After a week off and a wild weekend in sin city with a memorable GSTL final, the Code S and Tastosis will finally be back on our computer screens. The weekend in Vegas might be over, but the discussion about the final between Prime and Startale will continue to wage on, and at the heart of all the drama is the top seeded player in this group, the rookie superstar from last season's Code S, ST_PartinG. Making it to the quarterfinals was an outstanding feat and the potential royal roader might have made it even further if he hadn't been paired up with, at the time, a player who didn't look like he could beat by anyone in the world – MvP's DongRaeGu.
PartinG might have been an unknown player fueled largely by hype last season, but much has changed in the last few months. He now looks like a player who could not only go a step further to the semi-finals, but be the first Protoss to raise the GSL trophy since SK_MC over a year ago.
PartinG has quickly become one of the most recognizable Protoss players in the world. With his recent travels to the Red Bull LAN in Orlando, MLG Winter Arena in New York, MLG Winter Championship in Columbus, and then this weekend's trip to Las Vegas for the GSTL and IPL4, Parting has gained a ton of experience while impressing spectators with his great play. His PvT has been absolutely spectacular, and at the moment, he is probably that match-up’s top player. Now it's time for him to level up from rookie to veteran, and if he wants to prove that he really is an elite player, advancement from this mostly Terran group is a must.
His first opponent might be the only player in the world currently who could complain to Parting about international travel. TSLPolt – after getting sick and dropping out of Code A to Creator in a close 2-1 series – took matters into his own hands, and spent the remainder of the GSL season flying around the world, seeking the next best competition in international tournaments. At ASUS ROG Assembly in Helsinki, Finland, Polt bested Taeja, Hero, Lucky and Stephano all in one day to not only take home a check of $10,000, but impressed the GSL enough to earn himself a seed in this Code S Season. Just like fellow GSL champions DRG, MC, and MMA, Polt had found a way back.
Together with PartinG, Polt could be heavily affected by the mere day and a half's break between IPL4 and Code S. If you look at his travel record in the past month and a half, Polt has gone to Finland, back to Korea, to Texas and Columbus, back to Korea once again, and then to Las Vegas before finally returning to Korea only two days before Code S. While it hasn't fazed Polt much during his travels, as he managed to take first place at Assembly, 2nd at Lone Star, 12th at MLG, and 8th at a very tough IPL4, Code S is still another story. If Polt didn't start planning way beforehand for this group, he might find himself getting crushed in terms of preparation. PartinG, too, will not have had the time to focus properly on Code S due to the all-important GSTL finals, and might not have readied more of the carefully prepared builds that saw him go far in Season One. At least, they will have a 'fair' initial match in that regard, as the two most ill-prepared players face each other in their first match.
Speaking about players who have traveled a lot, there's also FXOz to consider. Though he hasn't been quite as busy, Oz has put in an overtime shift as well, going to both MLG Winter Events and IPL4 as well. At least for Oz, his day one elimination from the IPL4 open bracket, and the ready availability of practice facilities at IPL4 will mean he had at least two days to get some intensive Code S training done in Las Vegas (if he chose not to be tempted by the sights and sounds, of course).
While Parting and Polt have been getting positive reviews from their foreign exposure, the opposite could be said about Oz. Every tournament that Oz has entered recently, there has always been chatter about how he would place high. TeamLiquid has indulged in such speculation as well, as we've placed him high up in both the MLG and IPL Power Ranks. He did well at MLG Winter Arena, getting fourth while taking out Leenock, but wasn't able to follow up with more victories over elite players at Winter Championship or IPL4.
At MLG Winter Championship, he only finished with a 6-7 set record in the pools and only secured wins over Rain and Grubby, and was eliminated from the final bracket by Polt. IPL4 was an even bigger disappointment, where he lived up to his reputation as a feeble PvT player. After dropping two straight games to coL.GanZi, Oz confirmed his exit from the tournament by losing to the American vileIllusion by a 2- 1 score. Before that, he struggled against yet another foreigner in IPL4's breakout star Scarlett, where he narrowly escaped with a 2 – 1 victory. What could have been a breakthrough tournament for Oz turned into one where people will remember him as "that Code S player who almost lost to a woman."
