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Club Protoss
Round of 8 Week Two Recap
Semifinals Preview
Whenever there's a chance for an all same race semifinals, usually at least one player of another race gets hot and ruins the mirror party. When I looked at this MSL's Z and T roster, I believed that one of Jaedong, FBH, Hwasin, or ForGG would catch fire and advance to the semis. Unfortunately, the bracket was heavily loaded on one side, and the two Protoss players with the most raw potential (Bisu and Free) were suddenly playing lights-out every game. If these two are "on" for any particular match, nobody was beating them. Jaedong or FBH would have easily advanced further in the other half of the draw, but instead were bounced out early.
On the surface, these semifinals are horrible. Not only are there no Terrans or Zergs, there's also no Stork, no Best, and no Pusan. There isn't even BackHo to add the laugh-at-him entertainment value. In addition, one semifinal (Bisu-Free) contains by far the two best players in the MSL. PvP isn't bad relative to the other matchups, but by the eleventh game of rock-paper-scissors build order wins or no rush 15 minute max out snorefests, you will want to rip your hair out.
If you're upset about this, fear not, for your trusty Club Day Online MSL news poster has come up with a drinking game tailored to PvP to get you through these two series. But before we get to that and the previews of the semis, let's recap the two quarterfinal series that happened in week two.
Dance Dance Revolutionist
![Protoss (P)](https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png)
![Terran (T)](https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png)
After receiving weeks of hype, an excited buzz around his reinvented TvP, and a brand new TL fan club, FireBatHero flamed out in disastrous fashion the instant he had to play a competent P in a Bo5. Now the FBH fanboys are fleeing his bandwagon as if it was the Titanic. I must admit, while I predicted Bisu to win, I thought FBH would put up more of a fight. So much hype, yet crushed in the Round of 8. I can't say I'm surprised though, as FBH has never matched his flair and theatrics with actual results. In case you can't tell, I typed this last paragraph with a huge smug banana grin.
Game One @ Medusa
+ Show Spoiler [Show Summary] +
Bisu opened with a safe gate-robo-gate while FBH 1-fac expanded, making seven marines with his tank before moving to take his natural. Bisu moved in, and the marines imitated their master: they danced around, failed to kill anything, and eventually died to Protoss units.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_11.jpg)
Bisu engaged and killed five marines and a tank while only losing his zealot. The early robotics paid off, as the shuttle and reaver arrived at FBH's base before any turrets were even started.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_12.jpg)
The reaver scored 13 SCVs and 4 marines, but Bisu didn't settle for just that, moving in with six dragoons and his reaver to pick off tanks.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_13.jpg)
Bisu eventually forced FBH's natural CC to lift, killed a factory, and after picking up a second reaver back home, razed four critical supply depots:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_14.jpg)
The game had become incredibly lopsided at this point, with Bisu running off three bases and eight gateways while FBH had one base, one factory, and a floating CC.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_15.jpg)
A minute later, Bisu mercifully ended it with a dragoon-reaver attack.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_16.jpg)
This game was a rude wake-up call for those expecting an epic five set match.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_11.jpg)
Bisu engaged and killed five marines and a tank while only losing his zealot. The early robotics paid off, as the shuttle and reaver arrived at FBH's base before any turrets were even started.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_12.jpg)
The reaver scored 13 SCVs and 4 marines, but Bisu didn't settle for just that, moving in with six dragoons and his reaver to pick off tanks.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_13.jpg)
Bisu eventually forced FBH's natural CC to lift, killed a factory, and after picking up a second reaver back home, razed four critical supply depots:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_14.jpg)
The game had become incredibly lopsided at this point, with Bisu running off three bases and eight gateways while FBH had one base, one factory, and a floating CC.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_15.jpg)
A minute later, Bisu mercifully ended it with a dragoon-reaver attack.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_16.jpg)
This game was a rude wake-up call for those expecting an epic five set match.
Game Two @ Destination
+ Show Spoiler [Show Summary] +
It was almost as if Bisu had an Annoying Protoss To-do List this game, opening gas steal and manner pylon into proxy gate:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_21.jpg)
To FBH's credit, he devised an ingenious way to trap Bisu's zealots with supply depots:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_22.jpg)
After killing the proxy, FBH took his natural. Bisu expanded twice in responses while dragoon harassing the bunker at FBH's bridges. Given the opening I was expecting a DT drop followed by Carriers, but Bisu did not complete the circle of abuse, instead playing safe with a robo and reavers.
