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[MSL] Club Protoss

Forum index > News 1 2 3 4 5 Next All
  Hot_Bid   Braavos. November 12 2008 01:25. Posts 20094Profile Blog 
[image loading]
Banner by pachi


Club Protoss
Round of 8 Week Two Recap
Semifinals Preview


Whenever there's a chance for an all same race semifinals, usually at least one player of another race gets hot and ruins the mirror party. When I looked at this MSL's Z and T roster, I believed that one of Jaedong, FBH, Hwasin, or ForGG would catch fire and advance to the semis. Unfortunately, the bracket was heavily loaded on one side, and the two Protoss players with the most raw potential (Bisu and Free) were suddenly playing lights-out every game. If these two are "on" for any particular match, nobody was beating them. Jaedong or FBH would have easily advanced further in the other half of the draw, but instead were bounced out early.

On the surface, these semifinals are horrible. Not only are there no Terrans or Zergs, there's also no Stork, no Best, and no Pusan. There isn't even BackHo to add the laugh-at-him entertainment value. In addition, one semifinal (Bisu-Free) contains by far the two best players in the MSL. PvP isn't bad relative to the other matchups, but by the eleventh game of rock-paper-scissors build order wins or no rush 15 minute max out snorefests, you will want to rip your hair out.

If you're upset about this, fear not, for your trusty Club Day Online MSL news poster has come up with a drinking game tailored to PvP to get you through these two series. But before we get to that and the previews of the semis, let's recap the two quarterfinal series that happened in week two.



Dance Dance Revolutionist
(P)Bisu 3-0 (T)firebathero

After receiving weeks of hype, an excited buzz around his reinvented TvP, and a brand new TL fan club, FireBatHero flamed out in disastrous fashion the instant he had to play a competent P in a Bo5. Now the FBH fanboys are fleeing his bandwagon as if it was the Titanic. I must admit, while I predicted Bisu to win, I thought FBH would put up more of a fight. So much hype, yet crushed in the Round of 8. I can't say I'm surprised though, as FBH has never matched his flair and theatrics with actual results. In case you can't tell, I typed this last paragraph with a huge smug banana grin.

Game One @ Medusa
+ Show Spoiler [Show Summary] +


Game Two @ Destination
+ Show Spoiler [Show Summary] +


Game Three @ Athena 2
+ Show Spoiler [Show Summary] +


When FBH typed out, he basically sprinted out of the booth. I doubt he will shed any tears of agony. If we could see FBH's face, it would probably just have a glassy-eyed expression of shock, as if he'd be hit by a truck. Bisu, on the other hand, stifled a yawn. When he is playing well, Bisu 3-0's people. That's just what happens. It doesn't matter who is standing in his way.



Mr. Dragoon
(P)free 3-0 (T)NaDa

Free's strength is that his basic unit micro is just a level above everyone else. If Bisu's unit is the DT, Free's unit is the dragoon. His dragoons are special. They move smoothly, live longer, and somehow never glitch. Everyone remembers that pimpest plays video of Free minesweeping with dragoons only on Longinus II. His unit control is so good that two of the three games this series never make it past midgame. In the Bisu-FBH series, you kind of felt that Bisu was playing well while FBH had an off day, and if they met again the series might have been closer. But watching the Free-Nada series was different. Nada didn't stand a chance. He wasn't even remotely close in any of the three games.

Game One @ Medusa
+ Show Spoiler [Show Summary] +


Game Two @ Destination
+ Show Spoiler [Show Summary] +


Game Three @ Athena 2
+ Show Spoiler [Show Summary] +


This was a match between an ordinary player with extraordinary accomplishments and an extraordinary player with ordinary accomplishments. It played out exactly as it should. The younger, sharper, rising player won out over the old veteran clinging to past glory. However, the series showed more than that. Free played flawlessly. I don't use that word lightly. Besides running into a few mines late game, I cannot see how he could have played this series any better. Free didn't gamble with 14 nexus or 1-gate blind expand or proxy DT. He just executed safe, reliable strategies with surgical precision, pushing every edge and leaving no holes.

It's a huge compliment to say someone's play looks clean, and these three games by Free were scary clean. We're talking pine smelling, cancer-curing, wipe out all bacteria clean.



PvP Drinking Game

What you need:
  • Ten beers, your choice of brand
  • Bottle of hard liquor, your choice of brand
  • Bottle of generic champagne
  • Bottle of non-alcoholic stuff, can be water or soda, etc.
  • Ten shot glasses
  • Electrical tape
  • A bucket

Fill one shot glass with each of the drinks listed above. You should use four of the shot glasses this way.

