• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 13:24
CEST 19:24
KST 02:24
  • 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
Team TLMC #5 - Finalists & Open Tournaments0[ASL20] Ro16 Preview Pt2: Turbulence7Classic Games #3: Rogue vs Serral at BlizzCon9[ASL20] Ro16 Preview Pt1: Ascent10Maestros of the Game: Week 1/Play-in Preview12
Community News
Weekly Cups (Sept 8-14): herO & MaxPax split cups3WardiTV TL Team Map Contest #5 Tournaments1SC4ALL $6,000 Open LAN in Philadelphia7Weekly Cups (Sept 1-7): MaxPax rebounds & Clem saga continues29LiuLi Cup - September 2025 Tournaments3
StarCraft 2
General
#1: Maru - Greatest Players of All Time Team Liquid Map Contest #21 - Presented by Monster Energy Weekly Cups (Sept 8-14): herO & MaxPax split cups SpeCial on The Tasteless Podcast Team TLMC #5 - Finalists & Open Tournaments
Tourneys
Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament WardiTV TL Team Map Contest #5 Tournaments Maestros of The Game—$20k event w/ live finals in Paris RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series SC4ALL $6,000 Open LAN in Philadelphia
Strategy
Custom Maps
External Content
Mutation # 491 Night Drive Mutation # 490 Masters of Midnight Mutation # 489 Bannable Offense Mutation # 488 What Goes Around
Brood War
General
[ASL20] Ro16 Preview Pt2: Turbulence Diplomacy, Cosmonarchy Edition BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BW General Discussion ASL20 General Discussion
Tourneys
[ASL20] Ro16 Group D [ASL20] Ro16 Group C [Megathread] Daily Proleagues SC4ALL $1,500 Open Bracket LAN
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Muta micro map competition Fighting Spirit mining rates [G] Mineral Boosting
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile General RTS Discussion Thread Nintendo Switch Thread Borderlands 3
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion LiquidDota to reintegrate into TL.net
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Canadian Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread The Big Programming Thread
Fan Clubs
The Happy Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Linksys AE2500 USB WIFI keeps disconnecting Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread High temperatures on bridge(s)
TL Community
BarCraft in Tokyo Japan for ASL Season5 Final The Automated Ban List
Blogs
The Personality of a Spender…
TrAiDoS
A very expensive lesson on ma…
Garnet
hello world
radishsoup
Lemme tell you a thing o…
JoinTheRain
RTS Design in Hypercoven
a11
Evil Gacha Games and the…
ffswowsucks
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1473 users

Code S RO16 Preview - Solar, DRG, NightMare, ByuN

Forum Index > SC2 General
8 CommentsPost a Reply

Code S RO16 Preview - Solar, DRG, NightMare, ByuN

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
May 16th, 2024 02:40 GMT

2024 GSL Code S Season 2

RO16 Group D Preview: Solar, DRG, NightMare, and ByuN

Thursday, May 16 9:30am GMT (GMT+00:00)

by Wax

With Group B having given us a stark reminder of just how unpredictable GSL Code S can be, we move on to Group D (swapping order with Group C in a minor scheduling change) where the four contenders were already projected to be closely matched.

2024 Global StarCraft II League - Season 2


Solar is the ostensible favorite in the group, having recently won the Code S championship in 2023's Season 3. It was a vindicating career moment for a player whose peak ability had rarely been in question—just his capacity for wielding those abilities in the biggest matches. However, so far, winning Code S hasn't turned out to be the transformative moment Solar might have hoped for.

Since winning Code S, Solar has reeled off a string of good-but-not great results, finishing top eight at DH Atlanta, top twelve at IEM Katowice, and even suffering RO16 elimination in the previous season of Code S (considering that Maru, Reynor, and Dark have gone out in the first round over the last three seasons, it's hard to hold this too strongly against him). Still, with 2023 having been a career year where Solar reached the final four of Gamers8 and won Code S, it's too early to say all of those accomplishments were a flash in the pan. There's still plenty of time for Solar to get back on the winning track, with the trio of Code S Season 2, DH Dallas, and the Esports World Cup coming up. If he can take lessons from both his successes and failures, then maybe we will soon see the best version of Solar yet.

