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[NSSL] Ro16 Group B: It's a Toss Up - S1 2015

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33 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 Next All

[NSSL] Ro16 Group B: It's a Toss Up - S1 2015

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
January 22nd, 2015 02:48 GMT
2014 WCS

SPOTV Starleague 2015 Season 1



Ro16 Group B:
Stats, Classic, Life, herO

Brackets and standings on Liquipedia
Starcraft II Starleague

It's a Toss Up

Thursday, Jan 22 10:00am GMT (GMT+00:00)
by The_Templar and Gemini

Four heroes of Korea find their lives at risk as they face off in a classic group of death, where the numbers favor nobody. Although all of these players spend the vast majority of their time in Korea, and never left for other WCS regions during the great migration of 2013-2014, their paths in the GSL and histories in Korea could hardly be more different. Two of these players are GSL champions, two are champions of tournaments spanning the continents, two have enjoyed success in Proleague, and two will reach the round of 8 tonight.

(Z)Startale_Life is indisputably the greatest champion remaining in the tournament. With eight premier titles to his name and one acquired as recently as Blizzcon 2014, Life has cemented himself in Starcraft’s hall of fame. Since his second place title at Dreamhack Winter—where he crushed everyone except (T)ForGG—and his Blizzcon title, Life has remained in Korea, but it’s difficult to tell how he’s been doing. Although he qualified for both individual leagues, losses to (P)Seed and (P)Hurricane in the qualifiers, combined with a disappointing 2-3 start to Proleague, paint a poor picture about the state of the prodigy’s ZvP. However, Life is a master of preparation and this group is likely his top priority. He thoroughly dismantled (P)San and defeated (P)Zest at the WCS Global Finals, and followed this up by crushing (T)Flash 3-0 in his Challenger match and getting revenge against (T)ForGG after losing twice at Dreamhack Winter. In all of these games, Life methodically took apart his opponents, showing that he understood their styles to near perfection and used it against them.

(P)SKT_Classic is also a GSL champion, but his path is markedly different compared to Life’s. After walking the royal road, Life immediately followed his GSL up with the quickest triple crown in Starcraft history as he won MLG and Iron Squid II. He joined the ranks of (T)Mvp and (T)MMA as a GSL champion that enjoyed wild success for years to come. Classic, on the other hand, dropped out of the Ro32, and—as he was obligated to stay in Korea—did nothing for months. He was written off as just another protoss champion at the time despite still being one of the most skilled players in the world. Most were unconvinced by his semifinal exits at the KeSPA Cup and Blizzcon months later and when he also failed in the Ro16 of Dreamhack Stockholm and the Hot6iX Cup at about the same time.

(P)KT_Stats comes into this group as a bit of a mystery, despite being a pro for the second longest amount of time out of the players in this group. He is not one to frequently participate in online cups as his only recent performances are three games from Proleague. From those three games, only one was in a matchup that actually applies to this group. If Stats has one thing on his side, however, it’s that he is difficult to prepare for. The amount of study material of the other players in this group vastly outnumbers that of Stats. He hasn’t played any PvPs since his run in WECG in October, except for one win versus (P)MacSed in a Leifeng Cup on December 1st. Coincidentally, the person he did beat in WECG was herO so this will be a rematch for the two protoss. Stats has the element of surprise on his side for this group as most of it is PvP, so we’ll see what kind of builds he has prepared. The KT Protoss has additionally been known for his extremely solid PvZ. His game against (Z)Soulkey from last season’s Proleague finals was a wonderful example of how unbreakable he can be even when in a seemingly unfavorable position. However, Stats did lose to (Z)PenguiN in the GSL qualifier, so while his PvZ has been good in the past, it may not be up to snuff now. This will be put to the test against arguably the best zerg in the world right now. Stats’ previously unshakable form will need to be at its most outstanding to have hopes of overcoming the lone zerg in his group if they do match.

It’s been somewhat up and down for (P)CJherO ever since his IEM San Jose win in December. His PvT remains his best matchup after getting into the group stages by beating Bbyong and overcoming TaeJa in GSL. Unfortunately for him, his greatest asset is not of use in this group. Even though his PvP looked adequate during the last IEM, the exact opposite has been true ever since. All of herO’s last four PvPs have been losses. (P)Dear, (P)YongHwa and (P)Terminator have all bested him in what was previously considered one of his better matchups. These games are all extremely recent as they were from Proleague and GSL, so they will serve as perfect preparation material for his opponents. To add salt to the wounds, one of those PvP losses was a proxy 2gate, a build herO is famous for losing to. After all these months, it seems herO still hasn’t truly learned his lesson and with two other protoss in this group, it’s hard to imagine there won’t be at least one proxy gate used against the CJ player. It’s possible he’ll finally stop respecting his opponents so much and actually scout for proxy gates this time. herO’s PvZ also still seems solid enough to make some dents in top zergs. He personally said he thinks it’s his weakest during the SSL group selection, but he has been able to pull some crazy wins out of his hat, the most ridiculous being his Proleague match vs Curious on Foxtrot. Although he was thought to have lost various times vs Curious’ swarm host turtle, he eventually ended up coming back in a game that came down to the final units. When they rematched in the GSL last week, herO played with more finesse and creativity in the matchup than we had ever seen, using 2 warp prisms and 2 army groups at the same time. The ability is definitely there, but Life isn’t someone that’s so easily beaten when you consider PvZ to be your worst matchup.

