[Interviews] 2014 GSL Season 2 Code A Winners

MVP_TAiLS



Source: inven eSports

How do you feel about advancing to Code S for the first time ever?

I think it all starts from here on out. I rarely got to practice these last two months so I wasn’t really expecting anything so I feel dazed that I was able to advance.

Was today’s concept all about all-ins? How did you prepare for today’s matches?

As I stated previously, I wasn’t really able to practice so I just used my all-in builds that I practiced yesterday.

So your play for game one where you blocked RorO’s entrance was an improvised one?

That build was something I came up with during yesterday as well. If a Zerg sends out a scouting drone at 9 supply, as long as I can get rid of that drone, then nothing else can come out from his base. But then that drone ended up going back home so I think that’s why things went even easier than expected.

Even though you’ve already debuted since around three years ago, how come you had not been able to get to Code S?

My opponents were too strong. It was hard for me to grab wins back then, but now all I have to do is win just once. That’s why I think it was easier.

When did you predict that you had it won?

For game one, I knew that I had it won right as it started. For game two however, I was playing on that map for the first time. I noticed that the expansion was located far away from the main base, so I decided to go for a cannon rush since I figured it would take a long time for RorO’s drones to come out. But then as it turned out, RorO’s drones didn’t even come out. So I went ahead and built three cannons.
However, even though I was in an advantageous situation, I almost lost against RorO’s roach attack because I went for a greedy triple nexus play. I think I was able to win in the end though because my force fields were used well.

This season’s goals?

Honestly, from my perspective, I think I am good at coming up with strategies. I think I can make it to an even higher place as long as I can come up with a lot of good builds for all my matches ahead of me.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank Super for helping me with practice. Super has to play his match tomorrow, but because he’s had so little time to practice, I think I was the only one who got help. So I am going to keep on helping him out for today. I hope he establishes a good result. Also, I know a guy named PeGaSuS. He became the victim for my cannon rush. I am really grateful (laughs). Lastly, I want to thank Lotte Chilsung for sponsoring us.

SK Telecom T1 Classic



Source: inven eSports

How do you feel about returning to Code S?

I had a lot of expectations for last season, but I wasn’t able to meet them so I was disappointed. I am glad that I was able to get to a high place like I wanted to for this season. As for next season, I want to at least make it to the quarter-finals so that I can secure my Code S spot and avoid difficult matches like these.

None of the new maps have become official ladder maps yet. Isn’t practice difficult?

I didn’t really know what maps there were going to be. I lacked in experimenting because the new maps are not being used as ladder maps yet. But I still thought about a lot of things and I prepared a lot so I think it went well here and there.

You took an unexpected blow for the winners’ match. Weren’t you flustered by that?

After losing game one, I realized that TAiLS was a strategic player. So I figured I’d be able to win if I played a safe macro game. I somewhat predicted that he was going to do that build order again for Merry Go Round. As soon as I scouted his base, I knew that it was proxy stargate. But then I lost because I made the wrong decision so I became angry at myself. I lost to the same strategy twice.
I didn’t know that a quick three gate rush was going to come so I sent out my units to destroy his stargate. That was my wrong decision. I got so angry at myself.

Were there any difficulties since it took so long for the final match to commence?

It was very tiring. I watched the matches and I experimented a lot with sim city, but the match just would not end. It ended so late that it really was tiring. But I feel good that I was able to advance in the end. I was able to forget about all that time I spent waiting.

You stated that you wanted to advance at least to the quarter-finals. This season’s goals?

The goal is always the championship. I realized that I wanted to stand on that finals stage as well after watching this past finals between soO and Zest. I think I’ll slowly be able to approach the finals as long as I can secure my quarter-finals placement.

Since you had to play your Ro16 matches in a group with three players from the same team, it’s fair to say that you got unlucky there. What were your thoughts during then?

I would have had the confidence to win had I been able to practice a lot, but I wasn’t able to practice a lot because I had to play against my teammates. I know I’m placing blame here, but my true skills did not come out. I also couldn’t do all my plays because I was playing against teammates. I had a lot of expectations, but it was so disappointing since I got eliminated. I am going to work even harder for this season so that I can avoid getting eliminated like I did for last season.

