Classic - Flavor of the month Toss who in my opinion hasn't really proved himself. He can become a legit contender or can drop out of the radar in the future but for the present I wouldn't bet on him.

SOS - I haven't seen him winning convincingly against high level T/Z when he did not cripple the opponent early on. (i.e. canons/timings) Think of him as you wish.

herO - Same as SOS

Flash/Soo - Solid players with zero flairs. Not sure what to make out of these. They are whom I think of when it comes to code S but not necessarily as champions.

That leaves Rain as the most complete player among the 6 in the list, but of course anyone can take down anyone on any given day so there's that.

BTW, I really think the snark against Sniper is undeserved and needs to stop. His run for the GSL championship was more convincing than, say, that of Classic's. He wasn't even one of those Zergs who abused BL/Infestors at every chance they got. (e.g. Symbol) He was more in the molds of Leenock/DRG.

herMan

Japan2057 Posts

September 11 2014 06:56 GMT

#24

You guys typed Miniraser wrong!

Xoronius

Germany6362 Posts

September 11 2014 11:06 GMT

#25

Nice write-up. Only think, I would complain about is, that Jaedong is not quite a Sniper yet. He already dropped from 99,5% to 96.5, because + Show Spoiler +

Classic defeated Rogue

. If soO, Snute, MMA, Rain and a few others also do well at Kespa-cup/DH Moscow, he can still get eliminated.

The_Templar

your Country52798 Posts

September 11 2014 12:59 GMT

#26

On September 11 2014 14:17 Radicalness wrote:
I like all the suspense at the end of the year here. Besides Flash, I'm not sure who I want to grab these last few spots. Obviously soO should keep his spot, but other than that let's see this thing play out!

I'm a little confused though. Why not more love for viOLet? Seems he has as good a shot as many of those other "threats abroad".

Yeah, he's 17th and still in premier league afaik. He has pretty good chances.

Dragoonstorm7

United States599 Posts

September 11 2014 13:59 GMT

#27

A slightly important detail I think this article failed to mention is that all herO has to do to move up 400 points is beat Sorry, a SKT B-teamer who has absolutely zero placed results ever. Im not even sure hes made he's made Code A before...
"But he qualified for Kespa cup tho right?" Yes, but he really went thru the gauntlet of Alicia, Nado, Journey, and DeParture.
Its not a 100% guarantee, but as long as herO shows up at least decent, he should win easily.

The_Templar

your Country52798 Posts

September 11 2014 14:19 GMT

#28

On September 11 2014 22:59 Dragoonstorm7 wrote:
A slightly important detail I think this article failed to mention is that all herO has to do to move up 400 points is beat Sorry, a SKT B-teamer who has absolutely zero placed results ever. Im not even sure hes made he's made Code A before...
"But he qualified for Kespa cup tho right?" Yes, but he really went thru the gauntlet of Alicia, Nado, Journey, and DeParture.
Its not a 100% guarantee, but as long as herO shows up at least decent, he should win easily.

He did beat Alicia. I don't think herO is quite a sure thing but since it's BO5 he should have a good chance.

TheDwf

France19747 Posts

September 11 2014 14:25 GMT

#29

http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/IEM_Season_IX_-_Toronto/Korean_and_Taiwan_Qualifier#Brackets
http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/IEM_Season_IX_-_Toronto/Asian_Final_Qualifier

And what's the excuse for those victories? Opponents were easy too?

Don Jimbo

70 Posts

September 11 2014 15:01 GMT

#30

On September 11 2014 23:25 TheDwf wrote:

Show nested quote +

I think any of these Kespa players is good enough to take games off the best in the world or even go on a winning streak for awhile. So herO really shouldn't take sorry lightly or he might be sorry. Haha. I remember when Sora went on a mean streak like that once. Every one of these Kespa players is a threat. That said, herO is the favorite and he's had the opportunity to play a lot of PvTs against the very best TvP players recently (Cure especially). So I think herO has good chances.

Dragoonstorm7

United States599 Posts

September 11 2014 20:23 GMT

#31

On September 11 2014 23:25 TheDwf wrote:

Show nested quote +

TvTs and an in-house team game vs Classic? Look, Don Jimbo is definitely right when he says any kespa player can win a series vs anybody, but looking at the participants of Kespa Cup, herO got hands down the least accomplished player here.
Maybe the odds arent near 99% like I implied, but they are the most in his favor that he could possibly have asked for.

kimjung_theillest

Korea (North)9 Posts

September 11 2014 22:12 GMT

#32

I'm hyped for d2, flash and bomber should use nukes in their next matches!

GENerateSAYing

United States103 Posts

September 11 2014 23:46 GMT

#33

Flash.

I believe.

Admiral_Crunch91x

Canada13 Posts

September 12 2014 02:36 GMT

#34

I can't wait for day 2! too bad Flash will likely play soO in the qf. would have loved to see both of them in the finals but whatever, should be epic anyways. Also hoping Rain makes it pretty far ^.^

wrier

Canada291 Posts

September 12 2014 04:43 GMT

#35

If Dear won both Dreamhacks and qualified for Blizzcon I would be amazed.

-Celestial-

United Kingdom3867 Posts

September 12 2014 09:32 GMT

#36

On September 11 2014 14:38 kochanfe wrote:

Show nested quote +

Beat a bunch of fan favorites to win his season of GSL and crushed a bunch of nerds' hearts

Also absolutely annihilated SlayerS in their farewell game in the GSTL on the day they were disbanding by all-killing them after YugiOh racked up 3 wins and made a lot of people hope they could go out on a high. And made Eve cry in the booth.