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Dark: The Last Son Reborn - Rank 4 - Road to BlizzCon

Forum Index > SC2 General
27 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 Next All

Dark: The Last Son Reborn - Rank 4 - Road to BlizzCon

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
Graphics byshiroiusagi
October 22nd, 2017 13:34 GMT
Photo Credit: Shayla
Dark
Park Ryung Woo


The Last Son Reborn


by hexhaven


Almost exactly one year ago, Dark was crowned the Final Boss of Legacy of the Void.

And who could deny him such a title? Fighting his way to back-to-back star league finals, and finally establishing his rightful place as SKT's ace in Proleague launched him into long-awaited superstardom. Throughout 2016, there was no better player on the planet. His early statement of intent in targeting a ten-trophy career haul started to move from aggressive bluster to a genuine possibility.

It all came crashing down so fast.

"Throughout 2016, there was no better player on the planet than Dark."
First, the unthinkable happened. Proleague was suspended, and with it, the KeSPA teams that had been the lifeblood of the Korean scene for years dropped their support. Like so many others, Dark was left to find his own way towards an uncertain future. Retirement was out of the question, however, with so much left to prove. Rather than abandoning the only life he had ever known, Dark simply adapted.

There was still going to be the GSL, new international tournaments were going to open up, and Dark still had a promise to keep. Most importantly, the WCS Global Finals were looming over him, the perfect chance to show the world his unwavering resolve, his unmatched skill, his peerless raw power.

Dark entered Anaheim as the unquestioned favorite to win the entire tournament. He made his journey to the finals look easy, dropping only a single map along the way. (P)PtitDrogo and (P)Stats were simply appetizers to get his blood flowing, and (P)Neeb and (Z)Elazer were likewise nothing more than speed bumps on a journey to success. On the other side of the bracket, (T)ByuN had shown resilience and cunning in equal measure, the Terran having made his way through (T)TY and Stats. It was to be an historic engagement. A recently resurfaced ladder hero against the formal training of the full Korean scene.

Then the Last Son of (T)Boxer was brought down by the One Man Army.



Winrate


59.06% vs. Terran
61.94% vs. Protoss
60.00% vs. Zerg

Rank


Circuit Standings
3

WCS Points


7950



Something was lost that day, something more than just the trophy. Dark’s ultimate failure to grab the title and secure his spot as the best player of the year was also a final nail in a tragic coffin. The old world was now lost to the ages, and a stark new reality had replaced what used to be. There was no point reminiscing the past.

Unfortunately, the new year was off to a rocky start. Both IEM Gyeonggi and IEM Katowice saw Dark bow out before reaching the grand finals. He failed to make it to the Postseason in SSL season 1. The first two seasons of GSL saw him exit in the Ro16 in typical Dark fashion. The first GSL Super Tournament saw Dark lose against a resurgent (Z)ByuL, the latter player afterwards disappearing once more beneath the depths.

Over and over again, Dark ran into a very fundamental problem. He kept facing players who were more prepared, more innovative, more precise. The Last Son, once a tour de force, was struggling to keep his head above the waterline. He wasn’t bad, far from it, but he was just not performing up to the expectations set by the previous year. But rather than give up and despair, Dark decided to fully embrace this new reality, and work harder than ever.

Slowly, spread across many months, Dark rebuilt himself into something resembling his old self. Over the hot summer, during two grueling star leagues, his performance showed constant signs of improvement. He was able to break through to the playoffs of a GSL for the first time ever. He managed to go through (P)Dear and (P)Classic to reach the grand finals of SSL once again.

It wasn’t a reinvention, exactly. What’s there is still quintessentially Dark. The same ruthlessness, the same thirst for blood, the same ability to smell fear, it’s all still there. He hasn’t changed who he is, because he hasn’t needed to. He has just needed to be better.

It of course needs to be pointed out that both star leagues failed to produce a title for Dark. It’s ironic in a way, finding victory in defeat, but the series themselves need to be examined. Losing 3-4 against Stats in a very close series is not a mark of shame, it’s proof of skill. Losing 3-4 against INnoVation in a very close series is not a failure, it’s a testament to tenacity. True, a loss is always disappointing, but such close calls herald of better times ahead. Dark once again enters Anaheim as one of the favorites to take the title.

But now there are others vying for the same trophy, and this time around their claim is at least as strong as that of Dark. The Last Son is no longer the undisputed champion surveying his kingdom. (T)INnoVation rules the Terrans with an iron fist, Stats holds dominion over the Protoss with sheer force of will, and most importantly, (Z)Rogue and (Z)soO are waiting to see if their rival will truly measure up. For Dark, the stakes have never been this high. Perhaps he needed the humbling experience provided by the last 8 months.

