With just two Terrans qualified for Code S so far, Acer.INnoVation was looked to as the ONE lock to help even up the race ratio. But against all expectations, INnoVation was quite simply outplayed by KT_Zestand CJ_herO as they sent him back down to Code B. Blink stalker all-ins played a significant role, with INnoVation dropping two games to the strategy rapidly becoming as infamous as the 1/1/1 or Soul Train. However, INnoVation was outplayed in longer macro games as well, unable to hold up to the late game armies of his opponents.
The rest of the games in the group involved a ton of PvPs, and there were surprises there as well. Samsung_Stork played far better than one would expect from a player coming off a 13 game losing streak in Proleague, defeating herO in his first series of the night. Though Stork lost 0-2 to Zest in the winners match, he very nearly defeated herO in a second series to take a Code S spot. Unfortunately for Stork, a few poor engagements decisions ended up costing him big time, and just narrowly missed out on advancing with a 1-2 loss.
The fact that 3 of his other Protoss teammates were already in Code S must have been an extra motivator for Squirtle as he topped his group by defeating sKyHigh and Life. Known early in 2012 for his aggressive 2base colossus style in PvT, Squirtle once again showed his skill at breaking Terran backs, this time with immortals and storm. Though operating on 2.5 bases, Squirtle's two wins against sKyHigh were determined to do damage to compensate for stopping probe production early. While Terrans have been prioritizing marauder production early in games to withstand Protoss AoE, Squirtle's incorporation of immortals proved too much for sKyHigh's predictable play to handle. Life also bowed down to Squirtle with ease, suffering significant damage in both games to attacks on his third base. Both games would reach the late game, but Squirtle had the presence of mind not to relinquish control of either game, setting up a comfortable path back to Code S.
Squirtle's Reward: Escapes the shame of being the only IM Protoss not in Code S.
Life started the evening off with a 9pool against Paralyze, which is just what Life does. Though he would go on to lose the game, he'd acquit himself by beating ParalyzE twice to advance in second place. It looked like a regular day at the office for the young StarTale Zerg, though he'd go down against his former teammate in two straight games. It's hard to tell whether Life is back to his dominant best after a relatively quiet 2013, though he did begin to climb back up near the end of the year with gold in IEM NY and silver at DH Winter. His two series wins against ParalyzE did not impress as much as it should have, and Life will have to do more to convince us that he's got what it takes to win Code S in a Protoss heavy season.
Life's Reward: Lots and lots and lots of ZvP. I'm not sure if this is a good thing.
Having never been fielded for the struggling CJ Entus team and with barely 10 recorded games in HoTS, no one really expected sKyHigh to make it out of this tough group. However, there was a feeling that he had the fans' support as only 2 Terrans have booked their place in Code S so far. Unfortunately for them, sKyHigh went down 1-4 without really showing much promise. He's unlikely to see any more TV time soon; back to the depths you go.
Skyhigh's Penance: Remain benched in Proleague since even Bbyong can't get a game under Coach Park.
A man known more for his hair than his accomplishments, most fans eagerly awaited Wolf's hair comments more than seeing ParalyzE play. Though he would push sKyHigh aside in a quick 2-0, he was only able to best Life once in their two series on the night. His inability to handle ling runbys stuck out as a major weakness, though he did hold out valiantly in his last game against an insurmountable Free Zerg Army.
Paralyze's Penance: More time to focus on Proleague where he won't play anyway.
Coming Up Next: Groups I and J
by lichter and Waxangel
Group J: SuperNoVa, CoCa, TheBest, Stats
Thursday, Jan 23 4:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)
What an odd bunch. You have a veteran survivalist, a player many thought had retired, a poster child of unmet potential, and a player best known as Flash's sidekick. Sure this might not be the most riveting group and all of the players are a bit of an enigma, but it should be a closely contested one nonetheless.
