Harness the Power (of Nostalgia) (and Dinosaurs)

by lichter

Nostalgia is a powerful thing. At times it can make us misty eyed while fading into a dramatic flash back. At times it can draw out emotions and feelings we have not felt in a really long time. At times it makes us squeal with glee when a guy randomly streams and traps a bunch of workers with a gateway during his cannon rush at the gold base. At times it makes us scour the internet in order to find episodes of a silly 80's cartoon about dinosaurs wearing laser guns.




And at times, it all gets jumbled together, because memory works in funny ways.

Dinosaurs Themed previews, extinct for 70 million maybe a year, are back.

For those too young to remember, Dino Riders was an 80's cartoon that may have been the greatest idea of all time. The Valorians, the heroes of this story, were sent back in time to the age of dinosaurs while being pursued by the evil Rulons. Stuck in the past, they decided to do what any other real hero would do: strap lasers, missiles and bombs on dinosaurs. Maximum cornball awesomeness ensues. You get the picture.

When you think about it, Dino Riders and SC2 share a lot in common. Heroic humans, check. Lasers, check. Aliens, check. Things that look like dinosaurs, check. A struggle of good versus evil, check. Gratuitous battles, megacheck. It also helps that Group C marks the return of Stork, the last Dinosaur, to Code S after a year's hiatus. In memory of Byung Gu's return, everyone gets to be dinosaurs.

Warning: The writer of this preview is not a paleontologist, and last wanted to become one when he was 6 years old. The portrayal of the dinosaurs below may not be entirely accurate and based on obsolete scientific speculation because it fits the narrative better. Also, you should be reading about dinosaurs anyway.

Editor's note: Ideally, you should be reading this article in Sir David Attenborough's voice.

sOs, the Dimetrodon

From the floodplains the dimetrodon crawls into view. A curious thing indeed. A long, stumpy body. A sail that looks more like a mohawk. A tail as long as his torso. He looks like a mess of spare parts glued together more than a harmonious whole. And yet, somehow, he works (most of the time).

Even after all these years, we're still unsure of how exactly dimetrodon does his deed. Some scientists argue that his spine allows him to thermoregulate and control the flow of heat. Some insist that it is a form of deceit; a form of camouflage. Others suggest that it attracts attention from would-be mates. Yet none of these quite explains how the dimetrodon is able to be so successful without a traditional frame.

Unfortunately, the dimetrodon has recently had trouble making his strange evolution work. While his odd brilliance (+ Show Spoiler [sOs vs Solar] +) contributed to him reaching this stage, he has also baffled at times with his clumsiness(+ Show Spoiler [sOs vs INnoVation] +). With 5 straight defeats, including 1 series to the deinonychus, it looks like the era of the synapsids could be over. At least until he discovers a new evolution.

Stork, the Pteranodon

Up in the sky, soaring above the plains, the pteranodon surveys his surroundings. There was once a time when the pteranodon did not have his wings and roamed the earth with his fellow dinosaurs. But that was long ago. Over time he realized that this was not his place and that he belonged above them, as a watcher and not a doer. He watched as his friends fumbled; he watched as his friends survived; he watched as his juniors grew into men. All he could offer from above was his guidance and his vast experience. Yet an itch tingles inside him to return to the hysteria of landlife, and he begins to glide closer and closer.

It takes an encounter with an eight legged sea creature to remind everyone that pteranodon can still brawl with the biggest beasts (+ Show Spoiler [Game 1] ++ Show Spoiler [Game 2] ++ Show Spoiler [Game 3] +). His movements are swift, his actions decisive. Even though he lacks the raw strength to out muscle his opponent, his positioning and eye for opportunity is refined. However, not every match has been flawless. His clash with a juvenile Rex is a scuffle of claws and knuckles, lacking the finesse and calmness that marked his earlier hunts.

So far, we have seen very little of the pteranodon, and we are still uncertain of how he prefers to fight. With his knowledge of all dinosaurs and his veteran guile, a careful plan of battle can yet surprise his foes. The pteranodon has descended from his perch and must once again prove he belongs.

Bbyong, the Pachycephalosaurus

Across the pond, the pachycephalosaurus beholds a richer patch of grass. Without warning and with no concern for danger, he migrates with all his herd in tow. Perhaps that is what makes the "thick headed lizard" so compelling—he does what he wants whenever he wants to do it. He is exactly the kind of dinosaur that swings at the flanks where you least expect it. He is exactly the type of dinosaur that uses every tool in his arsenal to do damage. And he is exactly the type of dinosaur that headbutts (or should I say hellbutts) his way through the opposition.

There are times of course when his bullish ways trample even the beefiest defenses and clobber even the sturdiest walls. The deinonychus is one of his favorite victims, and he knows exactly which bones to shatter. Yet sometimes, he runs into a plate of armor he just can't break or a ruse he just can't solve. There are far more nuances in his stampedes now than eons ago, but he continues to have trouble with craftier dinosaurs like dimetrodon, giganotosaurus and even the modest diplodocus.

This group is certainly one of much danger, but that has never before stopped pachycephalosaurus from rushing head on. If he is able to feast on his prey in the first set, it could give him the confidence to charge through even the cleverest creatures.

Life, the Deinonychus

Into the wild bush the deinonychus runs. He's always running. He always has to be somewhere, and he always has to do something.

What makes the deinonychus truly fearsome is difficult to explain. Yes, he does have a sickle-shaped talon on each hind foot, which he uses to slice his prey—death by a thousand cuts. Yes, deinonychus is clever and instinctual, knowing when and where to strike. And yes, deinonychus is often confused with the velociraptor, perhaps the most famous carnivore other than T. Rex. Yet there is something intangible about his desire to conquer, about his unshakable confidence that only the greatest dinosaurs possess.

Into the wild bush the deinonychus runs. He quickly disappears into his surroundings, and we're not quite sure if he's there. Yet when the big game wander by, he will be there to take a piece of it.


+ Show Spoiler [Reference notes] +

Predictions:

This is one of those situations where the order of group matches could determine who advances. Life should be favored against everyone in this group, but Bbyong has, for some inexplicable reason, always had his number. He's had spotty form in both individual leagues and Proleague, and came close to losing to sOs in SSL. sOs on the other hand should try to avoid Life as much as he can to avoid a repeat of last week's SSL group. His PvZ still appears to be in flux, and we're not quite sure how his style will settle. Bbyong is slowly getting back into shape, but sOs is the type of brainy protoss he usually struggles against. His day in the booth will likely be determined by whether or not he can continue his domination of the KT player. And Stork? Well, nostalgia is a powerful thing.

sOs > Stork
Bbyong > Life
sOs > Bbyong
Stork > Life
Bbyong < Stork

sOs and Stork advance to the Ro16.