One of the biggest fears fans had during the announcement of WCS 2015 was the possible disappearance of the Union's beloved Captain America. Sure, he wasn't actually American, but audiences throughout the nation quickly became attached to Polt after he had decided to reside in the US for his career and education. Fortunately for the fans, and sadly for the players, Polt's athlete Visa allowed him to stay in the country and compete in the revamped WCS. It's been over a year since his last WCS title, and he must be licking his lips at the prospect of a tournament purged of his biggest rivals.
With an 87% winrate against foreigners, it seems as if Polt has very little to fear in Group B. Whenever Polt has been stopped, it has always been at the hands of someone from his home nation. But he couldn't have been given a trickier foreign group, as each one of his matchups could be tested. Of all three, his TvZ has—though this might be overstating it—consistently been the most worrying. It remains his weakest matchup, and he was ousted in 2014's first two seasons in the round of 8 by a combined score of 1-6 against Revival and HyuN. The chaotic drop heavy style that Polt prefers has lost efficacy in the matchup, and he never really mastered mech and the 4M parade push doesn't play to his strengths. His cleverness and tactical ingenuity have yet to find their place in current TvZ, though this criticism is nitpicking at a 66% winrate (77% vs foreigners). He will first have to defeat a protoss, however, and it is the matchup where the Five Star General has traditionally shined. The manic I'm-everywhere-at-once way of TvP is currently one of the ideal styles to play the matchup, and as mentioned earlier, it is where Polt excels the most. He picks apart his opponents with his swift movements such that they appear visibly frustrated, and very few protoss have been able to repel his raids.
One reaction to this style is the comeback of the phoenix-colossus experiment. One notable match that showcased the build's strengths was Terminator vs TaeJa in Code A, but one of the leading proponents of the build all the way back in 2013 was the Chinese protoss Jim. It was seen as a Chinese quirk that only the bravest protoss could risk using, but MyuNgSiK memorably used it to qualify for IEM Shanghai in 2013. It has flitted in and out of the protoss playbook since then, but Jim could use it as the repellent for Polt's drops. Phoenixes, when used effectively, can shut down almost any form of harassment while punishing terrans that overextend. Unfortunately for the current emperor of China, his PvT has dipped severely over the past few months. It's still at a very good 60%, but many of his wins come from unknown Chinese players. Defeating Polt will go a long way in announcing his championship credentials, but more likely than not, he'll have to defeat the remaining two players to advance. His PvZ, despite his predictable penchant for all ins, is still his best matchup, and he has never fallen out of Premier League due to foreign competition before.
The X-Factor of the group will likely be TLO. He's used to being tagged as a wild card, and it's due to a combination of his trickery and his inconsistency. After an impressive 5th place in WCS Season 1 2013, he has yet to return to the playoffs. He's still never fallen out of Premier League completely, but it's been a while—IEM Sao Paulo 2014—since he's placed well in a tournament. It's always that same story with TLO, and we've been saying the same thing about him forever. The amiable German will always be a fan favorite, but it's about time he reminded us that he's still a force to be reckoned with. He has extra incentive since he had to beat his teammate Ret in Challenger League—the customary Liquid teamkill—and it's certainly possible with enough preparation. If he is able to deflect Polt's harassment and scout Jim for all ins, it's not inconceivable that he could wrestle a series win away from them. Yet at the same time, he could just die to whatever Kelazhur has in store for him.
And that's pretty much Kelazhur's big weapon in this group: the element of surprise. He rolled CatZ 3-0 in Challenger League and it was certainly a good result, but we have little else on the Brazilian Terran. This is only his second premier tournament (and his first big tournament outside of Brazil), his first being IEM Sao Paulo 2014. He finished third in his group at that event, one that was notoriously weak, so it's difficult to blame us for having meager expectations for him. It's a good feeling to finally have more players from different countries in Premier League, but it will take a while for them to catch up.
Overall Thoughts and Predictions:
While it seems like it would take quite a bit of bravery or madness to liquibet against Polt, all three players in this group have a chance of destabilizing Captain America with a well planned strategy. TLO and Jim are both known for their expansive playbooks, while Kelazhur is about as mysterious as they come. It will still take quite a bit of luck to knock him out in the Ro32, and the three foreigners will likely have to settle for second place. Jim has repeatedly shown that only the top Koreans can get the best of him, if at all, and China's best WCS player should keep going strong.
