Vor etwa einer Woche konnte Christoph 'Mondragon' Semke die dritte Ausgabe der ESL Major Series für sich entscheiden, indem er im Finale den Ukrainer Aleks 'White-Ra' Krupnick deutlich mit 3:0 in die Schranken verwies. Karsten 'pYRo' Haendly sprach mit ihm über das große Finale, den Turnierverlauf und seine Zukunftspläne sowie die Auflösung des Starcraft-Squads von MYM.
readmore.de: Wie fühlst Du Dich nun nach dem doch deutlichen Sieg gegen White-Ra? Hat dich White-Ra mit seiner schwächelnden Leistung überrascht oder enttäuscht?
Mondragon: Man fühlt sich nach einem Turniersieg natürlich immer relativ gut in Bezug auf BW. White-Ra hat mich sowohl überrascht als auch enttäuscht. Ich denke, er hätte einfach sagen können, was Sache ist und wir hätten das Finale verschoben, dann hätte es sowohl uns als auch den Zuschauern mehr Spaß gemacht. (Anm. d. Red.: White-Ra hatte an diesem Tag sein Diplom bestanden und musste wegen des Matches die Feierlichkeiten unterbrechen.)
readmore.de: Im dritten und letzten Spiel sah es zeitweise so aus, als wolltest Du White-Ra noch eine Chance geben, die Partie umzudrehen. War dies nur Schein oder hattest Du wirklich vor, es noch einmal spannend zu machen?
Mondragon: Sollte es so ausgesehen haben, kann ich nur sagen, dass ich nicht vor hatte, ihm eine Chance zu geben oder ihn gar gewinnen zu lassen. (lacht)
readmore.de: Hattest Du an einem Punkt der Serie das Gefühl, das Spiel aus der Hand zu geben?
Mondragon: Zu keinem Zeitpunkt. Ich hatte vorher eigentlich auch nie Bedenken, weil ich zurzeit relativ aktiv bin und sehr gut vorbereitet war.
readmore.de: Dachtest du, es würde Deinen Kontrahenten verwirren oder sogar überraschen, wenn du immer wieder dieselbe Strategie spielst?
Mondragon: Ich spiele einfach nur, was mir in der Situation am besten erscheint. Geplant hatte ich nicht, immer das gleiche, bzw. in den ersten zwei Spielen das gleiche zu spielen. Keine Ahnung, ob ihn das überrascht oder verwirrt. (lächelt)
readmore.de: Wann warst Du Dir sicher, dass du diese Bo5-Serie gewinnen wirst?
Mondragon: Soll nicht arrogant klingen, aber das war mir eigentlich schon vorher klar, weil ich mich einfach in guter Form befinde.
readmore.de: Warst Du durch die Leistung White-Ras während der PGL IV in Chengdu also nicht verunsichert?
Mondragon: Nein, zu keinem Zeitpunkt. Wenn ich in Form bin, werde ich durch keinen nicht-koreanischen Gegner verunsichert. Natürlich unterschätzt man den jeweiligen Spieler nicht - man überschätzt ihn eher -, aber trotzdem war ich zuversichtlich.
readmore.de: Inwiefern hast Du die Zeit zwischen den Halbfinalpartien und dem Grandfinal genutzt und trainiert?
Mondragon: Dadurch dass fast zwei Monate dazwischen lagen - inklusive Weihnachten und den Tagen, in denen man immer ein bisschen mehr Zeit hat, sowie die Zeit, in der keine Vorlesungen mehr sind, in der man sich aufs lernen konzentriert -, macht man öfters 'mal eine BW-Pause. Häufiger auch zu oft. (lacht)
readmore.de: Du hattest in den Playoffs nur einen Zerg- und drei Protoss-Gegner. Welches Aufeinandertreffen im Turnier erschien Dir das schwierigste zu sein und warum?
Mondragon: HayprO ist offiziell ein Zergspieler, jedoch spielt er Terran vs Zerg, also sollte er in diesem Fall als Terran gezählt werden. Die schwierigsten Spiele waren gegen MistrZZZ, weil sie einfach in der Zeit stattfanden, in der ich fast gar nicht gespielt habe und nicht in Form war. Deshalb bin ich sehr froh, dass ich es trotzdem für mich entscheiden konnte.
readmore.de: Nach den Leistungen von Strelok in der GameStar Liga gingen viele davon aus, er würde es bis ins Finale schaffen oder sogar das Turnier gewinnen. Ging es Dir genauso? Welchen Teilnehmer hättest Du gerne als Gegner im Grand Final gesehen?
Mondragon: Natürlich war Strelok nach der guten WCG- und GSL-Performance der Favorit. Allerdings kann man nicht jedes Turnier dominieren, daher ist es auch nicht so eine große Überraschung, dass er verloren hat. PGL hat er auch alles andere als überzeugt, aber das passiert nun 'mal. Ich glaube, ich habe keinen lieberen Gegner als White-Ra. Gegen ihn habe ich die beste Bilanz von allen.
readmore.de: Wird man in diesem Jahr noch mehr von Dir zu sehen bekommen oder raubt Dir Dein Studium jede freie Minute?
