When: Friday, Feb 10 1:00am GMT (GMT+00:00) (we will also have a European re-broadcast as usual at Friday, Feb 10 5:30pm GMT (GMT+00:00))
Format
This double-elimination tournament features 16 teams from around the world and is an All-Kill team format. This match is being played for Losers Round 1. The first team to defeat everyone on the opposing team's roster (5 wins, or a best of 9), will move on in the Losers Bracket, while the losing team will be eliminated from the tournament entirely. Keep in mind that this has a $20,000 prize pool, and only six teams will make it to the money!
Empire Beastyqt Kas Happy Aristeo hoBot viOLet Welmu
compLexity MVP drewbie qxc TriMaster Keen Noblesse Dream Bang sC CatZ goswser Ryze DongRaeGu Monster Sniper Royal Minigun rsvp Ryan Genius keeping finale TAiLS Vampire
The First Game for this match of IPL Team Arena Challenge 2 is on Friday, Feb 10 1:00am GMT (GMT+00:00) (we will also have a European re-broadcast as usual at Friday, Feb 10 5:30pm GMT (GMT+00:00))
If the MVP players play, it will be a tough road for Empire. But Empire did push Prime to the brink, and if col players get sent out, it could be the little advantage that Empire needs to pull the upset.
Oh, and just to add: Before tomorrow's games, CatsPajamas, Doa, EG.iNcontroL, and Quantic.Destiny will be on the stream discussing relevant SC2 topics as well as IPL's Power Rankings! We call the show Scanner Sweep and we'd love to see you all in the stream an hour before the games start tomorrow! 16:00 PST, 19:00 EST, Midnight GMT, 1 a.m. CET! http://www.ign.com/ipl
Kas vs either drewbie/catz/minigun would be fun to see actually!
Just imagine in clanwars/team leagues that in order to win it you have to eliminate every player from the opposite team. Jesus christ would take a while to eliminate coL
oh wellzz! gl to both teams! ( always so diplomatic ;-)
despite MVP is playing with best players, voting for empire, just because Kas or Happy beating DRG, Keen and Genius - isn't it would be absolutely awesome?
On February 10 2012 08:19 IGNProLeague wrote: Just 40 minutes until Scanner Sweep, our new talk show with CatsPajamas and Doa hosting special guests EG.iNcontroL and QxG.Destiny!
Wouldn't be surprised if DRG and Genius don't play tonight, as they had to murder my dreams (MKP) last night. Depending on when these games happened of course.
Where's Puzzle, PartinG, Genius? All are Ro8 GSL, and Puzzle and PartinG won their GSL Ro16 Groups. I think Leenock is a bit too high since he has not done too much since winning the ESV weekly, but I can see where Leenock could be ranked that high.
Hey IPL, in the OP can you start putting who plays first? It doesn't spoil anything and it's kinda just cool in general to know who's gonna be first up.
On February 10 2012 09:48 dragonborn wrote: Why PuMA is #13?
He is just another korean mediocre terran.
Heart,Bomber,sC,Keen,ForGG,SuperNoVa,NaDa,Polt all of them better than PuMa.
Not saying I agree with #13 for PuMa, but I do have to say that PuMa has ridiculously strong TvP, unlike many other terrans. And before you say 1-1-1, he's uber strong at that but ALSO at a macro game that makes him dangerous.
Man minigun got way too confident with his army there, he was just enjoying poking and Violet found a nice opening to pounce. Good thing the mama stayed alive though!
Beats Violet in an epic game with some nice Mothership control and some great storms when the Zerg units popped out of the vortex. Really well done by him.
BeastyQT has excellent TvP, so it's pretty awesome to see Minigun take him down. Looked kinda sketchy when he lost his third but I'm glad the counter was strong enough!
On February 10 2012 10:55 Serotonin1 wrote: BeastyQT has excellent TvP, so it's pretty awesome to see Minigun take him down. Looked kinda sketchy when he lost his third but I'm glad the counter was strong enough!
