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Trap wins DreamHack: Last Chance 2021

Forum Index > SC2 General
18 CommentsPost a Reply

Trap wins DreamHack: Last Chance 2021

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
January 21st, 2021 14:49 GMT

Trap Wins DreamHack Masters: Last Chance

by Wax

Winter has brought the winds of change to the realm of StarCraft II, forcing us to rethink what we know of factional balance and competitive parity inside the professional scene. Reputations, too, are being altered. Trap was once a symbol of failure in the finals, with his six consecutive finals defeats all but anointing him as the heir apparent soO's legacy (Trap's championship at MLG Anaheim 2014 was unfairly forgotten). In the span of just two months, Trap has transformed his infamy into glory, winning three championships at NeXT Winter, Super Tournament 2, and most recently, DreamHack: Last Chance. That last triumph affirmed Trap's position as not only a champion, but as a killer in the clutch. Trailing 1-3 in the finals against Serral—a foe he had never defeated in eight prior meetings—Trap pulled off a dramatic comeback to clinch the 4-3 victory.

DreamHack StarCraft 2 Masters: Last Chance 2021

While the shifting SC2 landscape had seen Serral struck down several times toward the end of 2020, he looked well on his way to restoring his imperious reputation in the lead-up to the DreamHack: Last Chance finals. A group stage loss to Solar reinforced recent doubts about his ZvZ ability, but he utterly dominated his Protoss and Terran opponents. Serral took 2-0 victories against ShoWTimE and Stats in the group stage, and then scored 3-0 sweeps over ByuN and TY in the lead up to the finals. Meanwhile, Trap entered the tournament as the top Protoss player in the scene, but not someone who appeared to be heads and shoulders above his peers. He escaped a tough RO16 group with ByuN, Rogue, and PartinG in 2nd place (with a 5-4 map record), and then squeezed by Solar with a 3-2 victory in the quarterfinals. Trap got a minor reprieve in the semifinals, taking a 3-1 victory over Clem—his only series of the tournament that didn't go the distance. Given Trap's record in grand finals and his head-to-head record against Serral, it seemed like the Finnish Phenom would wash off the stain of his recent defeats with another championship.



Serral set an ominous tone for Trap in game one on Pillars of Gold, using a Drop-Overlord assisted Queen-Ravager attack to raze Trap's third and then snowball his lead into an easy win. Game two was even more demoralizing for Trap, who lost despite scouting and parrying Serral's 12 pool-opener on Jagannatha. It was a situation Trap said a progamer "should not lose" from, but Serral seemed unperturbed as he transitioned into a macro game and crushed Trap with a combination of Swarm Hosts, Ravagers, and Queens.

Trap grabbed onto a small sliver of hope in game three on Romanticide, where he decided to pull out the 2-Stargate Void Ray opener for the first time. For a moment, it seemed like both players were planning for a more protracted game, but the game ended abruptly when Trap struck with a moderately-sized force of Zealots, Archons, and Void Rays. Trap caught Serral at a vulnerable moment after a Spire transition, and hastily produced Corruptors and Roaches weren't enough to stop the Protoss force.

Just as it seemed like Trap had opened the series up, the wind got knocked out of his sails in a hectic game on Lightshade. The game got out of hand quickly for Trap after he lost one of his early-game Oracles, and he was eventually left with no choice but to go for an all-or-nothing Zealot-Archon attack. Serral was more than prepared, playing defensively with Roaches to seize the 3-1 lead. At that point, you could have hardly blamed any fans who turned the stream off. But the majority of them stayed, and they were rewarded by being able to witness one of the great finals comebacks in StarCraft II history.

The rally started on Deathaura, where Trap went back to the 2-Stargate Void Ray opener that had won him his only map up to that point. Serral responded by winding up for a huge mid-game Hydra-Ling-Bane strike, which he had used to knock out many Protosses in tournaments prior. However, Trap's defenses proved to be more resolute than that of any opponent Serral had faced thus far (even Stats, the famed 'Shield of Aiur'), and the waves of Zerg units broke upon Trap's Archons, Storms, and Shield Batteries. Trap was able to complete the Protoss death-army of Carriers, Archons, Templars, and Zealots, which melted Serral's Hydra-centric swarm and forced a GG.



Serral brought out a 12-Pool build once more on Submarine, but this time, Trap was ready with an adjustment. In a post-match interview with interview with Crank on the Korean stream, Trap revealed that Armani, DRG, and Solar had advised him not to follow-up a 12-pool defense with Stargate as he had on Jagannatha, but to instead pressure the Zerg with Twilight Council tech. The Korean brain-trust turned out to be correct, as Trap was able to keep Serral in check with Glaive-Adepts followed by his signature Disruptor drops. This flowed neatly into a mid-game attack with a motley but deadly assortment of Protoss units, and Serral was made to pay a fatal price for daring to pump out an extra round of Drones.

