Three players enter the semi-finals with the dream of winning their first GSL championship. One day at a time, the dream gave them the strength to continue as pro-gamers, so that they persevered on that path while the days became years.
Yet, the one remaining dream may be greater than the other three combined. Because while three aspire to be great, one aspires to be the greatest.
There is absolutely no doubt that ST_PartinG is the favorite going into this series. He's widely acknowledged as the best PvT player in the world, and in this tournament alone, he has beaten TheStC, Polt, ForGG, and MarineKing. The key to PartinG's recent success has been his phenomenal late game play, combining colossi, templars, archons, and their supporting units with a deadliness no one can match. The fact that he has not lost a single GSL game to go longer than 25 minutes is a testament to that fact, and even excellent TvP players like MarineKing have only beat PartinG in the early and mid-game.
Putting aside the question of whether or not LG-IMMvp was a great TvP player at the height of his reign, he has looked like a fairly good player in his recent games. The problem is that PartinG has been chewing up and spitting out 'fairly good players' on a regular basis. Though against Leenock, Mvp showed that he could elevate his play to another level in dire situations, that was TvZ, a match-up Mvp has excelled at for a very long time. Though we've seen some clever TvP build orders from Mvp, we haven't seen anything that suggests he'll be able to take PartinG on in a straight out slugfest, especially not in the late game.
However, he might not have to do that to win the series.
“Biiiit byyyyyy biiiiiittttt!!!!!” – Rushes, all-ins, and cheese
Every great Starcraft player (1 or 2) knew the value of getting easy wins and being unpredictable, and thus made cheesy, all-in style strategies a staple of their multi-game series (Boxer and Flash have famously 3 – 0'd opponents with consecutive cheeses).
Whether it's because he studied pro-gaming history or figured it out for himself, PartinG also mixes in a decent share of cheesy builds with his macro-fests, from one base immortal busts to two base colossi timings.
The funny thing is, he shouldn't be doing it. For 99% of the players in the world, that's the correct BO5 strategy. However, PartinG has arrived at an almost transcendent place with his late game PvT, a kind of macro nirvana where he's better off always playing straight up macro builds with complete disregard for what his opponent is doing.
The purpose of cheesy builds is to make opponents think twice about playing greedily, and getting free-wins when they do. The thing is, PartinG is good enough to already win most of the games where his opponents get ahead with a greedier macro build (like CC first into fast triple orbitals), because he can just shrug off 30 supply differences once he has psionic storm. On the other hand, while he has picked up some free wins with occasional cheese rushes, several of his most embarrassing losses have come when they have failed. However, PartinG seems determined to keep doing these builds, and if he happens to lose this series to Mvp, I expect some failed colossus all-in to play a role.
It's the opposite story for Mvp. He's already analyzed one opponent and beat him with timing attacks, and that's how he's going to have to beat PartinG as well.
After watching NaNiwa's loss to Mvp, PartinG said that Mvp would be welcome to try the same early game tactics against him. I'm not convinced by his confidence. Parting might be undefeated past 25 minutes, but he's shown weakness to early to mid-game timing-attacks. His force-fields and decision-making while defending early attacks aren't always the best, and he's even lost a few strange games to the much diminished 1/1/1 as of late. Mvp has never been a big user of 1/1/1 style all-ins in tournaments, preferring two-base timings including siege tanks. However, that's exactly the kind of mind-game Mvp would look to exploit against PartinG, and the timing attacks he uses against PartinG will be ones we (and PartinG) are unlikely to expect.
Macro games aren't totally out of the question for Mvp, but he will have to set them up well with mind-games during the series. The last thing he wants is a game where PartinG realizes early that he will be able to sit back and max-out.
“DongRaeGu appeared in my dreams.” – Intangibles
Though he may have been exaggerating, PartinG once regaled his interviewers with the tale of how he experienced a new kind of nervousness during his very first GSL quarter-final against DongRaeGu, a series where he looked shaken and suffered a 0 – 3 loss. Afterwards, PartinG said DongRaeGu's haunting visage appeared to him in his sleep, reminding him of his failure to succeed when it mattered.
PartinG has gotten over that hump, at least. But let's not forget, for all his jet-setting, world-traveling exploits, he's never played in the semi-finals of a major tournament. Nerves aren't something you overcome in a day, and it's often a process of overcoming them progressively at every level (well, unless you're Squirtle).
With the exception of MMA – who lives inside Mvp's head – the three-time GSL champion has a mental advantage over any player. Mvp has planned for, and won far more Bo5 series than PartinG. Going on and on about players who “know how to get it done” might be a cliché, but not all clichés are bad. People doubted Mvp's ability to get make it this far, and he's made those doubts seem rather foolish.
