After all the commotion over how WCS Fall would affect the Circuit standings, it appears that the same top eight headed into the tournament will be the same top eight headed to the Global Finals. Scarlett, PtitDrogo, Lambo, and other underdogs had their hopes dashed in day two of the tournament, being eliminated below critical placement thresholds. Only the legendary Stephano, who remains in the tournament after a shocking run to the quarterfinals, remains capable of stealing away the final Global Finals ticket from current #8 seed ShoWTimE—IF he goes on to win the entire tournament.
Table includes minimum # of points earned so far at WCS Fall
Headed into the third and final day of the tournament, several high-profile, high-hype matches seem to be on the horizon. An EU vs NA grudge match between Serral and Neeb awaits in the semifinals, while Stephano's unlikely resurgence will make any of his matches an intriguing watch. Also, another Reynor vs Serral finals match looms in the distance, which would be a fitting end to a 2019 Circuit season dominated by the pair.
Goes to show the consistency of WCS players that the 7 of the top 8 at Montreal are the top 7 WCS points earners (and the 8th spot was only not in the top 8 because Showtime got eliminated by Heromarine).
Stephano in the finals is a crazy long shot but it would be an awesome surprise, foreign scene needs something new to happen. stephano vs time or neeb would be sick xD
It would be an amazing story but I just don't see it happening. Even in the best case scenario Stephano would have to beat the winner of Reynor vs Elazer, both of whom I would put in the Top 5 ZvZ in the world atm, while Stephano barely defeated JonSnow and Denver. If Heromarine, Neeb or Time managed to upset Serral though he might have a decent shot in the finals.
On September 08 2019 11:12 Pursuit_ wrote: It would be an amazing story but I just don't see it happening. Even in the best case scenario Stephano would have to beat the winner of Reynor vs Elazer, both of whom I would put in the Top 5 ZvZ in the world atm, while Stephano barely defeated JonSnow and Denver. If Heromarine, Neeb or Time managed to upset Serral though he might have a decent shot in the finals.
If Heromarine, Neeb, or TIME get to the finals, they've almost certainly proven that their vZ is on fire and thus should stomp Stephano.
On September 08 2019 11:12 Pursuit_ wrote: It would be an amazing story but I just don't see it happening. Even in the best case scenario Stephano would have to beat the winner of Reynor vs Elazer, both of whom I would put in the Top 5 ZvZ in the world atm, while Stephano barely defeated JonSnow and Denver. If Heromarine, Neeb or Time managed to upset Serral though he might have a decent shot in the finals.
obviously anyone can see that, but for some people a big part of the fun is imagining if the 1% or 0.1% long shot actually happened. it's not a matter of understanding the odds, the odds are what make it fun to talk about. or is it more fun to have the same stupid arguments about if Serral is GOAT/a patchzerg?
On September 08 2019 10:27 BronzeKnee wrote: I'd say Serral took his title of greatest foreigner ever this year.... and he wants it back.
A few things I want to point out:
1. Serral is ONLY the greatest foreigner this year. Not ever. That title goes to Stephano if we are talking about active players. If we are talking about any foreigner, then Jinro has everyone beat.
2. Serral is only the best foreigner, not the greatest player. Until he plays in GSL main seasons, he doesn't hold a candle to any other top foreigners that play in GSL.
On September 08 2019 10:27 BronzeKnee wrote: I'd say Serral took his title of greatest foreigner ever this year.... and he wants it back.
A few things I want to point out:
1. Serral is ONLY the greatest foreigner this year. Not ever. That title goes to Stephano if we are talking about active players. If we are talking about any foreigner, then Jinro has everyone beat.
2. Serral is only the best foreigner, not the greatest player. Until he plays in GSL main seasons, he doesn't hold a candle to any other top foreigners that play in GSL.
Is this some poor bait? I'll take it.
3. "My little pony" is getting a live-action movie in 2020. Estimated budget over 300 mil.
On September 08 2019 11:12 Pursuit_ wrote: It would be an amazing story but I just don't see it happening. Even in the best case scenario Stephano would have to beat the winner of Reynor vs Elazer, both of whom I would put in the Top 5 ZvZ in the world atm, while Stephano barely defeated JonSnow and Denver. If Heromarine, Neeb or Time managed to upset Serral though he might have a decent shot in the finals.
If Heromarine, Neeb, or TIME get to the finals, they've almost certainly proven that their vZ is on fire and thus should stomp Stephano.
Well done TIME! Is this the first time a Chinese player has qualified for Blizzcon? Well done Stephano too, and with a little luck we will see Naniwa making a comeback in WCS 2020.
...and we got 8 different nationalities in the quarter finals, that bodes well for NationWars too!
Is it me or have they not cast a single Serral game on the mainstream this tournament? I would love to watch Serral stomp randoms out of the tournaments but haven't been able to catch any of his games.
On September 08 2019 15:51 phodacbiet wrote: Is it me or have they not cast a single Serral game on the mainstream this tournament? I would love to watch Serral stomp randoms out of the tournaments but haven't been able to catch any of his games.
ALL remaining matches will be casted on the main stage/stream.
On September 08 2019 16:37 Anc13nt wrote: If Has vs Serral was possible then I think Stephano vs Serral can happen too.
Well that wouldn’t be enough for Stephano though, he needs to win it to make it to blizzcon. A finals would „only“ push him into the Blizzcon warchest money (ranks 9-16 of each standing gets some of that).
On September 08 2019 16:37 Anc13nt wrote: If Has vs Serral was possible then I think Stephano vs Serral can happen too.