Finally, on the topic of exhausting international travel, we have to talk about...wait, what? oGsFin hasn't been out of Korea for a foreign tournament.. ever? While Polt, Parting and Oz were all at MLG Winter Championship, back to Korea and then to Las Vegas, The Pretender was back at the oGs house streaming and gobbling up ad revenue while everyone else struggled to finish inside the money.
Either Fin is the schedule maker for this tournament, or he's the one who actually hit the jackpot while his opponents were away in Las Vegas. His three competitors will have to take a long flight from Las Vegas to Korea and then have, at best, a day of rest before heading to face off against Fin.
Fin did well in his Up and Down group. He didn't absolutely crush it like Squirtle or Leenock did, but it was good enough to advance to his second straight Code S season. Coming into his first Code S, he talked big – saying he would walk in with his Brood War experience and MSL badge, destroy everyone and win his first GSL title as a royal roader. However, he couldn't walk the walk, and he was eliminated by a combination of Leenock and MC, who showed him the foolishness of taking the GSL lightly. A player who everyone thought would have it easy in SC2 has actually had a hard time of it, but this group could be the first step towards making good on his boasts.
With teammates TheStC and SuperNova already in the round of sixteen as first place in their groups, and the scheduling working out ridiculously well in his favor, failure here isn't an option for the Elephant in the Room.
Overall outlook and predictions:
Polt has one of the best TvP's in the world alongside Jjakji and MarineKing. Parting has the best PvT in the world, proved by his victory over Jjakji in an amazing series last Code S, and his epic wars with MKP at MLG Winter Championship and IPL4. Oz, while having a major weakness at the moment with his PvT, still has a claim to being one of the best PvP'ers in the world and Parting hasn't looked particularly strong in that match-up. Fin, well, he's still an anomaly several months after his debut, and could either pick apart everyone in this group or have a major stumble, getting 4th again.
Due to their foreign results, I would have to say Parting and Polt are currently the strongest players, but due to jet lag and Fin having two weeks to do nothing but prepare for these three, it could go anyone's way. For Oz to advance, he will need to step up his PvT big time. When his team's life was on the line and Choya had the decision to either send himself against GhostKing, Maru and MarineKing or send Oz, one of the better Protosses in the world, he picked himself. If that doesn't say everything about Oz's current state in the match-up, I don't know what will. He would be favored to beat Parting in a PvP, but he'll need to at least win one PvT to make it out of the group.
Prediction:
Parting > Polt Fin > Oz Parting > Fin Polt > Oz Polt > Fin
PartinG and Polt advance.
Bañe-ata by shiroiusagi.
Writers: Fionn. Graphics and Art: Meko and shiroiusagi. Editor: Waxangel.
I hope for Parting and Fin to make it through. Fin should make through he is rested while everyone else has been flying around. I <3 Parting so he has to make it out lol.
This is my least favorite group only because I love all 4 of these players, so it will be sad to see two of them go =(.
I agree for the most part with the predictions though I might say Fin will overtake Polt just cause Polt's TvT while pretty good doesn't amaze me and ForGG has had all this time to prepare some sick builds i'm sure - i hope at least XD
Good luck to all though. I guess I can't lost at least . . . or win hah
I think it's maybe Forgg and Parting. But Polt and Parting is equally as likely. I'm pretty sure though, that Oz will go out 2 T and just 1 P and his PvT isn't the best.
I'm feeling fin and parting. However, should oz manage to beat fin, I don't think parting's pvp is even CLOSE to the caliber of Oz, and oz could very well take the group
That's pretty harsh. I don't think it is appropriate to say "Fuck Polt !" when he is a professional player competing because he deserves his spot. You do not have to like him, but slandering is frowned upon -_-
wow this is one hell of a group! cant possibly tell who is going to advance here...all of them probably deserve it. cheering for fin and parting though
Agreed, except I'd take Fin over Polt in the final match. Fin's TvT has been incredibly strong, and we can't forget how he outplayed Polt so badly in his first GSL trip.
