Hopes of an epic IEM rematch in the GSL were quickly dashed on Wednesday night as the two IEM Katowice finalists sOs and herO were sent crashing out in the GSL quarterfinals. It's difficult to say how big of an affect the long flight back and lack of rest prior to their matches had. The only thing we can be certain of is that herO will have to wait for another day to get his revenge on sOs.
JinAir_sOs, the winner of the $100,000 grand prize at IEM, received a one-sided beating upon returning to Korea. KT's Zest took an easy and fast 3-0 victory, crushing sOs before any of the games could go long. The victory was another highlight in what is turning out to be a fantastic 2014 for Zest, a year where he has all-killed rivals SKT and established himself as one of Proleague's most dangerous players. By reaching the semifinals of the GSL, he has also broken a long lasting KT Rolster jinx where few player other than Flash had been able to surpass the quarterfinals in individual competition.
CJ_herO put up a much better fight against SKT_Rain, but he fell 2-3 in the end. The series tended toward more longer games on the whole compared to Zest vs sOs, and the two players looked quite evenly matched until the end. Rain was able to outplay herO in the deciding fifth game on Frost, crippling his opponent's economy with harassment and then holding off an all-in counter-attack to clinch the series.
While the series was notable for its high level, macro PvP, the most memorable moment of the series may have come in game two where Rain went for a proxy 2-gate rush against herO. Though modified from sOs' version used at IEM – the gates were placed in herO's natural instead of his main, and cranking out stalkers instead of zealots – it proved to be just as effective and forced another GG from herO.
Notes and Observations
After advancing from the Code S Ro16 last week, PartinG said in an interview that Zest, sOs, and herO were the three players who had the best grasp of PvP. Looks like he was right... kinda?
I originally wanted to say that Zest has become the first KT Rolster semifinalist other than Flash in the KTFlash era. Then I remembered that Luxury existed
Unfortunately, herO refused to grace us with a humorous expression after getting proxy-gated by Rain. Rather, his face was that of utter indifference. It's entirely possible that losing $100,000 to sOs has made herO completely immune to shock or disappointment for the rest of his life.
In typical progamer fashion, Rain spent most of his winner interview after a PvP complaining about Terran being overpowered when there's just one Terran left in the tournament, at the opposite end of the bracket at that.
Besides his KT Rolster teammates MyungSiK and Stats, Zest also thanked First for helping him practice. First had played for KT Rolster as a Brood War pro, but played on IM for most of his StarCraft 2 career. It's scant evidence of a return to KT Rolster for First, but it's something to speculate on.
Whilst PvP may not be the most popular match up these days, these games were good! And I'm also amazed that Zest was able to beat sOs 3-0! Amazing. I'm very excited to see what the finals will look like.
Son of a bitch...I should know by now not to go on TL on another computer when I haven't watched GSL yet. I'm glad those two made it out though, Zest has been freaking amazing lately, definitely one of my new favorite players. Now I just hope Maru makes it out...
Guess both sOs and herO were pretty jetlagged. Honestly both of them "should" have advanced because I feel they are both better at PvP then Zest & Rain. Either wait, pretty exciting. Can't wait for the 2nd half of Ro8. Maru/Life & Parting/soO is going to be epic.
In typical progamer fashion, Rain spent most of his winner interview after a PvP complaining about Terran being overpowered when there's just one Terran left in the tournament, at the opposite end of the bracket at that.
On March 20 2014 07:28 Trasko wrote: Whilst PvP may not be the most popular match up these days, these games were good! And I'm also amazed that Zest was able to beat sOs 3-0! Amazing. I'm very excited to see what the finals will look like.
If these games tonight were example of "good" PvP games then it's no wonder why so many people still hate the match up, myself included.
I TRIED to sit through tonight's games I just couldn't do it. The only one that even caught my interest was Rain vs HerO game 2 with the proxy rush that turned into a wacky base race.
On March 20 2014 07:28 Trasko wrote: Whilst PvP may not be the most popular match up these days, these games were good! And I'm also amazed that Zest was able to beat sOs 3-0! Amazing. I'm very excited to see what the finals will look like.
If these games tonight were example of "good" PvP games then it's no wonder why so many people still hate the match up, myself included.
I TRIED to sit through tonight's games I just couldn't do it. The only one that even caught my interest was Rain vs HerO game 2 with the proxy rush that turned into a wacky base race.
