[GSL] Code A Ro32 Day 2 / Code S Ro32 Group C

PlayXP Korean Bets (subject to change):
ST_Ace 20% : 80% TOP

Set 1: ReXZanDarke < Metalopolis > aLive
Set 2: ReXZanDarke < Delta Quadrant > aLive
Set 3: ReXZanDarke < Shakuras Plateau > aLive

(Games not actually played, aLive wins by default because RexZanDarke was unable to play for personal reasons)

Match #2
Set 1: ST_Ace < Scrap Station > TOP
Set 2: ST_Ace < Jungle Basin > TOP
Set 3: ST_Ace < Steppes of War > TOP

Group C By Xxio
HongUnPrime.WE
Achievements: GSL1 Ro8, GSL2 Ro64, GSL3 Ro4
Notable Victories: oGsZenio (2-0), TSL_Clide (2-1), TheBestfOu (2-1), TSL_FruitDealer (3-2),
Notable Defeats: oGsEnsnare (0-2), TSL_FruitDealer (0-2), TSL_Rain (2-4)

Love him or hate him, HongUn has one of the most impressive Protoss records to date. Season 1 quarter finalist, Season 2 qualifier, and Season 3 semi finalist, HongUn has become a household name on TeamLiquid and is the most consistent Protoss player in the world in terms of GSL performance. HongUn is innovative and, as we all know, solid under pressure. What he lacks is stable, fluid strategies, and perhaps mechanics, that can keep him alive in the late game.

Verdict: Code S. HongUn still has to develop robust strategies. With 3 Seasons finished and players quickly improving, it's getting close to crunch time for HongUn if he wants to keep his spot in Code S.


SlayerS_`BoxeR`
Achievements: GSL2 Semi Finalist, GSL3 Ro32, The Emperor of Starcraft.
Notable Victories: oGsNada (3-1)
Notable Defeats: IMNesTea (0-4), KyrixZeNex (0-2), PoltPrime.WE (1-2)

Boxer started his StarCraft 2 career in Season 2 with a 6 game win streak, sweeping 2 Terrans and a Protoss 2-0, then fellow Brood War legend NaDa 3-1 in one of the most anticipated StarCraft 2 matches. Boxer's rts experience, savvy, and dedication are undoubted, and mechanically, StarCraft 2 should not be problematic. What Boxer seems to be lacking is game sense, and apparently practise in TvZ, which he is 0-6 in. Another cause for concern is his new clan, Slayers, which has yet to become a powerhouse and offers little in terms of top tier players.

Verdict: Advance. This is a hard group to call. To me, the players are all fairly even compared to the other groups. Boxer gets the edge on this one. Once he figures out the more subtle things like when and when not to engage, Boxer will get scary. For now, his innovation, cleverness and overall experience should push him through to the next round.


oGsTheWinD
Achievements: GSL1 Ro32, GSL2 Ro16, GSL3, Ro64
Notable Victories: CheckPrime.WE (2-1), oGsZenio (2-0), MakaPrime.WE (2-0) (2-1), ST_RainBOw (2-1)
Notable Defeats: NsP.Genius (0-2), anyproPrime.WE (1-2), KyrixZeNex (0-2), TSL_sSKS (1-2), IMNesTea (0-2)

TheWind is part of why oGs is one of the best teams. Manager and player, this guy breathes StarCraft. TheWind is also an old-school progamer from Brood War, and when I say old, I mean 2000 old, Hot-Forever and Nal_ra old. Busy managing a team of top level players and dealing with rowdy foreigners, TheWind has found time to become a top player himself, getting so far as the round of 16 in Season 2, 2-0ing Maka along the way before losing to the future champion NesTea, who is currently undefeated in ZvZ.

Verdict: Advance. TheWind may not be rated as high as HongUn, but when you factor in his Blizzcon Qualifier games, adaptability, timings, and management skills, he begins to stand out. TheWind's experience and practise partners will tip the games in his favor.


oGsHyperdub
Achievements: GSL1 Ro16, GSL2 Ro64, GSL3 Ro32
Notable Victories: TLAF-Liquid'TLO (2-1)
Notable Defeats: TSL_sSKS (0-2), sanZeNex (1-2)

Hyperdub gained infamy in Season 1 for cheesing out TLO in game 3 of a very exciting series, then losing definitively to sSKS. Since then then his name, and performance has faded. Some have called his play gimmicky, saying that he won't last long. Indeed, rushes, cheese, and strong-arming seem to be his forte, yet, so far, this has been enough for him to consistently break through the qualifiers and players with weaker defences.

Verdict: Code A. Hyperdub has shown hardly anything but shortsighted, abusive strategies that will not get him far (and have not gotten him far) against players like MC, MVP, and sSKS, let alone Boxer, HongUn, and TheWind. Even staying in Code A might prove to be a challenge.

PlayXP Korean Bets (subject to change):
HongUn 67% : 33% TheWinD:
BoxeR 75% : 25% Hyperdub:

Set 1: HongUn < Xel'Naga Caverns > TheWinD
Set 2: BoxeR < Shakuras Plateau > Hyperdub
Set 3: HongUn < Shakuras Plateau > Hyperdub
Set 4: TheWinD < Metalopolis > BoxeR
Set 5: 2nd/3rd Place Playoff HongUn < Delta Quadrant> Hyperdub
Set 6: 3rd/4th Place Playoff on Delta Quadrant

BoxeR advances 2-0
Hyperdub advances 2-1
HongUn is eliminated 1-2
TheWinD is eliminated 0-2