Code S Season 2 it set to have a "Freecy" final four, as Afreeca Freecs players TY and Stats won the last two quarterfinal matches to join teamamte DongRaeGu in the semifinals.
TY took on PartinG in his quarterfinal match, with the DPG Protoss looking to avenge his 2-4 loss to TY in the previous season's semifinals. However, TY's early-game tactics proved to be PartinG's undoing once more, with his Probes suffering greatly throughout the series. In the last quarterfinal match, a rejuvenated Stats took down Trap in a brutal 3-0 sweep, extending his PvP winning-streak to seventeen matches.
The Code S semifinals will begin on Wednesday, Aug 05 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00) with DongRaeGu and Rogue facing off in the first semifinal match.
Quarterfinal #3: TY 3 - 1 PartinG
With game one taking place on the cheese-magnet map of Golden Wall, it wasn't surprising to see both players opening up with one-base builds. TY proxied his Factory and Stargate out on the map for a fast Hellion drop, while PartinG mined out his backdoor mineral wall and sent a Probe to proxy all the required buildings for a Dark Templar drop. Unfortunately for PartinG, his scouting/poking Adept missed seeing TY's proxied buildings by a millimetre, causing him to take crippling Probe damage against the Hellion drop. Still, PartinG soon evened things up with his three-DT drop, which forced a complete lift-off and main-base relocation by TY. While TY managed to save his two Orbital Command Centers, he was left without the tech for Turrets or Ravens. PartinG simply trickled Dark Templar's into TY's new base to force out scans, leaving TY no choice but to GG when he ran out of scan energy.
Game two headed on over to Deathaura, where PartinG went for the curious move of executing the same offensive-Assimilator + proxy-Robo opener he had shown vs INnoVation and Bunny in the Ro16. However, he played mind-games by applying a twist—instead of going for Immortal drop pressure, he went for a DT drop behind it.. Meanwhile, TY was working on his own cheesy build, once again playing off of one-base and going for a proxy-Hellion drop (throwing in an Engineering Bay block at PartinG's natural). Yet again, the Hellion drop hit before the DT drop, dealing an enormous amount of economic damage to PartinG. This time around, the Dark Shrine had been built in PartinG's main, which mean TY saw it with his Hellions and had time to start building a Raven. Thus, PartinG's retaliatory DT drop only had limited time to do damage, and PartinG coolly GG'd out once the Raven arrived.
Game three saw PartinG return to a path of relative normalcy, going for a regular fast expand + Stargate opener on Ever Dream. On the other hand, TY decided to go with one-base play yet again, executing his third straight variation on a Hellion drop. This version didn't aim to drop Hellions as fast as possible—instead, it added 3 Concussive Shell-upgraded Marauders to create the dual-threat of both a drop and frontal attack. This worked out incredibly well for TY—though PartinG managed to Hallucinate scout the drop, he struggled to divide his troops properly on defense. He ended up in the terrible spot where Stalkers were fighting Marauders while Probes were fighting Hellions. While TY couldn't kill PartinG outright, he once again dealt a severe amount of economic damage and comfortably expanded and teched up back at home. TY easily repelled PartinG's counter-attack, and not long after, dropped stimmed Marines and Marauders into PartinG's main to force the GG.
Since TY had found a way to do Probe damage with his Hellions in every single game prior, it wasn't surprising to see him go for yet another one-base Hellion-drop build on Pillars of Gold. He threw in another Engineering Bay block at PartinG's natural, forcing him to build his second Nexus at his third base position. This time around, however, PartinG managed to scout the Hellion-drop early AND pull off a good defense. While TY tried to abuse the long distance between PartinG's main and third base to do some damage with a Hellion-Liberator combo, he ended up sacrificing his units for just a handful of Probe kills. So, for the first time in the series, we moved on to a more normal macro game.
PartinG looked to be briefly ahead after his solid early game defense, but TY patiently caught up. Another Liberator sent around the map got several kills when PartinG reacted slowly, while he came out ahead in a later Marine-drop vs Zealot-runby exchange. All the while, TY's grand plan began to materialize: He was going for a 1/1 "timing-attack" off three bases, looking to end PartinG with infantry supported by a handful of Tanks, Vikings, and Ghosts. As for PartinG, he prepared to defend with Gateway units backed by Colossi and High Templars.
In the previous week, PartinG had crushed a similar death push from INnoVation by executing a perfect flank and covering the Terran army in Storms. This time around, we saw how difficult it is to achieve that kind of perfect engagement. Everything went wrong for PartinG when he collapsed on the Terran army. A Warp Prism holding a Templar went POOF before it could do anything. Two Templar flanking from the low ground never got the vision needed to actual cast their spells. Another two Templar were trailing way too far behind Zealots and Stalkers, and arrived at the battlefield after the frontline troops had already been evaporated. While PartinG did get a few money storms in a subsequent battle, he had already lost too much of his army in that disastrous, initial fight. PartinG did his best to drag things out with counter-attacks, but the game was already far outside of his grasp. Eventually, he had no choice but to concede defeat.
