Professor Layton wrote:James should still ladder todayy
Failure to comply with this rule will be met with counting the LEENOCKs in this post.
[spoiler="GSL"]Hello. I'm sort of new to this whole Starcraft analysis thing. I have dreams of being an Esports writer and here is the first eSportsy thing I've written. Counter-points welcome. Trolls are ignored. Thank you.
Leenock usually opts for early gas and pool around 14 supply for early map control. Leenock uses early map control to: a. Scout for proxy rax or pylons b. VS Terran Leenock uses early map control to send Overlords on a direct scouting path, using lings to pick off lone marines that could potentially snipe an Overlord c. Leenock is great at spotting lowered depots and usually has speedlings in the early game. Leenock has dealt huge damage at the start of a game to several top tier Terrans simply because their depots were caught off guard
Leenock is a scouting boss. a. Leenock usually sends 2 Overlords towards an opponent's base at the start of a match. b. Leenock places many of his Overlords at the edge of cliffs and ledges so he can see you but you can’t see him. c. Leenock will dot the map with pairs of burrowed Banelings. He will use burrowed Banelings to prevent Command Centers from landing next to a mineral line, waste your Mule / Scan energy, destroy groups of clumped marines, and keep tabs on your troop movements. NSHoSeo_jjakji, you may want to build a Raven. D. Leenock's scouting make him virtually impervious to drops and other harassment.
Leenock will be able to wall off just like you can. a. Leenock often builds walls out of Roach Dens, Spine Crawlers, and Queens to stop early pressure, prevent Hellion run-ins, and deny scouting.
Leenock keeps his Lings very active from early to late game a. Leenock’s lings constantly run around the map looking vulnerable targets. If there is an unguarded expansion, a lone group of Marines, or a supply depot carelessly left open Leenock will sniff it out and swarm it.
Leenock spreads creep outward when he has a lead and is getting ready to attack your main. a. Trust me on this one. b. Leenock spreads creep to connect expansions. c. Leenock spreads creep to attack. d. Leenock generally does not incorporate creep spread as part of his normal Macro rotation. e. Go watch his MLG final against Naniwa or even his GSL November semifinal match against MVP. If you’re looking for tells that Leenock is ready to attack Leenock’s creep will start pushing outward towards yours. f. Leenock may also use creep to deny expansions.
Leenock does not very many risks a. Leenock rarely fast expands and I can’t think of a recent match where he goes for a ninja expand. b. Leenock expands when he feels he has an army composition to deny drops and clean up non-committal aggression.
c. If Leenock expands to gold early on Leenock is not taking a risk. Leenock will have lings with speed to adequately protect his investment.
Leenock plays best when he is playing patiently a. Just look at Leenock’s MLG match with Huk. I didn’t realize what Leenock was doing until I saw Lings, Hydras, Infestors, and Mutas on the field. Leenock “safely” took the gold expo with an early pool and speedlings. After securing the gold and two more expansions Leenock had enough money to do a Zerg 1/1/1 of sorts. Leenock buit lots of lings. Huk responded with gateway units. So Leenock built Hydralisks. Leenock knew Huk’s only response to mass Hydra/Ling would have been Colossus; by that time Leenock had the economy to support several tech switches; Huk did not.
Leenock’s build order was essentially 15 minutes long. Leenock patiently guided Huk towards an unfavorable unit composition then pounced on Huk at an opportune moment. Leenock is not an improvisational player. Leenock has a reason for every unit and timing he employs. b. Leenock rarely rushes and often fails when he does an all-in.
Look out for Brood Lords. Leenock likes Brood Lords and I have a feeling we’ll be seeing them in the GSL November Final.
NSHoSeo_jjakji, GLHF. Make this a championship to remember![/spoiler]