• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 23:31
CET 05:31
KST 13:31
  • 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
RSL Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners12Intel X Team Liquid Seoul event: Showmatches and Meet the Pros10
Community News
Weekly Cups (Nov 24-30): MaxPax, Clem, herO win1BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced14[BSL21] Ro.16 Group Stage (C->B->A->D)4Weekly Cups (Nov 17-23): Solar, MaxPax, Clem win3RSL Season 3: RO16 results & RO8 bracket13
StarCraft 2
General
SC2 Proleague Discontinued; SKT, KT, SGK, CJ disband Weekly Cups (Nov 24-30): MaxPax, Clem, herO win BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced Information Request Regarding Chinese Ladder SC: Evo Complete - Ranked Ladder OPEN ALPHA
Tourneys
$5,000+ WardiTV 2025 Championship Constellation Cup - Main Event - Stellar Fest RSL Revival: Season 3 Tenacious Turtle Tussle [Alpha Pro Series] Nice vs Cure
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 502 Negative Reinforcement Mutation # 501 Price of Progress Mutation # 500 Fright night Mutation # 499 Chilling Adaptation
Brood War
General
Which season is the best in ASL? [ASL20] Ask the mapmakers — Drop your questions BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ FlaSh's Valkyrie Copium BW General Discussion
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL21] RO16 Group B - Sunday 21:00 CET [BSL21] RO16 Group C - Saturday 21:00 CET Small VOD Thread 2.0
Strategy
Game Theory for Starcraft How to stay on top of macro? Current Meta PvZ map balance
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread Should offensive tower rushing be viable in RTS games? The Perfect Game
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread US Politics Mega-thread The Big Programming Thread Artificial Intelligence Thread
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2026 Football Thread NBA General Discussion MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Where to ask questions and add stream? The Automated Ban List
Blogs
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Esports Earnings: Bigger Pri…
TrAiDoS
Thanks for the RSL
Hildegard
Saturation point
Uldridge
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1729 users

Which "Premier Events" are the most prestigious?

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
Normal
StuDToSs
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
116 Posts
September 15 2020 02:28 GMT
#1
According to my friend, he says that all the events I've listed below are around the same prestige. All I did was get them off of the Liquipedia page.

GSL
DreamHack Masters NA
DreamHack Masters Season Finals
IEM Katowice 2020
2019 WCS Global Finals

Which of these "Premier Events" are the most prestigious?
llllllllllIIIIIlllll
Profile Joined June 2020
Korea (North)26 Posts
September 15 2020 02:34 GMT
#2
IEM Katowice and WCS Global Finals are the most prestigious because they have the most money in prize pool $$ and it is a global event which features top players from foreign and korean regions
언젠가 ...
lesmissilerable
Profile Joined September 2020
3 Posts
September 15 2020 02:48 GMT
#3
On September 15 2020 11:34 llllllllllIIIIIlllll wrote:
IEM Katowice and WCS Global Finals are the most prestigious because they have the most money in prize pool $$ and it is a global event which features top players from foreign and korean regions


yea and compare this 2 event to Dreamhack Masters NA...
how is DH Masters NA a premier event? not even close...
yubo56
Profile Joined May 2014
690 Posts
September 15 2020 03:03 GMT
#4
On September 15 2020 11:34 llllllllllIIIIIlllll wrote:
IEM Katowice and WCS Global Finals are the most prestigious because they have the most money in prize pool $$ and it is a global event which features top players from foreign and korean regions

GSL has traditionally been considered to be even more prestigious, due to the level of competition (even though the prize pool is smaller). This was because Koreans were head and shoulders above all non-Koreans, to the degree that a tournament with the top 16 Koreans was harder to win than 8 Koreans and 8 non-Koreans. Additionally, GSL takes place over many weeks, which gives players more time to prepare for their particular opponent, unlike IEM and Global Finals, which play many matches each day over the span of a few days.

Nowadays, GSL is much diminished from what it was before, and I think most people won't claim it's that much harder to win than the top EU tournaments, and Koreans say they have their sights set on the global events as well. But you might still hear pro-GSL advocates from players who haven't followed the scene in a while
Jung Yoon Jong fighting, even after retirement! Feel better soon.
Anc13nt
Profile Blog Joined October 2017
1557 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-09-15 03:18:27
September 15 2020 03:16 GMT
#5
For me, I would say IEM WC = WCS Global Finals > GSL and these are the most important tournaments.

In terms of difficulty to win though, GSL Super Tournament and GSL vs the World are not too far off from the above but they don't pay as well and don't have as much history so they aren't as prestigious. WESG has a lot of money on the line but it is not as difficult of a tournament because they have too many players outside NA, EU and Korea.

On another note, in the past, I would have said winning a European WCS Circuit tournament is comparable in prestige to winning a tournament like HSC or Assembly Summer 2019 but I am not sure anymore because I think Clem, Serral and Reynor are all top 10 players now. More specifically, I think Rogue, Serral and Reynor are the top 3 players atm. So I agree with the above poster that winning EU Circuit tournament is not too far off in difficulty from winning a GSL at this point tbh.
QOGQOG
Profile Joined July 2019
834 Posts
September 15 2020 04:28 GMT
#6
On September 15 2020 12:16 Anc13nt wrote:
For me, I would say IEM WC = WCS Global Finals > GSL and these are the most important tournaments.

