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Code S RO16 Preview: Classic, Trap, INnoVation, sOs

Forum Index > SC2 General
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Code S RO16 Preview: Classic, Trap, INnoVation, sOs

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
March 19th, 2019 05:19 GMT

Code S RO16 - Group C Preview:
Classic, Trap, INnoVation, sOs

by Wax

Wednesday, Mar 20 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)

Both IEM Katowice and WESG 2018 have concluded, finally returning GSL Code S back to a normal schedule. Some fans would contend that the GSL schedule isn't the only thing that's been returned to normal, with Serral's defeats at IEM and WESG meaning that Code S is once again the home arena to the #1 player in the world. But that's a topic for another day or month (wink), so let's just get on with this round of sixteen preview.

2019 Global StarCraft II League: Code S Season 1


WESG 2018 champion INnoVation headlines this group, as he returns to Korea with his tenth premiere championship, $150,000 in prize money, a strong case to be called the greatest of all time, and the utter adoration of Korean SC2 fans who desperately wanted to see Serral taken down a notch. Yet, you get the feeling that March 20th may not be a glorious homecoming for Korea's avenging hero.

Having three Protoss opponents initially looked advantageous for INnoVation back when the RO16 groups were drawn in mid-February. He had already trounced Hurricane (2-0) and Creator (2-0) to advance from the RO32, and having only one race to prepare for would streamline his practice. However, things seem a lot different a month later. The idea of a preparation advantage has gone out the window after INnoVation spent two weeks at international tournaments, where he somehow managed to play just a single TvP series. That match happened to be a 3-1 victory vs Russia's Rail, but even in victory, INnoVation looked less than convincing when he let Rail expand and mine his fill. He also lost 1-3 to herO in a recent Olimoleague tournament. That was a more 'conventional' loss, one that suggested his Code S group-mates might PROTOSS™ the living daylights out of him.

Look, I'm not predicting that INnoVation WILL follow in soO's path and suffer a post-championship crash in Code S. The guy just beat Maru and Serral for $150,000, for god's sake. But all the Terran pessimists out there will note that between getting 'macro-cheesed' by Rail and then getting regular cheesed by herO, INnoVation has shown us that there are a whole lot of ways to lose.

The first Protoss to try and knock INnoVation off his pedestal will be sOs. I mentioned 'Protossing' above—historically, there has been no greater master of that dark art than sOs. We must admit that the cold-blooded killer aura surrounding sOs has faded in recent years. If you like narratives and callbacks, you might even point to the 2017 Code S final between sOs and INnoVation as the pivotal moment where the myth of sOs was dispelled. Going in as a heavy underdog, sOs somehow turned the series into an ugly, seven game slog. Instead of conjuring magic, sOs fell flat in the final two games, failing a DT-Shadow Stride all-in in game six before losing to a simple tank push in game seven.

However, it's not like things have exactly gone downhill for sOs since then—in 2018 he took 2nd at IEM PyeongChang, 2nd at a GSL Super Tournament, and he also finished top four at BlizzCon. At that last tournament, he ruthlessly crushed all of our predictions and dreams by eliminating Maru. So, while sOs may not be the favorite to to walk away from tournaments with the big check anymore, he's certainly capable of spoiling INnoVation's—or anyone else's—parade.

On the other side of the bracket we have Trap, a player for whom I think most of our readers could write this preview segment (Why don't you give it a shot in the comment section?). It only takes four easy steps. #1: Mention that Trap hasn't been to the Code S quarterfinals since 2013. #2: Mention that Trap was eliminated in third place from his Code S RO16 group in all but one instance. #3: Note that the 'never top-eight' curse stayed alive at IEM Katowice with Trap getting eliminated in the RO12. #4: Make a random GG-emini joke.

It's easy and lame to predict that a trend will continue until you actually see it be broken. Alas, I am easy and lame. Thus, while I don't see Trap beating INnoVation with a quarterfinal spot on the line, it would not be that shocking to see him eliminate INnoVation in the losers match before getting eliminated himself in the group decider match.

