Prime Time Feature:
HAWK OWNS

Yep. You heard me. I saw the champ in action. And that's not all: I got me an interview with him aswell. Mini-wave for me. And don't you worry, we'll get to it in due time. But that's for later. 'Cause I'm gonna walk you through my entire Battle.net session. Why? Well, because I took damn near 340 screenshot during those four hours, made a ton of notes and saw some cool stuff – and I'll be damned if all of that has to go to waste just because the end of the session was of a higher quality than the beginning :) So I figured, hey, let's do it TV-style... before prime time, we gots to have us some low-resistance, semi-entertaining entertainment, right? Right. I know, I know; most of you will be forever scrolling downward until the Title Fight ("llllet's get rrrready to Rrrrrumple!") but there's a lot of cool stuff between now and then, just so you know.

Game 1: 2v2 No Flyers

So I log onto Battle.net and start advertising my services. I figured, with a recent Gold report posted at this illustrious site (shameless product placement, this...) people should be tripping all over themselves to let me observe their efforts. Oddly enough, the response to my "BR writer reporting for duty"-shout was... well, nonexistant. I soon changed my tactics to direct whispers, expecting nothing but sincere gratitude at my benevolent offer.

Not exactly the ticker-tape parade I'd hoped for, but hey, I'm a level-headed guy. So a "2v2 NO FLYERS" game is agreed on, with Wolf[LoD] and your humble servant (err.... that would be me) observing.

The map (as always) was Lost Temple. Funnily enough (?) every game but one that I observed during this session, was on Lost Temple (or Dark Temple). The time might be right for setting up a channel called "notemple". Any takers? Anyway, after the usual pre-game banter,

it was time to actually start playing. The Zergs Ape (12) and Woops (9) were up against Omni (Terran, 3) and Kirby (Toss, 6). While the Zergs agreed to pool really early and double ling rush Kirby, traditional threats and promises were made as to what would happen if anyone was foolish enough to attack or, God forbid, actually defeat such gifted players.

During the build-up phase of the game, I was pleasantly surprised to find a lone Bengalaas strolling about the middle of the map. Not only was the poor creature in my control (although I was merely an observer), it also had a very charming name that almost made up for its nondescriptive personality.

Kirby was spotted first, which was why he was the immediate target for the ling rush. I'm not sure whether is was done to hypnotize Kirbys probes or amuse the observers, but Woops made the scouting Overlord patrol such a tiny area over the mineral line, that the ovie appeared to be breakdancing in mid-air. It just started spinning, round and around – and kept on doing so until very late in the game. Try it sometime, it looked absolutely hilarious. It must've worked, too, because Kirby was completely taken aback when the joint ling force rushed up his ramp. It was over in no time (12 lings own 2 zealots) and Omni was too far off to help. Hell, not even I had time to do more than take 5-6 screenshots :) (BTW, that reminds me: if anyone out there is dumb enough to actually want to see all the 333 undoctrined screenshot I took that night, I can mail them to you... hope you have a generous ISP). So Kirby was out, but Omni wouldn't give. He put up a valiant defense perimeter by his choke, but Woops soon sent a family of Lurkers to make him see the error of his ways.

The Lurkers made swift work of the choke squad, and strolled into the Main. Despite valiant attempts by both military and worker forces, Omni was soon forced to lift his buildings to escape immediate doom.

Hey – wasn't this game No Flyers? Then how come he lifts all his buildings? Oh well, it comes to no surprise that Omni concedes the game before they land, so enough with splitting hairs. Game Over.

Game 2: Aiurs~Pride vs. TheShiznit!

So back into NoHunters we go... I was actually going to observe yet another 2v2 No Flyers, since this one ended pretty much before it began, but somehow I got lost and wound up here instead... Aiurs~Pride had been spamming NoHunters for a 1v1 random map for almost a full minute before giving up. He was back spamming again ten seconds later. TheShiznit! agreed most out of concern for everyone else, I think... They both randomed on Nightfall, with me and RocketKnight observing. Aiurs~Pride drew Terran at 9, while TheShiznit! warped in a Nexus at 9. Meanwhile, RockerKnight spawned in at 6 – and was immediately dubbed the worst-mannered observer ever. He said it was no problem; he just had to destroy his own Hatchery. It seems he'd conveniently forgotten that this automatically throws him out of the game with a big fat loss, but, hey, there we are.

The game itself was a quite common case of Terran laxity. (No, not laxitive. That is something completely different. Oh, grow up.) TheShiznit! got a free hand to expand over pretty much all of the map, while Aiurs~Pride was slow enough to barely hang on to his Main. The only thing that made this game memorable, is that TheShiznit! seemed to have forgotten about the middle, high-ground expansion. Aiurs~Pride floated a CC there when it became apparent that he would be unable to expand anywhere else, and after the loyal Protoss ground crew had dispatched of the 9 base, TheShiznit! seemed absolutely clueless as to where his opponent was hiding.