At a weird timing, FBH moved out toward Bisu's third base with three tanks supported by a few marines, scvs, and vultures. This mini push was quickly crushed by dragoons and a reaver:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_23.jpg)
After a long period of macro, FBH slow pushed toward Bisu's third. For some inexplicable reason, Bisu opted to let the nexus die before breaking the push. At this point both players had impressively large armies:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_24.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_25.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_26.jpg)
But Bisu had teched to Arbiters, and promptly recalled into FBH's main:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_27.jpg)
Bisu's recall didn't do a lot of damage, but it did force FBH's army to move out of position, allowing an opening for Bisu to shut down FBH's recently established third base:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_28.jpg)
FBH cleaned up the recall and moved back out to defend his third. When FBH saw a second arbiter fly into his main to recall again, he just GG'd out:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_29.jpg)
I suppose you could call this game an improvement, as FBH managed to push out of his natural and even kill a nexus, but Bisu was never really in danger all game.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_21.jpg)
To FBH's credit, he devised an ingenious way to trap Bisu's zealots with supply depots:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_22.jpg)
After killing the proxy, FBH took his natural. Bisu expanded twice in responses while dragoon harassing the bunker at FBH's bridges. Given the opening I was expecting a DT drop followed by Carriers, but Bisu did not complete the circle of abuse, instead playing safe with a robo and reavers.
At a weird timing, FBH moved out toward Bisu's third base with three tanks supported by a few marines, scvs, and vultures. This mini push was quickly crushed by dragoons and a reaver:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_23.jpg)
After a long period of macro, FBH slow pushed toward Bisu's third. For some inexplicable reason, Bisu opted to let the nexus die before breaking the push. At this point both players had impressively large armies:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_24.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_25.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_26.jpg)
But Bisu had teched to Arbiters, and promptly recalled into FBH's main:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_27.jpg)
Bisu's recall didn't do a lot of damage, but it did force FBH's army to move out of position, allowing an opening for Bisu to shut down FBH's recently established third base:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_28.jpg)
FBH cleaned up the recall and moved back out to defend his third. When FBH saw a second arbiter fly into his main to recall again, he just GG'd out:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_29.jpg)
I suppose you could call this game an improvement, as FBH managed to push out of his natural and even kill a nexus, but Bisu was never really in danger all game.
Game Three @ Athena 2
+ Show Spoiler [Show Summary] +
In games one and two, FBH opened 1-fac expand and got rolled both times. It was almost a sure thing that FBH would open 2-fac this time. However, Bisu is no Tempest. Bisu went 1-gate expand and added two more gates quickly after. Since obs is delayed, this build relies heavily on the P's dragoon micro.
Bisu got a bit lucky when he spotted speed upgraded vultures with a probe, and with the use of a pylon wall, he cleanly deflected FBH's first attack:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_31.jpg)
Bisu's follow up reaver harass did no damage, but he was already quite ahead after taking no damage from the 2-fac. As a result, Bisu had three gas carriers out before FBH could secure a third base. Bisu methodically targeted tanks with his carriers while dragoons mopped up the goliaths, never allowing FBH to mass a large ball of units:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_32.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_33.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_34.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_35.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_36.jpg)
And just like that, the series was over.
Bisu got a bit lucky when he spotted speed upgraded vultures with a probe, and with the use of a pylon wall, he cleanly deflected FBH's first attack:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_31.jpg)
Bisu's follow up reaver harass did no damage, but he was already quite ahead after taking no damage from the 2-fac. As a result, Bisu had three gas carriers out before FBH could secure a third base. Bisu methodically targeted tanks with his carriers while dragoons mopped up the goliaths, never allowing FBH to mass a large ball of units:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_32.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_33.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_34.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_35.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Bisu_FBH_36.jpg)
And just like that, the series was over.
When FBH typed out, he basically sprinted out of the booth. I doubt he will shed any tears of agony. If we could see FBH's face, it would probably just have a glassy-eyed expression of shock, as if he'd be hit by a truck. Bisu, on the other hand, stifled a yawn. When he is playing well, Bisu 3-0's people. That's just what happens. It doesn't matter who is standing in his way.
Mr. Dragoon
![Protoss (P)](https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png)
![Terran (T)](https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Ticon_small.png)
Free's strength is that his basic unit micro is just a level above everyone else. If Bisu's unit is the DT, Free's unit is the dragoon. His dragoons are special. They move smoothly, live longer, and somehow never glitch. Everyone remembers that pimpest plays video of Free minesweeping with dragoons only on Longinus II. His unit control is so good that two of the three games this series never make it past midgame. In the Bisu-FBH series, you kind of felt that Bisu was playing well while FBH had an off day, and if they met again the series might have been closer. But watching the Free-Nada series was different. Nada didn't stand a chance. He wasn't even remotely close in any of the three games.
