• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 19:13
CEST 01:13
KST 08:13
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall10HomeStory Cup 27 - Info & Preview18Classic wins Code S Season 2 (2025)16Code S RO4 & Finals Preview: herO, Rogue, Classic, GuMiho0TL Team Map Contest #5: Presented by Monster Energy6
Community News
Firefly given lifetime ban by ESIC following match-fixing investigation12$25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced6Weekly Cups (June 30 - July 6): Classic Doubles6[BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China9Flash Announces Hiatus From ASL66
StarCraft 2
General
Firefly given lifetime ban by ESIC following match-fixing investigation The SCII GOAT: A statistical Evaluation TL Team Map Contest #4: Winners Weekly Cups (June 30 - July 6): Classic Doubles The GOAT ranking of GOAT rankings
Tourneys
$25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series WardiTV Mondays
Strategy
How did i lose this ZvP, whats the proper response Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
[UMS] Zillion Zerglings
External Content
Mutation # 481 Fear and Lava Mutation # 480 Moths to the Flame Mutation # 479 Worn Out Welcome Mutation # 478 Instant Karma
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ ASL20 Preliminary Maps [G] Progamer Settings [ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall SC uni coach streams logging into betting site
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China [BSL20] Grand Finals - Sunday 20:00 CET CSL Xiamen International Invitational
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers I am doing this better than progamers do.
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile What do you want from future RTS games? Beyond All Reason
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Positive Thoughts on Setting Up a Dual-Caliber FX
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Summer Games Done Quick 2025! Stop Killing Games - European Citizens Initiative
Fan Clubs
SKT1 Classic Fan Club! Maru Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2025 Football Thread NBA General Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
momentary artworks from des…
tankgirl
Culture Clash in Video Games…
TrAiDoS
from making sc maps to makin…
Husyelt
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 641 users

Code S RO4 Preview: Maru vs Trap

Forum Index > SC2 General
15 CommentsPost a Reply

Code S RO4 Preview: Maru vs Trap

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
September 20th, 2019 16:54 GMT

Code S Season 3
Semifinal #2 Preview: Maru vs Trap

Start time: Friday, Sep 20 4:00am GMT (GMT+00:00)

by Orlok

There's a feeling of deja vu surrounding this second semi-final match. Maru and Trap faced each other in the semifinals of the first Code S tournament of the year, which ended with Maru wiping the floor with Trap in a 42 minute, 4-0 sweep.

A lot has happened between now and then. Maru went on what we will kindly call a 'detour' in his quest to win the Global Finals, while Trap has only grown steadier and stronger after his humbling loss to Maru. TL.net users might be predicting another Maru victory, but it's clear that things have become much more complicated in this rematch.

More info: GSL Code S Season 3 on Liquipedia


[image loading]


For the first time in a while, it feels like Maru has arrived in the semifinals after having overcome real adversity. Sure, it's not like Maru's four, consecutive championships runs were cakewalks. Season 1 of 2019 saw Maru survive a Ro16 scare, where he lost to Bunny and come within a map of elimination against Patience. Quarterfinal opponent Dear looked like the perfect assassin to end Maru's consecutive title run, coming into the match with an absurd 20-0 winning streak in PvT. But at the end of the day, what we remember is how Maru crushed Dear in four games, and then made his matches against Trap and Classic look like mere formalities as he cemented his place in the StarCraft II pantheon.

This time, it's a bit different. Even now, his elimination in the round-of-32 of Code S Season 2 remains utterly inexplicable. The shock seemed to have lasting effects, as he began Code S Season 3 with a rocky Ro32 performance, nearly losing to both Super and Impact while advancing with a meek, 5-4 map score.

Given his uninspiring Ro32 performance, some fans even started to go against the conventional wisdom of "it's still Maru" and wondered if he had it in him to escape a Ro16 group of death with Rogue, Solar and Stats. Maru ended up giving a mixed performance, one of both utter domination and desperate survival. While his mech TvZ didn’t do him any good against Solar's BL-infestor, his late-game PvT masterclass against Stats suggested he had at least one match-up on lockdown. A brilliant switch to a fast-paced bio style allowed him to overcome Solar in the Ro16 decider match, and later take down an out-matched RagnaroK in the quarterfinals. He might not have a complete answer to the TvZ match-up yet, but that search can take a backseat for now.

It’s no surprise to see Maru play at a championship level. However, the way he's been swinging between impotent and incredible feels new. Within the same day, or even within the same game, Maru can go from looking like he's washed-up to looking like he'll never lose another game. The ability to 'flip the switch' when the chips are down is something rare even for elite players, but Maru seems to do it at will. In a certain sense, that's even more impressive than showing continued, uninterrupted dominance. But will it be enough to win him a fifth Code S championship?

