[GSL] The Long Road To Success..

Official Code S Rankings by Hoju
GSL 2011 System

oGsMC< Jungle Basin > OdinMvP
oGsMC< Shakuras Plateau > OdinMvP
oGsMC < Xel'Naga Caverns > OdinMvP

Despite reportedly having a cold/flu for his round of 64 match, MC presented himself to the booth to get his season 3 GSL journey underway. His first opponent was OdinMvP. This Terran was previously known as Aya during the qualifiers and became well known amongst the foreigners as “that player that knocked out Liquid’HuK!” Team Liquid, Team oGs and most likely the entire foreign scene was praying for an MC victory – not only to avenge teammate HuK but to ensure the continuation of a sorely needed hero Protoss! oGsMC did not disappoint as he 2-0’d his way through this encounter; gliding through to the RO32

oGsHyperdub < Steppes of War > oGsMC
oGsHyperdub < Blistering Sands > oGsMC
oGsHyperdub < Lost Temple > oGsMC

Unfortunately for these two players they were forced into a team kill situation early in this stage of the tournament. Again MC was faced with a PvT, arguably his most favourite match up. Although it was oGs vs oGs; most foreigners may have been cheering for MC to avenge the Hypercheese that knocked out TLO in GSL Season 1. MC did not disappoint as he fends off Hyperdub’s cloaked banshees with a well timed observer. MC took the series with proxy gateways on Blistering to ensure victory.

oGsMC < Blistering Sands > ST_July
oGsMC < Xel'Naga Caverns > ST_July
oGsMC < Shakuras Plateau > ST_July

This very well could have been considered a “clash of the titans.” July is one of the famous Zergs ever known to the esports scene; July is a golden mouse winner and a force to be reckoned with. It would be the monster zerg from BW against the growing monster toss in sc2. July demonstrated flashes of his ability by simply outmacroing MC in game 1 for victory. MC portrayed his determination and ability as he fools July and crushes him with a well executed timing attack. After some impressive battles MC engages at July’s natural with blink stalkers and Collossus to force a GG, taking the series 2-1.

MarineKingPrime.WE < Lost Temple > oGsMC
MarineKingPrime.WE < Delta Quadrant > oGsMC
MarineKingPrime.WE < Blistering Sands > oGsMC
MarineKingPrime.WE < Jungle Basin > oGsMC
MarineKingPrime.WE < Shakuras Plateau > oGsMC

This was a series i was significantly excited for; MarineKing (aka EllenPage/BoxeR) burst onto the scene in GSL season 2 as the pioneer of marine-heavy, early game pressure. MC displayed impressive skills as he managed to warp in units on the high ground, forcing some poor positional play from the MarineKing forcing a GG. After going down a game MarineKing attempts a proxy barracks; despite being scouted, MarineKing is able to snipe MC’s colossus with Vikings, roll through the natural and force a GG. After a zealot rush, backdoor trouble and DT shenanigans MC is able to take the series. He was able to conjure an amazing unit composition including chargelots, blink stalkers, HT’s with storm, colossus and archons. After this series i feel MC has earned the right to be named the new hero toss (sorry Tester!)

oGsMC < Steppes of War > LiquidJinro
oGsMC < Xel'Naga Caverns > LiquidJinro
oGsMC < Shakuras Plateau > LiquidJinro
oGsMC < Jungle Basin > LiquidJinro
oGsMC < Metalopolis > LiquidJinro
oGsMC < Scrap Station > LiquidJinro
oGsMC < Lost Temple > LiquidJinro

Many thought that oGsMC's previous progaming experience and thousands of practice games against Jinro would see him through this encounter. Not so many thought it would result in a complete steamroll. In each matchup it seemed MC exploited the gaps in Jinro's build orders, seeing Jinro practically lose to 2 zealots and a stalker; and then to a void ray and then to DT's. Game 4 was probably the only game that would be considered exciting to watch as Jinro forced a base trade scenario. Jinro said MC has always known he is "early game chobu, late game gosu" and MC definately exploited this; taking the series 4-0!

