GomTV Star Invitational: Group B preview

Every event features a group of death where players who should all make it out of group play won’t. Only two players can advance, leaving no room for error. In the GOMTV Star Invitational StarCraft tournament, one slip up–a mis-struck key, a poorly micro’d unit–could be the downfall and an early end to any member of Group B.

Cast of Characters

Name: Jae-Dong Lee
Alias: n.Die_Jaedong
Race: Zerg
Team: Lecaf OZ

Strength: Jaedong’s stock has been rising as of late. Fans believe he will fill sAviOr’s shoes as a Zerg superstar. Jaedong is nicknamed “Legend Killer,” bringing down veteran after veteran consistently. His record stands at an amazing 90-43, a 67.67% win rate. Additionally, his Zerg mirror is heartstopping: 30-9. Against Terran, he stands at 38-16, winning over 70% of the time.

Weakness: They don’t call it the group of death for nothing. He faces a decent Protoss and two players who eat Zergs for breakfast.

Stake: Jaedong needs to defend his title as Legend Killer. If he can make it out of the group, theres a good chance he can take it all here.

Name: Yoon-Yeol Lee
Alias: [ReD]NaDa
Race: Terran
Team: WeMade FOX

Strength: NaDa plays like a beast on his good days whie managing to bring in constant results for his team. He is one of the few players to claim the Golden Mouse award, received for winning three OSL titles (not required to be consecutive). While Boxer’s innovative and cunning Terran plays wow audiences, NaDa makes his place in the world known by writing the Terran book everyone plays from.

Weakness: After losing to sAviOr in a finals match, NaDa seems to be losing his edge. He struggles against newer players, winning or losing in very tight matches he never had problems with before. NaDa’s most recent match shows he may be making a comeback, but he’s far from being back in shape.

Stake: NaDa’s exit out of his slump means he isn’t down for the count. Proving he can make a second coming would mean some good matches before he may have to retire.

Name: Young-Jin Park
Alias: Much[gm]
Race: Protoss
Team: CJ Entus

Strength: One of the older players in the league, Much[gm] is the prominent Protoss for CJ Entus, serving as the team’s Captain at this time. He plays to the letter of the Protoss book, showing years upon years of experience. Much[gm] often shows rising stars that age and determination are equally strong.

Weakness: Much[gm]’s only victory here may come from a rusty Boxer. Jaedong is on fire lately, while NaDa showed in his last set of games he’s ready to fight to win. Much[gm]’s only chance would have been in another group with less pressure and fewer stars.

Name: Yo-Hwan Lim
Alias: SlayerS_Boxer
Race: Terran
Team: Airforce ACE

Strength: Boxer is a driving force for all of Korean eSports. His list of achievements is daunting, and his ingenuity unmatched. Boxer is the model genius Terrans shoot for. Before he even sits in his chair, fan and foe alike know not to expect a quiet game. From proxy barracks, to bunker rushes, to multi-expo dropship strikes, Boxer is a Terran mastermind wielding only mouse and keyboard.

Weakness: Let’s face it, Boxer doesn’t get enough time to practice and keep up with other stars of his level. His games, while still monumental at times, don’t pack the same punch they used to. Many fans dream of his lockdown and blinding mechanics, but they’re going to have to sleep to see them this time around.

Stake: Even though Boxer might not come out of this group, fans will watch him to make sure he’ll be ready for The Emporer to take his throne after serving in the air force. A brilliant performance from him will make enough people happy, even if he doesn’t win.
Predictions:

Jaedong > NaDa
NaDa > Much
Much > Boxer
Jaedong > Boxer
Jaedong > Much
Nada > Boxer

Jaedong (3-0)
Nada(2-1)
Much(1-2)
Boxer(0-3)

(Sorry Boxer, we love you and all, but it’s not going to happen.)