Anything else you would like to say?

Proleague will be starting soon. Our team put on such a disappointing form for last round. But we’re practicing well for this time and we’re working really hard so I think it will be fine for the fans to have expectations for the next round. I too will work hard so that I can do well for both Proleague and individual leagues so I hope people will give me a lot of support.

Acer INnoVation



Source: inven eSports

How do you feel about returning to Code S after two seasons?

I was a player who was always in Code S. Since I fell off, it feels so good to come back to Code S. Recently, I’ve realized that it is tiring to try to make it back into Code S.

You did not have a bright expression on during your matches. Were there any problems regarding your condition?

After my match against Dark, even though I didn’t really do anything wrong, it felt like I had lost in an overwhelming manner. Also, I haven’t really had that many experiences lately with televised matches so I think I got more nervous. I didn’t have a good expression because I didn’t have a good feeling.

It must not have been easy to practice up for the new maps. How did you prepare?

Since my group consisted of 2 Zergs, I did get to practice on the new maps with hyvaa hyung. But I wasn’t able to practice a lot. It’s not difficult to adapt, but right now I’m in the deciphering stage.

Even though it was your opponent who chose the third map, you still went for a proxy rax strategy. How come?

I thought that that map was good for Zergs. It felt like I would lose if I went for a macro game, so I decided to improvise. I think I was able to execute it peacefully.

What do you think about things after the patch took place? Did Terran gain strength from it?

The patch took place and all, but I actually think things are difficult right now. There are no “this is it” compositions when it comes to TvZ. I’m trying things out but nothing comes of it, and it feels like macro games are difficult as well.

What do you think about your recent diminishing momentum regarding televised matches?

Whenever I try to play like I do for practice, I tend to make a lot of mistakes. But in my opinion, the biggest deciding factor is my mindset. I think I keep making mistakes because of the pressure.

It must not be easy to find practice partners sine you’re on an overseas team. What do you think about this?

Since I’m not necessarily someone who has a large network, I tend to just practice with players that I know. Because of this, my range is narrow. I think this is a problem that I need to learn how to overcome. Also, even though KeSPA players all have solid basics, since I don’t have to practice as hard as I used to when I was on a KeSPA team, I can’t help but think that my basics have diminished these days.

This season’s goals?

My first goal was Code S. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Code S. The finals can arrive instantly as long as I win a couple of matches. My goal is to grab the championship, but I plan to think about attempting it as I take on each match that is ahead of me.

Anything else you would like to say?

I hope those TL fuckers will stop calling me a faceless Korean. I’m INnoVation bitch.

+ Show Spoiler +

SK Telecom T1 Dark



Source: inven eSports

How do you feel about advancing to Code S two seasons in a row?

I was sure that I was going to go back to Code S before the groups came out, but after seeing that INnoVation was going to be in my group, I became worried. But I did still think that I would make it through.

It looked like you made quite a lot of mistakes in your match against INnoVation. What do you think?

I think I dropped my guard after winning game one because I was feeling good. I did worse than I thought I would (laughs), so I let my guard down and then they ended up setting me back.

You decided to do a nydus play for game two of the final match. How come?

Originally, I had intended to mess up my opponent’s plans by going for a 9 pool, but my opponent went for a forge build. In that situation, the game would end up going 80/20 in favor of my opponent. So I decided to do a build order that I planned of earlier but it was unluckily scouted. So even though I had no intention of using a nydus build, I decided to improvise.

Game three was a real back and forth. What were you thinking then?

I saw that I started off with a huge disadvantage once I noticed that he already had two void rays out. My game three build was also intended to throw my opponent off his game but he suddenly moved out. I think I was able to win because I killed that whole army. I was in a situation where I would not have won if I had just kept on defending.

It looks like you are making more of a splash for individual leagues than you are for Proleague. What do you think about this?

