EPT![[image loading]](/staff/alffla/MSL_2009_Survivor_S2.jpg)
Banner by me
It was a day of headaches and heartbreak last Tuesday as Starcraft fans got together the world over to be teased with little peaks of their favourites winning, and alas, sometimes losing. With 170 progamers fighting for 20 slots in the MSL Survivor Tournament, it's an understatement to say the competition in Seoul last week was cut throat.
For many of these guys, a single elimination bo3 is what stood between them and a season of warming the bench, and it showed in the sheer determination of some, and the utter desperation of others. As MBC cut from game to game and viewers were pounded with hour upon hour of Broodwar, many long time fans were reminded of the harsh reality of progaming. Novices, on the other hand, saw for the first time just how cruel Broodwar was at its highest level.
All 120 of the competitors at the MSL Offline Qualifiers last week were skilled Starcraft players. Yet, as the curtain fell on the beginning of another pre-season, 100 of them went home empty handed. Sadly, among them also walked the likes of Boxer, Reach, Nada and XellOs, and their fans will have to placate themselves with the thought that they'll be playing Proleague.
Still, with so many gamers going head to head, the likelihood of having some good games also increases, and there were indeed some great games last week, many of which I have featured below in the Recommended VODs section.
As you read these results, and rejoice or mourn, remember that this is a tough time of year for all of us, players and fans alike. Yet, as history tells us, seasons will change, players will rise and fall, and in a few months we'll be back here where it all begins, ready to hope for the best.
Results
+ Show Spoiler [Winners of all groups] +
Morning Groups
Group 1)
go.goGroup 2)
PusanGroup 3)
FireFistGroup 4)
StatsGroup 5)
YellOw[ArnC]Group 6)
type-bGroup 7)
BogusAfternoon Groups
Group 8)
HoeJJaGroup 9)
RorOGroup 10)
SaintGroup 11)
Crazy-HydraGroup 12)
GuemChiGroup 13)
JulyGroup 14)
hanEvening Groups
Group 15)
HoGiLGroup 16)
DaezanGGroup 17)
HyukGroup 18)
ShineGroup 19)
NbsGroup 20)
BaByRace Distribution
Terran: 3
Zerg: 11
Protoss: 6
Team Distribution
hite SPARKYZ: go.go, YellOw[ArnC], type-b, HoGiL
KT Rolster: FireFist, Stats, HoeJJa
MBCGame Hero: Pusan, Saint, han
WeMade Fox: RorO, Shine[kal], BaBy
Woongjin Stars: Guemchi, Crazy-Hydra, DaezanG
STX SouL: JulyZerg, Bogus
SKT1: Hyuk
CJ Entus: Nbs
eSTRO: -
Hwaseung OZ: -
Samsung KHAN: -
Airforce ACE: -
Some highlights of the prelims:
- Pusan advanced from his group! If you're new to the scene and don't know who he is, go check the Spirit Toss's VODs out. Now.
- Nada was eliminated.
- Ultralisks in a ZvZ happened. Thanks to YellOw and Saint (go watch the vod below!)
- July also raped his group!
- More KeSPA drama happened with Devil and Daezang's match, where CJ Coach and Devil decided to forfeit.
- XellOs was eliminated.
- Reach is out too.
- Boxer is gone too. This is depressing.
Recommended VODS:
go.go's game vs Favian was pretty close game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5da8AUIAN40&feature=player_embedded
great vs Mell – Nice ZvP game with big fights!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FP6WdxPNF0&feature=player_embedded
type-b showing some mutaling ZvT action vs Suny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5OXswmTvWo&feature=player_embedded
Pusan's winning game vs KT.MGW)Protoss, 2gate vs 4gate!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI4Q3q6BOa4&feature=player_embedded
Bbyong[KaL] shows us how to quickly defeat a 14nexus Toss in TvP in the second half of this VOD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKT-5A_qwdw&feature=player_embedded
Game 1 of YellOw vs Saint
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf1lKHoeMhc&feature=player_embedded
Game 2 of YellOw vs Saint
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGGOP4aD0C4&feature=player_embedded
Ultralisks (and more) in a ZvZ. (Game 3 of YellOw vs Saint)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLNt52642K8&feature=player_embedded
Trap owning Boxer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rEuDBIWgD8&feature=player_embedded
MORNING
Group 1
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
go.go 2:0 GanZi►
go.go advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!No upsets in this group as go.go easily 2-0ed his way through the rookies as expected. The only real contenders here were Killer and GanZi, and although they showed some good results, they were not good enough to take down the Bug Terran. Fans of manner CCs rejoice!
