Code S RO32 - Group A Preview: Dark, Dear, Keen, Trust
by Mizenhauer
It’s been a trying offseason ripe with uncertainty, but after an interminable wait during which many feared the worst, Code S makes its triumphant return on February 2nd with Dark, KeeN, Trust, and Dear at the forefront.
Grouped together by GSL points and good ol’ fashioned RNG, the quartet are as different as could be. Leading the pack is Dark, one of the most celebrated players of recent years and the most consistent Zerg in the world since the release of Legacy of the Void. soO and Rogue had their moments in the sun, but it was Dark, for the most part, who carried the distinction of “best Zerg in the world” for more than two years. Even in the absence of titles his skill, ingenuity and ruthlessness was never questioned. He’d shown too much quality to be discounted or doubted.
2018 wasn’t as kind to Dark and his ilk. Korean Zergs were humbled last year by Serral's overwhelming dominance and a stretch of inadequacy during which the Korean Zerg collective claimed a single Premier event title (Rogue at IEM Katowice). For years they ranked head and shoulders above their foreign counterparts, but the Finnish Zerg showcased a style and mastery of the race which outclassed that we‘ve seen from Dark.
Serral’s rise to power, and the manner in which he dismantled Dark at the WCS Global Finals, casts doubt over Dark’s long established superiority. We’ve long since decided Dark is great. But is it possible he’s a a few rungs below Serral, Maru and even Stats? The fact that he’s one of eight Koreans to qualify outright for this year's edition of IEM Katowice laughs in the face of such a preposterous theory. It boils down to one question. Where does Dark stand among the best in the game?
Dark’s multiple finals and the subsequent slide from champion to Kong are a perfect example of how StarCraft II is a “what have you done for me lately” type of game. The community is hungry to divine order from chaos and players are evaluated and re-ranked in the wake of every competitive result. For most it’s an inextricable mire, but Dark’s group-mate Dear has largely defied that maxim.
That’s because Dear will forever be defined by his peerless late 2013 form. The heights he reached that summer frame him as someone of great potential, but maddeningly erratic. Had he never won GSL and WCS Season 3 in rapid succession it’s quite possible we’d celebrate his four Round of 4 appearances in GSL and SSL. Instead it’s his his two failed qualifications, his combined 14-19 record in the other nine seasons during that stretch, and the manner in which he seemingly can’t help stumbling over his own feet in big matches that cast him as futilely trying to recapture the past rather than someone working towards the future. Despite assembling a 44-17 record since BlizzCon, Dear continues in that role, with his failure to qualify for Katowice only tightening the noose.
While Dark and Dear have enjoyed the limelight for time unseen Keen spent much of the last six years toiling away in anonymity until his revival of sorts over the past two years. Just last year he beat soO, SpeCial, and Maru in GSL, reminding us that KeeN’s not exactly awful. Ultimately, the momentary flashes do little to change our opinions of KeeN. After all, failing to qualify for IEM Katowice on four separate attempts is more indicative of a player’s place in the scene than a few isolated victories which amounted to nothing. It’s curious that what KeeN needs most, a period of sustained success, would interrupt a period of stasis which has persisted more than half a decade.
And yet, despite all KeeN’s failings, there are those in the scene who aspire to achieve his relative degree of success. One member of this camp, Trust, would be well served to channel some of KeeN’s consistency. Where KeeN has been a persistent present in Code S as of late, Trust has only made two visits since the beginning of 2017. It’s not as if he’s been entirely absent during that period, having emerged victorious in 143 of 298 matches over the last two plus years, but the fact that he hasn’t won a televised offline match during that period is indicative of Trust’s position on the totem pole. Where the community dismisses KeeN due in large part to the visibility of his defeats, there’s probably only a handful of people out there who even cared enough to check Trust’s record since BlizzCon; a woeful 13-17.
The general consensus is that New Year’s resolutions are a waste of breath, but in StarCraft II, where last year’s WCS points are wiped clean and the road to BlizzCon starts anew, the turn of the calendar really is a chance for new beginnings. With Maru’s dominance a thing of the past, opportunities abound for players like Dark and Dear to replace him at the zenith. Meanwhile, KeeN and Trust have a chance to craft a new image on a new patch. It might seem impossible given the years of middling results, but in esports, where a championship shines so brightly, it’s never too late to change our perception forever.
Was waiting for this article. I'm surprised you guys didn't put out any prediction for the group itself. I think KeeN can make it out in 2nd place. Dark will top the group for sure, but KeeN can play vs Protoss pretty well.