In contrast to Maru, Trap comes into this match as the strongest version of himself. In their previous semifinal match, Trap was only weeks removed from getting over his mental-block in the Code S group stages, and was playing in the Code S playoffs for the first time in years. Who could blame him for getting crushed then? Now, he heads into semifinals with another season and a half of experience under is belt, a Code S finals appearance, and perhaps even the title of #1 Protoss player in the world.

The conversation about top-tier Protoss players in LotV has always been centered around names like Stats, sOs, Classic or Zest. However, 2019 saw sOs and Zest become shadows of their former selves, whereas Stats became uncharacteristically inconsistent. Classic, whose intense preparation and strategic brilliance made him the top Protoss for the first half of the year, fell into a rut as the season came to a close. Trap, on the other hand, has finally delivered on his potential and outshone his peers. After reaching the top four in Season 1 and top two in Season 2, there's only one more step for him to take.

While Trap has become a more complete player since his last foray with his teammate, one has to wonder if it’s quite enough to let him push past Maru. He defeated formidable foes INnovation and Classic in last season's playoffs and had a competitive finals match against Dark. He even showed phenomenal composure to pull off some comeback wins—a far cry from the player who always crumbled in the Ro16—but it wasn't enough to let him hoist the trophy.

While Trap deserves much credit for his improvement, Maru still looked like an unbeatable TvP player in his 2-0 victory over Stats in the Ro16. In contrast, he appeared utterly hapless in his 0-3 loss to Stats at GSL vs. The World. Thus, in spite of all of Trap's progress, this match seems like it will be all about Maru. When Maru hits his stride, no one in Code S has come anywhere close to beating him. However, if Maru stumbles, Trap could most certainly take the victory. Even if Maru has started to show glimpses of his dominant 2018 self, he’s only just re-ignited his engine and could very well be stalled by crafty builds and preparation. And while it's easy to dismissTrap's 3-0 of KeeN as a mere tune-up match, it further reinforced the notion that Trap is now fully acclimatized to the Code S playoff stage. While I have to give Maru the edge due to his past accomplishments and peak ability, this version of Trap will be a tougher opponent both inside and outside the game.

Prediction: Maru 4 - 2 Trap

Credits and acknowledgements

Writer: Orlok
Editor: Wax
Images: AfreecaTV
Statistics: Aligulac.com
Facebook Twitter Reddit
TL+ Member
Fango
Profile Joined July 2016
United Kingdom8987 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-09-20 17:04:06
September 20 2019 17:03 GMT
#2
On September 21 2019 01:54 TL.net ESPORTS wrote:
Even now, his elimination in the round-of-32 of Code S Season 2 remains utterly inexplicable.

I've said this too many times but he played at the same level he did for the previous four ro32s. Everyone shocked at his loss forgot he always gets cocky in the early stages, and that he almost lost to typical ro32 player in all the seasons he won as well.

The only difference there was that he played Patience and INno, who are better than Keen, Zanster, or Leenock.
Zest, sOs, PartinG, Dark, and Maru are the real champs. ROOT_herO is overrated. Snute, Serral, and Scarlett are the foreigner GOATs
Togekiss
Profile Joined January 2013
Canada154 Posts
September 20 2019 17:05 GMT
#3
I would love to see what a Rogue vs Trap finals could look like, but I just can't imagine Maru losing to Trap here. I know Trap has been showing consistent improvement results wise, but as far as TvP goes, Maru typically tends to make his Protoss opponents flat out look bad (with the exception of Stats and sOs from time to time). Personally feeling Rogue has a much better shot vs Maru in this current patch/meta.
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33344 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-09-20 17:17:35
September 20 2019 17:17 GMT
#4
On September 21 2019 02:03 Fango wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 21 2019 01:54 TL.net ESPORTS wrote:
Even now, his elimination in the round-of-32 of Code S Season 2 remains utterly inexplicable.

I've said this too many times but he played at the same level he did for the previous four ro32s. Everyone shocked at his loss forgot he always gets cocky in the early stages, and that he almost lost to typical ro32 player in all the seasons he won as well.

The only difference there was that he played Patience and INno, who are better than Keen, Zanster, or Leenock.


