[OSL] The Plot Thickens...

This masterpiece was created by the newest member of the graphics team; SilverskY

The Incruit OSL is down to it's final two players. In one corner we have one of the PvT legends of Starcraft, a player who has shaped the matchup many times throughout his career with his revolutionary games. He holds the title of best PvP and the Best Protoss in the world. He is none other than Stork. In the other corner we have the protégé of one of the most successful Brood War players ever and is the latest member of a proud SKT Terran lineage. A player who has already shaken the scene to its very core, despite having played less than 50 games. Of course, I'm talking about fantasy.

But there is so much more than just two awesome players here, there is an intricate tapestry of plot lines which makes this final special. As you probably gathered from last weeks report, I simply love these stories as they add so much color and personality to the matchup. But in addition to spelling out all the plot lines leading up to this final, there's also the predictions for the final and who I think is going to take out the OSL title as well as the infamous seasonal Teamliquid OSL Awards to unveil. So let's get right into it!

The Plot Lines

Iloveoov vs Stork?

Fantasy is a part of a unique generation of progamers who are receiving coaching from some of the former greats of Brood War. In particular, SKT1 have been benefiting from the years of experience of iloveoov and Kingdom. It is common knowledge that iloveoov has taken a shining to young fantasy and has trained him to be come the next OSL champion – and has proclaimed this very fact in a number of interviews. This begs the question; is Stork out there fighting against fantasy? Or oov?

Looking at fantasy’s semifinal, and then how all his teammates used similar builds, one can’t help but wonder if all the strategy behind fantasy’s game is directed by oov. SKT has also had this happen in their Protoss players well, having the single PvP build on Medusa which Stork was able to defeat last week. There is a very real possibility that oov is masterminding the entire OSL final for his protégé – an aspect of this matchup which cannot be ignored.

Oov knows how to prepare for a final and has won five finals across his career. Could this be oov’s way of claiming a sixth victory through the vessel of fantasy? Oov hasn’t been able to play lately because of his bad wrist injury from after he slipped in the shower and consequently is not capable of the jaw dropping macro he is known for. Fantasy, however, is a fine mechanical player and can execute strategies like oov dreams he can. My bet is that oov is preparing fantasy as if it was himself up there on stage and is living his failed dream of a Golden Mouse through fantasy.

Stork and oov never had an extended confrontation, and given oov’s deep strategical insight this matchup could possibly be the hardest of Stork’s career. Everything fantasy is going to be doing is going to be refined perfectly and masterminded in such a brilliant way that Stork simply cannot afford to miss-step and fall into the traps. With that said Stork’s preparation team for the semifinal was impressive, featuring almost every top tier Protoss outside of Khan – this is shaping up to be the might of the Protoss empire vs the infamous SKT Terrans.

Stork’s SKT all-kill

When the bracket was first generated for the OSL SKT fans were in dismay as 3 of their brethren were drafted into the same side of the bracket. In addition to that their only other player had a very difficult bracket. Stork was on the side of the bracket with three SKT members in it – meaning every game he won would be another battle against SKT. After taking down BiSu and seeing fantasy advance to the final – Stork’s path to the OSL finals would lead him right into the heart of the SKT camp.

Thus far Stork has only defeated Protoss, and is one victory away from achieving the all-kill. Should Stork complete the all-kill it will be one of the most impressive OSL roads in history, over shadowed by only one or two. Thus far the score stands at Stork 2-0 SKT – can he make it 3-0?

For lack of a better place to put this, there is also the tension that has been rising between Khan and SKT. Antics such as Stork fist pumping his way around iloveoov surely must be getting to SKT. And with Stork destroying all their players in the OSL - SKT are our for revenge. And what better way to get revenge than to defeat Stork in the OSL final? This final is will be a cataclysmic conclusion to the rising tension and will leave one side bitter and wanting revenge, and the other with feelings of elation and ecstasy.

Stork’s Silver Curse

As we all know, Stork has reached the finals of a major league exactly four times – twice in the OSL, once in the MSL and once in the GSI. He also holds a 3rd placing in an OSL as well as a second placing in WCG Korea – twice. No matter what Stork does he just can’t seem to place first. In fact he is the only progamer in existence who has back-to-back OSL Silvers. But this season he looks like the undisputed favorite to take out both major titles.