In terms of difficulty to win though, GSL Super Tournament and GSL vs the World are not too far off from the above but they don't pay as well and don't have as much history so they aren't as prestigious. WESG has a lot of money on the line but it is not as difficult of a tournament because they have too many players outside NA, EU and Korea.

On another note, in the past, I would have said winning a European WCS Circuit tournament is comparable in prestige to winning a tournament like HSC or Assembly Summer 2019 but I am not sure anymore because I think Clem, Serral and Reynor are all top 10 players now. More specifically, I think Rogue, Serral and Reynor are the top 3 players atm. So I agree with the above poster that winning EU Circuit tournament is not too far off in difficulty from winning a GSL at this point tbh.

Not really. While Serral, Reynor, and Clem might all be very strong, in GSL there are way more potential winners/championship tier players. Probably a dozen of them who could win a season without getting too outlandish or unlikely. Whereas Europe, there are basically two (or, very recently, three) actual contenders. Winning a GSL means beating at least a half dozen top tier players, an EU tournament, it's maybe two. Plus GSL is a longer tournament with serious prep time, making even non-contenders very dangerous (see: Zoun, Prince, etc.).
BerserkSword
Profile Joined December 2018
United States2123 Posts
September 15 2020 06:24 GMT
#7
In terms of raw prestige:

GSL Code S
Blizzcon/IEM
DreamHack

TL+ Member
vyzion
Profile Joined August 2016
308 Posts
September 15 2020 06:37 GMT
#8
I tend to just say the ones that pay the most money, because that's where everyone will be and where they will all be working their asses off for.
dbRic1203
Profile Joined July 2019
Germany2655 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-09-15 07:39:25
September 15 2020 07:38 GMT
#9
Is this a troll post?
It s even debatable if DH Masters EU would be up there with the biggest of tournaments, you stated. So not including it is absolutly fine. But adding the NA version instead can t be right.

In terms of Prestige I would rate them as follows:
GSL
BlizzCon/ Katowice
DH Masters Season Finals
GSL ST
DH Masters EU

Doyou Cup/ HSC/ TSL / Kubo etc...
DH Masters NA/ LatAm/ CH
DH Masters TW

DH Masters OCE
MaxPax
Slydie
Profile Joined August 2013
1927 Posts
September 15 2020 07:56 GMT
#10
On September 15 2020 13:28 QOGQOG wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 15 2020 12:16 Anc13nt wrote:
For me, I would say IEM WC = WCS Global Finals > GSL and these are the most important tournaments.

In terms of difficulty to win though, GSL Super Tournament and GSL vs the World are not too far off from the above but they don't pay as well and don't have as much history so they aren't as prestigious. WESG has a lot of money on the line but it is not as difficult of a tournament because they have too many players outside NA, EU and Korea.

On another note, in the past, I would have said winning a European WCS Circuit tournament is comparable in prestige to winning a tournament like HSC or Assembly Summer 2019 but I am not sure anymore because I think Clem, Serral and Reynor are all top 10 players now. More specifically, I think Rogue, Serral and Reynor are the top 3 players atm. So I agree with the above poster that winning EU Circuit tournament is not too far off in difficulty from winning a GSL at this point tbh.

Not really. While Serral, Reynor, and Clem might all be very strong, in GSL there are way more potential winners/championship tier players. Probably a dozen of them who could win a season without getting too outlandish or unlikely. Whereas Europe, there are basically two (or, very recently, three) actual contenders. Winning a GSL means beating at least a half dozen top tier players, an EU tournament, it's maybe two. Plus GSL is a longer tournament with serious prep time, making even non-contenders very dangerous (see: Zoun, Prince, etc.).


GSL is just very different. I would give foreigners a very slim chance to win it, as they are not as used to the format with extensive prep-time for each opponent and would have to play abroad. The Scarlett vs Dark series is maybe the best example of how it can be done, but I don't think it is possible to fight through that many strong players relying on such gimmicks.

Likewise, the Koreans will not have an easy time winning vs Reynor and Serral in an EU offline event either, but the overall level is obviously lower.

How Clem in his current form matches with Koreans remains to be seen.
Buff the siegetank
algue
Profile Joined July 2011
France1436 Posts
September 15 2020 07:58 GMT
#11
On September 15 2020 12:03 yubo56 wrote:
Nowadays, GSL is much diminished from what it was before, and I think most people won't claim it's that much harder to win than the top EU tournaments, and Koreans say they have their sights set on the global events as well. But you might still hear pro-GSL advocates from players who haven't followed the scene in a while


I won't claim that it's not diminished compared to what it was before but the GSL's format in itself makes it the most prestigious tournament around. From a pro player perspective you dedicate months of your potentially short lived career for a tournament with a consistently high level of play where there is very little room for mistake.

Compare this to the Blizzcon tournament or IEM Katowice, since those tournaments only last for a few days it's too bad if you're eliminated quickly but at least you didn't waste weeks/months taking part in those.
rly ?
Anc13nt
Profile Blog Joined October 2017
1557 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-09-15 08:53:42
September 15 2020 08:50 GMT
#12
On September 15 2020 16:38 dbRic1203 wrote:
Is this a troll post?
It s even debatable if DH Masters EU would be up there with the biggest of tournaments, you stated. So not including it is absolutly fine. But adding the NA version instead can t be right.

