SC2SEA.com - Starcraft 2 SEA eSports Community Site

**syfSoundwave** · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 6:20 PM

It's that time of year again, in which StarCraft players from all across Australia converge on one central location to meet other individuals who share and indulge in their passion and love for this game. Some come here for the chance to shine, a chance to soar above the other competitors and earn themselves not only some money, but some mild fame as well. Some have much more modest goals in mind and go to have fun playing the game they love. Some go not even for the game, but to meet and catch up with their friends from online. No matter the reason, this is the event that all the StarCraft players across Australia love. This is ACL. With Baldie and the rest of the ACL staff keeping the event going strong since 2012, ACL is without a doubt the most prolific and important event for the StarCraft players living in Australia. For would be international competitors the allure of WCS is no doubt more pleasing, but for the rest of us, ACL is what we all train and practice for, and look forward to every time we boot up the game. ACL Sydney 2015 is sure to be just as great as the previous ACLs, and while some of the usual contenders such as PiG and iaguz will be absent, in some ways the level is almost higher than ever. The sheer amount of up and coming talent is staggering, and outside of the clear favourite KingkOng (who has looked the most vulnerable in recent months than he ever has before) the top placements are literally anyone's game.

Group A

DynSL.Frustration

x5.Yours

SLCN.Kez

DynSL.DarK

Group A might have four players, but at least until the open bracket players join this group, it's all the story of Frustration and his quest for a title. Frustration has been on fire recently, beating just about everyone in his way, even managing to defeat KingkOng more than once and securing the #1 seed for Sydney. While there have been Zerg players like NXZ who have been able to stop him, Frustration is currently getting the best results of his career. Last year at ACL Sydney, Frustration managed to place Top 6, a great accomplishment, but he's looking to top himself this year. ACL has never had a Protoss winner, and with no PiG, no iaguz, no Petraeus, no mOOnGLaDe and really only KingkOng as a former Top 3 finisher present, if it's time for a Protoss victory then you better believe this is the time. Frustration comes into this group as a HUGE favourite and perhaps even one of the favourites of the entire tournament. This may be the rise of Frustralia.

+ [Frustration says] +

Also in the group is a trio of mid level Zerg players, two of whom are relatively new to this kind of level and looking to make a name for themselves, while the other is an old veteran looking for one last blaze of glory. Yours, the Sydney local, is a NA GM player who thus far has been unable to secure any remarkable tournament results. He possesses a strong mutalisk playstyle in ZvZ and will make it his goal to just play to the best of his ability and hopefully get some decent results along the way. He attended ACL Sydney last year and does have a homefield advantage, which is worth noting.

+ [Yours says] +

Kez has been a part of the scene for a very long time. In that time he's seen wannabe superstars and bonafide pro gamers come and go, yet Kez remains. The sheer amount of LAN experience Kez has is an advantage for him, as he is unlikely to ever get frazzled or thrown off his game. On the contrary, Kez often opts to take the aggression to his opponent, forcing them into making a mistake that Kez is an expert on capitalising on. Kez is well known as being the former (and perhaps still?) master of the 9 Pool in SEA. Many Zergs having fallen to it over the years. Kez is here to catch up with friends and have fun, but upon seeing a group like this, filled with relatively inexperienced Zergs, perhaps Kez is scheming that this is finally the day he makes it to the play-off bracket.

+ [Kez sez] +

DarK is the #16 seed into groups. He's had a very successful 2015 in ZvZ, managing to defeat Fenner near the start of the year and keep that going to match and take games off players like Crimson and RivaL. He's definitely very skilled in the match-up, whilst also being able to hold his own at a high Master level in the other match-ups. Attending his first ACL event, DarK may suffer from nerves, but if he can overcome them he might be a DarKhorse (apologies for the bad pun) to make it out of this group.

+ [DarK says] +

Interestingly, this group seems like it'll be the first pick for the winner of the open bracket. With Frustration as the only threat for a potential Top 6-8ish finisher, some very difficult opponents will likely join this group, making it even more interesting.

Predictions:

Frustration 3-0 (6-0)
DarK 2-1 (4-4)
Kez 1-2 (3-5)
Yours 0-3 (2-6)

The ZvZs could honestly go either way, I consider all three Zergs in the group to be fairly even. Frustration is obviously hugely favoured to sweep this group.

