1) Having one good character may no longer be enough
There are simply too many good players, with too many drastically different playstyles, to
rely on a single setup to win a tourney of this level.
Players who were able to switch successfully came out on top -- namely Detroit and Denzel.
And very nearly PL. Adaptation and surprise are now as important as they have ever
been.
2) Learn to play Kung Lao
Please. This is critical. If you're going to pocket Kung Lao, 'Online Lao' is not
enough. Random teleports will be punished. Naked divekicks will be punished. Trying to
combo your way in on Mileena with high normals and 0 respect is not a good idea.
Please treat the man in the hat with necessary respect.. Strategically he still has a lot
of room to grow, and people should be taking his tactics as seriously as any of the other
characters.
3) As soon as you get comfortable, things change
This tournament was a gigantic lesson for a lot of people. Just when people figured many
of the popular characters had been fleshed out, we saw fresh tactics, new counters.
Anyone who felt comfortable going into EVO is now forced to take a long, hard look at every
single inch of their offense, defense, and matchup knowledge. Whatever worked in the last
tournament, may fail in the next.
As soon as you start to feel untouchable; that's when someone reaches out and grabs you.
4) Our c(k?)ommunity has some serious fighting spirit
We adapt. We woodshed. Faced with what was likely the most indimidating lineup for an MK
major ever, players upped their game and fought fearlessly. Faced with criticism of our
game, and complaints of impending doom, these participants put on what has to go down as one of the
greatest showcases in the history of ESports.
This weekend was absolute insane from the very first match.. It was a great showing for
MK, a great showing for MLG. Instead of tearing each other down we came together and
became stronger as a group. (Well, maybe except for Triforce.. but his bank account was
strengthened).
5) EVO Will Be Crazy
Yup. If you thought MLG was unpredictable, how much crazier will it be at EVO? Seeing
new tactics from the US coats/regions was wild enough -- but throw multiple countries in
the mix, and you're playing with dynamite. This weekend may have just been a warmup to
what we will see in 1 month. Excited yet?
6) There is no "Best coast".
If you didn't know -- now you know.
And in closing, some well-deserved props:
Props to Osu 16 Bit for levelling up and making a fantastic showing at MLG. You were
incredibly exciting to watch.
Props to Perfect Legend for injecting a huge amount of excitement and positive drama into
this tourney.
Props to the West Coast for not backing down and making a strong statement when it
counted.
Props to DetroitBalln for being the one who says the least, but speaks loudly with his
play.
Props to Denzell for the "Denzell Shimmy". And for keeping an entire tournament on their
toes.
Props to Tom Brady for being a fantastic commentaor and a great sport. And for really
bringing something special to this weekend.
Props to CD jr for never giving up no matter how the odds looked.
Props to Juicebox for coining the term "Nomad Run?"
Pig Of The Hut -- Kenshi's people called.. They want to have a word with you.
Very strong weekend for MK -- I've never been more excited about our game and the future
of this community.. Here's to a fantastic rest of 2012.
There are simply too many good players, with too many drastically different playstyles, to
rely on a single setup to win a tourney of this level.
Players who were able to switch successfully came out on top -- namely Detroit and Denzel.
And very nearly PL. Adaptation and surprise are now as important as they have ever
been.
2) Learn to play Kung Lao
Please. This is critical. If you're going to pocket Kung Lao, 'Online Lao' is not
enough. Random teleports will be punished. Naked divekicks will be punished. Trying to
combo your way in on Mileena with high normals and 0 respect is not a good idea.
Please treat the man in the hat with necessary respect.. Strategically he still has a lot
of room to grow, and people should be taking his tactics as seriously as any of the other
characters.
3) As soon as you get comfortable, things change
This tournament was a gigantic lesson for a lot of people. Just when people figured many
of the popular characters had been fleshed out, we saw fresh tactics, new counters.
Anyone who felt comfortable going into EVO is now forced to take a long, hard look at every
single inch of their offense, defense, and matchup knowledge. Whatever worked in the last
tournament, may fail in the next.
As soon as you start to feel untouchable; that's when someone reaches out and grabs you.
4) Our c(k?)ommunity has some serious fighting spirit
We adapt. We woodshed. Faced with what was likely the most indimidating lineup for an MK
major ever, players upped their game and fought fearlessly. Faced with criticism of our
game, and complaints of impending doom, these participants put on what has to go down as one of the
greatest showcases in the history of ESports.
This weekend was absolute insane from the very first match.. It was a great showing for
MK, a great showing for MLG. Instead of tearing each other down we came together and
became stronger as a group. (Well, maybe except for Triforce.. but his bank account was
strengthened).
5) EVO Will Be Crazy
Yup. If you thought MLG was unpredictable, how much crazier will it be at EVO? Seeing
new tactics from the US coats/regions was wild enough -- but throw multiple countries in
the mix, and you're playing with dynamite. This weekend may have just been a warmup to
what we will see in 1 month. Excited yet?
6) There is no "Best coast".
If you didn't know -- now you know.
And in closing, some well-deserved props:
Props to Osu 16 Bit for levelling up and making a fantastic showing at MLG. You were
incredibly exciting to watch.
Props to Perfect Legend for injecting a huge amount of excitement and positive drama into
this tourney.
Props to the West Coast for not backing down and making a strong statement when it
counted.
Props to DetroitBalln for being the one who says the least, but speaks loudly with his
play.
Props to Denzell for the "Denzell Shimmy". And for keeping an entire tournament on their
toes.
Props to Tom Brady for being a fantastic commentaor and a great sport. And for really
bringing something special to this weekend.
Props to CD jr for never giving up no matter how the odds looked.
Props to Juicebox for coining the term "Nomad Run?"
Pig Of The Hut -- Kenshi's people called.. They want to have a word with you.
Very strong weekend for MK -- I've never been more excited about our game and the future
of this community.. Here's to a fantastic rest of 2012.
