After an exciting season of GSL, the first in 2017, we are left with one of the most intriguing Grand Finals in a long time. Incredibly, soO has reached his 5th GSL Finals, still looking for that first GSL trophy. Stats, the best Protoss in the world, shares a similar fate. He too has not been able to capitalize on his tremendous skill. Neither can afford to lose here.
The Crossroads of Destiny
Stats is the best player in the world. No other competitor has shown the high-level consistency necessary to claim that title. While no other Protoss has figured out the key to success, Stats has. He is leagues above his compatriots from Aiur. And yet, for various reasons, he remains overshadowed by those he has supposedly surpassed.
KT Rolster was an organization filled to the brim with superstars. Flash, Zest, TY, Life and Stats are among the most recognizable names in StarCraft II history. Zest and Life took turns sweeping tournaments and even Flash claimed his gold at IEM Toronto in 2014. TY, a talented player who never capitalized on said promise for most of his career, has gone on to win over $300,000 in the span of just a few weeks. He finally found his ability to stay calm when the stakes rose.
Stats was always the odd one out. He was the one who everyone knew was good, the reliable anchor in Proleague, but never tipped to win a tournament. And Stats never proved his doubters wrong. He appeared satisfied with his role as a regular in the Proleague roster. Stats rarely took on the responsibility of an ace match—that honor was reserved for Zest, Flash or Life—and went about his day without causing a fuss.
His place in the Protoss Hall of Fame is similar. Zest rules the post-KeSPA-switch era with sOs trailing close behind. Rain cemented his legacy as one of the greats by winning GSL after years of acclaim. Classic, the only player to win both Korean Starleagues, has escaped his unjust image of being a flash in the pan. herO is synonymous with IEM and also found success with a Starleague win in Korea. When the time came for them to become champions, they pressed on through any remaining adversity. Stats is the obvious absentee on this list. While other Protoss were building their legacy, establishing themselves among the best players in the history of StarCraft, Stats fell short again and again. Despite his unquestioned ability, he has never completed a tournament run.
At the peak of their skill, the best players stamp their identity on the game. We associate certain time frames in history with those who dominated the scene. Mvp's 2011, TaeJa's summers in 2012 and 2013, INnoVation's early rule of Heart of the Swarm, Dear's brilliance at the end of 2013, Zest's dominant 2014 were all periods when said players become the protagonists of the scene. When recalling those times, we naturally remember their games and the tournaments they won. They are etched into our memories.
While all the players above carved their legacy in stone by winning titles, Stats has failed to do that. He never made the leap out of the shadow of his team-mates and Protoss companions. But now, in 2017, he is finally about to. He is undoubtedly the best Protoss in the world and there are no players on his team to take away the spotlight. This is his moment to shine. For all his skill and victories over the best players in the world, Stats has no trophies to underline his status. If StarCraft II was to end right now, he would be only remembered as a good player. Since ascending to the upper echelon of the Korean scene, Stats has incrementally come closer to that defining title. Yet he’s fallen short every single time, most recently at IEM Katowice where he was one map away from his first championship. It’s fitting that TY of all people took away the gold from Stats. TY had learned how to win on the big stage, Stats had not. As it stands, that is his story.
This is Stats' moment of truth. It comes at a risk, one that his opponent exemplifies like no other. When soO reaches the crossroads of destiny, where only one way leads to the promised land, he gets lost. Self-doubt and nervosity cloud his mind and he turns the wrong way without fail. The shame and humiliation carries soO down another path—one of defeat, of perennial second places, and an image that haunts him at every turn. Despite his KeSPA Cup victory, soO remains in the history books as the man who lost four GSL finals in a row. Stats cannot allow himself to become soO. It is a hallmark of greats in every sport that they deliver when the challenges are greatest. That is where the wheat is sorted from the chaff. That is how champions emerge. Now Stats must respond.
Stats has reached the crossroads. His fate rests in his own hands. If he wins this one series, all his previous shortcomings will be reframed as the buildup to his ascension. If he loses he goes down in history as a Kong, a serial loser. One path leads to eternal glory, the other to shame. Such is the nature of competition, and Stats has walked its road too far to go back now. The only way is forward, to victory or defeat, to glory or shame.