“Numbers speak about the past, not the present.” – Overall outlook and prediction
The above quote comes from mouz.ThorZaIN, who I reminded about his 1 – 9 record against Polt before DreamHack Stockholm. ThorZaIN proceeded to not give a s*** and stomped Polt 3 – 1 in the finals. I don't think that ThorZaIN single-handedly redefined how we think about statistical correlation in pro-gaming, but he did make me reconsider the way I think about smart Terran players who are diligent about studying their opponents, and also about studying themselves.
Yes, Mvp is a big underdog going into this match. But if there's anyone who can look objectively at his situation, analyze his weaknesses, and come up with a solution, it's Mvp.
PartinG thinks he can win 3 – 0. He deserves to be that confident. But before it's all said and done, he'll see that he still has much to learn.
Going into this PvP series, the only thing we know for certain is that one of these two players will have a shot at something no other player has accomplished in GSL history: walking the royal road. A legend heralding from the glory days of Brood War, few players in history have walked the royal road and won a championship in their very first season. Since the start of Code S, several great players have risen from Code A and gone far down that prestigious path, but none have been able to reach its end.
In terms of momentum going into this series, both Liquid`HerO and ST_Squirtle are coming off strong quarter-final performances where they were both able to finish off their opponent by a 3 – 0 scoreline. Supernova threw his entire bag of tricks at HerO, from straight up macro to two-base all-ins, but couldn't handle his housemate's superior multitasking and skill at the match-up. Though HerO has been known to suffer from nervousness as a tournament goes on, this time he was the one making his opponent feel the heat, as SuperNoVa crucially forgot auto-repair on his SCVs during a Thor all-in in the final set.
While HerO might be riding high after dismantling his former teammate, he faces his most daunting challenge yet. Squirtle, statistically, is the best player in the world. You might not like how he plays PvT and deride his now renowned Squirtle Timing Attack as a cheap all-in, but you can't ignore the results. In the past month, in the GSL and IPL, two of the premier tournaments in the world, Squirtle has beaten the best players in the world. MMA, Alive, MarineKing, Nestea, MC, and Oz, to name a few. He comes into the GSL semi-finals after destroying TaeJa's momentum in the Ro8, putting fear in the young prince's heart and even forcing him to blindly produce vikings.
11 – 1. That is Squirtle's record so far in the GSL. In the first game of the season, Squirtle lost to SlayerS ace MMA after throwing away a group of high templars. That was the last we saw of the old Squirtle. After that, there's been no stopping Squirtle, and he is now on an eleven game winning streak going into his games with HerO.
HerO has also had a nice run this tournament, with impressive wins over players like Mvp, SuperNoVa, and Curious. He's undoubtedly the more popular player, and the fan support is in his favor going into the semi-finals. But don't be fooled by the polls and predictions on the GOM website or TeamLiquid: HerO is the underdog going into this series.
Squirtle just spent the last month beating the best Terrans in the world at his worst match-up – now he gets to play his best. He has an incredible 76% win rate in PvP in Korea and has already been able to roll over Oz this season without much trouble. Squirtle was so confident in his PvP that he relished the chance to be put up in a group with MC and Oz in the first round, and he backed up his words by advancing from that group in first place. Squirtle now looks forward to the chance to play HerO, because he is a player he respects, but also because he wants to end any debate about who is better. Should things go as planned, he'll be able to finish his domination of PvP on the grandest stage of all, by defeating his teammate Parting in the GSL finals.
Though all the factors point to a victory for Squirtle, there's one thing that everyone has to keep in mind. More important than anything, above all else, this is PvP. It doesn't matter how amazing Squirtle has been playing the past month, how confident he is in the match-up, or what the numbers say about his skill: anything can happen in a PvP. Hero's below 50% win rate in the match-up compared to the 76% of Squirtle might seem like a huge mountain to climb, but with the right mindset and strategies, the volatility of PvP means that any top level Code S Protoss can beat another on a given day.
A win from Hero here would be amazing not only because it would mark Liquid, and a foreign team's first trip to a GSL final, but also because he would end one of the best runs in Starcraft II history in the process. Squirtle's run is reminiscent of Nestea or Mvp in the mid 2011's, and defeating him would be akin to denying destiny.
Though there's so much on the line for HerO – for himself, his team, and the legacies he will change – I don't think he will be able to press the "B" button in time to stop the evolving Squirtle. The throne is empty and ripe for the taking, and Squirtle will already be looking forward at the championship ahead of him. Prediction: Squirtle 3 - 1 Hero
2012 Protoss Elections
Vote PartinG! by shiroiusagi.
Writers: Fionn and Waxangel. Graphics and Art: Meko. Editor: Waxangel.
Even if Hero is underdog, I still think he can pull some smart tricks and give Squirtle good run on his royal road. Parting and Hero are my predictions.
If Squirtle wins this Gsl against Mvp, he will have beaten everyone in the Top 6 Elo Rating in his Gsl run, if he beats Parting, he will have beaten everyone in the Top 7 but Mvp, either way one of the best streaks in SC2 History.
