One year after losing 3-4 to TY in the 2016 WESG Grand Final, Maru returned to WESG in search of redemption. And redemption he did find—all $200,000 worth of it. At the end of an intense, roller coaster series, Maru defeated Dark 4-3 to claim the WESG world championship and the hefty prize purse attached to it.
Maru and Dark entered the finals as two of the best late-game players for their respective races, and their skills were on full display from the very first match. Theorycraft became real-life StarCraft as the two slugged it out in expertly played late-game Terran vs Zerg matches, perhaps the best ever seen in Legacy of the Void.
However, the series would be decided by one of the oldest strategies in StarCraft history, going all the way back to the 20th century. Down 2-3 and facing elimination, Maru pulled out two proxy-barracks bunker rushes in a row. Dark had shown near-perfect discipline in the late-game, but the classic cheese was enough to crack his composure. After two dejected GG's from Dark and one awkward handshake, a beaming Maru walked to the podium and lifted the WESG trophy.
The WESG title was Maru's first major championship in nearly three years since he won 2015's SSL Season 1. The interceding period was one of mixed success for Maru. He was capable of world-class play—even anchoring Jin Air to their first Proleague title—but he seemed cursed in individual leagues. Now, with INnoVation suffering a slump of his own, Maru has returned to his old perch as the best Terran player in the world.
Meanwhile, Dark found himself coming to terms with a worryingly frequent end. At his best, for a single game, he displayed the highest level of play of anyone in the tournament. Yet, he was unable to prevail in the most important series. Dark's career record in major finals worsened to one win and six losses.
Overall, the WESG finals capped off another major international that saw Korea reassert its dominance in StarCraft, as if the country's pros had rallied to salvage their pride after Scarlett's shock win at February's IEM PyeongChang. The recent IEM World Championship saw Korean pros claim eleven spots in the top twelve, and WESG concluded with all three Korean representatives finishing in the top four.
However, a familiar gatecrasher spoiled the celebration, as Finland's Serral defeated Classic in the third place decider match. Serral claimed revenge for his 0-3 loss to Classic at the IEM WC semifinals, as well as an additional $20,000 in prize money. Combined with earlier victories over Elazer, Neeb, and ShoWTimE, the result strengthened Serral's claim to the title of "best foreigner."
While fifteen-year-old Italian Zerg Reynor was unable to upset any Koreans, he also left an impact at WESG by defeating seasoned veteran and BlizzCon semifinalist SpeCial in the group stage. Reynor has only recently become eligible to compete on the WCS Circuit due to relaxed age restrictions, but his WESG performance suggests that he will be a force to reckon with in the foreign scene.
Maru! Yes! So happy he's gotten more silverware. That trophy is huuuuge. Also big congrats for Serral getting much needed payback on Classic, and Reynor; I knew he was special the moment I saw his games in 2016.
By the way, does it mean that we will see JinAirGWs roaster in 2019? Well, now it sounds perfectly reasonable, doesn't it? Rogue and Maru maek so much money! and it's only march.
On March 19 2018 02:21 DSK wrote: Maru! Yes! So happy he's gotten more silverware. That trophy is huuuuge. Also big congrats for Serral getting much needed payback on Classic, and Reynor; I knew he was special the moment I saw his games in 2016.
I always found it funny how the Gramophones award is a piece of useless plastic, while Starcraft II trophies could actually sell for money. Evidnece that Starcraft is a higher form of entertainment.
Wait.... Reynor is SpeCiaL? That dual existence hypothesis would explain everything.
Maru had an eureka moment of apotheosis midway through the series. He knew he could beat Dark in late game, he could beat Dark's all-ins, and he could beat Dark with bio pushes BUT if he didn't micro perfectly, Dark would win in each of those cases. So he made a huge decision, realising that if he put the stress on Dark instead, it would be up to Dark to have to micro perfectly to hold - which is really hard in a 2-3 hour long best of 7 under huge stress and monetary pressure.
Maru, you have finally absorbed the teachings of $O$ - and a similar paycheck.
Congrats for the fans. Honestly I can't deny how talented Maru is but I will always hate him because of the way he wins in the most important moments with the usual rushes. Still there is no doubt that Dark is the best late game player in SC2 right now. It is a matter of choice and taste of course. For me is much more reasonable and enjoyable in the same time watching a player who wins trophies thanks to good macro games and strategies. The way Maru beat Rain in the OSL final back in 2013 determined my general view for his play. But I have to admit that both Maru and Dark looked equally good.
Gogo Dark in GSL! Maru and Dark are playing at 4 o'clock UTC on Saturday, that's the night between Friday and Saturday for all of you living west of the Atlantic.
EPT
![[image loading]](/staff/Waxangel/maruwesg.jpg)
Maru returned to WESG in search of redemption. And redemption he did find—all $200,000 worth of it. At the end of an intense, roller coaster series, Maru defeated 
