EPT
The Weekly Preview
by hexhaven![[image loading]](/staff/Waxangel/bird_blue_16.png)
- hexhavenThe Final Journey
What a long, arduous process it’s been to get here. This will be the ninth and last week in the pennant race of the SSL Premier Division. The format has served some players particularly well, while others have been languishing, desperately trying to stave off the inevitable. After the final day of matches, four players will advance to the Post Season, vying for the coveted star league title. Out of these four, the one to take the first place in the pennant race will guarantee themselves a spot in the grand finals, while the other three will have to duke it out amongst themselves.
One player gets a direct ticket to the second season of the SSL, and a guaranteed spot in the Premier Division. Two players will be in danger of being relegated to the Challenge Division next season, but they will be given ample opportunities to hold their own. One player will be precariously close to relegation, with just a single day’s worth of matches to keep their head above water. And finally, the last two players will be unceremoniously dropped from the Premier Division with little fanfare. What’s certain, even though it’s the last week, is that (almost) everything is still up in the air.
The Ascended
INnoVation has spent more time on the top of the scoreboard than any other player in the pennant race. He holds both the best map score and the best match score. There’s only one last hurdle on his way, can he take down Stats to ensure his place in the grand finals? It’s been just shy of six months since his last premier title, and it’s been roughly a year and a half since his last star league title. We’ve titled The Machine as the best player in the world several times over the years, and he’s again on the cusp of something great. Of course, if he takes down Stats, he’ll have to take down the finalist, but topping the score board here would give him an edge the others would certainly envy.
Meanwhile, Solar is hot on the Terran’s heels, vying for the top position, and especially that guaranteed spot in the grand finals. Crucially for the two players, they’re tied in their match scores, but their individual map scores differ enough to make this an uneven fight. Solar needs to win this week, and INnoVation has to lose if the Zerg wishes to bypass most of the Post Season matches. And lest we forget, it’s Solar who’s the reigning SSL champion. He wants to defend his title with passion, with skill and with the deep burning desire that stems from a potential back-to-back star league victory.
The Aspiring
A total of six players comprise the absolute quagmire that is the middle ranks of the scoreboard. ByuL and Stats are both 5-3, with still a real chance of improving their position. Maru, aLive, Dark and Patience are all 4-4, trying to stave off relegation and climb the ranks enough to make it to the Post Season. Now more than ever it’s do or die for all of them. Besides the chance at the title that the Post Season provides, even the fifth place is infinitely more desirable than the sixth place. At the same time, placing sixth or seventh is again infinitely more desirable than placing eighth. None of the four players are playing against each other, which means that they will both have to win their own match and pray to all the StarCraft pantheons that the others lose theirs.
The Relegated
There’s really no way around it. Both Zest and sOs have suffered terrible fates with the format, holding abysmal 1-7 match scores. There’s no honest hope for either player to make it even to the Fast Lane. Rather, they will be relegated to the Challenge division for the next season. Some of the mightiest Protoss players the scene has ever seen have been brought low, and failing to make it out of Code S Ro32 makes their SSL performance extra bitter. For now, the two players will have to act as speed bumps for the others. They might still affect the outcome of the final standings, but for themselves, all hope is indeed lost.
The Outcome
Very few things are certain in life, and the same holds true for StarCraft. Besides performing to the best of their abilities, all players will have to keep a keen eye on the other matches. Their fate lies not only in their own hands, but in the hands of their opponents, with whom they’ve gone through a nine week crucible. Who’s going to take the top spot? Who’s going to have to miss out on the Post Season? The different permutations are so numerous that it would take an extra week just go through all of them. Thus, all ten players enter the fray one last time, with the outcome as uncertain as ever. Once the dust settles, we’ll have our five winners and five losers. Before that, everything else is pure speculation.
Weekly Schedule:
Mon - SSL Premier - Maru vs ByuL / sOs vs Patience / INnoVation vs Stats / Solar vs aLive / Zest vs Dark
Wed - GSL Ro.16 Group Selection
What a long, arduous process it’s been to get here. This will be the ninth and last week in the pennant race of the SSL Premier Division. The format has served some players particularly well, while others have been languishing, desperately trying to stave off the inevitable. After the final day of matches, four players will advance to the Post Season, vying for the coveted star league title. Out of these four, the one to take the first place in the pennant race will guarantee themselves a spot in the grand finals, while the other three will have to duke it out amongst themselves.
