- He's crazy. Many thought this as Midas left his first impressions on the scene. This was more than dumbfounding, it was... it was... no words could be used to describe the astonishment. It wasn't the first time a Terran tried a peculiar strategy. The era was one of stylists. Players like BoxeR lead the pack of abnormal Terrans. But even so, Midas took it too far. The strategy Midas had come up with to defeat the 'public enemy', 'three eyes' Junwi was an only firebat rush. Firebats rushing in one by one, the face of Junwi, at first incredulous, then slowly turning grim, and the gg. It was the moment where Midas, the genius from K.U.F. (Kingdom Under Fire) left his mark on the people of this world.
In early 2006, the interview Midas gave with his matter-of-fact voice made people repeat again the words - he's crazy. "When close, bunker rush, when far, CC first." Midas' answer to the question on how to beat Zerg. The early gain from an economic start, and the victory that comes from protecting that gain. That was probably what Midas wanted to say. For that was what created the many, indistinct Terrans since iloveoov. Perhaps it was only right that Midas, the member of the SKT T1's 4 Terran, should reply that way. He probably had replied, adding his unique sense of humor. But that actually hit the nail on the head. The phrase's shortness and factual content combined with the predictable builds of Terran became a sharp prod to the Zergs, who couldn't find a way to defeat such a simple concept. T1 Terrans became the 'bad guys' once more, and Zergs placed their hopes on their great maestro to lead them to victory. But in the course of things, nobody could count Midas out. If the first "crazy" was sort of derisive call to a young, wild, rookie, the second "crazy" one of awe and lament at the man who was on his way to become the greatest Terran of the time. They say that Midas called Xellos shifu, both before and after moving to SKT T1. Midas, being so famous at Kingdom Under Fire, would have had trouble switching over to Starcraft, and its obvious that Xellos would have given so much help during that time. And Midas's meticulous playstyle is actually very reminiscent of that of Xellos. But Midas had the rakish personality to try plays that Xellos would never have done, and actually showed many of those off during his time in G.O.
That- completely disappeared after he became a member of T1. Even his bunker rushes were done under the great paradigm of earlier expansion and initiative gain. He received access to the latest optimized builds and had the talent to utilize it freely, and cut out the unnecessary and ineffective movements. The basis of iloveoov's strategy, which the common Terran only had a basic grasp of, Midas could apply and modify at will. He could lead the game to victory from anywhere.
Hwasin, Nada, Iris. How many more Terrans can we call "opposers" to Savior's rule? And who can we say were "threats"? Just Midas. G.O.s unpolished rookie left for the Terran central T1 in 2005, and became a giant that could butt heads with iloveoov. His flexible build selection and the solid playmaking in midgame was unparalleled. With a high winrate against any race, Midas had chosen the way of SKT, to become the blade of the empire as one of the Terran 4.
Today. 2
"A man who lives tomorrow dies to a man who lives today." - director Lee Jeong Beom, The Man From Nowhere
-DAUM Starleague S1 Ro 4 Group A Match 2 Stork v Iris in Hitchhiker. Iris at 11, Stork at 5 o 'clock spawn. Stork had always said he considered Hitchhiker a difficult map. It was probably true- Stork wasn't a guy like Flash. And perhaps that was why Stork pulled out a super fast proxy gate- on the 7th probe. It was an attack he put his heart and soul into. 'The guy who hits first always wins'- maybe Stork wanted to say the arrogant words of Iris right back at him. It could have been a venture that could change Stork's image of a macro player forever- but Iris had closed off the ramp. 'How can you do this to me?!' but the situation was too urgent for words. It was an all in to the core- there was no guarantee that this barbarian wouldn't rush in like Flash, with a scan and some workers. Stork quickly gives up his front line and decides to defend a potential scan rush at home with a rear expansion and cannons. Iris, on the other hand, waited once. To crack a boulder, you have to hit it in the same spot. The sword he pulled out was a two-fac again, and when Stork met the leading army of Iris, all his main base had were useless gateways warping in. Betrayal, betrayal, it was a continuous chain of it. How could he defy expectations to this point? When he thought Iris would wait, he ran out. When he thinks Iris would rush, he bides his time. This man Iris' style was completely different from common Terran. This scoundrel probably hadn't read a word of iloveoov's book of Terran. -Probably why he is the Berserker, Terran of the frontier. Even while gritting his teeth, Stork bet everything on his newly produced reaver. The reaver's heroics were inspiring. The dragoons and zealots warped from the gateways could do nothing apart from dying to the spider mines, while Stork's reaver stood alone against the mech army. With its red health bar, getting on and off the shuttle at the most marvelous of timings, the control was like that of the old days of the 'shooting reaver', an overpowered cheat of the system. The vultures driving through Stork's main disappeared slowly but surely, and the wraiths ordered to stop it could not easily get through the cannons. Miraculously, Stork staved off Iris's attack.