On February 01 2019 21:03 Argonauta wrote: Too much credit for Dark, besides 2016 he hasn't been in championship form.
2017 last GSL Season 3 and SSL Season 2 2018 WESG, GSL Season 1 and Super Tournament Season 1
You are telling me, that he was not in championship form those tournaments?
Edit: Also thanks for the article
Oh wow I didnt realized Dark won that many! nvm then
When did winning a championship have anything to do with form?
With championship form? All
So soO was never in championship form except for the Kespa Cup?
yes
This will be my last response, but i always thought that form is something you talk about before a tournament not after, so in my mind someone who has a championship form is someone who is looking strong and have the skills to take the tournament. Not something we say about people after they already won the tournament, because then we already know that person won
HYPE! Might get up early and do the LR for this. Hoping KeeN has some decent games as the only terran but it's going to be a tough one climbing Everest with two hands tied behind his back.
On February 01 2019 21:03 Argonauta wrote: Too much credit for Dark, besides 2016 he hasn't been in championship form.
2017 last GSL Season 3 and SSL Season 2 2018 WESG, GSL Season 1 and Super Tournament Season 1
You are telling me, that he was not in championship form those tournaments?
Edit: Also thanks for the article
Oh wow I didnt realized Dark won that many! nvm then
When did winning a championship have anything to do with form?
With championship form? All
So soO was never in championship form except for the Kespa Cup?
yes
This will be my last response, but i always thought that form is something you talk about before a tournament not after, so in my mind someone who has a championship form is someone who is looking strong and have the skills to take the tournament. Not something we say about people after they already won the tournament, because then we already know that person won
maybe we have different definitions for it, and thats totally fine. Under yours, I can see how Dark is in a good form but in my mind Dark is that kind of player that everybody speaks about but he never performs.
On February 01 2019 21:03 Argonauta wrote: Too much credit for Dark, besides 2016 he hasn't been in championship form.
2017 last GSL Season 3 and SSL Season 2 2018 WESG, GSL Season 1 and Super Tournament Season 1
You are telling me, that he was not in championship form those tournaments?
Edit: Also thanks for the article
Oh wow I didnt realized Dark won that many! nvm then
When did winning a championship have anything to do with form?
With championship form? All
So soO was never in championship form except for the Kespa Cup?
yes
This will be my last response, but i always thought that form is something you talk about before a tournament not after, so in my mind someone who has a championship form is someone who is looking strong and have the skills to take the tournament. Not something we say about people after they already won the tournament, because then we already know that person won
maybe we have different definitions for it, and thats totally fine. Under yours, I can see how Dark is in a good form but in my mind Dark is that kind of player that everybody speaks about but he never performs.
I want to know how you see 'form'. If championships is everything to form, is it always predetermined who will win? I don't see how any definition would make the winner the only one in form. A close series between Rogue and Maru in the ro8 could mean that they are both in form, but only one can win. Dark making games look easy vs Classic, INnoVation and Trap would indicate that he is in form despite losing to Stats in the semi finals.
I think Dark's gameplay at 100% is so impressive that a lot of fans will always put him in the top-tier. Similar to how Rogue can be really awful and seemingly dumb at times, but then he'll just bring his A-game out of nowhere (though obviously, Rogue is better at converting this into actual tournament wins).
On February 01 2019 21:03 Argonauta wrote: Too much credit for Dark, besides 2016 he hasn't been in championship form.
2017 last GSL Season 3 and SSL Season 2 2018 WESG, GSL Season 1 and Super Tournament Season 1
You are telling me, that he was not in championship form those tournaments?
Edit: Also thanks for the article
Oh wow I didnt realized Dark won that many! nvm then
When did winning a championship have anything to do with form?
With championship form? All
So soO was never in championship form except for the Kespa Cup?
yes
This will be my last response, but i always thought that form is something you talk about before a tournament not after, so in my mind someone who has a championship form is someone who is looking strong and have the skills to take the tournament. Not something we say about people after they already won the tournament, because then we already know that person won
maybe we have different definitions for it, and thats totally fine. Under yours, I can see how Dark is in a good form but in my mind Dark is that kind of player that everybody speaks about but he never performs.