Mondragon: Ihr werdet mich, hoffe ich zumindest, bei jedem großen Turnier zu sehen bekommen. Turniere machen immer am meisten Spaß und dafür werde ich mir die Zeit nehmen. So zeitraubend ist das Studium außerdem auch nicht, wohl nur in der Lernphase. (grinst)
readmore.de: Was wirst Du mit den 450 Euro Preisgeld machen? Hast Du schon irgendwelche Pläne oder brauchst Du jeden Cent für Dein Studium?
Mondragon: So viel kann man ja mit 450 Euro auch nicht machen, daher habe ich auch keine speziellen Pläne, was ich damit machen will. Das wird von ESL auf mein Konto überwiesen, und da wird es bleiben. (lächelt)
readmore.de: Zum jüngsten Ereignis: Wie siehst Du, als Leader des wohl stärksten Amateurteams, den Fall von MYM.SC?
Mondragon: Es war ein Schock in erster Sekunde und ich bin mir sicher, dass MYM nicht die wahren Gründe offengelegt hat. Das BW-Team war zusammen mit ToT das beste der BW-Szene, hat durchaus sehr viel Publicity bekommen und war im Gegensatz zu allen anderen Squads sehr, sehr billig zu unterhalten. Meiner Meinung nach war es eine sehr komische Sache, was bei MYM passiert ist, besonders weil die Spieler selber ja nicht einmal sicher sind über die wahren Gründe...
readmore.de: Macht sich das Konzept hinter ToT, sich finanziell nicht abhängig zu machen, sondern mehr auf Freundschaft, Loyalität und Spaß am Spiel zu bauen, schließlich bezahlt?
Mondragon: Dass sich das bezahlt macht, sieht man, denke ich, schon seit Jahren, in denen ToT immer an der Spitze der Clans war. Natürlich würde keiner von uns Nein zu einem Sponsor sagen, jedoch sollte man die Fäden in der eigenen Hand halten, und das Hauptkriterium, Freundschaft und Loyalität, sollte an oberster Stelle stehen.
readmore.de: Vielen Dank für das Interview.
Christoph "Mondragon" Semke did win the third edition of the ESL Major Series in the final against Aleks "White-Ra" Krupnick with a clear 3:0 one week ago. Karsten "pYRo" Haendly spoke with him about the final, the tourney, his plans for the future and the closing of MYM.SC
readmore.de: How you do you feel after your win in the EMS Finals against White-Ra? Did Ra`s performance suprise or disappoint you?
Mondragon: You always feel good after such win. White-Ra did suprise and disappoint me as well. I think he could explain the situation and we would have postponed the final, so that it would have been more fun for us and the viewers. (White-Ra passed his diploma on that day and had to stop celebrating it for the games)
readmore.de: In the third and last game it looked like you wanted to give White-Ra a chance to come back and win it. Was this your intention?
Mondragon: If it looked like that I can only say it wasnt my attention to give him a chance or even let him win (laughing)
readmore.de: Did you feel you lose that game at any time?
Mondragon: At no time. Even before the finals, because I am relatively active and was very good prepaired for the finals.
readmore.de: Did you think it would confuse you opponent when you play the same strategy every time?
Mondragon: I play the strategy thats fits best in a certain situation. It wasnt my plan to play the same strategy in the first two games. I have no idea if Ra was suprised or confused by this... (smiling)
readmore.de: When were you sure to win the Bo5 series?
Mondragon: I dont want to sound arrogant, but I have been always sure to win it, because I am in a good shape.
readmore.de: So you havent been insecured by White-Ras performance in China (PGL)?
Mondragon: No, at no time. If I am in a good shape, I fear no non korean opponent. You dont underestimate the respective opponent. You overestimate him more likely, anyway I was confident.
readmore.de: How did you use the time between the semi final and the grand final?
Mondragon: Thus it were two months including X-Mas and the days you have more free time because you dont have to attend lectures and should concentrate on learning; well you often do a Broodwar break, too often (laughing). readmore.de: There were only one Zerg but 3 Protoss opponents in the playoffs. Which game was the hardest in the tourney and why?
Mondragon: HayprO is officially a Zergplayer but he plays TvZ so he should be considered as a Terran in this case. The hardest games were against MistrZZZ cause they were at a time I wasnt active and in shape. Thats why I am happy I won them anyway.
readmore.de: After his performance at the WCG and the GSL (GameStar Liga) many expected Strelok to win the tourney or at least reach the final. Did you think the same? Who would you have liked to see in the Grand Final?
Mondragon: Strelok were the favorite after his WCG and GSL performance of course but you cant dominate every tourney so it was not a big suprise to see him loosing. In the PGL he did not convince with his play too, but such things happen. I believe White-Ra is my favorite opponent because i have the best stats against him.
readmore.de: Will we see more of you this year or are you too busy through you studies?
Mondragon: You will see me (at least I hope so) at every big tourney. Tourneys are the most fun and I will take time for them. The studies are not as time-consuming as one might think except in the learning phase.(grining)
readmore.de: What will you do with your 450 Euros prizemoney? Do you have any plans or do you need every Cent for you studies?
Mondragon: You cant do too much with 450 Euros, so I dont have any special plans. The ESL will transfer the money to my bank account and there will it remain.
readmore.de: To the latest development: How do you as the leader of the strongest amateurteam the fall of MYM.SC?