Next, cover the outside of the remaining six shot glasses with electrical tape. Fill two with liquor, two with beer, one with champagne, and one with your non-alcoholic drink. Try to move them around so you don't remember which is which. The tape will prevent you from knowing. These six are your "mystery" shots.

Take a shot of beer:
  • For each probe lost in zealot harass during the first two minutes
  • For every successful reaver or storm drop
  • If one commentator yells a unit name, and the other commentator's contribution is solely some version of "YAAAAAAA"

Take a shot of hard alcohol:
  • For each proxied building
  • For each dark templar made
  • If the commentators make that HAKKKKKKKKKKKK sound

Take a shot of champagne:
  • After each game completes
  • For every shot of a hot girl in the crowd
  • If you see the Titty Sambo commercial

Take a "mystery" shot:
  • At the start of each game
  • If a player attempts an all-in strategy
  • Every time a reaver fires a scarab
  • Every large battle past the ten minute mark

This should get you sufficiently drunk even if its only three games. The bucket (affectionately named "Hwasin Bucket") is insurance just in case you are very unlucky with the mystery shots.



Semifinals Preview

[image loading]


You guys are in for a treat. I didn't do this earlier for the other rounds, but since this is the semifinals, I'll put in the extra effort:

Detailed Semifinals Map Balance Analysis
+ Show Spoiler [Show Map Balance] +

Amazing analysis, I know. Thanks.



(P)Kal vs (P)JangBi
+ Show Spoiler [Show Stats] +

This semifinal sucks, mainly because of what could have been. Virtually any of the other players (ForGG, Stork, Iris, Type-b, Yarnc, etc) would make a cooler semi, with more interesting storylines and certainly more diverse matchups. Instead we have a boring non-Stork Samsung Protoss when we'd rather have a Zerg, and his spectacularly mediocre opponent is only in the semis only because Stork had to practice for the OSL Finals.

Kal beat Stork 3-2, but Jangbi's recent PvP results have been strong as well. But factor in the practice partners (Stork for Jangbi, Yoonjoong/BestGod for Kal) and that Jangbi is streaking (13-2 overall in the last three months) and it seems Jangbi has the edge. But Kal won the head to head Bo5 3-2 between these two back in GomTV4. Kal is also strangely successful against Stork (6-3). It's going to be close, but I predict a well practiced, mechanically stronger Jangbi to prevail, 3-2.



(P)Bisu vs (P)free
+ Show Spoiler [Show Stats] +

This semi really should be the finals. Both these players have so much momentum that it's a shame that one of them has to lose. This series will almost certainly be played at a dramatically higher level than the other semifinal. I can't think of reasons to choose one player over the other, except the fact that Bisu's been to the semis far more times than Free has. This experience advantage should be worth at least one game in series with evenly matched opponents, so I'm predicting Bisu 3-2.



Next week, the Club Day Online MSL concludes. We know it will be a Protoss champion, but will it be a first time winner in Kal Jangbi and Free, or will Bonjwa Bisu make an appearance? See you next week.
Last edit: 2009-01-23 14:26:19
Official TL CJ Entus Fan Club Member #2 • Remember Shinhan3
Old Post

  GrandInquisitor  *   New York City. November 12 2008 02:22. Posts 7639Profile Blog 
When I die of alcohol poisoning my estate is going to point to this newspost as the direct and proximate cause of my death.
What fun is it being cool if you can’t wear a sombrero?
Old Post

  IrrasO   United States. November 12 2008 02:26. Posts 115Profile 
nice write-up, but how could you not mention the humiliation scouts?
Last edit: 2008-11-12 02:26:46
 
Old Post

  TarsTarkas   United States. November 12 2008 02:35. Posts 131Profile 
I <3 Hot_Bid

Excellent read, especially enjoyed the 'Hwasin Bucket'
Those who think they know everything, are very annoying to those of us who do. - Mark Twain
Old Post

  astalkulo   United States. November 12 2008 02:37. Posts 248Profile 
Bisu and Free on one side of the brackets one has to lose it just sucks, it's time for a bonja protoss so bisu needs to win in the other hand Free winning the whole thing would be great for him and his team. Woongjin star MSL champion!!! I hate to see one of these player lose but I'll leave it to destiny and the best player to win!!!
Old Post

  GeneralStan   Tadjikistan. November 12 2008 02:49. Posts 2298Profile Blog 
Fantastic write up! I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more!

