StarCraft 2: Dark's UNEXPECTED New Rival?!

[@sinnytax]

I don't even play starcraft but Erik's playstyle feels like a breath of fresh air. Would love to see more.

[@i_am_ergo]

Remember Idra? Idra would've raged so hard playing against Erik, he would've straight out gone outside and murdered someone in the street. Super aggro and scrappy. Really fun to watch, but must be hell to play against.

[@mrfarts5176]

Erik is discriminated against because he is gay.

[@mr.rabbit5642]

Tho it sounds like an evil genius and a psychopath on steroids. No remorse, super fast

[@swehej2]

Erik makes ZvZ games alot more entertaining. Would love to see more of this!

[@Taznak]

Step 1: Big zergling timing attack Step 2: Get opponent to overcommit on zerglings Step 3: Greet opponent's zerglings with the Great Wall of Evo Chambers because you've been droning up all this time Step 4: Use your superior econ to set up the next big timing attack with Roaches and upgrades Erik making phenomenal use of Zerg's ability to go from full econ to full army production, and back and forth between the two

[@mathieugrenier27]

Bonus : make 2 banelings and have the ennemy's zerglings march into them by cancelling the wall

[@Nimrukun]

Dark tapped out when he see the roach with move burrow upgrade without knowing they couldn't borrow 😂

[@lvluptoaverage52]

Mind games to the next level on a top world player

[@danielkhigay3253]

I think he just saw a red juicy dot on the map and that's enough for 20 army supply

[@lvluptoaverage52]

@@danielkhigay3253 don’t you dare ruin my hero with logic

[@Nimrukun]

@@lvluptoaverage52 yeah it's funniest this way !

[@tohothewriter8002]

Tunneling Claws is Dark's favorite research to end any game through economic damage. Seeing the gel spikes, he instantly knew what he was in for and didn't want to deal with that since he was already economicly behind, if only by a little bit.

[@navins11]

We need more of Erik. What else can we say besides that he earned it.

[@marhlonsabang3809]

This is like clem the unknown player that climed the top 5 ladder and demolish the top name player. We need more Erik game

[@anthonylaine6111]

@@marhlonsabang3809 Clem n etez pas un inconnu pour nous français 😉🥖🥖

[@bongkem2723]

47:15 Erik did a master mind-twisting move with his spike roaches :)) Dark thought Erik already has burrow and he has no way to deal with burrow roaches so he tapped :))) what a plan !!!

[@지갑텅텅구리]

47:14 this is so cool Dark clicked on them and got so surprised and tapped out LOL

[@danteprokrustes4795]

He did a similar thing once I remember and Lowko called a burrow of shane cos dark now gotta make use of that upgrade

[@edenrav]

This video alone got my hyped up with Erik so much, I cant wait to see some of his other matchups because his play style is soo unique.

[@nimrodrubin195]

לגמרי

[@liveinamber1307]

Had the Zerg evolved in the competitive scene there would be a whole strain solely dedicated to walling off your natural. Just some food for thought.

[@joshuakim5240]

Abathur is banned from viewing recordings of battles made by the Terran and Protoss to prevent the zerg from evolving a unit that just blocks off a natural in a very constricting manner that makes proxy hatch look like a joke in comparison.

[@pietroaguiar5256]

Always nice to see a Brazilian playing. Erik and Kelazur representing us

[@tozeco357]

Siim

[@ByronCorella]

Love the transition from taking trash to loving Erick's game play.

[@DrakeyC]

This felt like a "playing the player" type of game. Erik knows Dark is top-tier, knows the kinds of builds they're gonna go for, they aren't gonna be expecting that much aggression in the early game and will need to hastily defend, and even if the opponent holds, you're thrown off their timing and their precision, then the next attack is knocking on their door before they have time to settle down, suddenly you're forcing them to play reactionary and cautiously. And over a best-of-three series that psychological impact can add up.

[@Kazuhiro-i]

And it worked so well that Dark insta gg seeing roaches with vool hairstyles!

