EPTThe Hard-Knock Life
Following the semi-pros' journeys through the MLG Open Bracket
Hundreds of players have been duking it out at MLG Anaheim this past weekend, far too many to document. One player, ePGimix and his amazing sportsmanship with
White-Ra was fortunate enough to break through the barriers of anonymity and into the hearts of TLers and Redditors alike. But there are those whose tales would have normally have gone unheard, if only we weren't there to hear it.
This is about them.
Following the semi-pros' journeys through the MLG Open Bracket
Hundreds of players have been duking it out at MLG Anaheim this past weekend, far too many to document. One player, ePGimix and his amazing sportsmanship with
White-Ra was fortunate enough to break through the barriers of anonymity and into the hearts of TLers and Redditors alike. But there are those whose tales would have normally have gone unheard, if only we weren't there to hear it. This is about them.
eP.Gimix- Race: Terran
- Team: Eternal Plague - eP
- Lan experience: first MLG
The Dude. The Legend. The biggest name in ESPORTS this weekend. Gimix, aka "The Most Mannered Player in ESPORTS", has been for most of his career a rather unassuming player on a rather unassuming team. His meetings with White-Ra in the Open Bracket, however, suddenly changed all that.
White-Ra in the Open Bracket, however, suddenly changed all that.![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ywTQu.png)
Hello this is Katzby, bringing you with an interview with ePGimix. Can you please introduce yourself?
I am ePGimix, Stephen Biesel.
You and your team are a bit unknown to the community, can you talk about you and your team's accomplishments before this MLG?
Eternal Plague placed 2nd place in ESGL Season 2 and recently beat VPGamers in the SGL Playoffs. Our current lineup consist of
Gimix, Fingo, ButteryLlama, Valkyrie, JakeBake, Haustka, and ArtOfTerran. We had 5 players in Grandmaster League for Season 2. Two of which, Gimix and Valkyrie both peaked Top 25. My personal accomplishments (according to my manager):
2nd Place Versus Gaming LAN
1st Place University of Utah LAN
2nd Place University of Utah LAN
2nd Place ESL Go4SC2 Cup #61
2nd Place ESL Go4SC2 Cup #57
2nd Place ESL Go4SC2 Cup #53
2nd Place US CraftCup #29
4th Place - BYOC Riverton Tournament LAN
What was going through your head when you saw that you would probably face
White-Ra in round 2?I was first excited, but also a little sad. I didn't feel very confident. After all, he's White-Ra! I don't want to get knocked out so early.
Are you a White-Ra fan?
I wasn't until I met the guy. I mean, I knew of him, but I didn't follow him closely since I am Terran, but I am now.
What were you thinking, when White-Ra didn't show up for your upper bracket match?
It was a bizzarre experience when White-Ra finally came in. I was kind of disappointed, but also a little relieved. It was very bittersweet, I didn't get eliminated, but on the other hand, I didn't get to play White-Ra.
After White-Ra's match, you went on to defeat
EG.StrifeCro 2-1, establishing that you are not just lucky but a rather skilled player. Care to talk about those games?For the first game on Xel'Naga Cavern, I did a 2-factory 1-base rush and managed to destroy his natural. After that, I just expanded myself. When he tries to take a third at the Gold, I pushed and after that it was pretty much over.
In the second game, I tried to use the same build, but StrifeCro was ready for it. He beat my army back, but it was still fairly even. Eventually, he managed a very beautiful Roach/Baneling to Mutalisk transition. I was prepared but still fell behind, and it ended in a slow loss.
Game 3 on Shattered Temple, I pushed in the only timing window I have, because he was about to get Broodlords. I pushed just before he teched to hive, his infestors vs my Marine/Tank/Hellion. I pushed and siege between the natural and Gold and it was over.
Sound like they're all straight up games.
Yes. I didn't cheese him out or anything.
After you got knocked down to the Lower Bracket by
ThisIsJimmy. You managed to land on White-Ra's side of the bracket again. What were you thinking?When I saw the bracket I just thought, oh I get to play White-Ra again! I looked at the players and I knew I would face White-Ra. When it comes to it, I was excited to meet him again.
It was a best of 7?
Yes, an extended series with me starting 2-0, so I gave him back two games to make it a regular best of 3 to make it even.
What did you do in those two games?