A win from Hero here would be amazing not only because it would mark Liquid, and a foreign team's first trip to a GSL final, but also because he would end one of the best runs in Starcraft II history in the process. Squirtle's run is reminiscent of Nestea or Mvp in the mid 2011's, and defeating him would be akin to denying destiny.
it has been a good week for teamliquid denying destiny. ;-)
May I have a suggestion for these previews? Could you, please, include the exact day and time when it will be played?
I do not follow GSL so closely, but I usually enjoy reading these previews and when the coming matches seem interesting, I say "I'd watch that" - only to have to look elsewhere to find out the time ...
I'm rooting for Hero but I have to agree with the prediction, Squirtle is so confident right now and rightly so, his record is insane. Mvp can cheese his way into the final, he's been there many times already and the way he played against Naniwa is telling about how calm he is. I think he will win this. And I have Squirtle for the final win, it's almost a given.
The overall winrate vs Protoss for HerO and Squirtle is fairly similar and the fact is HerO has not played a ton of pvps so his below 50% winrate vs Protoss is 2 wins / 3 losses , while Squirtle is 9 and 0 this gsl. HerO should definitley do better than 1 win, that and he better win D< @opisska http://www.gomtv.net/schedule/index.gom , matches are in 16 hours and 14 minutes.
No matter how much fun people make out of BitByBit, I can see reason behind the leitmotif of his play. Didn't Bruce Lee say: "I don't fear the man who practised 10000 builds once, but the man who practised 1 build 10000 times."
I think that BitByBit was trying to do exactly that. And in order to reach the number 10000, he took the quickest build out there!
On May 10 2012 01:44 opisska wrote: May I have a suggestion for these previews? Could you, please, include the exact day and time when it will be played?
I do not follow GSL so closely, but I usually enjoy reading these previews and when the coming matches seem interesting, I say "I'd watch that" - only to have to look elsewhere to find out the time ...
GSL is on the same time every night/day and Previews are written the day before/the morning of the match (depending where you are)
I can't wait!!! I'm rooting for Parting and Hero, but MVP is no joke and after reading all of that about Squirtle, it would be a shame if he didn't advance...
This should be the best Ro4 yet. I want a PvP final more than anything else though. GO PARTING!!!
I think Squirtle is going to be the next GSL champion. And Hero becoming the second Liquid player in the RO4 is awesome. I don't think he can beat Parting but hopefully he can reach Ro4 next season as well to become equal with Jinro.
MVP is an astounding player, but Parting's PvT coupled with protoss' strength in the pvt metagame right now means Parting will mostly likely take this tonight.
On May 10 2012 02:16 VirgilSC2 wrote: I want Squirtle to walk the Royal Road so badly!!!!
However, I also want my friend PartinG to win the championship....so torn! T_T
for the n time already, those who spent years in Code A are not to be called royal roader
But Code A are basically the qualifiers for the actual championship. I might be wrong, but can't you be a Royal Roader in the OSL if you fail in the prelims/qualifiers, but then qualify next season in the actual Ro16 (or Ro32)? I've always taken Code A as the same as the OSL prelims but longer.
It's gonna be a PvP finals in the GSL for the first time. I really honestly hope with all my heart that MVP proves me wrong. But if it does turn into a PvP, I hope Hero wins it all.
On May 10 2012 02:23 Dionyseus wrote: Article says Hero is below 50% in PvP, but the picture says he's 62% against P. Who's right?
Hero is below 50% in Korea. The pictures are the combined total of international + Korea. So that's why Parting's PvT is so much lower than his GSL/Korean record is.
No one predicted you to be here, but still you are. You are injured, and at the same time Protoss are having the time of their life at the top of the pro level. Still though I think you will win, not only this semi-finals, but also the finals to claim your well-deserved fourth victory. Cheese, timing attacks, macro games, I am convinced you got it all planned and will take Parting apart.
On May 10 2012 02:16 VirgilSC2 wrote: I want Squirtle to walk the Royal Road so badly!!!!
However, I also want my friend PartinG to win the championship....so torn! T_T
for the n time already, those who spent years in Code A are not to be called royal roader
But Code A are basically the qualifiers for the actual championship. I might be wrong, but can't you be a Royal Roader in the OSL if you fail in the prelims/qualifiers, but then qualify next season in the actual Ro16 (or Ro32)? I've always taken Code A as the same as the OSL prelims but longer.
except for the fact that Code A is/was based on Code S results and theres another qualifier for it (Code B). So I'd say Code A is (roughly) the equivalent of ODT. But you cant be considered a royal roader if you fail in ODT and win the next OSL right?
