Soul_Dear "I don't know about any other day, but today I'm the champion of the world."
Revised transcript of the post-finals press conference.
What does it feel like to win on Canadian soil with so many fans watching you? I've played in front of so many fans before in the Korea finals, and I'm happy to be able to play in front of so many people again in the season finals. I feel like I could go crazy.
The finals ended in a 4 - 0, but the games themselves seemed closer than the scoreline might indicate. How did the finals feel to you? I prepared for the WCS Korea finals together with Min-cheol hyung (Soulkey), he helped me. So I thought that I was at a big disadvantage. Soulkey played really well, and I think I played the best that I could.
Do you consider yourself the best Protoss in the world? (Laughs) Honestly, I had some doubts about my own skill. I've gained more confidence from winning today. I don't know about any other day, but today I'm the champion of the world.
When you were up 3 - 0, were you worried at all that Soulkey might make a comeback like he did against INnoVation in the WCS Korea Season 1 finals? When did you know you had won? When I was winning 3 - 0, it seemed like my opponent had already been broken mentally. When my phoenixes and zealots went into attack, I was sure that I had won.
Looking forward to Blizzcon, you're going in with a lot of momentum having won two big tournaments back to back. What are your expectations for Blizzcon? Do you feel like you have a bull's eye on your back? I didn't have that many expectations originally, but winning in WCS Korea and the Season Finals this season were a really big help to me. So I would like it if the other players at Blizzcon were a bit afraid of me. I think I my momentum has gone way up with these two consecutive wins.
You and Trap have had a lot of success in individual leagues, but Soul is not doing well in the GSTL. Is there any reason your good individual performances aren't carrying over? Me and Trap, we've always had an individual league game a day or so before our GSTL match days. We focused a lot on individul leagues, and kind of relied on our fundamentals in team league matches. Because of that, I think we lost to our more prepared opponents.
Looking at the balance of the game right now, lots of Korean players are saying Protoss is too strong right now, and they point at the Mothership Core as a big reason. What are your thoughts on this? People say Protoss is strong, but Protoss didn't really win many tournaments before me. I think that kind of talk is coming out because I won two tournaments in a row, so I'm actually happy to hear it. The Mothership Core is good, but it really depends on how you use it. I don't think it's so good it's imba.
You went to MLG before, but you didn't do as well as some might have expected. Did you learn any lessons from that experience that were a help to you this time around? That was my first international tournament, and I wasn't able to adjust well to jet lag. This time, it had been a really long time since I had gone to a foreign tournament, so I jet lag affected me again. If I keep getting foreign tournament experience, I think I'll be able to adjust better.
You've had success in both the GSL where the matches are more spread out, and a fast-paced event like the WCS Season Finals. As a player, which format do you think you are better at? Me, personally I think I'm stronger at tournaments where there's preparation. But what I want is to become a player who's even better at short tournaments.
You played Soulkey, a player many consider the best Zerg player in the world. Who do YOU think are the best Zerg and Terran in the world? Obviously, I think INnoVation is the best Terran, and I think Soulkey is the best Zerg.
A lot of Korean pros who come from BW backgrounds have been losing motivation and retiring. Have you ever lost motivation or thought about calling it quits? I've moved teams a lot, and it's tought when you move teams. Also, it was rough when I was practicing consistently and hard, but didn't get results when I went out in tournaments.
Any words you want to give to the awesome fans in Toronto? It's something I felt when I went to MLG before, but coming to a foreign tournament it really feels great to play the game. The fans cheering at each and every moment, that's the reason I can play the game. It helps me a lot, and I'm always thankful to you guys.
Amidst the recent Korean domination of the SC2 scene, are there any foreign players that can potentially compete with Koreans or even take a championship? Of course, NaNiwa who has the most points now, I think he's a really good player. He has skill equal to Koreans.
