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IEM NY - The Curious Case of ST_Curious

Forum Index > SC2 General
32 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 Next All

IEM NY - The Curious Case of ST_Curious

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
October 12th, 2013 09:51 GMT
2013 GSL Season 2

IEM Global Challenge
New York 2013



VODs on Twitch.TV

Brackets and standings on Liquipedia

by CosmicSpiral

If (Z)ST_Curious had a defining virtue it would be what the Romans called constantia. Ever since he made waves with a perfect run in Code A when it was still a true tournament, perseverance has been the hallmark of his career. From 2011 to 2013 he made nine consecutive Code S appearances as its aloof gatekeeper, has served as a linchpin of StarTale’s success in almost every team league, and has gone deep in most qualifiers no matter who he had to face.

While Curious rarely looked outright superior compared to his opponents, his stoic attitude towards competition allowed him to avoid the periods of inconsistency that plagued individuals with more momentary success. He always elected for long macro games over more volatile strategies, minimizing risk in the late game by assembling the ultimate BL/infestor/corruptor army and backing it with a World War One-esque trench line of spore crawlers. He controlled his emotions, letting neither victory nor defeat show on his face. These factors were not exactly endearing to spectators, but they ensured a steady stream of solid results in a league notorious for its unpredictability. Curious was not only the neighborhood gatekeeper in name; he had figured out how to turn StarCraft 2 into a regular job.

Enter HotS and the subsequent transformation into a different man. The Curious that plays in IEM knows that the old punch-clock style doesn’t work in the new world and has subsequently changed his playstyle. Now he is bolder and willing to gamble on those strategies he so explicitly avoided in the past. We’ve seen aggressive 10 pools out of him in ZvZ , nydus worm pushes in ZvP, and even a "slow" speedling timing to beat Innovation in the IEM Asia qualifier. Such a drastic change has had mixed results so far. While one can claim he is becoming a a more complete player, Curious’ once steady results are fluctuating as well. His ZvZ and ZvT remain solid for the most part, but his ZvP goes from great to middling at a moment’s notice. Curious still struggles to get acquainted with the new Protoss timings and compositions, making tactical errors that his former self would never dream of trying in the first place. In the end, (P)Sora sent him to Code B purgatory where he’ll have to fight tooth and nail to get back into WCS Korea (whatever the format for next year will be).

Maybe it’s for the best. Curious has coasted along comfortably for too long, being considered "good enough to beat anyone in the world" without really having to prove it. Though a select few players become remembered for their extraordinary consistency, that's far from the most glamorous fate a progamer could wish for. After all, what's the reason anyone becomes a pro-gamer in the first place? It's not just because you like playing games—it's because you want to become better than everyone else.

IEM has offered Curious a rare opportunity to reach that goal. In a way, it's a much easier target in terms of competition and focus. Curious hasn't had to worry about any other tournament responsibilities in New York, and the pressure here is reduced since he comes in as an underdog against players with far greater reputations. Few fans remember his promising Code A days, and even less hold those days as a promise he must live up to.

Curious has already half-taken advantage of this opportunity, topping his Ro16 group to make it to the quarter-finals. His ZvT looks to be unbeatable for any Terran left in the tournament—his dramatic viper-based comeback against Flash's mech revealed him as player who is just as strong under extreme duress as he is in a standard game. Against DongRaeGu, he showed superb mechanics and match-up understanding ZvZ. The only serious obstacles for Curious lie in three Korean Protosses of HerO, Zest and sOs, agaisnt whom he has yet to prove his mettle. With a promising start and a cool attitude, the stalwart StarTale Zerg might make a memorable impression over this coming weekend.

Writers: CosmicSpiral.
Photos: Silverfire.
Editor: Waxangel.
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TL+ Member
BigFan
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
TLADT24920 Posts
October 12 2013 10:04 GMT
#2
Good writeup, enjoyed it! I guess we'll wait and see if Curious went IEM NY. Would definitely be unexpected lol.
Former BW EiC"Watch Bakemonogatari or I will kill you." -Toad, April 18th, 2017
opterown *
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
Australia54784 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-10-12 10:08:57
October 12 2013 10:08 GMT
#3
i'm a fan of these mini player spotlights, good job!
ModeratorRetired LR Bonjwa
TL+ Member
calh
Profile Joined March 2013
537 Posts
October 12 2013 10:28 GMT
#4
I think the fourth Korean Protoss might just be more dangerous than the three mentioned, given what we've seen in the tournament so far.
HolydaKing
Profile Joined February 2010
21254 Posts
October 12 2013 10:51 GMT
#5
He's indeed a pretty constant player. I'm a bit surprised he has so few WCS points, but then again he never gets very far. He made an impressive comeback against Flash, that game was pretty exciting.
dat_fungal
Profile Joined October 2013
United States2 Posts
October 12 2013 10:54 GMT
#6
the bubblegum zerg ^__^
NovemberstOrm
Profile Blog Joined September 2011
Canada16217 Posts
October 12 2013 10:59 GMT
#7
Thanks for the article!
Moderatorlickypiddy
guN-viCe
Profile Joined March 2010
United States687 Posts
October 12 2013 11:00 GMT
#8
He makes Zerg and/or Muta look like they need a nerf.
Never give up, never surrender!!! ~~ Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence -Sagan
Paljas
Profile Joined October 2011
Germany6926 Posts
October 12 2013 11:18 GMT
#9
great article, but the pun in the headline is questionable
TL+ Member
Caladan
Profile Joined May 2008
Germany1238 Posts
October 12 2013 11:25 GMT
#10
Either Curious or Hero will win the whole thing.
Curious is so good! Welcome to the top Zergs.
lolfail9001
Profile Joined August 2013
Russian Federation40190 Posts
October 12 2013 11:29 GMT
#11
I like how writer forgets the 4th Korean Protoss, that is at the least as dangerous as HerO.
DeMoN pulls off a Miracle and Flies to the Moon
lolfail9001
Profile Joined August 2013
Russian Federation40190 Posts
October 12 2013 11:34 GMT
#12
On October 12 2013 20:00 guN-viCe wrote:
He makes Zerg and/or Muta look like they need a nerf.

