EPT
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/IgzLZ.png)
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New Maps!
First, a note: Jungle Basin, Steppes of War, and Delta Quadrant have been removed from the map pool. Lost Temple, Xel'Naga Caverns, and Metalopolis have been modified to prevent blocking off the ramp with 3 pylons or two bunkers. GOM statisticians have done the math and determined that this change will increase the average lifespan of Zerg players by about five years due to decreased stress.
The most intriguing changes to the map pool, however, are the new maps. Let's take a look at the battlefields we'll be seeing next season!
Crevasse
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/opUS5.jpg)
click on the picture for a larger version
The first thing on Crevasse that jumps out is the number of expansions. Look at all those beautiful minerals -- none of which have destructible rocks blocking them! Already I am getting excited at the prospect of a long, drawn out TvT on this map, with the battle being all about who can gain an advantageous position in the center. I think this map will really reward players who plan their play out, not just in TvT, but in any matchup where taking and holding space is possible (read: mainly TvX).
Note that the 4 middle expansions have a single gas and only 6 mineral patches, making them less desirable.
This map is large, but the center looks cramped due to the various cliffs, ramps, destructible rock walls, and impassible terrain. It really would not take very many tanks for a Terran to secure 3 1/2 expansions against a Zerg ground army (although I might be underestimating the size of the center… It's sort of difficult to get a sense of scale just from looking at pictures). On that note, Zergs really shouldn't be going heavy ground against Terran or Protoss on this map. Just thinking about battles between tanks or Colossi against roach/hydra in the middle of this map is making me cringe. A harass-oriented playstyle is the way to go here. Delaying the ability of the Terran or Protoss to control the middle will be important.
A final note that I think will become a theme on these new maps: Protoss players can easily take three bases here and turtle until they have a powerful Colossus-based death ball. We'll have to see how Zerg players deal with that. Initial reports from Korea seem to be that they're not currently handling it well, but that might change.
Crossfire SE
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/dvxGe.jpg)
click on the picture for a larger version
A map loosely based on the SC:BW map Peaks of Baekdu, Crossfire SE looks like a map where armies would get lost trying to find the enemy. With enough bridges and ramps to make Euler's head spin, this map seems like a place where it's important to know the location of the enemy's main force at all times, and to also know where that force can go and what it can easily attack. This map is so long that base trading situations might arise due to armies not being able to return to defend their main before it gets entirely leveled.
The two Xel'Naga towers here are more critical than they are on any other map in the pool, since they can see any route that a scout tries to take to the area past the tower. The space around the towers seems well-suited for tanks for this same reason. A single siege line can defend four expansions at once.
Muta and void ray harass on the mineral lines at the third base, the main, and the gold seems like it would be difficult; it looks like the sides of the map guard those two locations much like the baseline helps guard the hoop in basketball. Muta play in general seems strong here, though, because of the distance between expansions.
Much like Crevasse, thinking about Zerg engaging Protoss death balls in the slightly cramped center is making me cry. We'll have to see how Zergs play the map without being able to attack the Protoss army head on.
It occurs to me that Colossi will be very susceptible to VIking harass when they are in the middle of the map on those three bridges. We see a lot of that sort of harass on Xel'Naga Caverns around that large central pit and I think we'll be seeing it a lot more on this map from smart Terrans.
Terminus Re
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3dlYh.jpg)
click on the picture for a larger version
So many expos! So many free expos! Here, players have 2 1/2 expansions available to them, all defendable by a single choke. The center is more open than the first two maps we looked at, and sort of reminds me of Delta Quadrant, if Delta Quadrant had 4 Xel'Naga watchtowers.
There's not much to say about this map; it looks much more "Blizzard-y" than the other new maps, which is to be expected since it is in fact a modified Blizzard map. I don't expect to see much different play on this map than what we've seen in previous GSL seasons, except that bad one-dimensional players will do 2 1/2 base timing attacks every game instead of 2 base timing attacks.
Tal'Darim Altar
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/PTWYF.jpg)
click on the picture for a larger version
This map is outrageously large. I mean, look at it. I think Steppes of War could fit into that boxed area in the middle. This map is large to the point of being confusing, but let's try to make sense of it.
Again, we have three bases that are easy to take and hold. We also have a pretty large, open center that will force players to be careful of flanks. Controlling the four Xel'Naga towers will be useful in late-game situations for this reason.