So what’s gone wrong in the past? Stork believes that the problem has been that he has underestimated all his finals opponents to date. Well it’s not hard to understand why either – every single time he has come up an OSL final opponent he has played that person in his group and won. This time is no exception either! In EVER 2007 he played Jaedong on Persona in the group stages, and won. In Bacchus he played Flash on Blue Storm, and won. And this time he defeated Fantasy on Plasma. To top it off, each victory has been convincing beyond all doubt.

Overconfidence might be a fundamental problem with Stork’s previous finals, but the very fact that he has realized this flaw and is working on it leads me to believe that Stork’s curse may just be nearing its end. The fact remains that this is by far his biggest challenge yet – and it’s going to require a lot of work to bring his PvT up to par if his games in the MSL are anything to show. The amount of effort he put in for the semifinals is reassuring, and Stork fans should be confident that Stork is giving this his all and won’t be content, for once, with second place.

Stork is the sole proprietor of the Legend of the Fall for this season. It is his responsibility to uphold and reinstate this unspoken law in Progaming. The past two Fall seasons have featured a Protoss player but they have both come up short - Anytime losing to NaDa in one of the best series of 2006, and then Stork losing the rising Tyrant, Jaedong, in 2007. This time he has a chance for redemption and a chance to bring the world back into order.

The Plasma factor

Why make a big deal out of a map? Quite simple. Stork has reportedly gone 37-3 on Plasma in training. Now while these statistics don’t always transfer over to how things go down, this fact coupled with Stork’s 100% record on the map gives me extreme confidence that Stork is automatically going to be 1-0 in the series. This gives Stork a nice buffer game, thus if he can secure just one out of the first three games there’s a high probability of it going to a fifth and deciding game.

The Royal Road

Fantasy is in the position many players dream about – the chance to walk to the Royal Road. I believe there are more players who have walked the Royal Road than failed in the final, so history dictates that fantasy should win the final and join his fellow team mates Oov and Boxer amongst the halls of legends. There is certainly enough incentive from within his team to propel him onto a victory, the only question is whether he can convert potential into results when it comes to game day.

The Players

Last week I rambled on about how Stork was the master of the “Light” Protoss, and now this week we are going to be able to see that in full effect. Stork has taken the foundations that Much and Bisu laid in late 2006 and developed it into mainstream PvT. Along the way he has had some incredible victories, particularly during Bacchus and GOM, where his incredible use of the “Light” tech units scored him finals placings in both leagues.

But there have also been bad times, when Stork would go 2 base Carrier every game due to the terrible maps. While many believed that this was due to Stork’s playstyle, I believe to this day that 2 base Carrier was forced upon him by the maps and thus fell into a rut. Nevertheless, Stork’s recent play has been reminiscent of his dominant PvT from before the 2 base Carirer-era.

Stork’s mastery of the Reaver, High Templar and Carrier have served him well in the past few months. In fact, Stork’s PvT record for the past 6 months currently stands at 17 – 4 (80.95%). That’s an incredible win-rate no matter the matchup. Stork’s recent dominance has also propelled him into a new personal elo peak, yet another way of saying “Hey Stork is actually really good”.

The real test for Stork is seeing whether he will be overcome the things that have held him back in previous finals - his overconfidence and nerves. Stork continually runs into opponents he gets overconfident against because he defeated them already in the OSL. This OSL is a test to see whether Stork has hold himself together and practice like a maniac while not losing sight of the OSL Gold. Because in all honesty, Stork getting to another final is an event which is unlikely to happen ever again - and Stork knows it. His time is running out, and this very well could be his last chance.

Fantasy is the dark horse, and Royal Road candidate, for this OSL. He was given the dream bracket to get to the final as it allowed him to abuse his strongest matchup to get to the finals (TvT). Well at least that was the plan. Flash, however, had other ideas and promptly lost to GGPlay on perhaps the best set of TvZ maps seen in years. Fantasy stepped up his TvZ and unveiled his Mechanical style to the world which sent shockwaves through the Starcraft community. Don’t say fantasy hasn’t earned this spot – he’s fought hand, tooth and nail to get himself here.

Fantasy’s trademark is undoubtedly Mechanical Terran – his TvZ mini-revolution is a perfect example of this. Fantasy’s use of all mechanical units, the vulture in particular, is phenomenal and is the strongest point in his game by far. Indeed the vulture is fantasy's defining unit in TvP. While the idea that fantasy is the Mechanical Terran or something similar seems like a fitting nickname, it may be truer that people think. Fantasy still needs to prove that he is the man in control of his actions, not oov.