Bitter Work
Passion is inseparable from dedication. As much a curse as it is a gift, this fact eludes no one that has ever been truly dedicated to the mastery of something. And for a select few, it is so intense that it seems to alter your life – it makes fighters of the weak, compulsive competitors of the talented. Once the dice have been thrown, as the saying goes, there is no going back. The dedication to the betterment of oneself becomes almost a self-fulfilling prophecy, one that enables the hard-headed to struggle on even when they cannot articulate even remotely what it is that keeps them engaged, keeps them so dedicated, when that same dedication seems to bring nothing but soreness and bitter stumbles.
Certainly, soO above all others is familiar with what I am describing. A respectable player in Brood War who caught fire in StarCraft II, there is no more than at most a handful players with careers as… tragic as his. Perhaps tragic is unfair to both soO and his peers, for it implies that we have derived enjoyment from watching his struggles. While this might hold true for the fans most prone to schadenfreude (you know who you are), the general sentiment with regards to soO has often been befuddlement, disappointment, and long-lasting confusion. Time and again has he stricken down carefully constructed narratives, leapt off the pedestals he has been placed on when he has astonished crowds and players alike with his unerring ability to be the best… except in that fateful very last match. For every time soO has been presented with the opportunity to cement his legacy as a champion rather than an almost-but-not-quite, he has faltered. As Robert Frost would have put it, soO has taken the road less travelled by, and it has made all the difference. In almost every other case, players of such high calibre eventually get their chance. Even Marineking, remember, got his spotlight. In another world, he is the Mvp that never was, absurdly successful in Korea and a force to be reckoned with abroad, whose multitude of GSL finals end in magical victories, whose body does not break under the strain.
But no. soO has had all the opportunities, without the clearly visible restraints, yet he has blundered or been bludgeoned at every turn. The sheer number of repetitions preclude me from truly naming him a tragedy, because a tragedy would imply sadness, and the time for feeling sad for soO has since passed. At this point, more than anything, it would dishonour soO to simply give him our condolences. He does not strike me as a man who would place much value in pity, and the magnitude of this achievement – his fifth GSL final, a feat mirrored only by one other player – demands respect more than anything, besides. Tonight it does not matter that he has lost at each of those four previous opportunities. Nor does it matter that what soO has managed up until this point will be overshadowed by doubt in his abilities. If four finals was not enough for him to finally raise the trophy, what is to say the fifth will be the charm?
It is naïve to think that soO simply does not have it in him to win. He does, and he always has. Perhaps no fundamental change has occurred to transform him from an eternal loser into an infallible winner, but infallibility is rarely – if ever – what inspires us in the very best. It is the struggle that we admire, and who better to personify the struggle, the perpetual fight, than soO? More than all of the opponents he has laid waste to this season, and certainly more than his opponent in the upcoming finals, soO has fought from impossible positions, engaged in an unlikely chain of struggles that has lasted more than three years. Pick a year, any year, since soO’s transition from the game he was good at to the game in which he is legendary, and you will find it paved with both domination and disappointment. There is no player better acquainted with what it means to break down, rebuild and return to the top than soO. Stats might be a more complete player, a player closer to the infallible ideal most players strive for, but he has neither the burning passion nor the experience soO has in these scenarios. Stats, like soO, has fallen short when he seemed poised to elevate himself before. But unlike soO, Stats is not clearly defined by that status. He is unenthusiastic and methodical, clean but oftentimes uninspiring. Respected for the strengths he possesses, not clearly defined by what he lacks.
It is undoubtedly cliché to raise soO to the heavens for his ability to come back, but the weight of his accomplishments cannot be understated. Players have been knocked down for much less, yet soO rebounds each time, no matter the time it takes or the transformations that change the world around him. Now that he has been distanced from all the things that surrounded him during his previous four runs to the GSL finals. Not everyone could withstand having their feet swept out from under them, with Proleague collapsing and previous support structures all but vanishing. For soO, it has been a rejuvenation, and he has found his new chance in his new world.
Make no mistake, Stats is a formidable opponent. In the last weeks, soO has faced a plethora of those, and had to concede defeat on multiple occasion. But in a time of Terran dominance, he edged past TY, and in a time where he seemed more likely to lose than not, he found his footing against sOs. Sometimes soO has dragged himself beaten to the victory line with more strength of will than in-game skill, found the cracks and chinks to exploit when all standard strategies fail and witty gambits fall short. He will need to be sharper than ever to face this opponent, because Stats is a step above any Protoss -- perhaps any player -- soO has faced so far. But unlike his opponent, soO is a true fighter. Defeats pile on, but in the GSL soO stands his ground.