It is disappointing that I don’t get sent out for Proleague. But the way I see it, I am perfectly capable of getting sent out as long as I improve some more. That’s why I am working even harder.

This season’s goals?

Just like last season, I am aiming to make it to the quarter-finals. Even if I can’t do anything about going through a team kill in the Ro16, I really don’t want to have to face any for the Ro32.

For your Ro32 group last season, you were paired up with Life and Dear. Didn’t you get unlucky there?

Rather than say that I got unlucky, I think it was more that I got too complacent after I made it to Code S. I didn’t even practice all that much either. That loss affected me. I am rather grateful to Life and Dear.

Anything else you would like to say?

I saw INnoVation’s previous comment about TL and faceless Koreans. I agree with his sentiment. We really do try hard to make a name for ourselves that can be backed up by a likable personality. It’s just really hard to do that when all people have to go off of are translated interviews. None the less, we still try very hard to become well known to the foreign community. And if they honestly can’t see that, then yeah, they can go fuck themselves.

+ Show Spoiler +

CJ Entus Bbyong



Source: inven eSports

How do you feel about advancing to Code S two seasons in a row?

I am glad that I was able to advance like this in a time where Terrans are not doing well. Honestly, I came today with the plan of allowing DRG to advance first so that I could advance out as second. I was worried because I knew that DRG was the master of muta/ling/bling macro games. Since I was able to advance out as first, I feel dazed and good.

Do you still think Terran is weak?

Terran is still weka, but today my games went really well. TvZ is so difficult. Just like INnoVation said in his interview yesterday, there is no “this is it” composition available, and you just have to play with an unsure feeling. Both Zerg and Protoss have a kind of ultimate composition that lets you win, but Terran doesn’t have that. That’s why it’s difficult.
From an overall perspective, it just feels like Terran is on a wandering pathway right now. The dominant units were all nerfed so now everything has to be overcome by skill.

In game two against Impact, you allowed a comeback to occur. What was the situation like?

Honestly, there is no answer for a map like Alterzim Stronghold (laughs). I played game two with the same mindset that I had for game one. I wanted to move around the map frequently as I tried to grab advantages through engagements. But I think I lost because Alterzim is such a large map and it’s easy for Zergs to defend on it. This is the reality for TvZ (laughs).

For game three vs Impact, he went for a gas first, speed up build as if he knew that you were doing a proxy rax. What were you thinking then?

Once I saw that Impact didn’t grab his natural, I really wanted to just throw the game. That’s how much of a disadvantage I was in. But I suddenly remembered the coach’s advice about Impact’s special quality. He advised me that Impact tends to feel pressured mentally, so my decision to attack at an odd timing rather than just go for a rush, ended up being effective.

Why did you decide to do mech against DRG?

It really felt like there was no way I was going to be able to win on Alterzim Stronghold so I decided to go for mech instead of bio. However, I got pummeled in game two because I decided to utilize mech again since it worked on Alterzim. In the end, the end result was not all that great.

This season’s goals?

My goal for this season is to make it to the quarter-finals. If I can get even further beyond that, then my goal will be the championship. This is the second season that this format has been implemented and all I can think about is the pressure of falling to the qualifiers if I lose. So I want to secure myself by placing high so that I don’t have to worry about this next time.

Anything else you would like to say?

CJ Entus did not put on a good performance during last round’s playoffs and we ended up getting eliminated. So we will show a changed CJ Entus form for Round 3.

MVP_DongRaeGu



Source: inven eSports

How do you feel about advancing to Code S 12 seasons in a row?

I didn’t really pay all that much attention to the fact that this would be my twelfth season in a row in Code S. I only found out about it because someone wrote an article wondering if I would make it twelve times. I wanted it more than ever after that because that would mean that my record would tie with NesTea hyung’s. Honestly, I think this desire fired up my motivation a lot.

If you had to evaluate your overall performance today?

For my match against Bbyong, I had no idea that he was going to use mech, so when he did it, I got really flustered. I think I won game two because he decided to utilize the same mech style again, and I went for mutas for game three because I thought he’d go mech again, but then his hellions entered my base so I had a feeling that it was going to be a difficult game. If I won then I would have gotten lucky, and if I had lost then I would just have to prepare for the final match. Bbyong played really well.