One player gets a direct ticket to the second season of the SSL, and a guaranteed spot in the Premier Division. Two players will be in danger of being relegated to the Challenge Division next season, but they will be given ample opportunities to hold their own. One player will be precariously close to relegation, with just a single day’s worth of matches to keep their head above water. And finally, the last two players will be unceremoniously dropped from the Premier Division with little fanfare. What’s certain, even though it’s the last week, is that (almost) everything is still up in the air.
The Ascended
INnoVation has spent more time on the top of the scoreboard than any other player in the pennant race. He holds both the best map score and the best match score. There’s only one last hurdle on his way, can he take down Stats to ensure his place in the grand finals? It’s been just shy of six months since his last premier title, and it’s been roughly a year and a half since his last star league title. We’ve titled The Machine as the best player in the world several times over the years, and he’s again on the cusp of something great. Of course, if he takes down Stats, he’ll have to take down the finalist, but topping the score board here would give him an edge the others would certainly envy.
Meanwhile, Solar is hot on the Terran’s heels, vying for the top position, and especially that guaranteed spot in the grand finals. Crucially for the two players, they’re tied in their match scores, but their individual map scores differ enough to make this an uneven fight. Solar needs to win this week, and INnoVation has to lose if the Zerg wishes to bypass most of the Post Season matches. And lest we forget, it’s Solar who’s the reigning SSL champion. He wants to defend his title with passion, with skill and with the deep burning desire that stems from a potential back-to-back star league victory.
The Aspiring
A total of six players comprise the absolute quagmire that is the middle ranks of the scoreboard. ByuL and Stats are both 5-3, with still a real chance of improving their position. Maru, aLive, Dark and Patience are all 4-4, trying to stave off relegation and climb the ranks enough to make it to the Post Season. Now more than ever it’s do or die for all of them. Besides the chance at the title that the Post Season provides, even the fifth place is infinitely more desirable than the sixth place. At the same time, placing sixth or seventh is again infinitely more desirable than placing eighth. None of the four players are playing against each other, which means that they will both have to win their own match and pray to all the StarCraft pantheons that the others lose theirs.
The Relegated
There’s really no way around it. Both Zest and sOs have suffered terrible fates with the format, holding abysmal 1-7 match scores. There’s no honest hope for either player to make it even to the Fast Lane. Rather, they will be relegated to the Challenge division for the next season. Some of the mightiest Protoss players the scene has ever seen have been brought low, and failing to make it out of Code S Ro32 makes their SSL performance extra bitter. For now, the two players will have to act as speed bumps for the others. They might still affect the outcome of the final standings, but for themselves, all hope is indeed lost.
The Outcome
Very few things are certain in life, and the same holds true for StarCraft. Besides performing to the best of their abilities, all players will have to keep a keen eye on the other matches. Their fate lies not only in their own hands, but in the hands of their opponents, with whom they’ve gone through a nine week crucible. Who’s going to take the top spot? Who’s going to have to miss out on the Post Season? The different permutations are so numerous that it would take an extra week just go through all of them. Thus, all ten players enter the fray one last time, with the outcome as uncertain as ever. Once the dust settles, we’ll have our five winners and five losers. Before that, everything else is pure speculation.
Weekly Schedule:
Mon - SSL Premier - Maru vs ByuL / sOs vs Patience / INnoVation vs Stats / Solar vs aLive / Zest vs Dark
Wed - GSL Ro.16 Group Selection
Group Nomination Buy and Sell!
by lichter - lichterThe group selection for the GSL round of 16 has always been a hotly anticipated occasion. It gives the fans a look into a sort of "internal" rank of the pros, and we get to hear a few barbed insults along the way. Sure, there's also a healthy dose of cringeworthy moments, but overall, it's a spectacle all on its own.
This season, we have a fairly balanced top 16, with 5 protoss, 6 terran, and 5 zerg. However, not everyone in the field is equal, and, despite having no knowledge of how the players value each other (because really, these things can change each season), we're still going to try and give the players some advice with our Group Selection Buy and Sell.
Buy Early And Potentially Look Like a Genius:
Stats
Stats escaped ahead with KeeN and Scarlett, but it was arguably one of the weaker groups. Of course, you can only beat who's in front of you, but Stats' form has also been a bit shaky. Stats has a sub-50% winrate in PvP since the start of April, and his PvT and PvZ have also dipped during that time. If you fancy a high risk, high reward pick, Stats might be your man.