Whether fantasy is just a shell will become apparent in the OSL finals for sure. Stork is too good a player to not force fantasy to make some tough calls that oov couldn’t have prepared him for. Those decisions will decide the winner of Incruit OSL. There is considerable pressure for fantasy to prove to the world that he is the real deal and that he is more than just a mindless drone carrying out the orders of a Gorilla who never got a taste of the Golden Mouse. And I have every faith that fantasy will rise to the occasion and give us one hell of a final.

After Stork's MSL performance fantasy looked quietly confident having scored an opportunity to glimpse his opponent in action before the big day. Fantasy appears confident, and that should help him realize his potential in what is likely to be the most important series in his life.

The Predictions

Game 1


fantasy	Chupung-Ryeong	Stork
13 - 9	6-10	85 - 43

Chupung-Ryeong is one of those maps that is going to become an instant classic. Like many awesome maps before it (like RoV, Peaks and Blue Storm) standard PvT usually involved cheesing your opponent with a proxy gateway. The map has been used quite extensively so far and we are nearing the end of the proxy gateway phase in the maps life. But that still means there is a very real possibility of it cropping up in one of the two games on the map.

Standard PvT on here plays out similar to Python or Peaks with a slower expansion. However, standard TvP is slightly different with Vultures seeing more use on the map because of the way the expansion system is designed. But on the whole is fairly similar. This map gels perfectly with how Stork likes playing PvT – two base Reaver harass into macro like crazy. Thus he should be fairly comfortable on this map. Fantasy also should be comfortable on this map as he can show off his Vulture control and play a comfortable macro game. This map really determines who is going to take the series.

So who is going to win? I’ve really got to say that Stork has good chances on this map and that his past few games on this map have shown how at home he feels here. He uses a large number of observers to monitor the Terran and couples this with amazing Reaver harass which truly seals the game for him. While fantasy has looked good on this map, I think Stork should be able to pull out a win here and go one up in the series. Keep in mind that should fantasy take this game (given that this game is standard) then he will probably take the series.

Game 2


fantasy	Medusa	Stork
13 - 9	4-7	85 - 43

Medusa is going to be one of the most interesting and entertaining games of the night – if only because it encourages players to reach the late game. The best PvT build on this map, in my humble opinion, is the fast Nexus to the expansions behind the main. The best TvP response is probably Command before Factory, but the standard FD works here too. One extremely notably feature about this map is that it promotes the use of Arbiters over Carriers in the late game – something which the other maps do not (RoTK is 50/50 in my opinion).

While statistically speaking the map favors Protoss, this is the map where fantasy should make his move. He has shown in the past an ability to produce some very interesting games on the map and seeing as the Protoss builds are rather predictable on this map he should be able to conjure up a spectacular build. My guess is that he will be using a fast dropship or a dropship oriented build to exploit the fast Nexus. Stork, on the other hand, probably will play the generic three base into Reaver aiming for a standard late game scenario. So either this game is going to be over in 5 minutes, or its going to go on for at least 20.

So who’s going to take this match? Fantasy. This is the best map in the map pool for him and if he cannot capitalize on it then what is he doing in an OSL final. Should Stork take this match there is little doubt that the series will be over in no more than four games.

Game 3


fantasy	Return of the King	Stork
13 - 9	7-7	85 - 43

Statistically speaking, this is the best map in the map pool for fantasy. While Medusa is a “must win” map, this one is a “assume he already won” map. While the stats reflect a balanced map – the truth is very different. In my honest opinion, I think this map favors Terran about 60/40 over Protoss. The reason for the skewed stats is because a number of mediocre Terran players got crushed by far superior Protoss players (e.g. Stork vs Dongrae).

My guess is that fantasy plays a Vulture heavy timing build to exploit the distance of the 3rd from the natural. From there he will probably set up a contain outside of the natural and try to push into Storks natural. Stork on the other hand will likely be playing a fast Reaver build so he can make use of his island instead of having to resort to his third. Obviously, Stork will be trying to maximize the damage of his Reaver in order to stall fantasy long enough for him to take control of the midground – because controlling the midground means you control the game.