Mondragon: It was shocking in the first seconds and I am sure MYM did not show us the true reasons. MYM.SC has been the best team of the non korean BW-Scene along with ToT. It got a respectable publicity and were in contrast to the other MYM squads very low priced. In my eyes it was a quite strange thing what happened to MYM because even the players dont know about the real reason.
readmore.de: Does the concept of ToT to use friendship, loyality and fun instead of money finally pay off?
Mondragon: The fact that ToT has been at the top of foreign BW teams for years now shows that it pays off but no one of us would say no to a sponsor of course, however you should still pull the strings and the main value should still be friendship and loyality.
On February 04 2009 01:33 cgrinker wrote: Nice Interview. Why don't you guys get Mondragon to knock of JF?
Because then they'd have to get someone to knock of Mondragon, and then someone to knock off the person who knocked off Mondragon, etc. etc. and the skill level would just keep increasing.
On February 04 2009 01:33 cgrinker wrote: Nice Interview. Why don't you guys get Mondragon to knock of JF?
Because then they'd have to get someone to knock of Mondragon, and then someone to knock off the person who knocked off Mondragon, etc. etc. and the skill level would just keep increasing.
JF is an EXTREMELY well rounded player if I remember correctly. While Mondragon's ZvP is much stronger than rest of his match ups. JF would need to play literally the best of each match up in order to lose, his PvP is his strongest I think though. I can't remember all his strengths, but I am under the impression that all of his match ups are comparable to each other in strength.
If Mondragon were to play JF it might slightly favor mondi, however if you get a good TvZ player like strelok or someone, they can take out mondi, even though they couldn't take out JF.
So its not ever increasing skill level, its dependent on player match ups, unless everyone is completely even in all match ups which is rarely ever the case.
On February 04 2009 01:33 cgrinker wrote: Nice Interview. Why don't you guys get Mondragon to knock of JF?
Because then they'd have to get someone to knock of Mondragon, and then someone to knock off the person who knocked off Mondragon, etc. etc. and the skill level would just keep increasing.
JF is an EXTREMELY well rounded player if I remember correctly. While Mondragon's ZvP is much stronger than rest of his match ups. JF would need to play literally the best of each match up in order to lose, his PvP is his strongest I think though. I can't remember all his strengths, but I am under the impression that all of his match ups are comparable to each other in strength.
If Mondragon were to play JF it might slightly favor mondi, however if you get a good TvZ player like strelok or someone, they can take out mondi, even though they couldn't take out JF.
So its not ever increasing skill level, its dependent on player match ups, unless everyone is completely even in all match ups which is rarely ever the case.
Your saying Mondragon isn't well rounded? You know very little about him then.
Nice interview, a bit shallow maybe but still some good answers. Much respect for being able to stay on top even though he studies (macro-econ isn't it?), that has to take it's toll around exam time. Keep on owning Mondi!
I really like how optimistic his future sounds in this interview, other times it's like he was always leaning towards quitting SC in favor of Uni or other things.
And please, let us know where you can get the reps if they are available.
Weird. All the previous interviews of Mondragon, he would always go out of his way to say that he fears his opponent, everyone is equal, and his victories were purely luck. Seems to be a more honest interview, or am I missing something?
On February 04 2009 05:22 Person514cs wrote: I fear no Non-korean. lol.. what does that mean exactly? Is he terrified of Korean?
No. It means he feels that he can beat any non-korean player atm, and doesn't need to feel nervous about a potential loss. On the other hand, he knows that most korean pros can beat him rather easily, and because of that, he has a reason to fear losing, and a reason to feel nervous.
In fact he did not talk about koreans. Judging from his previous performance I would say he dont need to fear any korean non A Team Progamer too if he is in good shape.
For example I am pretty sure that Mondragon in a good shape would had good chances to win PGL and would also win against Nony.
Ya its my translation. You can recognize it by my bad english . Well I think its still far better than google translate .
He has no reason to be afraid of them. If he is in shape he will clearly beat Nony and Idra has never been a match for him. People might just think Nony is better because at Nonys best time Mondragon had his worst period of all time caused by the beginning of his studies. A Mondragon would have won the TSL.
In his best time he used to eat korean b team members too. He is definitely the most talented foreigner who did not go to Korea and I think the most talented foreign zerg player.
He has no reason to be afraid of them. If he is in shape he will clearly beat Nony and Idra has never been a match for him
I really like Mondi, but saying such things is pretty much pointless.When was the last time they played with each other?On what info you base your statement?
Let's just wait for them to play bo5 (yea we can dream, can't we) and we will know then, making such blind assumptions isn't really going anywhere.
On February 04 2009 20:07 HanN00b wrote: He has no reason to be afraid of them. If he is in shape he will clearly beat Nony and Idra has never been a match for him. People might just think Nony is better because at Nonys best time Mondragon had his worst period of all time caused by the beginning of his studies. A Mondragon would have won the TSL.
before going to korea i beat him in multiple tournaments and official matches, dont think i ever lost
for future reference, whenever posting about foreigner skill levels, you should just assume that europeans are about half as good as you think they are.
On February 04 2009 20:07 HanN00b wrote: He has no reason to be afraid of them. If he is in shape he will clearly beat Nony and Idra has never been a match for him. People might just think Nony is better because at Nonys best time Mondragon had his worst period of all time caused by the beginning of his studies. A Mondragon would have won the TSL.
before going to korea i beat him in multiple tournaments and official matches, dont think i ever lost
for future reference, whenever posting about foreigner skill levels, you should just assume that europeans are about half as good as you think they are.
also, for future reference, whenever posting about Idras skill level, you should just know that he is actually twice as bad as you think he is.