Soul has stopped focusong as much on team tournaments after losing STX as a sponsor. If the team were to find a sponsor and compete in big team tournaments again, would the focus change? In the current system, individual competition is more important than team competition. But if you're on a team, you can't prepare too poorly for team matches just because you have individual matches. You have to think about both of them importantly.
Given the current WCS point standings, it seems like you are going to play TaeJa as your first opponent at Blizzcon. What do you think about him? And are there any players you want to face or don't want to face at Blizzcon? I've always watched TaeJa in tournaments, and he's very good. I'm excited to face him at Blizzcon, and I hope we play fun games. There's no one I want to face in particular right now, but I do want to avoid HerO, a player I'm personally a fan of.
Any final comments? I won two championships in a row, and I think it's because of all the people cheering for me and coming to watch the games. Blizzcon, the biggest goal of the year for every player is left. I'll get good results at Blizzcon and become a great player.
On October 28 2013 16:06 teddyoojo wrote: dunno how anyone can see innovation>maru tho :D
In term of TvT, definitely Maru > Innovation. Atm, Innovation's TvT is about the same as MMA's. Seeing that Ro8 between MMA vs Maru, I can imagine Innovation would struggle to defense against Banshee just like MMA did. However, Innovation is still stronger both in TvP and TvZ I believe. He's not unbeatable anymore but still deadly dangerous, esp. Blizzcon is all Bo5
i agree with soulkey being the best zerg .. but i am surprised that most korean pros think that innovartion is the best terran player currently despite not having individual league results recently ...
On October 28 2013 16:43 goody153 wrote: i agree with soulkey being the best zerg .. but i am surprised that most korean pros think that innovartion is the best terran player currently despite not having individual league results recently ...
On October 28 2013 16:12 tdt wrote: innovation maybe makes ghosts and vikings and probably beats him sometimes or maybe courtesy to his old friend and team mate.
Nah, Dear probably has problems with the SCV pulls.
Insanely inspiring play by Dear. Not only was this the best WCS season finals, but I think Dear just pushed the Starcraft skill ceiling to an incredible high. His games against Maru and Soulkey prove how well executed aggression while simultaneously being good enough to defend any subsequent counterattacks is very, very rewarding. I'm surprised no one mentions Dear's beautiful aggression, opening early single gateway pressure against Maru instead of fast expanding and threatening cannon rushing with Forge instead of Nexus first in almost every game against Soulkey. In Game 1 versus Maru he was doing zealot run bys and storm drops while defending against Maru's sick aggression. And, like his teammate Trap, he becomes aggressive when Soulkey's mutas are coming out rather than turtling forever on three bases. Dear has become the champion in arguably this year's best tournament (props to NASL and energetic Canadians), raises the Starcraft skill ceiling for the entire pro-level scene, and in the end is still humble. I hope he wins Blizzcon and many other tournaments. If he's able to maintain this level of inspiration, I'm pretty sure he will.
Jokes aside Dear have been crushing face for real, like some other player did not too long ago that changed the balance of the game. I wonder if Blizzard have something in store to dethrone another champion via balance changers or if this one will play itself out.
I missed all the semi finals and final matches yesterday, will watch them soon. Everyone's comments here make me curious how Dear played vs Maru and Soulkey!
On October 28 2013 17:21 Homework wrote: "I want to stay away from HerO" interesting... hero gosu pvp
He beat HerO, twice - pretty convincingly as well if you ask me. I guess it really is just that he is a fan of him and doesn't want to ruin his tournament
Awesome. Thanks for the interview. Dear is just another awesome guy! His play is just flawless right now, you will have to play so freaking good to beat him. Hell you have to play like Maru just to take 1 set off him!
"I don't know about any other day but today I'm the champion of the world."