Kelazhur < TLO Polt > Jim TLO < Polt Kelazhur < Jim TLO < Jim
The new drawn groups were so unlucky for TLO... Getting Polt and Jim, with Polt just beeing an almost unbeatable player for opponents who are not top20 in the world and Jim, who is super sick as well (and extremly underestimated in europa/america, if you don't think he is sick, then just look up his aligulac rankings...). With Jim's best matchup being PvZ and TLO's worst matchup being ZvP this is looking really bad for TLO
Nevertheless, you should never give up the hope and i will cross my fingers for TLO!!!
Other than Polt, and he also has his own weaknesses, this is a very evenly matched group that should be very exciting to watch. I'm pulling for Polt/TLO to advance, but also to see the newcomer flex his muscles.
On February 16 2015 01:21 digmouse wrote: Both Jim and TLO have a shot upsetting a declining Polt.
His biggest decline is in TvZ, so it looks like TLO might be his biggest problem on the way out of this group. And then, TLO is often his own worst enemy
On February 16 2015 01:21 digmouse wrote: Both Jim and TLO have a shot upsetting a declining Polt.
I agree. Finishing first in the group is a distinct possibility for Jim. However I don't think that both Jim and TLO will upset Polt. So it'll be the usual feeling that non-Koreans aren't doing so badly, but still with all the Koreans making it to the later rounds.
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
Riot manage to schedule the NA LCS for 8pm UK time on weekends in the US, which is far more reasonable than 11pm like they have done with WCS, as it means it's viewable in the US and Europe, or at least half of it is (now they have gone to 5 games) There's pretty much zero reason to schedule WCS so late on a Sunday when you are making it unfeasible for half the audience to watch it.
When it was WCS NA, it was more reasonable as it catered to one audience, but what logic is there to put it so late for half the audience, when it's a weekend?
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
Riot manage to schedule the NA LCS for 8pm UK time on weekends in the US, which is far more reasonable than 11pm like they have done with WCS, as it means it's viewable in the US and Europe, or at least half of it is (now they have gone to 5 games) There's pretty much zero reason to schedule WCS so late on a Sunday when you are making it unfeasible for half the audience to watch it.
When it was WCS NA, it was more reasonable as it catered to one audience, but what logic is there to put it so late for half the audience, when it's a weekend?
I'm sorry EU has to deal with a single tournament being at a bad time. I"m sure it must be hard for you to watch every other event ever at a decent time. I can't imagine the struggle of havign to stay up till *GASP* 11PM to watch a tournament.
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
Riot manage to schedule the NA LCS for 8pm UK time on weekends in the US, which is far more reasonable than 11pm like they have done with WCS, as it means it's viewable in the US and Europe, or at least half of it is (now they have gone to 5 games) There's pretty much zero reason to schedule WCS so late on a Sunday when you are making it unfeasible for half the audience to watch it.
When it was WCS NA, it was more reasonable as it catered to one audience, but what logic is there to put it so late for half the audience, when it's a weekend?
I'm sorry EU has to deal with a single tournament being at a bad time. I"m sure it must be hard for you to watch every other event ever at a decent time. I can't imagine the struggle of havign to stay up till *GASP* 11PM to watch a tournament.
It STARTS at 11pm on a Sunday. If you have work the next day, there's no point in "staying up" until then, because then it's time to go to sleep before it ends. Most tournaments are at weekends. If you are in the US and have to "stay up" for something that starts early in the morning, that's fine for most people, because then it's the weekend and you can sleep. Or am I wrong with my belief that the vast majority of people are Monday to Friday people, since that's why these things are broadcast on the freaking weekend anyway.
Any yes, they are probably fucking up with the EU times during the week as well. They just need to use their brains more to try and schedule things if they are going to try and combine EU and NA.
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
Riot manage to schedule the NA LCS for 8pm UK time on weekends in the US, which is far more reasonable than 11pm like they have done with WCS, as it means it's viewable in the US and Europe, or at least half of it is (now they have gone to 5 games) There's pretty much zero reason to schedule WCS so late on a Sunday when you are making it unfeasible for half the audience to watch it.
When it was WCS NA, it was more reasonable as it catered to one audience, but what logic is there to put it so late for half the audience, when it's a weekend?
