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Code S RO16 Preview: Dark, KeeN, SpeCial, FanTaSy

Forum Index > SC2 General
27 CommentsPost a Reply
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Code S RO16 Preview: Dark, KeeN, SpeCial, FanTaSy

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
August 26th, 2019 18:42 GMT

Code S Season 3 - RO16 Group A:
Dark, KeeN, SpeCial, FanTaSy

by Wax

Finally, after over a month's hiatus for ASUS ROG Summer and GSL vs. The World, GSL Code S is back with the round of sixteen. While I wish I could say we're returning with a bang, it's not quite the case here in group A. We should be intrigued to see how reigning Code S championship Dark bounces back from his embarrassing, first round loss to Elazer at GSL vs. The World ... but his three Ro16 opponents aren't exactly the scariest bunch of GSL players. I mean, they're literally three out of the four lowest ranked players remaining in this tournament,.

More info: GSL Code S Season 3 on Liquipedia


Start time: Wednesday, Aug 28 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)

The way Dark ended up creating this cotton candy group is almost as interesting as the group itself. As we've mentioned in multiple group selection recaps, having the #1 seed gives you ridiculous power in the group selections—with the first pick of the initial selections and the final swap, you're able to choose two opponents for your Ro16 group.

The thing is, #1 seeds have learned how to effectively transform this into three picks over the last year or so. Basically, Dark declared that he wanted SpeCial, KeeN, and FanTaSy in his group ahead of the nominations. That scared everyone else off even considering them, knowing that Dark would just swap them away in the end. Now, as Korean caster Gisado tried to hastily explain during the proceedings, Dark only had one swap, meaning if more than one player went after Dark's targets, he would end up having to give one up. However, that required all the non-Dark players to be on the same page.

What ended up happening was that Trap (the seeded player in group B) made the worst play possible by picking FanTaSy when no one else was on board with the 'f*** with Dark' strategy. Thus, with KeeN and SpeCial falling into Dark's hands as planned, it was simple enough for him to steal FanTaSy back from Trap at the end.

Anyway, the group. Regardless of the conclusions you want to draw about Dark's ZvZ or European ZvZ from his loss to Elazer at GSL vs. The World, it probably won't have much bearing on this group. Dark hasn't actually had to play much challenging ZvT over the past few months (a Ro16 win against INnoVation in the last Code S was about it), but without anyone to threaten his throne, he's the de facto top ZvT player in Korea (hipsters would argue Solar has a case). Even if we haven't had a chance to see Dark play much ZvT in lately, he's expressed his confidence in the match-up by creating this three-Terran group.

This might be the first post-patch GSL group, but I'm doubtful as to how much that will affect the picture. Sure it would be interesting (if extremely unlikely) to see the EMP and Infested Terran changes instantly bring down one of Korea's best macro Zerg players, but I'm not even sure we'll get to that stage of the game. Since Dark tends to favor deadly all-ins when facing 'lesser' opponents, I think a blink-and-you'll-miss it 4-0 advancement from this group is in play.

The other interesting twist about the last few group nominations is how the players selected by the #1 seed have become happy to be in the 'group of life.' The logic seems to be that getting second place in a very easy group is easier than placing top two in a regular group. That's why KeeN was called an Infested Terran by the Korean commentators—even when Dark indirectly insulted him by taking him with the first pick (basically telling him he's the weakest player), he was more than willing to help Dark assemble this Terran trio.

TvT could be KeeN's ticket to his first quarterfinal berth in over eight years. When you go over his Code S results over time, TvT is really the only match-up you can say has been kind to him. He famously took a series off Maru during Maru's godlike run, and he defeated INnoVation 2-0 just this season. Add to this his favorable, 8-3 all-time record against SpeCial, and you can see why he was on board with Dark's plan.