Group 2
+ Show Spoiler +
Round of 8
HiyA 1:2 KT.MGW)Protoss WLW
Special 2:1 Haran WLW
Purple 2:0 oDin
Lake[Shield] 0:2 Pusan
Round of 4
Special 0:2 KT.MGW)Protoss
Purple 0:2 Pusan
Final
KT.MGW)Protoss 0:2 Pusan
HiyA 1:2 KT.MGW)Protoss WLWSpecial 2:1 Haran WLWPurple 2:0 oDinLake[Shield] 0:2 PusanRound of 4
Special 0:2 KT.MGW)ProtossPurple 0:2 PusanFinal
KT.MGW)Protoss 0:2 PusanGroup Final
KT.MGW)Protoss 0:2 Pusan►
Pusan advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!This group did have some upsets, as most of the more experienced players lost pretty hard against the rookies. HiyA once had a really strong TvP, earning him wins against the 6 Dragons. But it still hasn't returned to him, and he was eliminated 1-2 by rookie KT.MGW)Protoss. Haran and oDin, while not top Zerg players have still been around for a while and shouldn't have lost in such fashion. However, the highlight of this group is that the Spirit Toss PUSAN has finally returned, going 6-0 in his group!
![[image loading]](/staff/alffla/newswriting/pusanvprotoss.jpg)
Pusan's (Yellow P) 2 Gate successfully defends against KT.MGW)Protoss's 4 Gate
Group 3
+ Show Spoiler +
Round of 8
firebathero 2:1 maestro LWW
LuCifer 0:2 Hydra
IsaC 0:2 MVP
JaewOo 0:2 FireFist
Round of 4
firebathero 2:1 Hydra WLW
MVP 0:2 FireFist
Final
firebathero 0:2 FireFist
firebathero 2:1 maestro LWWLuCifer 0:2 HydraIsaC 0:2 MVPJaewOo 0:2 FireFistRound of 4
firebathero 2:1 Hydra WLWMVP 0:2 FireFistFinal
firebathero 0:2 FireFistGroup Final
firebathero 0:2 FireFist►
FireFist advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!This group played out rather predictably, with firebathero showcasing his high level TvZ with wins against the Savior impersonator and CJ Zerg Hydra. Although he seems to do well against P and Z, Hydra's ZvT still seems to be lacking as this is his second time to be eliminated from MST by a Terran. LuCifer was once hailed as the new Nal_Ra, but hasn't managed to recover ever since losing to Jaedong last year, and lost to Hydra 0-2.
MVP, the T that downed Stork in GOM last season won decisively against IsaC but was taken out by FireFist, and gave us a Bisu face as well when he failed to take advantage of his lead.
![[image loading]](/staff/alffla/newswriting/MVP_Bisu_face.jpg)
MVP's Bisu face.
Finally, FireFist, not known for doing much ZvT-wise, managed to surprise everyone by scoring 2-0 wins against all his opponents including firebathero and thereby advanced to Survivor!
Group 4
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
Stats 2:0 Classic►
Stats advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!Group 4 is rather depressing for old school fans, as one of the greatest Terrans of all time (OF ALL TIME!) was eliminated in this group. NaDa, who has if I recall correctly, qualified for more than 12 MSLs, was eliminated 1-2 in the second round by KTF Protoss Stats.
eSTRO Terran Classic managed to get to the final round against the KTF Toss, but the Protoss' PvT proved to be too strong for him, and Stats advanced from his group rather easily.Group 5
+ Show Spoiler +
Round of 8
YellOw[ArnC] 2:0 Wrath
n.Die_soO 0:2 fOru
Smile 0:2 ggaemo
By.Rage 2:0 Last
Round of 4
YellOw[ArnC] 2:0 fOru
ggaemo 2:0 By.Rage
Final
YellOw[ArnC] 2:0 ggaemo
YellOw[ArnC] 2:0 Wrathn.Die_soO 0:2 fOruSmile 0:2 ggaemoBy.Rage 2:0 LastRound of 4
YellOw[ArnC] 2:0 fOruggaemo 2:0 By.RageFinal
YellOw[ArnC] 2:0 ggaemoGroup Final
YellOw[ArnC] 2:0 ggaemo►
YellOw[ArnC] advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!Woongjin Terran Wrath, veteran Toss fOru, and OZ Zerg ggaemo proved to be no competition for OSL finalist YarnC as he breezed through his group 6-0. Also interesting to note that n.Die_soO has proved himself to be a true SKT1 Zerg as he was 0-2ed by veteran foRu who had only returned from ACE recently.