Group B

SLCN.Law

eCKo'Azure

PSISTM.EnDerr

eCKoa'CaVaLieR

Group B is a big step-up from Group A in that it's definitely a very difficult group that anyone coming from the open bracket will be looking to avoid. Three of the four players this year have had an amazing 2015 with really great results and represent threats to literally anyone else in the tournament. Law is the first of these players. In the past couple of years Law has been described by his peers as an incredible player, but when it came to tournaments he seemed unable to show it, wallowing in relative mediocrity. That all changed in 2015 though, as Law finally seems to have tapped into the potential his friends all say that he has. No longer does Law sit on the edge of the line, as an occasional prize winner, now he has jumped in a bulldozer and is demolishing everything standing in his way on the quest for a trophy. With insanely good results in past WCS qualifiers and in these recent ACL online rounds as well (including two seperate Bo3 victories over KingkOng) Law has now become a terrifying opponent for anyone to face. With such a fantastic 2015 behind him, Law will be looking to carry that to a LAN event and make waves there as well, showing that whether online or offline, he is here to stay.

+ [Law says] +

Azure is a new kid on the block in 2015, but has already fast tracked himself to being the top Terran in SEA behind iaguz (and perhaps PSiArc). Still constantly improving every single day, Azure is a man on a mission. While he has had issues versus both EnDerr and Law in the past, Azure has already managed to win many tournaments and secure high placings in WCS. He's already at such a good level that calling any placing here except perhaps a victory a "breakout performance" wouldn't be accurate, he's just very good already and it seems like everyone knows it. The Terran brothers in SEA need a hero whilst iaguz is off destroying people around the world, and Azure is just that guy.

+ [Azure says] +

Nobody has won more weeklies in SEA in the past couple of years than EnDerr. The Filipino Zerg will be attending his first Australian LAN event and will definitely be looking to make an impact. With players like PiG and iaguz who frequently keep EnDerr out of the spotlight not attending, EnDerr has a very good chance to finish highly or even win the whole tournament. With a variety of aggressive builds (but also solid macro play) EnDerr is an incredibly scary opponent for anyone no matter how good you are.

+ [EnDerr says] +

CaVaLieR (formerly known as DevianT and more commonly known as Eddie, the saviour of SEAsports) comes into this group at a pretty severe disadvantage versus his opponents. Whilst he has been getting some pretty decent results this year, even managing to beat players like Pezz and Fenner, he'll be hard pressed to even take a game against one of these behemoths. That's okay though, CaVaLieR is mainly attending for fun, and the fact that he qualified for his first ever ACL group stage is sure to send him home happy, especially after meeting up with friends and seeing the growth of the game he puts so much support into.

Something that will help CaVaLieR out is the fact that since this is quite a hard group, the weaker half of the qualifying players from the open bracket will likely be placed into this group or C. They'll be the main opponents that CaVaLieR is aiming to defeat.

+ [CaVaLieR says] +

Predictions:

EnDerr 3-0 (6-1)
Law 2-1 (4-3)
Azure 1-2 (4-4)
CaVaLieR 0-3 (0-6)

Pretty simple. EnDerr is the best by results and although Law and Azure are rather even, Law has a slight edge historically.

Group C

eCKo'Probe

fray'Crimson

x5.Namakaye

[KID]Wally

Group C is, just like Group B, stupidly hard. Even the most experienced SEA player will have a hard time versus three of the four players in this group, with the fourth also fully capable of upsets. First we have the #3 seed from the qualifiers, Probe. Last year at ACL Sydney, Probe put on a very impresssive performance, even managing to take a game off iaguz. While he may spend a crazy amount of time complaining about the game in chatbox, do not be fooled. Probe is a very deadly opponent, especially for any Zerg players unfortunate enough to cross his path. In the past only the top tier Zerg players in the region have been able to defeat him, and if he can carry that, the Championship bracket will just be a formality for him.

+ [Probe says] +

Crimson is a New Zealand player attending his first Australian LAN event. He was quite a skilled player in 2012, but retired not too long afterwards despite his skills. This proved to be unfortunate, as after his return it took him a few months to get back to the level he was at before. But now despite university and all the other stuff standing in his way, Crimson is solidly back in the top tier of the SEA Zergs, capable of beating just about anyone. Of particular note is his ZvT, which has even been able to defeat international players such as intense. Crimson is a highly skilled foe who uses plenty of counterattacks to keep his foes on their toes. He is exceptionally good at punishing mistakes and will take advantage of opportunity.

