It's a funny old game is Starcraft, just when I think I'm beginning to understand it I see something that leaves me completely baffled.

The game is as complex as they come and there are so many different strategies, builds, plans of attack and methods of playing that it would have the average genius struggling to keep up. As I waltz through the Alienware arena I see guys bashing their keyboard with more vigour than an office secretary whilst bases spring up and units appear from thin air, ready to strike at any moment. It's nothing like the childs play that is FPS, a game which requires mere pointing and shooting and most players leave their brains at the loading screen.

The funny thing is I struggle at the best of times to predict the outcome of CS and CS:S matches, game which I can at least claim to have some knowledge of, what chance do I have of predicting the outcome of a game that I barely even understand? Ah well, it's a dirty job but someone has got to do it. Just go easy when it's inevitably completely wrong.

SelecT (T)

While I may claim ignorance on the SC2 front I still know exactly who this guy is, as do most people who have followed the game or the numerous other titles he has played in (DOW and WC3). He was the 2 time WCG champion in Dawn of War and upon making the switch to SC2 became an instant fan favourite. Regarded as one of the best Terran players on the planet and with renowned micro-ing skills he is an incredibly tough player to beat and has, unlike others who play the race, enjoyed some success in the past against Protos players - of which there are many here this weekend.

SeleCT at the MLG (Image courtesy of MLG.com)

His most recent tournament saw him make his way all the way to the semi finals at the MLG Dallas event before losing out 2-0 to Canadian KiWiKaKi. This will be a tough event for the Terran master but given his recent performances and the fact he knows most of his opposition inside out I feel he may just edge it this weekend.

Socke (P)

People may question this considering there are 2 or 3 players at the tournament that many consider better than the German team Alternate player, however since his move to SC2 he has been constantly improving and results have recently been going his way. Despite struggling in the early stages of the MLG Raleigh he stormed to a 3rd place finish, he has also managed to place well in almost every tournament he has entered, something not many players can say.

His biggest and most surprising victory to date was his win at the German EPS finals, after finishing 4th in his group he breezed his way into the grand final where he would eventually overcome the Italian star ClouD. He is also coming into the event just a few months after a great performance at the Winter Assembly event where he managed to defeat the Team Liquid duo of Tyler and HuK before eventually losing out to MorroW in the semi-final. This event should be good for the German who has done nothing but improve since making the switch.

Naniwa (P)

Well, well, well.. Why have I predicted the Swedish Protos master Naniwa to finish third? Well it's for a number of reasons really. His performance at the recent MLG Dallas event was nothing short of extraordinary having only lost 1 map throughout the entire event, up against some of the best players outside of Korea, however there is a time in everyones career when everything just seems to click, and it rarely happens more than once. There's no denying that the Dignitas player has the potential to beat the best when he's on form but I just can't see the same thing happening this time round.

From his general body language and attitude so far it seems like he isn't particularly interested in what's happening and is doing very little to engraciate himself with his teammates or fans. That could either mean that he's completely focused on walking away GSL champion or that he believes the result is a foregone conclusion. To find out which of the two it is we'll have to wait until the elimination bracket begins, I have a feeling it's the latter though, and that's dangerous territory to slip into.

Sjow (T)

Another of the team Digntias players that I feel may struggle despite coming into the tournament with a reputation as one of the best. On his day he can out-perform the best but the Swede has struggled with his consistency in the past and at times he has failed to live up to expectations. Always calm and collected he is the model professional and treats his opponents with the utmost respect, this of course means that nobody will be catching him off guard or treating it like a joke.

Sometimes though players can put too much pressure on themselves to perform and SjoW seems to be one of those players. If he's firing on all cylinders this weekend it's highly likely we'll be seeing him in the final, but it's not often that he is and a lot will depend on how he performs in the early stages.

SjoW alongside MaDFroG at the EPS Nordic Finals (Image courtesy of GosuGamers.net)

HasuObs (P)

Another German taking part in the event, and here's me used to Germans being LAN dodgers. HasuObs is a former WC3 player who has played at the highest level in Germany representing team mousesports. After making the switch to SC2 the organisation have chosen to keep him on the books and he has so far proven a decent investment. Considered one of the better German Protos players he has the potential to cause an upset or two at the event, however causing an upset and actually going on to win it are two very different things.

I feel he will be lacking the ability and experience when he comes up against the better players in attendance, yet I can't write him off as he has proven himself to be a worthy advasery against a number of players.

BlinG (P)

The newcomer to the team Dignitas roster has his work cut out for himself this weekend. He was given the opportunity to hone his skills and work with some of the best in the business after winning the Dignitas Gamer Search, however this is the players first event under the Dignitas name and the biggest tournament he has attended to date. So far he has proven inconsistent after losing to both Socke and SjoW despite overcoming SelecT earlier in the morning. If things fall into place and the pressure stays off his shoulders he could surprise some people, yet with the quality of players here I can't see it happening.