In our first post about this tournament, we said the open bracket qualifiers would have their work cut out for them given the caliber of invitees. Good thing Savjz was up to the task. He just beat Neirea 4-2 in the VGVN #3 finals and will now be answering your questions.
Just look for the Deathwing icon.
Answered Questions
On September 16 2014 10:02 ptbl wrote:
Savjz: How soon will you announce Liquid's third Hearthstone member?
Savjz: How soon will you announce Liquid's third Hearthstone member?
We do need a third player for the upcoming NEL league and are definitely looking for a player, but we are not rushing it. We have a couple of potential players in mind right now. Can't give an ETA on this for now though.
On September 16 2014 10:04 Anduin wrote:
Will Hunter still be viable in ladder after Sept. 22 and how will the key matchups change?
Will Hunter still be viable in ladder after Sept. 22 and how will the key matchups change?
My prediction: No. I have been wrong a couple of times though when predicting these type of things. I expect some variant of hyper aggro hunter to still be good but only in carefully picked matchups.
Hunter will be starving on cards in all matchups: Hunter has to be the aggressor always, whereas now hunter could fuel up from the buzzard.
On September 16 2014 10:42 Circumstance wrote:
Congratulations, Savjz!
Having gone through the qualifier to compete in, and eventually win, this tournament, has your view on tournament qualifications/invitations changed at all?
Congratulations, Savjz!
Having gone through the qualifier to compete in, and eventually win, this tournament, has your view on tournament qualifications/invitations changed at all?
Thank you!
I think a mix of 50-50 invites/qualifiers would be a really good balance. I think today I proved a point for people who think they are the best in the world but just not getting invited: It is possible to get your name out there. You know, in the open qualifier finals I played against ThijsNL too
A problem with fully qualifier tournaments is that many pros might not have time to participate, even if they would have good chances to get there even without an invite. Also, for the unknown talent getting matched up against well known players offers a good chance to show by doing well or beating them.
Wow I drifted pretty far :D
On September 16 2014 10:44 Paragleiber wrote:
What were your thoughts when those two big fails happened against you in the group stage?
What were your thoughts when those two big fails happened against you in the group stage?
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
:D Disbelief into confusion into happiness I guess :D
On September 16 2014 10:47 Anrui wrote:
Hey Savjz, congrats on the win. After your amazingly entertaining match against Hyped how do you feel about the overall power of the mage class in the upcoming post Sept. 22 meta?
Hey Savjz, congrats on the win. After your amazingly entertaining match against Hyped how do you feel about the overall power of the mage class in the upcoming post Sept. 22 meta?
Thank you, I'm glad you like the match. It was my favorite as well. I know there were a lot of ppl doing residentSleeper emotes in twitch chat though because of how long we were thinking each turn :D
I am excited about mage ! I think we will at some point see very very dominating mage list in ladder (hopefully not too much so) - there is a LOT you can do with the class.
On September 16 2014 10:58 omnomMuffins wrote:
I don't have a question but this is going to be all gifs
Other reaction
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
I lied there is a question, is there anything else you want giffed before I go disappear for a few days?
I don't have a question but this is going to be all gifs
Other reaction
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
I lied there is a question, is there anything else you want giffed before I go disappear for a few days?
No need to gif anything more :D thanks for these and for everything you've done for the tournament!! I hope we will have more tournaments like this.
On September 16 2014 11:02 GulpyBlinkeyes wrote:
Congratulations! Always happy to see you win!
From your point of view (and if you can remember), what do you think was your best play and what do you think was your worst play during this tournament?
Congratulations! Always happy to see you win!
From your point of view (and if you can remember), what do you think was your best play and what do you think was your worst play during this tournament?
Thank you !
I did do a couple of mistakes in the tournament, one that popped into my head first is not soulfireing Neireas keeper of the grove in group stage match. I missed like 3 life taps because of this decision and was passing turns with poor hand with 2 mana open.