In terms of Prestige I would rate them as follows:
GSL
BlizzCon/ Katowice
DH Masters Season Finals
GSL ST
DH Masters EU

Doyou Cup/ HSC/ TSL / Kubo etc...
DH Masters NA/ LatAm/ CH
DH Masters TW

DH Masters OCE


i think in terms of what pros want to win (from some interviews I've read from a long time), my impression is that Blizzcon is the best, then GSL, then IEM WC and WESG is up there too because of the prize pool.

But yeah in terms of raw difficulty, the highest level is probably GSL, then IEM WC, then GSL Super tournament and then Blizzcon. Dreamhack EU is catching up in terms of difficulty but while the top 3-4 EU players are around as strong as top Koreans, there is a still a gap between Koreans and foreigners on average. That is why Serral and Reynor have been winning virtually everything in the EU Circuit ever since the start of 2018. I wouldn't be too shocked if both of them combined won something like 30%+ of the Korean/international tournaments but definitely not like 100% as with the european scene.
dbRic1203
Profile Joined July 2019
Germany2655 Posts
September 15 2020 09:10 GMT
#13
On September 15 2020 17:50 Anc13nt wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 15 2020 16:38 dbRic1203 wrote:
Is this a troll post?
It s even debatable if DH Masters EU would be up there with the biggest of tournaments, you stated. So not including it is absolutly fine. But adding the NA version instead can t be right.

In terms of Prestige I would rate them as follows:
GSL
BlizzCon/ Katowice
DH Masters Season Finals
GSL ST
DH Masters EU

Doyou Cup/ HSC/ TSL / Kubo etc...
DH Masters NA/ LatAm/ CH
DH Masters TW

DH Masters OCE


i think in terms of what pros want to win (from some interviews I've read from a long time), my impression is that Blizzcon is the best, then GSL, then IEM WC and WESG is up there too because of the prize pool.

But yeah in terms of raw difficulty, the highest level is probably GSL, then IEM WC, then GSL Super tournament and then Blizzcon. Dreamhack EU is catching up in terms of difficulty but while the top 3-4 EU players are around as strong as top Koreans, there is a still a gap between Koreans and foreigners on average. That is why Serral and Reynor have been winning virtually everything in the EU Circuit ever since the start of 2018. I wouldn't be too shocked if both of them combined won something like 30%+ of the Korean/international tournaments but definitely not like 100% as with the european scene.


Absolutly. I put BlizzCon and KAto on same level as Katowice is replacing BlizzCon as the Global Finals. In WCS era it was obviously higher up. I completly forgot about WESG, as it was cancelled this year and I also realy dislike price pool distributions, where not everyone in the main event is paid and the winner gets more than 50% of the entire price pool.

In terms of Skill, I see Reynor and Serral on the same level as top 4 Kr and Clem even with the other GSL Contenders. All other foreigners* would probably struggle to make Ro16 atm, whil it wouldn t be a suprise to see 2-3 of them making it, just like Special and Scarlett in the past few years.

*those would be:
Special, Scarlett, Neeb, Heromarine, Showtime and maybe Time who would actually have a good shot in making it Ro16 with a bit of luck
and at least another 10 or so, who would have a decent shot in Qualifing for Ro24, but would most likely fail (players like Astrea, Drogo, Lambo, uThermal, Mlord and so on)

MaxPax
WombaT
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Northern Ireland26168 Posts
September 15 2020 12:39 GMT
#14
For me it probably goes (old) Katowice then Blizzcon, although GSL may have slotted in the middle.

When Korea had like 45 of the world’s top 50 players I would have had GSL as the most prestigious

Katowice then became the top dog for me when this shifted a little and also how qualifiers worked. Basically all the world’s best at that moment made it, whereas Blizzcon you’d end up with early qualifiers slumping hard by the time it came around and hot players not getting the points to make it in.

Below that not too sure. WESG has a lot of money but misses a lot of the world’s best. The Korean qualifier for it is more cutthroat than the actual tournament. Dreamhack Season Finals would be up a lot higher than they are in my mind currently when they move to being offline at some stage.
'You'll always be the cuddly marsupial of my heart, despite the inherent flaws of your ancestry' - Squat
Harris1st
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Germany7001 Posts
September 15 2020 12:49 GMT
#15
Pre 2018

GSL
Blizzcon World Championships
Katowice
Other International offline events (Dreamhack, Assembly, HSC, ...)
Foreign only events


Now:

Katowice World Championships
GSL/ Dreamhack finals (if Dreamhack finals were offline, I'd put it above GSL. But since it's not GSL is a smidge higher)
Dreamhack EU
ESL Gabe weekly
Dreamhack other regions
Go Serral! GG EZ for Ence. Flashbang dance FTW
deacon.frost
Profile Joined February 2013
Czech Republic12129 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-09-15 13:09:17
September 15 2020 13:04 GMT
#16
IEM Katowice Open(considering it will be changed IIRC) > GSL > (stay at) HSC > Blizzcon/new IEM Katowice > Korean friendly tournaments > Foreigner only tournaments

Yes, I put the open HSC over Blizzcon.