I'm pretty sure Beasty would say TvP is his worst MU though.
On February 10 2012 10:55 Serotonin1 wrote: BeastyQT has excellent TvP, so it's pretty awesome to see Minigun take him down. Looked kinda sketchy when he lost his third but I'm glad the counter was strong enough!
I'm pretty sure Beasty would say TvP is his worst MU though.
After seeing him demolish Creator's PvT in a late game scenario, I think he has a pretty scary TvP
On February 10 2012 10:55 Serotonin1 wrote: BeastyQT has excellent TvP, so it's pretty awesome to see Minigun take him down. Looked kinda sketchy when he lost his third but I'm glad the counter was strong enough!
I'm pretty sure Beasty would say TvP is his worst MU though.
After seeing him demolish Creator's PvT in a late game scenario, I think he has a pretty scary TvP
That was Happy, if you were referring to the IPL game.
On February 10 2012 10:55 Serotonin1 wrote: BeastyQT has excellent TvP, so it's pretty awesome to see Minigun take him down. Looked kinda sketchy when he lost his third but I'm glad the counter was strong enough!
I'm pretty sure Beasty would say TvP is his worst MU though.
After seeing him demolish Creator's PvT in a late game scenario, I think he has a pretty scary TvP
That was Happy, if you were referring to the IPL game.
On February 10 2012 10:55 Serotonin1 wrote: BeastyQT has excellent TvP, so it's pretty awesome to see Minigun take him down. Looked kinda sketchy when he lost his third but I'm glad the counter was strong enough!
I'm pretty sure Beasty would say TvP is his worst MU though.
After seeing him demolish Creator's PvT in a late game scenario, I think he has a pretty scary TvP
That was Happy, if you were referring to the IPL game.
Alright ....pretty sure you're dead now Aristeo. Roach bane ling all in on one base after a baneling bust at 20 drones into infestation pit on two bases t.t
EDIT: Sickest contain of life here by qxc. Choking the life out of aristeo here
I'd be interested in seeing QXC's scv count. Losing those at the planetary fortress couldn't have been that bad...he's got a ton banked and could use the extra supply for army.
GA, standard, I actually really like this on tal darim, standard open is 3 rax and he has the reapers to draw away bio to pick through little armies bit by bit
On February 10 2012 12:00 MayorITC wrote: Most flawless play from all the games played so far by Kas.
Not sure why MVP is sending Dream who is 1-10 in TvT in Korea.
1-10 in Korea is like 60% win percentage vs foreigners, especially for terrans.
haha yea look at Zenio. 33% against P in korea or something but its like 80% vs P outside of Korea Korea Database vP: 9-18 (33.33%) | Last 10 (old -> recent): W L L L L L L L L W International Database vP: 26-5 (83.87%) | Last 10 (old -> recent): L W L W W W W W W W
On February 10 2012 12:13 turamn wrote: Kas really showing he knows how to play bio v Mech. Has half of the map at 20 minutes against Dreams 3 bases.
Yeah, he's been trading cost effectively has high econ and is starting to get vikings in his unit mix, daybreak is a pretty good mech map too, his play always makes me happy to watch
That was scary. Kas destroyed this kid completely, and Dream managed to qualified for Code A. Let's see if Kas can finish it off for Empire. Go Empire!
IMPRESSIVE game from Kas right there. Completely out of his mind. I knew he was good, but he really solidified himself as the top Foreigner Terran in that game for me.
On February 10 2012 12:23 c0se wrote: Did CatsPajamas just spoiled the result of the game? + Show Spoiler +
He said something like: "Get ready for the last game" but the score is 4:3 :/
No, they do not see the results beforehand. Remember when Millenium surrendered back in Fight Club? The casters were caught totally off guard. Besides, he could have meant it is match point for Empire, as this is the last game they need to win.
It's so frustrating to see a player like Tails come out as the ace, when DRG could close out the last two games for sure >.<
But I guess that's how team games are played... let the lower level players come out, give everyone a chance, let the best players rest and rotate, etc. Sigh.
