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Code S RO8 Preview: Classic vs soO, Trap vs INnoVation

Forum Index > SC2 General
17 CommentsPost a Reply

Code S RO8 Preview: Classic vs soO, Trap vs INnoVation

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
June 4th, 2019 22:31 GMT

Code S RO8: Day 1 Preview:

by Wax

The Code S Season 2 playoffs begins with the 'half-bracket of death,' where four of the toughest competitors have been lumped together in a battle for a grand final spot.

Start time: Wednesday, Jun 05 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)

[image loading]
2019 Global StarCraft II League Season 2: Code S

Quarterfinal #1: Classic vs soO

Playing first are Classic and soO, two old friends who are so close that GSL host Gyuri asked soO how he felt about having to play against his "spouse" in a post RO16 interview. Indeed, there's been quite a lovefest between the two former SKT teammates and GSL finals opponents, with each one crediting the other for inspiring them with their resilience and championship-winning performances in 2019.

Alas, only one shall now pass: the IEM Katowice champion or the GSL Super Tournament champion. soO said he's the underdog in this match and there's not much reason to doubt him. He recently lost 1-3 to Classic in the Super Tournament in a match that seemed to affirm his on-stream complaints that Protoss can do 'whatever they want' and still win. A cliche 7-minute timing attack and a double-Stargate build were responsible for two of Classic's wins, while another one came after Classic stormed soO to death after losing both Archons in his Archon-drop opener. It wasn't necessarily representative of ZvP on the whole, but it did paint a grim picture for soO vs Classic.

However, soO wouldn't have made it this far in Code S if he hadn't found a some makeshift remedies for his ZvP troubles. Even if deflecting Protoss attacks and out-macroing them is the way soO prefers to win (it's how he won IEM Katowice, after all), he's made good use of Nydus timings (with a shoutout to Elazer), Ling-Bane busts, and Roach-Ravager timings in his current Code S run.

This makes me wonder if we're going to see a weird, cheesy, 'team-kill' type of series. Classic proved his mastery over the Protoss dark arts last season when he brought a different build to every game of his series against Rogue and Dark. soO may not enjoy playing that way, but desperate times are calling for desperate measures. On top of that, soO and Classic have previously practiced together for GSL matches, so they're familiar with each other's styles—or at least what the other wants them to THINK their style is. I'm intrigued to see how many 'He never 12-pools in this situation so I can get away with—oh I'm dead.' type moments we'll come across in the series, even if it means the individual games aren't particularly attractive.

Prediction

While I think soO can hoodwink Classic once or twice, I have to favor Classic to win in the end. Not only did he win their last GSL meeting convincingly, he has a fantastic PvZ record of 5-0 in BO3+ series and 16-7 in maps since the last patch (March 25). If you called Classic the best PvZ player in the world at present, there would be few people who'd argue with you. On the other hand, soO has a contrasting ZvP record of 5-7 in BO3+ matches and 23-19 in maps over the same period, and a generally projects an air of utter despondency about the match-up.

Classic 3 - 1 soO

Quarterfinal #2: Trap vs INnoVation

The other quarterfinal of the night features another pair of former teammates: INnoVation and Trap who had a stint together on STX Soul. If soO and Classic have gone out of their way to show mutual respect for each other, Trap and INnoVation's relationship seems to be more about one-way taunting. Asked by Gyuri about having to face Trap in the quarterfinals, INnoVation said he was fine with facing him, stating that Trap had played poorly when he ran into him during practice sessions on ladder. He also said "newcomers get nervous when they reach the quarterfinals," a rather dismissive statement about a seven-year Code S veteran who finally broke into the playoffs last season.

Does INnoVation have the game to match his words? He DID happen to reach the quarterfinals off of two victories against top Protoss player Stats (combined 4-1 map score). He somehow pulled that off by effectively playing the same strategy in every single game (he said he only practiced by laddering): a Marine-Tank-Raven timing that transitions into a 3-base, endless parade push of bio. The games made you feel like the old INnoVation was back, the one that didn't care if he was being predictable if his opponents knew what he was doing—give him three bases, and he'd just brute force you to death with macro.