All of a sudden, a group of Matrixed Battlecruisers swerved in over a Protoss expansion, obliterating it in seconds.

Right after this minimap picture, they appear again over the 6 expansion, followed by a floating CC. But TheShiznit! will have none of that, at least not for long. After plonking down two Robotics Facilities in his Main, it is oly a matter of seconds before the middle high-ground Terran home is overrun with Goons and DT's. Aiurs~Pride regrets he has to go, since it would have been "so close" had they continued. Ehh.... y-yeah. Real close.

Game 3: Hawk vs. Chin[KS]

All of a sudden, he was just there. You could tell by the bantering in NoHunters that someone special was "in da house", and when Enter-Night said "hawk/1" I just went for the Join. Could it be? Oh yes, it was. The following games are strictly rated PG-13, friends, due to intense use of profanity, excessive violence and gore. And you love it.

Lost Temple again, a handful of observers (Wangsonn, MrPimp6913 and myself) and the game kicks off. Hawk (I will refer to him throughout this BR by this name, although he went by the alias Enter-Night) is Zerg at 9, Chin[KS] is Terran at 6. Being the nice guy that he is, Hawk wasted little time in graphically depicting the ownage about to take place, and when Chin[KS] refuses to be silenced, Hawk actually pauses the game to continue bantering!

"How do I own thee?/Let me count the ways..." Rather than sit through another tirade, Chin[KS] just unpauses and the game continues. As the Teal Overlord hs been circling the Terran encampment for quite some time, Chin[KS] knows what he's up against and proceeds to set up a welcoming committee by the ramp. A Depot, Barracks and a couple of SCVs prepare to greet the First Wave (anyone see that Coppola series? sheesh, don't get me started...)

Supposedly, this blockade should work. But theory isn't everything. Hawk runs straight through it, killing the SCVs and the Marines in the process. A single ling is left to weaken the Barracks, while the remaining four head straight for the mineral gatherers. I think Hawk managed to take down no less than five SCVs (damn his macro is fine) whilst back at the Barracks, a Marine pops out. It goes straight for the Zergling. And dies.

I know, I know. Don't ask me how. But it works. While macroing the mineral-harassers. And producing more lings at his Main. And teching. (Hey, has anyone actually seen Hawk, or could he be silicon-based?) Wangsonn has his own theory on how the early rush payed off so well.

Just as Chin[KS] finish the choke defense for the second time, seven Lurkers tear it down from below. A minute later they're in the Main, tearing it to shreds while a lone red Wraith takes out an Overlord in the middle of the map. Apart from a handful of lings, that was all the killings Chin[KS] could muster in this one. The great ones make it look so easy.

Game 4: Wangsonn vs. MrPimp6913

Well, this was also a short game. So short, in fact, that it really doesn't warrant a segment of its own. But in a way it does, as it serves as a prequel to what comes next. This is the game played on Dark Temple, where Wangsonn is Protoss at 12 and MrPimp6913 is Terran at 9. Hawk (a fellow observer here along with Findail, Chin[KS] and myself) notes that Wangsonn "better not lose this - the only toss who lose to terrans are the ones I play... seriously..." As Hawk felt that MrPimp6913 was at a disadvantage (being Terran and all), he proceeded to give advice during the game. (Not that I think off-hand suggestions like "get your SCV over there and repair" did much to influence the outcome or balance of the game). After harassing the Terran choke for long enough to build a sizeable army, Wangsonn stampeded right into the enemy base and razed the lot. It was over in a heartbeat, but Hawk wasn't really that pleased. He dared Wangsonn to another game, in which he (Hawk) would be Terran against Wangsoons Toss. To show us "the only way to play Terrans proply".

Game 5: Hawk vs. Wangsoon

OK, this is the game that Hawk deemed worthy of a BR :) He'll probably come knocking on my door with a two-by-four when he sees I've included pretty much everything from that night and not make the BR exclusive ;) The thing is he wasn't too chuffed about his overall play this evening, as he was at home sick all day. Anyway, Game time. Back at Temple. Hawk lands his CC at 6, while the Wangsoon Nexus warps in at high noon. Justifiably intimidated by his illustrious opponent (I mean, hey, this is Hawk we're talking about!) Wangsoon goes for a double (soon-to-be-triple) Gateway build, and delays scouting. It isn't by much, but since he's up against a guy who's pretty time efficient, this is what the Terran choke looks like when a scouting probe finally arrives.

I'd also like to show you the mineral-gas ratio at the Terran base. While two (2) SCVs were gathering Vespene gas, this is what the mineral line looked like. I guess it's true you can never have to many peons, but we're talking like 95% minerals here - for a Heavy Metal strat. Pretty cool stuff.

