[GSL] Code S Ro32 Group A

IMNesTea
Achievements: GSL1 Ro64, GSL2 Champion, GSL3 Quarter Finalist
Notable Victories: SlayerS_BoxeR (4-0), MarineKingPrime.WE (4-1), oGsMC (2-0)
Notable Defeats: TSL_Rain (2-3)

NesTea is one of, if not the best Zerg player in the world. The GSL Season 2 champion will be starting, what some may call, the first 'real' GSL 7-0 in ZvZ (versus Zenio, TheWind, and Sen), 3-3 in ZvP, and 18-11 in ZvT. It should be noted that it was NesTea who knocked MC, the GSL Season 3 champion and player who many professionals have called the best Protoss and/or player in the world, out of Season 2, in the round of 32, 2-0. NesTea was a favourite to win the last GSL of 2010 but was stopped short in the semifinals in his controversial series against Rain, albeit absolutely crushing in the late game.

Verdict: Advance. NesTea won over 60 thousand dollars in 2010 – I predict that he will win far more in 2011. His management skills are some of the best and he is becoming known for solid, consistent play. This gimmick-free approach makes him a very dangerous opponent. Having lived as a professional Brood War player, in composure, practising, and rts experience, NesTea is a veteran. We could have easily seen a NesTea vs. MC finals in Season 3. I can only hope it will happen in 2011.


MakaPrime.WE
Achievements: GSL1 Ro8, GSL2 Ro32, GSL3 Ro16, Brainbox All-Kill of TSL, Blizzcon Qualifiers Runner-Up.
Notable Victories: oGsZenio (2-1), oGsJookTo (2-0) SlayerS_LegalMind (2-0), oGsInCa (2-1)
Notable Defeats: NsP.Genius (0-2) (2-3), oGsTheWinD (0-2) (1-2), IMNesTea (1-2)

Maka is one of the few players who became famous in beta and continued to be successful past retail. Maka was one of the first 'high level' starcraft 2 players featured on a Day9 Daily and feared by the masses. The name behind the 'Maka Rax' build, he has become famous for all-killing TSL in the Brainbox Team Invitational and notorious for his devastatingly patient bunker pushes. If Maka has a rival, it would certainly be TheWind, the player who knocked Maka out of Season 2 and the GSTAR tournament.

Verdict: Advance. I wouldn't call Maka the best Terran in the world by any means; his late game management and transitions can be shaky. However, he is a very wily player who has won many games through crisp execution. If he works on his TvT and transitions Maka could suddenly become the new sheriff in town.

TheBestfOu
Achievements: GSL2 Ro64, GSL3 Ro16
Notable Victories: anyproPrime.WE (2-0)
Notable Defeats: HongUnPrime.WE (1-2)

TheBest is a player with little experience in the GSL. He lost to NesTea in the round of 64 in Season 2, then HongUn in the quarter finals of Season 3. Though TheBest took out our hero Ret in Season 3, he is still the weakest link in this group. His late game can not stand up to the vast majority of other code S players. What TheBest does have is a huge variety of builds that he can scare his opponent with. It would be a big improvement if TheBest polished his builds and learned to smoothly switch from an aggressive to defensive 'powering' position.

Verdict: Code A. TheBest is good, but not as good as July, TOP, Ret, or LittleBoy. I predict that TheBest will be one of the first players to be knocked down to Code A. Judging from his skill level as of his end in Season 3, I think Code A will be the right competitive environment for him, with players like GuineaPig, cOre, Junwi, and Golden.


PoltPrime.WE
Achievements: GSL1 Ro32, GSL2 Ro64, GSL3 Ro16
Notable Victories: oGsMC (2-0), SlayerS_BoxeR (2-1),
Notable Defeats: TLAF-Liquid'Jinro (0-2)

As it is with TheBest, Polt qualified for Code S by making it to the round of 16 in Season 3. Also similar to TheBest, Polt strong-armed his way through, winning games with builds focused on early aggression or because his opponent made a grievous mistake. Most of Polt's late game appearances have ended with his defeat. TvT was Boxer's favourite matchup and Polt did beat him in Season 3 but his Jinroll showed that he is by no means a TvT sniper.

