EPT2011 Called...
by Destructicon
This week of Proleague saw a lot of surprises and upsets, both big and small, as the titans continued their clash and the new recruits strove to make their presence felt. But perhaps more importantly, those responsible for some of the most significant games in 2011 made their Proleague debuts. The result?
Whether they are on a temporary streak soon to be cut short or riding a wave of momentum that will carry them far into the season, perhaps all the way to the playoffs, Sbenu carried themselves with grace in Week 2. The team that looked on the verge of disbanding just one round ago looks reinvigorated, making the league much more exciting as a result.
First off was a clash between the almost-teams of last round, Samsung (#5) and MVP (#6). The Choyas got off to a good start as their latest acquisition, GuMiho, defeated Solar [E/N: like he always does] by deflecting all his early assaults and building up a fearsome mech armada, complete with battlecruiser support. Unfortunately, it all went downhill from there as YongHwa was caught off guard by Reality's TvP mech build and kept bleeding units until there was nothing left for him but a GG. The early advantage lost, Losira squandered the next game by underestimating Dear's pressure, subsequently being killed by his follow-up. Marineking was his ordinary self, gaining a substantial lead in the early game which he managed to all but throw away in an ill-fated attack into BravO's fortified position. Inelegantly and with the looks of a someone knowing full-well they had just lost a game (and in extension a series) they could have just as easily won, Marineking conceded.
No team can rule unopposed in Proleague, not even CJ Entus. After a dominating performance in Round 2 which saw them challenged only by Jin Air, CJ lost their fourth match of the season against SK Telecom. While Park and crew were favored given the excellent results they posted in Round 2 (and in recent individual leagues), it was SKT1 that showed up having done their homework. Bbyong came out of the gates swinging but Classic stood fast, deflecting all of Bbyong's attempts at harassment and returning the favor with phoenix play. Bbyong misread the situation and assumed that he was to face a phoenix/colossus-style build and added Thors. However, these proved to be a liability as Classic came crashing through with exactly the kinds of units Bbyong had not prepared for - chiefly chargelots, shredding everything in their way. Dream carried on with his campaign for best TvZ, dominating ByuL with the same ferocious rally push that has proven difficult for even Life to match. And while herO managed to bring a game into CJ's court with a Soul Train and some good crisis management, it wasn't enough as ZvZ expert soO took an easy win off RagnaroK that never really had the 4-time GSL finalist break a sweat. In a performance that had CJ beat at nearly every turn, SKT took home the match in convincing fashion.
Although Sbenu got off to a convincing start in the first week with their 3-0 shutout of Prime, it wasn't very impressive given that it was against... Prime. The real test was to come against Jin Air in the second week, and Sbenu were more than ready. In the first game DRG faked pressure against Rogue's conservative opening and used it to get up a quick 3rd and fully saturate it. Rogue identified this, but reacted too slowly to punish the greed. Indecision had him running his roach force back and forth for a bit too long, and once he pushed across the map to strike where DRG was weak, the Sbenu Zerg was prepared for the push. DRG shoved back and ran Rogue's army into the ground while his superior economy vastly outpaced his opponent's. Outplayed in every aspect, Rogue tapped out.
However strange that might sound, the next game looked just as grim for Jin Air as Maru struggled for 15 minutes to deal any damage at all to MyuNgSiK, who shut down every attempted widow mine drop and managed to secure a 4th without struggle. However, MyuNgSiK's decision to zealously stick to his favored phoenixes coupled with his lack of infrastructure and upgrades allowed Maru's characteristic poking and prodding to finally do the damage he needed to run away with the game. With colossi crumbling in every location, MyuNgSiK soon had nothing to hold back the onslaught of bio, and he conceded the almost-won game to his opponent. Undaunted, MMA took back the lead by swiftly deflecting Cure's early game drop and dealing crippling damage with his own drop, driving the point home with tanks and the full range of Terran gimmicks. As the last man to keep Jin Air's dreams alive sOs decided on playing a standard game against Bomber, and while he looked good as he deflected most damage (while also getting to a good colossus count and storm tech), he eventually found out the hard way that you shouldn't try and play a simple, straight-faced macro game vs Bomber. The Sbenu Terran knocked on sOs' front door and, with an army fueled by a strong economy and stronger production, he smacked all of Jin Air's hopes into the ground and secured a second consecutive win for Sbenu.