Another play which horribly backfired was my druid vs Kolentos warrior in the semi-final. The early line of play of turn 2 spectral into shade turned into a complete disaster: more traditional turn 1 or 2 shade with replacing the knight for start hand would've been way better. I felt a tiny better after seeing he topdecked the acolyte, and then the Death's bite. D:
I also did like 3 small mistakes in the druid game vs kiblers shaman, turn 3 not popping the shade into ferals: throwing the oozes into a lightning storm, and i think there was a third something.
I think my best plays were with the shade timings semi-finals against Kolento and the first game vs Neirea in the finals. I knew excactly what I was doing and I think most people would've used their shades very different in the same spots.
On September 16 2014 11:04 Heyoka wrote:
What's your favorite kind of cheese?
What's your favorite kind of cheese?
6-pool
On September 16 2014 11:17 Dracolich70 wrote:
Very fast service. Congrats, Savjz.
Can't come up with a question right now, but I wanted to congratulate you.
Very fast service. Congrats, Savjz.
Can't come up with a question right now, but I wanted to congratulate you.
Thanks :D
On September 16 2014 11:19 Scootaloo wrote:
As someone who's rooted for you since Artosis spent practically hours hyping you up, do you think this is the break out moment for you? Do you feel unstoppable after winning a major tournament like this, and do you think the incoming meta changes (the 22/9 nerf galore) will benefit or hurt you?
As someone who's rooted for you since Artosis spent practically hours hyping you up, do you think this is the break out moment for you? Do you feel unstoppable after winning a major tournament like this, and do you think the incoming meta changes (the 22/9 nerf galore) will benefit or hurt you?
Thanks for rooting for me
I risk sounding arrogant here, but I think I've already had my breakout moment with the ihearthu KotH, solidified by dominating the OGN tournament and 2p.com EUvsCH
Sadly, I don't feel unstoppable as the Blizzcon qualifier tournament went poorly for me. It was still a boost of confidence - in particular because I made it through the open bracket - and a cool thing to point at the next time someone says I don't deserve my invite to some tournament.
I think the changes will definitely help me. I think I can adjust pretty fast and I already have some really really cool lists that just happen to have very poor matchup against hunter.
On September 16 2014 12:03 Scootaloo wrote:
By no means did I intend you imply you wheren't already an established player, I suppose I should have replaced breakout with becoming the dominating champion, a position very few have managed to claim in this somewhat volatile game (maybe Kolento?).
And with the ihearthu KOTH I take it you mean taking out the long reigning champion, ThijsNL? (edit: no you are ofcourse talking about the 4 win run early on, sorry, it's been a while and it's quite late here in Holland) Was really enjoying his run actually, but was glad that if anyone where to take him out, it was you, did you put a lot of effort into making decks to counter him?
And for that matter did you have a lot of opportunity to build counters to Neirea? Despite him doing excellent in this tournament, he is not exactly the most well known player, would you say that facing a dark horse like him was more difficult then an already more established player like Kolento who you rather beautifully beat in your previous match?
Especially considering you are a well known name and have a lot of hours of streaming and playing tournaments that your opponents can use to prepare for you.
And hope to see (and probably steal) your new decks crushing opponents soon, good luck and congrats, you really deserve it man.
By no means did I intend you imply you wheren't already an established player, I suppose I should have replaced breakout with becoming the dominating champion, a position very few have managed to claim in this somewhat volatile game (maybe Kolento?).
And with the ihearthu KOTH I take it you mean taking out the long reigning champion, ThijsNL? (edit: no you are ofcourse talking about the 4 win run early on, sorry, it's been a while and it's quite late here in Holland) Was really enjoying his run actually, but was glad that if anyone where to take him out, it was you, did you put a lot of effort into making decks to counter him?
And for that matter did you have a lot of opportunity to build counters to Neirea? Despite him doing excellent in this tournament, he is not exactly the most well known player, would you say that facing a dark horse like him was more difficult then an already more established player like Kolento who you rather beautifully beat in your previous match?
Especially considering you are a well known name and have a lot of hours of streaming and playing tournaments that your opponents can use to prepare for you.
And hope to see (and probably steal) your new decks crushing opponents soon, good luck and congrats, you really deserve it man.