Solar selected DongRaeGu as his initial opponent, which seems quite reasonable considering the old school Zerg's recent performances. After an inspired late-career resurgence in 2021-2022 where he became a regular in the Code S playoffs, it seems like DRG is finally starting to feel his age. 2023 saw him barely make an impact in any of the major tournaments, and he looked like a player winding down to his second and final career conclusion.

After seeing soO advance from Group B and watching TY deal Maru a rare late-game TvT loss in Group A, I'm sure some fans are tempted to extend DRG the benefit of the doubt here. The supposedly washed up veterans in Code S have continuously demonstrated that they can never be fully counted out, and DRG himself proved that in 2023's Season 3 by upsetting ByuN to win a surprise RO8 berth. On the other hand, DRG's performance in the last season of Code S (eliminated with losses to SHIN and soO) was truly dismal. One of the strengths DRG used to pride himself on was his ability to stay composed in offline matches, but in that group, he totally fell apart after making some catastrophic early-game ZvZ errors. Maybe DRG will have taken that embarrassing showing to heart and have come back more prepared this time around, but I can't help but worry that he's already mentally checked out.

On the other hand, NightMare's recent performances suggest he's more locked in than ever. The unassuming Protoss had a quiet 2023, finishing RO16 in all three Code S Seasons while failing to make the IEM Katowice cut. However, since the recent balance patch, he's been on heater in online tournaments, quietly climbing the Aligulac.com standings to become the #4 ranked Protoss in the world (MaxPax, herO, and Classic above him, Stats, ShoWTimE, and Creator beneath him).

Even though most of the games played during NightMare's climb were in online cups, I've long believed that online cup play is a strong indicator of future offline success for most players (Rogues need not apply). In fact, NightMare had a pretty respectable showing in the last season of Code S, finishing third place in his RO16 group (win vs Creator, two losses to GuMiho, 3-4 overall map record). While NightMare hasn't been able to run a full online gauntlet and actually win a weekly cup, he's starting to pick up more BO3 wins against some of the stronger cup regulars including Cure, GuMiho, and even Clem. After being eliminated in third place in his last three Code S RO16 groups, this might be the season NightMare finally gets over the hump and reaches the RO8.

ByuN rounds out Group D, entering the tournament with the honor of being the last player picked during the group selections. ByuN's Code S performances have lagged behind his showings in other tournaments since his return from the military (only a single RO4 finish), but going last in the group selections indicates his peers still have a healthy amount of respect for him.

ByuN's run in the previous season was fairly typical of his Code S experiences in his post military career. He dominated his RO16 group, using his superior mechanics and multi-tasking to steamroll GuMiho and Creator in very one-sided matches. However, it was an entirely different story in the RO8, where he met his match in one of the true title contenders in herO, and dropped the ball against a very beatable opponent (at least theoretically) in Classic. On one hand, I want to say RO16-mode ByuN will show up to this group and wipe the floor with everyone else, but on the other hand, the string of RO16 upsets in the last few seasons of Code S makes me wonder…

Predictions

If not for the insanity of Group C, I'd say this group was the most difficult to predict. NightMare has been encroaching on RO8 territory for a while now, and his recent uptick in form might be what finally pushes him over the edge. And, despite all my reservations about DRG after his pitiful showing in the last season of GSL, I have to admit his long-term track record after returning from the military shows he is a player with a very high floor to his play. Considering that Solar and ByuN never reached levels of GSL hyper-dominance akin to Maru, or herO and Dark at their best, they might be slowed or even felled by such thorny opponents..

I think we're due for a bold prediction here (or not so bold, if you're one of those fans who watches all the online cups), and I'll say NightMare capitalizes on ByuN's inconsistency and advances alongside Solar.

Solar 2 - 1 DongRaeGu
ByuN 2 - 0 NightMare
Solar 2 - 1 ByuN
NightMare 2 - 0 DongRaeGu
NightMare 2 - 1 ByuN

Solar and NightMare to advance.

Credits and acknowledgements

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

Facebook Twitter Reddit
TL+ Member
tigera6
Profile Joined March 2021
3410 Posts
May 16 2024 03:10 GMT
#2
Somehow I feel there will be upset on both opening matches, DRG and Nightmare play in the Winner Match and Solar vs Byun in the Elimination Match, that would be great for the scene.
Telephone
Profile Joined October 2010
United States142 Posts
May 16 2024 05:58 GMT
#3
I've thought for a while that Nightmare has some of, if not the very best, blink stalker micro in the world. Of course there's more to the game than just that. Hope he has a good showing.