Just like that, in the span of two games, a series that had seemed all but over had become anyone's to take. The finals headed to Oxide for the deciding duel, with Trap choosing to go for the 2-Stargate Void Ray opener once more. Later, in the post-match interviews, Trap would say that the ineffectiveness of Oracle play (in part due to latency) had left Void Ray openers as his only option, which he intended to ride or die with until the end. And, once again, Serral opted to try and land a killing blow with Hydra-Ling-Bane, having no intent of letting his opponent assemble an invincible Carrier fleet.

Unfortunately for Serral, this was exactly what Trap wanted. The Korean PvZ meta had laid bare the weaknesses of Void Ray openers, but it was in earlier Hydra-Ling timings or Queen-centric all-ins—not in the delayed Hydra-Ling-Bane attacks Serral was going for. Those kinds of attacks, Trap was confident in holding off with an abundance of static defense structures. Serral, after being on the cutting edge of Zerg play for so long, had no choice but to learn the hard way that Korean PvZ was ahead of the curve on this particular matter. Trap matched Serral's deluge of Hydras, Banelings, and Queens with an even fiercer torrent of Psionic Storms, clearing the way for him to assemble the ultimate late-game Protoss force. After a failed last-ditch attack, Serral knew it was all over. He surrendered his fourth and final GG, crowning Trap as the DreamHack: Last Chance champion.

*****

As I mentioned after Dark won TSL6, the tournament results of the last four months show that the pro-StarCraft II scene is returning to its old normal: an intensely competitive scene where any number of title contenders could win a given tournament. While Trap spoke to how important luck is to winning a tournament under such circumstances (or any circumstance), the fact that he's the only player to cut through the chaos and win three major titles speaks volumes to his quality.

Still, Trap isn't satisfied. Regardless of the criteria a TL.net writer uses to call a tournament a "major" or Liquipedia editors use to bestow "Premier" status, fans and progamers know there's a more meaningful, implicitly acknowledged tier of tournaments that lies above. In his conversations with Crank, Trap admitted that to feel like a true champion, he'd have to win a tournament with 30,000,000 Won or more on the line in the finals—effectively meaning only GSL Code S or IEM Katowice. While I admire Trap's candor and hunger, I'd still implore him to take a second to appreciate this moment. Sure, he may not be the undisputed best player in the world, or even a true champion in his own eyes. But, at least for the moment, he sure as hell is StarCraft II's biggest winner.




Liquid+ members can check in here!

Writer: Wax
Photos: DreamHack
Statistics: Liquipedia


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TL+ Member
starvingbox
Profile Joined August 2020
United States44 Posts
January 21 2021 16:10 GMT
#2
Congrats to Trap. What a journey it was for him.
QOGQOG
Profile Joined July 2019
834 Posts
January 21 2021 16:13 GMT
#3
Between this and his coming back after losing three games in a row against Stats, I feel like Trap is becoming one of the best clutch players. How he can keep the momentum going.
Akio
Profile Blog Joined January 2019
Finland1838 Posts
January 21 2021 17:17 GMT
#4
Amazing for Trap, but I can't help but feeling bad for Serral who's kind of been serving as the final boss for Dark's and Trap's recent runs. (Not that Trap narrowly winning one bo7 against him turns the odds in any way)
Mine gas, build tanks.
dbRic1203
Profile Joined July 2019
Germany2655 Posts
January 21 2021 18:30 GMT
#5
Congrats TRAP
MaxPax
Edpayasugo
Profile Joined April 2013
United Kingdom2214 Posts
January 21 2021 18:46 GMT
#6
Great writeup, thanks.