[@Iaotle]

no early game aggression in zvz? what pro tournaments are u watching lol

[@xandara75]

honestly it is still incredible to pull it of against dark of all players

[@Pravanul]

Wow, 2-0'ing dark... actually insane. I love how tricky and off-timing his timing attacks are. If he could get his micro and macro skills up a bit more, he'd be a terrifying pro player.

[@DrakeyC]

On Erik being a bit of a gambler - I think in a match-up like this that's exactly how you wanna play. Like, if you're about to played Mario Kart with someone who you KNOW is one of the best Mario Karters in the world, your mindset has to be "okay, in a straight-up race, this guy isn't gonna make many mistakes I can capitalize on, and I'm not gonna play as perfect as him, he's obviously gonna beat me. BUT, I know he's not one to try and use this shortcut because it's a difficult jump to make, so I try it and manage to pull it off, that's my edge." Or more simply, as they say, go big or go home.

[@icecream6256]

As a dark fan this is tough. But it's great that the game is finally, evolving from following build order into a legit real time strategy, where you think of strategy real time instead of through 10 hours of scrolling excel sheet. This is a hard pill to swallor tho hahaha

[@jordanleighton6893]

If I won even a game against Dark, no one on planet earth is safe from my bragging ass

[@eraserboy12345]

This was highly entertaining. Thanks for uploading and introducing erik to us.

[@jacoballey21]

"he doesn't have anything to fall back on" Erik's two banelings: hold my beer

[@robertarrowood3651]

Let's see more Erik! All in favor??

[@Josh-99]

Those were LITERALLY the most interesting games of ZvZ that I've ever seen. Usually ZvZ is the most boring mirror matchup by a massive margin (TvT is probably the most interesting at high levels of play, but at low levels, watching BOTH players try to cheese each other in PvP is pretty hilarious). Also, that Extractor into extra drone into cancelled Extractor into Spawning Pool feel like gaming the system!

[@unknownkw]

I like that hatch first build order, it is clearly a cheese build. Extractor trick to 15 15 hatch 14 extractor 14 pool Extractor trick to 15 15 Overlord Queen only in the natural Mine 100 gas for zergling speed then pull all drones to minerals Have 17 drones (put 2 drones to natural to help defending the queen) All in for zerglings (make overlord as needed) The main rationale behind this build is that in the early game larva is scarce. You cannot afford to have 3 out for too long that will screw up production, so extractor trick is performed twice to utilize that eariler (it cost 6~11 minerals per use due to lost mining time and tax for canceling a building). I think the only zerg cheese faster than this build is no gas, which is 13 pool 12 hatch, no production of drones except the one at the beginning of the game.

[@tohothewriter8002]

Erik has earned his SC2 stripes by winning not just one but TWO Bo3 against Dark, whom is a pretty difficult Zerg for Terran and Protoss to beat. This video also displays how fragile this mirror match-up actually is when Zerg have historically been so oppressive in ZvP & ZvT thanks to their meta warping spellcasters.

[@antiyou5658]

Sadly this only applies to higher ranks, anything below masters is the other way around. Zerg casters are very hard to use, but are necessary to win any games at all when you get higher on the ladder. At the same time, Zerg units are garbage compared to T or P

[@grenzviel4480]

Can't believe Dark got schooled so hard, and not even by Serral nor Reynor

[@yamilabugattas3895]

Erik is a bit of a gambler, I like that. I don't usually enjoy ZvZ that much, but these games were really nice to watch.

[@Waavlu]

I could be wrong since I am like silver league at best. But Erik hunting all those Overlords with mutas forcing Dark to spend larva on Supply instead of reinforcements was very fun to watch

[@xandara75]

Your perfectly valid fun is wrong super wrong in fact it couldnt be more wrong, gotta appreciate hairstyle roaches more. /joke

[@jardaskopal8278]

Also thank you Lowko for that Linkin Park bit. Got it stuck in my head for the rest of the cast 😂 🎸🎤

[@HaploBartow]

I love Erik's playstyle. The extractor trick is classic SC1/Brood War, and IIRC also classic early SC2 (pre-HoTS days).