+ [Crimson says] +

Namakaye comes into this group as an underdog, but it's far from all doom and gloom for him. As a solid high Master player, it's not crazy to think that Namakaye can once again defeat some favoured players. Taking games off players like EnDerr and Crimson (also in this group) shows that his PvZ is at a very high level and he is not to be underestimated. Winning Exile 5's 'Fight for the Flight' event got Namakaye a free ticket to ACL, and after an impressive performance there, he'll be looking to show his stuff and prove that winning that flight even over GM players like Yours was definitely no fluke.

+ [Namakaye says] +

Wally is an...interesting individual. Sometimes referred to as the new Petraeus due to his former fray membership, quiet demeanour and huge amount of games played, Wally for a long time looked to be living up to that, as even last year he was able to defeat the TvZ beast iaguz in a series. Since then, Wally has remained consistent in that he is a good Zerg who can beat just about anyone below the PiG/KingkOng tier, but hasn't been able to break the glass ceiling like many people expected of him. Perhaps this is due to a poor mindset, as Wally frequently complains about the game and formally retires at least a couple times a week. Sometimes it is just hard to stay passionate about a game, particularly when you play it as often as Wally and yet have not been able to secure that one really big tournament win. Despite that though, everyone knows how skilled Wally is and that he can absolutely deliver, even if the man himself doesn't believe.

+ [Wally says] +

Predictions:

Probe 3-0 (6-1)
Crimson 2-1 (5-3)
Wally 1-2 (3-5)
Namakaye 0-3 (1-6)

Probe is favoured vs all the players in this group, but Crimson has been doing REALLY well recently. Wally's weaker performances lately and the underdog Namakaye just can't keep up.

Group D

x5.KingkOng

ToRPox

eCKo'Redemption

TtSYF.NaMeK

Group D is the story of KingkOng and who are essentially his victims. There is a lot to say about KingkOng and a lot I've written in the past. Recently, his performance has been dropping, as he's been losing to the likes of Frustration and Law, players he would defeat ten out of ten times in 2013/2014. But this KingkOng is an entirely different animal. He has been practicing and is ready for a fight. People unfamilar with KingkOng will say that he may not even be the favourite this time, as is a week of practice really going to turn things around when he's been struggling recently? The answer is yes. Regardless if he had been practicing or not, KingkOng is a terrifying monster come ACL time. Out of the game he may seem sweet and like a super nice guy, but in the game he is a brutal and unrelenting monster who will crush your spirit and then your army. Here's an insane statistic I want to lay down on you. KingkOng has won FIVE OUT OF THE LAST SIX ACL EVENTS. That's a level of dominance even mOOnGLaDe couldn't keep up for that long. Taking a game off KingkOng is extremely rare (indeed the only game he dropped last ACL was to NXZ) and defeating him in a series is even rarer, as it has only happened one time at ACL Melbourne 2013 versus PiG. If you are sitting down in your chair, staring at the screen in the lobby with your name next to KingkOng at ACL...may god help you.

+ [KingkOng says] +

Pox is an interesting man. Hailing from the mean streets of Canberra and studying mathematics at ANU, he mainly plays StarCraft 2 casually. He doesn't usually sit down and grind games for hours, he just plays occasionally. Pox himself has a well built reputation as a casual player, and often accuses his opponents of being "netdecking tryhards". This is a method of deflection from Pox's true identity as a tryhard himself. You see, Pox has you all fooled. He is no casual player. For years he has been performing well despite his relative lack of practice compared to his opponents and for a long time I, as well as all the others had this down to Pox simply being naturally talented at the game. But now I see the truth for what it is, Pox is just as tryhard as the rest of us. Last year at ACL Sydney, Pox supposedly wasn't even expecting to make it out of the open bracket, but yet he did. He defeated Blysk, RivaL, Pigeon and took iaguz to the limit. Very suspicious, but perhaps can be chalked up to good play on the day and a good run, but he has foolishly revealed himself by playing in the ACL online rounds. What kind of casual player participates in a tournament with no prize, minus seeding into the group stages. And why? The open bracket is where the majority of the casual players are, the people just showing up to play SC2 for a weekend before going back to their 8am-5pm jobs and continuing on with their lives normally. Pox didn't just participate, he once again showed extremely good results. It was this suspicion that led me on an intense investigation, and after many hours I came to the conclusion that Pox's identity as the ultimate casual player is little more than a facade built up to make his opponents underestimate him. This whole time Pox has been purposely holding back his skills to help maintain his reputation as a casual, but now I've seen through his tricks. With nothing more to hide perhaps this will finally be the tournament where Pox shows his true talent. How good is Pox really? Nobody knows except Pox himself. He is definitely one to watch this weekend.

