GOMeXP brought back group selections to the delight of fans after two seasons of random draws.
The surprising first choice of the evening was Soulkey, who many singled out as their ideal pick in their interviews. Despite rising to stardom in 2013 as one of the best zergs in the world, Soulkey has yet to make it past the Ro8 this year. His results, especially in Proleague, have been in a decline, but he is still one of the most consistent player in the GSL.
Off the back of a monster August, Flash was left as the last player to be assigned to a group. INnoVation had a chance to create the group of death with Maru, PartinG, himself and Flash, but decided to choose the deceptively calm Stats.
There are several intriguing matchups lined up in the groups, with Zest and Soulkey once again meeting in the Ro16 for a 3rd consecutive time. We will also get to see the first TvT in Code S since Maru vs jjakji all the way back in 2013 Season 3 Ro8 when Reality and Cure meet in Group A.
In Groups B and C, we will have a day of PvZ and TvP respectively, but the happiest Ro16 contender has to be Flash. With his recent hot streak in TvZ, a group with three other zergs must seem like a booked ticket to the knockout rounds of Code S for the first time in his career. With the WCS year nearing its completion, all of these players will be aiming for nothing less than the title and a shot at Blizzcon.
On August 22 2014 21:09 NotSorry wrote: Flash has got to be happy being able to focus solely on tvz a match up he's already a monster in.
Can't wait to see some gomtvt!
From a logical point of view, this makes sense on the surface. But in practice having only one race to practice against doesn't provide any statistical advantage.
Yes, one only need practice one matchup, but you play 4-9 games in a single matchup in a single night - you are going to struggle to surprise folks. Still backing Flash to come out of this group, he's kinda ripping it up lately.
On August 22 2014 21:25 DarkLordOlli wrote: Prediction time!
Group A: Zest, Cure Group B: Rain, Solar Group C: Maru, Stats Group D: Flash, TRUE
According to liquipedia it's Flash vs TRUE as one of the starting match-ups, so I think it would be very difficult for both of them to advance as TRUE will have to win 2x ZvZ's in a row vs DRG & soO.
On August 22 2014 21:25 DarkLordOlli wrote: Prediction time!
Group A: Zest, Cure Group B: Rain, Solar Group C: Maru, Stats Group D: Flash, TRUE
According to liquipedia it's Flash vs TRUE as one of the starting match-ups, so I think it would be very difficult for both of them to advance as TRUE will have to win 2x ZvZ's in a row vs DRG & soO.
On August 22 2014 21:52 herMan wrote: Poor Stats. No way he's gonna make it.
I think Stats deserves the benefit of the doubt by now. People didn't give him a chance against Maru in Proleague, but he defeated Maru. People didn't give him a shot vs TRUE, but he also defeated TRUE. People sure as hell didn't think he could beat Soulkey, but he did and people definitely didn't think he could top his Code S group, but he did so as well.
On August 22 2014 21:10 AWalker9 wrote: I'm guessing they will probably switch Group A and C because IEM Toronto starts on the 28th and Zest is competing in it.
Maru is competing in it and so is Flash, they cannot switch any of the groups Also Zest is seeded straight into the group stage he will be fine to play 27th to then fly out after as long as doesn't miss his flight.
I woke up when there was only KT left, how appropriate. Best GSL ever! Nice balance too, only 1 Z guaranteed to advance. Also, SKT/JAGW players in every group, such lucky fans.
On August 22 2014 21:52 herMan wrote: Poor Stats. No way he's gonna make it.
I think Stats deserves the benefit of the doubt by now. People didn't give him a chance against Maru in Proleague, but he defeated Maru. People didn't give him a shot vs TRUE, but he also defeated TRUE. People sure as hell didn't think he could beat Soulkey, but he did and people definitely didn't think he could top his Code S group, but he did so as well.
Have to agree with this. I can definitely see Stats advancing from that group.
I didn't like the reaction of sOs when he was picked for group An he "refused" to go in the group so Reality choosed Cure. Maybe he thought he had no chance in a group with Soulkey and Zest ?
On August 22 2014 23:23 Chylvain wrote: I didn't like the reaction of sOs when he was picked for group An he "refused" to go in the group so Reality choosed Cure. Maybe he thought he had no chance in a group with Soulkey and Zest ?
sOs could be favourite for top-spot in every group outside of group where he has to play Bogus first, that's it. Reality just got mentally broken there like every sOs opponent in big games :D
On August 22 2014 23:23 Chylvain wrote: I didn't like the reaction of sOs when he was picked for group An he "refused" to go in the group so Reality choosed Cure. Maybe he thought he had no chance in a group with Soulkey and Zest ?