I'm sorry EU has to deal with a single tournament being at a bad time. I"m sure it must be hard for you to watch every other event ever at a decent time. I can't imagine the struggle of havign to stay up till *GASP* 11PM to watch a tournament.
Personally I can relate to him. GSL and Proleague for me are a no-no most of the time due to time issues, EU is the way to go if I want to see some Sc2 action. ...and THE EU tournament's fucking schedule starts at midnight. Sigh, I'll miss about everything live and hope to watch games without being spoiled - unlike today, where I had accidentally left the liquipedia tab open and refreshed it >_>
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
Riot manage to schedule the NA LCS for 8pm UK time on weekends in the US, which is far more reasonable than 11pm like they have done with WCS, as it means it's viewable in the US and Europe, or at least half of it is (now they have gone to 5 games) There's pretty much zero reason to schedule WCS so late on a Sunday when you are making it unfeasible for half the audience to watch it.
When it was WCS NA, it was more reasonable as it catered to one audience, but what logic is there to put it so late for half the audience, when it's a weekend?
I'm sorry EU has to deal with a single tournament being at a bad time. I"m sure it must be hard for you to watch every other event ever at a decent time. I can't imagine the struggle of havign to stay up till *GASP* 11PM to watch a tournament.
So because you can't watch many events at a reasonable time, means tournaments organizers should make sure that there are tournaments at insane time for others regions as well while they could make everyone happy? Sick logic bro.
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
Riot manage to schedule the NA LCS for 8pm UK time on weekends in the US, which is far more reasonable than 11pm like they have done with WCS, as it means it's viewable in the US and Europe, or at least half of it is (now they have gone to 5 games) There's pretty much zero reason to schedule WCS so late on a Sunday when you are making it unfeasible for half the audience to watch it.
When it was WCS NA, it was more reasonable as it catered to one audience, but what logic is there to put it so late for half the audience, when it's a weekend?
I'm sorry EU has to deal with a single tournament being at a bad time. I"m sure it must be hard for you to watch every other event ever at a decent time. I can't imagine the struggle of havign to stay up till *GASP* 11PM to watch a tournament.
The thing is, there is just no reason not to start earlier on a weekend. There is no downside to starting earlier, many more people could watch. If this was during the week it would be ok, but on a sunday it's just stupid.
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
Riot manage to schedule the NA LCS for 8pm UK time on weekends in the US, which is far more reasonable than 11pm like they have done with WCS, as it means it's viewable in the US and Europe, or at least half of it is (now they have gone to 5 games) There's pretty much zero reason to schedule WCS so late on a Sunday when you are making it unfeasible for half the audience to watch it.
When it was WCS NA, it was more reasonable as it catered to one audience, but what logic is there to put it so late for half the audience, when it's a weekend?
I'm sorry EU has to deal with a single tournament being at a bad time. I"m sure it must be hard for you to watch every other event ever at a decent time. I can't imagine the struggle of havign to stay up till *GASP* 11PM to watch a tournament.
It STARTS at 11pm on a Sunday. If you have work the next day, there's no point in "staying up" until then, because then it's time to go to sleep before it ends. Most tournaments are at weekends. If you are in the US and have to "stay up" for something that starts early in the morning, that's fine for most people, because then it's the weekend and you can sleep. Or am I wrong with my belief that the vast majority of people are Monday to Friday people, since that's why these things are broadcast on the freaking weekend anyway.
You got Saturday, and you are slightly inconvinienced Sunday. I'm not saying that ideally it shouldn't be earlier, but it's starting to really piss me off that every single European is suddenly concerned with event times and it's effects on viewers when EU can't watch the whole thing when every other event is almost universally at a bad time for NA. Suck it up for once.
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
Riot manage to schedule the NA LCS for 8pm UK time on weekends in the US, which is far more reasonable than 11pm like they have done with WCS, as it means it's viewable in the US and Europe, or at least half of it is (now they have gone to 5 games) There's pretty much zero reason to schedule WCS so late on a Sunday when you are making it unfeasible for half the audience to watch it.
When it was WCS NA, it was more reasonable as it catered to one audience, but what logic is there to put it so late for half the audience, when it's a weekend?