From what SpeCial said during the group ceremonies, it seemed like he was also happy to be along for the ride. His stock is rising after GSL vs. The World, where he finally defeated WCS Circuit arch-enemy Reynor with the power of GSL STYLE PREPARATION™, and looked good in a 2-3 loss against Classic (he made it a sorta-not-really 3-3 by beating him in the team match). Still, one might be concerned about his TvT, considering that he barely beat out Kelazhur in the latest Copa America/WCS Qualifier finals. That match ended up being 3-3, but SpeCial prevailed 4-3 due to his winners bracket advantage. Still, with GSL STYLE PREPARATION™ in hand, I'm optimistic about SpeCial's chances here. Remember, this is the guy who was able to defeat his mentor TY in BlizzCon 2017 when he had a few weeks to prepare—with a quarterfinal spot on the line, we could very well see him play his best TvT in months.

Fan-favorite FanTaSy rounds out this group of life, whose latest GSL vs. The World performance reaffirmed our opinion of him as a clever buildsmith with some concerning finesse issues. His 1-3 series loss vs Classic saw him win a map with a delightful, Brood War-esque mech Terran timing, but his micro didn't seem to be on the same level as his builds in his following three losses. Fortunately for FanTaSy, TvT is a bizarre match-up where you can spill Marines left and right, and still end up winning by making a single decisive move. While FanTaSy may have advanced to the Ro16 by beating GuMiho with traditional, tank-viking positional play, I get the feeling we're going to see some base-trading, mass-dropping, chaos-filled brawls before this group is through.

Predictions:

Dark > KeeN
Special > FanTaSy
Dark > SpeCial
KeeN > FanTaSy
SpeCial > KeeN

Dark and SpeCial to advance



Credits and acknowledgements

Writers: Wax
Images: AfreecaTV
Statistics: Aligulac.com
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TL+ Member
Elentos
Profile Blog Joined February 2015
55511 Posts
August 26 2019 18:51 GMT
#2
On August 27 2019 03:42 TL.net ESPORTS wrote:
Remember, this is the guy who was able to eliminate his mentor TY from BlizzCon 2017 when he had a few weeks to prepare

They played in the winners match and ended up on opposite sides of the bracket in the semis.

I think the 3 Terrans in this group are reasonably close in TvT but I'm tempted to agree with somewhat favoring SpeCial so long as his nerves hold up.
Every 60 seconds in Africa, a minute passes.
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33360 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-08-26 19:02:51
August 26 2019 19:02 GMT
#3
On August 27 2019 03:51 Elentos wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 27 2019 03:42 TL.net ESPORTS wrote:
Remember, this is the guy who was able to eliminate his mentor TY from BlizzCon 2017 when he had a few weeks to prepare

They played in the winners match and ended up on opposite sides of the bracket in the semis.

I think the 3 Terrans in this group are reasonably close in TvT but I'm tempted to agree with somewhat favoring SpeCial so long as his nerves hold up.


oh yeah TY eliminated Stats

close enough
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
yht9657
Profile Joined December 2016
1810 Posts
August 26 2019 19:17 GMT
#4
Dear TL writers could you please just do 4 previews of group C this season instead? The other 3 groups just look so underwelming in comparison.
Drfilip
Profile Joined March 2013
Sweden590 Posts
August 26 2019 20:37 GMT
#5
Keen will probably deliver. TvT is his thing.
Keen now is like Ryung in Proleague. They play evenly vs the best.
Random Platinum EU
Argonauta
Profile Joined July 2016
Spain4906 Posts
August 26 2019 22:44 GMT
#6
Nice write up, I see KeeN and Fantasy with more chances than Special.
Rogue | Maru | Scarlett | Trap
TL+ Member
Kalera
Profile Joined January 2018
United States338 Posts
August 26 2019 22:52 GMT
#7
I'm so glad Code S is back!
shadow4723
Profile Joined October 2018
87 Posts
August 27 2019 04:20 GMT
#8
Keen is a TvT machine. I think Special is the overall better player but not in TvT imo (would love to be wrong tho^^)
Thunderkatz1
Profile Joined April 2019
1 Post
August 27 2019 05:16 GMT
#9
Dear Wax,

I hate to be that guy, but I believe it's "berth" not "birth" in paragraph eight:
"TvT could be KeeN's ticket to his first quarterfinal birth berth in over eight years."