Players may see it differentluy

edit> offline > online, but was too lazy to incorporate this into that

edit2> criterias
opens have the biggest skill in them(usually), then offline eliminates ping issues(kinda, looking at nonexisting LAN mode), then more skill dominates less skill (Code S still has more better players than foreigner only tournaments). Blizzcon lost mostly because the winner of the IEM can lose the form but will occupy theplace over currently better player.
I imagine France should be able to take this unless Lilbow is busy practicing for Starcraft III. | KadaverBB is my fairy ban mother.
WombaT
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Northern Ireland26168 Posts
September 15 2020 13:13 GMT
#17
On September 15 2020 22:04 deacon.frost wrote:
IEM Katowice Open(considering it will be changed IIRC) > GSL > (stay at) HSC > Blizzcon/new IEM Katowice > Korean friendly tournaments > Foreigner only tournaments

Yes, I put the open HSC over Blizzcon.

Players may see it differentluy

edit> offline > online, but was too lazy to incorporate this into that

edit2> criterias
opens have the biggest skill in them(usually), then offline eliminates ping issues(kinda, looking at nonexisting LAN mode), then more skill dominates less skill (Code S still has more better players than foreigner only tournaments). Blizzcon lost mostly because the winner of the IEM can lose the form but will occupy theplace over currently better player.

Those are largely my criteria but HSC is a bit high no?

It’s the players’ more casual, sociable tournament. We still see some great Starcraft but I never get the sense it’s a gigantic deal to most of the players
'You'll always be the cuddly marsupial of my heart, despite the inherent flaws of your ancestry' - Squat
Elentos
Profile Blog Joined February 2015
55560 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-09-15 13:30:00
September 15 2020 13:26 GMT
#18
On September 15 2020 22:04 deacon.frost wrote:
IEM Katowice Open(considering it will be changed IIRC) > GSL > (stay at) HSC > Blizzcon/new IEM Katowice > Korean friendly tournaments > Foreigner only tournaments

Yes, I put the open HSC over Blizzcon.

Players may see it differentluy

edit> offline > online, but was too lazy to incorporate this into that

edit2> criterias
opens have the biggest skill in them(usually), then offline eliminates ping issues(kinda, looking at nonexisting LAN mode), then more skill dominates less skill (Code S still has more better players than foreigner only tournaments). Blizzcon lost mostly because the winner of the IEM can lose the form but will occupy theplace over currently better player.

You are probably the only person in this universe who thinks HSC is more prestigious than Blizzcon. More fun, more entertaining I'll give you and HSC has often brought in good player pools too. But prestige is not even an afterthought there. Prestige always also has to do with presentation etc. and the champion of Blizzcon was the World Champion. That shouldn't even be close.
Every 60 seconds in Africa, a minute passes.
Poopi
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
France12906 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-09-15 13:42:06
September 15 2020 13:39 GMT
#19
I will take the GSL as the baseline for prestige. GSL = 100% / 1.0 (Code S)
Note that winning two 0.5 tournaments doesn't equal winning a 1.0 tournament.
BlizzCon = 1.25 GSL
IEM = 1.2 GSL
GSL = 1.0
GSL Super Tournament = 0.8 GSL
GSL vs The World = 0.75 GSL
Dreamhack Masters Season Finals = 0.70 GSL (because online)
WESG = 0.65 GSL
Dreamhack EU / WCS EU = 0.6 GSL
DH NA / other regions / etc. = < 0.33 GSL

WriterMaru
royalroadweed
Profile Joined April 2013
United States8301 Posts
September 15 2020 13:39 GMT
#20
I'd say GSL, IEM and the Global finals are the 3 most prestigious tournaments. Its hard to say which is the most prestigious because of the different formats. I'm tipping towards the GSL since the prepared format makes every player dangerous regardless of skill disparities.
"Nerfing Toss can just make them stronger"
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33495 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-09-15 13:56:17
September 15 2020 13:55 GMT
#21
All the interviews I've read/heard in the modern era lead me to believe money is THE primary determinant of prestige
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
deacon.frost
Profile Joined February 2013
Czech Republic12129 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-09-15 14:10:47
September 15 2020 14:08 GMT
#22
On September 15 2020 22:55 Waxangel wrote:
All the interviews I've read/heard in the modern era lead me to believe money is THE primary determinant of prestige

From the players perspective it's obvious, fans may have a different view I thought this is the latter one.
On September 15 2020 22:13 WombaT wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 15 2020 22:04 deacon.frost wrote:
IEM Katowice Open(considering it will be changed IIRC) > GSL > (stay at) HSC > Blizzcon/new IEM Katowice > Korean friendly tournaments > Foreigner only tournaments

Yes, I put the open HSC over Blizzcon.

Players may see it differentluy

edit> offline > online, but was too lazy to incorporate this into that

edit2> criterias
opens have the biggest skill in them(usually), then offline eliminates ping issues(kinda, looking at nonexisting LAN mode), then more skill dominates less skill (Code S still has more better players than foreigner only tournaments). Blizzcon lost mostly because the winner of the IEM can lose the form but will occupy theplace over currently better player.

Those are largely my criteria but HSC is a bit high no?

It’s the players’ more casual, sociable tournament. We still see some great Starcraft but I never get the sense it’s a gigantic deal to most of the players

Take tries to get there the best players in the business. Cannot say that about Blizzcon. Like I don't say that HSC is tripple the Blizzcon, si more like a difference between 1,05 and 1,06. But in my eyes it is skillwise better tourney. It;s my criterias )
I imagine France should be able to take this unless Lilbow is busy practicing for Starcraft III. | KadaverBB is my fairy ban mother.
WombaT
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Northern Ireland26168 Posts
September 15 2020 14:32 GMT
#23
On September 15 2020 23:08 deacon.frost wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 15 2020 22:55 Waxangel wrote:
All the interviews I've read/heard in the modern era lead me to believe money is THE primary determinant of prestige

From the players perspective it's obvious, fans may have a different view I thought this is the latter one.
Show nested quote +
On September 15 2020 22:13 WombaT wrote:
On September 15 2020 22:04 deacon.frost wrote:
IEM Katowice Open(considering it will be changed IIRC) > GSL > (stay at) HSC > Blizzcon/new IEM Katowice > Korean friendly tournaments > Foreigner only tournaments

Yes, I put the open HSC over Blizzcon.