Based on results I think RDU and Tidesoftime have been the most dominating players lately, I'm really excited to see if they can keep it up. I guess in a way Neirea was a bit more difficult to play against and especially the ramp druid was bit difficult at first to figure out (i.e. I had no clue if there is Ragnaros), whilst I pretty much knew what sort of Druid Kolento was bringing and I was/would've been able to mulligan correctly with any deck. I also think I suffer a bit from same thing as kolento: people usually pretty much know my lists, with the buzzard/leeroy changes I might be bringing some surprises though!
I was actually trying to catch people offguard with the black knight (in the end it didn't really do all that much) in my druid and I might do similar type of things with maybe BGH in paladin or so...
Thanks again!
On September 16 2014 12:06 ptbl wrote:
Final question from me. Are you going to attend any offline tournaments in the future? If you are, can you reveal them? Online tournament is ok, but I feel like LAN tournaments are more exciting.
Final question from me. Are you going to attend any offline tournaments in the future? If you are, can you reveal them? Online tournament is ok, but I feel like LAN tournaments are more exciting.
I am attending DH Stockholm next, although not playing in it! Sounds lame but it actually is not...I will also be going to at least 3 live events (PLAYING) next month, but we have to wait for the official announcements of those. I completely agree with you on LAN tournaments being more exciting. It's always a blast and by now I've met nearly all of the pros on one or more occasion.
On September 16 2014 12:15 Inty wrote:
What do you think is the best deck to ladder at the moment?
What is your favorite tv show that you are watching right now?
What is your favorite food?
What do you think is the best deck to ladder at the moment?
What is your favorite tv show that you are watching right now?
What is your favorite food?
Any hunter counter....
I'm actually not actively watching any series right now, but I like Suits a lot.
I loved Korean BBQ when I was in Korea for the OGN tournament. Sadly we can't get that in Finland... the fact that I can't get more of it kind of adds to why I want to so much, but it was just so good. I don't even know what excactly the meats were and we ate many kinds of them, but it was always awesome.
On September 16 2014 12:18 CroN0x wrote:
what shampoo do you use?
what shampoo do you use?
XZ Chocolate and Vanilla :D
On September 16 2014 11:25 necrohavoc wrote:
Do you think you can beat Amaz in Jeoparino?
Do you think you can beat Amaz in Jeoparino?
Sorry I missed this one earlier: No :D
I think I would be on same level as Tides was...
On September 16 2014 12:50 Whoisgoku wrote:
Do you like the direction that blizzard took the game with naxx? If you could change anything about it what would that be?
Btw congratz!!! I was rooting for you every game.
Do you like the direction that blizzard took the game with naxx? If you could change anything about it what would that be?
Btw congratz!!! I was rooting for you every game.
Definitely. Even though Naxx only added 30 cards, most of them are good/meaningful and aside from miracle rogue, the meta got shaken up.
I would change gadgeztan auctioneer. I'm sorry but miracle rogue is not going anywhere with just the leeroy nerf... Having a solitaire deck like with auctioneer preparation engine is not healthy for the game, in my opinion.
Thanks =)
On September 16 2014 12:56 djwagyu wrote:
Congrats Savjz! I enjoy watching your stream when I can (noisy washing machine and all).
What do you think of a regular league style format for professionals that have cash prizes in addition to circuit points? In a similar style to WCS for SC2 or the NA / EU LCS formats for League. The Hearthstone scene is quite new so many disparate tournaments going on. However, the big one for me is always going to be Blizzcon. So the idea is to reward consistent professionals over the year with the highest points with seeds direct into Blizzcon c'ships. However, there should also be some spots reserved for open brackets etc.
Your thoughts?
Congrats Savjz! I enjoy watching your stream when I can (noisy washing machine and all).
What do you think of a regular league style format for professionals that have cash prizes in addition to circuit points? In a similar style to WCS for SC2 or the NA / EU LCS formats for League. The Hearthstone scene is quite new so many disparate tournaments going on. However, the big one for me is always going to be Blizzcon. So the idea is to reward consistent professionals over the year with the highest points with seeds direct into Blizzcon c'ships. However, there should also be some spots reserved for open brackets etc.
Your thoughts?
Thank you!!