Finally, we have the most overlooked player in the entire RO16. While virtually every mid-top-tier Korean progamer was busy competing at IEM Katowice, poor Classic was left to practice at home due to being denied travel permission by the strict Korean government (Classic's age [27] technically makes him a draft-dodge risk).

It's a shame that we had to take a break from Classic Quest, because it was looking to be one of the more intriguing—if subtle—individual stories of 2019. If we rewind back to 2018, the Chin-toss looked to be making an incredible late-career surge with high placements at IEM and WESG. However, he crumbled midway through the year, and blew his last chance at BlizzCon by getting eliminated in the RO16 by SpeCial. A strong Code S RO32 performance (wins vs TRUE and Trap) suggested that 2019 was being set up to be Classic's final story arc: A heroic, last campaign for a battle-weary soldier. However, such a story could only be overshadowed by the blockbuster events of the last month, such as soO's ultimate redemption as well as Serral vs Korea (read in an inner-voice that's several octaves deeper and with the Inception horn at the end).

With a 4-3 match record but only a 9-11 map score in PvT matches since the start of the WCS 2019 cycle, the stats say Classic will be hard-pressed to trouble INnoVation. Yet, as the only player who had a full month to prepare for his group, we may soon discover that he was the favorite all-along.

Predictions

Let me preface these predictions with the totally useless disclaimer that I really 'wanted' to predict against INnoVation advancing, but just couldn't 'bring myself' to do it. Instead, I ended up going chalk and predicting alongside the majority of Liquibet participants.

Classic > Trap
INnoVation > sOs
Classic < INnoVation
Trap > sOs
Classic > Trap

INnoVation and Classic advance.




Credits and acknowledgements

Writer: Wax
Images: AfreecaTV
Statistics: Aligulac.com
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TL+ Member
EzioAs
Profile Joined September 2017
235 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-03-19 05:28:10
March 19 2019 05:27 GMT
#2
Okay Wax, Trap over sOs!? How much did Gemini pay you?

On another note, this should be a group that's fun for Protoss players such as myselft who actually enjoys PvP. Been wanting to see some more high level PvP other than the relentless assault style that herO showed at Katowice.
花は桜木人は武士
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33339 Posts
March 19 2019 05:28 GMT
#3
On March 19 2019 14:27 EzioAs wrote:
Okay Wax, Trap over sOs!? How much did Gemini pay you?

On another note, this should be a group that's fun for Protoss players such as myselft who actually enjoys PvP. Been wanting to see some more high level PvP other than the relentless assault style that herO showed at Katowice.


I'm hoping it's just zealot-archon balls mashing each other, just to spite you
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
EzioAs
Profile Joined September 2017
235 Posts
March 19 2019 05:31 GMT
#4
On March 19 2019 14:28 Waxangel wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 19 2019 14:27 EzioAs wrote:
Okay Wax, Trap over sOs!? How much did Gemini pay you?

On another note, this should be a group that's fun for Protoss players such as myselft who actually enjoys PvP. Been wanting to see some more high level PvP other than the relentless assault style that herO showed at Katowice.


I'm hoping it's just zealot-archon balls mashing each other, just to spite you


I'll see your zealot-archon ball and raise you blink stalkers/disruptor ball instead.
花は桜木人は武士
Orlok
Profile Joined June 2014
Korea (South)227 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-03-19 06:08:49
March 19 2019 06:08 GMT
#5
On March 19 2019 14:31 EzioAs wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 19 2019 14:28 Waxangel wrote:
On March 19 2019 14:27 EzioAs wrote:
Okay Wax, Trap over sOs!? How much did Gemini pay you?

On another note, this should be a group that's fun for Protoss players such as myselft who actually enjoys PvP. Been wanting to see some more high level PvP other than the relentless assault style that herO showed at Katowice.


I'm hoping it's just zealot-archon balls mashing each other, just to spite you


I'll see your zealot-archon ball and raise you blink stalkers/disruptor ball instead.


Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
pvp at its finest
Writer"Don't leave me hangin!"
ZigguratOfUr
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
Iraq16955 Posts
March 19 2019 06:15 GMT
#6
On March 19 2019 14:31 EzioAs wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 19 2019 14:28 Waxangel wrote:
On March 19 2019 14:27 EzioAs wrote:
Okay Wax, Trap over sOs!? How much did Gemini pay you?