Innovation already whined about mass mutas after overseer patch, so yeah.
DeMoN pulls off a Miracle and Flies to the Moon
Sumahi
Profile Blog Joined January 2012
Guam5609 Posts
October 12 2013 11:40 GMT
#13
Wonderful write up. I am an old school die hard Curious fan. i remember vividly his Code A run.
Startale <3, ST_July <3, HongUn <3, Savior <3, Gretorp <3, Nada <3, Rainbow <3, Ret <3, Squirtle <3, Bomber <3
goody153
Profile Blog Joined April 2013
44118 Posts
October 12 2013 11:52 GMT
#14
On October 12 2013 20:34 lolfail9001 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 12 2013 20:00 guN-viCe wrote:
He makes Zerg and/or Muta look like they need a nerf.

Innovation already whined about mass mutas after overseer patch, so yeah.

the shocking part is making innovation whine who has almost 100% winrate over zerg ...
this is a quote
goody153
Profile Blog Joined April 2013
44118 Posts
October 12 2013 11:53 GMT
#15
On October 12 2013 19:28 calh wrote:
I think the fourth Korean Protoss might just be more dangerous than the three mentioned, given what we've seen in the tournament so far.

he might be the deadliest of them all ..
this is a quote
painkilla
Profile Joined June 2013
United States695 Posts
October 12 2013 12:04 GMT
#16
On October 12 2013 20:52 goody153 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 12 2013 20:34 lolfail9001 wrote:
On October 12 2013 20:00 guN-viCe wrote:
He makes Zerg and/or Muta look like they need a nerf.

Innovation already whined about mass mutas after overseer patch, so yeah.

the shocking part is making innovation whine who has almost 100% winrate over zerg ...


Not anymore. Remember televised matches usually lag behind in meta. Korean terrans had been whining about muta long before Innovation lost his match in GSL.
Supernova | TY | Polt | Innovation | forGG | Lucifron | Happy
lolfail9001
Profile Joined August 2013
Russian Federation40190 Posts
October 12 2013 12:11 GMT
#17
On October 12 2013 20:52 goody153 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 12 2013 20:34 lolfail9001 wrote:
On October 12 2013 20:00 guN-viCe wrote:
He makes Zerg and/or Muta look like they need a nerf.

Innovation already whined about mass mutas after overseer patch, so yeah.

the shocking part is making innovation whine who has almost 100% winrate over zerg ...

As have been said, televised matches lag behind the ladder's meta. And Innovation ''only" has 67% winrate vZ on ladder.
DeMoN pulls off a Miracle and Flies to the Moon
painkilla
Profile Joined June 2013
United States695 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-10-12 12:24:21
October 12 2013 12:15 GMT
#18
Curious hype too soon? I'm sorry but his series against Flash showed nothing. Mech terran is such a troll strat, and it was obvious that Flash was trolling David Kim that match. Mvp was meching against some Aussie player to "please the fans" not long ago and LOST, and we know that Mvp is the best mech player period. Mech is never used with the purpose of WINNING.
And the mutas. There is something wrong with being able to one control group 40 mutas with speed 4 and fast healing. Not sure how to fix this t it is just wrong ^^.
Supernova | TY | Polt | Innovation | forGG | Lucifron | Happy
lolfail9001
Profile Joined August 2013
Russian Federation40190 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-10-12 12:28:56
October 12 2013 12:28 GMT
#19
On October 12 2013 21:15 painkilla wrote:
Curious hype too soon? I'm sorry but his series against Flash showed nothing. Mech terran is such a troll strat, and it was obvious that Flash was trolling David Kim that match. Mvp was meching against some Aussie player to "please the fans" not long ago and LOST, and we know that Mvp is the best mech player period. Mech is never used with the purpose of WINNING.
And the mutas. There is something wrong with being able to one control group 40 mutas with speed 4 and fast healing. Not sure how to fix this t it is just wrong ^^.

The only correct fix to speed 4 and fast healing is removal or slight nerf of ignite afterburners and rework of widow mine. After this you can return to WoL muta.
DeMoN pulls off a Miracle and Flies to the Moon
AxionSteel
Profile Joined January 2011
United States7754 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-10-12 12:33:54
October 12 2013 12:31 GMT
#20
Wouldn't mind seeing him do well, but I can't see him overcoming all the dangerous protoss players that are still in the tournament. His ZvP looks so much worse than his ZvT, and there are no terrans on his side of the bracket, and possibly 3 protoss. Then again, all the protoss could lose and he could zvz his way to the finals
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