After being scouted, Hawk acted fast (are we surprised?). He lifted his Barracks to let out the forces he'd amassed thus far (a nice assortment of Tanks and Vultures) and set of for the Protoss base. Without delay, he proceeded to charge up the enemy ramp. His initial onslaught was in fact so fierce, that Wangsoon couldn't keep himself from crying uncle... or at least say "huk gg". He managed to fend off that original attack though, but was forced to rebuild both armies and structures while Hawk teched away. Before long, an ominous shadow fell over the probe line...

"D'uh! Wraith harassment – and me without a Forge..." This was, of course, nothing more than a bluff. The lone Wraith was the only flyer throughout the game, but persuaded Wangsoon to prepare for a tech climb that was more or less invalid for the ground assault that was to follow. No sooner had the Forge finished than 3 speedy Vultures ran into the Main. "What!?" I hear you cry. "Wasn't the choke guarded at all?" Of course it was. First. But with the micro-managed mining from another control group of Vultures, the guards were mainly lured into a mine-field tap dance routine. Offensive mining against Protoss can be deadly if you have the skills to keep track of all your units, and if anyone does, it's Hawk. The bastard even made it look real easy.

On the way to the mineral line, the Vulture pack quickly mined in the Gateways to ward off Dark Templars. A Zealot warped in and headed for the enemy bikers, but it was not to be. They swerved around and headed right towards him. After firing their first round, they swerved round again, drawing him after them towards the mineral line while they were reloading. Swerve again. Fire. Zealot down. It was damnright eerie. Without even stopping to light the traditional post-kill cigarette, the Vultures went straight for their primaty objective.

"...hey! Where'd all my Probes go? And what are you guys doing here?"

I believe this excursion was planned as harassment and economical warfare, but its success quickly elevated it into more than that – it became a forerunner of the avalanche. Somehow, Hawk has managed to macro while microing, and no sooner has the mineral-cowering Vultures been dealt with than the real powerhouse comes up the rank to end the game in a hail of lightning.

– Knock knock... – Who's there?
– Hawk... – Hawk who?
– Hawk now hear the angels sing...

Intermission - Interlude - Interview

Quite chuffed with himself after such a heroic display, Hawk was eager for an interview – and why ever not? It's not every day you get the chance to chat for a bit with one of the best Starcraft players on B.net. Well, at least not for me :) We set up a channel for the deed, and off we went...

(A few of them are. I then asked about Hawk's background in RTS.)



(We went on to talk about apolitical subjects like flaming, bantering, backstabbing)





(Hawk has never played Grr, but thinks he might get a game off him in a 5 game match.)

(Hawk leaves to find opposition for a 1v2.)

Game 6: Hawk vs. [SA]K'irby & [SA]Requiem

This game was wonderfully entertaining, although the outcome was a tad disappointing. Hawk wanted me to choose his race, and since I've always had a soft spot for the Swarm, I told him to go Zerg. He switched from Random at the last second, and the game was afoot. Hawk gets 6, Requiem is 12 (Terran) and Kirby spawns a Hatchery at 3. After finding the 9 slot empty with his first Overlord, Hawk starts his psychological warfare.

Don't you just have to love it? I know I do. Hawk expands immediately to his natural, but hesitates on what tech to get. While getting some Lings and Hydras, he stalls for too long, and although he manages to fend of the first double rush (are you supposed to be able to do that!? I wish I had taken some shots of that micro, but I was too busy picking my jaw up from the floor), he lost his expansion to the follow-up turbo newbie on the ledge. His counter-rush (8 Lurkers into Requiems Main) was beautifully conducted, and would have worked too – if Kirby hadn't been Zerg. Sadly, Terran can afford to forego early detection when all he has to do is ask for an Overlord (speed upgraded) to go from 3 to 12. Bar that, I actually think that Hawk would have taken out the Terran base, double expanded and rolled over the opposing Zerg. Those are the breaks. Never a man to take failure lightly, Hawk immediately challenges his foes to 1v1s. They are just as quick to accept.

Game 7: Hawk vs. [SA]Requiem

Hawk offers Requiem to choose match-up, but he decides against it – they both random. Hawk draws a Nexus at 12, while Requiem spawns a Hatchery at 9. Scouting early, Hawk finds Requiem expanding to his natural with two hatches. Such a strategy must deeply impress him, judging from his response.

It's great to be playing with pros, isn't it?

Hawk withdraws and start piling up zealots outside the exp. But not just in any old order, no. He puts little less than a third of the pack where he knows it will be spotted by the patrolling Overlord, and lets the rest of the force stand waiting right outisde the vision range.