The biggest name in the group, surprisingly, is Azubu.SuperNova. After over 3 years in the scene, he's still here and still very much a Code S class player. Not only has he survived, but he's still one of Code S' more dangerous players, almost making it to the season finals last summer. None of the players have shown anything to suggest that they should be favored over SuperNoVa, not even Stats who has a reputation that's limited to Proleague and PvP. As long as our regular Code S SuperNova shows up, he should be able to get back into Korea's premier tournament.
He first faces JinAir_CoCa, who at one time was considered a top player in the world. After a lengthy suspension due to "match-fixing scandal" (not what it sounds like) followed by a fruitless attempt to become a LoL progamer, he returned to the SC2 scene as a much diminished player. You can tell that he's lost a lot of time, as he's been a Code A player at best in his return. With little to go on and no televised appearances since a loss to Flash in the last Code A, it's difficult to say just how CoCa will fare here.
In this way he has a lot in common with TheBest, another old school player who we almost forgot existed. As a player who has received more recognition for 'TheBest Banshee Control' rather than his accomplishments, TheBest had a knack for inexplicably winning matches against supposedly better players. TheBest has yet to play a streamed game in HoTS and is currently teamless, giving us little information on how he might do. This may as well be his last hurrah, and he will hope to make us remember him for more than his hilarious banshee micro. In a way, he may be considered a fan favorite in this group due to his reputation as a "so bad he's good" player, and with Terran at a premium this season, we'll take what we can get.
Though they are unlikely to overcome the consistency of SuperNova, they both have a chance to upset KT_Stats. Known most for his PvP in Proleague, he has been one of the anchors of KT's success the last few years. However, he has yet to follow that up with any individual league highlights; he has never advanced past the Ro48 of Challenger League. His mediocre PvT and PvZ will once again stand in his way in this one Protoss group, but the reverse in fortunes on KT Rolster may bless this endeavor. There was once a time when Flash was the only KT player to ever do well in individual leagues. But after his ignominious fall from grace, MyuNgSiK and Zest have finally found their way up to Code S. Will Stats overcome his hurdle and represent KT in Code S now that Flash has fallen?
Predictions: SuperNova is about the only lock in this group, and its hard to imagine anyone cheering against him. Who comes next is the only mystery, as any one of the three could advance. If CoCa can rediscover his late 2011 form, maybe he's got a shot as the most decorated of the three. Stats might have fate on his side, the momentum of his KT buddies dragging him up with them. But TheBest is certainly the most desperate, not only to prove that he's better than we remember, but to put on a show for prospective employers looking to extend his career. I guess we might as well go with two Terrans.
SuperNova and TheBest advance.
Group I: Reality, Sora, Hack, DongRaeGu
Thursday, Jan 23 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)
Samsung Khan's decision to bench all of its veteran players on the opening week of the Proleague might have been a master stroke. It gave the newcomers some much needed experience and confidence, and seemed to really light a fire under the veterans' butts. RorO is looking ace-class again, Shine is back to his usual infuriating form, and even Stork is playing a lot better. On the other hand, Reality doesn't seem to be changed at all, remaining rather okay but not particularly noticeable. That's alright, because it might be enough to see him into Code S. Keen's out, so someone has to take his old job of being that Ro32-16 Terran.
Or maybe it will be ST_Hack who takes that position instead. After all, Hack was exhibit 1b to Keen's 1a in terms of being a mid-tier Code S regular back in the good ol' days of WoL. Then he left to WCS America, enjoyed some success by reaching the top six, and has now returned to compete in Korea for reasons that are still unclear. One imagines that a team forced to cut all of its coaches probably doesn't have the money to keep sending Hack abroad, but there are definitely some players who would have been willing to fork the bill to play in the easier WCS AM region. Perhaps Hack thinks he has a real shot at the $70,000 grand prize in Korea?
The two more noticeable players in the group are CJ_Sora and DongRaeGu, but at this point in time there's no guarantee that they are the better players. Sora looked incredible during his run through WCS Korea and the WCG Finals (where he placed second), but like many CJ Entus players he is having a very tough time in the Proleague. If he's one of those players with separate individual league modes and team league modes, then he should be fine here. But if Proleague Sora shows up to this group, then he can expect an express ticket back to Code B.
