EPTOriginal Text: http://sc2clan.tw/bbs/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=31129
A Tough Journey Begins
"Roughly ten years ago, I would often go to the local PC bang and play Starcraft with friends. I enjoyed winning frequently with Goliath drop. When I got into watching pro gamers play, I greatly admired Bisu and Flash, I hoped that someday I would be just like them.” SpiderNado said, recalling the moment he decided to pursue in pro-gaming.
In the beginning of 2013, after playing Starcraft II for six months, Nado got to Master league placement and started practicing in the MVP team house. Like most ordinary parents, Nado’s parents did not fully understand what eSports was about. Having a brother that voluntarily joined military service, Nado’s family urged him to join the army like his brother or start considering about other full-time careers.
From the pressure under such circumstances, Nado actively looked for any opportunities to join an eSports team. Although the pursuit of a career in gaming sounds wonderful, setting a stop-loss limit for oneself is an absolute necessity. As a result, Nado and his parents came to an agreement that Nado would have 6 months to get in a pro-team, or give up pro-gaming entirely. “I was prepared to join the army at the time, but it would have been such a regret if I decided to give up”.
Last Full Measure
“I met SpiderRex while I was practicing on the ladder, he was very friendly and we got to know each other. It was also because of him that I got familiar with Wayi Spider. I participated in 2013-14 eGamers Starcraft II Open Season 4 and was qualified for TeSL Super League Up & Down Matches. When I was worrying about the expense for coming to Taiwan, Wayi Spider sponsored me despite not knowing whether or not if I could qualify for TeSL Super League. Many thanks for the support of Wayi Spider their manager Mau Mau.” Officially changing his ID from “OneStar” to “Nado”, a new chapter in his pro-gaming career began, as the newest addition to the Wayi Spider Starcraft II team.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ARnUtFc.png?1)
<Game on! FIGHT>
Incredibly nervous during TeSL Up & Down Matches due to not having any offline tournament experience, Nado failed to qualified for the TeSL Super League despite advanced to the finals. When all seemed lost, one of the qualified player “DS” forfeited his standing that allowed Nado to enter the TeSL Super League by filling up the vacancy. “DS is a very strong protoss player, I am very grateful for him and respect his skill a lot.” Nado said, as he recalled the breathtaking turning point that allowed him to officially compete as a professional gamer.
A Part of Wayi Spider
“To me, the biggest difference between Korea and Taiwan pro-gamer was the style of play. Most pro-gamers in Korea practice and refine the same build over and over, but each Taiwanese pro-gamer has their own style and strategy. In a way, it was more difficult for me to prepare against them. I watched their replay for each player specifically.I like my teammates in Wayi Spider a lot, we are all close friends, it’s more difficult to have this relationship in a Korea team house.” Nado said. His teammates that included AK, Rex, Fist, and Cheetos practice about 8 to 10 hours a day on average, the majority of practice is on the ladder. Teammates would often watch from the side to give each other advice and have discussions.
The Wayi Spider is not just a team, but a big family. Despite the immense language and culture barrier, Nado got along very well with his teammates. When the topic of discussion got to how he felt about leaving his hometown, a mild grin appeared on Nado’s face. “I talk to my family regularly, they support and cheer for me. Taiwan is my second home, but I still miss my dog a lot.”
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/79onULd.jpg)
<Nado’s pet dog, Lookie>
One of Nado’s greatest achievements since joining Wayi Spider would definitely be defeating the Korean powerhouse Cho "Maru" Seong Ju 2:1 during the Taiwan Open Qualifier RO64. However, when asked about what he learned the most, Nado responded “Before I came to Taiwan, there are so many things I did not know how to do. Mau Mau helped me learn many things, now I know how to wash the dishes and use the washing machine. Of course I got better at Starcraft as well, with TvP being the most improved match up. I also gained more off-line tournament experience, and I’m not as nervous as before. I performed badly in the previous season, very sorry that I let my fans down.”
Nado’s daily life is full of funny anecdotes. Wayi Spider’s manager once revealed that Nado used to pour the fries and ketchup directly onto the workstation desk and eat it in that fashion. The mystery of the unexplained smell coming from Nado clothes was also solved, when the manager found out that Nado was not aware that clothes need to be fully dried when coming out of the dryer. Shortly after the interview, Nado also underwent a struggle of plugging in the correct cables for the computer and the monitor as he moved to a new practice area. To his teammates, Nado is both an earnest and hilarious close friend.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/jVLht9w.jpg?1)
<Eros, teammate from game SF, playing with Nado before a match>
Nado’s sincere and modest interaction with people also won him many fans in Taiwan. Even employees working at a close by bubble tea station recognized Nado and sent their regards via Facebook. The Language barrier did not keep Nado away from interacting with his Taiwanese fans at all, with the help of google translator, Nado enjoys talking to fans between streaming sessions.
Thanks and Gratitude
I would like to thank all of my friends that helped me greatly along the way, including Kim "Believe" Ju Yeol, Kim "SSanaEE" Tae Gyun, Kim "MyuNgSik" Myung-Sik, Seung Hyun "StuN" Kim, Park "Pet" Nam Kyu, Hyun "DeParture" Sung, Ko "HyuN" Seok Hyun, Kevin "qxc" Riley, Bang"True"Taesu, Alan "Alpha" Liang, Shao-Tang "Beta" Yen, BoKy “SoBaD” Chang, all my teammates from Wayi Spider and all the fans that supported me, especially the fan that worked at a near by tea station, she introduce me to many good foods and gave me many things, I am very grateful to her.
I would like to give special thanks to Park "GoRush" Tae Min, the ex bw pro-gamer and OGN caster. He helped me get the opportunity to take tests for pro teams when I was searching inconclusively , and continue to encourage me along the way. My mentor Kim "TANGTANG" Dong Jin has helped me a lot as well, we share our builds. Sixty percent of my builds are from him, I owe him many thanks. Same goes to Li Chen, (famous gaming event hostess in Taiwan), who encouraged me greatly when I was extremely depressed from not being able to qualify for TeSL, and continued to cheer for me everytime she sees me. Last but not least, Wayi Spider’s manager Mau Mau, she taught me many things and is like a mom to me, I am extremely grateful to her.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/7XTaBTn.jpg?1)
<Nado helping Li Chen with Korean, Terran strategy and player mindset>
Being a pro-gamer is not just about tournament placements or trophies. The ability to take care of oneself, to cooperate well with others and other social skills are just as important, if not more. Wayi Spider’s manager takes the development of such skills very seriously. Sometimes perhaps being a bit harsh on Nado regarding these subjects. However, Mau Mau’s soft spot for the players often result in taking care of Nado while nagging, in the hope that that all team members will become the man that can take care of themselves. No matter whether if Nado can fulfill his dream and become a superstar like Bisu or Flash, the drive and spirit in him that fights on fearlessly, will always be a model for those who are pursuing their dreams.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/64mSJcU.jpg?1)
<Terran for life~>
Image source: Wayi Spider Official Facebook Page
SpiderNado Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/SpiderNado
Nado's Stream: http://www.twitch.tv/spidernado
TeSL 2014-2015 Season 1