Can't take anything away from Kas though. Very well played.
I'm sad that tails isn't playing to his potential, 2 dropships fly right over a pylon and you don't react until you lose 10 probes =( can't be nerves because he's so good in his matches usually
On February 10 2012 12:31 Badfatpanda wrote: I'm sad that tails isn't playing to his potential, 2 dropships fly right over a pylon and you don't react until you lose 10 probes =( can't be nerves because he's so good in his matches usually
On February 10 2012 12:31 DarkPlasmaBall wrote: It's so frustrating to see a player like Tails come out as the ace, when DRG could close out the last two games for sure >.<
But I guess that's how team games are played... let the lower level players come out, give everyone a chance, let the best players rest and rotate, etc. Sigh.
Can't take anything away from Kas though. Very well played.
Tails is definitely a big name for MVP, as he did close out the series last GSTL season by beating MVP and Nestea in the playoffs. But I guess Genius and DRG were too busy with their own GSL matches.
Edit: Still, if I were a big col-MVP fan, I would be pissed after seeing col lose to Liquid and now this.
I really like this team league. I'd have to say it's my favorite SC2 event so far. Just too bad IM didn't join in on the fun. Can't wait to see the finals live at IPL4. What a match that will be!
On February 10 2012 12:33 HotGlueGun wrote: Don't understand why col.MVP has the best Zerg in the world but refuses to send him out as the ace....
I'm not sure how old these replays are, but DRG was either prepping for his Code S matches or he was just recovering from his group. Either way, it wouldn't be fair to him to play him. I doubt that MvP cares more about IPLTAC than they do about DRG's GSL performance/condition. It's too bad that coL.MvP didn't live up to their expectations, but Empire has been really impressive. These guys can take this if they play their best and keep improving, even if they have a big uphill battle.
1st game - You better lose, and lose fast cuz I want to see DRG 2nd - It's okay, only retards would send their best player as second 3rd - There is still time, just you wait 4th - Oh me oh my, why'd you want so much pressure on DRG?! Just send him already! 5th - ...I'm outta this shit
I agree it was a little disappointing, but part of it is just timing.
They just saw Kas wreck QXC and Dream, and his TvT prowess is very well known, so they couldn't send out SC or Keen, as their ace, or it'd be risky at least. And DRG and Genius had to play in the GSL last night :/
Still... yeah it kinda sucks. But fuck me Empire is awesome. Violets gotta feel pretty good picking a winning horse like this.
On February 10 2012 12:33 HotGlueGun wrote: Don't understand why col.MVP has the best Zerg in the world but refuses to send him out as the ace....
I'm not sure how old these replays are, but DRG was either prepping for his Code S matches or he was just recovering from his group. Either way, it wouldn't be fair to him to play him. I doubt that MvP cares more about IPLTAC than they do about DRG's GSL performance/condition. It's too bad that coL.MvP didn't live up to their expectations, but Empire has been really impressive. These guys can take this if they play their best and keep improving, even if they have a big uphill battle.
I would like DRG's chances to beat kas just doing a standard 2/3 base muta play he's done a million times more than just about anyone on coLMVP's roster. of course we dont know if he was even available and online when these games were played.
Col.MVP will have this ezpz it wont even be close. Aside from Violet and Kas no one on Empire stands even the faintest chance especially if Col.MVP sends out all Koreans again
On February 10 2012 12:40 Catatonic wrote: Col.MVP will have this ezpz it wont even be close. Aside from Violet and Kas no one on Empire stands even the faintest chance especially if Col.MVP sends out all Koreans again
On February 10 2012 12:37 Devolved wrote: I really like this team league. I'd have to say it's my favorite SC2 event so far. Just too bad IM didn't join in on the fun. Can't wait to see the finals live at IPL4. What a match that will be!
Yeah, also these two dudes have definitely become my favorite caster combo. Keep up the good work, sirs!