As for DRG, he's in the running for the "least consistent player" award. When you see MVP send him out in a Proleague ace match, you have to wince a little in anticipation of the beatdown he'll probably receive. On the other hand, you still sorta understand the decision, because DongRaeGu still pulls out some great performances from time to time. DRG is the wildcard player of the group, capable of dominating it or finishing in dead last.
Predictions: The potential Daedalus Point PvZ between Sora and DongRaeGu could really swing the outcome of this group. Though Sora is a favorite to advance, it would take just a single unlucky loss to Reality + a Daedalus influenced PvZ against DRG to send him down to Code B. On the other hand, DRG could advance with surprising ease if he could beat Hack and meet Sora in the winners match. In the end, I still have to go with Sora and Hack, the two players who have shown the most consistently good play over the last few months.
How much do we think that TL and Bnet and Reddit will implode if no further Terrans make it to Code S?
I don't think that's actually going to happen. At least one of Hack, Supernova, Dream, and Ryung should make it in. But the possible firestorm will be interesting if it DOES.
However, INnoVation was outplayed in longer macro games as well, unable to hold up to the late game armies of his opponents.
After the P got tech, eco and upgrade advantage of a 6g blink build which is nowadays only slight pressure. Stop twisting the games. Calling SuNo the bigger name is a joke, he has been irrelevant for some times and stats has proved again he was a staple in KT lu.
I think the predictions are more hopeful than realistic. How can you actually choose TheBest or even SuperNova over Stats? I mean, I hope it goes that way, but realistically I'd choose Stats over those two players.
Hack is less of a stretch, but still a bit questionable. I hope he advances too, though.
Edit: Innovation was extremely dissappointing.. just wanted to vent my sadness
On January 23 2014 11:44 Jazzman88 wrote: How much do we think that TL and Bnet and Reddit will implode if no further Terrans make it to Code S?
I don't think that's actually going to happen. At least one of Hack, Supernova, Dream, and Ryung should make it in. But the possible firestorm will be interesting if it DOES.
Hopefully their sacrifice would be rewarded with a buff, but terran got nerfed today in a non-balance update ._.
On January 23 2014 12:00 AnonymousSC2 wrote: I think the predictions are more hopeful than realistic. How can you actually choose TheBest or even SuperNova over Stats? I mean, I hope it goes that way, but realistically I'd choose Stats over those two players.
Hack is less of a stretch, but still a bit questionable. I hope he advances too, though.
Edit: Innovation was extremely dissappointing.. just wanted to vent my sadness
Because Stats is surprisingly just 5-5 in PvT and 7-5 in PvZ and has a history of failing in Ro48
Haha I made the complete opposite predictions on liquibet. Picking TheBest to advance is quite advanturous! But I hope that I am wrong and that Supernova manages to advance. I really loved his stream in WoL, his play was really entertaining!
On January 23 2014 12:00 AnonymousSC2 wrote: I think the predictions are more hopeful than realistic. How can you actually choose TheBest or even SuperNova over Stats? I mean, I hope it goes that way, but realistically I'd choose Stats over those two players.
Hack is less of a stretch, but still a bit questionable. I hope he advances too, though.
Edit: Innovation was extremely dissappointing.. just wanted to vent my sadness
Because Stats is surprisingly just 5-5 in PvT and 7-5 in PvZ and has a history of failing in Ro48
And code A terrans would be bonjwa if they have similar TvP record.
On January 23 2014 12:00 AnonymousSC2 wrote: I think the predictions are more hopeful than realistic. How can you actually choose TheBest or even SuperNova over Stats? I mean, I hope it goes that way, but realistically I'd choose Stats over those two players.
Hack is less of a stretch, but still a bit questionable. I hope he advances too, though.
Edit: Innovation was extremely dissappointing.. just wanted to vent my sadness
Because Stats is surprisingly just 5-5 in PvT and 7-5 in PvZ and has a history of failing in Ro48
Stats will clean this group ezpz.