If there's any Protoss player who could handle that kind of play, it's gotta be Trap. If Stats is the famous brand name "Shield of Aiur," Trap is the lesser-known, unassumingly labelled version you can get at Costco but is basically just as good. Trap has experience dealing with the current version of INnoVation in online competition, both winning and losing against those unrelenting waves of bio. Trap has seen INnoVation's change-of-ace builds as well, of change-ups as well, ranging from infinite Mine drops, two-base marine-tank pushes, to good ol' proxy-Barracks all-ins. There won't be many true surprises INnoVation can bring to bear—this could really boil down to a battle of fundamentals and execution.

Prediction

The number support the notion that this should be a close match: INnoVation is 42-24 (63.4% win rate) in TvP games since the last balance patch while Trap is 32-17 (65.3%) in PvT.

The completely subjective, unscientific X factor in all of this is the fact that INnoVation actually seems confident again. He mentioned the group stages are always tricky for him, but he feels like he has a shot of winning the championship now that he's in the playoffs. Gyuri responded to this with an implicit 'oh, so you actually care about winning now?' (or at least that's how I read it between the lines). It's weird that one of the most successful players in SC2 history has such a blatant on/off switch, but we all know that INnoVation when he gives a f*** is one of the best players in the world. He doesn't express his confidence idly, and everyone left in the GSL should be very afraid.

INnoVation 3 - 1 Trap



Credits and acknowledgements

Writers: Wax
Images: AfreecaTV
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TL+ Member
deacon.frost
Profile Joined February 2013
Czech Republic12129 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-06-04 22:36:54
June 04 2019 22:36 GMT
#2
Heart - Trap, Head - Inno. (Classic for both), but I still think if Inno wins and Trap doesn't have his bad day, it should be 3:2 for Inno. I just hope somebody will teach Trap some nasty builds, but Trap is probably the most standard Protoss in the RO8. By far.
I imagine France should be able to take this unless Lilbow is busy practicing for Starcraft III. | KadaverBB is my fairy ban mother.
arkpra
Profile Joined July 2018
Poland7 Posts
June 04 2019 22:50 GMT
#3
I think the same, Classic and Innovation.
Moonerz
Profile Joined March 2014
United States444 Posts
June 05 2019 01:40 GMT
#4
Classic and Inno to advance.

Inno vs Trap is the more interesting series. With time to prepare I think Inno will show a couple of different styles as opposed to how to played in the group stage. But I can also totally see Trap coming in well prepared and shutting down Innos timings if he doesn't mix it up well enough.
Z3nith
Profile Joined October 2017
485 Posts
June 05 2019 02:06 GMT
#5
Classic proved his mastery over the Protoss dark arts last season when he brought a different build to every game of his series against Rogue and Dark.


I'm sorry, series planning is not Protoss dark arts, it's just preparation and it's not unique to Protoss.
Orlok
Profile Joined June 2014
Korea (South)227 Posts
June 05 2019 02:12 GMT
#6
INnoVation is such an odd high ranking terran. I mean, when it was Maru Trap we just had that sense of inevitability it would be Maru, but INnoVation is so prone to the weird slip up that I wouldn't say its impossible for Trap to win. Here's to hoping the last Terran doesn't die.
Writer"Don't leave me hangin!"
pvsnp
Profile Joined January 2017
7676 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-06-05 02:32:42
June 05 2019 02:29 GMT
#7
It's weird that one of the most successful players in SC2 history has such a blatant on/off switch


More like a SC2/League switch, from what I've heard. Last season Trap knocked Inno out of the Ro16, but Inno was more concerned about his trash teammates that stopped him from making plat. Talk about priorities.
Denominator of the Universe
TL+ Member
seemsgood
Profile Joined January 2016
5527 Posts
June 05 2019 02:51 GMT
#8
oh poi,perfect schedule for me to get back home in time
Akio
Profile Blog Joined January 2019
Finland1838 Posts
June 05 2019 04:58 GMT
#9
If Classic and INno do advance, that'd be one hell of a ro4.

I'm still secretly hoping for the almost impossible Dark vs soO ZvZ finals
Mine gas, build tanks.
deacon.frost
Profile Joined February 2013
Czech Republic12129 Posts
June 05 2019 07:25 GMT
#10
On June 05 2019 11:06 Z3nith wrote:
Show nested quote +
Classic proved his mastery over the Protoss dark arts last season when he brought a different build to every game of his series against Rogue and Dark.