I would imagine that someone like MarineKing would never ever lose a game on his map, since his style seems to fit it perfectly. An endless supply of minerals, and an enormous map on which he can exploit his mobility to its fullest.
Other than this map's largeness, there don't seem to be that many distinguishing features to it.
Team Ranking
Disclaimer: the following opinions may be really stupid.
Old Generations (oGs)
+ Show Spoiler [Full Roster] +
Red = Code S
Blue = Code A
박상익/oGsTheWinD
최정민/oGsZenio
김정환/oGsCezanne
조만혁/oGsjookTo
조창호/oGsJ (#28 KR)
김상철/oGsEnsnare
김유종/oGshyperdub
김정훈/oGsTOP
이윤열/oGsNaDa
김영진/oGsSuperNova
김정균/oGskkoma
최연식/oGsLayla
송준혁/oGsInCa
장민철/oGsMC
이상헌/oGsVINES (#38 KR)
김태영/oGsCarmel (#65 KR)
송현덕/oGsHero (#97 KR)
정지훈/oGsWanT
Blue = Code A
박상익/oGsTheWinD 최정민/oGsZenio 김정환/oGsCezanne 조만혁/oGsjookTo 조창호/oGsJ (#28 KR) 김상철/oGsEnsnare 김유종/oGshyperdub 김정훈/oGsTOP 이윤열/oGsNaDa 김영진/oGsSuperNova 김정균/oGskkoma 최연식/oGsLayla 송준혁/oGsInCa 장민철/oGsMC 이상헌/oGsVINES (#38 KR) 김태영/oGsCarmel (#65 KR) 송현덕/oGsHero (#97 KR) 정지훈/oGsWanTAm I biased? Maybe. But oGs's lineup looks like a 4th of July parade. If their players aren't qualified for the GSL, they're high enough on the ladder that they're favored to do so in the future. Also, Jinro is eligible to play, or so I've heard. All signs point to oGs victory in this event; if nothing else, they're certainly the deepest team.
2. Startale (ST)
+ Show Spoiler [Full Roster] +
Red = Code S
Blue = Code A
박성준/스타테일안심이 (
July)
이원표/스타테일큐리어스 (Curious)
신정민/스타테일무작위왕 (Max)
김성제/스타테일레인보우 (
RainBOw)
김샘/스타테일어거스트 (August)
박준용/스타테일바이러스 (
Virus)
최지성/스타테일폭격기 (Bomber) (#4 KR)
나도현/스타테일트라우멘 (Control)
배상환/스타테일사운드 (Sound)
이관우/스타테일뒤통수 (justfake)
트레버휴스턴/스타테일토치 (TorcH)
박현우/스타테일꼬부기 (Squirtle)
정우서/스타테일에이쓰 (Ace)
정운천/스타테일아일랜드 (Island)
박웅진/스타테일쏘자 (SSoja)
Blue = Code A
박성준/스타테일안심이 (July) 이원표/스타테일큐리어스 (Curious) 신정민/스타테일무작위왕 (Max) 김성제/스타테일레인보우 (RainBOw) 김샘/스타테일어거스트 (August) 박준용/스타테일바이러스 (Virus) 최지성/스타테일폭격기 (Bomber) (#4 KR) 나도현/스타테일트라우멘 (Control) 배상환/스타테일사운드 (Sound) 이관우/스타테일뒤통수 (justfake) 트레버휴스턴/스타테일토치 (TorcH) 박현우/스타테일꼬부기 (Squirtle) 정우서/스타테일에이쓰 (Ace) 정운천/스타테일아일랜드 (Island) 박웅진/스타테일쏘자 (SSoja)The winner of the Zotac Team Invitational deserves a high spot. ST has a plethora of players that they can send out and hope to take a game or two off the other team. July, Bomber, Rainbow, and Squirtle is a powerful 4-person lineup. Who on their team is elite enough to pull off an all-kill, though? No one, really. We'll see if Startale can continue their team league success in this event.