On February 04 2009 20:07 HanN00b wrote: He has no reason to be afraid of them. If he is in shape he will clearly beat Nony and Idra has never been a match for him. People might just think Nony is better because at Nonys best time Mondragon had his worst period of all time caused by the beginning of his studies. A Mondragon would have won the TSL.
before going to korea i beat him in multiple tournaments and official matches, dont think i ever lost
for future reference, whenever posting about foreigner skill levels, you should just assume that europeans are about half as good as you think they are.
also, for future reference, whenever posting about Idras skill level, you should just know that he is actually twice as bad as you think he is.
oooooooooh you took what i said and said the exact same thing except with MY NAME in it HAHAHAHAHAHAHA dumbass
I just don't know why the hell he keeps posting man... shouldn't you be training ffs? I think I've seem more of you doing other shit than simply getting your ass there and training with your teammates.
If I was you, I wouldn't waste my time on TLnet and actually try to become someone, they don't give out free licenses so you can use them to come and post here, consider yourself lucky, else you would still be on eSTRO trying to make it past RO1000 @ courage and a few weeks later them sending you back home and recruiting someone else.
Honestly I think a dedicated korean needed that free license more than you did.
On February 04 2009 22:29 EsX_Raptor wrote: I just don't know why the hell he keeps posting man... shouldn't you be training ffs? I think I've seem more of you doing other shit than simply getting your ass there and training with your teammates.
If I was you, I wouldn't waste my time on TLnet and actually try to become someone, they don't give out free licenses so you can use them to come and post here, consider yourself lucky, else you would still be on eSTRO trying to make it past RO1000 @ courage and a few weeks later them sending you back home and recruiting someone else.
Honestly I think a dedicated korean needed that free license more than you did.
but you are not him, and you wont ever be in his situation. Honestly I think you are jealous as fuck.
On February 04 2009 22:29 EsX_Raptor wrote: I just don't know why the hell he keeps posting man... shouldn't you be training ffs? I think I've seem more of you doing other shit than simply getting your ass there and training with your teammates.
If I was you, I wouldn't waste my time on TLnet and actually try to become someone, they don't give out free licenses so you can use them to come and post here, consider yourself lucky, else you would still be on eSTRO trying to make it past RO1000 @ courage and a few weeks later them sending you back home and recruiting someone else.
Honestly I think a dedicated korean needed that free license more than you did.
but you are not him, and you wont ever be in his situation. Honestly I think you are jealous as fuck.
It's true I won't, why? Because I'm actually working harder than him on getting my PhD than he is on being someone, rofl jealous of what? There's nothing there to be jealous of.
Regarding the interview. I think its good that Mondragon is taking this interview more serious. Many non european guys think that he is just one of the best foreign players like Dreiven, Jf etc. and still underestimate him by far. Even if he dont care (and I know he doesnt care^^) its chidish and ridiculous what he said about his skill in previous interviews. Even if you dont care. Say it as it is. In this interview he did it.
On February 04 2009 22:29 EsX_Raptor wrote: I just don't know why the hell he keeps posting man... shouldn't you be training ffs? I think I've seem more of you doing other shit than simply getting your ass there and training with your teammates.
If I was you, I wouldn't waste my time on TLnet and actually try to become someone, they don't give out free licenses so you can use them to come and post here, consider yourself lucky, else you would still be on eSTRO trying to make it past RO1000 @ courage and a few weeks later them sending you back home and recruiting someone else.
Honestly I think a dedicated korean needed that free license more than you did.
but you are not him, and you wont ever be in his situation. Honestly I think you are jealous as fuck.
It's true I won't, why? Because I'm actually working harder than him on getting my PhD than he is on being someone, rofl jealous of what? There's nothing there to be jealous of.
Posts made by Idra last week: 77 Posts made by you last week: 73
Yea i'm sure you are working very hard on that PhD :p
On February 04 2009 22:29 EsX_Raptor wrote: I just don't know why the hell he keeps posting man... shouldn't you be training ffs? I think I've seem more of you doing other shit than simply getting your ass there and training with your teammates.
If I was you, I wouldn't waste my time on TLnet and actually try to become someone, they don't give out free licenses so you can use them to come and post here, consider yourself lucky, else you would still be on eSTRO trying to make it past RO1000 @ courage and a few weeks later them sending you back home and recruiting someone else.
Honestly I think a dedicated korean needed that free license more than you did.
but you are not him, and you wont ever be in his situation. Honestly I think you are jealous as fuck.
It's true I won't, why? Because I'm actually working harder than him on getting my PhD than he is on being someone, rofl jealous of what? There's nothing there to be jealous of.
Posts made by Idra last week: 77 Posts made by you last week: 73
Yea i'm sure you are working very hard on that PhD :p
I'm on vacations right now homie, check my average posts...
hey raptor how do you know if idra is training hard or not? And its not like they train 24/7 right? Of course he has free time to hang around in tl for example.
If you weren't jealous, you would not have posted that.
On February 04 2009 23:07 MuR)Ernu wrote: hey raptor how do you know if idra is training hard or not? And its not like they train 24/7 right? Of course he has free time to hang around in tl for example.
