EPTRo32: Group A Preview
Revival, 
Pigbaby, HuK, HerOCountdown:
by Darkhorse
WCS America Premier League Season 2 begins with Group A, which features a very familiar scenario: 1 foreigner fighting to advance through a difficult group containing three Korean invaders. In this particular iteration, Huk has the unenviable task of going up against HerO, Revival, and Pigbaby for a spot in the Ro16.
EG.HuK comes into this tournament with some interesting potential. His career has had many ups and downs, but in recent months he has been on the cusp of making a breakthrough. He has played well in North American competition, and has come close to causing an upset or two at the international level. At Dreamhack Bucharest, Huk was narrowly beaten 2-1 by both Innovation and Snute and just barely failed to make the Ro16. At Lone Star Clash 3, Huk was defeated by Polt 2-3. That last game against Polt would have sent Huk into the top 4 along with players like Jaedong and Bomber. In the previous season of WCS, Huk managed to defeat group opponent HerO, but fell hard against Revival in the Ro16, so it is hard to say where he might end up in this group. Huk's PvP has been his highest rated matchup for a while now, and is also a matchup that tends to allow more upsets than most. Huk will most likely have to rely on this if he wants to get through this group, as Revival's ZvP has looked on point in recent tournaments. Huk has traditionally done well against HerO, and Pigbaby is probably a beatable opponent for Huk in PvP, but the Canadian still faces an uphill battle to get into the top 16.
Huk's first opponent
Liquid`HerO is an extremely talented player who is always contender to win WCS America, but is certainly a player who can get in his own way. His over-aggression often comes back to bite him, and his best match-up never seems clear for more than a few months at time. However, when all the stars align, he is capable of putting together incredible tournament runs (see IEM Cologne) and has one WCS America Championship under his belt. He currently holds a monstrous record in this season of Acer Teamstory Cup, and looks to be hitting a high point in his recent play. HerO is a player that should be the heavy favorite in this group, but he has had some past slip ups that put that status in doubt. Last season's Ro32 was an embarrassment for HerO as he fell 2-1 in the winner's match to Huk and then was upset by the Chinese Zerg Xigua in another 2-1 match. Huk and Xigua have certainly proved to be strong players, but HerO is someone who is expected to challenge for the championship – not lose to two foreigners in the Ro32. He will have to enter this season with a stronger mindset if he hopes to advance from this group, which looks significantly stronger than the group he faltered in during the previous season. HerO should advance here, but as usual in WCS America, the upset potential is through the roof.
The teamless
Pigbaby comes in as the group wildcard. The ex-Jin Air player was an unexpected entrant in the qualifiers for WCS America after rumors had circulated about his retirement, but in any case he managed to advance to Challenger and soundly defeated Has by a 3-1 score to earn his spot in Premier. Besides his games to qualify for WCS, Pigbaby hasn't played a tournament match since he left Jin Air in March. He was known as a cheesy player back when he played in Proleague, but his series against Has showed basic and solid PvP. Other than that, there isn't a whole lot to indicate whether Pigbaby should be feared as a potential threat in WCS America or someone who won't be a threat to the true contenders in the region. His first match against Revival, who showed solid ZvP in the previous season of WCS, should give us the answer right away.It seems to be all but forgotten that
CMStorm.Revival once placed second place in WCS America, but last season he quietly reminded everyone that he is one of the best players in the region. Reaching the semi-finals, he was only one game away from facing Hyun in the WCS America finals. After such an impressive run, he must be considered one of the top candidates to win the Season 2 title.Revival has the distinct advantage of only having to prepare for one matchup in the group. He has shown solid ZvP in the past few months, utilizing an aggressive swarm host style (yes those exist) with low numbers of swarm hosts supported by plenty of roaches and corruptors. As previously stated, Revival handily defeated Huk in last season's Ro16, but he will have to continue this level of play and more to defeat HerO and Pigbaby as well.
Overall Thoughts and Prediction:
Revival and HerO should advance here, provided Revival doesn't completely revert back to his 2013 ZvP and HerO doesn't choke in a PvP match. Huk and Pigbaby bring plenty of upset potential, but I believe that the two strongest players will advance here.
Revival > Pigbaby
Huk < HerO
Revival < HerO
Pigbaby < Huk
Revival > Huk
HerO and Revival advance.