No, it had to do with Solar challenging sOs earlier.
On August 22 2014 21:17 ne4aJIb wrote: FLASHISGOD!
I know other people... even casters have used the word "God" when speaking of Flash. I find that quite annoying to label anybody as a "GOD" of a game... It has nothing really to do with religion but i honestly find it repulsive. Granted all of you have your opinions and can call him or label him as you like... But i prefer his other nickname "The Ultimate Weapon". Too me its catchy and i feel like it suits him better than "GOD"
As far as the Group selections go ... i am extremely excited for all of them.
I love the diversity of the races to! Hoping for these players to make it to the next round: Flash Maru Innovation Soulkey Parting DRG Effort Rain
On August 23 2014 00:17 will216 wrote: So, I guess players are going to drop out of IEM and miss out on WCS points. Or are they just going to reschedule RO16 for the week after IEM ?
This brings to mind all of the hype that was surrounding Group B in WCS America. As I said, none of those groups could compare to the ridiculousness that is the GSL this season. So stacked, I can't wait.
Most people seems to have written off EffOrt. He'll probably make it out first in his group, even with Rain and sOs. Solar is the worst player in ro16 this time round.
As someone who really wants to see return of the Bonjwa, I think Flash isn't a lock to advance. soO is of course insanely good, and will probably get out. DRG is clearly the worst player in the group...but did you see TRUE play ro32? He was terrifying; got the raw end of the build order multiple times and still won, sometimes handily. He is a coin-flip vs Flash.
Flash destroyed his group with 2x two rax and 1x dark using roach/hydra, and 1x Solar is sloppy, so I'm not convinced he's invincible just yet.
On August 23 2014 00:37 jayy5 wrote: As someone who really wants to see return of the Bonjwa, I think Flash isn't a lock to advance. soO is of course insanely good, and will probably get out. DRG is clearly the worst player in the group...but did you see TRUE play ro32? He was terrifying; got the raw end of the build order multiple times and still won, sometimes handily. He is a coin-flip vs Flash.
Flash destroyed his group with 2x two rax and 1x dark using roach/hydra, and 1x Solar is sloppy, so I'm not convinced he's invincible just yet.
Well pretty much everyone in ro16 is convinced that flash is a beast and someone they dont want to face early on so that says alot. You can doubt him but the players seem to not to think like you. Especially when flash was picked last.
[QUOTE]On August 23 2014 01:13 quadrob wrote: [QUOTE]On August 23 2014 00:37 jayy5 wrote: As someone who really wants to see return of the Bonjwa, I think Flash isn't a lock to advance. soO is of course insanely good, and will probably get out. DRG is clearly the worst player in the group...but did you see TRUE play ro32? He was terrifying; got the raw end of the build order multiple times and still won, sometimes handily. He is a coin-flip vs Flash.
Flash destroyed his group with 2x two rax and 1x dark using roach/hydra, and 1x Solar is sloppy, so I'm not convinced he's invincible just yet.[/QUOTE]
Well pretty much everyone in ro16 is convinced that flash is a beast and someone they dont want to face early on so that says alot. You can doubt him but the players seem to not to think like you. Especially when flash was picked last. [/QUOTE
I'm also convinced Flash is a beast. I'm just saying he's not a lock like literally everyone on the thread is saying. Getting picked last shows respect, but has in the past not helped anyone. He probably has a better chance overall than the other 3 (esp solar), but not a lock. If it comes down to Flash vs TRUE in match 5, watch out.
This is definitely Flash's best chance to reach a ro8.
He's been a TvZ god since HOTS came out, and now he's got no Proleague, and nothing to stop him from practicing his heart out.
Which is exactly what it seems he's been doing, because his results in qualifiers and broadcasted matches lately has been absolutely insane, bonjwa-level stats.
On August 23 2014 00:37 jayy5 wrote: As someone who really wants to see return of the Bonjwa, I think Flash isn't a lock to advance. soO is of course insanely good, and will probably get out. DRG is clearly the worst player in the group...but did you see TRUE play ro32? He was terrifying; got the raw end of the build order multiple times and still won, sometimes handily. He is a coin-flip vs Flash.