Game One @ Medusa
+ Show Spoiler [Show Summary] +
Nada opened two fac and Free went 1-gate robo reaver.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_11.jpg)
Free deflected the attack by using a zealot to mine drag and kill several marines. Dragoons and a reaver do the clean up.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_12.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_13.jpg)
In his counterattack, Free sniped a tank in the back of Nada's base with a reaver and simultaneously picked off a second tank at the front with dragoons.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_14.jpg)
Then Free does something I just won't understand. He moves against three spread-sieged tanks and two goliaths with six dragoons, miraculously losing only two while killing two tanks and a goliath.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_15.jpg)
A double reaver drop officially ended it.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_16.jpg)
If I were a Terran playing Free, I wouldn't gamble on him screwing up his early game dragoon micro. Siege expand is the way to go, not 2-fac. Nada learned this the hard way and as a result was down 0-1.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_11.jpg)
Free deflected the attack by using a zealot to mine drag and kill several marines. Dragoons and a reaver do the clean up.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_12.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_13.jpg)
In his counterattack, Free sniped a tank in the back of Nada's base with a reaver and simultaneously picked off a second tank at the front with dragoons.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_14.jpg)
Then Free does something I just won't understand. He moves against three spread-sieged tanks and two goliaths with six dragoons, miraculously losing only two while killing two tanks and a goliath.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_15.jpg)
A double reaver drop officially ended it.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_16.jpg)
If I were a Terran playing Free, I wouldn't gamble on him screwing up his early game dragoon micro. Siege expand is the way to go, not 2-fac. Nada learned this the hard way and as a result was down 0-1.
Game Two @ Destination
+ Show Spoiler [Show Summary] +
Free's probe gets a kill:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_21.jpg)
Free opened with a single proxy gate at Nada's bridges.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_22.jpg)
Then Free put on a zealot harass clinic, taking out eleven SCVs and six marines with three zealots rallied from a single gateway.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_23.jpg)
After taking heavy losses, Nada secured his ramp with four marines, a vulture, and a tank. Free then worked his dragoon magic, somehow killing most of the units up the ramp and forcing his way in with four dragoons.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_24.jpg)
TWo tank kills and some dragoon dancing ensued, and Nada typed out.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_25.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_26.jpg)
Wow. That game was just brutal. Free's micro is just jaw droppingly good. He takes tier one units and wins fights that nobody else can win. Free makes zealot and dragoon harass seem unfair.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_21.jpg)
Free opened with a single proxy gate at Nada's bridges.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_22.jpg)
Then Free put on a zealot harass clinic, taking out eleven SCVs and six marines with three zealots rallied from a single gateway.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_23.jpg)
After taking heavy losses, Nada secured his ramp with four marines, a vulture, and a tank. Free then worked his dragoon magic, somehow killing most of the units up the ramp and forcing his way in with four dragoons.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_24.jpg)
TWo tank kills and some dragoon dancing ensued, and Nada typed out.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_25.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_26.jpg)
Wow. That game was just brutal. Free's micro is just jaw droppingly good. He takes tier one units and wins fights that nobody else can win. Free makes zealot and dragoon harass seem unfair.
Game Three @ Athena 2
+ Show Spoiler [Show Summary] +
In a stark contrast to the first two games, both players went for conservative, macro-oriented builds. Nada went early armory research with only one factory, which meant he planned to take three bases and push out at close to maxed. Free responded by adding gateways and taking bases.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_31.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_32.jpg)
The first real fight came at the ten minute mark: a horrifying mistake by Nada to siege in a clump with no mines or vulture support, resulting in both armies trading. Any Protoss will take this trade every day of the week, because it meant a great reduction in the T's tank count. Ideally, a Terran wants to trade as many reinforcing vultures as possible for the protoss army. Tanks are valuable because they are not only expensive but take a long time to build and take even longer to get in position. Losing ten tanks so early meant Nada was very, very behind.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_33.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_34.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_35.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_36.jpg)
The next few minutes had Nada frantically trying to set up a third base. Free would deny him again and again, with the margin of victory of each fight slowly growing. Eventually, Free pushed Nada all the way back up his main ramp.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_37.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_38.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_39.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_310.jpg)
After losing that initial tank clump, Nada was too far behind to recover.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_31.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_32.jpg)
The first real fight came at the ten minute mark: a horrifying mistake by Nada to siege in a clump with no mines or vulture support, resulting in both armies trading. Any Protoss will take this trade every day of the week, because it meant a great reduction in the T's tank count. Ideally, a Terran wants to trade as many reinforcing vultures as possible for the protoss army. Tanks are valuable because they are not only expensive but take a long time to build and take even longer to get in position. Losing ten tanks so early meant Nada was very, very behind.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_33.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_34.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_35.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_36.jpg)
The next few minutes had Nada frantically trying to set up a third base. Free would deny him again and again, with the margin of victory of each fight slowly growing. Eventually, Free pushed Nada all the way back up his main ramp.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_37.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_38.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_39.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSLsemis/Free_Nada_310.jpg)
After losing that initial tank clump, Nada was too far behind to recover.