Also, I'm just thinking of a time that Dream played Nightmare in the GSL years back, and Tastosis didn't even acknowledge the quirky name matchup, haha.
CicadaSC
Profile Joined January 2018
United States1770 Posts
May 16 2024 06:06 GMT
#4
this is a really underrated group I think, anyone COULD get out realistically, but i am slightly going to favor byun and solar, even though i want to say solar drg cuz drg did just beat byun in tourney the other day.
Remember that we all come from a place of passion!!
followZeRoX
Profile Joined March 2011
Serbia1451 Posts
May 16 2024 10:01 GMT
#5
NightMare has to have a team boost now
Capitanoano
Profile Joined July 2019
Italy46 Posts
May 16 2024 16:24 GMT
#6
On May 16 2024 12:10 tigera6 wrote:
Somehow I feel there will be upset on both opening matches, DRG and Nightmare play in the Winner Match and Solar vs Byun in the Elimination Match, that would be great for the scene.


Woah, good one, bro!!!
johnnyh123
Profile Joined February 2023
124 Posts
May 16 2024 16:56 GMT
#7
Clutch games. NightMare games are interesting.
Locutos
Profile Joined January 2017
Brazil268 Posts
May 17 2024 17:05 GMT
#8
14 years later, and Byun and DRG still forces to be reckoned with.

Astounding!
wilanwalker
Profile Joined August 2024
2 Posts
September 06 2024 13:13 GMT
#9
--- Nuked ---
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 5h 36m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
mouzHeroMarine 450
ProTech92
UpATreeSC 53
JuggernautJason19
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 5107
Bisu 2861
Flash 2418
Shuttle 683
EffOrt 668
PianO 560
Mini 491
BeSt 423
ZerO 229
Soulkey 183
[ Show more ]
hero 173
ggaemo 94
Rush 73
Backho 71
Movie 32
sorry 30
soO 26
JYJ26
Aegong 22
Dewaltoss 19
Terrorterran 11
Sacsri 10
ajuk12(nOOB) 10
IntoTheRainbow 8
Hm[arnc] 5
Noble 4
SilentControl 4
Dota 2
Gorgc7193
qojqva3301
Fuzer 270
XcaliburYe144
Counter-Strike
fl0m587
Stewie2K382
Other Games
ceh9640
FrodaN601
Beastyqt467
Hui .353
Lowko318
oskar100
QueenE96
Trikslyr63
FunKaTv 49
NeuroSwarm43
MindelVK22
ZerO(Twitch)17
fpsfer 2
Organizations
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 19 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• intothetv
• sooper7s
• Migwel
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• IndyKCrew
• Kozan
StarCraft: Brood War
• HerbMon 25
• FirePhoenix8
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• C_a_k_e 3890
• masondota2695
• WagamamaTV508
League of Legends
• Nemesis5696
• TFBlade624
Other Games
• imaqtpie353
• Shiphtur224
Upcoming Events
OSC
5h 36m
PiGosaur Monday
6h 36m
LiuLi Cup
17h 36m
OSC
1d 1h
RSL Revival
1d 16h
Maru vs Reynor
Cure vs TriGGeR
The PondCast
1d 19h
RSL Revival
2 days
Zoun vs Classic
Korean StarCraft League
3 days
BSL Open LAN 2025 - War…
3 days
RSL Revival
3 days
[ Show More ]
BSL Open LAN 2025 - War…
4 days
RSL Revival
4 days
Online Event
4 days
Wardi Open
5 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-09-10
Chzzk MurlocKing SC1 vs SC2 Cup #2
HCC Europe

Ongoing

BSL 20 Team Wars
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 3
BSL 21 Points
ASL Season 20
CSL 2025 AUTUMN (S18)
LASL Season 20
RSL Revival: Season 2
Maestros of the Game
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1

Upcoming

2025 Chongqing Offline CUP
BSL World Championship of Poland 2025
IPSL Winter 2025-26
BSL Season 21
SC4ALL: Brood War
BSL 21 Team A
Stellar Fest
SC4ALL: StarCraft II
EC S1
ESL Impact League Season 8
SL Budapest Major 2025
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters Fall
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 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.