Overall Thoughts and Predictions:

Classic’s recent form in the mirror matchup has been fair, with his only recent losses being against PvP conundrums (P)Super and (P)San. Additionally, he reverse swept herO at Blizzcon by exploiting his weakness to the proxy 2gate and beat him 2-0 shortly after the tournament, so he is favored against at least one player in this group. At the same time, however, his PvZ is a complete mystery with just one win against Life in a macro game and one loss to two proxy hatcheries since Dreamhack Stockholm. He is likely to be evenly matched against Life, who has recently looked vulnerable in shorter ZvP series. Both players are skilled at preparing for well-known opponents, so this should be one of the better matches of the evening should they meet.

With this group mostly hanging on PvP, one of the most volatile matchups, Stats will have to be fully prepared for his historically strong opponents in order to make the most out of these matches. As the least visible player in the group, he certainly has the best opportunity to out-prepare his opponents. Meanwhile, herO will need to work out the kinks in his PvP or defeat Life twice if he has any chance of getting out of this group, and with the other protoss being quite good at PvP themselves, don’t be too surprised if the playoffs are lacking a CJ representative.

Stats > Classic
Life > herO
Stats < Life
Classic > herO
Stats < Classic

(Z)Life and (P)Classic to advance.

Writers: The_Templar, Gemini.
Graphics: shiroiusagi.
Editors: lichter
Facebook Twitter Reddit
TL+ Member
Yhamm
Profile Blog Joined December 2012
France7248 Posts
January 22 2015 02:49 GMT
#2
you forgot to change the date at the top of the article
LiquipediaWe will have only each other at the last
lichter
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts
January 22 2015 02:50 GMT
#3
too slow already changed it
AdministratorYOU MUST HEED MY INSTRUCTIONS TAKE OFF YOUR THIIIINGS
banjoetheredskin
Profile Blog Joined November 2012
United States744 Posts
January 22 2015 02:51 GMT
#4
herO in last? Not happening. It will not happen! Once again I'll make a promise to break about posting a blog of my herOtic poetry if when he advances. It needs some work though.
Writer#1 CJ fan | http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/starcraft-2/508947-wcs-dreamhack-austin-interviews
Yhamm
Profile Blog Joined December 2012
France7248 Posts
January 22 2015 02:52 GMT
#5
On January 22 2015 11:50 lichter wrote:
too slow already changed it

I don't know about that
I want to see the seconds in my post
"Last edit: 2015-01-22 03:49:34"
"Yhamm France. January 22 2015 03:49. Posts 5166"
LiquipediaWe will have only each other at the last
Jer99
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
Canada8157 Posts
January 22 2015 02:52 GMT
#6
life/herO pls for my liquibets
StrategyTaeJa #1 || @TL_Jer99 || "seeker seeked out his seeking"
The_Templar
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
your Country52797 Posts
January 22 2015 02:52 GMT
#7
On January 22 2015 11:52 Yhamm wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 22 2015 11:50 lichter wrote:
too slow already changed it

I don't know about that
I want to see the seconds in my post
"Last edit: 2015-01-22 03:49:34"
"Yhamm France. January 22 2015 03:49. Posts 5166"

Take it to website feedback :D
Moderatorshe/her
TL+ Member
ZigguratOfUr
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
Iraq16955 Posts
January 22 2015 02:54 GMT
#8
On January 22 2015 11:51 banjoetheredskin wrote:
herO in last? Not happening. It will not happen! Once again I'll make a promise to break about posting a blog of my herOtic poetry if when he advances. It needs some work though.