Thank you for the preview!
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33360 Posts
August 27 2019 05:44 GMT
#10
On August 27 2019 14:16 Thunderkatz1 wrote:
Dear Wax,

I hate to be that guy, but I believe it's "berth" not "birth" in paragraph eight:
"TvT could be KeeN's ticket to his first quarterfinal birth berth in over eight years."

Thank you for the preview!


crowd-sourced spellchecking working as intended
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
sneakyfox
Profile Joined January 2017
8216 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-08-27 09:10:31
August 27 2019 09:10 GMT
#11
On August 27 2019 03:51 Elentos wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 27 2019 03:42 TL.net ESPORTS wrote:
Remember, this is the guy who was able to eliminate his mentor TY from BlizzCon 2017 when he had a few weeks to prepare

I think the 3 Terrans in this group are reasonably close in TvT but I'm tempted to agree with somewhat favoring SpeCial so long as his nerves hold up.


It's really tough to call imo. They are pretty close in terms of skill, with Special having some very good builds and Fantasy playing that unorthodox style. I went with Keen in the end because he's probably a notch above the others, but even more important he has the most Code S experience (Fantasy's pre-military career disregarded) of the three and that might decide the outcome.
"I saw what sneakyfox wrote on TL.net and it made me furious" - PartinG
Penev
Profile Joined October 2012
28475 Posts
August 27 2019 10:59 GMT
#12
I'm betting on the commander
I Protoss winner, could it be?
BisuDagger
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Bisutopia19230 Posts
August 27 2019 11:21 GMT
#13
Keen looked great in the ro32. Special looked great in KvW. I really hope both of them will show us the same level of play as they set the bar high for themselves now.
ModeratorFormer Afreeca Starleague Caster: http://afreeca.tv/ASL2ENG2
Xain0n
Profile Joined November 2018
Italy3963 Posts
August 27 2019 11:32 GMT
#14
Keen was playing better last month, now he seems still stronger than his previous self but his results are less impressive.
deacon.frost
Profile Joined February 2013
Czech Republic12129 Posts
August 27 2019 12:12 GMT
#15
I just want Dark to fail like Innovation did so my mean inner me can be happy
I imagine France should be able to take this unless Lilbow is busy practicing for Starcraft III. | KadaverBB is my fairy ban mother.
Clazziquai10
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
Singapore1949 Posts
August 27 2019 15:03 GMT
#16
I believe in juanito
General_Winter
Profile Joined February 2011
United States719 Posts
August 27 2019 16:11 GMT
#17
Fantasy has this. 2-0. 2-1. And the one loss is going to be from a misclick in a game that was his by right.

He’s going to return to form any day now and no one in this group can stand up to peak Fantasy. GSL vs the world was a clear step back towards form. He is soooo close to having it click.
Kitai
Profile Joined June 2012
United States873 Posts
August 27 2019 16:23 GMT
#18
Gonna predict SpeCial and Keen advancing. Keen is a TvT specialist and I'm worried about Dark's state of mind after GSL vs the world. Fantasy, while clever, just doesn't seem quick enough on his feet yet.
"You know, I don't care if soO got 100 second places in a row. Anyone who doesn't think that he's going to win blizzcon watching this series is a fool" - Artosis, Blizzcon 2014 soO vs TaeJa
dysenterymd
Profile Joined January 2019
1202 Posts
August 27 2019 17:31 GMT
#19
Dark in first EZ, hoping for Special 2nd.
Serral | Inno | sOs | soO | Has | Classic
MyLovelyLurker
Profile Joined April 2007
France756 Posts
August 27 2019 22:00 GMT
#20
Superb preview, really making it hype. Hoping Special will deliver. Waxangel pretty please could we have the same for other groups ?
"I just say, it doesn't matter win or lose, I just love Starcraft 2, I love this game, I love this stage, just play like in practice" - TIME/Oliveira
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