He really hasn't played many recent games, but the losses he has taken have mostly been to top tier players like Roro, Jaedong and Maru. I don't think Stats' PvT and PvZ are amazing, but I think he definitely has enough to clear TheBest at least and probably Coca or Supernova.
On January 23 2014 12:00 AnonymousSC2 wrote: I think the predictions are more hopeful than realistic. How can you actually choose TheBest or even SuperNova over Stats? I mean, I hope it goes that way, but realistically I'd choose Stats over those two players.
Hack is less of a stretch, but still a bit questionable. I hope he advances too, though.
Edit: Innovation was extremely dissappointing.. just wanted to vent my sadness
Because Stats is surprisingly just 5-5 in PvT and 7-5 in PvZ and has a history of failing in Ro48
Stats will clean this group ezpz.
He really hasn't played many recent games, but the losses he has taken have mostly been to top tier players like Roro, Jaedong and Maru. I don't think Stats' PvT and PvZ are amazing, but I think he definitely has enough to clear TheBest at least and probably Coca or Supernova.
No way, CoCa hulk smashed Stats in the proleague preason. CoCa's gonna take the group EZ!
It's annoying how uneven some of the groups are though. Yesterday Innovation, herO and Zest in one group.. then you have Group J where I don't think a single one of those players is as good as any of those three listed.
Similarly, Group A & C had multiple big names which meant at least one would have to go down, while group L just looks pathetic with Pet, Dark, Vengence and Rogue. The fact that two of those players are going to be in code S while Innovation, Flash, Super, Gumiho etc aren't is annoying.
On January 23 2014 12:00 AnonymousSC2 wrote: I think the predictions are more hopeful than realistic. How can you actually choose TheBest or even SuperNova over Stats? I mean, I hope it goes that way, but realistically I'd choose Stats over those two players.
Hack is less of a stretch, but still a bit questionable. I hope he advances too, though.
Edit: Innovation was extremely dissappointing.. just wanted to vent my sadness
Because Stats is surprisingly just 5-5 in PvT and 7-5 in PvZ and has a history of failing in Ro48
Stats will clean this group ezpz.
He really hasn't played many recent games, but the losses he has taken have mostly been to top tier players like Roro, Jaedong and Maru. I don't think Stats' PvT and PvZ are amazing, but I think he definitely has enough to clear TheBest at least and probably Coca or Supernova.
No way, CoCa hulk smashed Stats in the proleague preason. CoCa's gonna take the group EZ!
Well I said earlier I think Coca and Stats will make it out. TheBest should be a roflstomp and I don't think Supernova can break the T curse at the moment.
On January 23 2014 12:00 AnonymousSC2 wrote: I think the predictions are more hopeful than realistic. How can you actually choose TheBest or even SuperNova over Stats? I mean, I hope it goes that way, but realistically I'd choose Stats over those two players.
Hack is less of a stretch, but still a bit questionable. I hope he advances too, though.
Edit: Innovation was extremely dissappointing.. just wanted to vent my sadness
Because Stats is surprisingly just 5-5 in PvT and 7-5 in PvZ and has a history of failing in Ro48
Stats will clean this group ezpz.
He really hasn't played many recent games, but the losses he has taken have mostly been to top tier players like Roro, Jaedong and Maru. I don't think Stats' PvT and PvZ are amazing, but I think he definitely has enough to clear TheBest at least and probably Coca or Supernova.
No way, CoCa hulk smashed Stats in the proleague preason. CoCa's gonna take the group EZ!
Well I said earlier I think Coca and Stats will make it out. TheBest should be a roflstomp and I don't think Supernova can break the T curse at the moment.
CoCa and Stats > SuperNova and TheBest Stats will beat TheBest Coca will beat Supernova Stats vs Coca is a tough call, but I'll give it to Coca. Stats plays Supernova in the final match, and wins.
Sora and Reality > Hack and DRG Sora > Reality DRG > Hack DRG vs Sora will be the big one. If DRG wins DRG/Sora will make it. If not, Reality has a better chance vs DRG (if he can beat Hack). I don't see Hack beating DRG at all, so he doesn't make it out of the group regardless.