Its probably just that Gemini has a complex about that name. I agree with the predictions though.
lichter
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts
January 22 2015 02:55 GMT
#9
On January 22 2015 11:52 Yhamm wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 22 2015 11:50 lichter wrote:
too slow already changed it

I don't know about that
I want to see the seconds in my post
"Last edit: 2015-01-22 03:49:34"
"Yhamm France. January 22 2015 03:49. Posts 5166"


the second edit was because of a typo in the title so the first edit (fixing the date) was sooner >.>
AdministratorYOU MUST HEED MY INSTRUCTIONS TAKE OFF YOUR THIIIINGS
Circumstance
Profile Blog Joined March 2014
United States11403 Posts
January 22 2015 02:55 GMT
#10
I can't disagree - herO is so inconsistent in PvP and Stats is just never one to look like he's on that level with the other 3 people in this group.
The world is better when every background has a chance.
Yhamm
Profile Blog Joined December 2012
France7248 Posts
January 22 2015 02:55 GMT
#11
On January 22 2015 11:55 lichter wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 22 2015 11:52 Yhamm wrote:
On January 22 2015 11:50 lichter wrote:
too slow already changed it

I don't know about that
I want to see the seconds in my post
"Last edit: 2015-01-22 03:49:34"
"Yhamm France. January 22 2015 03:49. Posts 5166"


the second edit was because of a typo in the title so the first edit (fixing the date) was sooner >.>

I don't believe you.
LiquipediaWe will have only each other at the last
banjoetheredskin
Profile Blog Joined November 2012
United States744 Posts
Last Edited: 2015-01-22 02:57:17
January 22 2015 02:57 GMT
#12
On January 22 2015 11:54 ZigguratOfUr wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 22 2015 11:51 banjoetheredskin wrote:
herO in last? Not happening. It will not happen! Once again I'll make a promise to break about posting a blog of my herOtic poetry if when he advances. It needs some work though.


Its probably just that Gemini has a complex about that name. I agree with the predictions though.

maybe so, but he's also joining in on the "it's fun to tease banjoe because he's a herO fanboy" train. to be fair, the prediction isn't unreasonable given herO's PvP form.
Writer#1 CJ fan | http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/starcraft-2/508947-wcs-dreamhack-austin-interviews
CosmicSpiral
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States15275 Posts
January 22 2015 03:03 GMT
#13
Stats will make it through. Peeps always underestimating him, for shame.
WriterWovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muß man schweigen.
iViNtaGe
Profile Joined July 2012
United States254 Posts
January 22 2015 03:04 GMT
#14
dat classic face
Favorite Players: Bomber | Maru | Life | PartinG | InnoVation | Bbyong
NovemberstOrm
Profile Blog Joined September 2011
Canada16217 Posts
January 22 2015 03:25 GMT
#15
lifuuuu
Moderatorlickypiddy
Shellshock
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States97276 Posts
January 22 2015 03:28 GMT
#16
Heres to hoping Life and herO win because I'm not really sure who's favored in a lot of these groups anymore.
Moderatorhttp://i.imgur.com/U4xwqmD.png
TL+ Member
Gemini_19
Profile Joined June 2010
United States1238 Posts
January 22 2015 03:34 GMT
#17
On January 22 2015 11:54 ZigguratOfUr wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 22 2015 11:51 banjoetheredskin wrote:
herO in last? Not happening. It will not happen! Once again I'll make a promise to break about posting a blog of my herOtic poetry if when he advances. It needs some work though.


Its probably just that Gemini has a complex about that name. I agree with the predictions though.


I honestly voted for him in liquibets but then looked at his PvP recently and realized he hasn't won since IEM. I'm a herO fan too I want him to win
@GGemini19 GM Protoss | http://www.twitch.tv/geminisc2 | I <333 HerO & Trap | Check out my Build of the Week series on /r/allthingsprotoss, TL, or Spawning Tool
Blargh
Profile Joined September 2010
United States2101 Posts
January 22 2015 03:43 GMT
#18
See, these are much more ballsy predictions than the Parting + Life ones. Of course, I'd say these are rather illogical. Life has been looking quite poor recently in his ZvP (see PL match of Classic vs Life). Life only started playing well once he had essentially lost the game.

herO didn't look great in his PvP match versus Terminator, but Terminator was mysteriously amazing that night (he looked mediocre at best every other game I've seen...) so it wasn't that big of a loss. Stats is also looking pretty good right now. So I think I agree with the herO not making it, but I'd have Stats over Life or Classic.
myxoma_strain
Profile Joined December 2013
United Kingdom371 Posts
January 22 2015 04:20 GMT
#19
I honestly don't think this group can be predicted. While people overstate the volatility of PvP, it still has enough variance for any of the three protosses to make it, depending on builds. While life seems like a shoe in to make it, you would have to expect him to be the player the others prepared the most for, considering his form and reputation, so it's entirely possible that there are prepared builds awaiting him.
Dragoonstorm7
Profile Joined December 2012
United States599 Posts
January 22 2015 05:05 GMT
#20
everyone in this group is better than everyone in group A :/
unfortunate how it worked out...
oblivion awaits- dark archon (aka best unit ever)
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