I'm looking forward to projective vomiting to some great PvP!
More Human than Human
Old Post

  kawoq   Guatemala. November 12 2008 02:52. Posts 129Profile 
Nice reading... I love your "Detailed Semifinals Map Balance Analysis", Iwonder where you guys find all the time you need to make this amazing articles.. I really do... show me how cause to be hones I need some extra hours per day... ^_^

I think Free is going to win this...
"It is not a shameful thing to be unable reach the goal. It's becoming afraid and running away, even before considering the fact that the road is long and rough, that is truly cowardly." by - Lim Yo Hwan aka SlayerS_Boxer from "Crazy as me"
Old Post

  Hyperionnn   Turkey. November 12 2008 02:54. Posts 3268Profile Blog 
Fantastic post!

+ Show Spoiler +
Classic to his dad: DUDE I SWEAR TO GOD I'M GOING TO TURN INTO A SUNKEN COLONY
Old Post

  SayaSP   Laos. November 12 2008 02:55. Posts 4525Profile Blog 
Hot_Bid is too strong
[iHs]SSP | WHERE'RE U AT WHERE'RE U AT WHERE'RE U AT
I'm sadlifing. のヮの QUEEN BEE
Old Post

  CTStalker   Canada. November 12 2008 02:59. Posts 5604Profile Blog 
good writeup. i agree, it's really a shame free and bisu have to meet in the semis. it's going to make the finals anti-climactic, but ah well. really look forward to the free bisu games
When you base your life on credit, and your lovin days are done, the cheques you sign with a lovin kiss later come back signed 'insufficient funds'
Old Post

  Equinox_kr   Korea (South). November 12 2008 03:11. Posts 6963Profile Blog 
How did you decide if the maps were balanced or not? Amazing!
We avoid risks in life so we can make it safely to death.
Old Post

  disciple   Bulgaria. November 12 2008 03:16. Posts 3733Profile Blog 
I think free has the upper hand in the semis just because Bisu played a lot of PvP this season, which is plenty of scouting info about his game. I bet free is studying the specifics of bisus PvP and searching for the best counters having in mind the maps. On the other hand Bisu must just focus on his 1 base gate-robo builds and walkover free. I think Bisu has the best reaver micro in the scene right now by a huge margin
me: Luxury sucks, yes? Avidkeystamper: I think you made a typo, it should read: Yes, Luxury sucks. // Bisu : I dont have a girl...like only one
Old Post

  -orb-   United States. November 12 2008 03:22. Posts 2750Profile Blog 
Lol drinking game! Awesome
Join me on IRC in #liquipedia for fast approvals!
PM me for any questions about Liquipedia!
Old Post

  capek   United States. November 12 2008 03:49. Posts 585Profile 
no mention of bisu's epic scouts?
 
Old Post

  GinNtoniC   Sweden. November 12 2008 03:52. Posts 1701Profile 
bwahahaha, fantastic idea for a drinking game.
I might just get all these ingredients, call a remotely starcraft-interested friend over and have a blast!

Lots of love for this one!
TvZ mech has ruined casual Starcraft. | - Huge fan of JulyZerg, HonestTea and that guy Kim Taek Yong. Finally out of the closet for Much.
Old Post

  Centric   United States. November 12 2008 03:58. Posts 1875Profile 
Your map analysis was mind-blowing.
Domination.
Old Post

  Fontong   United States. November 12 2008 04:00. Posts 4261Profile Blog 

On November 12 2008 03:11 Equinox_kr wrote:
How did you decide if the maps were balanced or not? Amazing!

This lol, it must have taken hours of detailed game analysis.
SECRET FONT :3 "You protoss jackass can you retaliate in any way?"
ACE fighting forever!
Old Post

  BaltA   Norway. November 12 2008 04:02. Posts 111Profile Blog 
If someone follow that recepie, they will not only get drunk. But they'll get so wasted, that they will not be able to watch 3rd game
 
Old Post

  RoieTRS   United States. November 12 2008 04:03. Posts 654Profile Blog 
Screw 3 games.
I'd get drunk in the first 2 minutes.
Its not enough that I win. All others must lose.
Old Post

  baubo   China. November 12 2008 04:04. Posts 1306Profile 
I'm just hoping for some quick games. Hopefully a ton of cheeses and all players showing off their micro. It's REALLY going to suck if things boil down to whose scarabs are less retarded.

Rooting for Jangbi and Free. Jangbi because I think he has a chance to join in as a top protoss player(much more so than Kal), and Free because he and the Stars are a really good cinderella team.
Meh
Old Post

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