Fantasy should know what Stork is planning to do, and thus should prepare some Goliaths or a drop build to counter it – probably a timing push with some Goliaths to null the harass. If fantasy loses this map there is no way he can take the title off Stork and hence I think he will win this map.

Game 4


fantasy	Plasma	Stork
13 - 9	9-8	85 - 43

Plasma is Stork’s favorite map in the OSL, and for good reason: Stork is 37-3 or something stupid like that in practice games vs Terran. Fantasy will likely try to cheese Stork like he did in the group stages, and its more than likely that he will fail. There isn’t much else to say about this map except that I’m glad it’s not repeated as if it was, then Stork would virtually be home free in the OSL.

Game 5


fantasy	Chupung-Ryeong	Stork
13 - 9	6-10	85 - 43

So if everything goes according to how I’ve said it will thus far, we will end up with a fifth and final game. I’m going to go ahead and contradict myself and say that if we get here, fantasy is going to take it. If Stork manages to take game one, there is a very high probability that he will be able to take either Medusa or RoTK off fantasy – it up to fantasy to secure both of those games to get him through to this stage. Should fantasy take the first set, he will very likely take one of Medusa/RoTK and thus wind up back here and win it.

But why is fantasy going to win? Because in the final set, everything gets blown wide open and anything can happen. For fantasy, this is the dawning of a great career and he will most likely get more chances at an OSL title. But for Stork, this is pretty much it. There are no second chances for him. Coming into this game how can he ignore his painful 0-3 loss to Flash? How can he ignore Jaedong’s 1-3 beat down in EVER07? How can he ignore how he lost to Flash in GSI in a painful Game 5? With all this piling up in his mind, and the though that this will probably be his last OSL final – he will crack under the pressure.

This will be GOMTV S2 all over again, and Stork will make basic blunders against fantasy’s cold hard mechanical Terran. Fantasy will walk the Royal Road, and Stork will keep the Silver mining industry alive for another season.

The Teamliquid.net OSL Awards

With all that said and done, there is one little matter of tradition to attend to. That is the infamous Teamliquid.net OSL awards!! The finals are going down this Saturday, November 1st, and are surely going to be epic. Once the final “gg” has been typed the ballots will open and you will be able to vote for as many of the categories as you like. Simply pm your votes to Plexa after the game to have your vote counted. The categories this season are…

The 'Garimto' Award for Player of the Tournament
To the player TeamLiquid.net believes was the overall highest achiever in this Incruit 2008 OSL. The contenders should be obvious.

The 'Mumyung' Award for Worst Player
Who deserved to have been consigned to the rubbish heap during the first round of the OSL?

The 'Boxer' Creativity/Inspiration Award
Go with your gut feeling. Which player showed the greatest creativity or brightened the tournament with his flair and inspiration?

The 'Chojja' Missing in Action Award
Which 'name' failed to live up to his billing and left himself with something to prove?

The 'Sync' One Hit Wonder Award
Which player has had his moment in the sun will be making a short appearance next OSL?

The 'Bifrost' Map of the Tournament Award
Which map inspired the most brilliant and entertaining games of the tournament?

Game of the Tournament

Which individual game was the most exciting or entertaining of the tournament? Or which game showed the highest skill?

The 'WTF!' Moment of the Tournament Award
Which single moment rocked the tournament more than any other?

Player Most Likely to Win the Next Starleague
To the player TeamLiquid.net believes will triumph next time out.

Be sure to get in on the excitement of the OSL finals and join in the festivities by making sure you vote! Remember, ballots open from the moment the final "gg" is typed - so don't bother pm'ing me before then!

With all the words that can be said about this final being said already, there is only one more thing to add. You'd be absolutely stupid to miss this event - so cancel your appointments and set your alarms because the OSL final starts at 18:00 Saturday KST. And with this penultimate OSL news post coming to a close, I'd just like to add that I will be routing for Stork all the way and hoping that for once he is able to take out a title. Stork has been a huge influence of my own game, and I have basically modeled my PvP off of his. He is the pinnacle of Neo-King greatness and would do the Old School proud if he could take this title.

I'll be seeing you on Saturday!

Plexa

Huge thanks to both zXk3 and SilverskY for all their artistic assistance in this article. Your work is very much appreciated <3
Thanks to the demotivational poster thread and all the people posting in it - they're hilarious

[OSL] The Plot Thickens...

[OSL] The Plot Thickens...

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