Well that wouldn’t be enough for Stephano though, he needs to win it to make it to blizzcon. A finals would „only“ push him into the Blizzcon warchest money (ranks 9-16 of each standing gets some of that).
that's true but I think it would be so hype even if he lost. It'd be like passing the torch. That said, he needs a miracle to even get that far.
Seriously I think Stephano is the only one that can take the crown form Serral or at least compete for it. He's the only one that quite consistently beat Koreans and actually won tournaments. No one else really has the right mindset for doing it, they are too afraid .
The top 8 are so consistent this year. In Summer the current top 8 were all in the Ro8. In Spring only Heromarine missed out, because he has to Play against Reynor in Ro16. Now only Showtime got eliminated in Ro16 from playing against Heromarine. The only other Players reaching top 8 in WCS this year were Goblin in Spring and Stephano. So I gues it s absolutly well desreved, that they are (most likely) going to BlizzCon.
On September 08 2019 16:55 dbRic1203 wrote: The top 8 are so consistent this year. In Summer the current top 8 were all in the Ro8. In Spring only Heromarine missed out, because he has to Play against Reynor in Ro16. Now only Showtime got eliminated in Ro16 from playing against Heromarine. The only other Players reaching top 8 in WCS this year were Goblin in Spring and Stephano. So I gues it s absolutly well desreved, that they are (most likely) going to BlizzCon.
Assuming Stephano doesn't win, the world will also have a perfectly balanced delegation: 3 zerg 3 terran 2 protoss. Will we be able to abandon `foreign terran bad' soon?
On September 08 2019 17:24 dysenterymd wrote: Assuming Stephano doesn't win, the world will also have a perfectly balanced delegation: 3 zerg 3 terran 2 protoss. Will we be able to abandon `foreign terran bad' soon?
On September 08 2019 17:24 dysenterymd wrote: Assuming Stephano doesn't win, the world will also have a perfectly balanced delegation: 3 zerg 3 terran 2 protoss. Will we be able to abandon `foreign terran bad' soon?
I gues that assumption isn t to bold either. According to Alligulac bis chances are less than 1%.... I know, Alligulac isn t everything and his momentum right now might Help him, but Special and Elazer/ Reynor are on a completly different level than Masa, Gerald, JonSnow and jetlaged Time.
On September 08 2019 16:55 dbRic1203 wrote: The top 8 are so consistent this year. In Summer the current top 8 were all in the Ro8. In Spring only Heromarine missed out, because he has to Play against Reynor in Ro16. Now only Showtime got eliminated in Ro16 from playing against Heromarine. The only other Players reaching top 8 in WCS this year were Goblin in Spring and Stephano. So I gues it s absolutly well desreved, that they are (most likely) going to BlizzCon.
On September 08 2019 09:20 Boggyb wrote: SpeCial 3-0 Stephano
Normally I disagree with you Boggy, but when you're right you're right. Stephano hasn't even had a very difficult bracket so far, this will be his first real test, and I don't think he's got it in him any more. Even if he does (which would be awesome), he'd still need to beat Reynor and Serral most likely.
Stephano beating Special isn't inconceivable, though it is super unlikely. Him running the ZvZ gauntlet is even more improbable if he makes it to that point. Would be hype though
I have not been that impressed with Stephano. The only real notable player he has played in the tournament is Uthermal and he lost. He beat Time in group stage 3 but I'm not sold on him either so yea. I hope Stephano does great but this match against Special is his first real challenge of the tournament.
On September 08 2019 18:53 Syn Harvest wrote: I have not been that impressed with Stephano. The only real notable player he has played in the tournament is Uthermal and he lost. He beat Time in group stage 3 but I'm not sold on him either so yea. I hope Stephano does great but this match against Special is his first real challenge of the tournament.
He only beat Time, because he had troubles with Jetlag, afaik. So that doesn t even count
On September 08 2019 11:12 Pursuit_ wrote: It would be an amazing story but I just don't see it happening. Even in the best case scenario Stephano would have to beat the winner of Reynor vs Elazer, both of whom I would put in the Top 5 ZvZ in the world atm, while Stephano barely defeated JonSnow and Denver. If Heromarine, Neeb or Time managed to upset Serral though he might have a decent shot in the finals.
If Heromarine, Neeb, or TIME get to the finals, they've almost certainly proven that their vZ is on fire and thus should stomp Stephano.
Stephano has already beaten TIME without much troubles, Special is more dangerous because he is very good with mech.
On September 08 2019 16:50 KelvaroN wrote: Seriously I think Stephano is the only one that can take the crown form Serral or at least compete for it. He's the only one that quite consistently beat Koreans and actually won tournaments. No one else really has the right mindset for doing it, they are too afraid .
Oh boy, I totally agree with that! But you just misspelled the name: It's R E Y N O R, not Stephano...
If Stephano beats Special AND Reynor, my jaw will be on the floor, but I don't think that's at all likely. This is my ranking for each player's likeliness to win this tournament:
1. Serral (duh) 2. Reynor (duh) 3. Special 4. Neeb 5. TIME 6. Elazer 7. Stephano 8. Heromarine
Skill-wise, I think Heromarine is slightly stronger than current-form Stephano, but Heromarine's facing the god today, so he takes last place in the list.
I don't know, I'm really interested in a Neeb/Serral rematch in the ro4 if they both get there of course to see how Neeb holds up post patch of infestors.
EPT
![[image loading]](/staff/Waxangel/WCS2019/Winter/circuitbanner734.jpg)
Stephano, who remains in the tournament after a shocking run to the quarterfinals, remains capable of stealing away the final Global Finals ticket from current #8 seed 
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