Congratulations to Trap!
FlaSh MMA INnoVation FanTaSy MKP TY Ryung | soO Dark Rogue | HuK PartinG Stork State
tommey.liang
Profile Joined November 2020
United States362 Posts
January 21 2021 20:31 GMT
#7
Congrats to Trap! He finally overcame the mountain that is Serral.
FF, KH, Persona, Uncharted, Yakuza | Porter, Illenium, MitiS, Dabin, Seven Lions, Petit Biscuit | Diablo II, SC2 | Pho, sushi, tacos
Argonauta
Profile Joined July 2016
Spain4937 Posts
January 21 2021 21:26 GMT
#8
Great recap. I am happy for Trap and also happy for the SC2 scene. We need a protoss champ able to win finals
Rogue | Maru | Scarlett | Trap
TL+ Member
Freeborn
Profile Joined July 2010
Germany421 Posts
January 22 2021 00:44 GMT
#9
For Aiur
Crocolisk Dundee
Profile Blog Joined October 2015
870 Posts
January 22 2021 05:20 GMT
#10
GG Trap. I was glad the series went to game seven. After the first two games, I feared a one-sided 4:0.
Stopped watching ESL content in 2022 when the company was acquired by Savvy Gaming Group. Also object to sponsorships by the U.S. Air Force. Thanks for the lively discussions about sportswashing. StarCraft II is not for me anymore.
Locutos
Profile Joined January 2017
Brazil261 Posts
Last Edited: 2021-01-22 11:24:39
January 22 2021 11:24 GMT
#11
Its nice how the situation has completely turned around... While a few years ago, the clawing back, one time champion story was the eventual foreigner hope, now Serral is the final obstacle, the ultimate boss that the top koreans have to overcome in order to feel the best (or almost).
Meanwhile, Reynor not finishing top 4 is a let down. Its a thrill to think about it, and to imagine the many possible storylines that can unfold in Katowice!!
Terra1
Profile Joined June 2018
Philippines312 Posts
January 22 2021 12:24 GMT
#12
While I was unable to watch the match, I'm glad Trap won. I've been cheering him on vs Serral ever since he got reverse swept by Serral on IEM last 2018. It really hurt Trap and considering that I believe Trap hasn't defeated Serral at all in terms of series ever since their first encounter, I feel happy for him.

I hope he wins a GSL or IEM too for him to be truly happy, as he really wanted something bigger than this. But beating Serral in a comeback victory is also big.

Congrats Trap.
Dave4
Profile Joined August 2018
494 Posts
January 22 2021 12:35 GMT
#13
Great news for Trap. Its a monkey off his shoulder to take down the best player ever.

I know most people will completely discount it, but I think we also need to praise Serral for yet another finals appearance too. He continues to dominate the scene and it takes otherworldly play by any opponent to topple him. It is simply expected that he makes every finals and second place for any other player in the world would be considered a fantastic run. The unconscious bar of expectations we set for him is enormous and could only occur for someone of legendary goat status.
BisuDagger
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Bisutopia19234 Posts
January 22 2021 13:03 GMT
#14
On January 22 2021 02:17 Akio wrote:
Amazing for Trap, but I can't help but feeling bad for Serral who's kind of been serving as the final boss for Dark's and Trap's recent runs. (Not that Trap narrowly winning one bo7 against him turns the odds in any way)

I don’t feel too bad when I spent the last 4 years watching Korean Protoss players make the finals just to auto lose to whichever Zerg has made the finals. I think we are finally seeing talent and balance find a middle ground.
ModeratorFormer Afreeca Starleague Caster: http://afreeca.tv/ASL2ENG2
col_jung
Profile Joined October 2017
139 Posts
January 22 2021 13:37 GMT
#15
Congratulations Trap! Well deserved. He looked so happy.
Xamo
Profile Joined April 2012
Spain880 Posts
January 24 2021 19:43 GMT
#16
Congrats Trap, well deserved. He is scary ATM.
My life for Aiur. You got a piece of me, baby. IIIIIIiiiiiii.
Lazzarus
Profile Joined December 2008
Faroe Islands114 Posts
January 26 2021 11:45 GMT
#17
Congrats to Trap! Serral posted on Twitter that he wasn't that bothered with losing, because he hadn't practiced much in the holiday break and was surprised he managed to make it to the finals. It feels like Serral plays better when he isn't so hard on himself and tilts. If 3-0'ing Ty and Byun is rusty Serral - I am looking forward to a practiced Serral for IEM (which hopefully is offline)
deacon.frost
Profile Joined February 2013
Czech Republic12129 Posts
January 26 2021 11:51 GMT
#18
On January 26 2021 20:45 Lazzarus wrote:
Congrats to Trap! Serral posted on Twitter that he wasn't that bothered with losing, because he hadn't practiced much in the holiday break and was surprised he managed to make it to the finals. It feels like Serral plays better when he isn't so hard on himself and tilts. If 3-0'ing Ty and Byun is rusty Serral - I am looking forward to a practiced Serral for IEM (which hopefully is offline)

IEM is online. Was announced like a week ago and it's like 5 threads bellow this one.
I imagine France should be able to take this unless Lilbow is busy practicing for Starcraft III. | KadaverBB is my fairy ban mother.
Lazzarus
Profile Joined December 2008
Faroe Islands114 Posts
January 26 2021 14:35 GMT
#19
On January 26 2021 20:51 deacon.frost wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 26 2021 20:45 Lazzarus wrote:
Congrats to Trap! Serral posted on Twitter that he wasn't that bothered with losing, because he hadn't practiced much in the holiday break and was surprised he managed to make it to the finals. It feels like Serral plays better when he isn't so hard on himself and tilts. If 3-0'ing Ty and Byun is rusty Serral - I am looking forward to a practiced Serral for IEM (which hopefully is offline)

IEM is online. Was announced like a week ago and it's like 5 threads bellow this one.


Shit - that sucks
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