If you weren't jealous, you would not have posted that.
this is like the ultimate troll thread so far hannoob: MONDRAGON > ALL B TEAM KOREANS, WHITE-RA > NBS idra: thats not true hannoob/german flunkies: LOL CALM DOWN NERD
On February 04 2009 23:27 littlechava wrote: this is like the ultimate troll thread so far hannoob: MONDRAGON > ALL B TEAM KOREANS, WHITE-RA > NBS idra: thats not true hannoob/german flunkies: LOL CALM DOWN NERD
On February 04 2009 22:29 EsX_Raptor wrote: I just don't know why the hell he keeps posting man... shouldn't you be training ffs? I think I've seem more of you doing other shit than simply getting your ass there and training with your teammates.
If I was you, I wouldn't waste my time on TLnet and actually try to become someone, they don't give out free licenses so you can use them to come and post here, consider yourself lucky, else you would still be on eSTRO trying to make it past RO1000 @ courage and a few weeks later them sending you back home and recruiting someone else.
Honestly I think a dedicated korean needed that free license more than you did.
but you are not him, and you wont ever be in his situation. Honestly I think you are jealous as fuck.
It's true I won't, why? Because I'm actually working harder than him on getting my PhD than he is on being someone, rofl jealous of what? There's nothing there to be jealous of.
reason most people go for diplomas: to say something as stupid and petty as this. so ugly and pathetic.
Maybe it would help if instead of writing '' Mondi > Idra '' one could as well write '' In my opinion'' or '' i think that.. ''
I can understand Idra being a bit pissed when someone states it as if it was a fact, when it simply is not the case ? _?
In my opinion:
Mondis ZvP is amazing and if he is in shape and additionally has a good day he can beat any foreign Toss and many korean Tosses, too except the really TOP CLASS pro gamers.
His ZvZ is amazing, too but I wont lose many words.
Now about his ZvT: It just is not that strong in my opinion. And I disagree with a statement like Mondi > Idra, because it's rather stupid.
1) Idra's play and activity, dedication and everything changed 2) Idra's known for his good TvZ which got even better 3) I remember Mondi did not do extraordinary well vs Terrans in tourneys and also not vs Idra
Thus I'd say Idra and Mondi are both amazing players. I think Mondi is no favourite vs Idra, but as a whole gamer he has achieved much more than Idra ( No I dont think going to korea is a bigger achievement than getting good places at wcg's and other big events , want to take nothing away from idra or nony, though ).
So I think it would make up for great games with a slight edge for Idra. But not sure tbh.
But posting Idra > Mondi or vice veras is stupid..
On February 05 2009 00:14 MaGic~PhiL wrote: Maybe it would help if instead of writing '' Mondi > Idra '' one could as well write '' In my opinion'' or '' i think that.. ''
I can understand Idra being a bit pissed when someone states it as if it was a fact, when it simply is not the case ? _?
In my opinion:
Mondis ZvP is amazing and if he is in shape and additionally has a good day he can beat any foreign Toss and many korean Tosses, too except the really TOP CLASS pro gamers.
His ZvZ is amazing, too but I wont lose many words.
Now about his ZvT: It just is not that strong in my opinion. And I disagree with a statement like Mondi > Idra, because it's rather stupid.
1) Idra's play and activity, dedication and everything changed 2) Idra's known for his good TvZ which got even better 3) I remember Mondi did not do extraordinary well vs Terrans in tourneys and also not vs Idra
Thus I'd say Idra and Mondi are both amazing players. I think Mondi is no favourite vs Idra, but as a whole gamer he has achieved much more than Idra ( No I dont think going to korea is a bigger achievement than getting good places at wcg's and other big events , want to take nothing away from idra or nony, though ).
So I think it would make up for great games with a slight edge for Idra. But not sure tbh.
But posting Idra > Mondi or vice veras is stupid..
Good words. I agree with you regarding his ZvP and ZvZ. Concerning his ZvT of course its his weakest matchup. I think its the only one in which he could lose to a foreign player even if he is in shape though I still think its not really bad too when he is in shape. I would favor Mondragon slightly if he is in shape cause Idra`s TvZ vs korean gamers got better but vs foreign players it might got slightly worse than before.
Anyway get Mondragon to liquibition vs JF and for the following liquibition JF so we can see who will win!
lol idra wouldn't lose to mondragon in tvz if they played like a bo9, ppl like to underrate idra cuz of his big mouth, but he's by far the best non korean terran at this point (noone even comes remotely close) and would bash any non korean zerg pretty badly imo (maybe some of the best chinese ones would stand a chance if you wanna count them as non koreans)
It's a not a fair comparison though. One person is in a proteam practising all day and the other person is studying and playing a few hours of bw a day in their free time. Some days not playing at all. Mondragon is definately a very smart and talented player to keep up with skill as well as he does, with relativaly little playing time.
Awesome Interview! Thanks for the translation. I will never stop wishing Mondragon will change his opinion about going to Korea
P.S. Why does anyone try to get into flame war with Idra? The kid is an attention seeker, and I can't see how his pretended cockiness can provoke anyone after such a long time. And the who is better than who is just childish, unless both players are repetively competing in the same competition.
man only 450 euros? Not bad as a boost to your pocket, but heck even here in my country its only a month payment, considering there aren't many starcraft tournaments around, well foreign tournaments anyways!