I'm sorry EU has to deal with a single tournament being at a bad time. I"m sure it must be hard for you to watch every other event ever at a decent time. I can't imagine the struggle of havign to stay up till *GASP* 11PM to watch a tournament.
It STARTS at 11pm on a Sunday. If you have work the next day, there's no point in "staying up" until then, because then it's time to go to sleep before it ends. Most tournaments are at weekends. If you are in the US and have to "stay up" for something that starts early in the morning, that's fine for most people, because then it's the weekend and you can sleep. Or am I wrong with my belief that the vast majority of people are Monday to Friday people, since that's why these things are broadcast on the freaking weekend anyway.
You got Saturday, and you are slightly inconvinienced Sunday. I'm not saying that ideally it shouldn't be earlier, but it's starting to really piss me off that every single European is suddenly concerned with event times and it's effects on viewers when EU can't watch the whole thing when every other event is almost universally at a bad time for NA. Suck it up for once.
But there is no reason for anybody to suck it up, neither EU nor NA. Other events have tons of reasons why they start at the time they do (venues, live audience, tv-broadcasts, target audience etc...).
I feel like Polt and ForGG haven't been on top of their game lately. On the topic of Polt, I could see him getting ousted out in 3rd with Jim and TLO advancing. I don't see Polt losing a TvT though because, unless Kelazhur has some MMA & Bomber type of macro/micro.
But, TLO is streaky so I guess 2nd place is up for grabs. Jim should advance unless he suddenly can't remember where his fingers are suppose to go on the keyboard
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
Riot manage to schedule the NA LCS for 8pm UK time on weekends in the US, which is far more reasonable than 11pm like they have done with WCS, as it means it's viewable in the US and Europe, or at least half of it is (now they have gone to 5 games) There's pretty much zero reason to schedule WCS so late on a Sunday when you are making it unfeasible for half the audience to watch it.
When it was WCS NA, it was more reasonable as it catered to one audience, but what logic is there to put it so late for half the audience, when it's a weekend?
I'm sorry EU has to deal with a single tournament being at a bad time. I"m sure it must be hard for you to watch every other event ever at a decent time. I can't imagine the struggle of havign to stay up till *GASP* 11PM to watch a tournament.
Wow, childish much? I can't have my toys, so neither should you!
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
Riot manage to schedule the NA LCS for 8pm UK time on weekends in the US, which is far more reasonable than 11pm like they have done with WCS, as it means it's viewable in the US and Europe, or at least half of it is (now they have gone to 5 games) There's pretty much zero reason to schedule WCS so late on a Sunday when you are making it unfeasible for half the audience to watch it.
When it was WCS NA, it was more reasonable as it catered to one audience, but what logic is there to put it so late for half the audience, when it's a weekend?
I'm sorry EU has to deal with a single tournament being at a bad time. I"m sure it must be hard for you to watch every other event ever at a decent time. I can't imagine the struggle of havign to stay up till *GASP* 11PM to watch a tournament.
Wow, childish much? I can't have my toys, so neither should you!
More like, you guys play with it all the time, let us have fun playing with it for once
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
Riot manage to schedule the NA LCS for 8pm UK time on weekends in the US, which is far more reasonable than 11pm like they have done with WCS, as it means it's viewable in the US and Europe, or at least half of it is (now they have gone to 5 games) There's pretty much zero reason to schedule WCS so late on a Sunday when you are making it unfeasible for half the audience to watch it.
When it was WCS NA, it was more reasonable as it catered to one audience, but what logic is there to put it so late for half the audience, when it's a weekend?
I'm sorry EU has to deal with a single tournament being at a bad time. I"m sure it must be hard for you to watch every other event ever at a decent time. I can't imagine the struggle of havign to stay up till *GASP* 11PM to watch a tournament.
Wow, childish much? I can't have my toys, so neither should you!
More like, you guys play with it all the time, let us have fun playing with it for once
I work weekends, guess how many tournaments I see live? Don't be an ass.
I think this group consists of 2 underrated players (Jim, Kelazhur) and 1 a bit overrated (TLO). No bad feelings towards TLO, I really like him, but I feel it's more like people want to see him advancing than he is really able to do this.
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
On February 16 2015 03:24 Lonyo wrote: What's with the absurdly idiotic scheduling? 11pm/12pm European time on a Sunday? Is this supposed to be All Foreigner WCS or American WCS?