+ [Pox says] +

Redemption has been fairly inactive as of late, only coming back this year and showing some pretty decent results. Good enough to give him a seed directly into groups. Now that he's in groups though, he's going to have a hard time. This is true of NaMeK from SYF Gaming, recently promoted to Master league. Redemption and NaMeK are both sitting in the same boat as perhaps the two weakest players in the group stage at the moment. They're still solid Master level competitors but will be hard pressed to defeat Pox and KingkOng, but are likely to have an epic clash versus each other. They've done their respective teams proud by making it this far, and now there's nothing to do but their best and hope to take a game off a favoured player. It'll be a fun experience for them and is part of what ACL is all about.

This group will be made significantly more difficult by the arrival of open bracket players into this group. While A will likely be chosen before this one, it's still much easier than B or C and thus is likely to recieve the upper half of the open bracket players.

+ [Redemption says] +

+ [NaMeK says] +

Predictions:

KingkOng 3-0 (6-0)
Pox 2-1 (4-2)
NaMeK 1-2 (2-5)
Redemption 0-3 (1-6)

While NaMeK vs Redemption could go either way, KingkOng is flat out better than the others and Pox is flat out better than NaMeK and Redemption.

ACL Sydney is this weekend, June 27th-28th. It will be streamed on http://www.twitch.tv/aclprosc2/ so definitely tune in for a great weekend of StarCraft action and if you live in the area, definitely pop by!

ToRRedemption · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 7:02 PM

sick write up, hypppppeeee. omg does that mean im the worst player in groups if i lose to namek? RIP

SLCN.Wally · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 7:23 PM

Not on fray

Quick Comments

syfChadMann:

Fixed.

SLCN.Wally · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 8:01 PM

Also I don't think azure and lawrence are really on the same level, lawrence is pretty much the epitome of zerg player and azure is a nobody from brisbane

Quick Comments

	ThatGuyDoMo:	broooootal
	syfIce:	weow

syfMightyKiwi · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 8:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TtSYF.Soundwave

He defeated Blysk, RivaL, MightyKiwi, Pigeon and took iaguz to the limit

http://aclsyd14.challonge.com/SC2OBB let the record show i didnt lose to Casual.Pox at ACL last year

Quick Comments

	Pox:	confirmed
	syfSoundwave:	I guess you're better than I gave you credit for, David. :P

PSiArc · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 8:24 PM

+1 to Probe and Pox's comments

**x5.Crescendo** · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 8:27 PM

I am so cut that I can't be there in person to cheer you all on!
This is going to be a sick LAN, and I hope you all have a shitload of fun.

If EnDerr's Visa arrives on time for him to fly (fingers bloody crossed for you, EnDerr m80), I'm predicting a Frustration v EnDerr finals. (Sorry everyone else. I still love ya

)

**syfChadMann** · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 8:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

Also I don't think azure and lawrence are really on the same level, lawrence is pretty much the epitome of zerg player and azure is a nobody from brisbane

I wouldn't go that far, but I think Azure is a bit over-rated.. still good and capable to take the series. Lawrence is definitely the favourite tho.

DuSt.Azure · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 8:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

Also I don't think azure and lawrence are really on the same level, lawrence is pretty much the epitome of zerg player and azure is a nobody from brisbane

you ******* wot m8?

Quick Comments

SLCN.Kez:

foken get 'im m9

ToRDjvillian · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 8:52 PM

It's a shame we can't make the easy trip up due to restrictons, I guess the streams going to be on all weekend.
Good luck to all who compete and put on your best performance!

SLCN.Kez · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 9:11 PM

Not really a big deal but FYI I have made it into the playoffs bracket before! Nice writeup and lookin forward to this weekend

Quick Comments

syfSoundwave:

Ah right, sorry I was thinking of the Top 8 double elim format so it slipped my mind, apologies mate.

syfIce · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 9:13 PM

Great write up burger man
they hype just got more real and may this be the rise of frustralia

Quick Comments

billbill:

+1

**syfSoundwave** · Wed, 24th-Jun-2015, 10:40 PM

Since Frustration has been asking, here's my Top 3 predictions.

1st: KingkOng
2nd: Frustration
3rd: EnDerr if he can go, otherwise NXZ.

DarKcS · Thu, 25th-Jun-2015, 11:10 AM

O god the the pressure *vomits on keyboard*