SEA Star League $750

Paroxysm: At the start of the tournament, how far did you think you would go in the SEASL?

Filthy: I thought I would be pretty good chance to win it, was certainly my goal at least.

Paroxysm: Now that you've made it to finals, what are your expectations and how are you feeling in the leadup to your games?

Filthy: Well tvz is by far my best matchup, so I'm pretty confident for the grand final. For the semi final I was pretty unconfident because I've really been struggling with tvp lately, but it all turned out okay. Now that I'm past that I feel I should take down the gf.

Paroxysm: Alright, so you've got a pretty strong advantage then ?
Filthy: I'd like to think so.

Paroxysm: Along your SEASL journey, who was your hardest opponent? Were there any times where you thought you might be knocked out of the tournament?

Filthy: I'd say light in the group stage. I didn't really know how strong he was at the time but did manage to 2/1 him. He knocked me out at NRG the next week and really impressed me there.

Paroxysm: Did he surprise you with any builds that he played?
Filthy: No he just played quite standard really, more aggressive than aaron - which is what I face most on the korean server.

Paroxysm: How have you found this seasons SEASL and do you have any suggestions to help us run it better next season?

Filthy: No problems really, other than my sleeping schedule clashing with the last couple of games. As for improvments, maybe some new maps? But other than that it's been run really smoothly.

Paroxysm: Any special shoutouts that you would like to make to clan members/friends/practise partners/fans who have got you to this point?

Filthy: Thanks to FXO for the support and sending me to NRG last week, and thanks to Slog for some last minute prac today

Paroxysm: Alrightey, thanks for the interview, good luck in the finals.

Filthy: Thanks.

Paroxysm: At the start of the tournament, before you were aware of the groups, how did you think you would go in the SEASL?

Edge: I felt really excited to show my play. I know people may not have seen much of me, since i play alot with just TA/friends and not too many tournies, so i was going in expecting to at least past group stages and say i made the round of 8.

Paroxysm: Now that you've made it to finals, what are your expectations and how are you feeling in the leadup to your games?

Edge: I'm expecting to win at least 1 game, but of course i hope to win. versus all my previous opponents, i have very positive records vs them and i was very confident, but this game is different. i've never versed filthy, and he seems to be on fire. I have alot of respect for his play and 3-0'ing ice is pretty intimidating. Just hope i can put on good games.

Paroxysm: Along your SEASL journey, who was your hardest opponent? Were there any times where you thought you might be knocked out of the tournament?

Edge: I think all my opponents where hard and i was nervous going into all of them, but redarchon was definitely my hardest. I was going in knowing i had a really good record vs him, but he can pull out some sick play. His 2 rax was executed so well and when 0-2 down i was just hoping to get 1 game. That 1 game became 2 games, and before you know it, i had made the comeback. I feel sorry because
i've been 2-0 up and lost 2-3 but all the congrats i got afterwards were awesome.

Paroxysm: Did he play any builds that caught you unaware? Was he surprising in any way?

Edge: His 2 rax i have faced before. It's a very mindgame based one. it's not about forcing a bunker or anything, but waiting and just walking around forcing units and keeping me guessing. Also his general style is a very 2 base heavy nonstop aggression. I caught on game 3 and won narrowly, but i realised after that what would work best versus his style and in game 4 i felt really comfortable.
his 2 rax which i have faced before was hard

Paroxysm: How have you found this seasons SEASL and do you have any suggestions to help us run it better next season?

Edge: I found it to work out pretty well. The voting system had it's questions asked obviously, but qualification was fair enough. The actual format was nicely done, as i liked the old broodwar starleague style. Everything went pretty smoothly, ice/jazbas situations were handled well and there wasnt any big problems. I think next season since voting won't be done anymore, we will start to see how it
progresses.

Paroxysm: Any special shoutouts that you would like to make to clan members/friends/practise partners/fans who have got you to this point?

Edge: Shoutouts to all of TA. In particular, i'd like to thank TARossi, TAdeth, TAmsiPinder, TASanchez, and inspirational words from TAdeL. I'd also like to thank aLtjimdiddy, nGenLight and nGenRefallen, and all my opponents i played because i'm pretty good friends with all of them. Thanks to everyone who has supported me, messages mean alot. Especially my fangirl JacziE!

Paroxysm: Ok! Good luck in the finals!

Edge: Thankyou! TA totes mcgee rockin it.

Paroxysm: As you are quite good at casting, how did you feel about casting the SEASL?

Benji: Its good to cast high level players, and only a few games a night as opposed to doing a 4+ hour cast with several rounds which are quite one sided. Games have all been pretty high level so far which is awesome, and casting alot of ZvZ is alot of fun.

Paroxysm: Did you find that they (the SEASL games) were based around intense micro, or did they pan out into long winded macro games?

Benji: A bit of both, most of the games went into the midgame at the very least, but even in macro games you need some solid micro to ensure you engage correctly during any battles

Paroxysm: Did you have a favourite game that you casted during this season's SEASL?

Benji: The entire Edge v Redarchon series was pretty good, indivual matches don't really strike me, but more each series as a whole.

Paroxysm: Were you backing either one of them in particular?

Benji: Well i am more friendly with Edge than Redarchon who i've never actually spoken to, so i was really happy for Edge when he came back from 0-2 to take the series 3-2

Paroxysm: How have you found this seasons SEASL and do you have any suggestions to help us run it better next season?

Benji: Its been a pretty good event, alot of good games, alot of viewers and some good exposure. As far as improving it, theres a few things but i'm sure the admins already know what they need to fix next season. More Australians in code S for starters

Paroxysm: Haha definitely what we are all looking out for I think! Thankyou for the interview!

Benji: No problem! thanks.

Xeen

Paroxysm: How did you feel about having the opportunity to cast the SEASL?

Xeen: Excited. I haven't done a lot of casting but enjoy doing it, and since I haven't been that competitive for awhile it's a chance to pretty much have front-row seats to the SEA scene.

Paroxysm: Did you have a favourite game that you casted during this season's SEASL?
Xeen: That's difficult to say, there haven't been any that really stuck in my mind. I'm more of a player than a commentator though, so Aaron vs Filthy's series is most interesting to me because I like seeing that sort of playstyle.

Paroxysm: How have you found this seasons SEASL and do you have any suggestions to help us run it better next season?

Xeen: So far it's been pretty good. I'm not a tournament organizer so I don't have a ton of views on running it - so far the major issues we've had are scheduling problems, but that'll always be an issue with live events on preplanned schedules. Anything to fix that is better for the viewers, though.

Paroxysm: Of course, do you have anything further you would like to say to your viewers, friends or fans?

Xeen: Thanks to Benji for letting me try co-casting with him in the first place, those friends that have offered advice and criticism, and to everyone who's tuned in for the SEA SL!

Paroxysm: Awesome, thanks for the interview! Keep up the good work!

Xeen: tyty

Obtained Code S status by votes from the top SEA players

Group Stage:
> nGenLight 2:1
> aLtIaguz 2:0
Obtains #1 seed in group
Quarter Finals:
> FXOiceiceice 3:0
Semi Finals:
> aLtAaron 3:1

Obtained Code S status by votes from the top SEA players

Group Stage:
> aLtOxygeN 2:0
> iHong Kong inFiRoz 2:0
Obtains #1 seed in group
Quarter Finals:
> NEORedArchon 3:2
Semi Finals:
> nGenJazbas 3:0