I'm sorry, series planning is not Protoss dark arts, it's just preparation and it's not unique to Protoss.

Protoss has the widest range of builds nowadays IMO. T & Z usually do some slight variations to the builds(unless you're Maru v Stats and you mech it happen), Protoss can bring easily 7 different builds. But maybe my Protoss rose goggle prevent me to see the truth
I imagine France should be able to take this unless Lilbow is busy practicing for Starcraft III. | KadaverBB is my fairy ban mother.
blooblooblahblah
Profile Joined February 2011
Australia4163 Posts
June 05 2019 07:45 GMT
#11
I have a feeling Classic vs soO is going to be a really bad series. soO isn't particular good at ZvP right now and Classic has been playing very preparation heavy PvZs in his Bo5s this year so I expect a lot of short games. Plus, the general mind games between these two.

Trap vs Innovation is super interesting. Trap, IMO, is the second best protoss player right now even though I got some shit for saying that in one of the LR threads, i still think it's true. Innovation is comfortable in TvP right now and it's showing in the games but if he's just going to play the same build every game again, I think he might run into trouble. It hasn't been that long since the Ro16 so I feel like it might be unlikely that he'll switch it up too much, especially given how consistent he's been at doing the same thing in all online/offline competition in the last couple weeks.
Ganzi beat me without stim. Ostojiy beat me with a nydus. Siphonn beat me with probes. Revival beat my sentry-immortal all-in.
AxiomBlurr
Profile Blog Joined November 2012
786 Posts
June 05 2019 07:51 GMT
#12
soO and Inno to get out. soO will do a mix of builds, cheese and full macro and 3-2 Classic....Inno will do all ins - including pulling the boys and 3-1 Trap.
Harris1st
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Germany6902 Posts
June 05 2019 09:09 GMT
#13
On June 05 2019 11:29 pvsnp wrote:
Show nested quote +
It's weird that one of the most successful players in SC2 history has such a blatant on/off switch


More like a SC2/League switch, from what I've heard. Last season Trap knocked Inno out of the Ro16, but Inno was more concerned about his trash teammates that stopped him from making plat. Talk about priorities.


It is nice to play a team game now and then to have someone to blame your losses on ^^
Starcraft is just too cruel in that regard
Go Serral! GG EZ for Ence. Flashbang dance FTW
Russano
Profile Joined November 2010
United States425 Posts
June 05 2019 09:39 GMT
#14
Betting on both Classic and Trap getting out. Classic has just been pure solid recently and Trap has been beasting it, and I think he might actually be the favorite to win the tournament. People shouldn't sleep on him he's fixed his pvp and has been feelin it. Of course since it's trap he may just pull a Dark and mysteriously lose.
hiroshOne
Profile Joined October 2015
Poland425 Posts
June 05 2019 09:53 GMT
#15
Watching this series and I wonder when Blizzard will adress all that shit that's happening with PvZ. This is ballshit matchup right now.
Ultima Ratio Regum
Fango
Profile Joined July 2016
United Kingdom8987 Posts
June 05 2019 12:30 GMT
#16
On June 05 2019 11:29 pvsnp wrote:
Show nested quote +
It's weird that one of the most successful players in SC2 history has such a blatant on/off switch


More like a SC2/League switch, from what I've heard. Last season Trap knocked Inno out of the Ro16, but Inno was more concerned about his trash teammates that stopped him from making plat. Talk about priorities.

Perhaps he plays more league because he's losing in sc2 and not the other way around? Either way his results seem to revolve around the meta. He's never been one to stay consistent and fourth race it out during hard times like Maru or TY.
Zest, sOs, PartinG, Dark, and Maru are the real champs. ROOT_herO is overrated. Snute, Serral, and Scarlett are the foreigner GOATs
freelifeffs
Profile Joined April 2018
97 Posts
June 05 2019 12:42 GMT
#17
On June 05 2019 18:53 hiroshOne wrote:
Watching this series and I wonder when Blizzard will adress all that shit that's happening with PvZ. This is ballshit matchup right now.


hopefully soon. i quit sc2 meanwhile, its unbearable tbh.
General_Winter
Profile Joined February 2011
United States719 Posts
June 05 2019 19:32 GMT
#18
Don’t quit SC2. Just quit Terran. I’m playing Zerg right now and going for roach ravager ling all ins and am having a great time ; )
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