Players may see it differentluy

edit> offline > online, but was too lazy to incorporate this into that

edit2> criterias
opens have the biggest skill in them(usually), then offline eliminates ping issues(kinda, looking at nonexisting LAN mode), then more skill dominates less skill (Code S still has more better players than foreigner only tournaments). Blizzcon lost mostly because the winner of the IEM can lose the form but will occupy theplace over currently better player.

Those are largely my criteria but HSC is a bit high no?

It’s the players’ more casual, sociable tournament. We still see some great Starcraft but I never get the sense it’s a gigantic deal to most of the players

Take tries to get there the best players in the business. Cannot say that about Blizzcon. Like I don't say that HSC is tripple the Blizzcon, si more like a difference between 1,05 and 1,06. But in my eyes it is skillwise better tourney. It;s my criterias )

When half the players are hungover?
'You'll always be the cuddly marsupial of my heart, despite the inherent flaws of your ancestry' - Squat
Whatson
Profile Blog Joined January 2012
United States5357 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-09-15 15:32:52
September 15 2020 15:32 GMT
#24
On September 15 2020 23:08 deacon.frost wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 15 2020 22:55 Waxangel wrote:
All the interviews I've read/heard in the modern era lead me to believe money is THE primary determinant of prestige

From the players perspective it's obvious, fans may have a different view I thought this is the latter one.
Show nested quote +
On September 15 2020 22:13 WombaT wrote:
On September 15 2020 22:04 deacon.frost wrote:
IEM Katowice Open(considering it will be changed IIRC) > GSL > (stay at) HSC > Blizzcon/new IEM Katowice > Korean friendly tournaments > Foreigner only tournaments

Yes, I put the open HSC over Blizzcon.

Players may see it differentluy

edit> offline > online, but was too lazy to incorporate this into that

edit2> criterias
opens have the biggest skill in them(usually), then offline eliminates ping issues(kinda, looking at nonexisting LAN mode), then more skill dominates less skill (Code S still has more better players than foreigner only tournaments). Blizzcon lost mostly because the winner of the IEM can lose the form but will occupy theplace over currently better player.

Those are largely my criteria but HSC is a bit high no?

It’s the players’ more casual, sociable tournament. We still see some great Starcraft but I never get the sense it’s a gigantic deal to most of the players

Take tries to get there the best players in the business. Cannot say that about Blizzcon. Like I don't say that HSC is tripple the Blizzcon, si more like a difference between 1,05 and 1,06. But in my eyes it is skillwise better tourney. It;s my criterias )

lol you hear about players wanting to make it to Blizzcon, nobody ever brings up HSC. That should tell you enough about the difference in levels.
¯\_(シ)_/¯
BerserkSword
Profile Joined December 2018
United States2123 Posts
September 15 2020 19:07 GMT
#25
On September 15 2020 22:55 Waxangel wrote:
All the interviews I've read/heard in the modern era lead me to believe money is THE primary determinant of prestige


I probably havent nearly as much as you have, but i think money is the primary determinant of which tournaments they want to play, not really prestige.

For example, recently in I believe it was the Code S S2 QA segment, Maru was asked something along the lines if he'd rather win IEM or another Code S. He said IEM. Then the interviewer said if money wasnt a factor - Maru said Code S.

I think that's what prestige means.
TL+ Member
Harris1st
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Germany7001 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-09-16 06:39:49
September 16 2020 06:38 GMT
#26
On September 16 2020 04:07 BerserkSword wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 15 2020 22:55 Waxangel wrote:
All the interviews I've read/heard in the modern era lead me to believe money is THE primary determinant of prestige


I probably havent nearly as much as you have, but i think money is the primary determinant of which tournaments they want to play, not really prestige.

For example, recently in I believe it was the Code S S2 QA segment, Maru was asked something along the lines if he'd rather win IEM or another Code S. He said IEM. Then the interviewer said if money wasnt a factor - Maru said Code S.

I think that's what prestige means.


Hmm... there is also a difference who you are asking I guess.

Like Koreans players care more about Korean fans and therefore more for GSL.
Foreigners are more like "Yes GSL would be awesome, but I really want IEM / Blizzcon"


On September 15 2020 23:32 WombaT wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 15 2020 23:08 deacon.frost wrote:
On September 15 2020 22:55 Waxangel wrote:
All the interviews I've read/heard in the modern era lead me to believe money is THE primary determinant of prestige

From the players perspective it's obvious, fans may have a different view I thought this is the latter one.
On September 15 2020 22:13 WombaT wrote:
On September 15 2020 22:04 deacon.frost wrote:
IEM Katowice Open(considering it will be changed IIRC) > GSL > (stay at) HSC > Blizzcon/new IEM Katowice > Korean friendly tournaments > Foreigner only tournaments

Yes, I put the open HSC over Blizzcon.

