After an exhausting playoff series that went all seven games and included Proleague's longest recorded game, SK Telecom T1 defeated Samsung Galaxy 4-3 to advance to the round one playoff finals. Though the previous day's playoff match between SKT and Jin Air had been decided by one player's hot streak, no one could build momentum in the match between SKT and Samsung as the two teams traded blow after blow. In the end, SKT's new signing Classic (formerly of Soul) was able to overcome Samsung's ace player RorO on the seventh and final map to send SKT through to the finals.
Starters Zest < Yeonsu > Rain < Bel'Shir Vestige > < The King Sejong Base > < Star Station > < Frost > < Outboxer > < Yeonsu >
In the end, it all comes down to this all too familiar matchup. SK Telecom T1 and KT Rolster are back in their familiar places on top of the mountain. After dividing the final four Brood War Proleague titles between themselves, the twin titans suffered embarrassment in StarCraft 2. CJ Entus and STX Soul took the first two SC2 Proleague championships, giving hope to all teams that the telecom tyranny had ended at last.
Only time will tell if SKT and KT can fully reestablish their dominance. Jin Air and Samsung gave them a run for their money in round one, and they will continue to make things difficult for them in the future. But tonight, at least, will be a retro night. It will be an old school celebration of StarCraft's two greatest empires.
SK Telecom T1
SKT should be better. Even for a team in the round one finals, that's not an unfair thing to say considering their roster. Rain, PartinG, soO, Soulkey, Classic, Dark, ParalyzE, BrAvO, and hell, even FanTaSy. That's a team that should be crushing other teams into a fine powder and mixing them in with their protein shakes.
Unfortunately, SKT have not reached their potential of being utterly invincible, settling instead at a disappointing "really, really good."
Part of their problem against Samsung was the lack of a credible Terran threat. With Samsung ace RorO having strong ZvZ and stellar ZvP, there wasn't any way for SKT to create a match-up problem for Samsung. RorO was always going to be deployable at any point and against anyone. Sure, he was always going to be hard pressed to carry his team to a win, but there was no one he really had to fear. Fortunately for SKT, the match-up situation against KT is much more favorable. KT's big one-two punch of Flash and TY are Terran, and both are susceptible to top level Protoss players. Those, SKT have in abundance.
Overall, the story for SKT against KT is the same as it was against Jin Air and Samsung. SKT are an all-kill waiting to happen, and they need just one player to go off to get an easy victory. Even if the match gets ugly like it did against Samsung, they have enough sheer quality to force out a win.
KT Rolster
This is a tough one for KT Rolster. TY's 7-0 record in the regular season was truly impressive, but he is not without flaws. Even though he is better than most Terrans against Protoss, it's still a match-up KT would rather have him avoid (his TvP record since December: 6-8). Flash's TvP record is even worse, standing at 3-9 over the same period. And as we mentioned above, SKT has plenty of strong Protoss players who would love to take out either of KT's key Terrans.
Outside TY and Flash, no one on KT really stands out. Stats was the team's third best player at 3-2, and Zest was the fourth best with a 2-4 record. MyuNgSiK and Action also played small, almost negligible roles. Someone on the bench has to step up if KT Rolster are to have a chance in this match, but it's a bench that doesn't inspire much confidence.
Though it looks bad on paper for KT, anyone who's watched Proleague over the years will know someone does inevitable step up. KT are the epitome of a Proleague-first team, even more so than a team like SKT. Regardless of how poorly their players are performing in other tournaments, they always seem to bring their best to important Proleague matches. While newcomers to Proleague might look at Zest's 2-4 record and scoff, SKT fans are looking at him and already wondering what kind of b***shit he's going to pull off in this match before going on to suck in round 2 (they're getting angry right now, imagining this in their heads).
Indeed, it's Stats and Zest who have the best chance of throwing a spanner in the works for SKT. They are fully capable of taking on SKT's Protoss trio in mirror matches, and each Protoss they take out gives TY and Flash more freedom to do their work against SKT's Zerg line. They've drawn a fairly ideal first match in Zest vs Rain, where Zest will attempt to pull a Stork and put SKT on the backfoot.
