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Code S RO4 Preview: Dark vs Rogue

Forum Index > SC2 General
39 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 Next All

Code S RO4 Preview: Dark vs Rogue

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
September 17th, 2019 19:22 GMT

Code S Season 3
Semifinal #1 Preview: Dark vs Rogue

Start time: Wednesday, Sep 18 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)

by Wax

Following his 3-2 victory against Zest in the Code S quarterfinals, Rogue remarked that he had a tough match coming up against Korea's #2 Zerg in Dark. Rogue followed by saying he had to rate Solar as #1—if only for the sake of kissing-up and convincing Solar to help him practice for the match.

A GSL/Korean elitist fan might have laughed at that joke before breaking down into uncontrollable sobbing. What Rogue left unsaid was far more important. 'Since, haha, there's only like three good Zergs in Korea. And, uhhh, that's on a good day.' continued Rogue, in an imaginary inner monologue.

More info: GSL Code S Season 3 on Liquipedia


[image loading]


Honestly, Korea's Zerg problem didn't feel THAT big until a month ago. The theory was that Europe was overpopulated with strong Zerg players, forcing them through a fiery ZvZ crucible that gave them disproportionate power in a single match-up. In reality, players like Rogue and Dark always seemed to stomp them all the same. Serral was just an outlier in the foreigner-verse, and one could argue that the gap hadn't really closed between top Koreans and the EU-Zerg pack. Then, Elazer 3-2'd Dark out of the Ro16 in GSL vs. The World. In an instant, Lambo's assertions that Korean Zergs don't know how to play ZvZ went from something you might laugh off to an "oh f***, he might be right" type of deal.

Even if you dismiss Dark vs Elazer as a one-series sample, it is interesting to think about how locking up Solar as a practice partner could be an actual, serious advantage. Who else are Rogue and Dark supposed to call upon? Impact? RagnaroK? Would they hit-up NoRegret and inquire about who was staying at the foreigner house? "Hey, Scarlett, Dark here. Biiiig fan."

Predicting ZvZ between top players has always felt like a crapshoot, but recent matches suggest that Rogue might have an edge if the games go late. The vaunted EU ZvZ late-game only factored in for one game of Elazer vs Dark, but that one game did make it seem like Dark was completely exposed when it came down to Lurker-Viper play. In contrast, Rogue clinched first place in his Ro16 group against Solar by outplaying him in the late-game, although it could be said that it was more Solar's fault that he instantly crumbled to a single Hydra-Lurker drop. Of course, one has to wonder how many of these games will go late at all—even with macro-favoring maps like Thunderbird in the pool, we might just see a blitz of Speedling rushes and Nydus timings end the series regardless.

The obligatory Aligulac.com deep dive doesn't offer much insight. The two haven't played a meaningful head-to-head match since 2018, and they're close to 50-50 against each other anyway. For Dark, who avoids online play almost entirely (outside of qualifiers), the lack of Korean Zergs is reflected in his limited 2019 stats: He's 11-5 in matches on ths year, and a mere 5-3 when you reduce it to inter-Korean matches. Rogue's fondness for online play gives us more to go by, as he's put up a 26-14 record on the year, which goes down to 19-11 when limited to inter-Koraen competition. Rogue does seem to be building some momentum in the match-up, as he's currently on an eight-match ZvZ winning streak (although, the fact that the streak includes a win against frequently-banned TL.net poster Ej_ does force me to rethink the general premise of including Aligulac.com stats at all).

Finally, a note on mentality. Dark is typically the loud-mouthed, boisterous player in a given match-up, but this time the tables are oddly reversed. Dark admitted that Zest would have been an easier opponent, speaking of his ZvZ as a work-in-progress with surmounting Serral as the eventual goal. On the other hand, Rogue confidently brought up his undefeated record in offline best-of-seven series (4/4, in the finals of IEM Katowice, BlizzCon, Super Tournament II, and IEM Shanghai), saying that he becomes a different man once he reaches that stage of a tournament. Will Rogue's confidence be justified? Or will a humbled Dark prove to be the most dangerous version of Dark? We'll know the answer soon enough.

Prediction: Rogue 4 - 3 Dark

Credits and acknowledgements

Writer: Wax
Images: AfreecaTV
Statistics: Aligulac.com
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TL+ Member
Elentos
Profile Blog Joined February 2015
55510 Posts
September 17 2019 19:26 GMT
#2
On September 18 2019 04:22 TL.net ESPORTS wrote:
Although, the fact that the streak includes a win against frequently-banned TL.net poster Ej_ does force me to rethink the general premise of including Aligulac.com stats at all.

I'll have you know Ej_ had a build order win and almost took a map!

Also I like how the preview just dismisses soO as even an option.
Every 60 seconds in Africa, a minute passes.
Durnuu
Profile Joined September 2013
13320 Posts
September 17 2019 19:33 GMT
#3
Ej_ mentioned in a GSL preview, TL writers just aren't what they used to be
BUNNYYYYYYYYY https://i.imgur.com/BiCF577.png
Serimek
Profile Joined August 2011
France2274 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-09-17 19:37:47
September 17 2019 19:36 GMT
#4
On September 18 2019 04:26 Elentos wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 18 2019 04:22 TL.net ESPORTS wrote:
Although, the fact that the streak includes a win against frequently-banned TL.net poster Ej_ does force me to rethink the general premise of including Aligulac.com stats at all.

