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Code S RO16 Preview - Creator, INnoVation, Bunny, Classic

Forum Index > SC2 General
12 CommentsPost a Reply

Code S RO16 Preview - Creator, INnoVation, Bunny, Classic

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
May 3rd, 2023 04:47 GMT

2023 GSL Code S Season 1

RO16 Group D Preview: Dark, Stats, GuMiho, Ryung

Start time: Thursday, May 04 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)

by Mizenhauer

Group D features the second major comeback of the season, as the legendary INnoVation will play in his first Code S since 2021. Few players in StarCraft II history have possessed as much raw macro talent INnoVation, and he'll have to lean on that strength if he's to survive this group.

More info: GSL Code S Season 1 on Liquipedia


What's Old is New Again - Creator vs INnoVation

Creator proudly enters Group D as the highest seeded player, an honor he couldn't have dreamed about at around this time last year. Indeed, the 2022/23 campaign was a period of almost complete reinvention for the once downtrodden Creator, where he started with a Code S runner-up finish and ended with a top 12 finish in the World Championship.

The top seeds are typically gifted an easy initial opponent in the group stage—like KeeN or NightMare who already went 0-2 this tournament—but Creator faces a slightly trickier opponent in INnoVation. Make no mistake about it, INnoVation is the heavy underdog in this match-up—a complete reversal of positions from his pre-military days. However, that change seems to be more the result of long rust from military service, rather than a change in these two players' baseline abilities.

A few players have already remarked in GSL interview videos that they're quite surprised INnoVation qualified, with Solar even saying The Machine took a two week break and hastily practiced the day before the qualifiers. Given that INnoVation beat strong ZvT players RagnaroK and DRG to reach Code S, you have to wonder just how tremendous his innate talent must be.

INnoVation’s return has been going as well as could be expected given his lengthy break from the game, but it seems prudent not to read too deeply into his qualifier run. INnoVation hasn't produced any notable results outside of the qualifiers, and the other big qualifier surprises in KeeN, NightMare, and Stats all failed to deliver once they had to play in Code S. Combined with his peers' comments about his practice time, it doesn't seem like INnoVation is on the ByuN track of military returnees. Perhaps he will eventually restore the old balance of power with Creator, but that day doesn't seem to be coming any time soon.

For fans of INnoVation in search of a lifeline, one can point to the fact that Creator has been somewhat shaky post-Katowice, and his poor qualifier performances were why the aforementioned Stats and KeeN made it into Code S at all. While Creator seems to have found more solid footing in the last week or two, INnoVation could be an unexpected threat if Creator is not at 100%.

Creator 2-0 INnoVation

Bunny vs Classic

The second match of Group D is much closer, featuring two players at a potential crossroads.

Bunny was on absolute fire toward the end of 2022, peaking with a top four finish in Code S and runner-up finish at DreamHack Atlanta. At his best, he even looked like he could squeeze his way into Korea's most elite tier alongside Dark-herO-Maru. However, all this momentum came to a screeching halt when Bunny flopped out of the group stages at the IEM World Championship. Things have continued to go downhill from there, as Bunny failed to make the qualifier cut for the $400,000 Gamers8 tournament (a somewhat forgiving qualifier where 8 of 12 players advanced). With Bunny experiencing such severe performance whiplash, one must wonder what level he's at headed into this group.

In contrast, Classic's arrow is currently pointing up. He isn't experiencing anything like Bunny's incandescent rise last year—it's a quieter, steadier improvement that makes nostalgic fans hopeful. Classic had a rough time of things in 2021-22 after returning to StarCraft II from military service, but in 2023 he began to show the class that made him a champion in the past. IEM Katowice 2023 was the beginning, where he exceeded expectations by fighting his way through the RO36 play-in and into the group stage. He's built on that result, playing some very solid StarCraft in the pre-season.

Classic's stretch of play since April is especially notable, as he put up a 23-11 match record with victories over many clear, Code S caliber players including Dark, RagnaroK, Solar, DRK, herO, Creator and GuMiho. He even managed to qualify for Gamers8, which unofficially marks him as one of Korea's top eight players.

Despite Bunny's slide, he still seems to be the favorite in this match. We haven't forgotten about 2022 Bunny quite yet, and it seems inconceivable that all traces of that once-scintillating player are completely gone. On the other hand, Classic's theoretical ceiling is even higher—he did actually win Code S in the past.

