What a Weekend
WCS Finals Quick Summary

Coming into the final day only four players remained. The methodical Classic had earned his semifinals spot by besting herO 3-1 in the round of 8. The ever unpredictable Life had found his way into the semifinals after a great series against INnoVation. sOs was on track to clinch yet another $100k tournament demolishing Rain 3-0. While Rogue was the tournament dark horse after his unlikely win over Hydra.

The first semifinal played out between Life and Classic. Life found himself 1-0 up in the series after effortless deflecting Classic's Dark Templar strategy but traded two wins back to Classic with two unconventional (but very Life-esque) strategies. Classic destroyed Life's Ling/Bane attempt in game 2 and deflected Life's 6 pool in game 3. With his back against the wall, Life simply did more Life things to great success. In Game 4 a well timed Speedling attack forced itself through Classic's wall and notched up Life's second win. To close out the series Life struck at Classic with an exceptionally well executed Roach/Ling attack which struck at Classic's third before he was prepared.



The second semifinal was a far less exciting affair. Rogue came into this series as the clear underdog and did nothing but confirm the skill-gap between himself and sOs in their encounter. Rogue selected Bridgehead for the first map of the series and wasted no time in using the proxy hatch behind the natural rocks strategy to try and squeak out a win against sOs. sOs was able to capitalize on poor decision making from Rogue to successfully defend and go 1-0 up in the series. This proved to be the highlight of the series as sOs executed Rogue in games 2 and 3 before Rogue could get his strategies into action.



This set up probably one of the most fitting finals to send off HotS. Life and sOs have put themselves on the map as two of the most prolific champions during this chapter of SC2s life. Life as a player who repeatedly puts himself back on the tournament radar winning games in an impossible manner. While it's cheesy, the slogan 'Life finds a way' really does summarize his career. Meanwhile $o$ has been an enigmatic figure only showing up to tournaments boasting a $100k first place. But moreover, his creative playstyle is one which fully embraces the cheesy aspects of the Protoss race and have become a divisive figure because of it.



From the beginning, the Grand Finals was a special performance that only sOs and Life could be responsible for. While none of the games individually went the distance, the action hardly ceased and each map was a spectacle that kept the audience on the edge of their seats in one of the closest series of the year. sOs, having brought his usual bag of tricks into the finals, pulled off a successful zealot + cannon rush and followed up with a proxy stargate and gateway all-in to take an early lead 1-0. Not to be outdone, Life opened 9 pool in game 2 to level the series 1-1 and 14/14 in game 3, transitioning into a fast burrow roach max with two roach warrens in the former game. Game 3 didn't go his way and sOs reclaimed the lead 2-1, but fortunately caught sOs trying to play a macro game in game 4 and tied the series.



The score was level at 2-2 a piece. With the end of HotS and a world championship depending on the last three games, sOs decided to open with tempests on Dash and Terminal. This had the effect of forcing Life into an uncomfortable spot, as he was forced to deviate from his normal composition of low-tech units to get corrupters. This gave sOs an advantage going into the mid-game, where he patiently wore his opponent down with blink stalkers.



sOs then attempted to go in an entirely different direction with the infamous soul train, but Life sniffed it out and forced a Game 7.



On Iron Fortress, Life attempted to conclude the series with a risky baneling bust, and while he successfully broke the primary defenses, sOs held on with remarkable tenacity, sacrificing his natural and walling his main completely in order to save as much as possible. From there, he eventually secured his expansion again and defeated Life with a blink stalker attack before he could recover economically.



The sOs-Life final was the perfect send off for HotS and the perfect setting for the beginning of a new chapter in Starcraft's life. While many things will change in Legacy, the passion and excitement that we saw during these grand finals will surely carry over and give Starcraft it's second wind. But before then, we have this moment to celebrate what has been and all the joy that HotS has brought up. Congratulations to sOs, commiserations to Life. You both showed why Starcraft is the beautiful game.