Overall thoughts and prediction
Besides the ever-looming potential of an all-kill that could come from any of 5-6 players, there are two major factors in this match. If KT can successfully use PvP to thin SKT's Protoss line, TY and Flash have a chance to mop up the rest of the SKT roster. Regardless of the PvP situation, I get the feeling there will be least one pivotal ZvT match between Soulkey and Flash/TY.
Everything points to SKT winning here. Whether it was easy or ugly, they've come up with victories in both previous matches. At the same time, KT never cease to give you the vibe that they will always over-perform in Proleague, conjuring clutch performances out of thin air to steal victory from the jaws of defeat. I'm going with KT to win by a hair.
I want that one-two punch of Flash-TY to penetrate deep into the SKT lineup. Only an idiot would expect them to win against the wide protoss roster that SKT fields, but heart first, liquibet second.
On February 11 2014 10:42 Qikz wrote: It's a sad day when Bravo of all people is listed before Fantasy who along with Afrotoss and Rain is one of the only members of the old gaurd left
On February 11 2014 10:42 Qikz wrote: It's a sad day when Bravo of all people is listed before Fantasy who along with Afrotoss and Rain is one of the only members of the old gaurd left
SKT to win btw.
At least yesterday Bravo's "where am I and who I am" moment is epic.
On February 11 2014 10:42 Qikz wrote: It's a sad day when Bravo of all people is listed before Fantasy who along with Afrotoss and Rain is one of the only members of the old gaurd left
SKT to win btw.
soO gets forgotten. His life in a summary.
Such is the life of a home-grown SKT Zerg.
SKT fans are looking at him and already wondering what kind of b***shit he's going to pull off in this match before going on to suck in round 2 (they're getting angry right now, imagining this in their heads).
Inevitable, since there's no equivalent to Bisu that can just crush him now...
On February 11 2014 10:42 Qikz wrote: It's a sad day when Bravo of all people is listed before Fantasy who along with Afrotoss and Rain is one of the only members of the old gaurd left
SKT to win btw.
At least yesterday Bravo's "where am I and who I am" moment is epic.
The implanted memories of Bravo are wearing off. He's becoming self aware he's just another July clone.
First match will decide a lot, I don't know what Zest and Stats look like in PvP but I know that Rain and Parting are looking kind of average in it. Soulkey will have to get work done if those two are any good at it.
I'm surprised they decided to have a week inbetween round 1 and 2 of the playoffs but then decided to do round 2 and the finals a day a part from each other O_O. Not that I'm complaining. KT fighting, it's gonna be a tough match. Hopefully Zest pulls through.
On February 11 2014 11:39 Vasoline73 wrote: I'm surprised they decided to have a week inbetween round 1 and 2 of the playoffs but then decided to do round 2 and the finals a day a part from each other O_O. Not that I'm complaining. KT fighting, it's gonna be a tough match. Hopefully Zest pulls through.
Briliant predictions Wax im for the same. It all depends on this fight if either protoss player wins what would be there response? would KT place either Stats or Myungsik to thin them out if zest loses? How would SKT respond if they lose are they willing to put in another Protoss player. Going to be a fun day cant wait.
While newcomers to Proleague might look at Zest's 2-4 record and scoff, SKT fans are looking at him and already wondering what kind of b***shit he's going to pull off in this match before going on to suck in round 2 (they're getting angry right now, imagining this in their heads).
Couldn't have put it any more beautifully mate. Such is the burden we carry as SKT fans taking on the old enemy
When you look at the round 2 of the Proleague it seems that they are planning on using the same maps. Is it confirmed or will the Kespa make the usual map rotation ?
When you look at the round 2 of the Proleague it seems that they are planning on using the same maps. Is it confirmed or will the Kespa make the usual map rotation ?
they probably will - last year at the beginning of the round it seemed like they had set maps all the way, too, but they changed it
This format is stupid, SKT had to play 3 matches in a row within 3 days whilst KT has all the time to prepare and analyse SKT's games. Too much of an advantage to the team that finishes in 1st place and is seeded into the round final and seriously just makes playoffs pointless...
I rooted for KT. I like more of their players. I liked their previous performances in proleague. I liked their Terran.
Then Zest came with a push broom gripped in two hands. He swept up the first three games. SKT players were on their backsides all across the stage struggling to get up in a daze.
Then I started rooting against KT in game 4. Lose a game so I can see a darn terran staying up until 4 am for these epic finals. Don't lose the entire set, just lose a game. Show me a Flash or TY.