"What could have been a breakthrough tournament for Oz turned into one where people will remember him as '"that Code S player who almost lost to a woman."'
I think Oz and PartinG will make it, their PvT is really good while Polt was, although he recieved a Code S spot, all the way down in Code B, and Fin... i don't know, he is really good, but i don't feel like his TvP is good enough to defeat both Oz and PartinG.
I don't know how can anyone take "Fionn predicting Polt to advance" seriously/ There are almost two pages and even one ironic remark, are you sleeping or what? )
Parting has the best PvT because he beat Jjakji last season? Lol his greedy builds got absolutely destroyed by Code S terrans after that. Fin and Polt/Oz will advance.
On April 11 2012 06:24 power-overwhelming wrote: Parting has the best PvT because he beat Jjakji last season? Lol his greedy builds got absolutely destroyed by Code S terrans after that. Fin and Polt/Oz will advance.
...clearly you've not seen PartinG's High Templars...
This is one of the most intense groups i think i have ever seen in the gsl, looking throught the bets i deff had a hard time deciding on who to bet for but i ended up with polt/forgg
I would put Polt and PartinG on about even footing. Both are especially good against their opponent's race. That matchup will be one to watch.
I expect Oz to win if it comes to PvP but lose TvP versus both of these players (for the reasons in the OP).
But as much as I like Polt and want to see him advance, I sort of expect him to go down 2-1 versus Fin. Obviously he didn't win the Super Tournament by having terrible TvT, but it's not been good for him lately. (49% in Korea!) Fin already has a 2-0 record vs. Polt, more rest, and time to plan. That particular prediction is definitely a case of Fionn's wishful thinking taking over.
So let's look at this. Let's say PartinG beats Polt: Parting > Polt; Fin > Oz Parting ? Fin, Oz < Polt EITHER: Fin advances with winner of PartinG vs. Polt; or, PartinG advances with Fin (due to Fin > Polt)
Now let's say Polt beats PartinG in the first match: Polt > Parting; Fin > Oz Polt < Fin; Parting < Oz Fin advances; Polt > Oz and Polt advances.
So that means Fin has a really good chance of advancing either way, and Oz probably drops. Polt or PartinG advancing will come down to their direct matchup. And they've never met each other in a tourney game, so... tough call. I'll go with my heart and say Fin and Polt advance. But of course an upset could happen and I'd be dead wrong. In any case, this is quite a tough group... as are many of the Code S groups these days.
i just realized... this groups stacked as fuck O.o a lot of the groups have been actually, thats why i love the new code S format, it really shows who belongs and who got lucky.
You almost had me for a second, I was thinking "What is this? They're not predicting Polt to advance after his recent results? Has Fionn been fired???". Then I read the rest..
There was a time when Oz's PvT was his best match up. I don't really think he's awful at it now, he's just in a kind of slump. I say that because when I watch his PvTs, I don't see any flaws that tell me that he doesn't understand the matchup, I just see that he makes a lot of little mistakes that get him in bad shape throughout the game.
He has the potential to beat all of these players. I just hope he can.
If I was Parting I would be in full unleash wrath and other programers mode after the weekend. Parting fighting! I hope he does a Squirtle and throws in a random wild colossus timing in one of his P v Ts.
On April 11 2012 05:21 Pokebunny wrote: Agreed, except I'd take Fin over Polt in the final match. Fin's TvT has been incredibly strong, and we can't forget how he outplayed Polt so badly in his first GSL trip.
Pokebunny do you remember how badly Polt outplayed Fin in their second match?
On April 11 2012 05:21 Pokebunny wrote: Agreed, except I'd take Fin over Polt in the final match. Fin's TvT has been incredibly strong, and we can't forget how he outplayed Polt so badly in his first GSL trip.
Pokebunny do you remember how badly Polt outplayed Fin in their second match?
What was their second match? I just remember Polt getting smashed 2-0 in GSL November.
I still remember ForGG losing to Virus (who is so random and inconsistent) in a TvT in order to try to keep Huk in Code S for the Up and Downs not too long ago. As much as I like Polt, I like ForGG more, and I honestly hope ForGG got alot of practice in order to beat Polt. I see him taking out Oz easily, but no chance against Parting. It's all on him vs. Polt.