[@SawyerKnight]

A New Challenger Approaches!

[@danisho730]

That Baneling hit 😂😂😂

[@linusgerbsch374]

Been abscent from your channel for a good year now I guess and just suddenly remembered you exist. Awesome match and cast as always!

[@leafykille]

I think dark has got a bit too comfortable with the meta. Or Eric is the next big thing! But I think after this dark needs to make a barcode and go do some ladder!

[@crystaldazz]

Lurkers killing eggs doesn't happen very often? Here's an idea for a More-Lowko episode: "Stuff that is possible but that you rarely ever see in-game!" Just an entire highlight reel of you showcasing the "rare occurrences".

[@DrakeyC]

44:00 - These are the things Zerg dreams are made of. Nightmares too.

[@Hawksfarm]

I love how Lowko’s brain is just broken by the 15 hatch, meanwhile PiG and other pros are testing it and considering it may be actually better for the faster queens 👀

[@bjarkov12]

Nice with a breath of fresh air. It seems to me the major difference is the reluctance to build a third base and spending the resources saved punishing your opponent's third. Which probably means that it can be countered by postponing a third base yourself. As for all the shenanigans postponing the first overlord, well... you probably pull ahead just following a standard build

[@seanet1310]

Great work Erik with these unconventional strats. Erik would really struggle against a top zerg I would think with standard stratd vs standard strategy so why not play unconventional. He probably does not have much go lose

[@mariovalverde9592]

Missing that old "HELLO MA NAME IS LOWKO" intro :(

[@poison2028]

I have a strange feeling that soon there's gonna be a video of all Lowko's intros played all at once.

[@johnshillingsburg2682]

Broo... I need more Erik content. This was amazing!

[@FroyOrigami]

This is what the game needed a few years ago! Star Craft became a game of timings, like, if you don't get this or that for the X minute mark you are screwed. You had a bunch of build orders to follow every game. The game derailed from a true strategy game to a boring "do by the book" game. This was quite entertaining to watch, not just a boring structured game that last for 20 minutes.

[@a.c.s.6368]

Dude just mopped the face of the earth with Dark ahahaha :D

[@vacekto]

The match was really fun to watch by itself, but its something else with best commentary a had ever heard.. of anything :D pls more erik lowko

[@loganmyall660]

Skill checking a long time pro korean zerg player. The absolute nuts on this man

[@OrbitlynX]

Certified Linkin Park moment at 37:08 :D Thank you Lowko, you are a friend of a people you never met.

[@glados4765]

Dark makes decisions in chaotic sistuations while using a chaotic build order.

[@zachariastsampasidis8880]

isnt the point of the extractor trick that you get both pool and hatch super early so your queens are consistently up earlier making up for the supposed minimal mineral losses

[@SnyperMK2000JclL]

Well that and it hits hard against standard timings... ooh no you lost like 40 minerals BUT the hatch, pool, upgrades AND early lings all come out like 30-45sec earlier... its not huge but against a standard build you can hit well before they have the ability to contest your early push... its nice to see sub optimal builds being used more often mainly for the slightly altered timings which can totally throw your opponent off just enough they can't really ever get their footing...

[@bram5123]

I wonder if Dark saw the gelled hair and though OMG they already have burrow and tunneling claws !

[@jordanuecker7744]

Lowko if you are looking for new builds I’ve been doing a 16 pool 17 hatch into terrans lately. If they go cc on low ground it’s basically a free win try it out. I watched reynor do it a few times.

[@TheRyepoog]

i don't know what the difference in stats are economy wise. but it's always cool to see production tab be different. normally they're super in sync lol

[@Dhurak57]

this match is a perfect example of why I love starcraft, the match up has been left untouched basically for 8 years and there is just some random Brazilian guys coming out of nowhere with fresh moves you've never seen before in 13 years. Man that's corny but that's art to me

[@scattyork4176]

31:04 the queen on the left. Dance like nobody is watching.