This road is one soO has travelled before. He knows its pitfalls, its every twist and turn. It is not his first rodeo, as they say, but it might be the one we least expected to see. This is his golden opportunity, at the crossroads where he has stood four times before. He can take his own beaten path, proceed the way he has agonizingly gone before, or he can take the path that he has not yet travelled. More than ever before, soO should burn for this victory. More than ever before, after the transformations and humbling changes that have altered the landscape of his career, it seems a victory could truly crown him. It might be dramatic to say that soO needs this victory, but passion is indistinguishable from dedication, and he has proven that dedication is without equal. To endure as he has, and keep that fire burning, he has accepted that the life of the competitor is bitter work.
Above all else, he accepts what he has had to endure because he knows what could await him at the end of the night. The reward for years of strife, and the validation of his efforts. Not only does he have the necessary skillset to take on Stats, he has the experience and drive to make use of what he has, and pull himself up when it isn’t enough. Tonight is the culmination of the nineteen-month buildup since he faced Innovation in the IEM Gamescom finals and lost. The finals drought comes to a close, and soO moves to end another more significant drought along with it.
And the bitterness will have been worth it in the end.
Stats vs Stats, eh? Talk about a mirror matchup. soO should be written "어윤수"
More seriously: Heart says soO. He deserves it, far more. Head says Stats. He is favored, far more.
As good as his current form is, soO hasn't shown himself to be a match for Stats. Stats has made it to the finals of every WCS event this season, and looked more and more formidable each time. At this point there are precious few players who could hope to contend with Stats on even terms, and soO isn't one of them. soO lacks the raw mechanical talent of Dark and INnoVation, or the tactical insight of TY, and he does not possess any superlative to replace those gifts. Add that to the undeniable pressure soO carries in his fifth GSL finals appearance, his fifth chance to break the Kong curse he's carried for so long, and the mental as well as the physical game is stacked against him.
The only thing soO can be thankful for is that Stats is not a Terran, that at least he is not forced to play his worst matchup in the finals. If his opponent was Maru or INnoVation, his situation would be grim indeed. But even then, Stats can say the same. After having lost both his previous finals appearances at IEMs to Terrans, he must be grateful for the chance to defeat soO and claim his own first GSL championship.
So, soO is facing quite the uphill battle here. He has a fighting chance, but it will be the fight of his life.
Pretty hype final. It really has all the ingredients to be a top 3 GSL final. Probably need a TvT or TvZ to overcome Leenock vs Jjakji as #1, but this should still be up there barring a complete implosion of mental fortitude on either side (could happen...).
- The story is there
- The two best players of their race are there
- Their playstyles should lead to at least a few epic macro games
- PvZ is in a decent state entertainment-wise
This seems reminiscent of soO vs Zest and that was a spectacular final.
==
Stats should win, but maybe it's finally time for soO. He's already paid for his crimes of banishing 4 GSL titles to code B with 4 silvers. Maybe it's finally time for the gold :o
On March 25 2017 04:46 intotheheart wrote: But because it's so hype I'm afraid it'll be extremely disappointing.
hehe, yep.
Might be Bogus vs Soulkey all over again. Astronomical hype for a rivalry that was almost always epic...except in a gsl final where it should've been at its best
Pretty hype final. It really has all the ingredients to be a top 3 GSL final. Probably need a TvT or TvZ to overcome Leenock vs Jjakji as #1, but this should still be up there barring a complete implosion of mental fortitude on either side (could happen...).
The hype is there, but I dunno about top 3. TvZ usually produces the best matches, and even skill is a must (obviously). Stats isn't a Terran (also obviously), and soO isn't a match for Stats, so I'd expect a good but not amazing series.
Of course, I would be delighted if I was wrong and this actually turned out to be the best series ever. But I still think Inno vs Dark for instance would have made a much better finals.
4 years ago, a 4 time GSL champion, King of his Race, was eliminated from GSL forever by a dirty roach rusher. Said Roach Rusher was cursed to lose as many GSL finals as the Old King had won. But now the curse is broken for 4 years have passed.
Great preview enjoyed both very much! I hope soO will win, it would be a way cooler storyline and he also really deserves it. Ofc Stats deserves it as well but you guys know what i mean :O
I wouldn't be surprised if soO retires after this finals if he loses. After he lost his 4th finals he seemed completely devastated and fell in to a slump. I can't imagine what would happen if he loses a 5th.
