EPT
Code A Season 3 wrapped up with two one-sided sweeps, as KeeN took down Ryung and Cure drubbed Leenock to cinch the final two spots in Code S. The Code S group selections were held shortly after, resulting in the following groups for the upcoming season:
![[image loading]](/staff/Waxangel/GSL/2021/season3/codesseason3groups.jpg)
Code S will kick off with Group A on Monday, Aug 30 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00).
Poll: Group of Death?
Group A (4)
3%
Group B (19)
17%
Group C (14)
12%
Group D (35)
30%
There is no Group of Death (43)
37%
115 total votes
Group B (19)
Group C (14)
Group D (35)
There is no Group of Death (43)
115 total votes
Your vote: Group of Death?
(Vote): Group A
(Vote): Group B
(Vote): Group C
(Vote): Group D
(Vote): There is no Group of Death
KeeN earns Code S return in second attempt after finishing military service
A duel between two military returnees ended with KeeN taking a dominating 3-0 sweep againstRyung, with the Afreeca Freecs Terran seeming largely untroubled throughout.
KeeN's greatest crisis came early on in game one (Romanticide), when he was caught off-guard by a Hellion drop and took significant SCV damage. However, KeeN managed to drag the game out into a lengthy mech vs mech game, where his quicker movements and superior army composition allowed him to triumph in the end.
After that, it was smoother sailing for KeeN. Game two (Lightshade) saw him easily hold off a 2-rax Reaper attack from Ryung, and then finish him off in the mid-game with superior Raven usage. KeeN then applied the coup de grace in game three (Blackburn), showing vastly superior speed and multitasking in an early-game basetrade situation.
In the post match interview, KeeN talked about how he watched GSL games during his military service, which helped keep his theoretical knowledge up to date. In a surprising revelation, KeeN said his mechanics hadn't actually slowed down much, contrary to warnings from other players who had completed military service before him.
Cure crushes Leenock to claim final Code S spot.
Cure's shocking elimination at the hands of RagnaroK was one of the biggest upsets of Code A Season 2, with the online warlord losing in three straight-up macro games. Admitting that his confidence in macro play caused him to slack off in preparing for that match, Cure made up for it in Season 3 by dismantling Leenock with some incisive builds.
Leenock seemed to expect another standard macro game from Cure in game one (Oxide), but instead faced a well-hidden Marine-Tank push off two bases. The Leenocktopus took near fatal damage from Cure's surprise attack, and despite his best attempts to drag the game out, was forced to GG in the end.
Cure attempted the same strategy in game two (Lightshade), but Leenock seemed to have the perfect counter in the form of a fast Nydus attack with Roaches and Queens. It might have been an easy win for a different Zerg, but a simultaneous Marine drop from Cure exposed Leenock's ring rust. The Leenocktopus' arms seemed to be tied in knots, as he was unable to effectively defend against the drop while also managing his attacking force. After taking damage from Cure's drop and also losing his tunneling swarm, Leenock has no choice but to GG.
Cure had a rather simple stratagem prepared for game three (2000 Atmospheres) in the form of a proxy-Hellion drop, but sometimes the classic strategies work best. Leenock was duped yet again, taking severe Drone damage to the Hellions. With the advantage in hand, Cure quickly went for the throat and ended the game with a Marine-Hellbat attack.
Recommended Game: KeeN vs Ryung on Romanticide
While mech strategies in TvP and TvZ still seem a bit gimmicky, the classic composition is making a real comeback in the Terran mirror. KeeN was clearly the overall superior player in this game, but mech aficionados might still want to check out how their favorite comp is currently being played.