Last year, Dark was looking to claim the title of the best player in the world. He was found wanting. Undeterred, he turned his failure into a weapon. He’s since then turned his eyes on something greater than an ever fleeting honorific.

This year, he’s about to forge a legend.








Writer: hexhaven
Editor: Olli, munch
Photo Credit: DreamHack, Shayla
Statistics: Aligulac
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TL+ Member
Cricketer12
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States13974 Posts
October 22 2017 13:35 GMT
#2
It's a bit sad to really think about Dark and where he was last year vs this year.

All the same he looks amazing right (though those wr are a bit lower than most others in the pr thus far)
Kaina + Drones Linkcro Summon Cupsie Yummy Way
Deleted User 3420
Profile Blog Joined May 2003
24492 Posts
Last Edited: 2017-10-22 13:51:41
October 22 2017 13:51 GMT
#3
Getting pretty hype. Nice article. If Dark is on point he clearly can be a favorite vs anyone.

I gotta imagine the last 3 will be stats, then rogue, then innovation

(though I think rogue is most dangerous, personally)
Vendethiel
Profile Joined February 2017
213 Posts
October 22 2017 14:09 GMT
#4
(T)INnoVation rules the Terrans with an iron fist, Stats holds dominion over the Protoss
Stats doesn't get TLPD-ized?
Maru <3
Fango
Profile Joined July 2016
United Kingdom8987 Posts
Last Edited: 2017-10-22 14:10:25
October 22 2017 14:09 GMT
#5
Dark is in the circle of a few players that can beat anyone without it being a shock. Stats and Rogue are probably the hardest opponents he can get

Even though I was cheering for ByuN last cheer, looking back I wish Dark had taken it. Seeing how ByuN fell of without his reapers and tankivacs and Dark stayed strong
Zest, sOs, PartinG, Dark, and Maru are the real champs. ROOT_herO is overrated. Snute, Serral, and Scarlett are the foreigner GOATs
Durnuu
Profile Joined September 2013
13320 Posts
Last Edited: 2017-10-22 14:12:39
October 22 2017 14:12 GMT
#6
On October 22 2017 23:09 Vendethiel wrote:
Show nested quote +
(T)INnoVation rules the Terrans with an iron fist, Stats holds dominion over the Protoss
Stats doesn't get TLPD-ized?

TL writers only TLPD-ises the first mention of a player, and Stats' first mention is when they recap Dark 2016 Blizzcon run.
BUNNYYYYYYYYY https://i.imgur.com/BiCF577.png
col_jung
Profile Joined October 2017
139 Posts
Last Edited: 2017-10-25 23:42:23
October 22 2017 14:22 GMT
#7
Met him (along with a bunch of other players) a month ago at the GSL Super Tournament. Such a nice guy!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159478166455319

Behind the scenes at the venue:


Really looking forward to seeing what Dark has to offer this Blizzcon, although being a Terran I'm still going for Inno.
DieuCure
Profile Joined January 2017
France3713 Posts
October 22 2017 14:30 GMT
#8
The next is Stats obviously
TL+ Member
yht9657
Profile Joined December 2016
1810 Posts
October 22 2017 14:43 GMT
#9
I have a feeling Rogue's going to be #1, for the sake of hype and inno's recent slump (considering whenever inno is not reking everyone he's in slump)
Fango
Profile Joined July 2016
United Kingdom8987 Posts
October 22 2017 16:02 GMT
#10
Basing ranks of the most resent tournament results, they could justify almost any order of Stats/Dark/Inno/Rogue/herO for the top five.
Zest, sOs, PartinG, Dark, and Maru are the real champs. ROOT_herO is overrated. Snute, Serral, and Scarlett are the foreigner GOATs
Mun_Su
Profile Joined December 2012
France2063 Posts
October 22 2017 16:08 GMT
#11
good article ! I think the next will be Stats
INno <3 - TY - Maru - Taeja - Rain <3 - Classic <3 - Stephano <3 - soO <3 - Soulkey - Dark - SERRAL =O / END REGION LOCK
yubo56
Profile Joined May 2014
687 Posts
October 22 2017 16:10 GMT
#12
Dark always #1 in my heart ♡♡
Jung Yoon Jong fighting, even after retirement! Feel better soon.
Morbidius
Profile Joined November 2010
Brazil3449 Posts
October 22 2017 16:11 GMT
#13
On October 23 2017 01:02 Fango wrote:
Basing ranks of the most resent tournament results, they could justify almost any order of Stats/Dark/Inno/Rogue/herO for the top five.