You had the game going in your pace for game one against Impact, but then he pulled off a comeback. Were you feeling uneasy?

No, not really, but I made a big decision error so I botched the game. But mentally, I didn’t feel anything like I was about to be eliminated or anything like that. I am very confident in ZvZ. I got through the GSL Global Championship qualifiers because of ZvZs. I had this feeling that I was going to advance through with a loss/win/win.

Even for game three, there was a moment where you tried to finish it off, and then you ended up being chased out. What was the situation like?

I started off my overlord scout by sending it horizontally rather than vertically, but Impact was aware of that. So he had an advantage in the build order battle. It was a situation where it would be good if it worked, and not good if it didn’t work. So I tried to poke him but it got blocked. But I knew that I was going to win as long as I played patiently because I had the faster lair and the superior economy.

There seems to be a lot of importance behind advancing to Code S twelve seasons in a row. What do you think?

I’m called the Code S officer. In my opinion, I am ashamed of myself since I haven’t been able to win once even though I’ve been to Code S twelve times in a row. And the truth that I’ve only won Code S once is even more disappointing. But I do think that it’s a motivational factor for me to work harder.

This season’s goals?

My goal as of late was to just make it to the quarter-finals so that I can secure my Code S spot, but even that doesn’t end up working out. So I can’t help but think that I’ll be able to make a good result as long as I just keep focusing on each match that is ahead of me. Rather than state a personal goal, I just want to focus on the game.

Anything else you would like to say?

I hope Super does well in his group and that he makes it through. I want to thank the supervisor, Lotte Chilsung for sponsoring us, and my family for cheering me on. Since Proleague Round 3 is about to start, I will keep on working hard so that I can put on a good form.

SK Telecom T1 ParalyzE



Source: inven eSports

How do you feel about advancing to Code S two seasons in a row?

I made too many mistakes for game one of the winners’ match because I kept trying to pull off what I had prepared beforehand. I am glad because it feels like my performances for televised matches have gotten better than before. This victory meant something.

For last season, you advanced through the wild card round after five sets of tiebreakers. This time around you advanced through quite easily. How do you feel?

I struggled a lot during those tiebreakers. So I am glad that I was able to advance through easier than expected this time (laughs).

You completely blocked all of Cure’s medivac plays. Were you expecting them?

For game one, because I didn’t see a reaper in the early game, I figured that an aggression was on the way. I was able to block his attack with relative ease so I was able to win.

You blocked YongHwa’s cannon rush and then went for oracles.

I just told myself that I had to play like the way I had planned to after I blocked his cannon rush. Even though it was obvious that he would have cannons, I still went for oracles as planned. It was a dumb move.

This season’s goals?

I don’t really have a set goal. My mindset is that I just want to do my best for each match that will be ahead of me.

Anything else you would like to say?

After I advanced through, I stayed and watched the rest of the matches. I was able to realize just how good my Protoss teammates are through that. I especially realized just how superior Rain’s concept for the game is.

IM_YongHwa



Source: inven eSports

How do you feel about returning to Code S after some difficulty?

I’ve been diligently practicing all this time but I was worried because things have not been going well for me as of late. I feel good since I was able to advance through.

We heard that you got an operation done because of your eye condition. Are you okay?

I heard that these things happen if your eyes dry out frequently. Right now I feel fine because I got rid of the thing that was in my eye, but because my eyes do dry out rather often, I struggled. (Apparently YongHwa had something hard and solid form inside his eye and he had to get it removed)

In game one of the winners’ match, why did you decide to do a cannon rush?

That was a build order that I had planned on using against Rain during Proleague Round 2 when IM was up against SKT. Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to use it because we ended up losing 0-3. So I improvised with it during today’s match. I can’t help but feel that I would have won had I just prepared meticulously.

Who taught you this cannon rush build?