I hope soO can shrug the weight off his shoulders and just play to the level we all know he's capable of. I watched live the crushing defeat Zest handed soO in that GSL finals so long ago. It's been a long road, but if anyone deserves to hold that trophy, it's soO. We're in your corner soO. Feed off of our energy.
please please please win soo for everyone who has ever struggled and finally made it, you would give us hope. worst thing that would happen is if dirty protoss user stats wins. who cares about him. his writeup did nothing for me, his storyline is not compelling at all. he is favored to win and if he does, no doubt he will fall off like dear did and all those other generic protoss players who just blur together and have no differentiating characteristics. soo, there is a man who deserves it.
On March 25 2017 04:16 pvsnp wrote: Stats vs Stats, eh? Talk about a mirror matchup. soO should be written "어윤수"
More seriously: Heart says soO. He deserves it, far more. Head says Stats. He is favored, far more.
As good as his current form is, soO hasn't shown himself to be a match for Stats. Stats has made it to the finals of every WCS event this season, and looked more and more formidable each time. At this point there are precious few players who could hope to contend with Stats on even terms, and soO isn't one of them. soO lacks the raw mechanical talent of Dark and INnoVation, or the tactical insight of TY, and he does not possess any superlative to replace those gifts. Add that to the undeniable pressure soO carries in his fifth GSL finals appearance, his fifth chance to break the Kong curse he's carried for so long, and the mental as well as the physical game is stacked against him.
The only thing soO can be thankful for is that Stats is not a Terran, that at least he is not forced to play his worst matchup in the finals. If his opponent was Maru or INnoVation, his situation would be grim indeed. But even then, Stats can say the same. After having lost both his previous finals appearances at IEMs to Terrans, he must be grateful for the chance to defeat soO and claim his own first GSL championship.
So, soO is facing quite the uphill battle here. He has a fighting chance, but it will be the fight of his life.
SoO no match for Stats? LOL. I would not disagree more. As if being 5 times in Code S finals is nothing of an achievment. Even being second soO isone of the most consistent Zerg players out there. Even when Zerg is underrepresented in Korea sc2 scene against all odds he is in another finals beating TY and sOs and many more great players. I would say this finals will be even as hell.
On March 25 2017 13:08 Cricketer12 wrote: Not sure whats better, the write-up or the apparent return of zealously
I wonder how many people can actually tell who wrote which piece
I'd instantly assume Stats is Olli and soO is Zeal because race, but I could be wrong
You'd be right, but sometimes I wonder what people would think if we just removed all writer credits. Given that I've read literally everything we've put out for the past 3 years, plus a whole load I read before I started writing, I think that I can instantly tell who wrote what without the nametag, but it'd be interesting to see if people actually enjoyed the writing more than loving their faves praised / hating them being bashed
On March 25 2017 13:08 Cricketer12 wrote: Not sure whats better, the write-up or the apparent return of zealously
I wonder how many people can actually tell who wrote which piece
I'd instantly assume Stats is Olli and soO is Zeal because race, but I could be wrong
You'd be right, but sometimes I wonder what people would think if we just removed all writer credits. Given that I've read literally everything we've put out for the past 3 years, plus a whole load I read before I started writing, I think that I can instantly tell who wrote what without the nametag, but it'd be interesting to see if people actually enjoyed the writing more than loving their faves praised / hating them being bashed
I was told no one even reads who the author is. They just skip to predictions and trash them.
On March 25 2017 13:08 Cricketer12 wrote: Not sure whats better, the write-up or the apparent return of zealously
I wonder how many people can actually tell who wrote which piece
I'd instantly assume Stats is Olli and soO is Zeal because race, but I could be wrong
You'd be right, but sometimes I wonder what people would think if we just removed all writer credits. Given that I've read literally everything we've put out for the past 3 years, plus a whole load I read before I started writing, I think that I can instantly tell who wrote what without the nametag, but it'd be interesting to see if people actually enjoyed the writing more than loving their faves praised / hating them being bashed
I was told no one even reads who the author is. They just skip to predictions and trash them.
