[SPL'15] 2011 Called...

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[SPL'15] 2011 Called...

Text byTL.net ESPORTS

Graphics byshiroiusagi

May 24th, 2015 21:35 GMT

Table of Contents

Week 2 Recap

Preview: KT vs Jin Air

2011 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] +

2015 Proleague/Round 3/Round Robin

Monday, May 25 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)

SBENU vs KT Rolster

(T)

MMA < Echo LE > (T)

Flash

MyuNgSiK < Deadwing LE > (P)

Zest

Leenock < Cactus Valley LE > (Z)

Life

Bomber < Vaani Research Station > (P)

Stats

Ace:
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)

CJ Entus vs MVP

(P)

herO < Coda LE > (Z)

DeParture

sKyHigh < Vaani Research Station > (T)

GuMiho

Hush < Deadwing LE > (P)

Panic

ByuL < Cactus Valley LE > (Z)

Losira

Ace:
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)

Jin Air Green Wings vs Prime

(T)

Maru < Vaani Research Station > (P)

Creator

sOs < Cactus Valley LE > (T)

KeeN

Trap < Echo LE > (Z)

BBoongBBoong
(Z)

Rogue < Expedition Lost > (P)

Jim

Ace:
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)

SK Telecom T1 vs Samsung Galaxy KHAN

(Z)

soO < Expedition Lost > (Z)

Solar

Classic < Deadwing LE > (P)

Dear

INnoVation < Coda LE > (T)

BrAvO

Dream < Echo LE > (T)

Reality

Ace:
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)

Source: KeSPA

Credit to xpaperclip

MMA <

Echo>

Flash

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.

MyuNgSiK < (Wiki)

Deadwing>

Zest

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.

Leenock <

Cactus Valley> (Z)

Life

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.

Bomber <

Vaani Research Station> (P)

Stats

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!

ZigguratOfUr

Iraq16955 Posts

May 24 2015 21:38 GMT

After this week I feel like I understand nothing about Proleague.

Elentos

55570 Posts

May 24 2015 21:47 GMT

On May 25 2015 06:38 ZigguratOfUr wrote:
After this week I feel like I understand nothing about Proleague.

Well you see, they players roll a 6-sided die at the teamhouse. Each side represents a build, you play the build you roll. You don't deviate from that choice at all and just pray that it works so you get a bonus from Sonic.

Zealously

East Gorteau22261 Posts

May 24 2015 21:51 GMT

On May 25 2015 06:47 Elentos wrote:

Show nested quote +

Sonic probably sponsors the builds as well, by the way.

Elentos

55570 Posts

May 24 2015 21:53 GMT

On May 25 2015 06:51 Zealously wrote:

Show nested quote +

Sonic probably sponsors the builds as well, by the way.

Probably. Can't wait for someone to roll the SBENU pool or the proxy SBENU.

SpunXtain20

Australia554 Posts

May 24 2015 22:01 GMT

Hey guys just checking in to say KT Rolster had the best lineup of all time.

HolydaKing

21254 Posts

May 24 2015 22:06 GMT

MMA is slumping. Him winning twice? Nope.

MMA < Flash
MyuNgSiK < Zest
Leenock > Life
Bomber < Stats

3-1 for KT.

Alucen-Will-

United States4054 Posts

May 24 2015 22:19 GMT

I hope Bomber beats Stats before Zest tears Stats a new asshole on Thursday.

Then all this stupid Stats hype will go away. It's getting irritating at this point

Elentos

55570 Posts

May 24 2015 22:25 GMT

On May 25 2015 07:19 Alucen-Will- wrote:
I hope Bomber beats Stats before Zest tears Stats a new asshole on Thursday.

Then all this stupid Stats hype will go away. It's getting irritating at this point

Stupid hype? KT's best performer in Proleague, all-killed SKT, reached the SSL semifinals once, got out first of the group with herO and PartinG. Stats is the most underrated Protoss in Korea. So underrated that he didn't have a fanclub on TL until this year despite having been a pro since the Broodwar days. Even last year when KT won Proleague, Stats had the highest winrate out of KT's best 4 players.