anyway, the definition of the term to me is "someone who is relatively new but goes on to take the scene with storm and win championship in his first try". Most BW royal roaders had those attributes, while players like Squirtle has been around since open seasons and havent proven much until today
A win from Hero here would be amazing not only because it would mark Liquid, and a foreign team's first trip to a GSL final, but also because he would end one of the best runs in Starcraft II history in the process. Squirtle's run is reminiscent of Nestea or Mvp in the mid 2011's, and defeating him would be akin to denying destiny.
it has been a good week for teamliquid denying destiny. ;-)
i'm still predicting flash, just sayin'. ever since IPL it's like squirtle is just clearly a cut above and nerves were the only thing that held him back. i got the same feeling when i watch nestea/mvp/mc play during the gsl wins- they were clearly better and even if they dropped a game or two it was mostly on them losing rather than their opponent winning. i'd wager to say that if the old alive had shown up and lost that first bo5 squirtle would've won that outright. but this is gsl and he's a rookie going up against a rookie in pvp. i don't forsee either hero nor squirtle being overly greedy- blink stalker timings and maybe a hidden 4gate will determine that. i'm calling squirtle over hero and i can't for the life of me bet against mvp because it was hard to cheer against him when he was the king of it all; when he's the underdog it's impossible. and i play protoss fml.
Amazing article thank you very much! Sadly I won't be at home during the games but it will be super awesome, espcially for me protoss player! I don't even know how to cheer for. I don't really want a PvP in the final but I just love Parting and can't decide who I prefer between Hero and Squirtle, However if Parting wins, the winner of the second semi-final will habve ab advantage I think because he would already be prepared for high level PvP.
Poll: What results would produce the best finals possible?
Mvp VS Hero (44)
66%
Mvp VS Squirtle (17)
25%
Parting VS Squirtle (4)
6%
Parting VS Hero (2)
3%
67 total votes
Your vote: What results would produce the best finals possible?
(Vote): Mvp VS Hero (Vote): Mvp VS Squirtle (Vote): Parting VS Squirtle (Vote): Parting VS Hero
There are really 3 big storylines here to consider:
#1. Mvp gets 4th GSL victory #2. Startale Dominance #3. Fan favorite Hero Royal roads/Liquid-Foreign Team Wins GSL
Since storyline #1 and #3 can both happen for a finals, IMO that would be the best outcome.
From a purists perspective, #2 might produce the most showing of technical skill, but it really is downplayed IMO by the fact that it would be a PvP finals, and would probably not last very long.
So of course, I'm voting for an MvP VS HerO finals :p
Hero will win! He is the total package. There is nothing he is not good at. His builds are very well thought out and executed. He is the type of player that can throw anything at you and do it flawlessly. Very excited to see him win!
Parting Vs. MVP should be the finals match imo. I feel like the GSL Ro4 Curse is showing itself again. The games could still be good though, as far as PvP goes anyway. On that note, I'm really hoping MVP wins here so that we don't have a PvP finals, and of course it would be cool to see the champion rise again and whatnot. Of course his finals opponent would be Protoss, and we all know that that means... LotF!!
If Mvp wins this championship, it'll be his most amazing run yet, as he will shut the "protoss late game OP" whiners, and win in what is supposedly his weakest match up ^^
I think it's something like 20% to 80% in PartinG's favour with Mvp in his current form. I'd love to see him win his 4th GSL after his surgery or before, but I really don't think he can play at PartinG's level.
The fact that he has not lost a single GSL game to go longer than 25 minutes is a testament to that fact, and even excellent TvP players like MarineKing have only beat PartinG in the early and mid-game.
Not the hugest fan of that part, but otherwise good write-up cant wait for the finals.
If MVP wins all the way to the finals with cheeses, I expect TL to regard him as God and the best SC2 player. While continuing to label players like MC all-innish.
Though I want a MVP vs HerO finals with HerO winning, it will probably be MVP winning if he keeps cheesing.
I really hope Squirtle defeats, no, crushes Hero in this volatile match-up, he is the most deserving and better playing of the two. As for MvP vs Parting, I love them both, Parting is incredible and his PvT is the most impressive I have ever seen. Still, for the sake of the final, I hope MvP will win!
Chances are so good for Protoss to take a GSL title after all that time. Apart from that all Protosses are players like and who I'd be happy to see taking it. Please, don't mess it up Parting-Hero-Squirtle!
i think the winner of MVP vs Parting will win this season tbh. but then again, we all thought the winner of MVP vs leenock would win in november and jjakji shut us all up.
God, I'm so excited for the Ro4. It's so great that the seasons are longer so getting deep in the tournament is more prestigious, and that we get these storylines.
Oh God I don't know who I want to win. MVP winning would be the most amazing thing, his last hurrah before his wrists detonate... And a Terran winning when Toss finally have a great chance to take it would be hilarious. And Parting is soooo gooodd, his play this season is amazing. A Hero is so stylish in his multitasking! And Squirtle is an unstoppable killing machine! Gah... May the best man win.
