Choi Jae Won, known as SlayerS_Crank, is a top protoss player on one of the best Stlarcraft 2 teams in Korea, He has just recently qualified for season 3 of GSL, and has helped his team to stay undefeated in the GSTL. He has done well in several online tournament, among those the Korean Weekly, where he took silver. Crank also has a past in SC:BW playing for the team SKT-1 where he played alongside players such as SlayerS_Boxer, MMA and Fantasy.

In this interview I talked to Crank about his carrier use, how he got into SlayerS, and his rivalry with SlayerS_Puzzle.

You play for team slayers, how did you get picked up by such a prestigious team?

SlayerS_Crank: I was in SKT during playing SC BW, I met MMA at there, and he asked me to play SC2 after I've ended my military service. So I talked with Boxer and MMA and decided to join.

OK, do you think you feel more pressure when you play for Slayers then if you played for a foreign team for instance?

SlayerS_Crank: Each of them has their own advantages and disadvantages, playing in foreign teams could provide me more chances to experience broadly or else, but playing in Team SlayerS provides many convenience and good people, so I am now satisfied in my life in SlayerS.

Not long ago, slayers teamed up with EG and now you have EG members Puma and JYP staying with you, are there any other team EG members you want to practice with and maybe to move into the slayers house?

SlayerS_Crank: I liked to practice with Idra, but since he's overseas for foreign tournaments, so I talk about our games a lot with Puma and JYP.

You recently played a very good game vs NSH Freaky, you used carriers in that game, is this something we can expect more of in your future games?

SlayerS_Crank: Since I'm still working on finding the best builds for using Carriers and I like using them, I think I can show more in my future games. But I am slightly sad that it is not being an issue :(

Do you think there's anything blizzard can do? A buff to carriers for instance.

SlayerS_Crank: Unlike many people's thoughts, carriers are really strong when your army composition is ready. So I don't think they need buff. Counter unit for carrier is corrupters but if there is Mothership and Archons, carriers are untouchable :D

You recently played on the new ESV maps with foreginer fans, is this something you would recommend to other Korean pro players?

SlayerS_Crank: It was a very favorable experience. When I'm tired, I feel much better when my fans cheer for me so It was a good experience to spend time with my fans and it is not usual. I want to recommend it to anyone if time allow it :D

You have an amazing 80% winrate vs zergs, what is your secret?

SlayerS_Crank: Despite I lost to ZeNEXLife in last GSTL game, I think I'm confident with my PvZ games compared to other gamers. That confident mind helped me a lot. Every times I've been having hard times vs Z, I made new builds and strategies and this helps me a lot until now. vs Z easy!

Image courtesy of TeamLiquid.net

What do you think went wrong vs ZeNexLife?

SlayerS_Crank: When ZeNEXLife built a hatchery in my natural, that made my game's flow twisted much. That made me so difficult for defending during whole game and lose that game. After that game I was so anrgy to myself and stayed stunned for a while.





Your winrate vs terran is only 40%, what do you think you have most to improve in that match up?

SlayerS_Crank : I think I should improve my stability of my PvT games. The games should be stable like a big rock but I can't right now. Also I think I have to learn how to move confidently like MC.

We mentioned the SlayerS-EG partnership a bit, do you ever think you will travel to the EG house in Arizona for a month or two, like idra did, or will you stay in the slayers house for the most part?

SlayerS_Crank: If I could play in foreign tournaments, it would be a good choice for me since I want to experience many things, but I have GSL Code.A and GSTL for a while so I have to concentrate on them and online tournaments.

As you mentioned, you recently advanced from the Code A prelims and will be playing the next season of GSL Code A, do you think you can advance to code S this season, or do you think you will need more time?

SlayerS_Crank: I had better skills and confidence when I was less known then now. If I can get back to that condition I think I could get Code.S and also better results than Puzzle :D

So you and Puzzle have a friendly rivalry going on?

SlayerS_Crank: I've been struggling with Puzzle through some interviews but we cover each other's Strength and weakness. We point out each other's weak points and also we compete each other. Puzzle is better player than me but I think he has to improve himself much more because he needs my help a lot

Have you played any of the Brood war players, like flash, jaedong etc, on ladder, and who do you think will do best in SC2?

SlayerS_Crank: I don't know even if I've met them on ladder. Their practice is perfectly kept in secret. I've been practicing in other ways rather than ladder games so I don't know exactly. Best player.. hmm... SKT T1_BeSt has won 2 games inSC2 but not yet :D..

Before we end the interview, do you have anything you want to say?

SlayerS_Crank: I've been looking foreign forums such as Team Liquid, but I'm a bit disappointed that I'm not being focus that much since I'm not making notable results. Please cheer for me, I'll be better than Puzzle!

Make sure to follow Slayers_Crank on twitter. Want to show your support to Crank? follow his fanclub on Team Liquid, Also make sure to follow the extremely talented translator NEXSeron on twitter.