It's supposed to be the American and European WCS, which is why groups are split between EU and AM
Riot manage to schedule the NA LCS for 8pm UK time on weekends in the US, which is far more reasonable than 11pm like they have done with WCS, as it means it's viewable in the US and Europe, or at least half of it is (now they have gone to 5 games) There's pretty much zero reason to schedule WCS so late on a Sunday when you are making it unfeasible for half the audience to watch it.
When it was WCS NA, it was more reasonable as it catered to one audience, but what logic is there to put it so late for half the audience, when it's a weekend?
I'm sorry EU has to deal with a single tournament being at a bad time. I"m sure it must be hard for you to watch every other event ever at a decent time. I can't imagine the struggle of havign to stay up till *GASP* 11PM to watch a tournament.
Hmm, I don't think you get the point, don't just look at your own situation. The point is that if the broadcast was a few ours earlier more viewers would be attracted.
On February 16 2015 04:41 Lorning wrote: Christ people can be such whiny bitches just cause 1 tournament has a some groups that are more directed towards American audiences
Don't you think it would be better if the broadcast was a little earlier? Same amount of American viewers, more Europeans. That said there's Asian viewers to consider too of course.
On February 16 2015 04:41 Lorning wrote: Christ people can be such whiny bitches just cause 1 tournament has a some groups that are more directed towards American audiences
Maybe they have more passion than me. For me it's fine since I just skip those groups and pretend they never happened. :o
@Penev: I think US and European viewers are both 50/50 or so, maybe a tad more Europeans. I wonder about Asian viewers though, I think only China has many. But how many is it? I think I saw a pic from yesterday where the Chinese stream had over 50k viewers, if I interpreted the icon right. So if there's indeed that many, then the scheduling makes sense.
edit: 65k even. link Could also be just views though, but the icon looks like viewers.
On February 16 2015 04:41 Lorning wrote: Christ people can be such whiny bitches just cause 1 tournament has a some groups that are more directed towards American audiences
Maybe they have more passion than me. For me it's fine since I just skip those groups and pretend they never happened. :o
@Penev: I think US and European viewers are both 50/50 or so, maybe a tad more Europeans. I wonder about Asian viewers though, I think only China has many. But how many is it? I think I saw a pic from yesterday where the Chinese stream had over 50k viewers, if I interpreted the icon right. So if there's indeed that many, then the scheduling makes sense.
On February 16 2015 04:41 Lorning wrote: Christ people can be such whiny bitches just cause 1 tournament has a some groups that are more directed towards American audiences
Maybe they have more passion than me. For me it's fine since I just skip those groups and pretend they never happened. :o
@Penev: I think US and European viewers are both 50/50 or so, maybe a tad more Europeans. I wonder about Asian viewers though, I think only China has many. But how many is it? I think I saw a pic from yesterday where the Chinese stream had over 50k viewers, if I interpreted the icon right. So if there's indeed that many, then the scheduling makes sense.
50k? Wow :o
The future of SC2 is in China?
The present of WC3 is in China, so that would only make sense d: As for the viewer number isn't Doyou known for inflating its viewer numbers? (honest question, I think I remember some people saying that on TL on the "How to watch a chinese stream" thread)
its weekend, is it that hard for Blizzard to start maybe 3 hours earlier to accommodate both NA AND EU?
whose studio are they playing at....? someone else has the venue booked or something that why it has to start 3PM PST, 6PM EST?
in the states sports on weekends like NFL Football on Sundays are broadcasted nationally starting at 10AM PST, 1PM EST so its not like North Americans dont watch stuff earlier than what Blizzard has chosen
Polt should go out in first place. Hopefully he's able to play a macro game vs Jim, as I think that would be very cool. He should be able to crush Kelhazur in TvT, though he might struggle vs TLO in a macro game considering how bad he has looked vs zergs recently. Then again he beat Sen 2-0 at IEM Taipei so maybe he's fixed his problems in that matchup somewhat. I honestly wonder why Polt doesn't go back to using the TvZ builds that let him win MLG and 2 WCS AM finals all vs Zergs.
I think Jim will get out second, as I lost my faith in TLO a long time ago. I hope we get to see 3 matches from Jim vs all the players in the group, as I love watching his crazy playstyle.