I just moved my SCVs over to his base and typed "GG."
After the match, did you get a chance to chat with White-Ra?
He was very busy so we didn't get to chat very long, but he came over and we shook hands. He told me that we should practice together sometimes.
So you got yourself a Protoss practice partner?
I guess so!
When did you find out about the Day9 shoutout and that you're on front page of Reddit.com (not just r/StarCraft)?
I kinda left.
I couldn't handle the attention, so I went back to the hotel. When I came back my manager, Mike, told me that I am the top story on reddit.
I didn't really comprehend what that means then. It was definitely the coolest experience ever. Mostly because the Day9 shoutout. That's all I ever needed or wanted.
Did you expect such a large reaction? How have you dealt with the sudden fame? Are you the more withdrawn type?
I didn't expect it at all. I am definitely more of the withdrawn type. The fame is great, since I am an unknown player, even though I often beat strong opponents. On the other hand, I want to be the best. Not just famous, but the best.
How did you feel about having a larger TL fan club than DJ Wheat?
It was undeserved. DJWheat busted his ass and worked hard for the community. I just happened to play against White-Ra.
Do you have any last shoutouts?
Shoutout to my team and community Eternal Plague. I stream at http://www.twitch.tv/pit__ and you can follow Clan eP's twitter at http://www.twitter.com/epclan .
GoSuSTX (formerly ONEShield)![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/F1h76.jpg)
A new team, a new ID, the former ONE.Shield tries once again to brave the gauntlet that is the MLG Open Bracket. His first opponent,
Tinasaur, whose appetite is no doubt voracious, was easily vanquished. To him, STX/Shield simply said "that was easy," but the night is young... + Show Spoiler [Transcript] +
Hi, this is Katzby, with an interview for TeamLiquid. Right here in front of me is GoSuSTX, also known as ONEShield, can you introduce yourself to TeamLiquid?
I am Caleb "STX" Richard. I play on the team It's Gosu and have been playing since the Beta.
Can you give us your RTS background?
I played StarCraft and WarCraft 3. I actually played WarCraft 3 first for two years, but switched to Brood War when I heard that StarCraft 2 will be coming out, and played it for three-four months until the Beta.
What motivated you to switch to Starcraft 2?
I thought it will be better than StarCraft I, and definitely better than WarCraft. I am pretty happy with the way StarCraft 2 turns out.
Let's talk about your results here at the MLG. Your first two games, I guess you can say, are against fairly easy opponents. Can you talk about those games?
I played both Protoss, and TvP is my best matchup, but sometimes I still manage to lose them. The first two are both mid-masters, so it was pretty easy.
After them I played
wbc. He prepared a build just for me (wbc is a teammate at It's Gosu). He did a 3-Gate expand, but hid the expansion, so I thought it was an all-in. Eventually he took a third, but I thought it was his second, so I just sat. He had three base against my two, so ya...That sucks! After wbc drops you to the lower bracket, you played against
RevShadow. How did that go?He all-ined the first game. I scouted 2-gas and knew something was up, so instead of 3-rax and 2-gas, I went 4-rax, a safer build. It was a pretty easy win even though I essentially blind-countered him. The second, third game were a complete blur. I don't remember what happened.
How was your experience here at MLG?
Yeah it was pretty good, but there had been a lot of standing between matches, sometimes for several hours, because there are not enough chairs. It can be a couple hours or a couple minutes until your next match, but overall it had been pretty good.
I heard some of the games started at 1:30 AM last night?
I was here until 3 AM last night, because I was up to the [upper bracket] fourth round. Once I lose though, I can go home, but it all depends on how well I do. Then you have to wake up at 10 again.
Are you satisfied with how well you did?
I definitely could have done better, but I also need to practice more.
This is your first MLG right?
Yep. First time competing. I visited one once just to watch, StarCraft 2 wasn't out then.
Will you be attending future MLGs?
Yes! My team It's GoSu will send me to more MLGs in the future.
Thank you for your time. Do you have any shoutouts?
Shout-out to Steel Series and my team, It's GoSu.
Sterling- Race: Terran
- Team: Free agent
- Lan experience: none
A recently TL featured streamer, Sterling "Sterling" Kolde is an emerging American Terran player who is currently in transition to become a professional player.
+ Show Spoiler [Transcript] +
On hold.