DreamizErZenith < Shakuras Plateau > TSL_Rain
DreamizErZenith < Jungle Basin > TSL_Rain
DreamizErZenith < Xel'Naga Caverns > TSL_Rain

Rain demonstrated the power of the SCV/Marine rush in his first game; punishing DreamizEr’s build order. The second game saw some massive baneling bust action but the 8+ rax response was just to much for DreamizEr to deal with and he was decisively 2-0’d by Rain. This game may be remembered for the manner dance by Rain’s marines just before the GG.

TSL_Rain < Jungle Basin > NsP.Genius
TSL_Rain < Metalopolis > NsP.Genius
TSL_Rain < Lost Temple > NsP.Genius

Many would have believed that this would have been Genius advancing to the Ro16 as he is a solid Protoss player with strong showings in major tournaments including previous GSL's and Blizzcon. Rain utilized proxy barracks’ including one in Genius’s natural to apply enough pressure to execute a bunker rush forcing a GG. Game 2 saw rain preparing for a Polt Timing attack; Rain then utilized banshees and bunkers to take game 2. After knocking out a “giant” in Genius, we could see signs of the immense power in early Terran pressure.

ST_Squirtle < Blistering Sands > TSL_Rain
ST_Squirtle < Shakuras Plateau > TSL_Rain
ST_Squirtle < Delta Quadrant > TSL_Rain

After some impressive showings by the Protoss representatives in the Ro64 and Ro32; many were expecting a strong display from Squirtle. The first showed the power of the Dark Templar and the impressive skill of Squirtle with some amazing forcefields forcing a GG from Rain. Rain followed this up with an entertaining game on Shakuras Plateau with some clutch EMPs winning the game for Rain. Rain continued to take the series after a well executed concussive shell marauder rush. Another talented Protoss falls to TSL_Rain.

IMNesTea < Lost Temple> TSL_Rain
IMNesTea < Steppes of War > TSL_Rain
IMNesTea < Shakuras Plateau > TSL_Rain
IMNesTea < Blistering Sands > TSL_Rain
IMNesTea < Xel'Naga Caverns > TSL_Rain

To many this would be known as the night that Liquibet died; Monday, December 6th saw the exit of GSL 1 and 2 champions Nestea and Fruitdealer. Both losing to apparently inferior opponents. Nestea was undoubtedly the favourite heading into this series, a definite to appear in the Ro4. NesTea displayed why this was apparent after completely dismantling Rain in game 1. What followed next lead to the greatest uproar the Starcraft 2 community has seen in a long time. After taking the series utilizing SCV/Marine 2 barracks rushes, executed to almost perfection, Rain was affronted with community backlash for his “cheesy” play. He felt forced into a public apology; claiming he had not enough time to prepare for the series and relied on what he felt would work against NesTea. Whatever the reasoning; whoever was the better player; Rain advanced to the Ro4, NesTea did not.

HongUnPrime.WE <Metalopolis> TSL_Rain
HongUnPrime.WE <Xel'Naga Caverns> TSL_Rain
HongUnPrime.WE <Lost Temple> TSL_Rain
HongUnPrime.WE <Delta Quadrant> TSL_Rain
HongUnPrime.WE <Scrap Station> TSL_Rain
HongUnPrime.WE <Blistering Sands> TSL_Rain
HongUnPrime.WE <Steppes of War> TSL_Rain

Many have described this as the most disappointing GSL semi final they have ever witnessed. The poor decision making demonstrated by both players left the audience wandering how on earth these two were meant to be one of the best in world. HongUn was incredibly impressive in game 1 but was seemingly unable to replicate any sort of skill in the rest of the series. Poor void ray control, inadequate micro and terrible decision making cost HongUn the series. Rain was able to execute multiple strategies and despite some poor decision making from Rain, he was able to take the series. It was described many times as HongUn playing bad rather than Rain playing good. At the end of the day, Rain was able to topple another strong opponent and advance to the finals of GSL season 3!

Round of 64 Recap
Round of 32 Recap
Round of 16 Recap
Round of 8 / 4 Recap
Semi-Finals Winners Interview