Polt 2-0 Jim Kelhazur 2-1 TLO Polt 2-0 Kelhazur Jim 2-0 TLO Jim 2-0 Kelhazur
I'm never quite sure what to think about Jim. He's taken down great players sometimes and other times he seems extremely overhyped. I just went with Polt and TLO in liquibets
On February 16 2015 06:39 Shellshock wrote: I'm never quite sure what to think about Jim. He's taken down great players sometimes and other times he seems extremely overhyped. I just went with Polt and TLO in liquibets
On February 16 2015 06:39 Shellshock wrote: I'm never quite sure what to think about Jim. He's taken down great players sometimes and other times he seems extremely overhyped. I just went with Polt and TLO in liquibets
Same. On he other hand:
On February 16 2015 05:58 HaRuHi wrote: I am a masochist, gonna stay up until 4 am to get uterly dissapointed by TLO again.
On February 16 2015 04:41 Lorning wrote: Christ people can be such whiny bitches just cause 1 tournament has a some groups that are more directed towards American audiences
Maybe they have more passion than me. For me it's fine since I just skip those groups and pretend they never happened. :o
@Penev: I think US and European viewers are both 50/50 or so, maybe a tad more Europeans. I wonder about Asian viewers though, I think only China has many. But how many is it? I think I saw a pic from yesterday where the Chinese stream had over 50k viewers, if I interpreted the icon right. So if there's indeed that many, then the scheduling makes sense.
50k? Wow :o
The future of SC2 is in China?
The present of WC3 is in China, so that would only make sense d: As for the viewer number isn't Doyou known for inflating its viewer numbers? (honest question, I think I remember some people saying that on TL on the "How to watch a chinese stream" thread)
Yes divide the number you see on Douyu by 5 and you get the actual viewer number.
On February 16 2015 04:41 Lorning wrote: Christ people can be such whiny bitches just cause 1 tournament has a some groups that are more directed towards American audiences
Maybe they have more passion than me. For me it's fine since I just skip those groups and pretend they never happened. :o
@Penev: I think US and European viewers are both 50/50 or so, maybe a tad more Europeans. I wonder about Asian viewers though, I think only China has many. But how many is it? I think I saw a pic from yesterday where the Chinese stream had over 50k viewers, if I interpreted the icon right. So if there's indeed that many, then the scheduling makes sense.
50k? Wow :o
The future of SC2 is in China?
The future of everything is in China. Asia in general really.
EPT
Polt after he had decided to reside in the US for his career and education. Fortunately for the fans, and sadly for the players, Polt's athlete Visa allowed him to stay in the country and compete in the revamped WCS. It's been over a year since his last WCS title, and he must be licking his lips at the prospect of a tournament purged of his biggest rivals. 
Jim. It was seen as a Chinese quirk that only the bravest protoss could risk using, but MyuNgSiK memorably used it to qualify for IEM Shanghai in 2013. It has flitted in and out of the protoss playbook since then, but Jim could use it as the repellent for Polt's drops. Phoenixes, when used effectively, can shut down almost any form of harassment while punishing terrans that overextend. Unfortunately for the current emperor of China, his PvT has dipped severely over the past few months. It's still at a very good 60%, but many of his wins come from unknown Chinese players. Defeating Polt will go a long way in announcing his championship credentials, but more likely than not, he'll have to defeat the remaining two players to advance. His PvZ, despite his predictable penchant for all ins, is still his best matchup, and he has never fallen out of Premier League due to foreign competition before.
TLO. He's used to being tagged as a wild card, and it's due to a combination of his trickery and his inconsistency. After an impressive 5th place in WCS Season 1 2013, he has yet to return to the playoffs. He's still never fallen out of Premier League completely, but it's been a while—IEM Sao Paulo 2014—since he's placed well in a tournament. It's always that same story with TLO, and we've been saying the same thing about him forever. The amiable German will always be a fan favorite, but it's about time he reminded us that he's still a force to be reckoned with. He has extra incentive since he had to beat his teammate Ret in Challenger League—the customary Liquid teamkill—and it's certainly possible with enough preparation. If he is able to deflect Polt's harassment and scout Jim for all ins, it's not inconceivable that he could wrestle a series win away from them. Yet at the same time, he could just die to whatever Kelazhur has in store for him.
