With Moletrap currently casting the OSL, there has been lots of threads regarding him (the what makes a good caster thread, the Moletrap feedback thread, and the Grubby thread has lots of Moletrap talk).
What none of these threads really talk about is Moletrap's BW commentaries.
I think it's unfair that Moletrap gets a lot of negative feedback (some a bit too far) regarding his casting in general mainly because he did so well in BW, and a lot of people don't give him credit for that (and support for his SC2 transition). Of course, how he casts in SC2 is what matters now (not what he did in the past) but I'd still like to mention his BW casts as he did a lot for the community back then + he was really good as a caster too.
Also, a lot talk about what Moletrap lacks as a caster for SC2 but what I want to talk about is what Moletrap "lost" from his transition from BW to SC2.
I'll link to a few videos of Moletrap and comment on some things.
Video #1: Moletrap and Klazart casting that infamous MSL Flash vs Jaedong Finals: (Also they start talking about the game around a minute in)
(Also Moletrap's thought on Jaedong given the win at around 24 minutes and 30 seconds.)
As you can see in the video (they start talking about the game instead of the players a minute in), Moletrap is much better in BW than in SC2 (especially with co casting).
Moletrap was good in BW. He knew all the players, he knew most of the strategies, he basically knew most of the stuff needed to cast BW.
Moletrap was spot on. Mentioning and memorizing the builds Flash and Jaedong used. Mentioning how Jaedong shouldn't have did the guardian strategy against Flash because he should have seen the game where other Zergs used it and failed. Finally, his analysis on giving Jaedong the win due to the power outage mid game. He says that it was unfair to Flash since he still had a chance but he says if they had a rematched, it would be also unfair to Jaedong too (especially if in the rematch Jaedong lost because he had an advantage (see Parting vs MKP disconnect debate for example)).
Video #2: Flash vs Jaedong 4set @ GomMSLs4 Ro8 Highlight - at 3:15 mark Moletrap predicts that Jaedong will be able to fight off Flash's SCV + Marine + Bunker rush. It may not be an amazing prediction but it shows that Moletrap knows BW well enough to know when certain rushes may or may not work. (Speaking of that, the real commentary of the game starts about that time too, at 3:15 minutes. Before that, he mostly just talks about the players.)
(Also note in that game and in other games in general in BW, he rarely talks bad or calls out any players at least in a real negative fashion. In that game, he mostly praised Jaedong rather than negatively criticize Flash.
Video #3: July vs Idra @ MSL Offline Prelims (Part 1 of 2) Highlight #1 - At the 3 minute mark, Moletrap explains how he figured out Idra was playing in this game (also states he knows some Korean). Again, this is just shows he really put effort into his BW casts.
(Also yes, he pronounces Idra's name wrong but a lot of people make that mistake with his name.)
Highlight #2 - At 3:40, Moletrap talks about Idra's build (prediction is mostly spot on). Besides those, Moletrap's commentary was spot on for the most part.
(Also here's part 2 of that game)
I can dig up more games but I think these videos are enough (especially the Moletrap and Klazart one and the Idra vs July one; the game with Flash vs Jaedong was kind of short and one sided to really show much from Moletrap).
The point I want to make is that Moletrap was much better in BW than in SC2. It's not what Moletrap lacks as a caster but what he lost from his transition to SC2.
Sure Moletrap wasn't the best BW caster but he was definitely good (in fact, most people loved him in BW; few if any criticized or disliked him in BW). There were some people who didn't like him in BW but those were the minority (really the minority).
So overall (the points I want to make with these videos): 1. Good with co casting (never really cut off co casters). See the first game with Klazart and Moletrap. In fact, I also remember a triple commentary where he excused himself before talking over his co casters to mention one specific thing (then he excused himself afterwards). (Though sadly, I forgot which game it was and haven't been able to find it.)
2. Knew most of the builds and the players (first game is also a good highlight).
3. Made the right calls (usually).
4. Never really negatively bashed or criticized any players (praise was often given, as seen in the Flash vs Jaedong game GomMSL game and the Idra vs July game).
5. Not exactly shown in the video but he did take feedback from people (mostly from either youtube comments or his TL thread).