On April 11 2012 01:40 TeamLiquid ESPORTS wrote: What could have been a breakthrough tournament for Oz turned into one where people will remember him as "that Code S player who almost lost to a woman."
..
Regarding my prediction for the group, Fin/ForGG & Parting to advance
This group is the kind of group we needed in GSL. There aren't really any undeserving players in Code S anymore with the new tournament setup, and every player there has the capability to win it all. Any of them in this group can advance too. Although I am pulling for fOrGG and Polt, it wouldn't suprise me in the least if Oz or Parting made it.
Petty good bet but I got Polt going in first. He's better at TvP than PartinG at PvT. He just doesnt lose much to protoss' and I think best in the world at that matchup.
Oz is better than PartinG at PvP so I could go Polt Oz too.
I swear I looked at this thread a minute ago and there was no elephant in the room. Am I going insane or does the fact I don't even seen it in pictures say something about the presence of the elephant....
Polt for sure, if his TvP is on point. Parting *should*, just based on the fact that Fin and Polt are here, but it depends how his PvP vs Oz goes. Overall, really good MUs tonight.
Parting / Polt is the only tough call I think, and I went with Parting because it starts on Entombed. I don't really expect Oz to do anything amazing tonight. forGG will likely beat Oz, and then lose to Parting and Polt.
On April 11 2012 05:21 Pokebunny wrote: Agreed, except I'd take Fin over Polt in the final match. Fin's TvT has been incredibly strong, and we can't forget how he outplayed Polt so badly in his first GSL trip.
Pokebunny do you remember how badly Polt outplayed Fin in their second match?
What was their second match? I just remember Polt getting smashed 2-0 in GSL November.
Tough group to call, but I'm gonna go with PartinG/Oz. A few reasons for this:
1.) While his raw PvT stats don't look particularly dominating, Oz has almost all of his most recent PvT losses attributed to MMA and Jjakji. GSL Code S Nov., wins against MMA in a close 3-2 score, then lost to Jjakji with another close 2-3 score. Jjakji went on to win the tournament. On paper, that's only 50% PvT, but the results still have him either beating or nearly beating GSL champions in PvT. After that, in GSL 2012 Season 1, he wins against Supernova 2-1 (still close, but again, beating a beastly Terran and TvP powerhouse) but loses to MMA twice, both 1-2 scores (again, close). At the end of the day, you really can't count him out in PvT, despite it looking bad on paper with an overall 43.48% win rate.
2.) Polt has been travelling a lot. He's the most likely of the two Terrans to advance vs. Protoss, but fatigue could weigh in and affect his play. His TvT also isn't the strongest, so if he ends up going against Fin in the loser's match, there's a decent chance he could go out 0-2 in the group before even facing Oz.
3.) Should Oz beat Fin, Oz is quite a confident PvP player, so just like how Polt could go out 0-2, Oz could just as easily advance 2-0. Also don't see Fin beating PartinG.
Group is so close though, we could just as easily see the opposite. ~o~ Tough, tough...
I want Parting to go through, and erm... Sorry Fionn, but I don't buy the Polt super hype (he's good, but not crazy sick awesome good), but then again, I've never really felt Oz, at least not for awhile, and, well frankly, fuck ForGG. Actually, no, he's not too bad (bit cocky) but I find his fans the most annoying of everyone, especially some of the TL Staff (sorry, but you know who you are ~) who praised him like no tomorrow for beating a now acknowledged to be overhyped Sage, and slumping July and Polt, and everyone else who declared him randomly top 5 best players in the world. T_T rant over. Parting and Polt (just because <3 Fionn) please.
On April 11 2012 05:21 Pokebunny wrote: Agreed, except I'd take Fin over Polt in the final match. Fin's TvT has been incredibly strong, and we can't forget how he outplayed Polt so badly in his first GSL trip.
Pokebunny do you remember how badly Polt outplayed Fin in their second match?
What was their second match? I just remember Polt getting smashed 2-0 in GSL November.
When Polt swept Fin in FXO Invitational?
