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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On July 22 2015 22:39 The_Red_Viper wrote: Maru and Zest, Byul with the last place
I'd be down with that.
Fact I pointed out during the last Proleague series: Stats PvP winrate has dropped by over 20% (67% to 45%; including a 1-3 to Zest) since his loss to Classic, so I don't expect him to beat Zest if that match happens. Then again Stats has another S2SL semifinal to reach.
And technically it's not Group D, it's Group Stats (I guess because they realised that playing D and C first every time is weird).
Indeed a tough group. One S class player in Maru, two S- players in Zest and Byul, plus a dangerous A+ protoss in Stats who's bordering the S rank anyway.
On July 22 2015 23:04 BlackCompany wrote: If Zest AND Stats get eliminated i will riot
Stats picked ByuL who picked Maru (who didn't have a choice because nobody else wanted Zest). So if that happens fly to Korea and tell Stats to take HyuN or Rogue next time travel back in time to pick someone else.
Why do u foreigners ignore the fact that jest and stats got pounded by maru during entire season?? Even jest and stats themselves fear maru and that's perfectly well known among korean fans. Interesting to see that foreigners don't care about that.
On July 22 2015 23:18 kchany2 wrote: Why do u foreigners ignore the fact that jest and stats got pounded by maru during entire season?? Even jest and stats themselves fear maru and that's perfectly well known among korean fans. Interesting to see that foreigners don't care about that.
On July 22 2015 23:18 kchany2 wrote: Why do u foreigners ignore the fact that jest and stats got pounded by maru during entire season?? Even jest and stats themselves fear maru and that's perfectly well known among korean fans. Interesting to see that foreigners don't care about that.
On July 22 2015 23:18 kchany2 wrote: Why do u foreigners ignore the fact that jest and stats got pounded by maru during entire season?? Even jest and stats themselves fear maru and that's perfectly well known among korean fans. Interesting to see that foreigners don't care about that.
Byul and Stats have been getting bracket luck and all of their opponents throw games against them. Like Lichter said, they rely on gambling which means all they do is get lucky. You cant have a stable career if the only thing you rely on is luck. Even in macro games Stats and Byul get lucky.
On July 23 2015 02:30 swag_bro wrote: Maru and Zest.
Byul and Stats have been getting bracket luck and all of their opponents throw games against them. Like Lichter said, they rely on gambling which means all they do is get lucky. You cant have a stable career if the only thing you rely on is luck. Even in macro games Stats and Byul get lucky.
I beg to differ ; proxy hatch is a solid and viable strategy
On July 22 2015 23:18 kchany2 wrote: Why do u foreigners ignore the fact that jest and stats got pounded by maru during entire season?? Even jest and stats themselves fear maru and that's perfectly well known among korean fans. Interesting to see that foreigners don't care about that.
I'm hoping for Zest and Maru to advance, but with four players like this I doubt I'll be upset regardless of who goes through.
On July 22 2015 23:18 kchany2 wrote: Why do u foreigners ignore the fact that jest and stats got pounded by maru during entire season?? Even jest and stats themselves fear maru and that's perfectly well known among korean fans. Interesting to see that foreigners don't care about that.
On July 23 2015 05:04 NexUmbra wrote: I'm hoping for Zest and Maru to advance, but with four players like this I doubt I'll be upset regardless of who goes through.
On July 22 2015 23:18 kchany2 wrote: Why do u foreigners ignore the fact that jest and stats got pounded by maru during entire season?? Even jest and stats themselves fear maru and that's perfectly well known among korean fans. Interesting to see that foreigners don't care about that.
On July 23 2015 05:04 NexUmbra wrote: I'm hoping for Zest and Maru to advance, but with four players like this I doubt I'll be upset regardless of who goes through.
On July 22 2015 23:18 kchany2 wrote: Why do u foreigners ignore the fact that jest and stats got pounded by maru during entire season?? Even jest and stats themselves fear maru and that's perfectly well known among korean fans. Interesting to see that foreigners don't care about that.
On July 22 2015 23:18 kchany2 wrote: Why do u foreigners ignore the fact that jest and stats got pounded by maru during entire season?? Even jest and stats themselves fear maru and that's perfectly well known among korean fans. Interesting to see that foreigners don't care about that.
Unless I'm blind OP predicts Maru to beat both Stats and Zest/Jest.
On July 23 2015 07:39 Roadog wrote: [Stacking intensifies] Why are they only playing one group a week? So slooooooow.
They're already at Ro16, they have to stretch it so the leagues finish close to each other :3
They should use the OSL style then, would be so cool and another factor to differentiate yourself from the gsl
What's the OSL style?
Every group is round robin instead of gsl style and every match day there is one game out of each group. You could do bo3 instead of the usual bo1 in BW and thus have 4 bo3 matches every single broadcast day. If you wanna do two broadcast days a week it would take three weeks to do all the groups which would be kinda like now. Imo way more exciting, even though it has its own 'problems'
On July 23 2015 07:39 Roadog wrote: [Stacking intensifies] Why are they only playing one group a week? So slooooooow.
They're already at Ro16, they have to stretch it so the leagues finish close to each other :3
They should use the OSL style then, would be so cool and another factor to differentiate yourself from the gsl
What's the OSL style?
Every group is round robin instead of gsl style and every match day there is one game out of each group. You could do bo3 instead of the usual bo1 in BW and thus have 4 bo3 matches every single broadcast day. If you wanna do two broadcast days a week it would take three weeks to do all the groups which would be kinda like now. Imo way more exciting, even though it has its own 'problems'
imo I'd rather not go back to round robin and have meaningless games at the end of half of every group.
On July 23 2015 07:39 Roadog wrote: [Stacking intensifies] Why are they only playing one group a week? So slooooooow.
They're already at Ro16, they have to stretch it so the leagues finish close to each other :3
They should use the OSL style then, would be so cool and another factor to differentiate yourself from the gsl
What's the OSL style?
Every group is round robin instead of gsl style and every match day there is one game out of each group. You could do bo3 instead of the usual bo1 in BW and thus have 4 bo3 matches every single broadcast day. If you wanna do two broadcast days a week it would take three weeks to do all the groups which would be kinda like now. Imo way more exciting, even though it has its own 'problems'
would need teamkills to be on the first day to prevent collusion, and no more than 2 players per team per group.
also bo3 round robin makes tiebreakers extremely unlikely. the benefit of having every player play every other player outweighs the downsides.
Also I have something to say (even as a huge KT fan who is obviously hoping for Zest and especially Stats...)
I am generally a BW elitist and most of the time I do watch SC2 is merely to keep up with kespa and PL/individual storylines... for old times sake or something (it's hard to let go!) but Maru is a damn exciting player. I know you are thinking "ya dude we all know that" but Maru is genuinely good for SC2 imo. It looks like a different game when he's pulling off his crazy TvP. I'm really going to enjoy seeing how the KT duo manages his relentlessness and this is the first group/event I've been pumped for in a long time. I hope tonight's games are as good as they have the potential to be.
I guess what I'm saying is that I gotta respect the skill, Maru is pretty awesome. Awesome enough for me to drop my generally take it or leave it attitude towards SC2. Fighting! #passionrestored HYPEEEE
On July 22 2015 23:18 kchany2 wrote: Why do u foreigners ignore the fact that jest and stats got pounded by maru during entire season?? Even jest and stats themselves fear maru and that's perfectly well known among korean fans. Interesting to see that foreigners don't care about that.
EPT
Maru vs 
Zest
ByuL vs 
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Cmc4zet.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/8W14M0e.png)