Most often heard comment on GSL casts this season: "xxx's PVT has been looking reeeeeaaally strong lately."
Parting and Hero I think will make it, I hope MVP's got some sick strat hes been preparing with Seed though... would be awesome to see him win, but unlikely
I'd love seeing MVP in the finals, i don't know why, but somehow I can't manage to like PartinG. Hero advancing vs Squirtle would be great but I don't think it will happen. >_< Btw the worst thing would be watching Squirtle vs PartinG because you wouldn't be able to tell them apart in their booths xD
gosh, MVP, use the skill of MKP, POLT, MMMMMMAAAAAAA and yourself to kick this glass- wearing Tossfotze ( german). mmmmmhh... pvp : i think hero has the better 4 gate and will advance. it would break my heart in a trillion pieces if i see a toss except hero in the final. also, assasin are on the way to the STartale team house,. We´ll see, if there are any people left, tomorrow, ecxept hack, bomber and sound
That Thorzain mention got me all jiggly. Predictions are in line with my liquibets, I think Squirtle will crush Hero, but I wouldn't be knocked off my horse if MVP suddenly just 3-0's PartinG. I've doubted MVP before this season, but I feel that the closer he gets to a final, the more idiotic it is to bet against him.
On May 10 2012 05:03 Bazinga wrote: I'd love seeing MVP in the finals, i don't know why, but somehow I can't manage to like PartinG. Hero advancing vs Squirtle would be great but I don't think it will happen. >_< Btw the worst thing would be watching Squirtle vs PartinG because you wouldn't be able to tell them apart in their booths xD
They don't even look the same. >.< Bomber and Squirtle on the other hand.
the volatility of PvP means that any top level Code S Protoss can beat another on a given day.
this is how HuK won Orlando. despite what people say, it is still a matchup that requires pure LuK. People who win non GSL tournaments shouldn't be bragging about said win. It's PvP therefore it doesn't matter.
the volatility of PvP means that any top level Code S Protoss can beat another on a given day.
this is how HuK won Orlando. despite what people say, it is still a matchup that requires pure LuK. People who win non GSL tournaments shouldn't be bragging about said win. It's PvP therefore it doesn't watter.
Oh how relevant to this thread.
Not like he beat MKP, theSTC and July or anything.
the volatility of PvP means that any top level Code S Protoss can beat another on a given day.
this is how HuK won Orlando. despite what people say, it is still a matchup that requires pure LuK. People who win non GSL tournaments shouldn't be bragging about said win. It's PvP therefore it doesn't matter.
Oh how relevant to this thread.
Not like he beat MKP, theSTC and July or anything.
Okay then.
On topic: I think Parting will win... happy?
Back to what you said... MKP was in a slump so he lost to everybody and JulyZerg and theSTC suck against Protoss.
Wow seems to be lot of cheering for MVP, dont really get it, he has not played that great so far. I say he is pretty lucky to even be in the round of 4. Also is it not more fun to see a new player have success?
Ah well personally I think he will go 0-3 aganist Parting, as I have not seen anything in this GSL season that made me believe otherwise.
Even though I play toss I will still pull for MVP to win it just because he seems like such an underdog with his wrist injury and his worst matchup in the semifinals and finals. Go MVP for 4x GSL champion!
Parting will probably win...if Hero wins vs Squirtle hes gonna be riding the momentum and should be able to take parting in the finals. Hero's got his work cut out for him though... anyone know if hes been working with Oz or Mc or Vines or other good protoss players?
On May 10 2012 01:44 opisska wrote: May I have a suggestion for these previews? Could you, please, include the exact day and time when it will be played?
I do not follow GSL so closely, but I usually enjoy reading these previews and when the coming matches seem interesting, I say "I'd watch that" - only to have to look elsewhere to find out the time ...
GSL is on the same time every night/day and Previews are written the day before/the morning of the match (depending where you are)
Oh, I did not notice that they are regularly one day ahead. That solves it for me thanks.
On May 10 2012 06:35 mrRoflpwn wrote: MVP!!! he's got this! I refuse to acknowledge any protoss gsl champion besides MC. MVP has to pull through! Gotta prove the haters wrong.
his time has passed unfortunately. time for the new guys to shine!!!
On May 10 2012 06:22 4ZakeN87 wrote: Wow seems to be lot of cheering for MVP, dont really get it, he has not played that great so far. I say he is pretty lucky to even be in the round of 4. Also is it not more fun to see a new player have success?
Ah well personally I think he will go 0-3 aganist Parting, as I have not seen anything in this GSL season that made me believe otherwise.
Look at the post right below yours. Should explain it all.