On March 25 2017 13:08 Cricketer12 wrote: Not sure whats better, the write-up or the apparent return of zealously
I wonder how many people can actually tell who wrote which piece
I'd instantly assume Stats is Olli and soO is Zeal because race, but I could be wrong
You'd be right, but sometimes I wonder what people would think if we just removed all writer credits. Given that I've read literally everything we've put out for the past 3 years, plus a whole load I read before I started writing, I think that I can instantly tell who wrote what without the nametag, but it'd be interesting to see if people actually enjoyed the writing more than loving their faves praised / hating them being bashed
I could prob tell stu and maybe temp, and that's about it, and I'm probably over selling myself at that
On March 25 2017 13:08 Cricketer12 wrote: Not sure whats better, the write-up or the apparent return of zealously
I wonder how many people can actually tell who wrote which piece
I'd instantly assume Stats is Olli and soO is Zeal because race, but I could be wrong
You'd be right, but sometimes I wonder what people would think if we just removed all writer credits. Given that I've read literally everything we've put out for the past 3 years, plus a whole load I read before I started writing, I think that I can instantly tell who wrote what without the nametag, but it'd be interesting to see if people actually enjoyed the writing more than loving their faves praised / hating them being bashed
I was told no one even reads who the author is. They just skip to predictions and trash them.
Indeed.
speaking of which where are said predictions? i need something to trash, and the actual writing doesn't deserve that
On March 25 2017 13:08 Cricketer12 wrote: Not sure whats better, the write-up or the apparent return of zealously
I wonder how many people can actually tell who wrote which piece
I'd instantly assume Stats is Olli and soO is Zeal because race, but I could be wrong
You'd be right, but sometimes I wonder what people would think if we just removed all writer credits. Given that I've read literally everything we've put out for the past 3 years, plus a whole load I read before I started writing, I think that I can instantly tell who wrote what without the nametag, but it'd be interesting to see if people actually enjoyed the writing more than loving their faves praised / hating them being bashed
I was told no one even reads who the author is. They just skip to predictions and trash them.
Indeed.
speaking of which where are said predictions? i need something to trash, and the actual writing doesn't deserve that
On March 25 2017 13:08 Cricketer12 wrote: Not sure whats better, the write-up or the apparent return of zealously
I wonder how many people can actually tell who wrote which piece
I'd instantly assume Stats is Olli and soO is Zeal because race, but I could be wrong
You'd be right, but sometimes I wonder what people would think if we just removed all writer credits. Given that I've read literally everything we've put out for the past 3 years, plus a whole load I read before I started writing, I think that I can instantly tell who wrote what without the nametag, but it'd be interesting to see if people actually enjoyed the writing more than loving their faves praised / hating them being bashed
I was told no one even reads who the author is. They just skip to predictions and trash them.
Indeed.
speaking of which where are said predictions? i need something to trash, and the actual writing doesn't deserve that
We decided to leave them out because of the format. If you read one article and saw predictions, you'd think the article is over. Never trust people to understand how buttons work.
On March 25 2017 04:16 pvsnp wrote: Stats vs Stats, eh? Talk about a mirror matchup. soO should be written "어윤수"
More seriously: Heart says soO. He deserves it, far more. Head says Stats. He is favored, far more.
As good as his current form is, soO hasn't shown himself to be a match for Stats. Stats has made it to the finals of every WCS event this season, and looked more and more formidable each time. At this point there are precious few players who could hope to contend with Stats on even terms, and soO isn't one of them. soO lacks the raw mechanical talent of Dark and INnoVation, or the tactical insight of TY, and he does not possess any superlative to replace those gifts. Add that to the undeniable pressure soO carries in his fifth GSL finals appearance, his fifth chance to break the Kong curse he's carried for so long, and the mental as well as the physical game is stacked against him.
The only thing soO can be thankful for is that Stats is not a Terran, that at least he is not forced to play his worst matchup in the finals. If his opponent was Maru or INnoVation, his situation would be grim indeed. But even then, Stats can say the same. After having lost both his previous finals appearances at IEMs to Terrans, he must be grateful for the chance to defeat soO and claim his own first GSL championship.
So, soO is facing quite the uphill battle here. He has a fighting chance, but it will be the fight of his life.
I would not say Soo lacks mechanical skills. Actually he has the best mechanic amongs the greatest Zergs of all time, he just usually fell short in the finals. If Stats pulls out agressive play, there will be a big chance of Soo winning, because he's well known for holding strong and macro up under pressure.
If I were betting money on this series, my money would be on soO.
Kong or not, he's demonstrated a hell of a lot more in the PvZ match up that Stats has in this tournament. Stats' success of late has revolved almost entirely around his PvT ability, that isn't true just of GSL but of his recent run at IEM as well.
We've seen soO's PvZ form of late, we have not seen Stats'. With all of the preparation he must be putting in to have beaten the kinds of Terrans he has lately, it's hard to imagine that he'd have THAT much left to take out the best macro Zerg in the game right now.
On March 25 2017 20:54 Vindicare605 wrote: If I were betting money on this series, my money would be on soO.