I'll have you know Ej_ had a build order win and almost took a map!

Also I like how the preview just dismisses soO as even an option.


If Rogue is training against Solar, I wonder against whom Dark is. And yes, I guess it's not slumping soO...
SC2 is the best game to watch and was the best to play before I grew old and slow...
Cricketer12
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States13974 Posts
September 17 2019 19:39 GMT
#5
Ej mentioned in a gsl preview? Whaaaaaaaa
Kaina + Drones Linkcro Summon Cupsie Yummy Way
Juny1spion
Profile Joined December 2014
Czech Republic25 Posts
September 17 2019 19:43 GMT
#6
On September 18 2019 04:36 Serimek wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 18 2019 04:26 Elentos wrote:
On September 18 2019 04:22 TL.net ESPORTS wrote:
Although, the fact that the streak includes a win against frequently-banned TL.net poster Ej_ does force me to rethink the general premise of including Aligulac.com stats at all.

I'll have you know Ej_ had a build order win and almost took a map!

Also I like how the preview just dismisses soO as even an option.


If Rogue is training against Solar, I wonder against whom Dark is. And yes, I guess it's not slumping soO...


Dark is practicing against A.I. as usual of course /s
Moonerz
Profile Joined March 2014
United States444 Posts
September 17 2019 19:52 GMT
#7
Getting way ahead of myself here, but if Dark wins back to back GSLs would that diminish Maru's streak?
KobeSteak
Profile Joined August 2019
39 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-09-17 20:03:25
September 17 2019 20:02 GMT
#8
On September 18 2019 04:52 Moonerz wrote:
Getting way ahead of myself here, but if Dark wins back to back GSLs would that diminish Maru's streak?


Definitely, it would make his streak less impressive.

It would keep the Maru fanboys in check and tone it down a bit. Which is good news for the rest of us
KobeSteak
Profile Joined August 2019
39 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-09-17 20:03:15
September 17 2019 20:03 GMT
#9
Ej_
Profile Blog Joined January 2013
47656 Posts
September 17 2019 20:06 GMT
#10
I'll get him next time
"Technically the dictionary has zero authority on the meaning or words" - Rodya
Fango
Profile Joined July 2016
United Kingdom8987 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-09-17 20:11:43
September 17 2019 20:10 GMT
#11
On September 18 2019 04:52 Moonerz wrote:
Getting way ahead of myself here, but if Dark wins back to back GSLs would that diminish Maru's streak?

Four in a row is much more impressive than two. But given that Maru was the first in like seven years to accomplish it, yes it would diminish his achievement somewhat.

On the subject of this match though, Rogue beats Dark in ZvZ if he's in form. But maybe ro8 Rogue was just late who knows
Zest, sOs, PartinG, Dark, and Maru are the real champs. ROOT_herO is overrated. Snute, Serral, and Scarlett are the foreigner GOATs
TentativePanda
Profile Joined August 2014
United States800 Posts
September 17 2019 20:53 GMT
#12
Dark fighting!
RogerChillingworth
Profile Joined March 2010
2840 Posts
September 17 2019 21:06 GMT
#13
Hahaha are you high. Dark 4-1.
aka wilted_kale
Penev
Profile Joined October 2012
28475 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-09-17 21:21:33
September 17 2019 21:19 GMT
#14
Finally Ej_ was mentioned in a GSL preview, that took WAY too long

On a less serious note: Dark should win but a ZvZ vs RO8gue has me worried
I Protoss winner, could it be?
MarianoSC2
Profile Joined June 2015
Slovakia1855 Posts
September 17 2019 21:50 GMT
#15
Rogue should have this. Dark was never on his level in ZvZ
Top 11: Rogue, Maru, Inno, Zest, Life, sOs, Stats, Dark, soO, Mvp, Classic/Trap/MC/Rain
ZertoN
Profile Joined February 2014
Germany214 Posts
September 17 2019 22:05 GMT
#16
On September 18 2019 04:52 Moonerz wrote:
Getting way ahead of myself here, but if Dark wins back to back GSLs would that diminish Maru's streak?



not at all, why would it?

did reynor winning 2 wcs events this year diminish serrals 4 from last year? or neebs 3 wcs wins in 2017?
"I don't like games that i need to think a lot, i am not interested in those games." - TaeJa, 2016
Argonauta
Profile Joined July 2016
Spain4906 Posts
September 17 2019 22:19 GMT
#17
Wow when has EJ_ played vs rogue? I also wanna get crushed. Also Rogue >>>>>>> Dark at Zvz
Rogue | Maru | Scarlett | Trap
TL+ Member
WombaT
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Northern Ireland25053 Posts
September 17 2019 23:37 GMT
#18
Please be a good series... Last time I set the alarm to watch live I had Rogue’s series against Zest to pore through
'You'll always be the cuddly marsupial of my heart, despite the inherent flaws of your ancestry' - Squat
Togekiss
Profile Joined January 2013
Canada154 Posts
September 18 2019 01:14 GMT
#19
SexiBoiRogue going to crush Dark 4-2.
seemsgood
Profile Joined January 2016
5527 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-09-18 01:41:35
September 18 2019 01:41 GMT
#20
me love banned EJ vs chad zerg rogue BO69 hype
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