On February 10 2012 12:40 tree.hugger wrote: Wow, who would've bet that coL.MvP would be out without a single MvP player taking a set? O_o
well tbh, they didnt send out too many MvP players, and not their strongest ones either. but im kind of satisfied with that, i dont want mercs to win games, cause this is how i see coLMvP as long as they are not "one" :/
On February 10 2012 12:20 Dartego wrote: Happy left for empire?
2 players named Happy.
Both of them play for empire?
No, IMHappy is korean. Empire.Happy is a Russian terran and former WC3 player.
EDIT: I can't believe that we're still having this question asked.
OMG You switched to IM from "telus?!" Because I totally called telus and they said "operator". Titles and nicknames are like highlander right? There can only be one!
Lol jk. Gotta joke a bit when somebody says something like "Both of them play for empire?"
On February 10 2012 12:40 tree.hugger wrote: Wow, who would've bet that coL.MvP would be out without a single MvP player taking a set? O_o
The same people who thought MVP would fall to Code A this season?
in other words, no one.
There are a few people. They tend to have ridiculously low liquibets though. heh.
I actually remember I went up to 4th place the day after MVP went down (I only got alive right, but MVP wrong for 2/4 myself) because everyone at the top of liquibets voted for MVP as well and some other guy. Of course, these things don't happen too often, but at the same time not as rare as people would think.
On February 10 2012 12:37 KalWarkov wrote: tbh, minigun even made the result look O.K. for coLMVP in the end, as i did concider both violet and beastyqt as favorites against him.
minigun has been one of the most underrated players in the world for awhile now, mostly because he has been non-existent at big NA events...but the kid has mad skills.
On February 10 2012 12:55 GDbushido wrote: minigun has been one of the most underrated players in the world for awhile now, mostly because he has been non-existent at big NA events...but the kid has mad skills.
Agree, surpised that he does not get more exposure, considering that he is on a major foreign team with plenty of funds (at so it seems).
On February 10 2012 12:37 KalWarkov wrote: tbh, minigun even made the result look O.K. for coLMVP in the end, as i did concider both violet and beastyqt as favorites against him.
clearly you don't watch minigun play
so you wont concider violet and beastyqt as favorites against minigun usually?
you sir, are a fanboy.
€: i know that minigun is pretty good, i watched his stream back then a lot. but especially violet is a different level of player. sry man, thats just how it is oO against beasty, well, beasty isnt too consistent and quite average against protoss, so that one could go either way often times.
Well that was dumb by colMVP playing 3/5 col players when they were facing elimination. Grats to Empire though, I'd honestly say they're the second best foreigner team atm, and rapidly gaining too.
On February 10 2012 12:37 KalWarkov wrote: tbh, minigun even made the result look O.K. for coLMVP in the end, as i did concider both violet and beastyqt as favorites against him.
clearly you don't watch minigun play
so you wont concider violet and beastyqt as favorites against minigun usually?
you sir, are a fanboy.
€: i know that minigun is pretty good, i watched his stream back then a lot. but especially violet is a different level of player. sry man, thats just how it is oO against beasty, well, beasty isnt too consistent and quite average against protoss, so that one could go either way often times.
Really Minigun is something of a darkhorse ATM as we really haven't seen him play all that much recently(Stream not withstanding). I'd mostly agree with your summary, Violet is the clear favourite vs Minigun, but I would say Minigun is a slight favourite vs Beasty.
Edit: At post above: Funnily enough it worked out pretty well for them, all their wins were from the Col players.
On February 10 2012 13:23 1Eris1 wrote: Well that was dumb by colMVP playing 3/5 col players when they were facing elimination. Grats to Empire though, I'd honestly say they're the second best foreigner team atm, and rapidly gaining too.
Out of curiousity, who would you consider to be the top foreign team? As for playing col players, they played Minigun when the score was 0-1 and things were not looking too dangerous for them. Minigun got them the lead, so they decided to send in qxc to take down Aristeo. At that point, they were still in a pretty good position, being up 3-2 against Empire. Their only major mistake was to underestimate Kas, though.
