MLG Winter Arena - Review

So interesting that he even got his own article on the TL home-page. With some of the most fan-girly hype created by Artosis on SOTG before the event, I had more than 1 eye on Nestea at this event. For those who missed it, Artosis said on SOTG that Nestea has been practising more than usual and that he flew to New York a day early to avoid the jet lag. It was revealed in interview at the event itself that his practice regime had been 16 hours per day and he had indeed arrived there a day or two early to be well rested. His run unfortunately was not as long as I'd hoped but was still impressive. A 1-2 loss to Demuslim, followed by a 2-0 against Idra, 2-1 against Sjow then his 1-2 demise in a cheesy series against Naniwa, Nestea may of fallen in the early rounds but his performance, coupled with his play in the first 2012 GSL season, he is definitely not slumping in my books.

Having never heard of him until the current GSL season, I am most surprised to find myself writing about such spectacular performances so quickly. Without going into detail on his fantastic GSL performance, his MLG run is no less impressive. Having received his qualification via 2nd place in the Korean qualifier, he went on to beat an impressive line of players. 2-1 vs Pomi, 2-1 vs DRG, 2-1 vs MC, then 0-2 vs MarineKing. He fell right into the final losers bracket round where he was eliminated 4-3 in a very impressive extended series vs DRG. Never has a player sprung themselves into my most-loved list as fast as Parting has.

A Protoss who has been receiving a lot of praise for a while now, I was curious to see just how he would perform. His run was a long one and definitely worthy of recognition by all. 2-1 vs Idra, 2-1 vs Demuslim, 2-0 vs Leenock, then his 0-2 fall to Huk sending him to the Losers Bracket where he proceeded to beat the impressive Violet 2-0 before falling to DongRaeGu 2-1 in the Final Losers bracket. Definitely a Protoss to keep your eye on for time to come.

With his recent entry to the GSL finals after a very impressive run, DRG is looking absolutely fierce-some at the moment. If he wins this GSL I will be personally classing him as the King of Zerg, claiming the currently unclaimed throne (in my opinion). If you haven't seen his GSL run, go and look, but for his MLG run it went as follows. 2-1 vs Ganzi, then his early fall to the losers bracket against Parting 1-2. From there he went 2-0 vs Sase, 2-0 vs TheStC, 2-0 vs Ret, 2-0 vs Naniwa, 4-3 vs Parting in a 1-2 deficit extended series, 2-1 vs Oz and 2-0 vs Huk securing his place in the Finals against MarineKing. Read on for the final review.

A mainstay to the SC2 scene by now and one of the most lovable players on Earth. MarineKing didn't attract a lot of attention going into the event but he certainly proved that he is not to be forgotten. His run in this MLG has been an extremely impressive display showcasing his dominance against many top calibre names. His run went as follows. 2-1 vs Losira, 2-0 vs Naniwa, 2-0 vs Violet, 2-0 vs Parting and then a 2-0 vs Huk which placed him straight into the finals without falling into the losers bracket, to face DongRaeGu.

MarineKing was the first to secure his place in the finals after a run of total dominance. DongRaeGu was the second, having to play more games due to his fall into the losers bracket. The weird and crazy format meant that MarineKing had a chance to take the series early with his advantage gifted to him for not falling to the losers bracket. If MarineKing won 2 games first, he would take the Finals. However if DRG won 2 games first, the series would be extended to a best of 7, requiring both players to reach 4 wins before taking the title.

Game 1 - Dual Sight: MarineKing went for a Proxy barracks which DRG was fortunate to scout, he however did not prepare for it adequately. He attempted a counter attack into MarineKings base which was held off with a simple Depot wall in whilst MarineKing caused crippling damage to DRG's natural, killing lots of Zerglings and Drones in the process. MarineKing capatalised on his advantage by simply getting more ahead with an expansion. DRG knew he was behind so he opted for a Baneling all-in. His initial attack did minimal damage and was held nicely. DRG attempted the same thing again afterward which was held almost effortlessly by MarineKing, giving him a 1-0 lead.

Game 2 - Daybreak: MarineKing went for a quick expo into 4 barracks. Artosis theorised that he was going for an extremely old timing involving lots of marines and stim. However this meant he had no Hellions. A fact DRG obviously picked up on which caused him to simply create a huge swarm of Zerglings and run straight through MarineKings uncompleted wall at his natural, killing off all of his marines and a lot of SCV's in the process. MarineKing held but was in bad shape. DRG took a 3rd base to ensure his eventual victory but before it could make any difference, he opted to Baneling Bust straight through the flimsy depot wall of MarineKing. It worked spectacularly, with lots of remaining Banelings and swarms of Zerglings, MarineKing was forced to tap out.