Flash destroyed his group with 2x two rax and 1x dark using roach/hydra, and 1x Solar is sloppy, so I'm not convinced he's invincible just yet.
I honestly do not believe in this advantage shit about training only for one race.. I guess a pro gamer could tell us. I would think that if you looked at the statistical history of people in this situation it probably would show there to be no advantage at all.
I found the whole Reality/sOs/Solar thing to be pretty bizarre. For those who didn't see it, Solar announced once he got picked that he will choose sOs as the last player in his group and asked no one else to choose him. So oddly enough Reality, Solar's teammate, immediately chose sOs himself. But sOs "refused" to be chosen--apparently he decided that he has to beat Solar since Solar said what he did. Solar himself again asked Reality to not pick sOs but Reality was still determined to and walked out and stood in front of sOs to pick him so sOs literally turned his back to Reality and would not acknowledge him. The weirdest part is that once that happened Reality gave in and chose Cure. One of the more weird group selection moments. The VOD is at http://www.twitch.tv/gsl/b/560712839 , Reality's turn starts at about 36:00.
On August 22 2014 21:09 NotSorry wrote: Flash has got to be happy being able to focus solely on tvz a match up he's already a monster in.
Can't wait to see some gomtvt!
From a logical point of view, this makes sense on the surface. But in practice having only one race to practice against doesn't provide any statistical advantage.
I like statistics. Has anyone got access to data that can confirm this? If it is common knowledge there should be ample data, right?
The event was nice, much more interaction than WCS EU/NA
On August 23 2014 05:25 Yakikorosu wrote: I found the whole Reality/sOs/Solar thing to be pretty bizarre. For those who didn't see it, Solar announced once he got picked that he will choose sOs as the last player in his group and asked no one else to choose him. So oddly enough Reality, Solar's teammate, immediately chose sOs himself. But sOs "refused" to be chosen--apparently he decided that he has to beat Solar since Solar said what he did. Solar himself again asked Reality to not pick sOs but Reality was still determined to and walked out and stood in front of sOs to pick him so sOs literally turned his back to Reality and would not acknowledge him. The weirdest part is that once that happened Reality gave in and chose Cure. One of the more weird group selection moments. The VOD is at http://www.twitch.tv/gsl/b/560712839 , Reality's turn starts at about 36:00.
Some feedback for GOM if they're reading: I wish the GOM translator (I didn't catch who it was, it didn't sound like John to me) would also try to TL more of the conversations. I know it's hard to translate in real time when there is so much conversation going on but a lot of the time he'd just say something like "they're talking about their history"--well WHAT ARE THEY SAYING about their history? I don't need a word for word but at least the gist would be nice. There was apparently some running joke about TRUE having seen some sort of movie set in Busan, where DRG is from (I think?), but I was never able to follow what in the world that was about. I think at one point the translator said that someone said Zest has a "Western style"--Western style or what? SC2? Hair? Clothes? There were lots of things like that.
Also if GOM is reading I like bringing back the live group selections but they should ask the players why they picked the player they did. Some were asked but it seemed like most weren't. Those tend to be the most memorable moments. I still remember in a 2011 season NesTea chose Kyrix and when asked why said, in effect, that Kyrix is terrible and doesn't deserve to be in Code S, and how mad Kyrix looked.
On August 23 2014 05:25 Yakikorosu wrote: I found the whole Reality/sOs/Solar thing to be pretty bizarre. For those who didn't see it, Solar announced once he got picked that he will choose sOs as the last player in his group and asked no one else to choose him. So oddly enough Reality, Solar's teammate, immediately chose sOs himself. But sOs "refused" to be chosen--apparently he decided that he has to beat Solar since Solar said what he did. Solar himself again asked Reality to not pick sOs but Reality was still determined to and walked out and stood in front of sOs to pick him so sOs literally turned his back to Reality and would not acknowledge him. The weirdest part is that once that happened Reality gave in and chose Cure. One of the more weird group selection moments. The VOD is at http://www.twitch.tv/gsl/b/560712839 , Reality's turn starts at about 36:00.
True, it was an akward moment.
Was a bit weird indeed, but Reality could have been more assertive if he really wanted to play sOs. He was in his right :D I just hope people don't do like sOs in the future and peer-pressure players into not doing what they want.
