winning.
After a very strong first series from DRG, his fans had reason to be cautiously optimistic about his chances against INnoVation's seemingly unbeatable TvZ. Their faith was rewarded as the MVP Zerg triumphed 2-1 in macro games, displaying his sublime mechanics and improved decision making that had been lacking since the dawn of HoTS. Innovation was excellent as usual, and did not deviate from his macro oriented 4M rally push, constantly attacking DRG for almost 30 minutes straight on Whirlwind. The crucial factor in all three games turned out to be Innovation's fourth base, which DRG was able to constantly deny in his wins, and was unable to stop in his loss. All three games featured an extremely high level of TvZ play, with never-ending action, runbys, counterattacks and engagements all over the place. With little exaggeration, it was the finest bo3 TvZ series we've seen in months.
DRG's remarkable efficiency with his muta ling bane composition allowed him to outlast Innovation's 3 bases, and it was DRG's best performance of 2013. He advances to the Ro16 reminding us that he still has a champion inside him, and that he can get far this season if he continues this form.
After such an incredible series, the loser's match turned out to be generic PvT late game romp for herO[jOin] . The first game on Whirlwind featured a 2-pronged marine hellion attack in the early game, but GuMiho was unable to do much damage aside from taking out a few sentries. The rest of the game was just a wait until the eventual SCV pull, but herO's no-range colossus into a quick storm demolished GuMi's push, and it was a slow death from there. herO turned aggressor in the second game with his 3gate pressure forcing the natural CC to lift. A contain until the 10 minute mark gave him a big advantage that he would never relinquish despite ineffective blink stalker pressure. An uncontested 4th base and higher supply the entire game told the tale of GuMi's defeat.
The final set of the evening saw a rematch of the first, but it ended up being just as quick as their first meeting, as INnoVation took little time in dispatching herO and securing his advancement. It was an odd game from herO in Game 1 on Derelict Watcher, in which he went for a 2-base blink non-range colossus all in. His army was conspicuously tiny and with an early SCV pull to repair bunkers and a good flank at the ramp, the attack was demolished. A more typical PvT followed but the result was the same: an SCV pull and a huge army bludgeoned herO and that was it.
The two most impressive players advanced from Group F, but Innovation should feel a little surprised that he didn't make it out in first place. He played extremely well but DRG's ZvT looked remarkable on the day, and his fans will have something to cheer for as team MVP's future is unclear.
One of the absolute best TvZ's I've seen in forever, and easily DRG's best performance in months. Looking like the ZvT God of 2011. Can't wait to see how he goes in the ro16.
On September 08 2013 18:16 LimitSEA wrote: One of the absolute best TvZ's I've seen in forever, and easily DRG's best performance in months. Looking like the ZvT God of 2011. Can't wait to see how he goes in the ro16.
He's going to get slaughtered by soulkey and some random protoss. Calling it now.
DRG is a badass, ecstatic to see him perform back to his 2011 level, hopefully he can keep it up for long enough to make it to the season final and win it!
DRG's zvt looks so disgusting .. to be honest i have never thought innovation would ever lose in a macro game anymore .. and that was the first time i have seen innovation in a tvz that i thought he should just 11/11 rax every game
On September 08 2013 18:26 Maeldun wrote: "With little exaggeration, it was the finest bo3 TvZ series we've seen in months."
Technically Scarlett vs Bomber was a Bo5, but that was also an amazing TvZ series (even tho Scarlett lost =\). How quickly we forget?
we aint forgetting, the writer just isnt comparing the bo5 they played against this bo3 (which was amazing) happy to see DRG return to shape after so long!
On September 08 2013 18:26 Maeldun wrote: "With little exaggeration, it was the finest bo3 TvZ series we've seen in months."
Technically Scarlett vs Bomber was a Bo5, but that was also an amazing TvZ series (even tho Scarlett lost =\). How quickly we forget?
Scarlett was a beast in that matchup, but it doesn't deviate from the fact that it was an exciting matchup also because of the foreigner vs korean storyline, a factor which has always led to claims of 'best xvx series ever' in the past.
Innovation plays vs Z at a much higher level and at a high winrate even against people like Soulkey, and DRG still manages to take him on and beat him in his game. If you examine the amount and timings of runbys and how they are executed, as well as DRG's amazing game sense, you will know what I mean. GG WP indeed to the one true Dong.