Anyways, on MVP's current condition: his wrists don't allow him to practice very much, don't allow him to continuously play for very long without experiencing pain, and he is about to go under - or is already in - physical therapy. He's essentially become the underdog due to his injury, and it seems like many people want to cheer for the underdog, especially one who has transformed from a dominant champion just a few months ago to one who wants to end games as fast as possible. In other words, I don't think people are cheering for MVP's current level of play so much as they are rooting for MVP the player.
After all, in a certain sense, that's what happened to Naniwa as well. Let's not pretend like Naniwa was displaying any scintillating play in the Ro32 or the Ro16 either. Sure, he was solid, but a large part of it was the 'foreigner hope' factor -- that was why so many rooted for him.
And, no, I think far more people cheered for the Celtics/Lakers/Bulls/Man U./Barca/Steelers/Yankees/etc. dynasties than whatever new challenger to the throne. Yes, people cheer for the underdog, but overall, dominance seems to be preferred over randomness.
On May 10 2012 06:22 4ZakeN87 wrote: Wow seems to be lot of cheering for MVP, dont really get it, he has not played that great so far. I say he is pretty lucky to even be in the round of 4. Also is it not more fun to see a new player have success?
Yeah why would we cheer for a person as amazing as Mvp? Some people...
I voted Hero, but after reading that article I'm beginning to realize that may of been a rash decision... Squirtle is a beast!
As for Parting, I hope he puts on a PvT masterclass and owns MVP. Even though I think MVP is awesome and usually cheer for him, I am a toss player so my loyalty is with my brotoss brother.
It would make my day to see MVP pull through against the best PvT player in the world. With his wrist injuries he is the underdog, and to see him win would just make me tear up a tad.
I feel squirtle will win and dominate finals. one reason, Parting advanceing would make it a PvP Master vs a PvP whose ok. P think squirtle 3-1 here and 4-2 in finals.
Then, after the 4-3 PvP finals in favor of the Glassestoss himself, these High Templars of the Protoss race will merge to create the ultimate PvX Archon. Seven years of total Protoss dominance will occur due to this Archon and Brotosses all over the world will live happily in peace with no need to be afraid of all these terran and zerg.
I feel that MVP will be able to best PartinG, despite all the statistics and odds. One does not merely win three GSL's, and not advance for a fourth time.
MVP is hungry to be at the top of the throne again.
I remember the night they made a poster for naniwa winning the protoss elections and naniwa preceeded to lose badly. Now that they have done the same for Parting and in combination with the Fionn curse, Parting has no chance, he's going to go 0-3.
Interesting semis , last time Parting and Squirtle look unbetable , but now Parting vs MVP its hard to predict , and Hero vs Squirtle PvP at highest level its gonna be a rollercoaster . I think ST protoss beats all atm .
This is tough, my heart wants an mvp vs Hero final, my brain thinks it will be squirtle v Parting.... I said it at the start of the season I just can't bet against a startale protoss this season and that's held so far.
I think the only time I've been this excited for a ro4 in GSL was when Jinro was up there and that was a long time ago now. Parting, HerO and MVP are my three favourite players (but I'm a HerO fanboy above all) so this is pretty much the perfect ro4 for me.
I'd prefer a TvP finals over PvP so gogo MVP vs HerO in the finals plx!
On May 10 2012 08:53 polyphonyEX wrote: I'm going to go ahead and say Parting + Squirtle EZ
Although it would be pretty gratifying in a sick way to see MVP (and terran) take another championship and deny protoss yet another.
Have we ever had a PvP finals before in the GSL
I think the only other PvP finals I've ever seen was MC vs Huk at MLG.
We had a PvP Code A final between Puzzle and Tassadar. It sucked terribly, but that was a long time ago and PvP has come a lot better in terms of enjoyment.
On May 10 2012 08:53 polyphonyEX wrote: I'm going to go ahead and say Parting + Squirtle EZ
Although it would be pretty gratifying in a sick way to see MVP (and terran) take another championship and deny protoss yet another.
Have we ever had a PvP finals before in the GSL
I think the only other PvP finals I've ever seen was MC vs Huk at MLG.
We had a PvP Code A final between Puzzle and Tassadar. It sucked terribly, but that was a long time ago and PvP has come a lot better in terms of enjoyment.
no one can convince me its possible to have an amazing pvp finals. 2 games at best will be good. the rest will be soo bad. The gsl finals curse + pvp finals will destroy sc2's reputation for atleast a month.
My guesses are Parting and Squirtle, but I'd be happy as hell to see MVP and Hero win if only to see a pvt finals instead of pvp (and to support TL :D )
Wow, this might be the best final four ever. All of the players have their own significant stories, as apposed to the others, where they tend to be bland. It is FUN to talk about these guys, because they are so interesting and individual. The old champion who is not quite what he used to be, and is now the underdog going against the man who has made a name for himself as a master of his craft, while the man who always showed massive potential, but never quite realized it un til just recently faces off against the crowd favorite, in his very first season of Code S, who everybody is secretly pulling for, and is the massive underdog.