[E/N: There is much to say about the game between MyuNgSiK and Maru. We will delve deeper into the game in an individual article]
Unfortunately, the last series of the week went about as you'd expect. TY proved to be on point as he deftly outmaneuvered YoDa in a marine/tank-game. Flash swatted aside the strange phoenix/colossus build MacSed brought to bear, embarrassing the Chinese Protoss in a fashion we've grown unused to seeing from Flash. Prime did bring some sense of pride home from the match as Creator continued his puzzling and entirely impressive streak of wins against Zest. The former KT ace took a (surprisingly) bad fight after he had gained a lead via sniping Creator's 3rd, and subsequently lost in a fashion we rarely see from Zest. To close out the series, KeeN continued his time-honored tradition of playing very well -- well enough to almost beat his opponent and almost turn the game into something profound and memorable -- but not quite well enough. Life demonstrated his ZvT prowess and shut KeeN out, ending the series in KT's favor.
Week 3 Preview
by banjoetheredskin
+ Show Spoiler [Week 3 Lineups] +
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/t21SI.png)
Monday, May 25 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/a/a1/SBENUlogo_std.png)
SBENU vs KT Rolster ![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/d/da/Rolsterlogo_std.png)
MMA < Echo LE > Flash
MyuNgSiK < Deadwing LE > Zest
Leenock < Cactus Valley LE > Life
Bomber < Vaani Research Station > Stats
Ace:
Expedition Lost
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/tSDelDT.png)
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/d/dd/CJEntuslogo_std.png)
CJ Entus vs MVP ![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/e/ec/MVPlogo_std.png)
herO < Coda LE > DeParture
sKyHigh < Vaani Research Station > GuMiho
Hush < Deadwing LE > Panic
ByuL < Cactus Valley LE > Losira
Ace:
Echo LE
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
Tuesday, May 26 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/3/31/Green_Wings_std.png)
Jin Air Green Wings vs Prime ![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/8/84/Primelogo_std.png)
Maru < Vaani Research Station > Creator
sOs < Cactus Valley LE > KeeN
Trap < Echo LE > BBoongBBoong
Rogue < Expedition Lost > Jim
Ace:
Coda LE
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/0/06/SKT1logo_std.png)
SK Telecom T1 vs Samsung Galaxy KHAN ![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/a/aa/Samsung_galaxy_std.png)
soO < Expedition Lost > Solar
Classic < Deadwing LE > Dear
INnoVation < Coda LE > BrAvO
Dream < Echo LE > Reality
Ace:
Vaani Research Station
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
Credit to xpaperclip
2015 Proleague/Round 3/Round RobinMonday, May 25 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)
MMA < Echo LE > FlashMyuNgSiK < Deadwing LE > ZestLeenock < Cactus Valley LE > LifeBomber < Vaani Research Station > StatsAce:
Expedition Lost
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="MMA - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/665_MMA">MMA</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Flash - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/424_Flash">Flash</a>
Record 1-0 (45th) 6-9 (19th)
Last 10 ---------w llwwlwllww
TvT 1-0 (21st) 1-2 (32nd)
Last 5 ----w --llw
<a target="_blank" title="Echo LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/697_Echo%20LE">Echo LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(TvT x0)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="MyuNgSiK - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/4793_MyuNgSiK">MyuNgSiK</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Zest - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/977_Zest">Zest</a>
Record 6-9 (19th) 11-11 (7th)
Last 10 wwllllwwwl lwlwwwlwll
PvP 0-2 (61st) 6-6 (3rd)
Last 5 ---ll wwwwl
<a target="_blank" title="Deadwing LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/672_Deadwing%20LE">Deadwing LE</a> 2-4 (12th) 5-1 (1st)
(PvP x17) Best map (-2) Best map (+4)
Most played map (6) Most played map (6)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Leenock - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/1971_Leenock">Leenock</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Life - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2747_Life">Life</a>
Record 6-4 (18th) 10-8 (8th)
Last 10 wwwllwlwwl llwlwwwllw
ZvZ 0-1 (50th) 3-2 (12th)
Last 5 ----l wwlwl
<a target="_blank" title="Cactus Valley LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/685_Cactus%20Valley%20LE">Cactus Valley LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(ZvZ x0)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Bomber - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/561_Bomber">Bomber</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Stats - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/611_Stats">Stats</a>