That's what I'd imagine myself saying. Dear seems like a genuine, nice, down to earth guy. And a monster in game. He's certainly won me over this weekend. Being a fan of HerO only helps that
FINALLY a consistent Protoss player! This guy is amazing! Big congrats on the win! <3
Also this quote: "I don't know about any other day, but today I'm the champion of the world." is just too awesome
Though equally true winners are the canadian audiance and every fan of SC2! This tournament was amazing! And a lot of the reason for that was the canadians!!
On October 28 2013 18:00 Weavel wrote: Fan of Hero and giving props to Naniwa. I'm really starting to like Dear.
Yea. Send him to HSC so he will grab his Triple Crown.
Hey, compare him with INnoVation - Dear is great improvement in terms of personality. Also he did what INnoVation was supposed to but choked (winning b2b).
EDIT: Day9 should really make daily about his Pv play.
On October 28 2013 17:21 Homework wrote: "I want to stay away from HerO" interesting... hero gosu pvp
He beat HerO, twice - pretty convincingly as well if you ask me. I guess it really is just that he is a fan of him and doesn't want to ruin his tournament
They were two very competitive series, it was not dominant whatsoever.
Dear previously stated that he really liked LiquidHero's playstyle (it was after proleague). Stork also said in the recent interview with fomos that he wanted to become a player like LiquidHero, saying that he loves to micro his units to a full potential like Hero does.
Dear is really good, and I hate protoss =D I agree with his comment about balance, the game looks really good right now, TvZ is back to epic levels, and the winner always seem to be the best player (the player who played best that game, not the theoretical best player going into the match).
On October 28 2013 19:22 mongmong wrote: Dear previously stated that he really liked LiquidHero's playstyle (it was after proleague). Stork also said in the recent interview with fomos that he wanted to become a player like LiquidHero, saying that he loves to micro his units to a full potential like Hero does.
Dear played exceptionally well this weekend. His playstyle is very entertaining to watch, and I really hope that he will perfom well at the finals. He's the hreo protoss deserves.
On October 28 2013 19:22 mongmong wrote: Dear previously stated that he really liked LiquidHero's playstyle (it was after proleague). Stork also said in the recent interview with fomos that he wanted to become a player like LiquidHero, saying that he loves to micro his units to a full potential like Hero does.
Is there an english translation for that interview? Would love to catch up with Stork and see how he's doing
Winning 3 in a row in the biggest and hardest tournaments back-to-back-to-back would be an achievement in itself.
That, plus being the 2nd royal roader in Korean SC2 history, being the first royal roader to win both the Korean and season finals, and being the only consistent Protoss winner besides MC would definitely make him a candidate for the first Heart of the Swarm bonjovi.
On October 28 2013 19:22 mongmong wrote: Dear previously stated that he really liked LiquidHero's playstyle (it was after proleague). Stork also said in the recent interview with fomos that he wanted to become a player like LiquidHero, saying that he loves to micro his units to a full potential like Hero does.
Is there an english translation for that interview? Would love to catch up with Stork and see how he's doing
I don't think there is any. I'll just summarize what he said
1. The protoss stork wants to be like in sc2 is LiquidHero
2. He envies Jaedong because he is the most successful out of TBLS
3. Talks about some barcode progamer who BM'd him on ladder
4. Bashes some ex-progamers on Afreeca who beg for donations
5. Talks about his slump in 2006 due to playing too much World of Warcraft (........)
6. Says some of the reasons sc2 isnt successful in korea is due to lack of storylines; there needs to be more trash talking between pro gamers. Parting is the only one who's been throwing the show while other pros show no personality. He wants to trash talk like parting in group nomination.
On October 28 2013 17:21 Homework wrote: "I want to stay away from HerO" interesting... hero gosu pvp
He beat HerO, twice - pretty convincingly as well if you ask me. I guess it really is just that he is a fan of him and doesn't want to ruin his tournament
They were two very competitive series, it was not dominant whatsoever.
He could have won the BelShir game in the first series pretty easily without his huge blunder, as he was dominating the game. He also won the games he did win, pretty clearly in the end. While i was 2-1 2-1 , I think his wins were a lot more convincing and his defeat wasn't.