Ended up hating KT. That'll last through tomorrow. Then back to KT fighting!
On February 11 2014 20:54 Danglars wrote: I rooted for KT. I like more of their players. I liked their previous performances in proleague. I liked their Terran.
Then Zest came with a push broom gripped in two hands. He swept up the first three games. SKT players were on their backsides all across the stage struggling to get up in a daze.
Then I started rooting against KT in game 4. Lose a game so I can see a darn terran staying up until 4 am for these epic finals. Don't lose the entire set, just lose a game. Show me a Flash or TY.
Ended up hating KT. That'll last through tomorrow. Then back to KT fighting!
On February 11 2014 20:53 Khai wrote: This format is stupid, SKT had to play 3 matches in a row within 3 days whilst KT has all the time to prepare and analyse SKT's games. Too much of an advantage to the team that finishes in 1st place and is seeded into the round final and seriously just makes playoffs pointless...
Its true KT can analyze SKT1, but they can't really prepare specifically for them except with 1 day of advanced notice. The only thing KT could do is just focus on the fundamentals up until they know for sure who their adversary will be.
The preparation part also didn't even fully come into play, usually you analyze each player and map and determine the most likely order in which they come out and you plan snipers for specific MUs and maps, however KT didn't even need to rely on that since everybody just died to Zest. Now Zest could likely have been prepared to face a protoss on the first map, but after that its all up in the air who he faces and he has to adapt on the fly.
Its SKT1's fault for not having a strong sniper specifically for Zest or his fault for not really doing his job and killing Zest.
Now if SKT1 are sloppy enough to not change up their strategies after having played so many games its their fault and they deserved what happened to them.
While newcomers to Proleague might look at Zest's 2-4 record and scoff, SKT fans are looking at him and already wondering what kind of b***shit he's going to pull off in this match before going on to suck in round 2 (they're getting angry right now, imagining this in their heads).
On February 11 2014 20:53 Khai wrote: This format is stupid, SKT had to play 3 matches in a row within 3 days whilst KT has all the time to prepare and analyse SKT's games. Too much of an advantage to the team that finishes in 1st place and is seeded into the round final and seriously just makes playoffs pointless...
Its true KT can analyze SKT1, but they can't really prepare specifically for them except with 1 day of advanced notice. The only thing KT could do is just focus on the fundamentals up until they know for sure who their adversary will be.
The preparation part also didn't even fully come into play, usually you analyze each player and map and determine the most likely order in which they come out and you plan snipers for specific MUs and maps, however KT didn't even need to rely on that since everybody just died to Zest. Now Zest could likely have been prepared to face a protoss on the first map, but after that its all up in the air who he faces and he has to adapt on the fly.
Its SKT1's fault for not having a strong sniper specifically for Zest or his fault for not really doing his job and killing Zest.
Now if SKT1 are sloppy enough to not change up their strategies after having played so many games its their fault and they deserved what happened to them.
Also, Flawless Victory!!!
I don't think it works that simply for progamers, KT have watched all the SKT vs Jin Air, SKT vs Samsung games thus had the opportunity to prepare against any practiced builds or recent style shown in general. SKT doesn't have that resource as KT didn't need to play, furthermore their focus would be on Jin Air and then Samsung. At top pro level preparation against specific styles are very important, i.e. a lot of players have rather obvious styles Rain's safe macro play with harassment, Roro's Corruptor and Swarm Host turtling style. Having been able to watch and then prepare for that makes a difference.
True Zest was amazing to win an all kill but he would've also had more time to prepare and more resources for reference thus would've had an edge also KT would've had the advantage of preparing for either SKT or Samsung since yesterday whereas SKT with a match against Samsung would no doubt only focus on preparing against Samsung. The simplest way to think about it was SKT had no time or very recent games of Zest to analyse and prepare for whereas Zest would've had plenty of information and thus will have an easier time preparing, also more time given they didn't have to play a match. (My theory is that SKT prepares for Samsung 100% before yesterday whereas KT can be preparing for either with 50% to each and will not have the other finalist with preparation against them)
Sorry for wall of text, TLDR I'm trying to say that at pro level it's different and preparation is important, slightest time and information advantage will give an important edge to any match.