3. Incredible Miracle (IM)
+ Show Spoiler [Full Roster] +
Red = Code S
Blue = Code A
임재덕/IMNestea
박경락/IMJunwi
황강호/IMLosirA
김효종/IMhorror
유기성/IMTrue
정종현/IMMvp
최병현/IMYoDa (#75 KR)
김지훈/Imdreamertt
조재원/IMIceCream
최용화/IMYongHwa (#84 KR)
박효종/IM삐삐
안상원/IMSeed
Blue = Code A
임재덕/IMNestea 박경락/IMJunwi 황강호/IMLosirA 김효종/IMhorror 유기성/IMTrue 정종현/IMMvp 최병현/IMYoDa (#75 KR) 김지훈/Imdreamertt 조재원/IMIceCream 최용화/IMYongHwa (#84 KR) 박효종/IM삐삐 안상원/IMSeedI'm pretty sure MVP has more all-kills in team league environments than anyone else, but don't quote me on that. He and Nestea make a capable one-two punch: the best players of their respective races. However, this team isn't very deep at all, and if teams are smart, they'll prepare builds to knock out Nestea and MVP.
4. The SCV Life (TSL)
+ Show Spoiler [Full Roster] +
Red = Code S
Blue = Code A
김원기/티에스엘과일장수 (FruitDealer)
김동현/티에스엘예쁜이 (Posh)
한규종/티에스엘클라이드 (Clide)
박서용/티에스엘레인 (Rain)
한이석/티에스엘푸우 (aLive)
서기수/티에스엘사기수 (TSL.Trickster)
신상호/티에스엘킬러 (SangHo)
박진영/티에스엘스마트 (Smart)
Blue = Code A
김원기/티에스엘과일장수 (FruitDealer) 김동현/티에스엘예쁜이 (Posh) 한규종/티에스엘클라이드 (Clide) 박서용/티에스엘레인 (Rain) 한이석/티에스엘푸우 (aLive) 서기수/티에스엘사기수 (TSL.Trickster) 신상호/티에스엘킬러 (SangHo) 박진영/티에스엘스마트 (Smart)Look at all those colors. TSL's coach sure knows how to pick good players; all but one of his carefully crafted team's members are in the GSL. Unfortunately, none of these players looks capable of competing with the best in the world at the moment. In other words, TSL as a whole is underachieving (especially Clide!)
5. For Our Utopia (fOu)
+ Show Spoiler [Full Roster] +
Red = Code S
Blue = Code A
이동녕/LeenockfOu
최진솔/siriusfOu (#92 KR)
송병학/teriousfOu
이인수/LuckyfOu
최경민/ShinefOu
김승철/sCfOu
김찬민/thebestfOu
최원석/OxfOu
이대진/NewClearfOu
조민호/ArtistfOu
한병훈/kasyufOu
최원석/OxfOu
이형섭/choyafOu
원이삭/PartingfOu (#50 KR)
김학수/TwilightfOu
김한별/cranefOu
우민규/ImorifOu
이종현/soulmanfOu
이행선/weekendfOu
정방민/topclassfOu
고병재/GuMihofOu (#100 KR)
Blue = Code A
이동녕/LeenockfOu 최진솔/siriusfOu (#92 KR) 송병학/teriousfOu 이인수/LuckyfOu 최경민/ShinefOu 김승철/sCfOu 김찬민/thebestfOu최원석/OxfOu 이대진/NewClearfOu 조민호/ArtistfOu 한병훈/kasyufOu 최원석/OxfOu 이형섭/choyafOu 원이삭/PartingfOu (#50 KR) 김학수/TwilightfOu 김한별/cranefOu 우민규/ImorifOu 이종현/soulmanfOu 이행선/weekendfOu 정방민/topclassfOu 고병재/GuMihofOu (#100 KR)I hate putting fOu so far down here, since I just like their team in general. Leenock is the destined Code A tournament winner (he really shouldn't be anywhere but Code S) and thebestfOu is #1 on the ladder (I guess he really is thebest, amirite???) but all of the higher teams are so stacked that I can't move fOu higher.