Pretty good interview i guess, if i was interested in those Q&A.
On February 05 2009 00:14 MaGic~PhiL wrote: Maybe it would help if instead of writing '' Mondi > Idra '' one could as well write '' In my opinion'' or '' i think that.. ''
I can understand Idra being a bit pissed when someone states it as if it was a fact, when it simply is not the case ? _?
In my opinion:
Mondis ZvP is amazing and if he is in shape and additionally has a good day he can beat any foreign Toss and many korean Tosses, too except the really TOP CLASS pro gamers.
His ZvZ is amazing, too but I wont lose many words.
Now about his ZvT: It just is not that strong in my opinion. And I disagree with a statement like Mondi > Idra, because it's rather stupid.
1) Idra's play and activity, dedication and everything changed 2) Idra's known for his good TvZ which got even better 3) I remember Mondi did not do extraordinary well vs Terrans in tourneys and also not vs Idra
Thus I'd say Idra and Mondi are both amazing players. I think Mondi is no favourite vs Idra, but as a whole gamer he has achieved much more than Idra ( No I dont think going to korea is a bigger achievement than getting good places at wcg's and other big events , want to take nothing away from idra or nony, though ).
So I think it would make up for great games with a slight edge for Idra. But not sure tbh.
But posting Idra > Mondi or vice veras is stupid..
Good words. I agree with you regarding his ZvP and ZvZ. Concerning his ZvT of course its his weakest matchup. I think its the only one in which he could lose to a foreign player even if he is in shape though I still think its not really bad too when he is in shape. I would favor Mondragon slightly if he is in shape cause Idra`s TvZ vs korean gamers got better but vs foreign players it might got slightly worse than before.
Anyway get Mondragon to liquibition vs JF and for the following liquibition JF so we can see who will win!
On February 05 2009 00:46 SlickR12345 wrote: man only 450 euros? Not bad as a boost to your pocket, but heck even here in my country its only a month payment, considering there aren't many starcraft tournaments around, well foreign tournaments anyways!
Pretty good interview i guess, if i was interested in those Q&A.
In germany it's ~1/4 - ~1/5 of an *ok* loan (not a good one!)...
Han00b is unfortunately beginning to write weird stuff.. :/
I mean it's basicaly a fact that Mondi has achieved much more than Idra. On the other hand who out of korea except Grrrr and Elky ( looong loong time ago .. ) has achieved more than Mondi has ? Only a few come close ( Fisheye, Draco, Chinese players ect.. )
Its a fact that Mondis ZvP is very good and that he is never a underdog vs a foreigner Protoss..
BUT it's also a fact that mondis ZvT is by far not that good and he's not that confident in it
Add this with the fact, that Idra's TvZ is quite good for foreign standards, that he keeps on playing very very much with very very good opponents
and anything like Mondi > Idra or Mondi would win a bo5 anytime vs IDra is utter nonsense..
As a GAMER in all match ups and if u look at their success and so on.. Mondi > Idra is justified but that wasnt what we were talking about, was it ?
you're right magic phil, idra has accomplished nowhere near as much, you know, considering he is a progamer on CJ entus and that mondragon is playing out of his house.
i know your rebuttal is going to be "but mondragon didn't want to be a progamer!", that doesn't change a thing.
On February 05 2009 01:46 Tropics wrote: you're right magic phil, idra has accomplished nowhere near as much, you know, considering he is a progamer on CJ entus and that mondragon is playing out of his house.
i know your rebuttal is going to be "but mondragon didn't want to be a progamer!", that doesn't change a thing.
I think we should wait another 10 years to answer that question. Then ask ppl about the greatest foreigner SC players of all time and you will see the results... I wouldnt bet my money on Idra being mentioned only half as much as dissy...
What makes people so sure that Idra's goal is to overtake Mondragon as a player? Mondragon is a very talented amateur player, and has been for a long time, but with the choices he made, he will be just that. A very skilled amateur player. Idra better be looking to achieve higher things than being remembered more than an amateur player, because it's the kids in Korea spending all their youth to become the next big thing in progaming he's competiting against. I'm not sure about you, but if I'm dedicated enough to be willing to do that, I wouldn't like to be compared to, or told that I'm inferior to some amateur player, no matter how talented he is.
Being able to beat a progamer, and being able to make it as a progamer are two very different things. It's understandable for Idra to be irrate at the comparisons that have been made even if Mondragon has achieved more as an amateur, although it seems he's been getting into fights a lot no matter what the topic lately. Makes you wonder if being in such intense competition in a foreign country with a lot of expectations makes you more irritable than usual.
On February 05 2009 02:52 Letmelose wrote: What makes people so sure that Idra's goal is to overtake Mondragon as a player? Mondragon is a very talented amateur player, and has been for a long time, but with the choices he made, he will be just that. A very skilled amateur player. Idra better be looking to achieve higher things than being remembered more than an amateur player, because it's the kids in Korea spending all their youth to become the next big thing in progaming he's competiting against. I'm not sure about you, but if I'm dedicated enough to be willing to do that, I wouldn't like to be compared to, or told that I'm inferior to some amateur player, no matter how talented he is.