I want to know how you see 'form'. If championships is everything to form, is it always predetermined who will win? I don't see how any definition would make the winner the only one in form. A close series between Rogue and Maru in the ro8 could mean that they are both in form, but only one can win. Dark making games look easy vs Classic, INnoVation and Trap would indicate that he is in form despite losing to Stats in the semi finals.
well, there is a difference between being in form and being in championship form, for that you need to come fresh after winning a tournament. And all of these semantics arguments were due to the fact that in the write up they hold Dark as the best Korean zerg in LOTV and I think that's questionable.
On February 01 2019 21:03 Argonauta wrote: Too much credit for Dark, besides 2016 he hasn't been in championship form.
2017 last GSL Season 3 and SSL Season 2 2018 WESG, GSL Season 1 and Super Tournament Season 1
You are telling me, that he was not in championship form those tournaments?
Edit: Also thanks for the article
Oh wow I didnt realized Dark won that many! nvm then
When did winning a championship have anything to do with form?
With championship form? All
So soO was never in championship form except for the Kespa Cup?
yes
This will be my last response, but i always thought that form is something you talk about before a tournament not after, so in my mind someone who has a championship form is someone who is looking strong and have the skills to take the tournament. Not something we say about people after they already won the tournament, because then we already know that person won
You're better off not responding like you said. Argonauta has picked a definition in which he can never be wrong about someone being in "championship form". This isn't about having a discussion, it's about being right. Anyone discussing something honestly wouldn't seriously claim only one player can ever be in championship form during a tournament. By his very definition, any close finals isn't actually close at all because the player who won was the only player who was ever actually in form to take the championship. It's a dishonest reposturing after you showed evidence contrary to his claim about Dark, where instead of discussing the validity of your claims and how Dark actually looked, he created a definition that said "I'm right" and when challenged, he simply said, "then I guess we have different definitions." It's not about talking, it's about refusing to accept he could be wrong.
On February 01 2019 21:03 Argonauta wrote: Too much credit for Dark, besides 2016 he hasn't been in championship form.
2017 last GSL Season 3 and SSL Season 2 2018 WESG, GSL Season 1 and Super Tournament Season 1
You are telling me, that he was not in championship form those tournaments?
Edit: Also thanks for the article
Oh wow I didnt realized Dark won that many! nvm then
When did winning a championship have anything to do with form?
With championship form? All
So soO was never in championship form except for the Kespa Cup?
yes
This will be my last response, but i always thought that form is something you talk about before a tournament not after, so in my mind someone who has a championship form is someone who is looking strong and have the skills to take the tournament. Not something we say about people after they already won the tournament, because then we already know that person won
You're better off not responding like you said. Argonauta has picked a definition in which he can never be wrong about someone being in "championship form". This isn't about having a discussion, it's about being right. Anyone discussing something honestly wouldn't seriously claim only one player can ever be in championship form during a tournament. By his very definition, any close finals isn't actually close at all because the player who won was the only player who was ever actually in form to take the championship. It's a dishonest reposturing after you showed evidence contrary to his claim about Dark, where instead of discussing the validity of your claims and how Dark actually looked, he created a definition that said "I'm right" and when challenged, he simply said, "then I guess we have different definitions." It's not about talking, it's about refusing to accept he could be wrong.
Yah lmao. On what planet is only the player who wins the tournament in championship form? Form implies a contender to win the championship..I honestly cant remember a time when Dark wasnt in championship form. Byun got him in code S blizzcon finals when he was in literal god mode. Maru got him in code s and wesg finals last year (when he became bonjwa) . I guess Maru was the only Korean in championship form tho then last year true that...
On February 01 2019 21:03 Argonauta wrote: Too much credit for Dark, besides 2016 he hasn't been in championship form.
2017 last GSL Season 3 and SSL Season 2 2018 WESG, GSL Season 1 and Super Tournament Season 1
You are telling me, that he was not in championship form those tournaments?
Edit: Also thanks for the article
Oh wow I didnt realized Dark won that many! nvm then
When did winning a championship have anything to do with form?
With championship form? All
So soO was never in championship form except for the Kespa Cup?
yes
This will be my last response, but i always thought that form is something you talk about before a tournament not after, so in my mind someone who has a championship form is someone who is looking strong and have the skills to take the tournament. Not something we say about people after they already won the tournament, because then we already know that person won
You're better off not responding like you said. Argonauta has picked a definition in which he can never be wrong about someone being in "championship form". This isn't about having a discussion, it's about being right. Anyone discussing something honestly wouldn't seriously claim only one player can ever be in championship form during a tournament. By his very definition, any close finals isn't actually close at all because the player who won was the only player who was ever actually in form to take the championship. It's a dishonest reposturing after you showed evidence contrary to his claim about Dark, where instead of discussing the validity of your claims and how Dark actually looked, he created a definition that said "I'm right" and when challenged, he simply said, "then I guess we have different definitions." It's not about talking, it's about refusing to accept he could be wrong.