[@zapoyou2]

Beautiful games by Erik for sure

[@pidmarcodeperalta920]

thanks fo the lovely treat!

[@REgamesplayer]

Erik seems to me to be a classical case of one trick pony who figures something new. Dominates in a brief moment until other players adapt. In gameplay, I saw Dark outplaying Erik on micro and macro while Erik was playing the opponent all this time. He is at high risk of just being figured out. I had saw the same issue with Olivera. Buyn had played overly aggressive, lost too much stuff and eventually got overwhelmed. These players are one hit wonders due to unique circumstances they found themselves in.

[@n4dask921]

pretty sure dark just got to brazil in this video

[@samuels6135]

The only way to beat dark is with his own power....he is the 4th raikage

[@roncho]

Wow looks like erik found how to exploit Dark's weaknesses

[@mirrorimage2866]

'Nobody is impressed by a ling flood' ... well, it is usually darks specialty to kill someone. getting a ling flood through vs dark? quite impressive.

[@DanielCosta-zp6jl]

Beautiful to see an unknown brazilian making dark umble in zerg play

[@kindlin]

I knew you liked Linkin Park, but I don't think many people don't know Minutes To Midnight (37:11).

[@themagichatter1054]

may or may not have a new fave zerg

[@seanmaclean1341]

Frosted tips roach play is some good mindgames

[@bittersweet4074]

A sky over another sky. I thought we couldn't get any darker zerg player than Dark, but here I can clearly see something darker than black.

[@alexs5814]

i loved this vid very much. had a lot of fun sitting on the edge of my seat.

[@kubm4s915]

Reynor is personal kryptonite for Serral. And now Erik is the new type of kryptonite. Kryptonite for Dark. Erik is light!

[@BigDawgKG]

You completely missed his opening in game one where he did the extractor trick to 15, then made a hatch, then extractor tricked again, then OV. His queens were 20 seconds faster

[@DreamyAileen]

43:57 How long do you think Erik's been waiting for a chance to use that move on someone lmao And to think it would be Dark of all people!

[@andrebrodbeck3883]

80% win rate vs. Dark? That is impressive!

[@mvargasmoran]

This was an insane game brother.

[@MikeDQB]

Love your content Lowko. Thank you.

[@awkljfrbgksehgkljd]

47:22 I almost died 😀

[@FernasRPG]

I want to see Erik against Maru now

[@mauholst]

Hi Lowko!! Greetings from Brazil 😅

[@thegreenape]

You should cast this guy called LHZ-HUNT4R or joinlhzclan. He is quite pro has some really interesting build army order and executes fights in such a epic battle. Highly suggest it.

[@talaigo]

wonder what will happen to his channel when Dark going to the military....

[@talaigo]

jeez, where all this bot come from

[@cyberkekosis]

this upload is 3 months old and NO ONE uttered the "VAI BRASIL NUMERO UNO CAMPEÃO DO MUNDO!" Lowko, you need to work on your subs :D

[@pecobs]

Daaang this is phenomenal!

[@davidholland4713]

That was epic from Erik.

[@i_am_ergo]

I'm so confused as to why Dark didn't gg out in the third game after the 9-minute engagement. It was clearly over. No answer to mutas = you're not establishing a third. Odd.

[@Dakota_B_]

The hell did that overlord eat?

[@marionicolais3024]

The best cheese I've had in a long time!

[@I_am_ENSanity]

It's really weird hearing LowKo constantly saying my name.

[@jovantatic196]

Nice nice game

[@rottenmuffin826]

Step 1: Extractor trick Step 2: ?????? Steo 3: Profit

[@Lesak2]

Pro players are so used to play always the same exact tactics, that when a guy comes with something weird they just dont know what to do and collapse

[@HoRNET_FPV]

Best games I`ve seen in a looooooooong time :P noice

[@Geada]

BRAZIL BABY!!! GIVE ME MOAR

[@Geada]

@lowkotv is this real life?