Players may see it differentluy

edit> offline > online, but was too lazy to incorporate this into that

edit2> criterias
opens have the biggest skill in them(usually), then offline eliminates ping issues(kinda, looking at nonexisting LAN mode), then more skill dominates less skill (Code S still has more better players than foreigner only tournaments). Blizzcon lost mostly because the winner of the IEM can lose the form but will occupy theplace over currently better player.

Those are largely my criteria but HSC is a bit high no?

It’s the players’ more casual, sociable tournament. We still see some great Starcraft but I never get the sense it’s a gigantic deal to most of the players

Take tries to get there the best players in the business. Cannot say that about Blizzcon. Like I don't say that HSC is tripple the Blizzcon, si more like a difference between 1,05 and 1,06. But in my eyes it is skillwise better tourney. It;s my criterias )

When half the players are hungover?


HSC is awesome and this reads like an insult TBH
Go Serral! GG EZ for Ence. Flashbang dance FTW
Argonauta
Profile Joined July 2016
Spain4958 Posts
September 16 2020 06:55 GMT
#27
On September 15 2020 12:03 yubo56 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 15 2020 11:34 llllllllllIIIIIlllll wrote:
IEM Katowice and WCS Global Finals are the most prestigious because they have the most money in prize pool $$ and it is a global event which features top players from foreign and korean regions

GSL has traditionally been considered to be even more prestigious, due to the level of competition (even though the prize pool is smaller). This was because Koreans were head and shoulders above all non-Koreans, to the degree that a tournament with the top 16 Koreans was harder to win than 8 Koreans and 8 non-Koreans. Additionally, GSL takes place over many weeks, which gives players more time to prepare for their particular opponent, unlike IEM and Global Finals, which play many matches each day over the span of a few days.

Nowadays, GSL is much diminished from what it was before, and I think most people won't claim it's that much harder to win than the top EU tournaments, and Koreans say they have their sights set on the global events as well. But you might still hear pro-GSL advocates from players who haven't followed the scene in a while



This first paragraph is correct but in present tense. Second paragraph is just not true. Even if GSl has been diminishing, there is still too much of a gap.
Rogue | Maru | Scarlett | Trap
TL+ Member
Harris1st
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Germany7001 Posts
September 16 2020 07:31 GMT
#28
On September 15 2020 12:03 yubo56 wrote:
GSL has traditionally been considered to be even more prestigious, due to the level of competition (even though the prize pool is smaller). This was because Koreans were head and shoulders above all non-Koreans, to the degree that a tournament with the top 16 Koreans was harder to win than 8 Koreans and 8 non-Koreans. Additionally, GSL takes place over many weeks, which gives players more time to prepare for their particular opponent, unlike IEM and Global Finals, which play many matches each day over the span of a few days.

Nowadays, GSL is much diminished from what it was before, and I think most people won't claim it's that much harder to win than the top EU tournaments, and Koreans say they have their sights set on the global events as well. But you might still hear pro-GSL advocates from players who haven't followed the scene in a while


On September 16 2020 15:55 Argonauta wrote:
This first paragraph is correct but in present tense. Second paragraph is just not true. Even if GSl has been diminishing, there is still too much of a gap.


First paragraph is correct in past tense. Are you honestly telling us that you think a tournament with Serral and Reynor in it is easier to win than a tournament with Koreans 9th to 16th ( Zoun, Armani, Dream, Solar, ....? ) lol

Second paragraph. Yes GSL is still much harder to win than a top EU tournament
Go Serral! GG EZ for Ence. Flashbang dance FTW
RPR_Tempest
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
Australia7798 Posts
September 16 2020 08:38 GMT
#29
GSL = Blizzcon in terms of prestige

Then IEM = GSL side-events like GSL vs The World or Super Tournament

Then other premiers

then Homestory Cup
Soundwave, Zerg player from Canberra, Australia. @SoundwaveSC
WombaT
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Northern Ireland26168 Posts
September 16 2020 11:26 GMT
#30
On September 16 2020 15:38 Harris1st wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 16 2020 04:07 BerserkSword wrote:
On September 15 2020 22:55 Waxangel wrote:
All the interviews I've read/heard in the modern era lead me to believe money is THE primary determinant of prestige


I probably havent nearly as much as you have, but i think money is the primary determinant of which tournaments they want to play, not really prestige.

For example, recently in I believe it was the Code S S2 QA segment, Maru was asked something along the lines if he'd rather win IEM or another Code S. He said IEM. Then the interviewer said if money wasnt a factor - Maru said Code S.

I think that's what prestige means.


Hmm... there is also a difference who you are asking I guess.

Like Koreans players care more about Korean fans and therefore more for GSL.
Foreigners are more like "Yes GSL would be awesome, but I really want IEM / Blizzcon"


Show nested quote +
On September 15 2020 23:32 WombaT wrote:
On September 15 2020 23:08 deacon.frost wrote:
On September 15 2020 22:55 Waxangel wrote:
All the interviews I've read/heard in the modern era lead me to believe money is THE primary determinant of prestige

From the players perspective it's obvious, fans may have a different view I thought this is the latter one.
On September 15 2020 22:13 WombaT wrote:
On September 15 2020 22:04 deacon.frost wrote:
IEM Katowice Open(considering it will be changed IIRC) > GSL > (stay at) HSC > Blizzcon/new IEM Katowice > Korean friendly tournaments > Foreigner only tournaments

Yes, I put the open HSC over Blizzcon.

