PartinG, ByuL, Solar, SuperNova

by stuchiu

Ever since his debut in the Code S 2012 Season 1, SKT_PartinG has been a much-watch player in the GSL. He innovated templar based PvT, popularized the Soul Train in PvZ, and demonstrated some of the finest micro in PvP. On top of that, he found ways to entertain outside of the game as well, giving people a laugh with his ceremonies and provocative interviews. Tonight, the GSL will celebrate ten consecutive seasons of PartinG in Code S by awarding him the fourth ever "Nestea" Award.

Yet, even as we honor PartinG, we can't help but note that he has never made a serious run for the Code S title in ten seasons. The closest he ever got was in his second attempt, where he made the semifinals only to be taught a stern lesson about willpower and mind games by the legendary Mvp. After that, PartinG's GSL career has been a repetition of fruitless quarterfinal runs. When the going gets tough, the tougher players beat up on PartinG. Before, we used to ask when PartinG would finally win a GSL. Now, it's becoming a question of will he ever win.

On the other hand, if we count GSL special events, PartinG did come closer than ever to winning the title at the GSL Global Tournament last month. Narrowly losing 3-4 to Zest in the grand finals, he seemed to have all the skills needed to beat the best players in Code S. Yet, we also saw glimpses of the PartinG that always crumbled in the quarterfinals. Despite going up 3-1 on Zest early, he was unable to close out the series as he allowed the KT ace and SKT-killer to complete a comeback. For an in-form PartinG, this season could very well be his best chance at winning a title. It could also end up being his most disappointing season.

PartinG’s first opponent on that road will be IM_ByuL. The on and off Ace for IM, Byul’s career has been even just as inconsistent as his Proleague performances. He's ping-ponged between being an excellent Zerg with a talent for using mutas to being a mediocre Zerg who just can’t seem to close out his games. Many will remember his WCS America match from last season, where he dropped out of the Ro32 when he threw a massive lead against Revival by losing 45 mutas to 7 spores. He threw so hard that he ended up flinging himself all the way from WCS America back to the GSL.

To ByuL's credit, he had no problem making it through Code B and Code A to immediately regain Code S status. While his ZvZ has been slightly spotty, his ZvT and ZvP have never looked better: Maru, TY, Innovation, Hurricane, Creator and Dear are among the players he has defeated in the last couple of months. ByuL has a great chance of advancing to the winner's match, as long as he can read PartinG's all-ins correctly. Of course, that's easier said than done.

ByuL will have kindred company in another inconsistent Zerg in Samsung_Solar. The new-generation KeSPA player has really made a name for himself in a short amount of time, actively competing in foreign tournaments during the off-season and chumming it up with a number of international players. He was even one of the rare Korean players to study foreign Zerg styles (Stephano aside), most notably using Catz’s fast-spore strategy on Habitation Station for a Proleague match.

Combined with his breakout performance in the first round of Proleague where he seemed to inherit the "Ace" tag on an otherwise lackluster Samsung roster, he seemed like he could be the next big KeSPA star. However, slumps soon followed in Rounds 2 and 3, showing he's still a talented but inexperienced player trying to find his way. For Solar, this group will be another learning experience, and could possibly be the next step in his evolution.

Solar will have to fight a cagey veteran in his first match. Still teamless after the dissolution of Azubu, SuperNova has continued to trudge along with his own unique style. He was excellent in Code A, playing TY and TRUE like fiddles to return to the Code S fold. Preparing several builds and playing them in a strategically planned order, he got the better of two opponents who were mechanically superior.

While preparation is SuperNova's greatest strength, it is almost his only strength. His mechanics are just not up to par when compared to top level Koreans. His unique style isn't so much a choice as it is a necessity to win. In a straight up, normal-tempo game, SuperNova knows that he will be outmacroed and outmicroed. But if he can introduce some chaos into the game, something to throw his opponent off guard, then he knows he can keep his opponent unbalanced and uncomfortable right up until the point he has to type GG. That's how SuperNova has been since day one, and here he still stands: a testament to how far strategy and intelligence can take you.

Overall Predictions:

Parting is honestly too good at what he does. Despite some late-game woes in PvZ, his all-ins are just too strong for all but the best players to handle. As for Supernova, Parting will probably run him over as well, as even SuperNova has struggled to find a recipe for success in TvP.

In the close, three way race for second, I have to favor SuperNova. TvZ is a match-up where he always seems to have an ace up his sleeve, and he seems destined to beat two, less consistent Zergs.

Parting > Byul
SuperNova > Solar
Parting > Supernova
Solar > Byul
SuperNova > Solar

Parting and SuperNova advance.