The DRG - Innovation series was great and the margin of victory each time was as razor thin as it could have possibly been. That said it was reasonably clear that, quite surprisingly, the overseer buff (and DRG's excellent preservation of his overseers) made a difference. DRG only lost a handful of overseers the entire series. All of those preserved overseers add up in the form of extra banelings, faster tech, etc. so that the seemingly inevitable snowball effect never really took place for Innovation in any of the games. Even the game he won, Innovation had an unscouted late game expansion that finally titled the balance of the game in his favor. It will be interesting to see what the balance numbers (for the GSL level pros) look like in two months.
That Inno-DRG series really was something else. Usually Innovation finds enough holes at some point to land the blows he needs, but DRG was just on top of everything. It's hard to overestimate how hard it is to stay on top of absolutely everything like DRG did.
Great writeup! I agree with the sentiment made by the qualifying statements attched to "DRG's back", it's almost like we're all waiting to see if the other foot will drop. Hopefully when it does it lands on his opponents!
On September 08 2013 18:26 Maeldun wrote: "With little exaggeration, it was the finest bo3 TvZ series we've seen in months."
Technically Scarlett vs Bomber was a Bo5, but that was also an amazing TvZ series (even tho Scarlett lost =\). How quickly we forget?
Scarlett was a beast in that matchup, but it doesn't deviate from the fact that it was an exciting matchup also because of the foreigner vs korean storyline, a factor which has always led to claims of 'best xvx series ever' in the past.
Innovation plays vs Z at a much higher level and at a high winrate even against people like Soulkey, and DRG still manages to take him on and beat him in his game. If you examine the amount and timings of runbys and how they are executed, as well as DRG's amazing game sense, you will know what I mean. GG WP indeed to the one true Dong.
Looks like I'm going to have to buy a GomTV ticket to watch this series. Haven't bought one in a while since all of my favorite players moved to WCS America and Europe. Always love watching games where eSF players beat KeSPa (though technically they did leave eSF but I view it as Brood War Pros vs Brood War pros that didn't make it as big - with the exception of Mvp) :D And hoping DRG keeps up this level of dominance!
On September 08 2013 18:26 Maeldun wrote: "With little exaggeration, it was the finest bo3 TvZ series we've seen in months."
Technically Scarlett vs Bomber was a Bo5, but that was also an amazing TvZ series (even tho Scarlett lost =\). How quickly we forget?
Scarlett was a beast in that matchup, but it doesn't deviate from the fact that it was an exciting matchup also because of the foreigner vs korean storyline, a factor which has always led to claims of 'best xvx series ever' in the past.
Innovation plays vs Z at a much higher level and at a high winrate even against people like Soulkey, and DRG still manages to take him on and beat him in his game. If you examine the amount and timings of runbys and how they are executed, as well as DRG's amazing game sense, you will know what I mean. GG WP indeed to the one true Dong.
easily the best TvZ series in quite a while. Love to see DRG winning again. And also in their series, did anyone notice they both played over 400 APMs most of the time? Fucking insane!
On September 08 2013 18:26 Maeldun wrote: "With little exaggeration, it was the finest bo3 TvZ series we've seen in months."
Technically Scarlett vs Bomber was a Bo5, but that was also an amazing TvZ series (even tho Scarlett lost =\). How quickly we forget?
Scarlett was a beast in that matchup, but it doesn't deviate from the fact that it was an exciting matchup also because of the foreigner vs korean storyline, a factor which has always led to claims of 'best xvx series ever' in the past.
Innovation plays vs Z at a much higher level and at a high winrate even against people like Soulkey, and DRG still manages to take him on and beat him in his game. If you examine the amount and timings of runbys and how they are executed, as well as DRG's amazing game sense, you will know what I mean. GG WP indeed to the one true Dong.
On September 08 2013 18:26 Maeldun wrote: "With little exaggeration, it was the finest bo3 TvZ series we've seen in months."
Technically Scarlett vs Bomber was a Bo5, but that was also an amazing TvZ series (even tho Scarlett lost =\). How quickly we forget?
Scarlett was a beast in that matchup, but it doesn't deviate from the fact that it was an exciting matchup also because of the foreigner vs korean storyline, a factor which has always led to claims of 'best xvx series ever' in the past.
Innovation plays vs Z at a much higher level and at a high winrate even against people like Soulkey, and DRG still manages to take him on and beat him in his game. If you examine the amount and timings of runbys and how they are executed, as well as DRG's amazing game sense, you will know what I mean. GG WP indeed to the one true Dong.
The other Dong is oso a True Dong.
He is more Kong then Dong right now.
Ouch. Harsh. Lol.