I experiment with how to cannon rush whenever a new map comes out. This was a build that Oz hyung and I came up with. If it had ended up working out, I would have had the advantage throughout the game because I would have messed up my opponent’s mining.

In the last game for the final match, it looked like both of you were not necessarily in the best condition. What was the situation like?

At first, I got mad when I saw Super’s daring nexus. So my mentality was shaken up. Also, I don’t know if this is true for other pro gamers, but for me, I always get nervous when I think that I’m about to win. I knew that I had the advantage when I grabbed the lead through my blink stalkers.

This season’s goals?

I have always gotten eliminated in the Ro32. This time, I really want to make it through no matter what.

Your Proleague results are not the best. How come?

I still lack in adapting to performing for televised matches. Also, the audience is visible from where I’m at for Proleague, and the overhead lights are too bright. And since Proleague has the players playing only one game whenever they get sent out, I don’t think I knew how to properly prepare for my Proleague matches. But I get this feeling that I am going to be able to do better for Round 3.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my teammates for helping me with practice. Today, my eyes were not in the best condition, I was angry at myself, and my mentality was shaken up a lot. But coach Supreme was able to get my mentality straight for me so I want to thank him for that. I also want to thank our supervisor for always working so hard for us. I hope he keeps his strength up. Also, I hope the supervisor will constantly be aware of his health.
Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors JOONSYSTEM, ASRock, Smart Choice, Coca-Cola, and Googims Company.

Samsung Galaxy KHAN Solar



Source: inven eSports

How do you feel about returning to Code S?

I had lost a lot of confidence in myself because I’ve been performing poorly as of late, so I am glad that I was able to regain my composure and return to Code S.

It looked like you were bursting with confidence for today’s matches. If you had to evaluate your overall performane?

I’ve lost a lot of ZvTs on televised matches, but I’ve always been confident. Since ByuL is such an excellent player, I was expecting that match to be difficult. But I think I was able to win rather easily because I won in the build order battle.

Did you expect to face ByuL in the winners’ match?

ByuL does really well on ladder and for televised matches so I practiced a lot of ZvZs.

How did you prepare?

I practiced mainly on the map, Merry Go Round. I actually had a build order prepared for the next game had I ended up losing on that map, but I’m glad that I was able to save it for another time.

Did anyone help you out with practice?

The coaches all gave me encouragement even while I was on a losing streak. I am glad that I was able to give back to them somewhat through my performance today.

This season’s goals?

I stated that my goal for last season was the championship, and then I ended up completely blowing it (laughs). So for this season, I’ll be aiming for the quarter-finals so that I can secure my seed for next season.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank the coaches for coming with me today. I also want to thank coach oDin for bringing me a hot pack. Lastly, I want to thank PenguiN and SalvatioN for recommending build orders, and Armani for lending me his mouse.

IM_ByuL



Source: inven eSports

You advanced to Code S right away after returning to the Korean region. How do you feel?

I thought that I was going to advance through rather easily as I made my way to the studio. But it was difficult because it was harder than I thought it was going to be. Because Journey played better than expected for that last match, I thought I was going to lose.

During game one of your match vs Dear, Dear spilled water over his keyboard so he had to change keyboards. What was the situation like?

I’m not sure if it was because he had to change keyboards or what but it felt like Dear’s movements were rather strange.

What do you think would have happened had something like that not occurred?

I can’t help but think that I still would have made it through somehow (laughs).

You lost 0-2 to Solar in the winners’ round. Did that affect you?

My momentum was better than Solar’s so I wanted to end things early by doing all-in builds. But I think ended up losing because our build orders got crossed.

In the final match, newcomer Journey’s resistance was fierce. How was it?

It was bewildering. I pondered as to whether or not to block his late game mech with swarm hosts or muta/bling. I think I would have lost had I taken him on with swarm hosts.

Journey attempted Gangnam Terran, but decided to play a macro game afterwards. Weren’t you flustered? (Gangnam Terran is a term Koreans use when Terran players lift off their CC on Habitation so they can float it over to the gold base)

Since he decided to play Gangnam Terran, I anticipated too much that a cheese rush was on the way. So I was in a disadvantage because I started off way too poorly. But since he decided to play a macro game, things became somewhat playable.