I dont understand why people talk about Flash so much, maybe he was good in Bw, but this is another game and the results show it. Casters call him king of sc2, but there are many better players than him now, so to me he is just overhyped. Anyway hoping to see more terrans advance.
With the way the Race ratio is going in Code S, I've seen more than a handful of times that Code A is looking more interesting than Code S... unless you enjoy PvPvPvPvPvPvPvPvPvZvPvPvPvZvZvPvPvTvT..... (Rotterdam and Artosis)
On January 23 2014 16:05 vidium wrote: I dont understand why people talk about Flash so much, maybe he was good in Bw, but this is another game and the results show it. Casters call him king of sc2, but there are many better players than him now, so to me he is just overhyped. Anyway hoping to see more terrans advance.
I don't think anyone has ever called him the king of sc2.
On January 23 2014 16:05 vidium wrote: I dont understand why people talk about Flash so much, maybe he was good in Bw, but this is another game and the results show it. Casters call him king of sc2, but there are many better players than him now, so to me he is just overhyped. Anyway hoping to see more terrans advance.
I don't think anyone has ever called him the king of sc2.
who needs other terrans ( flash T_T ) when we have maru is code s .. he will win the damn thing
i am skeptical that a terran will enter code s from group I .. especially that drg and sora(protoss) is better than them .. although i could see supernova going to code s in group J
this will be so bad if no terrans will go through from the two groups .. its bad enough already that proleague is all about PvP .. too much protoss is just too boring to watch ..their would be no point to watch GSL if that happens
On January 23 2014 16:05 vidium wrote: I dont understand why people talk about Flash so much, maybe he was good in Bw, but this is another game and the results show it. Casters call him king of sc2, but there are many better players than him now, so to me he is just overhyped. Anyway hoping to see more terrans advance.
I don't think anyone has ever called him the king of sc2.
many people do lol, especiallly casters
i forgot the casters from proleague but they overhype flash alot .. flash is good no doubt .. its just that he always seem to suck in important matches and does seem to never get out of group stages all the time .. i think in a b01 he can beat everyone easily but in r03 he can also be beaten easily which is just sad
On January 23 2014 16:05 vidium wrote: I dont understand why people talk about Flash so much, maybe he was good in Bw, but this is another game and the results show it. Casters call him king of sc2, but there are many better players than him now, so to me he is just overhyped. Anyway hoping to see more terrans advance.
I don't think anyone has ever called him the king of sc2.
many people do lol, especiallly casters
well if we start to take caster's hyper into account... Nice call as usual for the prediction, underestimating ppl actuall performing in PL
On January 23 2014 16:05 vidium wrote: I dont understand why people talk about Flash so much, maybe he was good in Bw, but this is another game and the results show it. Casters call him king of sc2, but there are many better players than him now, so to me he is just overhyped. Anyway hoping to see more terrans advance.
I don't think anyone has ever called him the king of sc2.
many people do lol, especiallly casters
Well, casters call everyone the best in the world so That said; the only king of SC2 is Mvp.
Truthfully, much of the Terrans against Protoss in Code A was somewhat lackluster - like others have mentioned, donating vikings, etc. On the other hand, many of the Protoss did not play like LiquidHero did in his amazing proleague game either.
My own personal view is that Protoss early aggression is problematic. Oracles and warp-tech play is lop-sided in terms of risk to reward. But that shouldn't result in such abysmal showings we've seen so far from the Terran pros.
With his ability, confidence and morale, Maru will be leading the Terran innovation. Next season, other terrans will emulate him and have better results.
On January 24 2014 07:54 babochee wrote: With all the years of experience Blizzard has balancing games.... It's hard to believe where we are right now.
The only Blizzard game that I've ever seen played competitively that was remotely balanced was BW. In every other game it was either awful or they're still releasing xpacs for it, which basically reboots the balance chore.
EPT
INnoVation <Polar Night> 
Zest
Life <Habitation Station> 