Well I am sure we will have some sort of league which will be considered the most prestigious, it's just a race who can establish it first. China has NEL in which we will be taking part (yay), but Europe/NA definitely needs a cool league too.
[SALT]Yeah I do think consistent results somehow over a year could definitely be a nicer thing than hunter vs hunter comparing the draws in a single tournament[/SALT]
Nah, to be honest I think blizzard did a great job with everything this year and making ladder feel meaningful for 4 months is just amazing. Overall I think the format is/was really cool, but maybe "road to blizzcon" could be longer next year and not so much with everything on the line in a single tournament.
I think the top16 tournaments and the final world champs will be amazing, and I am so happy Blizzard have their eyes on competetive HS even though it originally wasn't intended as one. We also have an observer mode coming, and I'm pretty sure they will try to push it out before the world championships.
On September 16 2014 13:07 czhihong wrote:
Congrats Savjz, I was rooting for you, glad you pulled through! So sad about the Blizzcon qualifiers though.
How much do you think players can influence the outcome of a match, at a high level? I have the feeling that when everyone is playing at the top, skill levels are fairly close and single matches are decided by draws (or critical errors). The entire bo5 series will be more decided by overall preparedness and mistakes as well, with draw being a slightly smaller factor.
I guess what I'm asking is how much you feel is in your hands in a tournament (preparing decks, research on opponents, being in a good mental state etc) and how much is out of your hands (draws, outcomes of brawls), in a ballpark %.
Congrats Savjz, I was rooting for you, glad you pulled through! So sad about the Blizzcon qualifiers though.
How much do you think players can influence the outcome of a match, at a high level? I have the feeling that when everyone is playing at the top, skill levels are fairly close and single matches are decided by draws (or critical errors). The entire bo5 series will be more decided by overall preparedness and mistakes as well, with draw being a slightly smaller factor.
I guess what I'm asking is how much you feel is in your hands in a tournament (preparing decks, research on opponents, being in a good mental state etc) and how much is out of your hands (draws, outcomes of brawls), in a ballpark %.
Luck is huge factor when one player plays and aggressive deck. Skill is huge when both play slow decks. Against a fast deck if you don't draw the early answers there is nothing you can do no matter how good you are. Bad players are better off playing fast decks.
Preparation is huge in control matches, what match ups did you plan your deck to beat? one extra bgh for handlock?
this question is so huge my head is hurting. it's really complex. :D sorry this is impossible
On September 16 2014 13:13 shdwfeather wrote:
Hey Savjz, congrats! Loved watching you play and it was a very exciting tournament overall. There was some very high-level plays going on. Your charming good looks and winning personality is just the cherry on top. (I know Frodan would agree with me!)
Since Hearthstone is a pretty new game, we've seen a number of different tournament formats. Bo3,5,7 with variations such as banning, unbannable decks, and a format with fully open deck lists etc. What is your favourite format and what format do you see becoming the "standard" format?
Hey Savjz, congrats! Loved watching you play and it was a very exciting tournament overall. There was some very high-level plays going on. Your charming good looks and winning personality is just the cherry on top. (I know Frodan would agree with me!)
Since Hearthstone is a pretty new game, we've seen a number of different tournament formats. Bo3,5,7 with variations such as banning, unbannable decks, and a format with fully open deck lists etc. What is your favourite format and what format do you see becoming the "standard" format?
thank you
I actually wouldn't mind fully open deck lists thing. Maybe it will make things a little bit less exciting in some ways, but "scouting" opponents decks would not be a factor or give an advantage. Sometimes you can dig up more information on your next opponent than your next opponent can dig up on you or other way around.
I think best format is swiss with a cutoff for top8 or 16 or something for bigger tournaments, and for invitationals double elimination.
I like the ban-system. I am hoping the balance will be better after the nerfs next week so you can ban based on strategy and not on what is overpowered (hunter right now)
bo5 with ban in swiss and in play-offs bo7 with a ban
Classes must be announced before the game starts. This is actually very important, because if your opponent knows your classes for one reason or another, but you don't know his, you might start poorly just because of that and the 0-1 might snowball into losing the whole set.
TLDR: big tournaments swiss into single elimination, small invitationals double elimination. 1 ban. Announce classes before matches.