Regardless of who wins or loses, both players would be favored in a loser’s match against INnoVation. With only two spots in the Round of 8 yet to be decided and qualification for ESL Masters Summer determined by those who finish in the top six of Code S, it’s essential for both players that they take the opening match and give themselves two shots at advancing.

Predictions

As it turns out, picking Stats to advance out of Group C due to sentimentality wasn't so wise. So, while INnoVation is still the pick in our hearts, he won't be making the 'official' prediction cut this time.

With Bunny on the decline, Classic on the up-and-up, and Creator on the… … something, it's extremely hard to predict which two will advance. While Creator and Classic have been very active during the pre-season, Bunny made this prediction even murkier due to his very few games played (only competing in the Gamers8 and Code S qualifiers). It could very well be the case that the Gamers8 qualifiers and IEM Katowice were blips, and Bunny comes out and dominates this group.

Interestingly enough, Classic is actually the most likely player to advance from this group according to Aligulac.com with at 62% chance, due to his great form in online tournaments in recent weeks.

While it's risky to pick two players competing in an opening match, Bunny and Classic will be the predictions here. Two bad tournaments isn't enough to wipe away Bunny's reputation as a high-peak player, while Classic seems to have gotten over the military returnee hump.

Prediction: Bunny and Classic to advance.



Credits and acknowledgements

Writer: Mizenhauer
Editor: Wax
Images: AfreecaTV
Records and Statistics: Aligulac.com and Liquipedia


Facebook Twitter Reddit
TL+ Member
Nakajin
Profile Blog Joined September 2014
Canada8989 Posts
May 03 2023 10:09 GMT
#2
Call me crazy, but I really want Inno to go on a run out of nowhere, it's been to long.
Writerhttp://i.imgur.com/9p6ufcB.jpg
qcHanHan
Profile Joined September 2011
Denmark71 Posts
May 03 2023 10:18 GMT
#3
Really hoping for a Classic and Inno win!
HerO - herO - PartinG - sOs - Rain - Zest - Stats
Yoshi Kirishima
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States10328 Posts
May 03 2023 10:43 GMT
#4
Hoping for Creator and Classic!! More Protoss please!
Mid-master streaming MECH ONLY + commentary www.twitch.tv/yoshikirishima +++ "If all-in fails, all-in again."
QOGQOG
Profile Joined July 2019
834 Posts
May 03 2023 14:25 GMT
#5
This is one of those strange groups where I want everyone to advance. But, you know, especially Creator.
Moonerz
Profile Joined March 2014
United States444 Posts
May 03 2023 15:22 GMT
#6
Inno should shine in this environment. People aren't practicing as much as they did when he left.

Inno is the king of barely playing and still being a god.
Mizenhauer
Profile Blog Joined February 2015
United States1849 Posts
May 03 2023 16:19 GMT
#7
These are my first previews since 2019 (I believe) and they are also tanking what is probably my first Liquibet Season since 2019 as well. Why did I pick Stats
┗|∵|┓Second Place in LB 28, Third Place in LB 29 and Destined to Be a Kong
TossHeroes
Profile Joined February 2022
281 Posts
May 03 2023 23:07 GMT
#8
We riot if no Protoss advance
catplanetcatplanet
Profile Blog Joined March 2012
3829 Posts
May 04 2023 00:04 GMT
#9
On May 03 2023 23:25 QOGQOG wrote:
This is one of those strange groups where I want everyone to advance. But, you know, especially Creator.

exactly this
I think it's finally time to admit it might not be the year of Pet
Vindicare605
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
United States16056 Posts
May 04 2023 00:25 GMT
#10
Betting on Bunny and Classic but it wouldn't surprise me at all if Innovation comes roaring back with a strong 4-0. The way he plays Terran never goes out of style no matter what the meta is.

Creator is one of those players I will never bet on. Don't trust him.
aka: KTVindicare the Geeky Bartender
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33357 Posts
May 04 2023 04:41 GMT
#11
<3

AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
tigera6
Profile Joined March 2021
3359 Posts
May 04 2023 09:46 GMT
#12
what is up with Creator and his failed recall.
Yoshi Kirishima
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States10328 Posts
May 04 2023 12:32 GMT
#13
yeah big RIP... and then 2 wasted storms in g2 vs Inno
Mid-master streaming MECH ONLY + commentary www.twitch.tv/yoshikirishima +++ "If all-in fails, all-in again."
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