Kekeke, it feels like Dong meaning #1, Kong meaning #2. DongRaeGu won the Bong award, so Bong should fit somewhere too.
Anyway it is Jaedong who popularised Dong, right? DongRaeGu become popular not only because of his good play, but also his race & his name reminds us of Lee Jae Dong.
On September 09 2013 06:30 tuho12345 wrote: easily the best TvZ series in quite a while. Love to see DRG winning again. And also in their series, did anyone notice they both played over 400 APMs most of the time? Fucking insane!
Dude, it's drg. His eapm is above 250 lol, his mechanics are off the chart.
On September 08 2013 18:26 Maeldun wrote: "With little exaggeration, it was the finest bo3 TvZ series we've seen in months."
Technically Scarlett vs Bomber was a Bo5, but that was also an amazing TvZ series (even tho Scarlett lost =\). How quickly we forget?
Scarlett was a beast in that matchup, but it doesn't deviate from the fact that it was an exciting matchup also because of the foreigner vs korean storyline, a factor which has always led to claims of 'best xvx series ever' in the past.
Innovation plays vs Z at a much higher level and at a high winrate even against people like Soulkey, and DRG still manages to take him on and beat him in his game. If you examine the amount and timings of runbys and how they are executed, as well as DRG's amazing game sense, you will know what I mean. GG WP indeed to the one true Dong.
The other Dong is oso a True Dong.
He is more Kong then Dong right now.
Ouch. Harsh. Lol.
Kekeke, it feels like Dong meaning #1, Kong meaning #2. DongRaeGu won the Bong award, so Bong should fit somewhere too.
Anyway it is Jaedong who popularised Dong, right? DongRaeGu become popular not only because of his good play, but also his race & his name reminds us of Lee Jae Dong.
DRG's also popular because he's likable. and is not a faceless korean robot.
On September 09 2013 09:30 FlyingSteaks wrote: Poor Innovation, played one of the best TvT series and lost, now he played one of the best TvZ series and lost again!
well .. to be fair .. DRG's zvt looked really broken that series .. and i have always thought innovation will never lose in a macro game ever game as long as the meta stays the same .. and that was kinda crazy .. i also dont think innovation is slumping .. he is still crazy good
On September 08 2013 18:26 Maeldun wrote: "With little exaggeration, it was the finest bo3 TvZ series we've seen in months."
Technically Scarlett vs Bomber was a Bo5, but that was also an amazing TvZ series (even tho Scarlett lost =\). How quickly we forget?
scarlett vs bomber series was a really entertaining one .. but no doubt that innovation vs drg was some high level shit ..
since you know .. innovation has the most insane tvz in sc2 currently and drg looked like Dong when playing even though bomber is better in tvt .. when meanwhile the real dong has turned into a kong
On September 09 2013 09:27 igay wrote: That series that drg, innovation played was so so good
This series was quite overrated. Innovation's mine hits were terrible and his medivac harass was non-existent. He was slowly losing in all three games.
On September 09 2013 09:27 igay wrote: That series that drg, innovation played was so so good
This series was quite overrated. Innovation's mine hits were terrible and his medivac harass was non-existent. He was slowly losing in all three games.
Doesn't matter, surviving innovation's never ending MMMM push is a prowess by itself.
On September 08 2013 18:26 Maeldun wrote: "With little exaggeration, it was the finest bo3 TvZ series we've seen in months."
Technically Scarlett vs Bomber was a Bo5, but that was also an amazing TvZ series (even tho Scarlett lost =\). How quickly we forget?
Scarlett was a beast in that matchup, but it doesn't deviate from the fact that it was an exciting matchup also because of the foreigner vs korean storyline, a factor which has always led to claims of 'best xvx series ever' in the past.
Innovation plays vs Z at a much higher level and at a high winrate even against people like Soulkey, and DRG still manages to take him on and beat him in his game. If you examine the amount and timings of runbys and how they are executed, as well as DRG's amazing game sense, you will know what I mean. GG WP indeed to the one true Dong.
I think the game on Whirlwind between Scarlett and Bomber was equal to that of DRG and Bomber, but the other games, though good, were definitely not as over-the-top spectacular as DRG vs Innovation.
On September 09 2013 09:27 igay wrote: That series that drg, innovation played was so so good
This series was quite overrated. Innovation's mine hits were terrible and his medivac harass was non-existent. He was slowly losing in all three games.