Quarterfinal #4: Stats 3 - 0 Trap
The PvP knife-fight between Stats and Trap began on Eternal Empire, with both players playing it relatively normal with fast-ish expands. Trap invested some of his early resources into suicide Adept attacks into Stats' Probe line, but the army-for-economy trade didn't tilt the game significantly in either player's favor. The two players continued to build up in a semi-mirror state, building Immortal + Blink-Stalker armies while securing their third bases.
Trap ended up being the player to break from the staring contest, encroaching into Stats' warping third base with his Immortals and Stalkers. While he had a brief advantage with three Immortals compared to Stats' two, Battery Overcharge prevented Trap from fully committing to a battle. Just as Trap started to back off, Stats made the snap decision re-engage with a daring Blink forward. This move let Stats instantly pick off one of Trap's Immortals, and gave him superior positioning at the start of the battle. Stats ended up winning the battle with a significant number of Stalkers left over, allowing him to attack into Trap's territory and collect the GG.
Game two on Deathaura saw both players expand relatively quickly again, but the action started earlier this time around. While Trap took a more defensive posture with an Adept-heavy early game force, Stats committed to a strong, early-game strike with a Warp Prism, four Sentries, and six Stalkers. This attack went beautifully for Stats, as he traded efficiently against Trap's Prism-less, Overcharge-less Adepts with his Prism and Force Field micro. The two players proceeded to build up similarly to the previous game, looking to transition into Stalker-Immortal armies in the mid-game. Stats managed to get his Immortals and Prism out first, and headed over to Trap's base to deal additional damage before Trap's Blink-upgrade was complete. The damage from the early-game poke and the subsequent Immortal drop compounded into Stats having a significant lead in terms of mid-game Stalker count, and he gathered his forces for a decisive attack. While Trap had gone for Disruptor tech to try and make up for his disadvantage, the single Disruptor was easily picked off and he was forced to GG out against Stats' much larger army.
Trap changed things up on Ever Dream by going for heavy Adept production, while Stats stuck to a conservative Robo expand opener. As Trap's Adepts and Stats' Stalkers danced around in front of Stats' natural, Trap added a Twilight Council to reveal his intent of going for mass Glaive-Adepts. Unfortunately for Trap, he never arrived at the Glaive-Adept stage of his plan. While his constant Adept feints had kept Stats on his toes, he ended up overstaying his welcome on Stats' side of the map. Once Stats had a Warp Prism, he loaded up Sentries and an Immortal and slipped them behind Trap's Adepts. Combined with his Stalkers, he executed a perfect sandwiching maneuver to trap Trap's Adepts at the tiny bottleneck in the center of Ever Dream. Trap suffered catastrophic damage to his Adept count, allowing Stats to continue his advance and seal his 3-0 victory.
Favorite storyline: DRG wins, feel-good story about returning from retirement and becoming a true champion again after 5+ years. Also the least likely I think.
2nd favorite: TY takes his 2nd GSL in a row even though he's still a caster. Korea has a clear best player again after Maru's decline. Hype builds for future TY/Serral or TY/Reynor matches that will somehow never come to pass.
I think it's well within reach for Stats and Rogue to take it and I'd still be happy for them, just wouldn't be as interesting imo!
On August 02 2020 03:32 Kitai wrote: Favorite storyline: DRG wins, feel-good story about returning from retirement and becoming a true champion again after 5+ years. Also the least likely I think.
2nd favorite: TY takes his 2nd GSL in a row even though he's still a caster. Korea has a clear best player again after Maru's decline. Hype builds for future TY/Serral or TY/Reynor matches that will somehow never come to pass.
I think it's well within reach for Stats and Rogue to take it and I'd still be happy for them, just wouldn't be as interesting imo!
Stats taking a GSL just before he has to go to military service and going out on top is pretty compelling. Doing it for Classic, herO, soO, all the others that have gone to military service recently and proving that the old man hands have still got it.
On August 02 2020 03:32 Kitai wrote: Favorite storyline: DRG wins, feel-good story about returning from retirement and becoming a true champion again after 5+ years. Also the least likely I think.
2nd favorite: TY takes his 2nd GSL in a row even though he's still a caster. Korea has a clear best player again after Maru's decline. Hype builds for future TY/Serral or TY/Reynor matches that will somehow never come to pass.
I think it's well within reach for Stats and Rogue to take it and I'd still be happy for them, just wouldn't be as interesting imo!
Stats taking a GSL just before he has to go to military service and going out on top is pretty compelling. Doing it for Classic, herO, soO, all the others that have gone to military service recently and proving that the old man hands have still got it.
Ahh, I didn't realize Stats was close to military service - good point! That makes me sad though, he's my favorite protoss =(
Dont see DRG passing through Rogue, so Rogue imo is the finalist guaranteed. TY/Stats is hard to call but somebody already pointed out that TY has Stats' numbers: Stats is 2–15 (11.76%) in games and 0–8 (0.00%) in matches against TY in the last 2 years
in a Rogue - TY finals, im afraid we have another Zerg champion.