Record 3-1 (28th) 14-4 (4th)
Last 10 ------lwww wwwwwwwwll
TvP 1-0 (25th) 7-3 (3rd)
Last 5 ----w wwwll
<a target="_blank" title="Vaani Research St... - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/684_Vaani%20Research%20St...">Vaani Research St...</a> 0-0 2-0 (1st)
(TvP 3-5)
<a target="_blank" title="Expedition Lost - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/681_Expedition%20Lost">Expedition Lost</a>
Most played <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Curious - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/563_Curious">Curious</a> (1-1) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Life - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2747_Life">Life</a> (1-3)
Best player <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Bomber - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/561_Bomber">Bomber</a> (1-0) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="TY - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/575_TY">TY</a> (1-0)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="DongRaeGu - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2627_DongRaeGu">DongRaeGu</a> (1-0)
herO < Coda LE > DeParturesKyHigh < Vaani Research Station > GuMihoHush < Deadwing LE > PanicByuL < Cactus Valley LE > LosiraAce:
Echo LE
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="herO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/682_herO">herO</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="DeParture - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/3884_DeParture">DeParture</a>
Record 15-6 (2nd) 2-4 (43rd)
Last 10 wwwwwlwlww ----lwlwll
PvZ 3-2 (13th) 1-1 (31st)
Last 5 wlwlw ---wl
<a target="_blank" title="Coda LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/696_Coda%20LE">Coda LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(PvZ 0-0)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="sKyHigh - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/554_sKyHigh">sKyHigh</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="GuMiho - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2106_GuMiho">GuMiho</a>
Record 4-4 (25th) 1-0 (45th)
Last 10 --wllwwlwl ---------w
TvT 0-1 (55th) 0-0
Last 5 ----l -----
<a target="_blank" title="Vaani Research St... - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/684_Vaani%20Research%20St...">Vaani Research St...</a> 1-1 (11th) 0-0
(TvT x2) Most played map (2)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Hush - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/3220_Hush">Hush</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Panic - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/5346_Panic">Panic</a>
Record 3-3 (32nd) 3-1 (28th)
Last 10 ----wwllwl ------lwww
PvP 3-0 (12th) 1-1 (37th)
Last 5 --www ---lw
<a target="_blank" title="Deadwing LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/672_Deadwing%20LE">Deadwing LE</a> 3-1 (4th) 1-0 (14th)
(PvP x17) Best map (+2)
Most played map (4)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="ByuL - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/1097_ByuL">ByuL</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Losira - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/688_Losira">Losira</a>
Record 14-7 (5th) 9-7 (12th)
Last 10 wwwwlwwwwl lwwllwwlll
ZvZ 5-2 (2nd) 4-2 (6th)
Last 5 lwwww wwwll
<a target="_blank" title="Cactus Valley LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/685_Cactus%20Valley%20LE">Cactus Valley LE</a> 0-1 (5th) 0-0
(ZvZ x0)
<a target="_blank" title="Echo LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/697_Echo%20LE">Echo LE</a>
Most played <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="herO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/682_herO">herO</a> (1-0) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="HerO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/222_HerO">HerO</a> (1-0)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="YongHwa - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2062_YongHwa">YongHwa</a> (0-1)
Best player <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="herO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/682_herO">herO</a> (1-0) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="HerO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/222_HerO">HerO</a> (1-0)
Tuesday, May 26 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)
Maru < Vaani Research Station > CreatorsOs < Cactus Valley LE > KeeNTrap < Echo LE > BBoongBBoongRogue < Expedition Lost > JimAce:
Coda LE
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Maru - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/1850_Maru">Maru</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Creator - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2838_Creator">Creator</a>