His placement of mines was as good as it always is, but there's only so much you can do to micro them, while DRG's anti-mine micro was spectacular. There also weren't really any good opportunities to drop, because DRG had amazing map vision, including putting overlords on the drop routes, and did an exceptional job of pulling his mutas back, away from Innovation's vision. This is a bigger deal than it sounds, because when you engage constantly with mutas, the terran player always has a rough estimation at least of where the flock is, but DRG was more conservative and did not give Innovation the luxury of that intel. DRG almost always had a threat of mutas being somewhere dangerous, because as far as Innovation knew, they could be anywhere. There simply weren't any safe routes, and he stopped trying to drop in the game on Derelict Watcher after two consecutive drops got scouted and sniped by mutas in areas where the zerg usually does not have map vision.
Plus, builds that are heavy on creep spread are also heavy on queens, so Innovation was wary of the possibility (and as it turned out, inevitability) of drops being shut down by multiple queens supported by static defense in each base.
On September 09 2013 09:27 igay wrote: That series that drg, innovation played was so so good
This series was quite overrated. Innovation's mine hits were terrible and his medivac harass was non-existent. He was slowly losing in all three games.
Doesn't matter, surviving innovation's never ending MMMM push is a prowess by itself.
Drops aren't a big part of Innovation's TvZ once he starts parade pushing with MMMM unless he knows he's well ahead and can spare units. Mine hits are barely his fault, a lot of luck goes into it though you can burrow/unburrow micro to avoid single zerglings. Innovation didn't deviate from his usual TvZ, and we all know how good that is.
i think the last time i watched a tvz with epicness like that was leenock vs mvp. there were a few mkp vs drg games i remember, but this bo3... cray cray dudes
On September 09 2013 14:30 bo1b wrote: Should have been a 2:0.
Ugh
maybe innovations right and mutalisks are op
Lol :D It's funny to see people failing to recognize that DRG isn't actually doing anything "new" in the match-up; ergo there is not going to be a shift of people being educated on how to play the match-up, so that they, too, can win. It's really just him being immaculate as a player.
On September 09 2013 14:30 bo1b wrote: Should have been a 2:0.
Ugh
maybe innovations right and mutalisks are op
Lol :D It's funny to see people failing to recognize that DRG isn't actually doing anything "new" in the match-up; ergo there is not going to be a shift of people being educated on how to play the match-up, so that they, too, can win. It's really just him being immaculate as a player.
On September 08 2013 18:26 Maeldun wrote: "With little exaggeration, it was the finest bo3 TvZ series we've seen in months."
Technically Scarlett vs Bomber was a Bo5, but that was also an amazing TvZ series (even tho Scarlett lost =\). How quickly we forget?
Hmmm we don't forget its just that Scarlett is a great Zerg...where as DRG, even if you were to forget his illustrious historic achievements, based on his play against INno alone was/is a Gweomul!!! A monster of the first kind!!!
Insane games...so super to be alive and watching these!! May his victory hold back the tide of complaints from the Zerg regarding the TvZ match up!
On September 09 2013 14:30 bo1b wrote: Should have been a 2:0.
Ugh
maybe innovations right and mutalisks are op
gtfo lol. The mutas didn't destroy innovation. He didn't secure his expansions several times. He also stacked mines / didn't get the burrow off several times. He saw ~20 mutas and built 2 turrets away from the SCVS. There were areas to improve innovation will no doubt improve. Also i hope people don't forget about the other series cuz they were pretty good too.
Note that Tasteless said when Innovation was attacking creep, that "It's the best anti creep play I've ever seen". I really exploded =D It was in game 2 I think if someone want to watch the vod, during the first anticreep push.
On September 09 2013 19:44 MrCon wrote: I uploaded it to youtube, virtualdub didn't want to edit my video format tho so I couldn't cut the video perfectly >< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QdX2e4dM7s
Was that where innovation killed 500 or so of drgs creep tumors?
EPT
DRG's back. Probably. Most likely. Receiving the NesTea Award for ten consecutive Code S appearances seemed to invigorate the veteran Zerg as he topped his Ro32 group, even defeating Innovation's seemingly invincible TvZ in straight-up, macro games (the fact that he also defeated 
GuMiho 2 - 0 is almost a footnote in comparison). It was the kind of achievement that could be called a landmark for both Zergs around the world and DongRaeGu himself, who finally looked like he was back in his old championship shape. 
herO[jOin] by a combined score of 4 - 0, despite suffering a blow to his pride by losing in his vaunted TvZ. Overall, the gap between the top and bottom 2 players looked wider than in any other group thus far.
I believe I have about 2 weeks left before I can remove this atrocity
