GG WP: An Analysis Series #4
GG WP is a series where I delve into the decision making of players in games on the biggest stages in Starcraft. This series is written by me for fun, and to potentially help others in taking their game to the next level. If you missed the last article, which featured HyuN and Snute, check it out here.
Sorry for the lack of posting, Football Manager is a terrible addiction XD. I'll try to get these out at least bi-weekly from now on. In other news, I might be getting a better computer soon, so perhaps I can turn these into video format! I hope that there is some interest for that ^^
Disclaimer: I'm doing this for fun and to hopefully help people out. I might get a few things wrong here or there, so don't be mad if you read this and don't win 20 ladder games in a row. If I'm forgetting something, please feel free to share your opinion/analysis and we all can learn more as a community! :D
mouz.HasuObs vs. ROCCAT.HyuN (IEM Katowice Open Bracket Winners' Bracket Finals - March 13th, 2014)
Map: Heavy Rain
VOD
Map: Heavy Rain
VOD
Excitement was high on the first day of IEM Katowice, with the winner-take-all format being the first of its kind in Starcraft II history. Before the main event, however, there was still the matter of deciding the last two participants in the field. HasuObs and HyuN would meet each other in the Winners' finals, with the victor being guaranteed a spot in the 16-man field and the loser being sent down to the Losers' bracket, where a feeding frenzy of Koreans were playing in a bracket where no one wanted to go home empty-handed.
With the game commencing on Heavy Rain, HyuN spawns in the top position, while HasuObs opposes him on the bottom. The game would heat up quickly as HyuN counters Hasu's pylon block with a quick three base play and a zergling rush. HyuN wants to put early pressure and potentially inflict damage to HasuObs, who decides to go for a simple gateway expand. HasuObs' control is good enough to thwart HyuN's attack, and HyuN retreats with 3 bases, but a significant worker disadvantage.
Yes, that's 16 workers and 18 lings to 23 probes.
HyuN's decision to get a third base behind this allows him to turn his aggression into eco-cheese. Since HasuObs made a wall at his natural expansion, HyuN has one choice: drone like he never droned before. Let's take a look at some worker counts throughout the game:
5:45 - 14 drones vs 23 probes
6:53 - 26 drones vs 26 probes
8:30 - 46 drones vs 38 probes
9:30 - 60 drones vs 47 probes
11:00 - 75 drones vs 51 probes
6:53 - 26 drones vs 26 probes
8:30 - 46 drones vs 38 probes
9:30 - 60 drones vs 47 probes
11:00 - 75 drones vs 51 probes
How can HyuN possibly do this? The reasons are two-fold:
- HyuN managed to keep most of his lings alive from the first attack. This allowed him complete map control and the ability to know when HasuObs moved out.
- HasuObs decided to take a quick third and his gas management was not the best. This gave HyuN a lot of room to drone without fear of being punished.
At 9:30, HasuObs moves out with a zealot/sentry force. This is a critical point in the game, as HyuN needs to figure out whether Hasu is taking a third or going for an attack. In preparation, HyuN starts his roach warren and throws down four spine crawlers, his accelerated economy allowing for him to easy make these moves. As HyuN's lings as dancing with HasuObs' army, a scouting ling comes in from the side and scouts the third base of HasuObs. HyuN can now continue to drone up without fear of dying.
At 11:30, HasuObs decides to go for an attack with sentries and blink stalkers. HyuN's four spine crawlers allow HyuN to both defend his third base and attack HasuObs' third base at the same time.
HyuN's creep spread and map positioning allows him to get to HasuObs' third before HasuObs can even get back to defend, resulting in a vital nexus snipe.
In the end, HyuN is able to ride his advantages to victory, because although Colossi are good against Roach/Hydra, HasuObs simply 'aint about that life.
What did we learn? HyuN put on a clinic about how to win when your cheese fails. It comes down to smart unit management, good scouting, and good game sense. HyuN had only one option (making drones), and he did that with the force of macro that Zergs are known for. Although HasuObs made some blunders in this match, the game was completely in his hands until HyuN took it away from him. Very nice play from HyuN, and a good lesson we can all use in our games.
As always, I hope you guys enjoyed this write-up, and good luck in all of your ladder games! Any feedback would be appreciated!