SBENU SC2 Starleague 2015 Season 3

S2SL Main event
D for Delicious
Stats, ByuL, Maru, Zest

Brackets and Standings on Liquipedia
Liquipedia

Thursday, Jul 23 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)

It's a perplexing feeling. On the one hand, we want to see the best players play against each other day in, day out. On the other hand, we don't want potential contenders knocked out early due to an unfortunate bracket or group. Our desire to see the best matches possible at every turn conflicts with our desire to see them at later stages of the competition. Yet, every time we get a crazy group like this, we don't really mind.

To be fair, the Ro16 Main Event of SSL has consistently given us one or two groups that make us question the sanity of group selections. Yes, seeing 4 amazing players slug it out for two precious spots is enticing, but do we really want to see someone like HyuN or Rogue or MyuNgSik stumble into the Ro8 ahead of two of Stats, ByuL, Maru or Zest? It's a tough choice, but it is what it is.

While it's a tight race between this group and Group C for the toughest one of the round, Group D has the advantage of having more interesting personal matchups. The various combinations of potential matches are all equally interesting, which could result in one of the most delicious groups in history. Everyone already knows all of these players and what each has done throughout the year. We get to talk about them at length almost every season, and no introduction is necessary. So, instead of talking about them agaaaaiiin, let us rank each matchup on potential awesomeness, instead.

#1: Maru vs Zest

This has quietly become one of the best rivalries in history. Though they have never played in stakes higher than a group stage, the two players routinely top their respective races in this relevant matchup. The games they play against each other often end up among the best games of the year, and fans salivate in anticipation whenever their names are written across each other on brackets. However, the tie isn't quite as close as you'd expect: Maru owns the lead at 12-6 in games, 9-3 in series. Even at the height of Zest's powers he was unable to consistently top the mighty Maru, but the games have always been close. Expect another classic series, because this match is definitely happening.

#2: ByuL vs Maru

Just when you think Maru's at the top of the world, ByuL figures him out and chops him down over two games in Proleague. ByuL has always been a clever player, and his ploys have allowed him to be one of the few zergs to have a game and series lead over the Jin Air Terran (11-9 and 6-5 respectively). Even though there are sections out there that still consider ByuL too gimmicky to be a champion, his consistency over the years in Proleague is testament to his stability. Even if ByuL decides to play the long game, he has what it takes to break Maru's never ending wave of attacks. Expect this to be a subtle strategic battle.

#3. Stats vs Maru

Even though some consider this "Maru vs Zest"-lite, there is one thing that could make this matchup even better: the fact that it's much, much closer. Maru leads with a 10-8 record in games and 6-3 in series, suggesting it's a far more evenly matched affair. The series will likely come down to what Stats has in store. Maru will obviously pound the protoss with everything he's got, a systematic dismemberment that every protoss has suffered. However, Stats can channel the spirit of PartinG and punish Maru in the midgame before the Jin Air Terran can set foot outside of his base. Even though the KT Protoss has lost 3 straight against Maru, a good game plan could make this interesting.

#4. Stats vs Zest

You know a matchup has developed leaps and bounds when players begin to develop "personalities" in the way they play it. Stats and Zest are both very good PvP players, but they have very different approaches to the mirror. Zest is often considered the best PvP player in the world, and rightly so. He prefers leaning back on his late game and his decision making, and he is nearly impenetrable in the mid-game due to his top of the class positioning. Stats on the other hand is more aggressive and continues to believe in the randomness of PvP. As his popular quote states, "Sometimes in PvP, you just have to cross your fingers and pray you win the fight." He is a man that takes risks that many others would not, and at his best he can be unplayable. Sometimes, however, he chooses the wrong side of the coin. Add in the team kill factor, and this could get weird.

#5. Stats vs ByuL

Of all the championship contenders in Korea, Stats and ByuL are among the biggest gamblers in their respective races. While this sounds like a veiled insult, the only reason they can gamble so often is because their opponents fear their standard games. Their propensity for well executed cheese keeps their opponents on their toes, and they are very good at playing out series when they are allowed to stay comfortable. This could end up one of the nuttier games of the evening, but it could also be one of the more unique.

#6. ByuL vs Zest

This last match may not have much history or interesting aspects on paper, but it does pit two very strategically oriented players against each other. ByuL is the type of player that excels when he's allowed to gamble in ZvP, while Zest is at his best when he can scout gambles and react to them perfectly. On the one hand ByuL just might play into Zest's hands with his dastardly deeds, but as we saw in ByuL vs sOs, the CJ Zerg is perfectly capable of figuring out late game ZvP when he has to.

Predictions:

To be honest, who knows what's going to happen. All I know is we'd better get some amazing games if two of these players have to get knocked out.

Stats < ByuL
Maru > Zest
ByuL > Maru
Stats < Zest
Maru > Zest

ByuL and Maru to advance to the Ro8.

Writers: lichter.
Graphics: shiroiusagi.
Editors: lichter.
Stats: Aligulac