I've read through this article three times now and I just have to give a hand to wax and fionn for that opening statement. It got me really emotional, nice job hitting it home!!
On May 10 2012 08:53 polyphonyEX wrote: I'm going to go ahead and say Parting + Squirtle EZ
Although it would be pretty gratifying in a sick way to see MVP (and terran) take another championship and deny protoss yet another.
Have we ever had a PvP finals before in the GSL
I think the only other PvP finals I've ever seen was MC vs Huk at MLG.
We had a PvP Code A final between Puzzle and Tassadar. It sucked terribly, but that was a long time ago and PvP has come a lot better in terms of enjoyment.
What are you talking about, that finals was great! I especially liked the way Tassadar only used the 1 build.
I would like to see more PvP nowdays, it's starting to get fleshed out.
Gogogo MVP, save us from a PvP final.. PvP final would most likely be terrible, coupled with the GSL Finals Curse, we would have the worst finals ever. Also, get that 4th GSL championship!
MVP will win and save us from a terrible PvP mirror final. To be honest protoss late game is currently very imba versus t. if the map is medium to large sized, protoss basically wins barring major mistakes. Blizzard needs to fix the game so that tis game is not so radically dependent on the map. Warp gates scale way to well to large maps.
Can't wait, up all night and on the Red Rooster (its like Red Bull... ish for anyone who doesn't know what that is :D) now to watch this (its now 9:53am lol, I'm sagging a bit). Been listening to the Grooveshark GSL playlist to keep me going and get me in the mood for some ACTION!
Will be cheering on MVP and Hero. Even though I've been really impressed by the two Startale guys recently, I think this is about as far as they go.
MVP got nothing on Parting. Parting should win. On the other hand Hero Squirtle is really unpredictable, but imo Squirtle has higher chances on coming out on top.
On May 10 2012 16:52 Diogenes wrote: MVP will win and save us from a terrible PvP mirror final. To be honest protoss late game is currently very imba versus t. if the map is medium to large sized, protoss basically wins barring major mistakes. Blizzard needs to fix the game so that tis game is not so radically dependent on the map. Warp gates scale way to well to large maps.
"I just watched a Terran go up 2-0. On a related note, let's nerf protoss."
If there ever is a time for balance whine, this isn't it.
On May 10 2012 16:52 Diogenes wrote: MVP will win and save us from a terrible PvP mirror final. To be honest protoss late game is currently very imba versus t. if the map is medium to large sized, protoss basically wins barring major mistakes. Blizzard needs to fix the game so that tis game is not so radically dependent on the map. Warp gates scale way to well to large maps.
"I just watched a Terran go up 2-0. On a related note, let's nerf protoss."
If there ever is a time for balance whine, this isn't it.
to be fair, right now mvp is using some of the most bizarre counter timings that, personally, I have never seem. I have no life and watch a LOT of professional starcraft. His timing game 1 was completely bizarre. That being said, Mvp is REALLY good. If he wins, that shouldn't define a balance issue, but it should be taken into consideration that he makes some of the most intelligent decisions in professional play, and his results may not be indicative of the matchup not being balanced
The point is when terran plays straight up macro we lose, why cause we can only can use tier 1 building sand tier 2 as support in pvt due to mobility issues. when a toss does a fast colossus build it's a brilliant reaction to what was scouted, or some 3 base 7 gate push, it's fantastic, when a terran does a micro intensive 1-1-1 its cheese.
why crazy, he saw with the factory parting had near no army, storm couldn't have been done by that point. Good to know there's no pvp final, that would be lame.
that was such a smart move by MVP. Parting's mistake was going straight to HT that fast and then missing the drop. gotta be more prepared to intercept and be ready to defend with such a risk. MVP caught him off guard and won the game. sick decision making. Game Genie Terran
looks like i predicted the right ones! mvp vs squirtle finals! now, that's hard to predict, seeing how squirtle is doing currently. but, still, In MVP, We Trust!
And i still think that Mvp will win this GSL, beacause it is impossible for Protoss to win it. If there were only 1 Terran and the rest Toss in GSL, the Terran would win in the end.
Ugh, MVP vs Parting was the very opposite of exciting (it was pretty much just MVP build order owning Parting's ultra greedy build). Lets hope the finals will be a little more epic and intense. Not to be a downer or anything but I predict possibly 1, maybe 2 good games, and the rest will just be build order ownage.
Parting failed to respect the power of early Terran. More importantly, the power of a 3-time GSL winning Terran. So, he got owned. Hopefully his teammate will be more wary and we'll get an epic finals!!
