In a constantly changing environment, the only thing you can be sure of is a surprise
What year is it?
With the dreampool currently in effect, it is fair to say that everyone in the Starcraft scene is feeling a little bit nostalgic. Fresh off losing to a one base banshee rush on Xel Naga, I sat down to watch the Hot6ix cup Round of 16 with a renewed anticipation for a high level Starcraft 2 tournament. It was with some surprise that I saw one of the competitors was none other than Marine King. Who, prior to his resurgence in Pro league, had almost completely disappeared from the scene. Nearly everyone wrote him off, myself included, but what transpired was unbelievable.
Marine King took out stats 2-0 and then faced off against CJ hero in the winners match. Watching the game felt like a MVP game of 2011 not an MKP game. He displayed incredibly solid Terran play and swift exploitation of his opponent’s mistakes. One could argue that hero did not have his best game but MKP took advantage beautifully and obliterated a shell shocked hero 2-0
I don’t know what has prompted the renewed MKP. Lowering of expectations and fan pressure? New training schedule? More solid overall playstyle? Either way I hope we see MKP make it far in this tournament and really establish himself amongst the top Korean Terrans.
Qualified -MarineKing, INnoVation
Knocked out - herO, Stats
soO, where are you?
Group B of the hot6ix cup contained sOs,Rain,TY and soO. A very exciting group with all three races represented. Considering all the success that soO had enjoyed in 2014 he was a hot choice to make it out of the group. Instead he slumped 0-2 to TY and then got knocked out 0-2 by Rain. Although the group was tough, the manner of the defeat was troublesome. This kind of tournament is where soO specialises having made it to the GSL final on numerous occasions. He looked incredibly out of sorts and his opponents always seemed to be one step ahead.
Is it possible that something has broken inside soO and his confidence has been shattered? Or maybe he is just exhausted after playing and then losing in so many big tournaments. I hope soO can rebound in 2015 and make another push for the GSL championship he desperately wants.
Qualified - sOs, Rain
Knocked Out - soO, TY
Soulkey, a cut above
Group C was a real fan pleasing group with Soulkey, Flash, Classic and skyHigh. Prior to the group starting, the commentators and fans were discussing the form of Soulkey and expressing disappointment in his recent performances.
It certainly looked troubling when Skyhigh opened up with a 2 rax and managed to get what should have been a decisive advantage in game 1. But Soulkey adapted to the new situation and used his excellent decision making and multi-tasking to claw the game back and take the win. After that initial scare he took game 2 easily and ended up winning 2-0. His excellent counter attacks and evolution of a game plan make Soulkey a joy to watch in ZvT.
Soulkey then faced off against Flash in the winners match, the dream game. Flash, fresh off his close finals with Parting, may have been feeling the hangover effect of a foreign tournament but still looked good taking out classic. Game 1 seemed to be going in Flash’s favour but again Soulkey had unbelievable multi-tasking, harassed with mutas and banelings , got himself back into the game then crushed the army of Flash to take the win. It was a joy to behold. Game 2 ended faster with a fairly standard Speedling, Baneling bust from Soulkey which secured the series and meant he advanced from the group 4-0.
In a tournament that only contained two Zergs, Soulkey showed his quality and proved he is still the top Zerg in Korea. Is he the top Zerg in the world? I think Life might be a part of that discussion but Soulkey definitely made a big statement in the round of 16.
Qualified - Soulkey, skyHigh
Knocked out - Flash, Classic
Dearly Departing
Group D featured BByong, Zest, Parting and Terminator. Unsurprisingly Terminator fell out hard from the group, He is potentially the weakest player in the tournament and his worst matchup is PvP. He was always going to struggle.
Fan favourite/ Fan voted “The beggar Protoss” Parting also failed to impress. Bbyong tore him apart and he managed to scrape through against Terminator in the losers matchup. He was outclassed in the deciding match against zest. Zest just seemed crisper and had a better understanding of the matchup that allowed him to take the series 2-1 only dropping a game to a silly double DT mirror.
If Parting wants to make a big impact in Korea for 2015 he will need to step up his game to take on a whole new challenge.
Qualified - Bbyong, Zest
Knocked out - Parting, Terminator
The Hot6ix cup will continue with the round of 8