But the homage to the reaver was short. Iris went straightaway for a tank drop that occupied Stork's only hope, the expansion's mineral line. Stork could not hold any longer.
Next to Savior, Iris observed many Terrans challenge Savior, and promised he would walk the same path as they did, and finally defeated him after two tries. Variation: Hero (Eroica) Iris thought that would be the last time he would think of Reach, but Iris needed his memories of battle one more time during his preparation for this semifinals. In the Ro16, Iris tried two factory pushing against Reach and was completely ousted. He lost to godly dragoon micro, took reaver/templar combo punches to the gut, and even saw the carrier. It was him who wanted Reach in his group- with the words "Be my rival", so he knew it was his own fault, but he felt so unfairly beaten that he had complained in the interview. Of course, he heard from the coach right after.
Anyways, why had his attack been shut down so perfectly? If it was Iris's problem, it would not work against Stork either. Perhaps it would turn out even worse. Stork already came up after beating Reach, and had proved that Reach's sword, a rusty artifact, had no power in this new day and age. But he couldn't all in early game like Flash did, there was no guarantee that he could take 3 sets with only those. Then, a normal macro game would place him straight at Stork's home. Any way you looked at it, it was difficult to fight a Protoss with the title "strongest PvT". But something felt off. 'A rusty artifact', there was something about that phrase. Why had his two factory push not been able to work against just an artifact? Why had Reach been able to block such a savage attack so easily? His movement had seemed like he had almost anticipated, as if following a well practiced dance. He knew what he had to do, and executed it perfectly. Iris finally realized. He also found his answer. He almost felt disappointed by such an easy answer.
It wasn't 'just' an artifact It was 'because' it was an artifact.
//continued on Daum <6>
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Daum <6>
- His 2 fac didn't work because it was Reach, not Stork.
Yesterday. 3
"No need for last thoughts/The wolf that will leave but a scratch on the giant pillars of millenia / runs, heart pounding,/ with his clear blue soul." - Lee Young Do, Polaris Rhapsody
Midas was the hope of the ages, the lovable child of the empire. He was above the dozens of mass-produced Terran of the time, maybe even hundreds if you count all the hopefuls. Like his nickname, "The Engine", he had the ability to learn and understand every new meta trend, as well as execute it. The Terrans of T1 placed their chips on Midas, and he finally stepped out to meet Savior.
It was bloody. Midas was considered dominating Savior in the strategy battle. With his wit and wily tricks, he saw through the deception of Savior, one of the best strategists in '06. Through this, he put Savior in a corner time and time again. Savior defeated the three kings of Terran, BoxeR, Nada, and iloveoov with his macro, but could not with Midas. He pulled out new aces such as clutch defiler plays and the stop lurker, which will come to be one of the most feared strategies. And yet, the tide of battle didn't swing to a side- the talent of Midas was truly insane. But today, history marks Midas as 'the biggest opponent of Savior.' - Nobody remembers him as a ruler of an age.