Kong or not, he's demonstrated a hell of a lot more in the PvZ match up that Stats has in this tournament. Stats' success of late has revolved almost entirely around his PvT ability, that isn't true just of GSL but of his recent run at IEM as well.
We've seen soO's PvZ form of late, we have not seen Stats'. With all of the preparation he must be putting in to have beaten the kinds of Terrans he has lately, it's hard to imagine that he'd have THAT much left to take out the best macro Zerg in the game right now.
I'll take soO in 6 games.
We saw stats vs dark recently which showed stats is solid in the matchup even if dark is in a slump
I think soO has the fan vote (definitely after that epic write-up). Hoping for a close series, which it will be if soO ends up breaking the curse. But Stats has seemed pretty godlike recently I can't wait. Hype!
SoO no match for Stats? LOL. I would not disagree more. As if being 5 times in Code S finals is nothing of an achievment. Even being second soO isone of the most consistent Zerg players out there. Even when Zerg is underrepresented in Korea sc2 scene against all odds he is in another finals beating TY and sOs and many more great players. I would say this finals will be even as hell.
soO has spectacular consistency to be in five GSL finals, yes. To get to this one he has displayed amazing skill, tenacity, and talent. soO is most certainly among the top players in the world. All this is true.
But Stats was in the finals of IEM Gyeonggi. Of IEM Katowice. His current form is close to unstoppable. He is arguably the best player in the world. And while soO is great, Stats is greater.
I very much hope that soO wins. I am rooting for soO, not Stats. But there's no denying that Stats is the favorite going into the finals.
I would not say Soo lacks mechanical skills. Actually he has the best mechanic amongs the greatest Zergs of all time, he just usually fell short in the finals. If Stats pulls out agressive play, there will be a big chance of Soo winning, because he's well known for holding strong and macro up under pressure.
Neither am I. soO has great mechanics, no doubt about that at all. What I am saying is that his mechanics are not as good as those of Dark, the greatest macro Zerg, or INnoVation, the strongest mechanical player.
I agree that soO has a better chance if Stats is aggressive, because lategame PvZ is Protoss-favored and Stats has shown his skill in lategame multiple times against Dark, Nerchio, etc.
It's a shame one of them has to lose again, but at least the other is guaranteed to finally win! I think soO will take it, and I hope he does. He needs it more.
Ugh this is going to be a nailbiter, I want both to win, but at the same time that's a blessing because if someone like soO lost to someone who had already won a GSL title before, then it'd be heartbreaking.
SoO no match for Stats? LOL. I would not disagree more. As if being 5 times in Code S finals is nothing of an achievment. Even being second soO isone of the most consistent Zerg players out there. Even when Zerg is underrepresented in Korea sc2 scene against all odds he is in another finals beating TY and sOs and many more great players. I would say this finals will be even as hell.
soO has spectacular consistency to be in five GSL finals, yes. To get to this one he has displayed amazing skill, tenacity, and talent. soO is most certainly among the top players in the world. All this is true.
But Stats was in the finals of IEM Gyeonggi. Of IEM Katowice. His current form is close to unstoppable. He is arguably the best player in the world. And while soO is great, Stats is greater.
I very much hope that soO wins. I am rooting for soO, not Stats. But there's no denying that Stats is the favorite going into the finals.
I would not say Soo lacks mechanical skills. Actually he has the best mechanic amongs the greatest Zergs of all time, he just usually fell short in the finals. If Stats pulls out agressive play, there will be a big chance of Soo winning, because he's well known for holding strong and macro up under pressure.
Neither am I. soO has great mechanics, no doubt about that at all. What I am saying is that his mechanics are not as good as those of Dark, the greatest macro Zerg, or INnoVation, the strongest mechanical player.
I agree that soO has a better chance if Stats is aggressive, because lategame PvZ is Protoss-favored and Stats has shown his skill in lategame multiple times against Dark, Nerchio, etc.
soO is considerably better than Dark mechanically. Never have I seen a Zerg play from behind so many times and still have so much on the field. He's the most consistent Zerg ever with hitting his injects.
Remember this game? Notice how much he loses in the beginning and consider that he's playing Flash who's a macro god.
soO is considerably better than Dark mechanically. Never have I seen a Zerg play from behind so many times and still have so much on the field. He's the most consistent Zerg ever with hitting his injects.
Remember this game? Notice how much he loses in the beginning and consider that he's playing Flash who's a macro god.
soO was much better than Dark in pretty much every aspect until 2016, but since then I'd say Dark's macro is definitely superior. I agree that soO is great at enduring under pressure though. Also, I wouldn't say current soO is as good as he was in 2014, at least not yet.