Group 6
+ Show Spoiler +
Round of 8
type-b 2:0 Ryung
Spear 0:2 Suny
Neo.G_Soulkey 2:1 yoOn WLW
GgMaN[Name] 0:2 FrOzean
Round of 4
type-b 2:0 Suny
Neo.G_Soulkey 2:1 FrOzean LWW
Final
type-b 2:1 Neo.G_Soulkey WLW
type-b 2:0 RyungSpear 0:2 SunyNeo.G_Soulkey 2:1 yoOn WLWGgMaN[Name] 0:2 FrOzeanRound of 4
type-b 2:0 SunyNeo.G_Soulkey 2:1 FrOzean LWWFinal
type-b 2:1 Neo.G_Soulkey WLWGroup Final
type-b 2:1 Neo.G_Soulkey WLW►
type-b advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!Favourites to advance here were type-b and FrOzean. The OSL semifinalist made it through the group easily, but FrOzean lost to Woongjin Terran Neo.G_Soulkey. Soulkey played pretty well here, facing players of all 3 races, 2 of who were more experienced competitors, and also managed to give type-b a good game in the final round.
Group 7
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
yeOngJae 0:2 Bogus►
Bogus advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!Samsung Zerg great won easily against Mell, but was stopped in his tracks as rookie SKT1 Terran yeOngJae mech TvZ steamrolled him. However, STX Terran Bogus, who has been doing quite while for a while (among other achievements, this guy eliminated saviOr from the OSL last season), certainly lived up to the hype and 6-0ed this group.
AFTERNOON
Group 8
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
Peace 1:2 HoeJJa LWW►
HoeJJa advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!Both Arrian and GTR picked Really as the favourite to advance,and they were proved wrong as Peace eliminated the promising eSTRO Terran. However, HoeJJa managed to up his game here and won this group rather easily.
Group 9
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
RorO 2:0 Casy►
RorO advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!Casy, an ACE man, performed admirably, even 2-0ing the hyped OZ Protoss PerfectMan! Unfortunately, he had to face ProLeague regular RorO in the final round, and was 2-0ed by the Wemade Zerg.
Group 10
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
MIsO 1:2 Saint WLW►
Saint advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!Of all the groups so far this one probably has the most famous players. The highlight of this group are definitely YellOw's games, which he started off via a win against Say. Unsatisfied by that alone however, he upped the ante in his match vs Saint. As if game 2 of that series, a showdown that was decided by the player's last Zerglings, and also featured a “ppp” wasn't enough, the 3rd decisive match was to be even more epic as it turned out to be a long game, where the players got defilers, hydras, lurkers, and even ULTRAS in this game. Sadly, Saint won this game and also the next series, advancing to Survivor.
![[image loading]](/staff/alffla/newswriting/yellowvsaint.jpg)
Yeah.
Group 11
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
Crazy-Hydra 2:0 jjonga►
Crazy-Hydra advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!AmeBa, though hyped as the next big thing from MBC, lost to jjonga who 2-0ed him easily. SangHo, another contender for advancing, managed to get past TurN but lost to Crazy-Hydra, famous for his mutalisk micro replay. Notice, who all-killed ACE in Winner's League failed to live up to expectations and lost 1-2 to jjonga. In the final round Crazy-Hydra won against jjonga, advancing to Survivor and bringing this group to a close.
Group 12
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
GuemChi 2:0 Miracle►
GuemChi advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!There are recognizable names here such as GuemChi, herb, Sacsri and Miracle, and the group played out to have all 4 of these players meeting in the 2nd round. This resulted in a bonjwa fight between Guemchi and herb, with Guemchi coming out on top 2-1. Very clearly top dog of these parts, the Woongjin P also 2-0ed Miracle in the final match.
Group 13
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
July 2:1 Tester WLW►
July advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!Another group with recognizable names. The better players clearly won in this group, as July demolished his competition of Rex.IU, Dongrae, and Tester. If it was not for July and his insane ZvP Tester might have had a chance to advance. Better luck next time! And as for mingu, SaiR, Rarity and Rush... let's just call that collateral damage.
Group 14
+ Show Spoiler +
►
han advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!MBCGame Hero rookie Protoss han proved to be a formidable opponent as he demolished his group 6-1 including the likes of Thezerg and 815. While Thezerg is a SKT1 Zerg, 815 does a bit better most of the time, and in the recent trend of Z>P han must have performed well to win. It should be remembered though, that han was responsible for knocking Jaedong out of one of these prelims this time last year! So he's obviously got a pretty good PvZ. Things are not looking up for old school Terran Midas who was once known for his killer TvP. He lost to Asuka-Jr who has himself been losing left and right since 2005. As for ClouD, he was unlucky to face 815 in the first round but there was little chance of him advancing anyway.
