GOMTV StarCraft 2 Open Semi Final Day 1 - Report

GOMTV StarCraft 2 Open: Semi Finals

HopeTorture versus

BoxeR @ Delta Quadrant

Both players start off at the top of the map with BoxeR at the top left and HopeTorture at the top right. BoxeR would open up with a Makarax, a second Barracks at a forward position (usually at his natural). This would allow for quicker Marine rallying in offensive rushes. Sitting at such close positions BoxeR would rush up the ramp of HopeTorture's base.

BoxeR showing some early aggression with a Marine rush

HopeTorture's only chance at this point was to build a Bunker at his ramp, but was stopped multiple times as BoxeR microed his way up the ramp to take out a building SCV and microed so more to scare off the SCVs that were used to defend for HopeTorture. Eventually, HopeTorture would be forced to sacrifice too many SCVs to defend and be overwhelmed by BoxeR's Marine rush. 1-0 for BoxeR.

HopeTorture versus

BoxeR @ Lost Temple

Both players would spawn in opposite locations of each other with HopeTorture at the 9 o'clock positiona nd BoxeR at the 3 o'clock position. BoxeR would open up with a fast expand while HopeTorture elects to tech up to a Banshee instead. Neither players would be able to scout each other out in the early game, but eventually HopeTorture would scout out the fast expand of BoxeR's with a Reaper.

HopeTorture attempts to harass with his Banshees at this point. They do have cloak, but he ends up losing three Banshees while attempting to harass BoxeR's mineral lines. He would fall behind economically, without ever having done enough damage to BoxeR's economy. At one point BoxeR even denies the expansion at HopeTorture's natural for a minute or two.

Denying HopeTorture's expansion

BoxeR, realizing his economic advantage, would build up his production facilities and decides on a strong drop into the natural expansion of HopeTorture's. This would prove to be less effective then he had hoped and BoxeR would lose a large amount of his army to the drop, while inflicting minimal damage to HopeTorture. Seeing this, HopeTorture would counter.

BoxeR goes in for the kill

HopeTorture counters and pushes all the way to the doorstep of BoxeR's natural. Although HopeTorture was able to counter and set up Siege Tanks on the frontlines, BoxeR's production facilities allowed him to quickly reinforce his army and create a counter-push. Showing some excellent micro, BoxeR would push this counter-push with ease. BoxeR would push HopeTorture all the way back to his own base and take the second game.

HopeTorture versus

BoxeR @ Xel'Naga Caverns

BoxeR would elect to do a fast expansion again. However, he would go a very late gas this game so that he could mass a large amount of Marines to push into HopeTorture's base. HopeTorture on the other hand would go Banshee again, but build it in a proxy location in HopeTorture's second natural expansion.

HopeTorture ruining BoxeR's timing with a proxy Starport

Just as BoxeR moved out with his mass of Marines, HopeTorture sends in his Banshee to harass BoxeR's natural and main base. At this point BoxeR would send in his Marines up HopeTorture's ramp and would almost break through, but is stopped short. Meanwhile, the Banshees in BoxeR's base would continue to reak havoc on the mineral line.

Falling greatly behind at this point, it would be a matter of time before HopeTorture moves out with his army of Siege Tanks and Marines into the empty natural of BoxeR's and take the third game.

HopeTorture versus

BoxeR @ Steppes of War

Both players would start off with the same strategies as last game. However, HopeTorture would make a preemptive Bunker, expecting a proxy Marine rush. BoxeR would scan and scout out the Banshee tech by HopeTorture. This time BoxeR would make the necessary adjustments to his strategy and would go gas a little earlier to tech to stim and combat shields.

Defence? What Defence?

HopeTorture's Banshee end up doing very little damage to BoxeR's economy as BoxeR's Marines were spread all over the map to catch the Banshees. The pure mass of Marines with stim and combat shield upgrades end up rolling over HopeToture's army and he takes the 4th game with a commanding ease. There was just no hope for HopeTorture at this point.

HopeTorture versus

BoxeR @ Blistering Sands

HopeTorture would play the same build as last game and tech into Banshees. This time BoxeR decides against a fast expand, but makes a much more aggressive build. At this point you would think that that is impossible considering how he's been playing already, but he does it. BoxeR would tech to Siege Tanks this time to help him break down the destructible rocks at HopeTorture's base.

Fate, knocking at HopeTorture's backdoor

BoxeR would time his Medivac just right and load up a full load of Marines and a single Tank to join his already large army at the backdoor of HopeTorture's base. He would also save up two scans for his attack in anticipation of HopeTorture's Banshees. BoxeR moves in with his large force and takes out all of HopeTorture's defending army and a large chunk of HopeTorture's SCVs.

Despite looking like he had lost the game, HopeTorture would attempt to make a come back by sending his Banshees into BoxeR's main to take out as many SCVs as he could. He would make a small stand before finally typing out. The match would end in 4-1 for BoxeR as he made his way to the finals.

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