Take a look at PvP group with Classic, Rain and Parting, it was epic, u'll like it.
I love Rain, he's an insparation for every Protoss player for his solidity (though he's more and more willing to mix up shenanigans into his play). But man, whining over Terran at the time is just outrageous.
On March 20 2014 07:28 Trasko wrote: Whilst PvP may not be the most popular match up these days, these games were good! And I'm also amazed that Zest was able to beat sOs 3-0! Amazing. I'm very excited to see what the finals will look like.
If these games tonight were example of "good" PvP games then it's no wonder why so many people still hate the match up, myself included.
I TRIED to sit through tonight's games I just couldn't do it. The only one that even caught my interest was Rain vs HerO game 2 with the proxy rush that turned into a wacky base race.
Watch parting vs classic game 1. Parting beats unscouted proxy 2 gate with probe counter-attack and 2 stalkers
On March 20 2014 07:28 Trasko wrote: Whilst PvP may not be the most popular match up these days, these games were good! And I'm also amazed that Zest was able to beat sOs 3-0! Amazing. I'm very excited to see what the finals will look like.
If these games tonight were example of "good" PvP games then it's no wonder why so many people still hate the match up, myself included.
I TRIED to sit through tonight's games I just couldn't do it. The only one that even caught my interest was Rain vs HerO game 2 with the proxy rush that turned into a wacky base race.
Isn't it better to watch mindgames instead of flow of roaches? :D PvP is just more about preparations, while ZvZ and TvT are more about positioning in game.
A bit sad for sOs, but i guess, it's k. Getting seed for next Code S is no easy task, so i just hope that next Code S will be even better for him <33 And i won't see PartinG-sOs finals to be sad forever lol.
Rain tho...REVENGE HAS TO BE TAKEN. And if PartinG meets Rain in finals, it will be amazing, while sad as well lol.
On March 20 2014 07:28 Trasko wrote: Whilst PvP may not be the most popular match up these days, these games were good! And I'm also amazed that Zest was able to beat sOs 3-0! Amazing. I'm very excited to see what the finals will look like.
If these games tonight were example of "good" PvP games then it's no wonder why so many people still hate the match up, myself included.
I TRIED to sit through tonight's games I just couldn't do it. The only one that even caught my interest was Rain vs HerO game 2 with the proxy rush that turned into a wacky base race.
Watch parting vs classic game 1. Parting beats unscouted proxy 2 gate with probe counter-attack and 2 stalkers
I did see that one.
First PvP match in I can't remember how long that actually had me cheering at 4 in the morning.
Parting does that though, he provides entertainment that's why I love that guy.
On March 20 2014 07:28 Trasko wrote: Whilst PvP may not be the most popular match up these days, these games were good! And I'm also amazed that Zest was able to beat sOs 3-0! Amazing. I'm very excited to see what the finals will look like.
If these games tonight were example of "good" PvP games then it's no wonder why so many people still hate the match up, myself included.
I TRIED to sit through tonight's games I just couldn't do it. The only one that even caught my interest was Rain vs HerO game 2 with the proxy rush that turned into a wacky base race.
Isn't it better to watch mindgames instead of flow of roaches? :D PvP is just more about preparations, while ZvZ and TvT are more about positioning in game.
A bit sad for sOs, but i guess, it's k. Getting seed for next Code S is no easy task, so i just hope that next Code S will be even better for him <33 And i won't see PartinG-sOs finals to be sad forever lol.
Rain tho...REVENGE HAS TO BE TAKEN. And if PartinG meets Rain in finals, it will be amazing, while sad as well lol.
Don't get me wrong, I find mid and late game ZvZ dull as hell too.
It's the early game of that match up that catches my interest. No matter how many times I see it Ling/Baneling wars is the fastest paced highest margin of error match up in SC2. Watching the pros play it is truly a treat.
It's pretty common to have practice partners from other teams (for individual leagues) and to thank them after games. I'd be very surprised if there's anything more to it.
On March 20 2014 11:11 Scarx wrote: LOL at Rain saying Terran is op...
Rain tends to play a safer macro oriented style that doesn't abuse the fact that Protoss has about a million openings, Terrans are probably sighing in relief when they have to play him at the moment.