Record 16-6 (1st) 5-8 (23rd)
Last 10 wwwwwwlwww wwwllllllw
TvP 9-1 (1st) 1-2 (32nd)
Last 5 wwwww --wll
<a target="_blank" title="Vaani Research St... - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/684_Vaani%20Research%20St...">Vaani Research St...</a> 2-0 (1st) 0-0
(TvP 3-5)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="sOs - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/1101_sOs">sOs</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="KeeN - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2242_KeeN">KeeN</a>
Record 10-11 (10th) 0-3 (68th)
Last 10 wlwwwwwlll -------lll
PvT 4-2 (9th) 0-1 (58th)
Last 5 lwwwl ----l
<a target="_blank" title="Cactus Valley LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/685_Cactus%20Valley%20LE">Cactus Valley LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(PvT 1-1)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Trap - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/618_Trap">Trap</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="BBoongBBoong - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2308_BBoongBBoong">BBoongBBoong</a>
Record 3-5 (33rd) 0-5 (70th)
Last 10 --wlwwllll -----lllll
PvZ 0-1 (55th) 0-2 (67th)
Last 5 ----l ---ll
<a target="_blank" title="Echo LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/697_Echo%20LE">Echo LE</a> 0-0 0-0
(PvZ 1-0)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Rogue - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/1099_Rogue">Rogue</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Jim - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/3030_Jim">Jim</a>
Record 15-6 (2nd) 0-0
Last 10 wwwwwwwlwl ----------
ZvP 5-1 (5th) 0-0
Last 5 wlwww -----
<a target="_blank" title="Expedition Lost - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/681_Expedition%20Lost">Expedition Lost</a> 4-1 (1st) 0-0
(ZvP 2-2) Best map (+3)
Most played map (5)
<a target="_blank" title="Coda LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/696_Coda%20LE">Coda LE</a>
Most played <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Cure - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2031_Cure">Cure</a> (0-1) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Creator - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2838_Creator">Creator</a> (1-0)
Best player <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Cure - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2031_Cure">Cure</a> (0-1) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Creator - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2838_Creator">Creator</a> (1-0)
soO < Expedition Lost > SolarClassic < Deadwing LE > DearINnoVation < Coda LE > BrAvODream < Echo LE > RealityAce:
Vaani Research Station
+ Show Spoiler [2015 Proleague Record] +
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="soO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/634_soO">soO</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(Z)" title="Zerg" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Zicon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Solar - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/4797_Solar">Solar</a>
Record 9-4 (11th) 1-10 (55th)
Last 10 wlllwwwwww lllllwllll
ZvZ 5-0 (1st) 0-5 (69th)
Last 5 wwwww lllll
<a target="_blank" title="Expedition Lost - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/681_Expedition%20Lost">Expedition Lost</a> 3-0 (2nd) 0-0
(ZvZ x10) Best map (+3)
Most played map (3)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Classic - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/680_Classic">Classic</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Dear - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/958_Dear">Dear</a>
Record 8-2 (13th) 8-7 (15th)
Last 10 wlwwwwlwww lwlwwwlllw
PvP 4-1 (7th) 2-1 (16th)
Last 5 wwwlw --wlw
<a target="_blank" title="Deadwing LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/672_Deadwing%20LE">Deadwing LE</a> 3-1 (4th) 2-1 (8th)
(PvP x17) Best map (+2) Most played map (3)
Most played map (4)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="INnoVation - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/663_INnoVation">INnoVation</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="BrAvO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/689_BrAvO">BrAvO</a>
Record 8-5 (14th) 5-3 (21st)
Last 10 wwwwlwllll --wwlwlwlw
TvT 2-1 (16th) 4-1 (8th)
Last 5 --wwl wwlww
<a target="_blank" title="Coda LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/696_Coda%20LE">Coda LE</a> 0-0 1-0 (1st)
(TvT x2)
