Scarlett vs Naniwa The competition between Naniwa and Scarlett hasn’t been a direct one in the sense that it spanned over various tournaments. In fact, the two last met in December 2012 when the game was still in WoL. In 2013, however, the Canadian Queen and the King in the North stand against each other for something far more important than a tournament championship: it’s the right to call oneself “best foreigner of the year”. When in past years it was a bit easier to determine the winner of this category, this time around it’s not. The retirement of Stephano left a huge void in the western scene and the race for the title broke off with ferocity, being waged on all fronts, both directly and indirectly. Unfortunately, nobody stood out trophy in hand, proclaiming “yes, I am the best." Eventually, it was Naniwa and Scarlett who gathered the most esteem in community’s eyes. They failed at taking gold medals but took part in three of the five grand finals that had a non-Korean participating. Naniwa acquired enough money to be among the top 10 highest earners in 2010 and was the only foreigner at BlizzCon but Scarlett made jawdropping plays at WCS Season 2, Red Bull NYC and NorthCon. The two are about to solve this “rivalry” on December 21st with a bitcoin showmatch but until then, it’s time for us to trust our hearts and vote.

KeSPA vs eSF ​The Galactic Empire vs The Rebel Alliance. Kaiju vs Jaeger. It was always going happen. There was no way that stars like Flash and Jaedong wouldn’t compete in Starcraft 2. And there was no way that KeSPA wouldn’t plant its giant sea monster foot into ESF’s pool. This was a bout, perhaps not a direct one, that would nonethless change the Korean landscape, and given the rate at which non-Koreans are falling out of the game, the entire Starcraft 2 competitive scene for years to come. Proleague remains the best team league in the world. GSL remains the best individual league in the world. GOM’s stewardship has not failed its teams more than KeSPA’s leadership has failed to keep teams like Woongjin Stars and STX SouL sponsored. Perhaps it’s unfair to lay these unfortunate circumstances on the feet of institutions whose roles are ultimately limited. KeSPA is not, after all, omnipotent. Still, let us repeat the obvious: KeSPA pros from Mekia to INnoVation have not only equaled but surpassed eSF’s veterans. GSL is now being divvied up between the likes of Soulkey, INoVation, sOs, and Dear. Players of their caliber have sent the old ESF names running to WCS America and Europe. True to history, the invading barbarians were themselves escaping a greater danger. New rivals mean new effort to combat them. America and Europe vacillated, but GSL’s play remained at the peak of performance. At the same time, Incredible Miracle, Prime and MVP joined Proleague, taking up spots left behind by absent teams and significantly bolstering what would have been a much diminished competition. Teams, players and sponsors on all sides will see more money, more play, and more exposure. No one loses. But then why do I have the feeling that - yes, actually - this town just isn’t big enough for the both of them.

Scarlett vs Bomber There is a law of Starcraftian coincidence which dictates that rival players will meet in tournaments over and over. Whether you accept that law or believe, as others do, that two players are likely to meet when they always make the round of eight, you can’t deny that repeated bouts spawn stories. Take Bomber’s WCS Season 2 win. Before smashing Jaedong and inching out Taeja, Bomber had played against Scarlett, beating her 3 to 2. That in itself doesn’t accomplish much. Yes, had she won, Scarlett would have changed the outcome of the tournament, but the same can be said of anyone who lost to Bomber that weekend. What gives that match a new dimension is another two matches played in quick succession some months later. The first, during Red Bull Battle Grounds New York, had Scarlett pushing Bomber out of the group stage. The second, played roughly a week later at IEM Singapore, was a repeat performance. None of them propelled Scarlett to a first place finish, but they did, I believe, teach Bomber some humility.

​Naniwa vs The World Let’s not say that fate made it this way. If Naniwa alienated some people, so be it. If he made some mistakes, well, he paid for them. If he endeared others, good for him. And if his current bid to reinvent himself succeeds, all the better. These aren’t accidents of fate, just what happened. But let’s not forget that Naniwa’s infamy rode on the back of his prowess as a Starcraft player. It depended on his successes, his determination, and on most of his near misses. Like Idra, Naniwa is a player that must succeed not because of his mistakes, but in spite of them. Alex Garfield must have believed in him when Naniwa was teamless and apparently friendless. How long will he stay with Alliance? How long did Idra stay with EG? This comparison isn’t fair, but it’s all we’ve got.

Dear vs Maru GSL watchers got a treat this year when Dear and Maru, two players of high pedigree coming from KeSPA and ESF respectively, found themselves dueling in back to back WCS events. Some backstory: Maru spent his first progaming years in MarineKing’s shadow. When the latter fell out of prominence, Maru was said to be “on the rise.” 2013 finally saw him take a trophy: the WCS Korea Season 2 championship. Dear on the other hand was a blooded but not gilded player. Like the Maru of 2011, he was looking to prove himself. WCS Korea Season 3 was the battleground. Maru and Dear met in semifinals. It was a 3 - 1 for Dear. He went into the finals where he beat soO 4 - 2 and become a GSL champion. Soon after, Dear and Maru met again, this time in the WCS Season 3 finals, and again Dear got the upper hand. It was another 3 - 1 loss for Maru. Dear took first place.