Verdict: Code A. Polt is an average Terran who will do well in Code A; right now I do not think his strengths are enough to keep him in Code S against so many safe, macro players. However, unlike TheBest, Polt is on a very good team with many players above his skill level, like Check, Maka, and MarineKing, whom he can practice and learn from.

PlayXP Korean Bets (subject to change):
IMNesTea 74.71% : 25.29% PoltPrime.WE
MakaPrime.WE 77.29% : 22.71% TheBestfOu

PinnacleSports.com Odds (subject to change):
N/A

Set 1: IMNesTea < Blistering Sands > PoltPrime.WE


Set 2: MakaPrime.WE < Metalopolis > TheBestfOu


Set 3: IMNesTea < Blistering Sands > MakaPrime.WE


Set 4: PoltPrime.WE < Xel'Naga Caverns > TheBestfOu


Set 5*: PoltPrime.WE < Metalopolis > TheBestfOu

*2nd/3rd Place Playoff to determine who advances to Ro16 (not 1st/2nd Playoff)


Set 6: 3rd/4th Place < Metalopolis > 3rd/4th Place


IMNesTea ► advances 2-0
TheBestfOu ► advances 2-1
PoltPrime.WE ► eliminated 1-2
MakaPrime.WE ► eliminated 0-2

IMNesTea



Q. How does it feel to advance to the round of 16?
A. I'm glad that I got off to a good start. I will show good games in the future.

Q. Unlike last season, your opponents were different every match. Was this hard to adjust to?
A. I think this way is more difficult. Personally, I feel more comfortable playing in a multi-set match, because it's easier to analyze my opponents.

Q. You must have had some spare time after the open season, are there anythings you prepared with a focus?
A. I looked back at all my matches. I spent some time thinking about my style and thought that I should go all-in more often since most of my games thus far have been management games.

Q. In your match against MakaPrime, you played a management game instead of pushing out. What did you think that you should do as a Zerg in that situation?
A. I was hoping that MakaPrime would play differently. It's difficult to win once the Terran gets too much resources in a 1v1 situation. I produced ultralisks while faking broodlord tech, and with some luck, it worked out very well.

Q. What is your mindset and goal going into the regular season?
A. I want to play as entertaining as I possibly can and since this is the first league of my 30's, I really want to win. My ultimate goal is to win.

Q. Who do you want to play in the Round of 16?
A. I want to play against TSL_FruitDealer. I want a battle between the Zerg champions.

Q. Are there any opponents that you want to play against or avoid if possible?
A. I want to avoid IMMvp. The player I want to play against the most is SlayerS_BoxeR.

Q. Any comments to the fans for new year?
A. I wish everyone good luck in the new year and hope that whatever you do turns out well. Please keep supporting StarCraft 2 in 2011.

Original interview in Korean (www.playxp.com):
+ Show Spoiler +

TheBestfOu



Q. How does it feel to advance to the round of 16?
A. I'm very happy that I advanced.

Q. After winning the first match against MakaPrime, you played 2 matches against PoltPrime. How do you like the new format?
A. I like it.

Q. Your nickname is 'Brute Force Terran', do you think that your play today fits that name?
A. I think the last match against PoltPrime had a lot to do with luck. Overall, I think the game resolved as my nickname would suggest. I was able to win as PoltPrime chose not to enter my base.

Q. The winning prize money decreased as the overall prize pool is now distributed more evenly. How do you feel about this change?
A. I think it's alright. I'm just focusing on the games right now, so I'm not too interested in the money.

Q. MakaPrime and IMNesTea are proven players, were you confident that you could advance?
A. I was confident. I didn't think that it would be easy if I ran into IMNesTea, but I was confident in my match against MakaPrime.

Q. Are there any players you want to play against in the Round of 16?
A. I didn't really think about it yet. It doesn't matter who I play.

Q. Were there any goals you set before today's matches?
A. My goal was to get to the Round of 16. Now that I achieved that goal, I will set it a level higher. My current goal is to reach the Round of 4.

Original interview in Korean (www.playxp.com):
+ Show Spoiler +