On February 10 2012 13:23 1Eris1 wrote: Well that was dumb by colMVP playing 3/5 col players when they were facing elimination. Grats to Empire though, I'd honestly say they're the second best foreigner team atm, and rapidly gaining too.
well considering it's 2/5 col with 3 wins and 3/5 MVP with 0 wins...
On February 10 2012 13:23 1Eris1 wrote: Well that was dumb by colMVP playing 3/5 col players when they were facing elimination. Grats to Empire though, I'd honestly say they're the second best foreigner team atm, and rapidly gaining too.
well considering it's 2/5 col with 3 wins and 3/5 MVP with 0 wins...
I'll re-word his point:
That was dumb by colMVP to send out an untested player (Bang) and a player with a 9% win rate in TvT (Dream). Tails is a good player, but sending him out when things are finally down to the wire is pointless risk taking. Even ignoring the MVP players who had Code S matches, they still could have sent out Keen, Noblesse and/or Monster.
On February 10 2012 13:23 1Eris1 wrote: Well that was dumb by colMVP playing 3/5 col players when they were facing elimination. Grats to Empire though, I'd honestly say they're the second best foreigner team atm, and rapidly gaining too.
well considering it's 2/5 col with 3 wins and 3/5 MVP with 0 wins...
I'll re-word his point:
That was dumb by colMVP to send out an untested player (Bang) and a player with a 9% win rate in TvT (Dream). Tails is a good player, but sending him out when things are finally down to the wire is pointless risk taking. Even ignoring the MVP players who had Code S matches, they still could have sent out Keen, Noblesse and/or Monster.
Now I will not pretend that I am an expert on the inside workings of the Teamhouses, but I would assume since guys like Dream and Tails are not in the GSL, they would be practicing for occasions like this. I think that it was a mistake for MVP to underestimate Empire and send out a relatively weaker lineup, but then again you definitely do not want to overwork your top players, as you risk burnout and revealing strategies. This is pretty common in many team sports.
Kas needs to go to Korea! He said numerous times that he wants to do so and that he has to deliberate about it with his team etc etc. Pls Empire make that happen!
On February 10 2012 20:29 Jotoco wrote: I would want that the 2 foreigner seeds for next GSL code S would consist of:
1 - Kas 2 - Thorzain (A series of good European protoss players would fit this seed too)
GOM should stop trying to balance race numbers by inviting only zergs and give foreigners an actual chance.
Part of me wants it... But then Kas would finally be on EG poach list.
The code S seeds should go to PuMa and HerO, the 2 non-Code S players with the best tournament results, imo. And, on paper, the Code S seeds belong to the 2 players who earned it the most by good results in tournament.
Anyways, congratulations to Empire, very happy to get the opportunity to see them again next round!
On February 10 2012 20:29 Jotoco wrote: I would want that the 2 foreigner seeds for next GSL code S would consist of:
1 - Kas 2 - Thorzain (A series of good European protoss players would fit this seed too)
GOM should stop trying to balance race numbers by inviting only zergs and give foreigners an actual chance.
Part of me wants it... But then Kas would finally be on EG poach list.
It's common knowledge that only EG has money out there.
Yeah. The only team who has ever paid salaries in SC2. All the other players play for fun and honor.
And about the guy saying Puma/Hero have better results. It really depends. Kas, Dimaga, Sase, Naniwa, Thorzain, arguably put results as good or better than they do.
It just that many times it is not the same tournaments.
I watched the series last night but was too tired to post, I'm very happy Empire got through and Kas performed so solidly. Serves coLMVP right for strongly underestimating Empire, you should never do that.
If they had used MVP players only, they should have won, although I'm pretty disappointed by the performance of the MVP guys who were sent out.
Great, fun series overall, it was really cool to see upsets like Minigun > viOlet/Beastyqt and the qxc/Aristeo game was madness of epic proportions while not even close to the cleanest play from both. Finally, Kas closing it out and dominating three opponents in a row in impressive fashion had me quite satisfied with the match because it was the ending I was hoping for.