Being able to beat a progamer, and being able to make it as a progamer are two very different things. It's understandable for Idra to be irrate at the comparisons that have been made even if Mondragon has achieved more as an amateur, although it seems he's been getting into fights a lot no matter what the topic lately. Makes you wonder if being in such intense competition in a foreign country with a lot of expectations makes you more irritable than usual.
U implicitly say what everybody knows. Combining your key sentences into a question it goes like this: If you dedicated your youth to trying to make it as a progamer and people come along to tell you that amateur gamer X is still better and has accomplished more than you have and you think there is absolutely no merit to their words, would you be provoked into a fight with them? If your really convinced youre gonna make it, will you verbally bash on everyone who thinks otherwise or just stfu and focus on your goal? Everybody knows the answers to these question and thus, everybody knows what is really going on with Idra.
By the way Idra, how's your progress going in the CJ house? Are you still the worst player or can you hold your own? Are you learning Korean or otherwise improving your communication with your teammates? When do you think we can expect your first televised game? Do you still have the drive to continue or is the homesickness growing?
On February 05 2009 03:10 koreasilver wrote: I'm fairly certain that idra will beat mondi if it came down to a series.
I would be very surprised if he would not. Mondi is great and all, but I don´t like the Idra hating going on here. Korean TvZ is on another level, more so than any other matchup, since many years already. Ret said it best and Phil also gave some nice comments.
I still wish Idra the very best for his future in progaming.
On February 05 2009 03:27 NovaTheFeared wrote: And more importantly, when will you accomplish as much as Nony who came after you but has done more?
i certainly wish i was intelligent enough to have chosen protoss on troy in wcg or to take a long time to lose in the easiest courage group ever formed
On February 05 2009 09:59 IdrA wrote: foreign p's dont care if they lose or theyre aware that theyre terrible so theyll take any risk available to jew out a win
I wouldn't argue in particular that foreign P's are good, but are foreign Zergs and Terrans really a lot better than the foreign Tosses? I don't feel that this is true, although I know less than you do on the matter.
On February 04 2009 20:07 HanN00b wrote: Ya its my translation. You can recognize it by my bad english . Well I think its still far better than google translate .
He has no reason to be afraid of them. If he is in shape he will clearly beat Nony and Idra has never been a match for him. People might just think Nony is better because at Nonys best time Mondragon had his worst period of all time caused by the beginning of his studies. A Mondragon would have won the TSL.
In his best time he used to eat korean b team members too. He is definitely the most talented foreigner who did not go to Korea and I think the most talented foreign zerg player.
Thanx for the translation, but the rest of your post is pure utter crap. 1: Mondragon in shape would have won the TSL, sure, didnt he get knocked out in RO16? 2: If we go by your words, mondragon has been studying, busy, whatever excuse for the last 6 years or so. 3: To say that mondragon is definitely the most talented foreigner who did not go to Korea is again german fanboism. Slayer was twice as talented as mondragon, Sen is/was just as talented, there might be more as well, who knows. 4: If I was in shape, or if this and if that, you cant go down that road, either things are or they arent. Its basically as valid as the usual teamliquid claim. "Im like 15-5 d+, if I only played enough I could get to B easy,
In his best time, as in the time where zvp was so easy it almost wasnt fun, sure he could kill some korean protosses, but got owned vs the terrans and zergs.
Mondragon is indeed one of the best players, and has been, but your claims are just a result of the fact that your clearly a mondragon fan.
On February 04 2009 23:07 MuR)Ernu wrote: hey raptor how do you know if idra is training hard or not? And its not like they train 24/7 right? Of course he has free time to hang around in tl for example.
If you weren't jealous, you would not have posted that.
the CJ B team interview
What cj b team interview? The only b team interview I know of is Estro members talking about Nony, and saying they think Nony is a smart player, and that they didn't get along with idra well. In fact they said specifically the Idra adapted better than Nony did at getting into the korean practice schedule.
On February 05 2009 09:59 IdrA wrote: foreign p's dont care if they lose or theyre aware that theyre terrible so theyll take any risk available to jew out a win
I wouldn't argue in particular that foreign P's are good, but are foreign Zergs and Terrans really a lot better than the foreign Tosses? I don't feel that this is true, although I know less than you do on the matter.
no everyone outside korea is terrible, its just protoss has more options to win without being good. thats why besides a few rare exceptions all 'good' foreigners are p now.
i was comparing foreign p's to korean p's, not foreign p's to other foreigners.
On February 05 2009 09:59 IdrA wrote: foreign p's dont care if they lose or theyre aware that theyre terrible so theyll take any risk available to jew out a win
I wouldn't argue in particular that foreign P's are good, but are foreign Zergs and Terrans really a lot better than the foreign Tosses? I don't feel that this is true, although I know less than you do on the matter.
no everyone outside korea is terrible, its just protoss has more options to win without being good. thats why besides a few rare exceptions all 'good' foreigners are p now.
i was comparing foreign p's to korean p's, not foreign p's to other foreigners.
Do korean P's play more like a "real" race then? Do they use less "shortcuts" and shit, and actually practice mechanics and stuff :p
Also do koreans often think of protoss as the ezmode race?