Any one who has read interviews or has a modicum of common sense would know that Progamers prepare for 1-2 games max in AK format. Zest prepared a build for the first game and probably had a few ideas depending on who came out for the second, but no way he would have anticipated the third or fourth; he winged them. SKT lost not because they had a lack of preparation, but because they were the inferior team and hence destined to be Silver KT.
Geez, people need to stop finding excuses for everything that doesn't go their way.
On February 11 2014 14:07 Prince_Stranger wrote: Spoilers on the first page of TL. So sad. Just watched Soulkey vs Reality.
Or just don't look at the front page of a news site, that always features recent results, before watching the vods
This mofo. SO DAMN ACCURATE
On February 11 2014 22:16 Pangpootata wrote: Any one who has read interviews or has a modicum of common sense would know that Progamers prepare for 1-2 games max in AK format. Zest prepared a build for the first game and probably had a few ideas depending on who came out for the second, but no way he would have anticipated the third or fourth; he winged them. SKT lost not because they had a lack of preparation, but because they were the inferior team and hence destined to be Silver KT.
Geez, people need to stop finding excuses for everything that doesn't go their way.
This is what players who know they'll get sent out do:
Player 1 practices for Maps 1-4, Player 2s play Maps 2-7, 3s play 3-7 and 4 play 4-7. He has to practice 10 match-ups in case of random snipes; but will probably need to only focus on 6-7 because of map rotation.
Wooki trained hard to get that all-kill. Give your boy his due.
Edit: OH CRAP Double-Post. Should've quoted this instead in this post
On February 11 2014 22:16 Pangpootata wrote: Any one who has read interviews or has a modicum of common sense would know that Progamers prepare for 1-2 games max in AK format. Zest prepared a build for the first game and probably had a few ideas depending on who came out for the second, but no way he would have anticipated the third or fourth; he winged them. SKT lost not because they had a lack of preparation, but because they were the inferior team and hence destined to be Silver KT.
Geez, people need to stop finding excuses for everything that doesn't go their way.
This is what players who know they'll get sent out do:
Player 1 practices for Maps 1-4, Player 2s play Maps 2-7, 3s play 3-7 and 4 play 4-7. He has to practice 10 match-ups in case of random snipes; but will probably need to only focus on 6-7 because of map rotation.
Wooki trained hard to get that all-kill. Give your boy his due.
Edit: OH CRAP Double-Post. Should've quoted this instead in this post
Practising for 10 matchups is stupid. If you read interviews of AK format MVPs in the past, you will see that most of them say they only practiced for the first game, and relied on their fundamentals for the rest. No point caring about third or fourth games that you are unlikely to reach; better to focus most of your energy on the first game.
On February 11 2014 22:16 Pangpootata wrote: Any one who has read interviews or has a modicum of common sense would know that Progamers prepare for 1-2 games max in AK format. Zest prepared a build for the first game and probably had a few ideas depending on who came out for the second, but no way he would have anticipated the third or fourth; he winged them. SKT lost not because they had a lack of preparation, but because they were the inferior team and hence destined to be Silver KT.
Geez, people need to stop finding excuses for everything that doesn't go their way.
This is what players who know they'll get sent out do:
Player 1 practices for Maps 1-4, Player 2s play Maps 2-7, 3s play 3-7 and 4 play 4-7. He has to practice 10 match-ups in case of random snipes; but will probably need to only focus on 6-7 because of map rotation.
Wooki trained hard to get that all-kill. Give your boy his due.
Edit: OH CRAP Double-Post. Should've quoted this instead in this post
Practising for 10 matchups is stupid. If you read interviews of AK format MVPs in the past, you will see that most of them say they only practiced for the first game, and relied on their fundamentals for the rest. No point caring about third or fourth games that you are unlikely to reach; better to focus most of your energy on the first game.
Maybe a different era of AKs for me (late-era BW). 1st game AKs had the players saying they practiced for the first match AND for the likeliest match-up of each of the other maps they could potentially play in. Later games simply said they practiced on maps w/ their likeliest match/es.
EPT
Classic (formerly of Soul) was able to overcome Samsung's ace player 
RorO on the seventh and final map to send SKT through to the finals.
Reality <Star Station> ![[image loading]](/staff/Waxangel/proleague/2014/r1playoff2.png)
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GG 
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