Game 3 - Shakuras Plateau: Perhaps in an attempt to seize his championship before a forced extended series, MarineKing opens with a 2 rax against DRG's hatch first. He does place a bunker on the natural high ground, yet it is defended almost perfectly by DRG, quickly forcing MarineKing to play a standard game. In an action packed game involving marine medivac vs muta ling, both players eventually land on 3 bases. MarineKing manages to destroy DRG's 3rd but he retakes it as well as a 4th after putting MarineKing on the back foot from several engagements around the map. DRG proceeded to snipe MarineKings 3rd. From there it was a slew of Muta harrassment and drop denial, eventually culminating in MarineKing losing to a bane, muta, ling attack. Bringing DRG to 2-1 meant that they now went into an extended series, meaning both players had to get 4 total wins before they could be crowned Champion.

Game 4 - Entombed Valley: Another 2 barracks opening from MarineKing, which again was sucessfully defended with minimal losses by DRG, which lead into an expansion 4 rax build by MarineKing. He moved up to 5 barracks with the intention of going heavy marine marauder which was scouted by DongRaeGu, yet in a mistake reminiscent of game 1, he under prepares for it, allowing MarineKing to force a cancel on DRG's 3rd. After which MarineKing takes his 3rd base and continues to mass Marine Marauder, during which DRG finishes his 3rd expo. An exciting display of micro happens for a while between Roach Bane Ling vs Marine Marauder, allowing MarineKing to trade quite efficiently for most of the game constantly keeping DRG on the back foot. After building up a nice army MarineKing goes in to snipe DRG's 3rd, landing his scout factory on the thin walkway between the natural and 3rd (where rocks usually are) to block DRG's army from interfering. A beautiful move that game Tasteless multiple nerdgasms on air. The 3rd is sniped and DRG exits the game not long after putting the score at 2-2.

Game 5 - Metalopolis: MarineKing again opens with a 2 barracks, scouted during building by DRG's drone. DRG did go hatch first, but cross spawns and an immediate scout should of meant DRG defends with ease right? MarineKing proceeds to bring a lot of SCV's with the rush placing 1 bunker at the base of the ramp. DRG brings all of his drones and lings to fend it off, but in a beautiful display of decision making, MarineKing backs his marines into the corner beside the ramp and puts all his SCV's in front. DRG attacks in with all his drones and lings but they are shredded by the Marines. Near the end of the fight the Bunker finishes and with the marines loaded in, DRG's handful of remaining drones are cut off from his base and he rapidly GG's out, putting the score at 3-2 in favour of MarineKing.

Game 6 - Antiga Shipyard: In what I considered a beautiful decision by MarineKing, he goes for an extremely greedy and risky build instead of a fast aggression. After traumatising DRG repeatedly with endless bunker rushes and 2 rax, he would not be expecting something like this from MarineKing. Both players take extremely fast 3rds, yet MarineKings remains unscouted for quite a while, allowing him to get a good defence of siege tanks during it. With marines, tanks and medivacs being powered out with double infantry upgrades going, MarineKing eventually goes for a 2-2 upgrade timing attack across the map. DRG went for a fairly risky build himself, taking a 12 minute hive and getting a Greater Spire and Ultralisk Cavern at the same time, whilst MarineKing was beginning his first push. Neither of the Tier 3 units are ready for MarineKings first attack however, allowing him to do a decent amount of damage to DRG's army. Despite this MarineKing is kept outside of DRG's bases for a while longer. By this time DRG has Ultralisks and Infestors out and MarineKing looks like he considered going home, but in actuality he was regrouping in the centre of the map with a huge wave of reinforcing Marines and Tanks which he immidiately pushed with once more. DRG is unprepared and his expensive army is slaughtered by MarineKing, giving him a very impressive 4-2 victory over DRG, his first major tournament victory.

After a run this impressive and a dominant finals, MarineKing should no doubt of proven he is no 2nd place player. Despite receiving little of mine and many others attention going into the event, he certainly grabbed it during. Will MarineKing go on to win more major tournaments? We can only wait and see. Major congratulations to him, he absolutely deserves this victory.