On August 02 2020 10:17 Blargh wrote: Why would people want anyone but TY to win. TY is cool. He's a pro caster! I guess he plays so often he's barely a pro-caster any more...
On August 02 2020 10:17 Blargh wrote: Why would people want anyone but TY to win. TY is cool. He's a pro caster! I guess he plays so often he's barely a pro-caster any more...
Yep, rooting for TY.
Been a big fan since his and ByuN's breakout at the beginning of LotV.
I was sad when I couldn't meet him the last time I was in the AfreecaTV studios, although I did meet many of the other regulars like Maru, Rogue, sOs, INno, Dark, Tastosis and Gyuri.
TY's english is pretty decent and I like his personality and calm demeanor. Hope to see him take another trophy this season, but I wouldn't mind a DRG win too.
On August 02 2020 10:17 Blargh wrote: Why would people want anyone but TY to win. TY is cool. He's a pro caster! I guess he plays so often he's barely a pro-caster any more...
Because he is handsome, smart and the only Terran holds all the 3 champions of IEM, GSL and WESG which are the top 3 tournaments around the world nowadays.
On August 02 2020 10:17 Blargh wrote: Why would people want anyone but TY to win. TY is cool. He's a pro caster! I guess he plays so often he's barely a pro-caster any more...
DRG is a returnee from the military proving that you can come back, is the OG master of lingbane, and also really nice guy. Stats is playing in his last GSL before leaving for the military, is playing out of his mind, and is a hilarious person. Rogue is like sOs, if sOs also had killer straight up play. With another big profile win or two has a serious shot at being the most accomplished SC2 villain
So in short: many reasons
EDIT: I think I am wrong, this is Stat's second last season, not his last. Apologies.
On August 02 2020 10:17 Blargh wrote: Why would people want anyone but TY to win. TY is cool. He's a pro caster! I guess he plays so often he's barely a pro-caster any more...
DRG is a returnee from the military proving that you can come back, is the OG master of lingbane, and also really nice guy. Stats is playing in his last GSL before leaving for the military, is playing out of his mind, and is a hilarious person. Rogue is like sOs, if sOs also had killer straight up play. With another big profile win or two has a serious shot at being the most accomplished SC2 villain
On August 02 2020 10:17 Blargh wrote: Why would people want anyone but TY to win. TY is cool. He's a pro caster! I guess he plays so often he's barely a pro-caster any more...
DRG is a returnee from the military proving that you can come back, is the OG master of lingbane, and also really nice guy. Stats is playing in his last GSL before leaving for the military, is playing out of his mind, and is a hilarious person. Rogue is like sOs, if sOs also had killer straight up play. With another big profile win or two has a serious shot at being the most accomplished SC2 villain
On August 02 2020 10:17 Blargh wrote: Why would people want anyone but TY to win. TY is cool. He's a pro caster! I guess he plays so often he's barely a pro-caster any more...
DRG is a returnee from the military proving that you can come back, is the OG master of lingbane, and also really nice guy. Stats is playing in his last GSL before leaving for the military, is playing out of his mind, and is a hilarious person. Rogue is like sOs, if sOs also had killer straight up play. With another big profile win or two has a serious shot at being the most accomplished SC2 villain
So in short: many reasons
Wait this is stats last gsl?
I think so, yeah.
He might compete in season 3 but he's definitely going by the end of the year.
Well we all know how this is going to end. Rogue is going to scoff at the peanuts a nydus worm costs and take home another championship in patchzergy style. Afreeca even framed this season as the revenge of the swarm.
Has it been said anywhere that this is Stats' final season? I have been assuming that he gets to play in season 3 as well.
Man Stats looked so damn clean against Trap. TY is a great planner of series and Stats has an abysmal record against him, but if he plays like that again I reckon he can manage it!
On August 02 2020 16:32 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: reposting the video here as it originally was posted in the broodwar forum, but is relevant for this GSL https://youtu.be/1k-iO-vSDDE Huge thanks to jinjin5000 who is TL's eyes and ears in the korean SC community
wow ty for posting this, I am kinda desperate for translated TY content B-)
It will be extremely hard of DRG. Rogue is a high tech zerg and DRG still proves that he is the layer zerg. If he finds a way how to react against mass air zerg or lurker/viper build, may be he has a chance. Honestly Innovation played bad, really bad in Ro8. As for TY, I'd say that for now he is probably one of the best right now and still Stats has some potential to go the final. It seems that Parting is comfortable opponent for TY, but Stats is much uncomfortable. Same goes with Trap if he'd win earlier. Honestly the four players deserve the title. Rogue-DRG - a match between one of the greatest sportsmen in SC history who always have good attitude towards their opponents and greet them no matter if they lose or win. Rogue usually is in the role of the villain in my perspective, because I'm a fan of Dark, but I really respect him. TY really can take it all. Remember last Code S. Nobody believed it but in fact for 3 matches TY lost only two rounds against Parting. He totally dismantled Dark and Cure. And now he enters in the same winning routine. Stats is regaining his scariest top shape but is it on time? For now Stats is playing like a champion.
EPT
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