Dear for example completely failed on BelShir (in 2nd series now) but still managed to hold HerO's build easily. But to everyone its own, I found it convincing.
I wouldn't say it was dominant, it was overall more solid in the end with fewer mistakes. About BelShir in series 1, Dear really wasn't dominating that. HerO's army at the end was infinitely stronger, Dear just managed to sneak his way around it and snipe the third. Didn't really matter though as HerO's army was always going to win the deciding fight. The same way HerO could've won the first game on Whirlwind if he hadn't been caught out of position and timewarped after his storm drop killed every probe in the natural. The games were extremely close no matter who won which is part of what made them so amazing
On October 28 2013 17:21 Homework wrote: "I want to stay away from HerO, a player I'm personally a fan of" interesting... hero gosu pvp
You left out that part. I don't think it has to do anything with HerO's PvP skill level.
The two series were kinda close... both 1-2
40/40 then, half respect and half doesnt-want-to-beat-him-because-favourite-player
Actually that series wasn't that close at all. Dear threw that game away when he sent his whole army down to take out that Nexus. He put himself in an absolutely ridiculous position and that's why all his colossus got targeted down. It wasn't so much HerO's amazing micro. It's the fact Dear allowed him to do it because he over extended out. When you mistakes that big you will lose the game. Not to take away from HerO's PvP (because he is a good PvPer) but Dear completely blew it at that moment.
On October 28 2013 21:23 Muffloe wrote: "Of course, NaNiwa who has the most points now, I think he's a really good player. He has skill equal to Koreans." Haha, take that lolfail
On October 28 2013 17:21 Homework wrote: "I want to stay away from HerO, a player I'm personally a fan of" interesting... hero gosu pvp
You left out that part. I don't think it has to do anything with HerO's PvP skill level.
The two series were kinda close... both 1-2
40/40 then, half respect and half doesnt-want-to-beat-him-because-favourite-player
Actually that series wasn't that close at all. Dear threw that game away when he sent his whole army down to take out that Nexus. He put himself in an absolutely ridiculous position and that's why all his colossus got targeted down. It wasn't so much HerO's amazing micro. It's the fact Dear allowed him to do it because he over extended out. When you mistakes that big you will lose the game. Not to take away from HerO's PvP (because he is a good PvPer) but Dear completely blew it at that moment.
HerO would've moved out with his 6th tempest finishing and would've won the game anyway. Dear sniping that nexus was almost irrelevant. Dear had nothing to counter tempests at all, he had 9 colossi in his army. Him sniping the nexus was a desperation move in some ways, HerO didn't try to defend his 3rd because he was waiting for the tempests to finish. Dear was basically dead even if he'd gotten out of there
Then again Dear could have taken the game on Yeonsu if he hadn't overextended in the middle of the map, he dealt with HerO's committed harrassment very very well and had a strong timing when HerO took his 4th base
Congrats to Dear :D I got a chance to briefly meet him too while in line for signings of Jaedong. I saw him walk by and just called him over, he came by without hesitation, said hello to us on his own, and even took a picture with me and my buddy (which I shall definitely upload later).
This guy isn't just an OP player, but he's got OP class too. What a total nerd baller, full package, sign me the f*ck UP!
On October 28 2013 17:21 Homework wrote: "I want to stay away from HerO, a player I'm personally a fan of" interesting... hero gosu pvp
You left out that part. I don't think it has to do anything with HerO's PvP skill level.
The two series were kinda close... both 1-2
40/40 then, half respect and half doesnt-want-to-beat-him-because-favourite-player
Actually that series wasn't that close at all. Dear threw that game away when he sent his whole army down to take out that Nexus. He put himself in an absolutely ridiculous position and that's why all his colossus got targeted down. It wasn't so much HerO's amazing micro. It's the fact Dear allowed him to do it because he over extended out. When you mistakes that big you will lose the game. Not to take away from HerO's PvP (because he is a good PvPer) but Dear completely blew it at that moment.