6. Zenith-NEX (ZeNEX)
+ Show Spoiler [Full Roster] +
Red = Code S
Blue = Code A
한준/제넥스키릭스 (Kyrix)
최종환/제넥스코카 (CoCa)
김수호/제넥스수호신 (Line)
김찬중/제넥스나야 (Naya)
변현우/제넥스변 (Byun)
백승주/제넥스나비효과 (ButterflyEffect)
정혜준/제넥스혜준 (Sakura)
윤영서/제넥스태자 (Taeja) (#22 KR)
김영일/제넥스핵 (ON)
김상준/제넥스역장몬 (Puzzle) (#87 KR)
김동호/제넥스리터닝 (Returning)
신재역/제넥스파이썬 (Python)
심재용/제넥스초아 (Choa)
안정민/제넥스코어 (cOre)
Blue = Code A
한준/제넥스키릭스 (Kyrix) 최종환/제넥스코카 (CoCa) 김수호/제넥스수호신 (Line) 김찬중/제넥스나야 (Naya) 변현우/제넥스변 (Byun) 백승주/제넥스나비효과 (ButterflyEffect) 정혜준/제넥스혜준 (Sakura) 윤영서/제넥스태자 (Taeja) (#22 KR) 김영일/제넥스핵 (ON) 김상준/제넥스역장몬 (Puzzle) (#87 KR) 김동호/제넥스리터닝 (Returning) 신재역/제넥스파이썬 (Python) 심재용/제넥스초아 (Choa) 안정민/제넥스코어 (cOre)ZeNEX placed well in the Zotac Team Invitational, but that was mostly due to the all-kills of two unknowns, Puzzle and Byun. Neither will likely be able to replicate their success unless Byun is better than the good-but-not-great play we saw in his Code A 2nd place run.
7. Prime-World Elite (Prime.WE)
+ Show Spoiler [Full Roster] +
Red = Code S
Blue = Code A
이형주/CheckPrime.WE
최종혁/뿡뿡프라임.WE (PpungPpung) (#99 KR)
이정훈/해병왕프라임.WE (MarineKing)
최성훈/PoltPrime.WE
곽한얼/MakaPrime.WE
김동욱/한니발프라임.WE (Hannibal) (#25 KR)
김남규/시나브로프라임.WE (BitByBit)
김태인/리베로프라임.WE (Libero)
박종혁/박종혁프라임.WE (ParkJongHyuk)
이유석/TankboyPrime.WE
조성주/MaruPrime.WE
안홍욱/HongUnPrime.WE
이정환/anyproPrime.WE
이중헌/DayflyPrime.WE
전영수/천사소녀프라임.WE (Lotze)
Blue = Code A
이형주/CheckPrime.WE 최종혁/뿡뿡프라임.WE (PpungPpung) (#99 KR) 이정훈/해병왕프라임.WE (MarineKing) 최성훈/PoltPrime.WE 곽한얼/MakaPrime.WE 김동욱/한니발프라임.WE (Hannibal) (#25 KR) 김남규/시나브로프라임.WE (BitByBit) 김태인/리베로프라임.WE (Libero) 박종혁/박종혁프라임.WE (ParkJongHyuk) 이유석/TankboyPrime.WE 조성주/MaruPrime.WE 안홍욱/HongUnPrime.WE 이정환/anyproPrime.WE 이중헌/DayflyPrime.WE 전영수/천사소녀프라임.WE (Lotze)Since the start of SC2, Prime has never looked worse. Every single one of their stars except MKP has been showing shaky play recently. Maka dropped down to Code A, Check showed that he simply doesn't have the macro to hang with top class players, anypro only stayed in Code S by the grace of Moon's awful play... the list goes on.
8. SlayerS
+ Show Spoiler [Partial Roster] +
Red = Code S
Blue = Code A
창조의아침 (Slayers_YuGiOh)
슬레이어스박서 (BoxeR)
슬레이어스짭승우 (SlayerS_CchapSeungEu)
슬레이어스천재 (#3 KR)
슬레이어스령 (#13 KR)
슬레이어스밀즈 (#40 KR)
슬레이어스휘 (#58 KR)
슬레이어스심장 (#84 KR)
슬레이어스알리샤 (SlayerS_Alicia)
Blue = Code A
창조의아침 (Slayers_YuGiOh) 슬레이어스박서 (BoxeR) 슬레이어스짭승우 (SlayerS_CchapSeungEu) 슬레이어스천재 (#3 KR) 슬레이어스령 (#13 KR) 슬레이어스밀즈 (#40 KR) 슬레이어스휘 (#58 KR) 슬레이어스심장 (#84 KR) 슬레이어스알리샤 (SlayerS_Alicia)SlayerS doesn't really have any notable players. Boxer didn't play in the Zotac Team Invitational and there's no reason to think that he'll play this time.