Players may see it differentluy

edit> offline > online, but was too lazy to incorporate this into that

edit2> criterias
opens have the biggest skill in them(usually), then offline eliminates ping issues(kinda, looking at nonexisting LAN mode), then more skill dominates less skill (Code S still has more better players than foreigner only tournaments). Blizzcon lost mostly because the winner of the IEM can lose the form but will occupy theplace over currently better player.

Those are largely my criteria but HSC is a bit high no?

It’s the players’ more casual, sociable tournament. We still see some great Starcraft but I never get the sense it’s a gigantic deal to most of the players

Take tries to get there the best players in the business. Cannot say that about Blizzcon. Like I don't say that HSC is tripple the Blizzcon, si more like a difference between 1,05 and 1,06. But in my eyes it is skillwise better tourney. It;s my criterias )

When half the players are hungover?


HSC is awesome and this reads like an insult TBH

Awesome it be, the atmosphere and the general level is high don’t get me wrong. It’s relative lack of prestige is a big part of the players being able to relax and contributing to the unique atmosphere of the event.
'You'll always be the cuddly marsupial of my heart, despite the inherent flaws of your ancestry' - Squat
dbRic1203
Profile Joined July 2019
Germany2655 Posts
September 16 2020 11:58 GMT
#31
HSC is defnatly one of the best and coolest events and attracts a realy high level of competition, but prestige wise it s pretty far down the order I think.
Wich isn t a problem in my eyes, though, as it is meant to be more relaxed and social.
MaxPax
neptunusfisk
Profile Blog Joined July 2012
2286 Posts
September 16 2020 19:36 GMT
#32
Blizzcon, IEM and GSL are around the same and then the rest of the events are below that.
maru G5L pls
[Phantom]
Profile Blog Joined August 2013
Mexico2170 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-09-16 21:15:03
September 16 2020 20:43 GMT
#33
I don't know why there is even a debate.

Blizzcon is the most prestigious because it's the official world championship. It doesn't matter which tournament is harder.

Then after Blizzcon, comes GSL which is the most difficult tournament. It always has and always will be.

The level of play on the gsl is on average much higher than any other. It's a much longer tournament. It requires more strategy and preparation. Most players are better.

Other tournaments have foreigners which aren't as good as korean, except 3 specific ones which are just as good, but the rest of foreigners bring the average down.

Some other tournaments might be actually more difficult than Blizzcon (but not GSL), but BlizzCon will have the most prestige because it's the global finals.

It's like the soccer worldcup. A lot of people say the Champions League is harder than the WorldCup, or the eurocup. Might be.But the world cup is the most prestigious.
WriterTeamLiquid Staff writer since 2014 @Mortal_Phantom
THERIDDLER
Profile Joined July 2014
Canada126 Posts
September 16 2020 20:58 GMT
#34
I dont get how anyone could remotely think Blizzcon>GSL when region lock is literally the proof that GSL > Blizzcon
Please don't fricken hack, its just a game.
Argonauta
Profile Joined July 2016
Spain4958 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-09-16 21:53:24
September 16 2020 21:52 GMT
#35
On September 16 2020 16:31 Harris1st wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 15 2020 12:03 yubo56 wrote:
GSL has traditionally been considered to be even more prestigious, due to the level of competition (even though the prize pool is smaller). This was because Koreans were head and shoulders above all non-Koreans, to the degree that a tournament with the top 16 Koreans was harder to win than 8 Koreans and 8 non-Koreans. Additionally, GSL takes place over many weeks, which gives players more time to prepare for their particular opponent, unlike IEM and Global Finals, which play many matches each day over the span of a few days.

Nowadays, GSL is much diminished from what it was before, and I think most people won't claim it's that much harder to win than the top EU tournaments, and Koreans say they have their sights set on the global events as well. But you might still hear pro-GSL advocates from players who haven't followed the scene in a while


Show nested quote +
On September 16 2020 15:55 Argonauta wrote:
This first paragraph is correct but in present tense. Second paragraph is just not true. Even if GSl has been diminishing, there is still too much of a gap.


First paragraph is correct in past tense. Are you honestly telling us that you think a tournament with Serral and Reynor in it is easier to win than a tournament with Koreans 9th to 16th ( Zoun, Armani, Dream, Solar, ....? ) lol

Second paragraph. Yes GSL is still much harder to win than a top EU tournament


I think you diminish the quality of players such Zoun Armani Dream Solar etc because you mainly see them playing in GSL.
For example Armani is 966–415 (69.95%) in games and 462–148 (75.74%) in matches vs non-korean players according to aligulac which is quite high. One may wonder being no region lock how the top8 of each WCS migth be. I bet you will finf it fill mainly with this 9 to 16th GSL players.
Rogue | Maru | Scarlett | Trap
TL+ Member
WombaT
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Northern Ireland26168 Posts
September 16 2020 23:01 GMT
#36
On September 17 2020 05:58 THERIDDLER wrote:
I dont get how anyone could remotely think Blizzcon>GSL when region lock is literally the proof that GSL > Blizzcon

There is one Blizzcon a year, you get 3 shots at a GSL.

For many athletes the Olympic Games has prestige and recognition beyond winning their particular World Championships because it’s every 4 years and you have to nail your moment in the sun.

Even though those Worlds may be annual or every 2 years and a more accurate gauge of who’s at the top, the Olympics has all the new casual viewers and the huge occasion and the subsequent recognition.

