Yesterday the Bacchus OSL kicked off. There is always a special feeling when the new starleague begins. The mix of veterans and new faces who are all starting on equal footing for a fight to the top really gets me excited. The following is just a few of my observations from the games yesterday.
- The seats are about 2/3rds full today. Kind of surprising considering it is opening night featuring a strong lineup, but it is Wednesday after all. I'm sure happy that it starts at 7:30 rather than 6:30. It makes so much more sense.
- OGN is featuring a bit more of a dynamic camera during the game. Rather than the mounted camera they used in the past to capture the facial expressions of the players, it seems like they are using a more hand-held approach. I like it.
- I voted Jaedong for the first match. I love Savior, and that last proleague win was great, but Jaedong is the returning champ. He is going to want to get off to a good start, and he eats up zvz.
- A wild first game for sure. I really felt Savior could have done more damage with those lings but he got caught up at that mini-choke where Jaedong had laid a couple sacrificial lings. Kudos to Savior for even being in the position to make a game of it after his opening, but more props to Jaedong for pulling out a win. This sets him up nicely, but I'm worried for Savior who is going to have to play something on Katrina.
- Who says APM is dead? Jaedong averaged 395 in a zvz, and peaked at 523. Sick, it would take 5 Manifesto7 s playing at the same time to match that.
- Kid Dynamite is up next. With all the turmoil at KTF recently, it would sure be nice to have a winner emerge and create a winning atmosphere in the team again. Flash is a lot easier to like than Rumble too. He has a great cheerful of he and Reach cuddling up together. I bet LR would photoshop himself into that image.
- Man that kid has STONES! I really liked Rumble's build, and he got the vertical positions he needed to make it work well. However, that sunken bust by Flash cost him so many drones that he was all or nothing on the guardians, and guardians just move too slowly to both defend and attack. Perfect timing by Flash on the scans, and steel balls to keep throwing MM into the maw to keep Rumble on his heels. Four port wraiths was just rubbing it in.
- The map played out nicely, but we didn't get much of a chance to see it's true potential as the players basically only used the western half. I want to see a longer game and some good use of those assimilators. Am I the only one that thinks ra vs boxer would lead to hilarity on this?
- The booth-girls must have been disappointed as they wore red and white. I thought they were SKT1 fans.
- Match of the night coming up in my opinion. The Xellos resurgence has got me excited, but the map has not. Why throw out Fantasy II because of balance but keep this fucking nightmare map?
- As expected, the map gayed up this potentially great matchup. You can't fault Bisu for playing as he did, but even so, failing with a reaver drop and being pressured all game should not be rewarded with a 4 carrier victory. A lousy day for CJ. I wonder if they have a C team Xellos can go to?
- Each player gets a nice graphic prior to each game. This isn't new (although it looks a lot cleaner than before), but the big news is that they are including MBC games on it finally. It is about time these two networks recognized players play in both leagues, and fans watch both leagues. Enough of the playground bullshit.
- Looks like the OSL is trying to control the ceremonies a little bit. The winners have been asked to run down to a makeshift stage area and pose for pictures/sign autographs right after the game. While it gives some structure, I want to find out what happens to the goods they sign. Good thing FBH isn't in this, he would probably dry hump a stuffed animal for his pose.
- Demon's Forest is up next, the second of the two new maps. I have no idea how this is going to play out, because I don't know how the doodads really effect things.
- Well, none of the trees had foliage, which makes sense since a demon forest should be dead... and the audience was able to see the units. Too bad the units couldn't see each other until air got out there. The map makes for some early game shenanigans because nobody can see anything. Protoss corsairs are going to be even more important in PvZ now.
- Liquibet stats: 675 losers and 65 misclicks for the terran.
- Can I just get a big WTF about Yarnc? He had that game in the bag early on, and then just pissed away his lead. He didn't tech, didn't expand, and didn't attack. At one point midgame he led in supply 79 to 50. FIFTY SUPPLY for terran in mid-game? I don't think either player got over 100 at all, which is just how bad this game got. I hope Much schools FrOzean and Yarnc gets another try.
The next gameday is Friday, featuring these matchups:
Sea vs BeSt on Troy
Stork vs Rock on Katrina
July vs Luxury on Demon's Forest (won't ling fights be awesome here, they are going to have to cover the middle with ovs)
Much vs BackHo on Blue Storm
Two PvP games on a single day! This truly is the age of Aiur.
Until next time,
Mani.