Semi-finals: the predictions

[daelmun]

Ok, here we go with another round of predictions for this 1v1 tourney that seems to move along just fine. With the exceptions of Jeet's connection problems of course. I'll try to not repeat myself from previous predictions. Anyway, let's cut to the chase:

Naymlis vs DaHanG:
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Ok, this should be a really intresting game. If Scooby and Kickr0 represent the older generation of q2-players, both Naymlis and DaHanG represents the "new", allthough they both have been playing q2 long enough (about 4 years +/- or so) to be considered q2 players by blood. Untill Scooby joined the fray I'd would say this could be considered the real final. What is fun when comparing these two players is that allthough they have been playing q2 for about equal amount of time, they have gone two seperate paths so to say. DaHanG has primarily focused on teamplay but with the smarts and aim to do well in duels, while Naymlis is foremost a great dueller but with the aim and strats to do very well in teams too. Neither of them has been put to the test so far in this tourney, allthough naymlis have had a couple more or less close maps in his games, but still come out on top.

Aim:
Both players have the aim down to an art, but where naymlis relies a lot on fast flickrails with high annoyance factor, DaHanG is more of a steady railer that sets up his railshots more often than flicking. Both rely a lot on chaingun, and couldn't say which one of them are the better aimer with that weapon. But if I was to mention a factor that will decide this game, I think that the chaingun aim and usage is playing a vital role. When it comes to predictionshots, I do think naymlis goes more for angles and spamspots than any other player in NA at the moment, this also comes down to his extreme hunger to learn the maps.


Strategy:
If we look on the strategy part of the game, I'd say both are very strong. It's common knowledge that naymlis has learned a lot of his duelling strats from watching top European players. But DaHanG has also learned a few tricks from top players, as well as the ability to adopt his play more than most to his opponent. If he plays a fast player, he goes slow and steady, if he plays a slower player he increase the pace. Naymlis is more often playing the game at his own pace, going superfast when in control but slowing down the game on the defense taking advantage of his opponent's errors.

Maps:
As for what maps to be played, I don't really know. It would be nice to see these two battle it out on q2dm1, but somehow I'm not sure that will happen. Both of them are aware of how well the other knows the map, and how hard it is to break the mapcontrol, and a map both players know just as good is not always the best choice for a homemap. I think DaHanG will pick q2rdm2, since he has beaten Naymlis there before and his strong aim these days will put him in a good position. It's harder to predict naymlis' pick, I think he might be considering q2dm3 and aero, but do think he will finally pick ztn2dm3 as that is one of his strongest map.

Outcome:
Evenly matched players with a bit different approach to the game should make this very intresting. This game can go either way right now, DaHanG is in very good q2 shape (outclassing his opponents this far) at the moment, and naymlis is probably playing warsow more than q2 and is not in his top q2 form (beating KaiTech^ in a close match on q2dm1 last round). It may so simple:

DaHanG wins 2:1[/b]



Scooby vs Kickr0:
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Scooby entered this tourney a bit late and unprepared, but he has impressed everyone who has followed his games. Kickr0 haven't been able to show off his real abilities this far, but managed to take down Deft in a fairly close encounter, as well as winning Jeet who suffered from bad connection. Anyway, let's look at these two players for a bit.

Aim:
Kickr0 is a player who relies a lot on his aim, he has a wide background playing tdm and ra2, where he has build up quite a strong railaim. His main strength is the consistancy on his rail, he doesn't really miss much and he is a bit of a conservative railer lining up his shots not taking the big chances or flicking too much. Scooby on the otherhand is a tdm player with overall great aim, his rail is very strong allthough you may be fooled because he makes it look oh so easy. But where as Kickr0 has more of a love for certain weapons, Scooby is comfortable with all weapons, and use them with high skill. What we learned about Scooby from his game vs Rehash is that playing a rail-oriented players only motivates him to step up his own game, so even though Kickr0 try to outrail him, he should be aware that it will only make Scooby even more focused on his own play. That's not neccessarily a good thing. Anyway, I think a deciding factor in this game aside from who will win the rail vs rail battles, will be the chain. Scooby has a chain that can scare anyone, but a Kickr0 in shape is no stranger to this weapon either. If maps are q2rdm2 and q2dm1, the chain will certainly be a key weapon.

Strategy:
Scooby is one of the "smartest" q2 players around, his natural ability to outthink his opponent will make him a threat on any map, in any mod etc. Allthough Scooby first and foremost is one of the best teamplayers in q2, his duelling skills are quite strong as well. He knows all the maps very well, and what seperates him from others is the fact he is more comfortable on other maps than q2dm1, which will speak to his advantage. A thinking player in any way, he also has the arcade skills to take advantage of spawns and just outstack his opponent while putting him under pressure. Kickr0 is a player mostly reknown for his q2dm1 abilities, but he as well has learned how to play a wide range of duel-maps, so allthough he is most comfortable controlling the Edge, he is not gonna be running cluelessly around elsewhere. Kickr0 is a very patient player, he doesn't rush into things, and plays a good game on defense as well on offense. I haven't been able to watch Kickr0's games this far, but at least he used to have an equally if not stronger game on defense than offense, where he is very aim reliant.

Maps:
Kickr0 will and should pick q2dm1, Scooby will most likely pick q2rdm2.

Outcome:
If these maps are played we should see the closest game on q2dm1 in my opinion. If Kickr0 manages to get the control early on he should be able to rack up some frags, but in the end Scooby just is the stronger player and should win. On q2rdm2 Kickr0 really needs his rail to be able to win, but even then (learning from his game vs Rehash), Scooby will play smart enough to win. I can't see anything but a 2:0 victory for Scooby.

Scooby wins 2:0[/b]

[DaHanG]

thanks dael .