I don't see any justification for herO and Dark at #1. The other 3 sure.
Has foreign StarCraft hit rock bottom?
Fango
Profile Joined July 2016
United Kingdom8987 Posts
October 22 2017 16:49 GMT
#14
On October 23 2017 01:11 Morbidius wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 23 2017 01:02 Fango wrote:
Basing ranks of the most resent tournament results, they could justify almost any order of Stats/Dark/Inno/Rogue/herO for the top five.

I don't see any justification for herO and Dark at #1. The other 3 sure.


That's why I said almost, although Dark could probably be argued. His matches against Inno, Stats, and herO all went the distance iirc. If he won those series would he be the undisputed number 1 right now?
Zest, sOs, PartinG, Dark, and Maru are the real champs. ROOT_herO is overrated. Snute, Serral, and Scarlett are the foreigner GOATs
Morbidius
Profile Joined November 2010
Brazil3449 Posts
October 22 2017 16:54 GMT
#15
On October 23 2017 01:49 Fango wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 23 2017 01:11 Morbidius wrote:
On October 23 2017 01:02 Fango wrote:
Basing ranks of the most resent tournament results, they could justify almost any order of Stats/Dark/Inno/Rogue/herO for the top five.

I don't see any justification for herO and Dark at #1. The other 3 sure.


That's why I said almost, although Dark could probably be argued. His matches against Inno, Stats, and herO all went the distance iirc. If he won those series would he be the undisputed number 1 right now?

He would have a better claim than Rogue and Stats for sure.
Has foreign StarCraft hit rock bottom?
pvsnp
Profile Joined January 2017
7676 Posts
October 22 2017 18:41 GMT
#16
Dark isn't quite the unstoppable force of nature he was a year ago, but he is still a force to be reckoned with. He has a pretty good group as they go, the only question is whether he advances in first or second.

I would love to see him in the finals once again this year, preferably against Inno. Those two have a habit of producing some of the greatest games in SC2.
Denominator of the Universe
TL+ Member
pond97
Profile Joined March 2017
8 Posts
October 22 2017 19:36 GMT
#17
On October 23 2017 01:11 Morbidius wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 23 2017 01:02 Fango wrote:
Basing ranks of the most resent tournament results, they could justify almost any order of Stats/Dark/Inno/Rogue/herO for the top five.

I don't see any justification for herO and Dark at #1. The other 3 sure.


On current form you could easily justify either of them at number 1, its the power rank so its based on recent results. Just look at herO's online form http://aligulac.com/players/233-herO/
Zaros
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United Kingdom3692 Posts
October 22 2017 22:16 GMT
#18
On October 23 2017 04:36 pond97 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 23 2017 01:11 Morbidius wrote:
On October 23 2017 01:02 Fango wrote:
Basing ranks of the most resent tournament results, they could justify almost any order of Stats/Dark/Inno/Rogue/herO for the top five.

I don't see any justification for herO and Dark at #1. The other 3 sure.


On current form you could easily justify either of them at number 1, its the power rank so its based on recent results. Just look at herO's online form http://aligulac.com/players/233-herO/


But online always has an * next to it. herO is in good form for sure but he hasn't won anything offline since the first super tournament. Rogue, Innovation and Stats have won the last 4 offline events (IEM Rogue, GSL S3 Inno, SSL Stats, GSL super tournament Rogue) the actual current winners have to be placed in front imo.
leublix
Profile Joined May 2017
493 Posts
October 22 2017 23:26 GMT
#19
On October 23 2017 01:11 Morbidius wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 23 2017 01:02 Fango wrote:
Basing ranks of the most resent tournament results, they could justify almost any order of Stats/Dark/Inno/Rogue/herO for the top five.

I don't see any justification for herO and Dark at #1. The other 3 sure.


Finalist in the last 2 weekenders?
Blizzcon is not exactly a month long starleague.

Coupled with crazy good results online. herO is in top form.

I'd agree for Dark but I'd have put herO higher up than 5.
Fango
Profile Joined July 2016
United Kingdom8987 Posts
October 22 2017 23:33 GMT
#20
Blizzcon isn't exactly a standard weekender either. It's played out almost as long as a starleague until ro4, in fact more than a starleague in terms of groups
Zest, sOs, PartinG, Dark, and Maru are the real champs. ROOT_herO is overrated. Snute, Serral, and Scarlett are the foreigner GOATs
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