Just as the Hatcheries finish, Hawk floods the expansion with his Zealots and probes, always making sure to keep critically wounded units in the back ranks so their shields can regenerate. It actually looked like they went off for a quick smoke, just looking on as their tireless comrades kept pummeling the few Hydras, little Lings and many Drones that Requiem kept throwing at him.

That's actually something I noted throughout the games I watched Hawk play; his ability to calculate just how long certain units could stand to be in the fray, until they had to fall back and recover. It was rare that he ever sacrificed a unit that could be saved, even when it required lots of microing efforts. Anyway, after the expansion fell, massing up forces and storming the ramp was a piece of cake. A cute touch was the Corsair popping Overlords like it was the fourth of July – another great way of making sure that even if the immediate should fail, Hawk would have a sizeable advantage in that the enemy can not rebuild as quickly. Naturally, Requiem was quick to point out how distracting it was for him that his Mother kept calling for him to come and eat – an excuse that warranted extensive ridicule from everyone involved :) Sulking over the fact that Hawk won't grant him a rematch (after dinner, of course) Requiem disconnects in impotent fury.

Game 8: Hawk vs. [SA]K'irby

Perhaps this Battle report would have been better titled "Eight games and an Interview" (hmm... I thought that would come off sounding pretty similar to 'Four weddings and a Funeral' but it didn't... sheesh), because this is actually the very last game of the bunch. It is also the game that had me laughing the most. Bear with me, and you shall soon see why.

Ah, Lost Temple. No surprises there. Fellow observer (well, until Hawk pissed him off enough for him to disc) was [HK]MiST, who was first interested in playing too – here's a gem of a conversation during the first minute of the game:

Random... Hawk gets Protoss at 6, Kirby gets Terran at 12. Per usual, Hawk scouts his opponent first. (As if he needed the edge.) Kirby has walled off his choke real good – a little too good, in fact. One of the Depots has gotten just a biiit close to the edge, so when a pair of Dragoons position themselves just right (Hawk, Hawk... what can I say?) they are able to take it out, and open the door. By that time, they're not alone anymore – in fact, the entire clan has gathered. The obligatory First Rush consists of about eight or ten goons pushing up the ramp, harassing the hell out of the Terran encampment.

No sooner have the Marines quelled the uprising at the ramp, than you hear the high-pitch squealing of exploding SCVs. Someone left the micro-wave on? Oh no, it's another one of Hawk's favourites; Deja vu-time...

– Great spot, this. How'd you find it?
– My Vulture cousin showed me.

The Goon twins are dispatched of easily enough, but not befire ridding the planet of at least half a dozen trusty SCVs... that's gotta hurt... and the sad thing is; this initial rush hurt Kirby so much, he doesn't really have anything left to counter with. I was surprised to see that Hawk didn't mass troops and just invade, but he had something else in mind. While Kirby was frantically rebuilding at home and setting up a new defensive line, Hawk expanded. Not only expanded, he expanded 8 times. Simultaneously. Yup, you heard me... that's 3200 minerals right there. To spare. So Kirby's defenses are up, and he's starting to pump factory units. What does Hawk do? Why, elementary, my dear Watson. He plops down 15 Gateways in the upper middle of the map.

At the risk of repeating myself, I feel I must say again that this is the Lost Temple. Not any BGH or mucho money-clone. It's the real deal. Hawk lets each one of the Gateways produce a couple of soldiers, and then starts mass-constructing his next structure...

Yep... can't have too many Starports...

Meanwhile (back at the farm) Kirby's getting anxious. Why is it so silent? He fears the worst, and asks Hawk if there's any resource node he hasn't expanded to yet. Hawk says: sure... bottom right :) Kirby decides not to wait around any longer, but rather launch a full-scale offense. A cool dozen (siegable) Tanks is accompanied by a hefty bunch of M&Ms, as Kirby (slightly confused at what he finds beneath his ramp) starts bombarding the central Gateways with all he's got.

"I'm a little Siege Tank, short and stout..."

It looks to be going Kirbys way. Gateway after Gateway falls beneath the treaed of his Terran killing machines. Indeed, he must have been well chuffed with himself at this point. Until the curtain fell, that is.

I won't even tell you how this game ended. You figure it out. I was finally able to log off (at 3AM Swedish time) and go get some shut-eye. A hard day's night, that. And worth every second.

Lessons learned

Errm... not many :) Oh, yah, like don't play Hawk unless you feel a burning desire to be seriously humiliated. It's just an imbaöance that no patch can fix. Oh, and don't write a drastically overlong BR chronicalling 8 games and an interview just because you like to OD on Starcraft. Most people have better things to do than plow through them. Well, that pretty much sums it up. My cat is meowing for attention as I type. Along with my girlfriend, they're really not very happy at my newfound delight in BR's. Sure hope you are :)