Kr: 'Sentries are currently too strong'

The StarCraft 2 pro-scene is getting bigger by the minute as more and more teams attract talented players to their newly formed rosters. Fragster.de had the opportunity to talk to two of the newest reinforcements to Fnatic's SC2 roster – Kristijonas “Kr” Barisas and Mitachescu “Praetor” Vlad. They have been accepted after the Fnatic MSI Rookie Draft and are now full of ambition to further improve their skill at the game.

While Kr has a long history with SC:BW, the young Romanian Praetor is relatively new to the eSports scene. With StarCraft 2, however, they have the chance to start on equal grounds and they are both thrilled to have a point of departure such as Fnatic.

- “I've always known that I would play SC2 when it comes out,” says Kr. “With a good team it is so much easier – you can practice with the best, discuss the game a lot, etc.”

After a short discussion about their race of choice (both players use protoss), they take some time to talk about StarCraft 2 itself. The first topic on the list is the latest zerg-nerfing Patch #8.

Kr: “I don't think that roaches and hydras are that much weaker. It all seems quite the same. Some zergs tend to mass mutas, though, which is a problem for me. Besides that it's pretty much the same.”

Praetor: “Personally, I think that protoss is a bit better now. Before it was very easy to go for roach rush and now that they are nerfed it's a lot easier to fend it off.”

The beta map pool also gets analysed in details, namely the small size of the battlegrounds and the almost complete lack of macro maps. While Praetor finds the pool in order, ascribing the minor flaws to SC2 being only in beta, his team mate Kr has a more detailed comment on the matter.

- ”I actually love the smaller maps, because if you can deflect an early rush you are in an advantage. Besides, there are maps like Kulsar Ravine and Lost Temple, on which one can have some very long games. I would like Scrap Station and Desert Oasis to drop out, however, as they are too boring to play.”

Going back to their main race, the two Fnatic players are given the chance to share what would they like to change about the Protoss in terms of balance.

Kr: “I think that the energy consumption of the Sentries should be increased to about 75, as they are currently too strong. I would also be very happy, if the Archon was as effective as it was in the original SC, especially versus Mutalisks. Finally, Phoenixes should be able to deal ground damage.”

Praetor: “I would like if the High Templar storm was as useful as it was in SC and deal more damage. In addition, I would like the Phoenixes to be more effective in air-to-air combat and become a good counter versus Mutalisks.”

As the conversation approaches its end, the two Fnatic protosses have the opportunity to take a look ahead to their eSports future. When asked to comment the recent StarCraft 2 StarsWar tournament and their ambition and vision for the years to come, Kr and Praetor answer with huge excitement.

Praetor: “To join Fnatic is a huge step to becoming one of the best players out there. I am really hopeful that one day I would be able to win such a tournament [SC2 StarsWar].”

Kr: “I think half of the SC2 players will give you the same answer – to be as good as Boxer was in BroodWar, to be known and respected by everyone.”

Links
Fragster.de - Full interview