On February 05 2009 09:59 IdrA wrote: foreign p's dont care if they lose or theyre aware that theyre terrible so theyll take any risk available to jew out a win
I wouldn't argue in particular that foreign P's are good, but are foreign Zergs and Terrans really a lot better than the foreign Tosses? I don't feel that this is true, although I know less than you do on the matter.
no everyone outside korea is terrible, its just protoss has more options to win without being good. thats why besides a few rare exceptions all 'good' foreigners are p now.
i was comparing foreign p's to korean p's, not foreign p's to other foreigners.
Do korean P's play more like a "real" race then? Do they use less "shortcuts" and shit, and actually practice mechanics and stuff :p
Also do koreans often think of protoss as the ezmode race?
the good korean p's play more straight up, the ones you see on tv and stuff. (for the most part) alot of the new ones are horrible and cheesy though. the talent pool is kinda getting exhausted, the legitly good new players are few and far between.
i dont know what the general opinion is, but my z and t teammates at least joke about how p is easy. i dont know how serious they are.
On February 04 2009 03:00 LordWeird wrote: If they every *do* play Liquibition, they should do at least one game where Mondi is P and JF is Z. Actually, Mondragon's PvZ is pretty damn good :O
i heard that mondragon used to be a Protoss at the start, then he he switched to zerg.
probably the overmind took control of his mind while he was a stray zealot or something
I think thats wrong. As I remember it, he said he used to play all the races, but that his zerg always had been a little better than his protoss and terran. Thus he ended up playing zerg for tournaments etc.
why not just ask him it's not like he's korean, in the sense that he's "unreachable" communiation wise. Good to see other foreigners rise up Hopefully we can get on league win before SC2
Honestly mondragon is pretty damn good in PvsZ and IIRC was always able to beat ToT's numerous Zergs with it. That being said, his ZvsZ on the other hand, (even though he could steal a single game from savior) is still ZvsZ. It has more *luck* involved and quite frankly I don't see any non Korean being all that dominant with it. Picking Protoss (as his PvsZ is quite good) is more of a sure thing when knowing your opponent is not as strong with ZvsP as you are with PvsZ. Playing ZvsZ will probably always be the best option for playing opponents better than you or the same level because that way the luck factor works more in your favor.
If my memory serves me right (going back to fsgs and a bit later marquis servers) Mondragon played Zerg in pretty much every game he really wanted to win.
Hm... I miss the old good fsgs times.
Mondragon was about 14 years old back then and a beast allready ^^.
You guys may not like IdrA for his honest statements and I don't want to agree or disagree with him. But I know for sure that he has the right spirit to be pro and that he got insanely good. No foreign player is close to him I'd say.
To prevent flames: No player is unbeatable, even a worse foreigner can win a game against IdrA, but thats how a game goes, you win or you lose, you never win all the time.
On February 05 2009 23:56 G.s)NarutO wrote: You guys may not like IdrA for his honest statements and I don't want to agree or disagree with him. But I know for sure that he has the right spirit to be pro and that he got insanely good. No foreign player is close to him I'd say.
To prevent flames: No player is unbeatable, even a worse foreigner can win a game against IdrA, but thats how a game goes, you win or you lose, you never win all the time.
I agree with most things But statements like ' No foreigner is close to him ' in my opinion are untrue.
The only foreigner you could say that about were Grrrr... and Elky at a certain time and Im not even sure about Elky ( maybe Slayer.. dunno )
But right now I wouldnt say that Idra is certainly better than Nony, Mondi or an active draco..
On February 05 2009 23:56 G.s)NarutO wrote: You guys may not like IdrA for his honest statements and I don't want to agree or disagree with him. But I know for sure that he has the right spirit to be pro and that he got insanely good. No foreign player is close to him I'd say.
To prevent flames: No player is unbeatable, even a worse foreigner can win a game against IdrA, but thats how a game goes, you win or you lose, you never win all the time.
I agree with most things But statements like ' No foreigner is close to him ' in my opinion are untrue.
The only foreigner you could say that about were Grrrr... and Elky at a certain time and Im not even sure about Elky ( maybe Slayer.. dunno )
But right now I wouldnt say that Idra is certainly better than Nony, Mondi or an active draco..
whateva
Isn't it all speculation since IdrA hasn't been playing in lots of foreign tournaments?
It is indeed . Stop comparing uncomparable guys. Mondragon is better in foreign tourneys, Idra has the guts to fit into the progaming practice machine. Its like comparing Grrr... to other progamers. He was in the early days when Brain was over mechanics and I doubt he would be able to adjust to the 12h regime (and he wasn't).
There can be no doubt that Mondragon, Testie and even Draco were much more talened than Idra, but they don't have it in them to get repetitive and practice as they are ordered.
P.S. Anyone know whats Slayer doing now? He just said fu BW after winning KBK and dissapeared :D
On February 09 2009 22:47 LemOn wrote: It is indeed . Stop comparing uncomparable guys. Mondragon is better in foreign tourneys, Idra has the guts to fit into the progaming practice machine. Its like comparing Grrr... to other progamers. He was in the early days when Brain was over mechanics and I doubt he would be able to adjust to the 12h regime (and he wasn't).
There can be no doubt that Mondragon, Testie and even Draco were much more talened than Idra, but they don't have it in them to get repetitive and practice as they are ordered.
P.S. Anyone know whats Slayer doing now? He just said fu BW after winning KBK and dissapeared :D
I heard Slayer is earning his living playing poker nowadays and he doesn't even play BW for fun.