This was a match between an ordinary player with extraordinary accomplishments and an extraordinary player with ordinary accomplishments. It played out exactly as it should. The younger, sharper, rising player won out over the old veteran clinging to past glory. However, the series showed more than that. Free played flawlessly. I don't use that word lightly. Besides running into a few mines late game, I cannot see how he could have played this series any better. Free didn't gamble with 14 nexus or 1-gate blind expand or proxy DT. He just executed safe, reliable strategies with surgical precision, pushing every edge and leaving no holes.
It's a huge compliment to say someone's play looks clean, and these three games by Free were scary clean. We're talking pine smelling, cancer-curing, wipe out all bacteria clean.
PvP Drinking Game
What you need:
- Ten beers, your choice of brand
- Bottle of hard liquor, your choice of brand
- Bottle of generic champagne
- Bottle of non-alcoholic stuff, can be water or soda, etc.
- Ten shot glasses
- Electrical tape
- A bucket
Fill one shot glass with each of the drinks listed above. You should use four of the shot glasses this way.
Next, cover the outside of the remaining six shot glasses with electrical tape. Fill two with liquor, two with beer, one with champagne, and one with your non-alcoholic drink. Try to move them around so you don't remember which is which. The tape will prevent you from knowing. These six are your "mystery" shots.
Take a shot of beer:
- For each probe lost in zealot harass during the first two minutes
- For every successful reaver or storm drop
- If one commentator yells a unit name, and the other commentator's contribution is solely some version of "YAAAAAAA"
Take a shot of hard alcohol:
- For each proxied building
- For each dark templar made
- If the commentators make that HAKKKKKKKKKKKK sound
Take a shot of champagne:
- After each game completes
- For every shot of a hot girl in the crowd
- If you see the Titty Sambo commercial
Take a "mystery" shot:
- At the start of each game
- If a player attempts an all-in strategy
- Every time a reaver fires a scarab
- Every large battle past the ten minute mark
This should get you sufficiently drunk even if its only three games. The bucket (affectionately named "Hwasin Bucket") is insurance just in case you are very unlucky with the mystery shots.
Semifinals Preview
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/3MSL/BracketSemis.png)
You guys are in for a treat. I didn't do this earlier for the other rounds, but since this is the semifinals, I'll put in the extra effort:
Detailed Semifinals Map Balance Analysis
+ Show Spoiler [Show Map Balance] +
![Protoss (P)](https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png)
![Protoss (P)](https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png)
Set 1 - Medusa: BALANCED
Set 2 - Destination: BALANCED
Set 3 - Athena 2: BALANCED
Set 4 - Byzantium 2: BALANCED
Set 5 - Medusa: BALANCED
![Protoss (P)](https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png)
![Protoss (P)](https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png)
Set 1 - Athena 2: BALANCED
Set 2 - Medusa: BALANCED
Set 3 - Destination: BALANCED
Set 4 - Byzantium 2: BALANCED
Set 5 - Athena 2: BALANCED
Amazing analysis, I know. Thanks.
![Protoss (P)](https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png)
![Protoss (P)](https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png)
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This semifinal sucks, mainly because of what could have been. Virtually any of the other players (ForGG, Stork, Iris, Type-b, Yarnc, etc) would make a cooler semi, with more interesting storylines and certainly more diverse matchups. Instead we have a boring non-Stork Samsung Protoss when we'd rather have a Zerg, and his spectacularly mediocre opponent is only in the semis only because Stork had to practice for the OSL Finals.
Kal beat Stork 3-2, but Jangbi's recent PvP results have been strong as well. But factor in the practice partners (Stork for Jangbi, Yoonjoong/BestGod for Kal) and that Jangbi is streaking (13-2 overall in the last three months) and it seems Jangbi has the edge. But Kal won the head to head Bo5 3-2 between these two back in GomTV4. Kal is also strangely successful against Stork (6-3). It's going to be close, but I predict a well practiced, mechanically stronger Jangbi to prevail, 3-2.
![Protoss (P)](https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png)
![Protoss (P)](https://tl.net/tlpd/images/Picon_small.png)
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This semi really should be the finals. Both these players have so much momentum that it's a shame that one of them has to lose. This series will almost certainly be played at a dramatically higher level than the other semifinal. I can't think of reasons to choose one player over the other, except the fact that Bisu's been to the semis far more times than Free has. This experience advantage should be worth at least one game in series with evenly matched opponents, so I'm predicting Bisu 3-2.
Next week, the Club Day Online MSL concludes. We know it will be a Protoss champion, but will it be a first time winner in Kal Jangbi and Free, or will Bonjwa Bisu make an appearance? See you next week.