Alucen-Will-

United States4054 Posts

May 24 2015 22:33 GMT

#10

On May 25 2015 07:25 Elentos wrote:

Show nested quote +

He's a good/very good player, nothing more

Elentos

55570 Posts

May 24 2015 22:39 GMT

#11

On May 25 2015 07:33 Alucen-Will- wrote:

Show nested quote +

He's a good/very good player, nothing more

He is top 4 Protoss right now easily.

grogburg

United States329 Posts

May 24 2015 22:41 GMT

#12

Hmmm I think
MMA<Flash
Myungsik<Zest
Leenock>Life
Bomber>Stats
MMA<Zest

KT Rolster 3-2

At least, that would be close to ideal for my FPL, so that's what's bound to happen, right?

Alucen-Will-

United States4054 Posts

May 24 2015 22:48 GMT

#13

On May 25 2015 07:39 Elentos wrote:

Show nested quote +

He is top 4 Protoss right now easily.

herO, PartinG, Zest, Stats so yeah.

My point is that I don't feel he has the talent to actually win a big tournament. He's a very refined/consistent Proleague performer but has always struggled in individual leagues.

He deserves credit but people are overrating his real abilities far too much. He won't ever win a gsl or ssl. His career highlight was likely his semi-final run and his all-kill (which were very impressive)

There is a reason PartinG, herO, Zest, Rain have the reputation they do, and Stats does not.

Elentos

55570 Posts

May 24 2015 22:54 GMT

#14

On May 25 2015 07:48 Alucen-Will- wrote:

Show nested quote +

He's 23. He's the oldest player on KT Rolster. He's a late bloomer. It's not out of the question that he'll never win GSL or SSL, but this doesn't necessarily have to do with his talent/potential. Maru, Life, Dream, PartinG, those are prodigies. That's not something people would say about Stats. However, it's also not something people would have said about Zest a while ago. Then he peaked and became the best Protoss on the planet.

banjoetheredskin

United States744 Posts

May 24 2015 22:55 GMT

#15

On May 25 2015 07:48 Alucen-Will- wrote:

Show nested quote +

Who said he was going to win a GSL or SSL, or that he has any particular skill that is better than any other protoss?

Garemie

United States248 Posts

May 24 2015 23:25 GMT

#16

Stats beats Bomber LOL good one

FrostedMiniWheats

United States30730 Posts

May 24 2015 23:32 GMT

#17

I always thought Stats was very overrated in the past but over the past 9 months or so he's finally proven himself.

Perhaps he'll be like soO. A guy who rightfully was overlooked for a very long time but just wouldn't go away and kept posting top-tier results that forced people to take notice :p

EvilsPresley

France132 Posts

May 25 2015 00:42 GMT

#18

[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]

Yaaaaaaay! Can't wait to read it, that game was awesome.

Apoteosis

Chile820 Posts

May 25 2015 00:53 GMT

#19

Leenock vs Life. That's all I need for the next week.

FrostedMiniWheats

United States30730 Posts

May 25 2015 01:18 GMT

#20

On May 25 2015 09:42 EvilsPresley wrote:

Show nested quote +

Yaaaaaaay! Can't wait to read it, that game was awesome.

Wow, I didn't even notice this xD

Either it's a strategy article or a special Stuchiu award for being a hilarious game.

Karis Vas Ryaar

United States4396 Posts

May 25 2015 01:21 GMT

#21

just a heads up your liquipedia link is to the round 2 round robin. not the round 3 round robin

HellHound

Bulgaria5962 Posts

May 25 2015 01:39 GMT

#22

On May 25 2015 07:48 Alucen-Will- wrote:

Show nested quote +

I wonder if I can find a post saying something similair about Zest from early 2014 :D

Jer99

Canada8159 Posts

May 25 2015 02:03 GMT

#23

On May 25 2015 10:18 FrostedMiniWheats wrote:

Show nested quote +

Wow, I didn't even notice this xD

Either it's a strategy article or a special Stuchiu award for being a hilarious game.

the former

On May 25 2015 10:21 Karis Vas Ryaar wrote:
just a heads up your liquipedia link is to the round 2 round robin. not the round 3 round robin

fixed

MoosyDoosy

United States4519 Posts

May 25 2015 02:58 GMT

#24

idk who to root for.

Life's team or SBENU.

Cricketer12

United States13994 Posts

May 25 2015 08:53 GMT

#25

SBENU HYPE

neptunusfisk

2286 Posts

May 25 2015 12:50 GMT

#26

On May 25 2015 07:33 Alucen-Will- wrote:

Show nested quote +

He's a good/very good player, nothing more

"a very good player, nothing more"

Let that sink in. He's just a very good player. He doesn't deserve hype because he's only very good. It's so irritating when people cheer for very good players and say things like that they're good players and so. God I hate those people that hype very good players.