I wonder how Parting and Soo practice. Do they play with each other all the time, or they don't play with each other at all. xD Are they in separate rooms and don't talk to each other, does Rain help Parting or Soo?
On March 20 2014 12:09 ne4aJIb wrote: I wonder how Parting and Soo practice. Do they play with each other all the time, or they don't play with each other at all. xD Are they in separate rooms and don't talk to each other, does Rain help Parting or Soo?
they actually hang out a lot. most koreans in code S know each other very well unlike SOS who rarely talks. xD
Its really too bad that the first series was such a one sided curb stomping I bet that if these games were played 10 days from now they would put on a much better show. $O$'$ face looked jet lagged and tired.
At least the year in review article has its easy "worst series of 2014 winner"
When can we call some of those protoss the new dragons of StarCraft? Or colossi, for lack of dragoons. Too late to use that as hype material for now. :-)
On March 20 2014 15:53 kurosu_ wrote: When can we call some of those protoss the new dragons of StarCraft? Or colossi, for lack of dragoons. Too late to use that as hype material for now. :-)
There was a time back in 2012 during the first wave of Protoss dominance where there was discussion of a new set of Protoss Dragons but I forget who they were. I think it was HerO PartinG Seed Creator Squirtle and MC? I don't remember that well. This is already the second wave of Protoss dominance
On March 20 2014 15:39 Shellshock wrote: Why wouldn't Life beat Maru?
as much as I'm not a prime fan, I think Maru can beat life. Taeja beat life and I would rank Maru on the same level as Taeja. He also doesn't have wrist issues to speak of. Maru to win this whole GSL! lol
On March 20 2014 15:53 kurosu_ wrote: When can we call some of those protoss the new dragons of StarCraft? Or colossi, for lack of dragoons. Too late to use that as hype material for now. :-)
There was a time back in 2012 during the first wave of Protoss dominance where there was discussion of a new set of Protoss Dragons but I forget who they were. I think it was HerO PartinG Seed Creator Squirtle and MC? I don't remember that well. This is already the second wave of Protoss dominance
That sounds about right from what I remember. I guess there was some people that wanted Naniwa in the discussion as well because of his 2 Ro8s
On March 20 2014 15:53 kurosu_ wrote: When can we call some of those protoss the new dragons of StarCraft? Or colossi, for lack of dragoons. Too late to use that as hype material for now. :-)
There was a time back in 2012 during the first wave of Protoss dominance where there was discussion of a new set of Protoss Dragons but I forget who they were. I think it was HerO PartinG Seed Creator Squirtle and MC? I don't remember that well. This is already the second wave of Protoss dominance
that 2 month period with one champion sure was dominance alright
Jeez, I know it's a small point... but Luxury existing is not a bad thing. He was a excellent player and he deserves a link to his profile - not the match fixing scandal. He did a bad thing - nobody disagrees with that - but he didn't win MSL, WCG, and reach two OSL semis by throwing games. He did it by being an awesome player.
On March 21 2014 06:32 Sanders wrote: Jeez, I know it's a small point... but Luxury existing is not a bad thing. He was a excellent player and he deserves a link to his profile - not the match fixing scandal. He did a bad thing - nobody disagrees with that - but he didn't win MSL, WCG, and reach two OSL semis by throwing games. He did it by being an awesome player.
On March 20 2014 15:53 kurosu_ wrote: When can we call some of those protoss the new dragons of StarCraft? Or colossi, for lack of dragoons. Too late to use that as hype material for now. :-)
There was a time back in 2012 during the first wave of Protoss dominance where there was discussion of a new set of Protoss Dragons but I forget who they were. I think it was HerO PartinG Seed Creator Squirtle and MC? I don't remember that well. This is already the second wave of Protoss dominance
that 2 month period with one champion sure was dominance alright
Don't forget the WCS where it was a complete massacre from the Korean Protosses.
On March 21 2014 06:32 Sanders wrote: Jeez, I know it's a small point... but Luxury existing is not a bad thing. He was a excellent player and he deserves a link to his profile - not the match fixing scandal. He did a bad thing - nobody disagrees with that - but he didn't win MSL, WCG, and reach two OSL semis by throwing games. He did it by being an awesome player.
EPT
sOs and ![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Waxangel/GSL/S1_2014/ro8bracket_2.png)