Although I do think GSL has a higher level of play and many consider it the crowning glory in SC, Blizzcon has some merits too.

Not that it means much re the prestige, such an observation but really Blizzcon champs are all solid hall-of-famers that have won other big tournaments and been at the top of the game for long periods, that’s not 100% the case with GSL champions
'You'll always be the cuddly marsupial of my heart, despite the inherent flaws of your ancestry' - Squat
Harris1st
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Germany7001 Posts
September 17 2020 14:23 GMT
#37
On September 17 2020 05:58 THERIDDLER wrote:
I dont get how anyone could remotely think Blizzcon>GSL when region lock is literally the proof that GSL > Blizzcon


Because 2018 Blizzcon winner and 2019 Runner-up are no GSL players

To use your logic: "that is literally proof that Dreamhack EU > GSL"

On September 17 2020 06:52 Argonauta wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 16 2020 16:31 Harris1st wrote:
On September 15 2020 12:03 yubo56 wrote:
GSL has traditionally been considered to be even more prestigious, due to the level of competition (even though the prize pool is smaller). This was because Koreans were head and shoulders above all non-Koreans, to the degree that a tournament with the top 16 Koreans was harder to win than 8 Koreans and 8 non-Koreans. Additionally, GSL takes place over many weeks, which gives players more time to prepare for their particular opponent, unlike IEM and Global Finals, which play many matches each day over the span of a few days.

Nowadays, GSL is much diminished from what it was before, and I think most people won't claim it's that much harder to win than the top EU tournaments, and Koreans say they have their sights set on the global events as well. But you might still hear pro-GSL advocates from players who haven't followed the scene in a while


On September 16 2020 15:55 Argonauta wrote:
This first paragraph is correct but in present tense. Second paragraph is just not true. Even if GSl has been diminishing, there is still too much of a gap.


First paragraph is correct in past tense. Are you honestly telling us that you think a tournament with Serral and Reynor in it is easier to win than a tournament with Koreans 9th to 16th ( Zoun, Armani, Dream, Solar, ....? ) lol

Second paragraph. Yes GSL is still much harder to win than a top EU tournament


I think you diminish the quality of players such Zoun Armani Dream Solar etc because you mainly see them playing in GSL.
For example Armani is 966–415 (69.95%) in games and 462–148 (75.74%) in matches vs non-korean players according to aligulac which is quite high. One may wonder being no region lock how the top8 of each WCS migth be. I bet you will finf it fill mainly with this 9 to 16th GSL players.


The questios was "what is harder to win" and I think if you ask every player in the world who they it's harder to win against, Serral or Armani, the answers are 99,99% Serral

Nothing to do with diminishing quality of players in general. Serral and Reynor are just flat out better than Armani, Zoun, Dream and Solar and therefore it is harder to win against them and therefore it is harder to win a tournament with them participating
Go Serral! GG EZ for Ence. Flashbang dance FTW
Cricketer12
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States13990 Posts
September 17 2020 18:01 GMT
#38
Global Finals gets the most hype
IEM gets 2nd most hype

GSL is the most notable win in terms of skill indication
Chain 1 Arthalion Chain 2 Urgula Chain 3 Mululu Chain 4 Lukias
Harris1st
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Germany7001 Posts
September 18 2020 08:55 GMT
#39
Maybe we can come to an understanding that the most prestigious tournament needs

1. Shitton of price pool
2. At least 90% through Qualifier
3. At least 60% Koreans and at least 20% EU
4. Played offline
Go Serral! GG EZ for Ence. Flashbang dance FTW
Normal
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Replay Cast
00:00
2025 KFC Monthly #3 - Day 5
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Vindicta 16
StarCraft: Brood War
Snow 155
ZergMaN 44
Noble 16
Icarus 9
Bale 4
Dota 2
monkeys_forever2243
XaKoH 153
NeuroSwarm121
League of Legends
JimRising 758
Other Games
summit1g12025
C9.Mang0398
WinterStarcraft313
Maynarde132
Mew2King75
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1460
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 19 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hupsaiya 125
• Light_VIP 58
• intothetv
• sooper7s
• Migwel
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• IndyKCrew
• Kozan
StarCraft: Brood War
• Azhi_Dahaki47
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota21973
League of Legends
• Scarra1799
• Rush1238
• Stunt697
• Lourlo536
Counter-Strike
• Carefoot0
Upcoming Events
Wardi Open
7h 29m
StarCraft2.fi
12h 29m
PiGosaur Monday
20h 29m
Wardi Open
1d 7h
StarCraft2.fi
1d 12h
Replay Cast
1d 19h
The PondCast
2 days
Replay Cast
2 days
Korean StarCraft League
3 days
CranKy Ducklings
4 days
[ Show More ]
SC Evo League
4 days
BSL 21
4 days
Sziky vs OyAji
Gypsy vs eOnzErG
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
BSL 21
5 days
Bonyth vs StRyKeR
Tarson vs Dandy
Replay Cast
6 days
Wardi Open
6 days
StarCraft2.fi
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-11-28
RSL Revival: Season 3
Light HT

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 4
YSL S2
BSL Season 21
CSCL: Masked Kings S3
Slon Tour Season 2
Acropolis #4 - TS3
META Madness #9
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2

Upcoming

BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
HSC XXVIII
RSL Offline Finals
WardiTV 2025
Kuram Kup
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025
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.