Stats for the win! Both ZvP and PvZ are hard depending on the maps, I feel like Stats is better but he doesn't handle pressure well as we saw at IEM...
On March 25 2017 04:46 intotheheart wrote: But because it's so hype I'm afraid it'll be extremely disappointing.
hehe, yep.
Might be Bogus vs Soulkey all over again. Astronomical hype for a rivalry that was almost always epic...except in a gsl final where it should've been at its best
That was my favorite GSL in SC2. Most memorable for sure. I almost cried when Soulkey won. I was jumping out of my chair after each engagement. Fist pumping when Soulkey started his crazy comeback.
I think it would be a better story if one of these guys overcame someone who was already a champion. As it stands, I think I'm gonna feel more sorry for the loser than happy for the winner =(. I just want both of them to win darnit.
SoO no match for Stats? LOL. I would not disagree more. As if being 5 times in Code S finals is nothing of an achievment. Even being second soO isone of the most consistent Zerg players out there. Even when Zerg is underrepresented in Korea sc2 scene against all odds he is in another finals beating TY and sOs and many more great players. I would say this finals will be even as hell.
soO has spectacular consistency to be in five GSL finals, yes. To get to this one he has displayed amazing skill, tenacity, and talent. soO is most certainly among the top players in the world. All this is true.
But Stats was in the finals of IEM Gyeonggi. Of IEM Katowice. His current form is close to unstoppable. He is arguably the best player in the world. And while soO is great, Stats is greater.
I very much hope that soO wins. I am rooting for soO, not Stats. But there's no denying that Stats is the favorite going into the finals.
I would not say Soo lacks mechanical skills. Actually he has the best mechanic amongs the greatest Zergs of all time, he just usually fell short in the finals. If Stats pulls out agressive play, there will be a big chance of Soo winning, because he's well known for holding strong and macro up under pressure.
Neither am I. soO has great mechanics, no doubt about that at all. What I am saying is that his mechanics are not as good as those of Dark, the greatest macro Zerg, or INnoVation, the strongest mechanical player.
I agree that soO has a better chance if Stats is aggressive, because lategame PvZ is Protoss-favored and Stats has shown his skill in lategame multiple times against Dark, Nerchio, etc.
Either IEM geongi or IEM Katowice (i was there live) were not stacked with top Zerg players. Must I remind u that last few months in Korea was Zerg downfall? And soO and arrguably Byul were the only Zerg players that were able to win vs toss or terran?. SoO is mechanical beast that worries not about bringing some allin and cheesy tactics. SoO is the only Zerg who is complete in every aspect of the game. Even more than Dark who is known because of his midgame or lategame play. SoO is the first and only Zerg whi has incorporated Matiz/Elazer Ravager allin successfuly in Korea pro play. He is the ultimate boss at his bottom and the most complete Zerg player at his tops. Your statement underrestimates SoO and fluffs Stats too much as Stats risen up over PvT imbalance.
Either IEM geongi or IEM Katowice (i was there live) were not stacked with top Zerg players. Must I remind u that last few months in Korea was Zerg downfall? And soO and arrguably Byul were the only Zerg players that were able to win vs toss or terran?. SoO is mechanical beast that worries not about bringing some allin and cheesy tactics. SoO is the only Zerg who is complete in every aspect of the game. Even more than Dark who is known because of his midgame or lategame play. SoO is the first and only Zerg whi has incorporated Matiz/Elazer Ravager allin successfuly in Korea pro play. He is the ultimate boss at his bottom and the most complete Zerg player at his tops. Your statement underrestimates SoO and fluffs Stats too much as Stats risen up over PvT imbalance.
It's true that Stats owes a lot of his current form to excellent PvT. But his PvZ is also more than capable. In recent times, he's beaten ByuL, Nerchio, Rogue, and Dark offline, and I'd still argue that the matchup is Protoss-favored on top of that. PvZ is not his best matchup, sure, but that says more about how good he is against Terran than anything else.
In recent times, soO has lost to Zest and Dear, and his only strong result was beating sOs (who is not on the level of Stats). I'd agree that soO plays a more cheesy game than say Dark, but to me that signals his lack of faith in his own lategame. Dark tries to take it to lategame because he is supremely confident in his macro and knows that very few people can match him as games go long. soO can't say the same about himself, so he cheeses.