On another note, this should be a group that's fun for Protoss players such as myselft who actually enjoys PvP. Been wanting to see some more high level PvP other than the relentless assault style that herO showed at Katowice.


I'm hoping it's just zealot-archon balls mashing each other, just to spite you


I'll see your zealot-archon ball and raise you blink stalkers/disruptor ball instead.


I'll take either over a resurgence of Phoenix vs Phoenix (PvP).
StarcraftSquall
Profile Joined December 2018
United States196 Posts
March 19 2019 07:02 GMT
#7
I’m not a Korean SC2 fan - but probably the worst thing to see in StarCraft is not your favorite player losing in a big tourney and then being constantly mocked for it (I cop to being a fan of both Serral and Neeb mostly so that’s happened a lot recently); no, the worst thing is not seeing a player be able to even try their hand. Lost in all this is the sad case of Classic, one of the best Protoss hopes out there. What’s even worse, if he somehow wins Code S he will more than likely forfeit his BlizzCon spot. If he wins, he loses. If he loses, he loses. It’s really the StarCraft fan base who lost this month, when we couldn’t see him try his luck at either IEM or WESG. Because regardless of which side you’re on we want to see the best everyone has.
Dave4
Profile Joined August 2018
494 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-03-19 08:03:13
March 19 2019 07:54 GMT
#8
Lol TL writers are already positioning for Serral to not be rank 1 in powerranks.

"He lost! Innovation won! Clearly Innovation is the best player!"

Apparently one map (3-4 finals) is enough to completely disregard Serral's outrageous 2018 and continued strong play in 2019, and overlook Innovations abysmal 2018.

Crazy kids. This is what happened with soO, who promptly fell directly out of his GSL group.

Wax poised to continue his poor trend of failed power ranking leadership.

On topic, Classic/sHy to advance.

User was banned for this post.
pvsnp
Profile Joined January 2017
7676 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-03-19 08:00:46
March 19 2019 07:54 GMT
#9
Is it just me or is this preview really well-written? As in, way better than I expected for a fairly standard GSL Ro16 group (not a group of death or big rivalry or some such). History of the players, recent events, a couple digs at one player or another, almost even a dark horse prediction. And the Inception horn.

Maybe I just haven't paid attention to the other previews. But they didn't have an Inception horn.
Denominator of the Universe
TL+ Member
deacon.frost
Profile Joined February 2013
Czech Republic12129 Posts
March 19 2019 08:16 GMT
#10
On March 19 2019 16:54 Dave4 wrote:
Lol TL writers are already positioning for Serral to not be rank 1 in powerranks.

"He lost! Innovation won! Clearly Innovation is the best player!"

Apparently one map (3-4 finals) is enough to completely disregard Serral's outrageous 2018 and continued strong play in 2019, and overlook Innovations abysmal 2018.

Crazy kids. This is what happened with soO, who promptly fell directly out of his GSL group.

Wax poised to continue his poor trend of failed power ranking leadership.

On topic, Classic/sHy to advance.


ROFL, made my morning better. I've been entertained very well.
I imagine France should be able to take this unless Lilbow is busy practicing for Starcraft III. | KadaverBB is my fairy ban mother.
FrostedMiniWheats
Profile Joined August 2010
United States30730 Posts
March 19 2019 08:20 GMT
#11
I'm calling it now, sOs wins this season
NesTea | Mvp | MC | Leenock | Losira | Gumiho | DRG | Taeja | Jinro | Stephano | Thorzain | Sen | Idra |Polt | Bomber | Symbol | Squirtle | Fantasy | Jaedong | Maru | sOs | Seed | ByuN | ByuL | Neeb| Scarlett | Rogue | IM forever
Akio
Profile Blog Joined January 2019
Finland1838 Posts
March 19 2019 10:22 GMT
#12
Hoping that INnoVation could keep his form up against the Tosses, but wouldn't really mind the Jin Air guys "upsetting" the group either
Mine gas, build tanks.
Argonauta
Profile Joined July 2016
Spain4906 Posts
March 19 2019 10:36 GMT
#13
On March 19 2019 16:54 Dave4 wrote:
Lol TL writers are already positioning for Serral to not be rank 1 in powerranks.