The savior needs a Judas. Records state thus: "... Savior required a rival. Someone who explodes with talent, creates great, memorable battles with him, but yet is defeated in his hands. Midas was the perfect fit. In addition, he would win in games that didn't matter that much, but would lose in a full-set tooth and nail match. He would also create winning situations by taking an edge in strategy, Savior's forte, but let it slip by showing weakness in late game chaos, making a great comeback story..." - Felix, A Small History of Savior's ZvT
Midas jumped into the stream of history by leaving G.O. and joining T1, and was left as a name in Savior's Age, the best supporting actor to greatness- another loyal member of history.
But Iris remained in G.O. under head coach Jo Kyu Nam, he kept his freedom as he filled the empty spot of Midas. His style of play, searching for fight after fight, was different from the paradigm of the Empire, and one day he became known as the Terran of the Frontier. People gave him the name Berserker, originated from Nordic Vikings. And Iris was who stood here now. He was the one challenging the finals. Sweeping past the pass produced Terran army, standing tall against the remnants of Savior washing away, Iris was the one standing here today. There were two Terrans raised freely, and one became another supporting actor in history. The other remained in the frontier, was called a barbarian, continued to be an uninvited guest to leagues, an unexpected variable. Yes. Maybe we could call him a league breaker.
However, by staying in the wilderness, he earned the right. The right to unyield to stories of giants. The right to resist the flow of history. The right to plunge the story of the rulers into chaos. It was exceptionally pleasing to Iris.
Now, everything looked different. The view from the top, from the middle of an Age, was a beautiful sight that compared to nothing else. It was something that he couldn't imagine. Perhaps it was because he had suffered after falling to the lowest of the low, painstakingly pulling himself back up to join the ranks of Neo Three once more. Stork stood with his back straight, gazing at the revolutionary standing afar. Look, the orphan child of revolution, the godly multitasking and decision making, as well as the ability to hit timings. The god given talent that would strike the head of the dictator. He had every right to be on the top. But here, too, was a man deserving of that quality. Nothing of note, a short period of potential, collapsed into the ranks of common protoss. But he had come back after countless endeavors. Stork is now where Bisu is. The one who has inherited the predecessors' paths. The effort of a normal man clashing against natural talent- Stork stood proudly.
Then, Stork turned, observed the old days of his heroes. Once hard to even make eye contact, he could now see the Three's faults. So many loose ends and imperfections! He could see that their old, beaten path did not fit one of the new age.
The Hero only knows how to draw but one sword to fight against Terran, and the Dreamer slowly loses his mechanics to continue his eloquent strategy. It was only right to admit. Protoss could not have come this far without their struggle. Through their failure, he learned, and thus could make it up here. Thank their sacrifice. Thank the names of the old age, now useless. They have done all they could through the course of history, and will now disappear, in the passage of time. New history has begun, with no place for old heroes. There is no need for pity. Stork turned away from their age, which he once had so revered.
Stork finally gazed upon the dawn of revolution, the new Sun. Without falter and laziness, Stork would fight in this new day. Without falling again, he will keep the dream of the common man alive. He will be the owner of today.
Today. 3
"Who is the third who always walks beside you? When I count, there are only you and I together But when I look ahead up the white road There is always another one walking beside you" - T.S. Eliot, The Waste Land
He wanted to cry He wanted to scream in frustration. Losing in a war happened every day- it wasn't that he had never thought of defeat. If then, lets think of it as a learning experience. I have time, I'm still young. But, but, but... to lose like this? Losing to such things! Not being able to retaliate properly, getting dragged around, and losing three times in a row to the 2 fac rush build?
-Daum Starleague 2007 S1 Group A Ro4 Game 3 Iris v Stork in Fantasy
Up to now, no Terran had won on this map. Then, he should have forseen a rush. He should have easily fended it off, and slowly, steadily dismantled Iris with the mechanics that he was known for. However, he couldn't. At 1 gate, he built the cyber core, built the robotics, hesitated, then sent the returning probe out to the natural and built a nexus. That was the moment, in Iris's vase, the vanguard marched out without pause. Iris' fangs were shooting toward's Stork's jugular without rest. 2 tanks, and some vultures. It was enough to end the Protoss who had become just a little bit too greedy. In a blink of an eye, he was surrounded, and lost his forces to mines. Stork's head went blank as he saw Iris's army stomp up to his main.