Congrats to Empire, thanks to IPL for providing the content that makes me stay up all night.
On February 10 2012 12:37 KalWarkov wrote: tbh, minigun even made the result look O.K. for coLMVP in the end, as i did concider both violet and beastyqt as favorites against him.
clearly you don't watch minigun play
so you wont concider violet and beastyqt as favorites against minigun usually?
you sir, are a fanboy.
€: i know that minigun is pretty good, i watched his stream back then a lot. but especially violet is a different level of player. sry man, thats just how it is oO against beasty, well, beasty isnt too consistent and quite average against protoss, so that one could go either way often times.
Once again....you don't watch minigun.....Violet is overrated and so is Beastyqt. You watch, this year when Minigun goes to tourneys and destroys people you will understand.
On February 10 2012 12:37 KalWarkov wrote: tbh, minigun even made the result look O.K. for coLMVP in the end, as i did concider both violet and beastyqt as favorites against him.
clearly you don't watch minigun play
so you wont concider violet and beastyqt as favorites against minigun usually?
you sir, are a fanboy.
€: i know that minigun is pretty good, i watched his stream back then a lot. but especially violet is a different level of player. sry man, thats just how it is oO against beasty, well, beasty isnt too consistent and quite average against protoss, so that one could go either way often times.
Once again....you don't watch minigun.....Violet is overrated and so is Beastyqt. You watch, this year when Minigun goes to tourneys and destroys people you will understand.
Haha, calm down. They're underrated, not overrated.
On February 10 2012 12:37 KalWarkov wrote: tbh, minigun even made the result look O.K. for coLMVP in the end, as i did concider both violet and beastyqt as favorites against him.
clearly you don't watch minigun play
so you wont concider violet and beastyqt as favorites against minigun usually?
you sir, are a fanboy.
€: i know that minigun is pretty good, i watched his stream back then a lot. but especially violet is a different level of player. sry man, thats just how it is oO against beasty, well, beasty isnt too consistent and quite average against protoss, so that one could go either way often times.
Once again....you don't watch minigun.....Violet is overrated and so is Beastyqt. You watch, this year when Minigun goes to tourneys and destroys people you will understand.
On February 10 2012 12:37 KalWarkov wrote: tbh, minigun even made the result look O.K. for coLMVP in the end, as i did concider both violet and beastyqt as favorites against him.
clearly you don't watch minigun play
so you wont concider violet and beastyqt as favorites against minigun usually?
you sir, are a fanboy.
€: i know that minigun is pretty good, i watched his stream back then a lot. but especially violet is a different level of player. sry man, thats just how it is oO against beasty, well, beasty isnt too consistent and quite average against protoss, so that one could go either way often times.
Once again....you don't watch minigun.....Violet is overrated and so is Beastyqt. You watch, this year when Minigun goes to tourneys and destroys people you will understand.
Isn't he afraid of flying ?
I seen him say in chat that he has Chron's disease
On February 10 2012 12:40 Catatonic wrote: Col.MVP will have this ezpz it wont even be close. Aside from Violet and Kas no one on Empire stands even the faintest chance especially if Col.MVP sends out all Koreans again
I know this is several pages later and the match is already over, but you are aware that Beasty 3-killed Prime and Happy beat Creator, right?
On February 10 2012 12:37 KalWarkov wrote: tbh, minigun even made the result look O.K. for coLMVP in the end, as i did concider both violet and beastyqt as favorites against him.
clearly you don't watch minigun play
so you wont concider violet and beastyqt as favorites against minigun usually?
you sir, are a fanboy.
€: i know that minigun is pretty good, i watched his stream back then a lot. but especially violet is a different level of player. sry man, thats just how it is oO against beasty, well, beasty isnt too consistent and quite average against protoss, so that one could go either way often times.
Once again....you don't watch minigun.....Violet is overrated and so is Beastyqt. You watch, this year when Minigun goes to tourneys and destroys people you will understand.