On August 23 2014 06:02 PinoKotsBeer wrote: The event was nice, much more interaction than WCS EU/NA
On August 23 2014 05:25 Yakikorosu wrote: I found the whole Reality/sOs/Solar thing to be pretty bizarre. For those who didn't see it, Solar announced once he got picked that he will choose sOs as the last player in his group and asked no one else to choose him. So oddly enough Reality, Solar's teammate, immediately chose sOs himself. But sOs "refused" to be chosen--apparently he decided that he has to beat Solar since Solar said what he did. Solar himself again asked Reality to not pick sOs but Reality was still determined to and walked out and stood in front of sOs to pick him so sOs literally turned his back to Reality and would not acknowledge him. The weirdest part is that once that happened Reality gave in and chose Cure. One of the more weird group selection moments. The VOD is at http://www.twitch.tv/gsl/b/560712839 , Reality's turn starts at about 36:00.
True, it was an akward moment.
Was a bit weird indeed, but Reality could have been more assertive if he really wanted to play sOs. He was in his right :D I just hope people don't do like sOs in the future and peer-pressure players into not doing what they want.
Hah I found the moment quite funny, and I think the peer pressure and last second changes add more to the show, it makes it look more spontaneous and less pre-arranged.
On August 23 2014 06:02 PinoKotsBeer wrote: The event was nice, much more interaction than WCS EU/NA
On August 23 2014 05:25 Yakikorosu wrote: I found the whole Reality/sOs/Solar thing to be pretty bizarre. For those who didn't see it, Solar announced once he got picked that he will choose sOs as the last player in his group and asked no one else to choose him. So oddly enough Reality, Solar's teammate, immediately chose sOs himself. But sOs "refused" to be chosen--apparently he decided that he has to beat Solar since Solar said what he did. Solar himself again asked Reality to not pick sOs but Reality was still determined to and walked out and stood in front of sOs to pick him so sOs literally turned his back to Reality and would not acknowledge him. The weirdest part is that once that happened Reality gave in and chose Cure. One of the more weird group selection moments. The VOD is at http://www.twitch.tv/gsl/b/560712839 , Reality's turn starts at about 36:00.
True, it was an akward moment.
Was a bit weird indeed, but Reality could have been more assertive if he really wanted to play sOs. He was in his right :D I just hope people don't do like sOs in the future and peer-pressure players into not doing what they want.
Once again it had to do with sOs being challenged by Solar. That is why sOs didn't want to be picked by Reality because he wouldn't be able to defend his honour. Reality ended up respecting sOs his feeling and gave him the chance. That is how I interpreted it though, but there was a lot of smack talk between Solar and sOs during the nominations that is for sure.
I'm surprised at how many people are picking Cure to get out of Group A. I mean I love Cure and he's been on a tear recently, but is he going to get out at the expense of Soulkey? I'm not sure.
On August 23 2014 08:27 Salivanth wrote: Why does PartinG always get the worst goddamn groups? It's heartbreaking.
Why is it worse than any group here, rofl. INnoVation isn't even close to his robotic form, when he was destroying all matchups with 75+% winrate, Stats is just on his way to be another Seed/Dear/Zest/Classic and PartinG is matched okay against Maru, even historically.
Until PartinG gets PvP'd in this group, he's still in a race.
All groups are sick, it's freaking Code S. On the other hand, might be funny if all 5 Terrans advance into Ro8 and Protoss or soO still wins the championship, will be hilarious to enjoy those tears.
I think the happiest people all in all are Soulkey and Zest. They're huge favorites to get out. Cure and Reality are both solid players but not on the same level. I'm really surprised they didn't get picked for groups very early, to me they stand out as the weakest players out of a very strong group. Maybe with the recent buffs and meta changes no one wants to play vT (except, as always, PartinG).
Group A is just so dicey, because the two terrans are quite different where Cure his preferred matchup is versus P while Reality has a strong versus Z. And because Cure and Reality start against each other you won't be able to determine what is going to happen really.
On August 23 2014 08:27 Salivanth wrote: Why does PartinG always get the worst goddamn groups? It's heartbreaking.
Why is it worse than any group here, rofl. INnoVation isn't even close to his robotic form, when he was destroying all matchups with 75+% winrate, Stats is just on his way to be another Seed/Dear/Zest/Classic and PartinG is matched okay against Maru, even historically.
Until PartinG gets PvP'd in this group, he's still in a race.
All groups are sick, it's freaking Code S. On the other hand, might be funny if all 5 Terrans advance into Ro8 and Protoss still wins the championship and soO is the runner-up, will be hilarious to enjoy those tears.