HerO would've moved out with his 6th tempest finishing and would've won the game anyway. Dear sniping that nexus was almost irrelevant. Dear had nothing to counter tempests at all, he had 9 colossi in his army. Him sniping the nexus was a desperation move in some ways, HerO didn't try to defend his 3rd because he was waiting for the tempests to finish. Dear was basically dead even if he'd gotten out of there
Then again Dear could have taken the game on Yeonsu if he hadn't overextended in the middle of the map, he dealt with HerO's committed harrassment very very well and had a strong timing when HerO took his 4th base
The point is by sending everything into the bottleneck the Colossus were going to fall even faster. "Here's my army, please kill me." It was terrible positioning and he didn't have to do it. He could have bought a little more time. He had no way of doing any damage at all. He couldn't even engage HerO's army. He got nothing out of it. Absolutely terrible trade. Yes, he did overextend a few times. ;/
Logged on today to see Dear holding up the title after 4-0'ing Soulkey. Jaw dropped, only what, like 2 weeks after winning the Korea title? Nice, going to start going through his replays for builds and other stuff.
On October 28 2013 23:15 Darkdwarf wrote: If Dear wins BlizzCon, he's walked the royal road of the Fall.
If Dear wins Blizzcon, he'll have had the most impressive month in e-sports history,
SC2 surely.
It will be hard to compare it with beating the crap out of Jaedong back-to-back to win Golden Mouse and deny the Dong a Golden Badge.
He did say month though and I'm trying to recall all the sick feats that were back-to-back in BW let alone winning PL in the same breath. Still a great feat nonetheless!
On October 28 2013 23:15 Darkdwarf wrote: If Dear wins BlizzCon, he's walked the royal road of the Fall.
If Dear wins Blizzcon, he'll have had the most impressive month in e-sports history,
SC2 surely.
It will be hard to compare it with beating the crap out of Jaedong back-to-back to win Golden Mouse and deny the Dong a Golden Badge.
He did say month though and I'm trying to recall all the sick feats that were back-to-back in BW let alone winning PL in the same breath. Still a great feat nonetheless!
I thought it meant feats that happened within a month, not in the same calendar month. DONG was denied Golden Badge on 28th August and Flash won Golden Mouse on 11th September.
EDIT: I will quote Power Rank:
The Lee-ssang pair was deadlocked in terms of skill in the recent past, but there were many trophies up for grabs in August and September that could settle the dispute. While the level of play displayed by the two players was fairly close, Flash won medals and broke records, while Jaedong did not.
Flash became the first player to win the OSL and MSL in the same season, and tied Jaedong at five 1st place finishes, just behind Nada who has six.
On October 29 2013 04:21 Umpteen wrote: What I wanted to know was: how did he NOT pass out after that game on day 2 where he was sweating like a plague victim?
On October 28 2013 17:21 Homework wrote: "I want to stay away from HerO, a player I'm personally a fan of" interesting... hero gosu pvp
You left out that part. I don't think it has to do anything with HerO's PvP skill level.
The two series were kinda close... both 1-2
40/40 then, half respect and half doesnt-want-to-beat-him-because-favourite-player
Actually that series wasn't that close at all. Dear threw that game away when he sent his whole army down to take out that Nexus. He put himself in an absolutely ridiculous position and that's why all his colossus got targeted down. It wasn't so much HerO's amazing micro. It's the fact Dear allowed him to do it because he over extended out. When you mistakes that big you will lose the game. Not to take away from HerO's PvP (because he is a good PvPer) but Dear completely blew it at that moment.
