[Translation] NESL's Interview of XiGua

Source: Tatazu.com | 2011-6-10 | Editor: elvin

NESL: Very excited to have a chance to interview XiGua. Please introduce yourself:
CCM.XiGua: Hello everybody! I am XiGua.
[T/N: XiGua has since transferred to team Invictus Gaming]

NESL: After winning WGT, we haven't saw you playing for a while. Are you in competitive shape?
XiGua: I had a little family matter after WGT, so I took a little break. I have had trouble with ZvZ recently, often knocked out due to it, so I have been strengthening myself at that particular matchup.
[T/N: WGT was an 8-man invite tournament with a prizepool of ￥35000 ($5,500 appx). The tournament ran between January 4-6 in ZhongGuanCun e-Plaza, Beijing.]


NESL: Many changes happened since the beginning of this year for the Chinese scene - the official Chinese version was finally released, Nv's SC2 team was purchased by CCM, G-League, WCG & NESL are all upcoming. As a player, how has the development and growth of the Chinese scene affected you? What do we still need to improve upon?
XiGua: StarCraft 2 is still in a growing stage, so it may not have reached the level of WarCraft 3 yet. However, I believe that as more players pick up the game and other Pros transition to this game, StarCraft 2 will become a fan favorite.

The focus needs to be atmosphere. A great game, without a matching atmosphere, will never become big enough.

NESL: Are you making preparations for the WCG Chengdu qualifer? What's your goal for this WCG?
XiGua: Of course #1. As a professional player, there're no other objective. This is what I believe in.

NESL: WCG has always been the tournament that matters the most and the focus of Chinese fans, yet we have not have any success in BW for some time. Do you think we can change that in StarCraft 2? Can you find success for China at WCG?
XiGua: At the current stage, I don't think the Koreans dominate the world stage as they had in BW. Skill-wise, many Chinese players can match the Code-S level. Players such as xiaOt, lovett, and Sed can at least make Top-3.

NESL: After you defeated xiaOt at WGT, many fans considered you China's top Zerg, comparing you to NesTea. Your thoughts?
XiGua: NesTea is my favorite player. He has solid mechanics and thorough strategic understanding. He able to win championships despite the current patch is not luck or coincidence.

Maybe I can be compared to other Zerg players, but I am nothing compared to NesTea.

NESL: Let's talk balance.
XiGua: Terrans are very strong and not map-dependent at all. In any situation, Terran can make a equal trade, especially considering how strong Marines are.

Protoss are balanced, depending on the player. Sentry is useful, but only if you know how to use it properly. A Protoss player is only as strong as his sentry usage, at least against Zergs, and can become quite imba.

Zergs are a little on the weaker side, because there're very little room for error. Any minor mistake can ruin the advantage you build throughout the game. Also, the 2-Barrack rush was simply too powerful a while back.


NESL: In this NESL, you'll be participating in the full gauntlet: the team league, star league, race war, and individual league. Let's take a look at the team league first, CCM is playing Legacy, with winner playing whoever wins WE vs TyLoo. With the league using WC3L format, how competitive do you think CCM are?
XiGua: I like this setup. Not only is the format exciting to watch, it also let everyone experience the team spirit. I feel good about it.

NESL: You are entering the Race War as a Zerg. In the Chinese scene, the Protoss clearly have an advantage over Terrans and Zergs. How do you feel about this one?
XiGua: In the Chinese server, more players play Protoss the most, so it's expected for them to play better than the other two. I don't feel I am disadvantaged against Protoss or Terran. Zerg in my eye is undefeatable.

NESL: In the Individual League, you're seeded along with Sen, F91 and other into the ro-16.
XiGua: More qualifier spots means more chances. It's fairer and I think everyone like that.
[T/N: The invited players are Sen、F91、XiGua、xiaOt、Loner、LoveCD、Lengmo、WP，inFi]

NESL: Who are the top-5 players of each race in the world?
XiGua:

• Terran: sC, MVP, MMA, NaDa, BoxeR
  
• Protoss: MC, xiOt, LoveTT, HuK
  [T/N: XiGua did not list a fifth]
  
• Zerg: NesTea, July, LosirA, XiGua, IdrA
  

NESL: Information of HOTS has been recently released, have you been following it closely?
XiGua: I saw some of the new information. Looks like Zerg will get a buff in this expansion. I think the return of the Lurker would make the game more interesting and will be more balanced than the current game.

NESL: What map do you hate? What map do you love?
XiGua: I enjoy Xel'naga Cavern, Tal'Darim Altar, Steppes of War but hate The Shattered Temple and Metalopolis. Close spawn is instant GG in those maps.

NESL: Do you play to compete in GSL and other international competition?
XiGua: This team is still developing, but that's certainly possible.

NESL: A Zerg strategy question: Zerg can often get out-microed by Terran and Protoss, how do you overcome that deficiency?
XiGua: Zerg relies on multiple fronts. Only by proper formation, through flanking and manuvuering, can one compensate in battle. Use Mutalisks to contain the enemy forces to buy time.

NESL: For the regular Zerg players, what should they concentrate on improving?
XiGua: If you want to get better with Zerg, train your fundamentals and judgement. You'll need to practice often to perfect the craft. Every extra Drone you squeeze out, you become a little stronger.

NESL: Hatch-first often falters under Terran pressure, have you played around with 1-base infestor or other novel strategies?
XiGua: I prefer a passive-economic style currently, maybe in the future.

NESL: Thank you for spending time with NESL, any message for the fans?
XiGua: Thank you for supporting StarCraft 2 everyone and creating better atmosphere around the game. I hope everyone continue to support me, and I'll do my best to bring better results in return.