The crowd, once crestfallen, was once again looking his way.
-stop doing that.
He was sick and tired of everything. He just wanted to quit.
- I flunked out, just like he did. Isn't that enough? What more do you want? Or are you thinking that Reach, if it was Reach, he could have defended these? Well, you guys are...
They were right. Stork's hand holding the mouse trembled gently. Reach had defended the 2 fac rush of Iris perfectly, just some weeks before. Stork looked back at the crowd with a blank stare.
It was because he was an ancient artifact of the old age. It was because he was Reach, not Stork. The explanation that Iris came up with was so very simple. Who did Reach play with? In his time, both players taking expansions weren't common things. The PvT of the past wasn't as "gentlemanly" like today. The men Reach fought were the legends of Terran themselves. It was Boxer of strategy and mindgames, and Nada of genius and freestyling.
1 fac 1 starport, 2 fac, 5 tank rush, bio/mech, so many different, modified, and strong tactics. They had nothing in common except one thing: "No expansion". This was the war Reach had fought. This was the war Protoss of that time had to survive.
- You're too timid, you play too safe. - When you gotta be greedy, you gotta be greedy.
To the grinning hero, his disciples criticized his ancient ways. Those were the words of the ones who hadn't stood on the battlefields of old, the words of boys who have not, cannot clash blades against the sly, prepared, Terran kings.
The idea of forgoing an early expansion could be interpreted as "letting down everything". With nothing but a longsword in hand, he moves into the center of battle. For there was no other way to defeat the Terran who were doing the same. How many times did you have to lose to cheese, to not even muster up the courage to get an early expansion? I guess that is a valid criticism. Well, if a Protoss who let go of everything stands in battle, how will he achieve victory? Combat. Only combat. Control like a madman while warping units, get small advantages in never ending skirmishes until it accumulates into a win. Like this, Reach fought and won against Boxer, Nada, and Xellos.
What other protoss can dare to walk that path of the Asura? What recent protoss can say that it is wanton stubbornness? Does Stork? Can Stork? Iris asked himself, and answered the question: - Nobody can, nobody should.
The 2 fac will work, Iris decided.
Through the course of history, They have done all they could. They will now disappear, in the passage of time. New history has begun, with no place for old heroes. There is no need for pity.
Stork heard footsteps. So many footsteps, and unrecognizable voices and happy laughter. Amongst them, Stork was once more a young challenger, full of hopes and dreams. Surrounding him, he could hear the sounds of the veterans who had walked this road long ago, and could see their faint silhouettes. The age of heroes, which he thought had washed away long ago, came back in like the tide, splashing gently against his feet. He stared for a long time into that glistening pool. What he had seen, in the gleaming surface, only he will know.
Next, Daum(다음) "It was a difficult journey coming to the finals and it has been my gamer dream of 3 years. So, I cannot lose whoever comes up. They won't be able to beat my thirst for victory." -2007.7.6 Iris, After his semifinal victory against Stork.
GGplay is fine, Flash is fine, too. No matter who comes up to face him, the hopes of crowds will be dashed. Like Savior, like Stork. The stage will be invaded again, and history will be faced with yet another upset. Of course, that's what Protoss usually do. But he would gladly take that job for them. Iris was on a one way road at this time. Until now, he had chased the back of Reach, the soul of Protoss. If an uprising was his part of that duty, he will accept with open arms. The heat of the desert cannot reach him. The radiant dawn of revolution fails to pierce his eyes with its brightness. He created an opening. Between the pages, he tore open a path on which he would run on. Yes, historians may not write his biography, but right now, he is the irregular piece of history. That was enough for Iris. That was more than enough for Iris.
/*Polaris Rhapsody is a BW map as well as a fantasy novel. Do you remember? Stork v Iris, the first part of semifinals is done. We'll continue with GGplay v Flash, the second, and less of a onesided semifinals with some great games! It is finals day soon so I'm chugging out a lot of content as fast as possible. Thanks for following this journey so far. See you in Daum <7>! */
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