[interview] 2012 GSL S3 CodeS RO32 Group F Winners

This is your first time advancing to ro16

It’s great. I was really disappointed with my performance at MLG. So I became determined to win in GSL and worked hard.

How far did you expect yourself to go at MLG?

I thought I would get third at least. Then, I lost to my team mate Inori which was very disappointing.

You lost your Code S debut match. How did that make you feel?

I know it’s an excuse but I got to the studio barely in time so I only had 10 minutes to get ready. I wasn’t warmed up yet and wasn’t in the best state of mind. I made the worst decisions possible in the games.

This broke your 10 win streak. Do you regret that?

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. However, I paid no attention to that during the games. It’s fine since I have plenty of opportunities to win from now on. I won’t focus on things like win streaks once I’m at the studio.

In Set 2 against Parting, you showcased the 211 food strategy for the first time in an official match

It’s a common tactic that Zergs use when they practice. I use this strategy when I go infestor/broodlord against Protoss. I think this is the first time this strategy was used with ultralisks. I do think that it works better with broodlords. But I hate practising that build. It takes too long to get to so I looked for another build to use and came up with this. I’m sure Protosses will find an answer to it but until then, I’ll keep it in my arsenal of builds.

In Set 3, you used neural parasite

I found that immortals, colossi and archons are strong against ultralisks. However, those units are slow so neural parasite works well against them. That’s the reason I used it. It’s better than using fungal growth alone.

Did you expect to face MarineKing in the winner’s match?

Since Zerg is so strong lately, I thought there was a 50% chance. Yugioh took Set 1 so I thought he’d be the one advancing but MKP was really good.

In Set 1 of the winner’s match, you won despite losing your lair to a drop

I expected that drop after seeing the medivacs. But I still took damage and the game became difficult to win. The key was having spread the creep far and not losing any drones. This allowed for a quick recovery.

MKP did a double proxy rax and you countered with 1 base roach play. Was this planned?

No. I went for that build because MKP doesn’t tend to scout. He didn’t scout against Yugioh. Then, seeing the SCV walk into my base made me think my build was ruined until I saw the marines following that SCV. I’ve never experienced this situation before so I wasn’t sure who was ahead. I think I had the upper hand because my opponent did a double proxy rax build.

You have group nominations in ro16. Do you want ac certain group or match up?

I want a 1 Z 3 T group. There’s the patch and I like ZvT. ZvT is my best match up so having 3 Terrans will be good for me. However, I don’t mind the other match ups.
There isn’t anyone I want to face in particular but having said that, Genius eliminated me in my Code A debut match once. If I had to pick, I would choose him.

Terrans will be avoiding you now that you’re on such a roll

Not necessarily. I’m still the same player as ever.

What do you think when people say that Symbol is a player of many styles?

I’m not one to focus on a single style. It makes you susceptible to counters and you become easy to analyse. I want keep following the metagame and be a very all-round player.

With your reverse all kill in GSTL, people call you the Nephalem (T/N: ?) Zerg. Do you play Diablo 3?

I’ve never played Diablo 3. I don’t know what Nephalem is so I looked it up but I’m still not sure. I like it though. Sounds like it has a good meaning.

Your goal for your Code S debut?

It was originally ro8 but I did badly at MLG so I want to go to the finals in GSL.

Anything to add?

I want to thank the coach first of all. Today, the coach’s mother in law cooked a meal for us and gave me some pork. I think that pork gave me energy to win tonight.
I want to thank Cyrano who helped me practise. I practised with him only and worked him really hard so I’ll treat him to something tasty when I get back.
I want to thank my sponsors N-Keyboard and the Handsome Nerd and Gom TV. Lastly, I promise to show good games in ro16 so I ask that many people cheer for me.