It boils down to this: soO is a great player with a lot of heart whom I really hope will win. Stats is a greater player and the favorite whom I expect to win.
Either IEM geongi or IEM Katowice (i was there live) were not stacked with top Zerg players. Must I remind u that last few months in Korea was Zerg downfall? And soO and arrguably Byul were the only Zerg players that were able to win vs toss or terran?. SoO is mechanical beast that worries not about bringing some allin and cheesy tactics. SoO is the only Zerg who is complete in every aspect of the game. Even more than Dark who is known because of his midgame or lategame play. SoO is the first and only Zerg whi has incorporated Matiz/Elazer Ravager allin successfuly in Korea pro play. He is the ultimate boss at his bottom and the most complete Zerg player at his tops. Your statement underrestimates SoO and fluffs Stats too much as Stats risen up over PvT imbalance.
It's true that Stats owes a lot of his current form to excellent PvT. But his PvZ is also more than capable. In recent times, he's beaten ByuL, Nerchio, Rogue, and Dark offline, and I'd still argue that the matchup is Protoss-favored on top of that. PvZ is not his best matchup, sure, but that says more about how good he is against Terran than anything else.
In recent times, soO has lost to Zest and Dear, and his only strong result was beating sOs (who is not on the level of Stats). I'd agree that soO plays a more cheesy game than say Dark, but to me that signals his lack of faith in his own lategame. Dark tries to take it to lategame because he is supremely confident in his macro and knows that very few people can match him as games go long. soO can't say the same about himself, so he cheeses.
It boils down to this: soO is a great player with a lot of heart whom I really hope will win. Stats is a greater player and the favorite whom I expect to win.
Even if I'm Polish...Stats was struggling vs Nerchio and won only because of how balance works in the matchup and Nerchio is not even close soO level of mechanics. I love Nerchio, he's the best foreign Zerg but soO is another level. But you're right. If something wins in this finals it won't be skill as Stats and sOO both has plenty of it, but balance shit. Protoss is favored vs Zerg and soO must surpass himself to beat Stats who abuses this very well. Same as Stats overcame Terrans when TvP was definitely Terran favored.
P.s. Didn't u concider that soO lost to Zest and other Protoss recently because of the prefinals midgames? It would be stupid to reveal his hand to Stats who definitely watch every soO's vod before the most importalnt finals in his career, right? I think it could be a thing.
On March 25 2017 05:16 ErrantKnight wrote: 4 years ago, a 4 time GSL champion, King of his Race, was eliminated from GSL forever by a dirty roach rusher. Said Roach Rusher was cursed to lose as many GSL finals as the Old King had won. But now the curse is broken for 4 years have passed.
Man, I really want soO to win. I have to imagine he is bordering on insanity with his practice lately. Tomorrow is possibly going to be the most memorable day of his life.
Even if I'm Polish...Stats was struggling vs Nerchio and won only because of how balance works in the matchup and Nerchio is not even close soO level of mechanics. I love Nerchio, he's the best foreign Zerg but soO is another level. But you're right. If something wins in this finals it won't be skill as Stats and sOO both has plenty of it, but balance shit. Protoss is favored vs Zerg and soO must surpass himself to beat Stats who abuses this very well. Same as Stats overcame Terrans when TvP was definitely Terran favored.
P.s. Didn't u concider that soO lost to Zest and other Protoss recently because of the prefinals midgames? It would be stupid to reveal his hand to Stats who definitely watch every soO's vod before the most importalnt finals in his career, right? I think it could be a thing.
I did consider whether soO would be hiding builds, like he did in March's Shoutcraft Kings with a trolly mass-bane build (think it was against Zest again but not sure).
But it is very unlikely he was hiding strats.The losses I'm referring to are soO vs Zest in SSL Qualifiers and soO vs Dear in VSL Qualifiers. Neither of the qualifers were broadcasted, so there was no reason for soO to hide strats in games Stats can't watch. This was also before the semifinals actually so soO would have been preparing for sOs, but same difference since it's ZvP either way.
Whoever wins the bet can choose the signature for the other guy. Atm you have none. The time span is like 2 weeks in most cases, but it really depends. Some idiots did one year sigbets before. It's just silly fun at the end of the day.
Whoever wins the bet can choose the signature for the other guy. Atm you have none. The time span is like 2 weeks in most cases, but it really depends. Some idiots did one year sigbets before. It's just silly fun at the end of the day.
Sure. You said soO so I assume I'm betting Stats.
I will be happier if I lose the bet, so it's a win-win!