EVENING
Group 15
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
HoGiL 2:1 hOn_sin WLW►
HoGiL advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!This group had some big names as well, with the likes of HoGiL, Tempest, and GosI[Flying] of recent fame being drawn in to it. Out of these three, GosI[Flying] actually has the best record, featuring an all-kill against MBC Hero in the STX Masters 09 as well as a formidable Minor League record. However, as always the progaming scene is prone to upsets and HoGiL, who does kind of decently when he feels like it, suddenly decided to win a few games and thereby advanced to Survivor.
Fun fact: HoGiL goes to the same school as Flash! You can see photos of them being featured on their school's website. I don't have the link though, sorry.
Group 16
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
Jaehoon 1:2 DaezanG LWW►
DaezanG advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!What happened here was that Devil actually won both Daezang and Gorush, but because of a map order dispute with Daezang's match KeSPA decided on a rematch. CJ Coach and Devil then decided to forfeit and leave. You can read more about this issue in l10f's interview translations. The just-out-from-army Toss then went on to beat GoRush and Jaehoon in style. What a beast. I hope he continues this performance in Survivor and hopefully the MSL as well! In other news, Jaehoon cannon rushed a Terran on the way to the top, but was unlucky to meet the on-fire ex -ACE man in the finals. As for the rookies in this group, try again next time guys. Oh, and check out Jaehoon's new hair.
Group 17
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
Hyuk 2:0 herO[jOin]►
Hyuk advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!While Tazza had a chance at winning his group, he had to face an in form Hyuk. While STX Toss YoonJoong player disappointingly lost to complete no-name Bee, the Perfect Terran was also sadly knocked out in the first round by herO[jOin]. If there's one thing Group 17 showed us, it was that that Hyuk has really been practising hard to prove his worth as a strong Zerg. If he continues going at it, I'm sure we will get a chance to see him go places in Survivor.
Group 18
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
Shine 2:0 ZerG[kaL]►
Shine advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!Apart from MANTOSS, TossGirl, and Shine[kal], I really haven't heard of any of the players here at all. I mean these players barely have a record on TLPD. Why did you have to lose to ZerG[kaL], Reach, WHY? TossGirL also unsurprisingly lost to HakSoo. Shine[kal] pretty much destroyed his group here and advanced without a single loss.
Group 19
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
Trap 0:2 Nbs►
Nbs advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!A sad day for all of us (perhaps not YellOw fans?) as the Emperor of SC fell again to the imba of Protoss in the form of STX rookie Trap (LOL, I kid). The only two other more experienced players were Nbs and HyuN, and well, neither of them are that great either. HyuN was quickly eliminated by Firebat, who lost to Nbs afterwards. Trap and Nbs met in the final round, where experience probably won him the games. Better luck next time, Emperor.
![[image loading]](/staff/alffla/newswriting/trapvboxer.jpg)
Trap destroying Boxer's meager push.
Group 20
+ Show Spoiler +
Group Final
Sea 1:2 BaBy LWW►
BaBy advances to the MBCGame Survivor Tournament!The last group here provided us with some exciting games as two of the stronger Terrans, Sea and BaBy demolished their competition to meet in the final round. They were close games, but BaBy came out on top. Baby has never managed to make it out of Survivor before, so I'm eager to watch an improved BaBy display some more of the multitasking flair he showed in GOM Season 3 in Survivor, and hopefully in MSL too. Sorry, Sea fans, but you're going to have to wait yet another season.
Thus marks the end of this season's MSL offline preliminaries! Before I finish off here, I would like to make some more comments about the overall results of Race distribution. The Preliminaries gave us 11 Zerg, 6 Protoss, and 3 Terrans. I wasn't expecting that many Zerg even in this 'swarm season' time, but taking another look we can see that all the Zerg players are all very strong compared to their rookie competitors, with the likes of YarnC, July, type-b, HoeJJa, and Hyuk. The Terran favourites played rather disappointingly here as Boxer, Midas, Nada, firebathero, and FrOzean were eliminated very early on. Finally, There weren't that many good Protoss players and the results show that, but they still did better than the Terrans.
However before you dread another 'swarm season', take a look at the total amount of players qualifed for Survivor and you will see that the numbers are very even, with Protoss actually having the most players (Legend of the Fall??). So in Survivor there are 18 P, 16 Z, and 14 T players in total, making the race distribution very even.
Here is some more material for you to read if you are interested:
l10f has translated some short interviews from the winners here.
Read the Ultimate MSL FAQ if you're still lost about the format!
Here's to another season of MSL and more exciting games!