You're saying an online tour is a good benchmark for a matchup over a GSL series, AND knowing that Fin has weeks of preparation over Polt?
On April 11 2012 05:21 Pokebunny wrote: Agreed, except I'd take Fin over Polt in the final match. Fin's TvT has been incredibly strong, and we can't forget how he outplayed Polt so badly in his first GSL trip.
Pokebunny do you remember how badly Polt outplayed Fin in their second match?
What was their second match? I just remember Polt getting smashed 2-0 in GSL November.
When Polt swept Fin in FXO Invitational?
You're saying an online tour is a good benchmark for a matchup over a GSL series, AND knowing that Fin has weeks of preparation over Polt?
Is a GSL series when nobody knew Fin's playstyle (which was played six months ago) a good indicator of what's going to happen? If anything Fin will be preparing for Parting and Oz because his TvP is not that good.
If anything I am worried for Parting. His PvT has not looked as good as it did when nobody knew how to deal with the 1 gate into double expand. If he loses to Polt and Fin beats Oz Parting might be as good as dead.
I never bought into the fin hype train, but from watching his games he does have top tier skill from what I noticed. You can tell he has top notch micro and macro but kind of like puma once in a while he just makes a weird or bad decision that ends up losing him the game. I cant remember the exact game but he was rushed like a proxy 2 rax or something and his micro in holding that off was some of the best I had ever seen. He is underrated in my opinion he has potential to play as well as mvp or any other top tier terran with some more experience.
On April 11 2012 10:51 MCDayC wrote: I want Parting to go through, and erm... Sorry Fionn, but I don't buy the Polt super hype (he's good, but not crazy sick awesome good), but then again, I've never really felt Oz, at least not for awhile, and, well frankly, fuck ForGG. Actually, no, he's not too bad (bit cocky) but I find his fans the most annoying of everyone, especially some of the TL Staff (sorry, but you know who you are ~) who praised him like no tomorrow for beating a now acknowledged to be overhyped Sage, and slumping July and Polt, and everyone else who declared him randomly top 5 best players in the world. T_T rant over. Parting and Polt (just because <3 Fionn) please.
yeah dude, Polt is the champion of the hardest GSL.He must be really bad and dont deserving any hype.
he was in slump, but now he is back.
if you watched his games against MC at IPL 4, you will see how crazy sick Polt ^^
On April 11 2012 10:51 MCDayC wrote: I want Parting to go through, and erm... Sorry Fionn, but I don't buy the Polt super hype (he's good, but not crazy sick awesome good), but then again, I've never really felt Oz, at least not for awhile, and, well frankly, fuck ForGG. Actually, no, he's not too bad (bit cocky) but I find his fans the most annoying of everyone, especially some of the TL Staff (sorry, but you know who you are ~) who praised him like no tomorrow for beating a now acknowledged to be overhyped Sage, and slumping July and Polt, and everyone else who declared him randomly top 5 best players in the world. T_T rant over. Parting and Polt (just because <3 Fionn) please.
yeah dude, Polt is the champion of the hardest GSL.He must be really bad and dont deserving any hype.
he was in slump, but now he is back.
if you watched his games against MC at IPL 4, you will see how crazy sick Polt ^^
Yeah, I know Polt is great, and I think with preparation he would be a cert to get through, and even without it I have faith, but some consider him the best of the best of the best (FIONN) whereas I just think of him a regular Code S Terran gosu, just with a nack for TvP.
Great write up thanks a lot, it will be interesting to see how the travel will affect the players I can't choose just one player from the group to cheer for so good luck to all of them it will be a great night of games
fion has a little to much respect for parting in my mind, he has no achievements that stand out in my mind, i can not possibly pick him to win over polt while polts best matchup is tvp. polt also got farther in the ipl than did parting. polt is very godly latly. parting is all hype to me. but i kinda feel oz is overatted as well. if i had to put money on this id say polt out of the group for sure. but other than that, none of them stand far apart from each other, three guys that all have to prove somthin still
That elephant pic for Fin in the homepage screen is epic. Hoping for polt and parting (best pvt/tvp). I also feel that Oz is overated, he rose to far to fast, his PvT is still week. He should do well with his PvP consindering how many toss are in code S these days (not to much help in this particular group but...)