<img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Dream - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/2241_Dream">Dream</a> <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Reality - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/712_Reality">Reality</a>
Record 5-4 (22nd) 3-2 (30th)
Last 10 -wwllwwllw -----wwllw
TvT 1-3 (39th) 1-0 (21st)
Last 5 -llwl ----w
<a target="_blank" title="Echo LE - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/697_Echo%20LE">Echo LE</a> 0-0 1-0 (1st)
(TvT x0)
<a target="_blank" title="Vaani Research Station - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/maps/684_Vaani%20Research%20Station">Vaani Research Station</a>
Most played <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Classic - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/680_Classic">Classic</a> (2-0) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Dear - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/958_Dear">Dear</a> (1-2)
Best player <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(P)" title="Protoss" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="Classic - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/680_Classic">Classic</a> (2-0) <img style="width:17px;height:15px;margin-right:3px" alt="(T)" title="Terran" src="https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png"><a target="_blank" title="BrAvO - TLPD Information" href="https://tl.net/tlpd/hots/players/689_BrAvO">BrAvO</a> (1-0)
Credit to xpaperclip
As hard as it is for me to say this with a straight face, I'm hiding behind my monitor so you can't see it anyways: Flash is very good at TvT. However, MMA is also very good at TvT. While Flash has the outstanding mechanics (and mechanical play) that MMA lacks, MMA has the experience from Wings and GomTvT and the breadth of strategies that Flash lacks as a Brood War convert. Because Flash will probably play mech, which seems even more than likely on Echo, MMA will need to put on the aggression and prevent him from sitting back and building his economy—which he does well. TvT expert Jer99 tells us that we can expect MMA to open cloaked banshee and Flash to prefer a quick second factory, with the overall advantage to MMA.
Zest has lost his invincible aura in PvP, but he isn't playing Creator this week, so he should be favored against even the above-average Protoss. And skill-wise, that's all MyuNgSiK really is. He can beat good players, he can concoct ridiculous builds to steal wins from better players, but at the end of the day MyuNgSiK is not particularly intimidating. Although his creative side is stifled by the nature of the Protoss mirror, he displayed in his GSL series versus PartinG an audacity that only PartinG himself has been known to possess. While Zest is of sorts a rock in PvP, hard but not immovable, he is not necessarily immune to a less sophisticated game of proxies or high micro intensity. Deadwing isn't conducive proxy gates, of course, but MyuNgSiK will probably look to prevent Zest from finding his footing in a macro game through other means.
Some of the best ZvZ series of all time (if you think there were any) included Leenock and Life. Dating all the way back to WoL when Life rose to prominence and Leenock had solidified himself as one of the great Zergs of the time, the two players have always had close, entertaining matches. Their meetings featured the iconic clash between the aggressive but economically recoverable timings of Life and the mind games and crazy outright aggression of Leenock. Despite Life's 11-4 series record against Leenock, he is only 26-18 in maps. Although the excitement would be much greater if they were in an extended series and we could hope for a back-and-forth strategic chess match, we know for sure that their historic parity and stylistic preferences will make for a fine incentive to watch the Zerg mirror.
Although Stats so rarely gets the recognition he deserves for being a top 4 Protoss the world, his Proleague record precedes him by now. He is 7-3 against Terran this season, and has proven that he can win with just about any build. Although Bomber is no walkover in his own right, traditionally invariable TvP doesn't bode well against a Protoss willing to break out a proxy one base colossus allin when he feels like it. However, Bomber's appearance against sOs last week showed somewhat of a recovery of his 2014 from that he appeared to have lost after returning to the Korean circuit. If there's one thing about Bomber's playstyle that redeems its predictability, it's safety. With a keen sense for knowing when to make turrets or bunkers without scouting, Bomber is definitely less vulnerable to something weird Stats might try to throw at him.
Prediction
MMA > Flash [E/N: Of course]
MyuNgSiK > Zest
Leenock < Life
Bomber < Stats
Ace: MMA > Zest
Sbenu wins 3-2!
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/HawaiianPig/SPL/SPLstaricon.png)