On May 10 2012 19:23 markrevival wrote: that was such a smart move by MVP. Parting's mistake was going straight to HT that fast and then missing the drop. gotta be more prepared to intercept and be ready to defend with such a risk. MVP caught him off guard and won the game. sick decision making. Game Genie Terran
Actually, when I saw it it looked like Parting saw MVP's incoming drop and MVP turned away as a result, but then he decided to try the drop anyways a little further to the side and Parting was caught off guard. Parting feedbacked one or two of the medivacs, I think, but it wasn't enough and MVP managed to get most of his troops out.
Well, Mvp doesnt appear to look anywhere near as strong as he once did, on the other hand squirtle looks solid, crushing his opponents left and right without clear weaknesses, hero played phenomenally and still got 3-0ed, there were some serious issues with partings play against Mvp, game one he decided to attack MVP off his ramp before storm finished, engaging that army there and then wasnt ever gonna go well for him, and even with my knowledge of the game,i knew he desperately needed to take down those rocks in game 2, Artosis said those rocks should have been taken down too. Engaging siege tanks through a choke is suicidal, he required far more of a spread to have a chance.
haha i cant believe parting was the favorite going into the game. People were so quick to dismiss MVP because of the great run parting had against terrans. They forget that its still the same MVP that won 3 GSL's, 1 blizzcup, 1 MLG, 1 WCG
On May 11 2012 03:42 ZerguufOu wrote: haha i cant believe parting was the favorite going into the game. People were so quick to dismiss MVP because of the great run parting had against terrans. They forget that its still the same MVP that won 3 GSL's, 1 blizzcup, 1 MLG, 1 WCG
To be fair it was more PartinG choking than Mvp winning.
On May 11 2012 03:42 ZerguufOu wrote: haha i cant believe parting was the favorite going into the game. People were so quick to dismiss MVP because of the great run parting had against terrans. They forget that its still the same MVP that won 3 GSL's, 1 blizzcup, 1 MLG, 1 WCG
To be fair it was more PartinG choking than Mvp winning.
No, Mvp pretty much picked him apart, PartinG wasn't scared going into the series, in fact he was being cocky, so I don't think it has anything to do with choking.
On the other hand, with Mvp being crippled he actually has an excuse to lose. If he wins these finals I'll be pretty speechless.
On May 10 2012 07:36 Selendis wrote: I remember the night they made a poster for naniwa winning the protoss elections and naniwa preceeded to lose badly. Now that they have done the same for Parting and in combination with the Fionn curse, Parting has no chance, he's going to go 0-3.
Its funny on gomtv how some people are saying terran is easy and imba. Actually Protoss is "easy", Im neither toss or terran but I have friends in masters and Ill tell you that protoss is a lot easier than zerg and terran. Terran actually requires more micro then toss, and zerg requires a lot more macro.
And my prediction is 4-3 MVP Winning against Squirtle. MVP Is back on track
On May 11 2012 05:34 DarkSynthesis wrote: Its funny on gomtv how some people are saying terran is easy and imba. Actually Protoss is "easy", Im neither toss or terran but I have friends in masters and Ill tell you that protoss is a lot easier than zerg and terran. Terran actually requires more micro then toss, and zerg requires a lot more macro.
And my prediction is 4-3 MVP Winning against Squirtle. MVP Is back on track
Yeah Zerg is all about macro and Terran is multitasking/micro. Protoss is pretty much smart play, being patient and careful and understanding the game more. And yes, MVP will crush Squirtle.
Terran is way more difficult to macro with than Zerg. I am Master league with both; as Zerg you can get away with little to no understanding of the game as long as you hit your injects and have a GENERAL idea of when to scout to make units.
On May 11 2012 05:34 DarkSynthesis wrote: Its funny on gomtv how some people are saying terran is easy and imba. Actually Protoss is "easy", Im neither toss or terran but I have friends in masters and Ill tell you that protoss is a lot easier than zerg and terran. Terran actually requires more micro then toss, and zerg requires a lot more macro.
And my prediction is 4-3 MVP Winning against Squirtle. MVP Is back on track
Yeah Zerg is all about macro and Terran is multitasking/micro. Protoss is pretty much smart play, being patient and careful and understanding the game more. And yes, MVP will crush Squirtle.
Yeah no... Protoss is being able to hit an all in or turtle for a deathball. On a side note I feel that MVP has a chance going into this but I am not sure he can win
On May 11 2012 03:42 ZerguufOu wrote: haha i cant believe parting was the favorite going into the game. People were so quick to dismiss MVP because of the great run parting had against terrans. They forget that its still the same MVP that won 3 GSL's, 1 blizzcup, 1 MLG, 1 WCG
To be fair it was more PartinG choking than Mvp winning.
No, Mvp pretty much picked him apart, PartinG wasn't scared going into the series, in fact he was being cocky, so I don't think it has anything to do with choking.
On the other hand, with Mvp being crippled he actually has an excuse to lose. If he wins these finals I'll be pretty speechless.
exactly lol, anyone read the interview post game knows that MVP outsmarted Parting in everyway lol.