I, honestly, am holding ForGG over Polt. I don't think that Oz has a chance (seeing as his PvT has never been too spectacular), but I wouldn't give him 0-2, either. Polt 0-2 ftw!
Good predictions, but I think It'll be Parting and Fin who advance. Don't think Polt will do it this time =/ But I definitely agree Oz will be last in this group
On April 11 2012 09:54 forsooth wrote: Rooting for Polt and ForGG. The less Protoss we have in GSL, the better the games will be.
racist
He's kinda right. Unless if hero or parting is playing, zvz tvz and tvt are the best matchups in sc2 especially gsl-wise
Agreed, with the exception of ZvZ, if anything that is the most boring matchup in the game. That may come from my hatred of Roaches though
Oz is just such an enigma to me, sometimes he genuinely looks like one of the best players in the world, but when he's out of sorts he really can look very ropey. He also seems to be one of those guys who is great at player/map specific builds, his build vs MMA on Bel'Shir last season was very nice.
I hate this group, love all the guys involved, just looking forward to some sick games really.
On April 11 2012 17:14 Bayyne wrote: Oh and my predictions: Polt and Fin. Fin will bust out some crazy play to redeem himself from his last Code S appearance. Polt is just good.
On April 11 2012 20:17 Lagitech wrote: wtf is fin doing O_o
Big ForGG fan here, but I did end up missing the games last night. Can anyone fill me in on how Fins games went, like a small synopsis?
Thanks in advance, my picks for the group 1. polt/parting (in a class of their own at the moment) 2. fin 3. oz
while oz and fin are strong, Parting and Polt are two of the top 5 right now imo. I think parting's PvT is insanely strong and probably the matchup protoss need to be practicing at the moment to get through the terran-heavy GSL. I cannot see Oz pulling through this group, i can see fin doing it cause he's risky and i think he throws in builds/styles people just don't see (fins build order in Fin vs. Leenock game 1 was pure genious, the quick PF'd third + switch into double bio ups put him insanely ahead in upgrades) Polt's TvP is insanely good but I think his TvT is weak compared to a lot of the other terrans in gsl. I predict him getting out of this group but i don't see him winning another gsl title for this season at least.
This is Parting's season and you can bet he'll be ready for all the terrans considering how he has really good terrans to practice with like Bomber, Rainbow, hack (underrated code a player), etc
Now it's time for the results post to be made, please TeamLiquid ESPORTS team Unluckily I could not watch the games due to being at school, and would love to read up the results via those amazing write ups!
On April 11 2012 10:12 stormfoxSC wrote: Tough group to call, but I'm gonna go with PartinG/Oz. A few reasons for this:
1.) While his raw PvT stats don't look particularly dominating, Oz has almost all of his most recent PvT losses attributed to MMA and Jjakji. GSL Code S Nov., wins against MMA in a close 3-2 score, then lost to Jjakji with another close 2-3 score. Jjakji went on to win the tournament. On paper, that's only 50% PvT, but the results still have him either beating or nearly beating GSL champions in PvT. After that, in GSL 2012 Season 1, he wins against Supernova 2-1 (still close, but again, beating a beastly Terran and TvP powerhouse) but loses to MMA twice, both 1-2 scores (again, close). At the end of the day, you really can't count him out in PvT, despite it looking bad on paper with an overall 43.48% win rate.
2.) Polt has been travelling a lot. He's the most likely of the two Terrans to advance vs. Protoss, but fatigue could weigh in and affect his play. His TvT also isn't the strongest, so if he ends up going against Fin in the loser's match, there's a decent chance he could go out 0-2 in the group before even facing Oz.
3.) Should Oz beat Fin, Oz is quite a confident PvP player, so just like how Polt could go out 0-2, Oz could just as easily advance 2-0. Also don't see Fin beating PartinG.
Group is so close though, we could just as easily see the opposite. ~o~ Tough, tough...
AWWWWWW YEAAAAAAHHHH! Feels good when I get tough calls correct. :D