[SPL] KT Rolster vs. STX SouL

Round 2 of Proleague is about to start, and if it is anything like round 1 (link to recap), we’re in for quite a ride. Sundays rematch almost had a precursor in the form of KeSPA’s Football Cup. For dramatic purposes (and the horrible incident with North Korea), it was postponed, but this doesn’t remove the hype before the match between last years #1 and #3.

I have two fans of the respective teams here today, a big thank you to moopie and Ideas!
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1. The season hasn’t started too well for either KT nor STX, and some of the fans have already started to lose faith. What would you say to the STX supporters who have switched their icons and to the KT fans that mournfully long for ages not-so-long ago?

moopie: As a big fan of both teams, I think they both have what it takes to be top contenders this season. Being an STX fan means you have come to terms with the occasional clamming of the team, but also know that when they are in the zone they can kick some serious ass, which makes for a fun emotional roller coaster. True fans shouldn't abandon them (Oz fans can relate I'm sure).

Ideas: I feel like this will be a good round for STX. Although last round didn't pan out as well as I had hoped, STX players are all doing very well in the individual leagues right now. Calm in particular I think has got his groove back, as his last few games have been very inspiring.

2. Let’s look at the last round more closely. KT won only 3 of its 9 games, and STX won 4. That’s less than half the games, and both lost matches they probably shouldn’t have. What are the mistakes that should be corrected for this season?

moopie: Both teams had players not quite living up to their potential, like Calm and Violet. The coaching staffs used this time to give experience to a lot of the lesser players, to strengthen the roster and bolster their depth. KT and STX both fielded 11 players last round, more than any other team, and that should help in the later rounds with the Bo7 lineups. I trust in the coaches decisions and hope this pays off.

Ideas: STX made a few bad mistakes with lineups decisions I feel (especially in the 6th sets), and we had 2 lost ace matches. The first was probably unavoidable (no one on STX really stands more a chance vs JD than the others), and Kal vs Shine was stupidly close. I think the biggest problem last round was that the team was still feeling out their new lineup (fitting in classic and hyvaa to their already huge A-team) and a lot of the rookies were pretty inconsistent. The only real way to fix this is to give them all more experience, which is exactly what has been going on lately.

3. As an obligatory unrelated question, who will win the KeSPA Football Cup when the finals finally take place?

moopie: Ouch, that's a hard call, but I can't vote against Reach's mad goalie skills.

Ideas: I dunno. STX I guess? lol

4. The last time the two teams met this season, STX won 4-1. What are your thoughts on that match and how might it affect this one?

moopie: What STX showed last time was that players like Bogus and Frozean shouldn't be underestimated. KT on the other hand had a slight relapse to the 08-09 KTFlash days. I don't think it will have a bearing on today's match though because either of these teams on their best days can easily come out on top here.

Ideas: I think that match highlighted STX at it's best. The team definitely has potential to dominate any team in the league, it's just a matter of every player having a good night. I don't think that match will have any bearing on tonight's results though, and whichever team comes in the most prepared I think will take it.

5. The maps have changed for this season. Bloody Ridge was added to the map pool.Have you played on Bloody Ridge yet? How might the teams seek to get an advantage on that map? Would you say it is too Terran friendly because of a third gas that is hard to break?

moopie: I haven't played on it yet, though I like it a lot more after the changes they made to it since its initial version this summer. It's true that 3 and 9, as well as 6 and 12 give a good defending advantage, but that also makes them prime recall targets, and a stasis on the ramp will hurt Terrans quite a bit. I expect a pretty balanced matchup list on this map, which is a very welcome change after Protoss Central.

Ideas: I haven't played on it yet but it looks like a really fun map. On one hand it looks like it might be very terran mech-turtle favored, but on the other hand it seems insanely easy for a zerg or protoss to get 4 gas up and easily defend it all. Right now I can't make a prediction on whether or not the map will favor any race too much, but let's all hope it doesn't turn out to be a mirror-only map.

6. Perhaps the greatest difference between the previous round and this one is the removal of PvP haven Central Plains. KT had a bad streak on that map, and STX’s PvP sniper Shuttle is a lot harder to utilize now. Is that a good development in general or would you like to see it return?

moopie: I think it is. Having a map that is more open to all 3 races makes sniping harder, which means more generally solid players will prevail. It is a lot more exciting seeing the coaches succeed in reading the other team on open maps than having a matchup that is always predetermined on a map. I wouldn't mind seeing Central Plains return after the middle has been reworked.

Ideas: Honestly I think this helps STX a lot. Shuttle was used a lot on the map but actually lost a lot on it. With it gone I assume STX won't be using shuttle (whose been pretty shaky this season) EVERY match any more and we will probably see more variety in the STX lineup now, assuming bloody ridge doesnt turn into a ZvZ or TvT fest and STX just uses modesty or last on it all the time.

7. And since I love talking about maps so much, Fortress, a tricky map is missing from Sundays selection. fOrGG and Frozen were played a lot on this map, where might we see them this time, if at all?

moopie: Grand Line is always a possibility, as is Benzene. I hope we get to see one of them be the first T to play Bloody Ridge live though.

Ideas: KT would be stupid not to use ForGG. STX is a little weak vs terrans and he is probably the 3rd most consistent player on KT. Frozen hasn't been nearly as valuable to STX since the end of round 5 last season, so I don't expect him to come out tonight. But you never know.

8. Lets assume that the game reaches the ACE match. Flash, KT-s trademark player is 9-1 this PL, while Kal, STX-s best performing player is only 5-2. Will Kal even stand a chance? Or will we see something completely different instead, like Stats vs. hero?

moopie: I always love seeing Kal vs Flash, those matches are pretty exciting (even if the outcome isn't). I usually cheer for Kal, because I know he has what it takes but always falls just a bit short. However, with Aztec being the ACE, I expect KT to send Stats. STX has its choice of Calm, Kal or possibly even shuttle if they are thinking along the same lines.

Ideas: think KT is stupid to not use flash for every ace match, losing streak or not. Stats doesnt really seem like a good choice for ace as STX will almost surely send out kal or calm, both of whom are favored vs stats. I think calm can have what it takes to beat flash, and so if he wins his first match I predict he will be sent for ace, otherwise it will be kal vs flash.

9. Please comment on KT-s new uniforms.

moopie: I seem to be in the minority that likes them quite a bit. The black ones were certainly awesome, but the new ones seem more professional and remind me of CJ's old jackets.

Ideas: meh. you only get to see them for like 1% of the time anyway lol.

10. How will Round 2 in ProLeague play out? Will SKT remain undefeated? Who will rise, who will fall?

moopie: SKT will probably end up still first overall due to round 1's amazing performance, but they won't be undefeated anymore (maybe 7-2 for the round). I also expect good things from KT this round, maybe end up around 5th place. MBC's lack of depth will probably cause it to tumble a few spots, and Oz should overtake ACE.

Ideas: It's hard to see SKT1 not staying on top, and it will be interesting to see if Bisu can maintain his dominance for another round. I think if anyone tops SKT1 it will definitely be Stars, who just seem to be getting better and better each week. I think STX is going to have a good round as well, but I'm really bad at predictions lol. if I had to pick right now, I'd say that the top 3 teams will be SKT1, woongjin, and STX in that order.

Extra: Any last words?

moopie: I want good matches tonight, I'll be cheering for both teams.

Ideas: I really think that STX is going to be playing some good SC this round, much better than the 1st round. I also hope we get to see Calm play fewer ZvZs and more non-mirrors, as I think he's got a lot of spark back and that's always really fun to watch.