I get the 'it was bound to happen at least once given his level of play' argument, but instead he won four straight titles before that. So, *shrug* I guess?
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
Charoisaur
Profile Joined August 2014
Germany15919 Posts
September 20 2019 18:31 GMT
#5
Maru can't be beaten in GSL playoffs, there's no point in cheering for another player.
Many of the coolest moments in sc2 happen due to worker harassment
Die4Ever
Profile Joined August 2010
United States17671 Posts
Last Edited: 2019-09-20 18:35:10
September 20 2019 18:34 GMT
#6
TY wasn't in Maru's ro16 group, Rogue was
"Expert" mods4ever.com
TentativePanda
Profile Joined August 2014
United States800 Posts
September 20 2019 19:24 GMT
#7
Trap
Argonauta
Profile Joined July 2016
Spain4906 Posts
September 20 2019 20:15 GMT
#8
Maru is going to crush it.
Rogue | Maru | Scarlett | Trap
TL+ Member
dbRic1203
Profile Joined July 2019
Germany2655 Posts
September 20 2019 20:17 GMT
#9
Nice writup.
Trap is at an all time high, but it s Maru and with the new EMP it s going to be realy tough
MaxPax
BisuDagger
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Bisutopia19230 Posts
September 20 2019 20:50 GMT
#10
If this wasn't GSL it would be 4-0 Trap
ModeratorFormer Afreeca Starleague Caster: http://afreeca.tv/ASL2ENG2
dragoon
Profile Joined December 2010
United States695 Posts
September 20 2019 20:54 GMT
#11
MARU


FINISH THIS
i love you
tskarzyn
Profile Joined July 2010
United States516 Posts
September 20 2019 22:38 GMT
#12
Terran buffs + Maru in good form = boppity bop. 4-0 incoming.
Darkness2k11
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Chile313 Posts
September 20 2019 23:13 GMT
#13
Oh boy, TL predicting Maru to win despite Trap being in PvT god mode recently

That said, this match is gonna be awesome
When Behind, Dark Shrine
PillClinton
Profile Joined June 2019
2 Posts
September 21 2019 01:24 GMT
#14
Nice write up, just hoping for a good series.
blooblooblahblah
Profile Joined February 2011
Australia4163 Posts
September 21 2019 01:24 GMT
#15
Not sure what to expect for this one. On the one hand, Maru is great at TvP and Trap is great PvT so it should be a great match. But i just have this feeling that someone here is gonna bomb out hard. Team-kill matches tend to be weird too.

Trap looked insanely good against Keen but on paper, he was really favoured in that match. He did struggle a bit against Cure who is very good but not Maru so I can definitely imagine a world where Maru can pull Trap apart.

Maru's recent TvP series looked fantastic, and the buffs actually suit his style so there's a lot of things working for him atm.
Ganzi beat me without stim. Ostojiy beat me with a nydus. Siphonn beat me with probes. Revival beat my sentry-immortal all-in.
Topin
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Peru10055 Posts
September 21 2019 02:23 GMT
#16
i just want to see good games, lets go Maruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu G5L
i would define my style between a mix of ByuN, Maru and MKP
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 47m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
ZombieGrub149
ProTech83
StarCraft: Brood War
Artosis 718
NaDa 81
sSak 1
LuMiX 1
Dota 2
NeuroSwarm19
League of Legends
Grubby3978
Counter-Strike
Fnx 2008
taco 1449
fl0m1346
Stewie2K968
sgares89
Super Smash Bros
Liquid`Ken53
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor151
Other Games
summit1g8717
C9.Mang0224
Maynarde160
ViBE97
JuggernautJason76
Sick56
kaitlyn30
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick48693
BasetradeTV79
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 20 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• RyuSc2 120
• HeavenSC 32
• davetesta30
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• Eskiya23 24
• ZZZeroYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota22600
League of Legends
• Jankos2296
• TFBlade995
Other Games
• imaqtpie1794
• Scarra1184
• Shiphtur405
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
47m
RSL Revival
10h 47m
ByuN vs SHIN
Clem vs Reynor
OSC
13h 47m
Replay Cast
1d
RSL Revival
1d 10h
Classic vs Cure
FEL
1d 16h
OSC
1d 20h
RSL Revival
2 days
FEL
2 days
FEL
2 days
[ Show More ]
CSO Cup
2 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
2 days
Bonyth vs QiaoGege
Dewalt vs Fengzi
Hawk vs Zhanhun
Sziky vs Mihu
Mihu vs QiaoGege
Zhanhun vs Sziky
Fengzi vs Hawk
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3 days
RSL Revival
3 days
FEL
3 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
3 days
Bonyth vs Dewalt
QiaoGege vs Dewalt
Hawk vs Bonyth
Sziky vs Fengzi
Mihu vs Zhanhun
QiaoGege vs Zhanhun
Fengzi vs Mihu
Replay Cast
5 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-07-07
HSC XXVII
Heroes 10 EU

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL 2v2 Season 3
Acropolis #3
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 2
CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
Copa Latinoamericana 4
Jiahua Invitational
Championship of Russia 2025
RSL Revival: Season 1
Murky Cup #2
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters
CCT Season 2 Global Finals
IEM Melbourne 2025

Upcoming

2025 ACS Season 2: Qualifier
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSL Xiamen Invitational
CSL Xiamen Invitational: ShowMatche
2025 ACS Season 2
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
K-Championship
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
SEL Season 2 Championship
FEL Cracov 2025
Esports World Cup 2025
Underdog Cup #2
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.