Moletrap isn't doing as well in SC2 but why is that?1. He might not be interested in SC2 as in BW (which would be disappointing but it's not too late to fix). 2. I also can imagine him being pressured with live casting (as all his BW casts were from his home, so maybe he just doesn't have the same atmosphere or environment that helps him cast when live casting). 3. Finally, none of his old co casting buddies (Diggity, Klazart, etc) are here in SC2. Of course, he can make new buddies but it still might not be the same which may affect how he co casts.
Out of the three reasons why Moletrap may not be doing well, I think #1 and #2 are the likely factors. The question is, how can we remedy that? Sure it's his job (literally) to take care of those problems for casting in SC2, but maybe if he can get a bit more support, he may do better.
He definitely has the potential to be good. I hope after seeing all these videos, people can give Moletrap some more support and less negativity because he has the potential to be great in SC2 + he did a lot for the community by casting in BW (again. he was one of the most beloved BW casters).
Honestly he just needs to play the dam game. Casting without spending a lot of hours playing the game makes you a bad caster. Just look at Tod, cloud and the other pros. Almost all pros are good casters. hell some will probably rank in the top 3 casters (aka grubby or idra for others). Most pros aren't even very articulate but when they talk, they dam well know what they are talking about.
i think hes quite decent, nothing special like Tastosis with their feelings etc. You can tell when tastosis casts that they have the passion and the years behind them playing it competitively and the knowledge which gives them an edge in commentary. Same with IdrA and incontrol casting together also shows their passion and all these years spending playing this game and watching it. it helps a lot
Sure Moletrap wasn't the best BW caster but he was definitely good (in fact, most people loved him in BW; few if any criticized or disliked him in BW). There were some people who didn't like him in BW but those were the minority (really the minority).
This is a stretch because even Klazart got hate back in the day for his game knowledge not being up to par. I think the BW community was just so conditioned to not expect jack shit from Blizzard and Kespa that anything, even shitty VODs with no English commentary and 240p quality was welcomed with open arms (which should be the case because over 5 years of watching BW, I know I never dropped a dime).
With SC2, you have a bunch of tournament organizers coming out and wooing the audience so everyone has an inflated sense of self-worth, hence the bitching even for free events.
Idk, times are different now and I really hope Moletrap can win over many of the SC2 fans because it would really suck if he can't find a job after all the work he's put in. If he really doesn't have the passion for SC2 then he should just quit and save himself the headache.
On September 04 2012 23:49 sekritzzz wrote: Honestly he just needs to play the dam game. Casting without spending a lot of hours playing the game makes you a bad caster. Just look at Tod, cloud and the other pros. Almost all pros are good casters. hell some will probably rank in the top 3 casters (aka grubby or idra for others). Most pros aren't even very articulate but when they talk, they dam well know what they are talking about.
so thats my advice for moletrap, play the game!
Ive got to disagree, the majority of pro players AREN'T suited for casting. It's often just blatant analytical with no excitement.
I think the whole issue with Moletrap is that he doesn't care about SC2. He's a BW commentator who took the odd SC2 job because the guy has to make a living, or so it seems to me. He's also dabbling in LoL, which of course is alright (I don't share the LoL hatred of other people, although I do dislike the game itself, not my cup of tea), but it's one more example of how he's basically a "hired" caster. You can see he's also very passionate about SC1 pros, while not having the words or facts to describe SC2 pros, and apparantly the same is the case when it comes to LoL. He has simply not learned anything about the players, and he hasn't learned anything about the game. I am very certain Moletrap doesn't play a lot of SC2, I doubt he's consistently placed in any league above gold. He might be alright at RTS games (As in, a skilled amateur), but he doesn't practice on ladder I strongly suspect. He doesn't seem to actively seek out vods of tournaments he isn't casting, he doesn't like some casters keep notes or study builds. He has no active interest in this game.
Moletrap is what you get when casters aren't as insanely passionate as we are used to. He's a working man, he puts on his casting suit and when his working day is over, he goes home to watch kodomo anime. I admit I may be wrong about certain things, but I think generally the above is true, and it's basically what you #1 option was as well.
On September 04 2012 23:49 sekritzzz wrote: Honestly he just needs to play the dam game. Casting without spending a lot of hours playing the game makes you a bad caster. Just look at Tod, cloud and the other pros. Almost all pros are good casters. hell some will probably rank in the top 3 casters (aka grubby or idra for others). Most pros aren't even very articulate but when they talk, they dam well know what they are talking about.
so thats my advice for moletrap, play the game!