You are spot on, that's why I said besides semantics and stuff lets talk about how questionable I find Dark is portrayed as the best Zerg in Korea, In my opinion, the fact that since 2016 he wasn't won any tournament speaks loudly, sure he has several strong showings being 4 times or so second place, but that final push of becoming champion is something Dark lacks atm. In my mind there is not better zerg in korea right now being soO Rogue and Dark more or less equal.
On February 01 2019 21:03 Argonauta wrote: Too much credit for Dark, besides 2016 he hasn't been in championship form.
2017 last GSL Season 3 and SSL Season 2 2018 WESG, GSL Season 1 and Super Tournament Season 1
You are telling me, that he was not in championship form those tournaments?
Edit: Also thanks for the article
Oh wow I didnt realized Dark won that many! nvm then
When did winning a championship have anything to do with form?
With championship form? All
So soO was never in championship form except for the Kespa Cup?
yes
This will be my last response, but i always thought that form is something you talk about before a tournament not after, so in my mind someone who has a championship form is someone who is looking strong and have the skills to take the tournament. Not something we say about people after they already won the tournament, because then we already know that person won
You're better off not responding like you said. Argonauta has picked a definition in which he can never be wrong about someone being in "championship form". This isn't about having a discussion, it's about being right. Anyone discussing something honestly wouldn't seriously claim only one player can ever be in championship form during a tournament. By his very definition, any close finals isn't actually close at all because the player who won was the only player who was ever actually in form to take the championship. It's a dishonest reposturing after you showed evidence contrary to his claim about Dark, where instead of discussing the validity of your claims and how Dark actually looked, he created a definition that said "I'm right" and when challenged, he simply said, "then I guess we have different definitions." It's not about talking, it's about refusing to accept he could be wrong.
Yah lmao. On what planet is only the player who wins the tournament in championship form? Form implies a contender to win the championship..I honestly cant remember a time when Dark wasnt in championship form. Byun got him in code S blizzcon finals when he was in literal god mode. Maru got him in code s and wesg finals last year (when he became bonjwa) . I guess Maru was the only Korean in championship form tho then last year true that...
Remember a time when you could utter the names Gumiho and KeeN almost interchangeably in the same sentance, because they basically were both considered good Korean Terrans but a rung below the likes of the best?! And then there was that one GSL season where Gumi seemingly came out of nowhere to knock everyone's socks off to ultimately lift the trophy he had been chasing after for years and years and years.
I'm still waiting for that season to just happen out of nowhere for KeeN, and I would really really enjoy if it were the 2019, GSL season 1. I still remember what seems like eons ago when KeeN showed the world how good Ghosts could be vs Toss if they were hidden in Medivacs and then utilized with surgical precision when the opportune opening presented itself. If memory serves me, he was the first player to effectively use Ghosts in Medivacs to deal with High Templars in the TvP MU. Many came after him, immitating his Ghost-Medi TvP play, although I still vividly recall Tastosis freaking out in some of his TvP matches over just how groundbreaking his play was.
Then there was his run-in with Maru last year where Maru couldn't actually beat KeeN in a macro game...
These flashes of brilliance throughout KeeN's career leave me longing for just a little bit more, because I honestly believe he is capable of taking on basically anyone when he's in the zone. Why couldn't this be his time to show the world that he doesn't just belong in the lower echelon of hopeless Korean Terran regulars!?
On February 02 2019 08:09 Waxangel wrote: I think Dark's gameplay at 100% is so impressive that a lot of fans will always put him in the top-tier. Similar to how Rogue can be really awful and seemingly dumb at times, but then he'll just bring his A-game out of nowhere (though obviously, Rogue is better at converting this into actual tournament wins).
So True! I've always been a big fan of Dark despite his lack of championship in recent years, and that's because his flare and character is unparalleled (sosososososososososo many banelings!). Although Serral clearly had much more success in 2018, I found it hard for me to be a fan of him purely because...how should I put it it...it's so perfect that it almost lacks a soul. And whenever I see Dark plays I feel exactly like that's him playing. I know it's quite an narrow angle to go for, but that's how I truly feel about Dark and I'll probably still be a fan of him until he stops playing for good.