Beasty and violet overrated? That doesnt even make sense bro.
On February 10 2012 22:37 StarVe wrote: I watched the series last night but was too tired to post, I'm very happy Empire got through and Kas performed so solidly. Serves coLMVP right for strongly underestimating Empire, you should never do that.
If they had used MVP players only, they should have won, although I'm pretty disappointed by the performance of the MVP guys who were sent out.
Great, fun series overall, it was really cool to see upsets like Minigun > viOlet/Beastyqt and the qxc/Aristeo game was madness of epic proportions while not even close to the cleanest play from both. Finally, Kas closing it out and dominating three opponents in a row in impressive fashion had me quite satisfied with the match because it was the ending I was hoping for.
Congrats to Empire, thanks to IPL for providing the content that makes me stay up all night.
Funny how you say that and yet out of the 3 Koreans they sent out, none of them took a game.
On February 10 2012 22:37 StarVe wrote: I watched the series last night but was too tired to post, I'm very happy Empire got through and Kas performed so solidly. Serves coLMVP right for strongly underestimating Empire, you should never do that.
If they had used MVP players only, they should have won, although I'm pretty disappointed by the performance of the MVP guys who were sent out.
Great, fun series overall, it was really cool to see upsets like Minigun > viOlet/Beastyqt and the qxc/Aristeo game was madness of epic proportions while not even close to the cleanest play from both. Finally, Kas closing it out and dominating three opponents in a row in impressive fashion had me quite satisfied with the match because it was the ending I was hoping for.
Congrats to Empire, thanks to IPL for providing the content that makes me stay up all night.
Funny how you say that and yet out of the 3 Koreans they sent out, none of them took a game.
Umm so you are pointing out to what he said is true? He said SHOULD... not would.
On February 10 2012 22:37 StarVe wrote: I watched the series last night but was too tired to post, I'm very happy Empire got through and Kas performed so solidly. Serves coLMVP right for strongly underestimating Empire, you should never do that.
If they had used MVP players only, they should have won, although I'm pretty disappointed by the performance of the MVP guys who were sent out.
Great, fun series overall, it was really cool to see upsets like Minigun > viOlet/Beastyqt and the qxc/Aristeo game was madness of epic proportions while not even close to the cleanest play from both. Finally, Kas closing it out and dominating three opponents in a row in impressive fashion had me quite satisfied with the match because it was the ending I was hoping for.
Congrats to Empire, thanks to IPL for providing the content that makes me stay up all night.
Funny how you say that and yet out of the 3 Koreans they sent out, none of them took a game.
They should have sent out something close to their best team, because Empire as a team is really fucking strong and because it's online and Koreans still seem to have some problems with latency effecting their game. Mouz beat a pure MVP team last TAC, and Empire is - if at all - not far behind mousesports.
Yes, Minigun did much better than expected, I'm really surprised because Beasty and viOlet are top tier players. The point is that this was not expected, you can't deny that there was a good chance that he'd lose against viOlet already, so imho it was super risky, being down 2-0 against Empire with their lineup would have been very hard to come back from.
In addition to not using any of their really good players, except maybe Tails as their possibly second best protoss (debatable), they also fucked up royally by wasting a spot on qxc. Every MVP player should have been able to beat Aristeo and when you know that the only players left for Empire after that are Kas and Happy, you don't send out a foreigner Terran, that's like presenting Kas the win on a silver plate.
Happy is easily snipable in TvT by a good Korean Terran, as we saw last week, basically the only important thing was to beat Kas and they failed badly in adapting to that situation, no sniper whatsoever, instead they try to TvT Kas and then send Tails who plays way below his usual level, fails to spot a double drop that flies right over his pylon and reacts way too late.
Yes, the Korean players didn't take a game, but colMVP should have tried to win much harder than they did.
As I said, they deserved to lose, because they underestimated Empire. Losing to mouz in the previous TAC even though they sent out DRG, Keen and friends should have taught them a lesson, but apparently they didn't take the league very seriously this time.