Buy at Your Own Risk:
Rogue and Trap
On the one hand, these two players seem to be the weakest on paper. On the other hand, they have fostered a reputation as perennial dark horses for a reason. They can plan builds better than most, and the dash of madness that they sometimes possess adds a few bars of pressure to the heat of the booth. If you're confident in your ability to scout and deflect weird stuff, then buy at your own risk.
Buy If You're Protoss:Dear
It's hard to say whether Dear is well and truly a B-lister, but with losses to C-listers like Hush, Billowy, and frickin' Seed over the past month and a half, it's hard to argue otherwise. He's sub 50% in PvP in 2017, and his dip doesn't seem to be abating any time soon. Players that fancy their disruptor control should keep an eye if he's still on the board.
Sell, for the love of god, SELL:ByuL
ByuL is on the up and up, and he really doesn't have a single weak matchup right now. By form alone he has to be considered one of the true contenders this season, and after spending 2016 as an invalid after his heartbreaking 2015, this could finally be his chance to chase away his demons.
Sell If You Wanna Go Home Early:
GuMiho
While GuMiho isn't exactly known as a turtle player, he is one of the few terran that you can't count on if you wanna see a mech game or two. His addition of Hyperflight Rotors certainly makes his banshees fly faster, but the games don't necessarily end any sooner. If you have a date after the games or something, definitely pick someone else.
Sell If You're Protoss:Dark
Over the past 20 games, Dark is 15-5 against the likes of sOs, Super, Classic, and Stats. That's a hitlist with some of the best protoss players out there, and Dark continues to be considered one of the best zergs in the world. Avoid if you're from Aiur.
Predicted Last Person to be Chosen:aLive
Probably coz they forgot.
This season, we have a fairly balanced top 16, with 5 protoss, 6 terran, and 5 zerg. However, not everyone in the field is equal, and, despite having no knowledge of how the players value each other (because really, these things can change each season), we're still going to try and give the players some advice with our Group Selection Buy and Sell.
Buy Early And Potentially Look Like a Genius:
StatsStats escaped ahead with KeeN and Scarlett, but it was arguably one of the weaker groups. Of course, you can only beat who's in front of you, but Stats' form has also been a bit shaky. Stats has a sub-50% winrate in PvP since the start of April, and his PvT and PvZ have also dipped during that time. If you fancy a high risk, high reward pick, Stats might be your man.
Buy at Your Own Risk:
Rogue and TrapOn the one hand, these two players seem to be the weakest on paper. On the other hand, they have fostered a reputation as perennial dark horses for a reason. They can plan builds better than most, and the dash of madness that they sometimes possess adds a few bars of pressure to the heat of the booth. If you're confident in your ability to scout and deflect weird stuff, then buy at your own risk.
Buy If You're Protoss:
DearIt's hard to say whether Dear is well and truly a B-lister, but with losses to C-listers like Hush, Billowy, and frickin' Seed over the past month and a half, it's hard to argue otherwise. He's sub 50% in PvP in 2017, and his dip doesn't seem to be abating any time soon. Players that fancy their disruptor control should keep an eye if he's still on the board.
Sell, for the love of god, SELL:
ByuLByuL is on the up and up, and he really doesn't have a single weak matchup right now. By form alone he has to be considered one of the true contenders this season, and after spending 2016 as an invalid after his heartbreaking 2015, this could finally be his chance to chase away his demons.
Sell If You Wanna Go Home Early:
GuMihoWhile GuMiho isn't exactly known as a turtle player, he is one of the few terran that you can't count on if you wanna see a mech game or two. His addition of Hyperflight Rotors certainly makes his banshees fly faster, but the games don't necessarily end any sooner. If you have a date after the games or something, definitely pick someone else.
Sell If You're Protoss:
DarkOver the past 20 games, Dark is 15-5 against the likes of sOs, Super, Classic, and Stats. That's a hitlist with some of the best protoss players out there, and Dark continues to be considered one of the best zergs in the world. Avoid if you're from Aiur.
Predicted Last Person to be Chosen:
aLiveProbably coz they forgot.
(unless Innovation wins 2-0 against Stats as well, which isn't that unlikely) 