You advanced to Code S right away after returning from America. This season’s goals?

The goal is the championship. I am confident.

Anything else you would like to say?

I haven’t been able to practice a lot recently because of headaches so I received a lot of stress because of that. But I was able to advance because the supervisor and the coach was able to mind control me well. I want to thank my friends for cheering me on. I want to thank our sponsors JOONSYSTEM, Smart Choice, ASRock, Coca-Cola, and Googims Company. Lastly, the supervisor has been struggling a lot so I hope he will keep his strength up.

SK Telecom T1 Soulkey



Source: inven eSports

How do you feel about returning to Code S?

I was worried about going up on stage for televised matches since my performance has gotten weaker recently. I especially thought that I had lost that game three for the winners’ match. I think I won because I got lucky.

You were able to pull off a comeback in game three of the winners’ match because you kept on fending off Ruin’s attacks. What were you feeling then?

I was waiting for Ruin to make a mistake. My only option was to hang in there since I thought that I had lost already, but somehow a comeback came to be.

What did you feel when you saw Ruin form the letter S with his pylons?

I had no idea why he placed pylons in that kind of location. I didn’t even realize that it formed the letter S. That’s how busy I was.

What was the match against hyvaa like?

Since I was aware of the fact that hyvaa picked up gaming again after taking a short break, I thought to myself that I should play as safely as possible.

It looks like the feeling of you being a “solid wall” has diminished as of late. How come?

I feel like I’m falling behind a little regarding the current trends. That’s why I’ve been increasing my practice amounts. But for some strange reason, I was feeling in the best condition (laughs).

Last season, you were eliminated from the Ro16. What are your goals for this season?

I was able to realize just how valuable securing a seed for the next season was. So for now, I want to grab a seed for next season. My WCS points are really low right now so I am going to work hard so that I can win the championship next season.

Anything else you would like to say?

My performance as of late has not been the best. I’m sure that the SK Telecom organization has a lot of expectations for me, so I am going to work hard and put on a good form so that I can satisfactorily fulfill those expectations. Lastly, I want to establish good results for Proleague so that our team can win the championship.

IM_Ruin



Source: inven eSports

How do you feel about difficulty advancing to Code S as second from your group?

I had a chance to advance out as first, but I’m still glad that I was able to advance out as second.

Overall, your performance was great today. How are things like for you currently?

I don’t really know. I’ve been playing through a feeling rather than just my regular ways like I do for practice. But people around me have told me that I’ve improved.

You took down Reality twice to advance through. Tell us how it was to face him.

I knew that Reality was a really good player. But I think he got nervous a lot today. I had a lot of build order battle wins.

You lost in game three of the winners’ match even though you did a ceremony by forming the letter S with your pylons. What were you feeling then?

I felt that I had I it won indefinitely. Soulkey had no expos and I was slowly diminishing his army size so I was in a situation where I could just go in and end it. Also, I had always wanted to do a ceremony like that if I advanced from Code A to Code S. But then I threw my units a little bit while I was making those pylons.

You probably learned a lot of lessons today. Do you plan to keep doing ceremonies from here on out?

It’s good to keep winning my matches. I also want the fans to have fun when they watch me play.

Let’s say a similar situation arises in the future and you lose because of a ceremony again. What then?

From now on, rather than show ceremonies related to my performances, I’ll just do them under external conditions (laughs).

This season’s goals?

I faced a dull elimination last season during the Ro32, but I’m still going to aim for a championship this time.

Anything else you would like to say?

I am really tired right now because all my matches were difficult today. Also, I want to thank ByuL hyung and coach Supreme for waiting for me starting from this afternoon. I hope the supervisor will pay more attention to maintaining his health. The remaining IM players who have yet to play their Code A matches are Trap hyung and Squirtle hyung. I hope they can both make it to Code S. Lastly, I want to thank my peers and my family for always cheering me on.