Group D: DongRaeGu 2-1 soO Flash 2-1 TRUE Flash 2-0 DongRaeGu soO 2-0 TRUE soO 2-0 DongRaeGu
Round of 8 Rain 3-1 Zest Soulkey 3-2 sOs Maru 3-2 soO Flash 3-1 INnoVation
Semis Rain 4-2 Soulkey Flash 4-3 Maru
Finals Flash 4-0 Rain
dude, Flash can't beat Rain. PERIOD!!!!!
why cant Flash beat Rain? Because you said so? I mean no way Flash is gonna 4-0 Rain but if they would play right now, i'd say i it would be a pretty close and entertaining series. Who wins.. dunno, but it could be 4-2/4-3 either way
Group D: DongRaeGu 2-1 soO Flash 2-1 TRUE Flash 2-0 DongRaeGu soO 2-0 TRUE soO 2-0 DongRaeGu
Round of 8 Rain 3-1 Zest Soulkey 3-2 sOs Maru 3-2 soO Flash 3-1 INnoVation
Semis Rain 4-2 Soulkey Flash 4-3 Maru
Finals Flash 4-0 Rain
dude, Flash can't beat Rain. PERIOD!!!!!
why cant Flash beat Rain? Because you said so? I mean no way Flash is gonna 4-0 Rain but if they would play right now, i'd say i it would be a pretty close and entertaining series. Who wins.. dunno, but it could be 4-2/4-3 either way
I get your point, but I think Rain is too solid to be defeated by a terran, (maybe a zerg can beat him). Also, (this might not be too convincing for you, but for me it is), Zest has weaker vT than Rain does, so basically if Zest can beat Flash then Rain can beat Flash, because Zest has a similar playstyle in PvT than Rain, which is macro over micro (most of the time), unlike PartinG, which is quite agressive. To be honest, I think the only terran in the world who can beat Zest or Rain is Taeja.
On August 23 2014 07:32 RookUK wrote: I'm surprised at how many people are picking Cure to get out of Group A. I mean I love Cure and he's been on a tear recently, but is he going to get out at the expense of Soulkey? I'm not sure.
Soulkey hasn't looked so threatening lately, and I say that as a fan of his.
Could be the season he returns to form, but there was a reason he was picked first at the group selections.
Group A: Zest+a Terran (because Soulkey is bad these days) Group B: Anyone but Solar. I think sos+Effort Group C: Maru and Stats (who is going to win this Season) Group D: Flash (since only one MU) and anyone of the others (because soO's dominance doesnt prevent him from randomly getting cheesed out in ZvZ)
After watching the VODs, It's kind of funny most players especially the last 2 players to get chosen (Stats and even Flash) agreed that group C is the group of death.
But look at the statistic and performance at GSL last season, only Maru made it past Ro8. While Parting and Innovation only made to Ro16. On the other hand Group A and D has 2 players at Ro8 last season.
On August 23 2014 00:37 jayy5 wrote: As someone who really wants to see return of the Bonjwa, I think Flash isn't a lock to advance. soO is of course insanely good, and will probably get out. DRG is clearly the worst player in the group...but did you see TRUE play ro32? He was terrifying; got the raw end of the build order multiple times and still won, sometimes handily. He is a coin-flip vs Flash.
Flash destroyed his group with 2x two rax and 1x dark using roach/hydra, and 1x Solar is sloppy, so I'm not convinced he's invincible just yet.
I feel like people are really dumping on DRG here... which is understandable given his long slump, but guy has been posting some good results lately. He didn't look amazing in the RO32, but it's worth remembering the Redbull Battlegrounds Global recently. He won the thing, smashing players like Solar who people apparently think are better, not to mention other players like Polt. I do suspect DRG might have some mental block or psychological problem with GSL considering his good results elsewhere recently, though... if he does get knocked out of this group no contest, that's gonna seem even more the case.
EPT
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Meru/2014/GSL/GSL_CodeS.jpg)
Soulkey, who many singled out as their ideal pick in their interviews. Despite rising to stardom in 2013 as one of the best zergs in the world, Soulkey has yet to make it past the Ro8 this year. His results, especially in Proleague, have been in a decline, but he is still one of the most consistent player in the GSL.
Flash was left as the last player to be assigned to a group. INnoVation had a chance to create the group of death with Maru, PartinG, himself and Flash, but decided to choose the deceptively calm Stats. ![[image loading]](/staff/lichter/code_s/2014/season3/codesr16s3.jpg)
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