HerO would've moved out with his 6th tempest finishing and would've won the game anyway. Dear sniping that nexus was almost irrelevant. Dear had nothing to counter tempests at all, he had 9 colossi in his army. Him sniping the nexus was a desperation move in some ways, HerO didn't try to defend his 3rd because he was waiting for the tempests to finish. Dear was basically dead even if he'd gotten out of there
Then again Dear could have taken the game on Yeonsu if he hadn't overextended in the middle of the map, he dealt with HerO's committed harrassment very very well and had a strong timing when HerO took his 4th base
It doesn't matter anyways. Dear is the WCS Season 3 champion, and Hero lost in the group stages. No point going into the hypothetical.
On October 29 2013 01:46 tomatriedes wrote: So cool to hear that dear is a fan of herO.
HerO (Liquid`), not herO (CJ )
They get it mixed up all the time. Still who isn't a fan of HerO, honestly? Maybe if you're a hardcore EG fan you secretly despise the guy or really hate Protoss players. ._.
On October 29 2013 01:46 tomatriedes wrote: So cool to hear that dear is a fan of herO.
HerO (Liquid`), not herO (CJ )
They get it mixed up all the time. Still who isn't a fan of HerO, honestly? Maybe if you're a hardcore EG fan you secretly despise the guy or really hate Protoss players. ._.
Yea, even Stephano when he was beeating protosses left and right said that HerO scares the crap out of him (though scared or not - Stephano at the time was rather beating HerO, not the other way around).
Awesome to hear he's a huge fan of HerO, although I'm sure every protoss in the world is a fan of HerO. I hope they do play at Blizzcon, they played some of the best PvP I have ever seen.
thanks for interview. Dear's win in WCS KR and here over some rather scary opponents and beating SK and Maru twice in the process only makes it that much better. He's been dominating and I think if he wins blizzcon, we may have one of, if not the most dominating protoss player in HoTS.
On October 29 2013 05:50 Dubzex wrote: Potential triple crown? Who will stop him if not? Revival?
?
Dear can't get a Triple Crown because Blizzcon isn't in Europe. MC might get his first Triple Crown if he wins Blizzcon. MMA will get his 2nd Triple Crown if he wins. No one else is eligible for a Triple Crown at Blizzcon.
For those of you talking about HerO, remember that he and Dear were teammates in Oz. It's amazing how well the Oz tosses (sOs too) have gone, didn't think there'd be another good Oz toss after Anytime
I've heard so many different interpretations of what it would mean to get a Triple Crown in SC2 that it's become meh. For me it would be any player that wins three Majors (once again what you quantify as a Major is up for interpretation as well) within a calendar year. Too bad we're not like Horse Racing where there is no other way to embellish it. I was never big on Seasonal Finals and I'm glad we're getting rid of it but I would much rather see players competing in one circuit opposed to having three different preliminaries/qualifiers when it comes to the mecca of them all. It's a much better measuring stick. Blizzcon is supposed to be the Crowning Tournament of the Year. Props to the guy who wins the Big One.
On October 29 2013 07:39 metzninja wrote: For those of you talking about HerO, remember that he and Dear were teammates in Oz. It's amazing how well the Oz tosses (sOs too) have gone, didn't think there'd be another good Oz toss after Anytime
Lecaf Oz was a good team back in BW man. They won shit.
On October 29 2013 05:50 Dubzex wrote: Potential triple crown? Who will stop him if not? Revival?
?
Dear can't get a Triple Crown because Blizzcon isn't in Europe. MC might get his first Triple Crown if he wins Blizzcon. MMA will get his 2nd Triple Crown if he wins. No one else is eligible for a Triple Crown at Blizzcon.
Mvp might as well start working on his third. He has plenty of Korean titles stocked up, just needs to get more American and European.
Do you consider yourself the best Protoss in the world? (Laughs) Honestly, I had some doubts about my own skill. I've gained more confidence from winning today. I don't know about any other day, but today I'm the champion of the world.
EPT
Soul_Dear![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/monk/DearWins2.jpg)