Ive got to disagree, the majority of pro players AREN'T suited for casting. It's often just blatant analytical with no excitement.
To be honest. I watched the Battle at Ministry of Win and I have to say that Ret's girlfriend seems to mave more insight in the game than most of today's professional casters. That said, she's not a professional player nor a caster. It's damn important to have SOME insight in strategies and builds. It shouldn't take a lot of work to actually get a grip of this if casting is your job.
On September 05 2012 00:04 Kasaraki wrote: I think the whole issue with Moletrap is that he doesn't care about SC2. He's a BW commentator who took the odd SC2 job because the guy has to make a living, or so it seems to me. He's also dabbling in LoL, which of course is alright (I don't share the LoL hatred of other people, although I do dislike the game itself, not my cup of tea), but it's one more example of how he's basically a "hired" caster. You can see he's also very passionate about SC1 pros, while not having the words or facts to describe SC2 pros, and apparantly the same is the case when it comes to LoL. He has simply not learned anything about the players, and he hasn't learned anything about the game. I am very certain Moletrap doesn't play a lot of SC2, I doubt he's consistently placed in any league above gold. He might be alright at RTS games (As in, a skilled amateur), but he doesn't practice on ladder I strongly suspect. He doesn't seem to actively seek out vods of tournaments he isn't casting, he doesn't like some casters keep notes or study builds. He has no active interest in this game.
Moletrap is what you get when casters aren't as insanely passionate as we are used to. He's a working man, he puts on his casting suit and when his working day is over, he goes home to watch kodomo anime. I admit I may be wrong about certain things, but I think generally the above is true, and it's basically what you #1 option was as well.
You couldn`t be more wrong about his passion. Firstly he isn`t just taking this job in korea because he has to make a living. He mentioned in an interview he was working on building boats or some shit before this and would continue to do that again if this fails. You don`t just drop a job then go to korea because you lack passion. Also he does a lot of things for the community like hanging around the code A qualifiers to give us results when very few others were (Khaldor also). People find out that SKT1 is selling jerseys in korea and he goes to their manager to try to ask if they can sell it internationally. Excuse me but isnt this what people love about Artosis? He does things outside of casting as well.
I am not a huge fan of Moletrap, but to say he isn`t passionate is silly.
He is casting SC2 now and he's no good at it. He has no conception of the strategies and hasn't taken the time to educate himself on player styles or bios.
Added to the fact that he hasn't been blessed with other advantages that can help a commentator (good casting voice, appearance etc), I don't see how he has the job other than that he happens to be in Korea.
Khlador is a great example of a guy who went out and educated himself about the game and players and is a much better caster for it (despite not being a "natural" caster or a high level player).
I think he's passionate about e-sports, but I don't think he's passionate about SC2 specifically, and I am 100% sure that his biggest passion is BW and not SC2. I may be underestimating him, and I won't claim what I am saying is fact. It was just a guess of mine, and I do still think you didn't disprove my theory. He's really into e-sports, that much is clear, but I don't think he's as into SC2 as he should be if he were to become as good a caster as any of the current GSL casters.
Great examples, moletrap was amazing in his BW casts. Really needed to be said against the haters. I was just a horrible player in BW and had no understanding of the game, but watching moletrap over the years made me a fan of BW and had me get a somewhat decent understanding of what was happening in my monitor. His analysis of the build orders, strategies and mindset of the players plus him looking up stats on TLPD was spot on.
Watch these videos and shut your bashing on moletrap, he doesn't warrant any negativity.
I agree, and was thinking the same thing recently as OP. His casting in 2008-2009 was superior to his 2011-2012 casting by far. It's strange cause I don't think he was any better at BW than he likely is at SC2.
It's a shame cause I'm a fan and have defended him numerous times in numerous threads, but I thought his recent OSL solo cast was painful to listen to. I hope he turns it around, I'm still a fan and all
I'm not a moletrap believer, but for those who are, you should probably stop creating these threads as it just attracts all the people who dislike his casting and want to be vocal about it once again. Food for thought. I just picture myself being moletrap and checking teamliquid to find another damn thread about his casting abilities lol.
EPT
He's really into e-sports, that much is clear, but I don't think he's as into SC2 as he should be if he were to become as good a caster as any of the current GSL casters.