"He lost! Innovation won! Clearly Innovation is the best player!"

Apparently one map (3-4 finals) is enough to completely disregard Serral's outrageous 2018 and continued strong play in 2019, and overlook Innovations abysmal 2018.

Crazy kids. This is what happened with soO, who promptly fell directly out of his GSL group.

Wax poised to continue his poor trend of failed power ranking leadership.

On topic, Classic/sHy to advance.


LOL ( I definitely exhaled air from the nose at reading this!). What a weird rant coming out of the blue. GG

I was confident in Trap advancing but after seeing him lose to DTs vs herO in the most obvious fashion.. I dunno kev. ITs between the 3 protoss. I can see INno getting protossed out perfectly.


Rogue | Maru | Scarlett | Trap
TL+ Member
renaissanceMAN
Profile Joined March 2011
United States1840 Posts
March 19 2019 12:43 GMT
#14
Robogus gonna run over these dudes #thebotisback
On August 15 2013 03:43 Waxangel wrote: no amount of money can replace the enjoyment of being mean to people on the internet
deacon.frost
Profile Joined February 2013
Czech Republic12129 Posts
March 19 2019 12:50 GMT
#15
On March 19 2019 21:43 renaissanceMAN wrote:
Robogus gonna run over these dudes #thebotisback

He has to practice just 1 MU, so I expect him to be 2nd. Because I love Classic. No, screw that, 3rd, because I love Classic and sOs. If only there was a way how to push through Classic, sOs and Trap
I imagine France should be able to take this unless Lilbow is busy practicing for Starcraft III. | KadaverBB is my fairy ban mother.
Shuffleblade
Profile Joined February 2012
Sweden1903 Posts
March 19 2019 13:02 GMT
#16
On March 19 2019 16:54 Dave4 wrote:
Lol TL writers are already positioning for Serral to not be rank 1 in powerranks.

"He lost! Innovation won! Clearly Innovation is the best player!"

Apparently one map (3-4 finals) is enough to completely disregard Serral's outrageous 2018 and continued strong play in 2019, and overlook Innovations abysmal 2018.

Crazy kids. This is what happened with soO, who promptly fell directly out of his GSL group.

Wax poised to continue his poor trend of failed power ranking leadership.

On topic, Classic/sHy to advance.

User was banned for this post.

Roflmao >_<

Really hope Inno can keep up his winstreak and show these protosses whats what, also really cheering for both Classic and Trap though =P As long as sOs doesn't get out I'll be happy xD
Maru, Bomber, TY, Dear, Classic, DeParture and Rogue!
Kazi25
Profile Joined July 2016
Philippines236 Posts
March 19 2019 13:32 GMT
#17
Picked Classic and Inno, but there's a chance sOs making it and Inno dropping. Classic should do his best to win this tournament because the military might warp him anytime soon.
TentativePanda
Profile Joined August 2014
United States800 Posts
March 19 2019 15:47 GMT
#18
Predicting Inno and Trap to make it out
NinjaNight
Profile Joined January 2018
428 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-03-19 16:03:08
March 19 2019 16:01 GMT
#19
On March 19 2019 16:54 Dave4 wrote:
Lol TL writers are already positioning for Serral to not be rank 1 in powerranks.

"He lost! Innovation won! Clearly Innovation is the best player!"

Apparently one map (3-4 finals) is enough to completely disregard Serral's outrageous 2018 and continued strong play in 2019, and overlook Innovations abysmal 2018.

Crazy kids. This is what happened with soO, who promptly fell directly out of his GSL group.

Wax poised to continue his poor trend of failed power ranking leadership.

On topic, Classic/sHy to advance.

User was banned for this post.


Lmao is this really grounds for a perma ban? Should've been a temp ban. This was very entertaining.
SoupedUpHellion
Profile Joined January 2019
20 Posts
March 19 2019 16:06 GMT
#20
I think sOs gets out in first, and Inno squeaks out in 2nd. This should be a really fun group, all of the Protosses are pretty evenly matched and innovation vs Protoss is always a macro treat.
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