[@g-manalias1505]

WTH, this guy must be a z vs z specialist. He only plays z vs z. We have never heard of this guy and now he's kicking Dark's a**. Hilarious.

[@Mr.Hashimi30]

Nice games but unless this is a lan tournament or on servers that are much closer to locations. Can't really be taken seriously.

[@tiagosantarita4256]

BRAZIL LET'S GOOOOO!!!!!!!

[@artemirrlazaris7406]

This demonstrates Darks weakness verse other zergs... So you should never go three bases z verse z.... against terran or protoss it doesn't matter becasue the units cost more.. your hatcheries... are way cheaper.... 600 for 2 (three hatcheries)... for their expansion its 400. However in Z verse z, it considered greedy to out hatch your opponenent to mine or not.. so you try ot keep part with hatches nad you need more spying.. so overlord speed is so great verse z/z elimianting yoru weakness and giving you free rain without too muc hsupply risk of loss.. so yo ucan keep in step... SO if your opponent starts teching you tech... or ocutner tech, but 2 base zerg should beat 3 base zerg.... early game is massive for zerg and it allows you to over run your opponenet... thats an extra 12 lings... or several roaches. He seems not really knowing what to do.. Since he lost two games ot fast mutas and onyl a two expand.. The other zerg player built so many burrow detection units so Erik seems more experienced in z verse z mathc ups. After a fast muta push... Iwoudl also coutner with a fast lair ot hydra counter.. since their damage point is higher nad you can trade out way easier.... if you can get a nydus.. you will do well... The onyl game dark really won was his greed paid off and he was able to get ahead, but Eriks pushes were so close... andhe remanaged his micro against dark and he did have a unit advantage.... Another ocunter is banneling burrow bombs... or out produce or do one for one mutas going rigth into infestors also... burrow is essential... as soon as yo uget your fungal on the enemy you wipe them out... if you know theyare oging x mutas/ you cna go corruptors.... another great manuever is after you deal wit hthe mutas, yo ucan fly to a grey zone wipe out the over lrods.. and then chagne them into brood lords and striek at hte tech from behind enemy lines in a sacrfice... thats if yo uhave extra money... it works against terran to devastating effect.. corruptors flying around... and the nbam brood lords on teh other side ofhte map.... whats nice is brood lords compliement a nydus wUrm.. . Dark was greedy... so I htink he was confused why he was struggling but z verse z is a macro micro watch game, because yo uahve same species traits, and so if someone goes... 3 base... as z.. and I am on two base. Ithen go all in and make wepaon units nad make them pay in defending their greed. oftne losing that third hatch and many units nad still be ahead... while both bases are saturated... and hten take the third after first or second wave attacks. Its nto really an all in its jsut using more attacking units, and punihsing zerg greed. Zerg greed is not tolerated in the Zerg cabal.. lol... we owrhsip teh OVermind... hmmmm nom nom nom

[@mido5126]

i feel bad for dark

[@deejayppaul]

Lets gooo Brasilll 🇧🇷

[@MetalMan1245]

Yes.

[@DreenMdaclip-oz4md]

Dark stoped his macro

[@wanaan]

As long as I see a Zerg lose, it's a good game.

[@imlatinguy2134]

MORE ERIK PLEASEEEEE

[@anthonylaine6111]

Mais quoi 😱😱😱 ceux Éric il joue tellement pas de manière conventionnel que dark en perd son coréen 🤣🤣🤣 en tout cas grosse perfectionnement pour Éric il mérite tout notre respect il y en a peu même dans le top 20 mondiale qui peuvent se targuer d avoir autant balader dark ❤️

[@lyolev6628]

OMG!!!

[@bittenamehiereinfugen3713]

Imagine playing a guy playing Erik

[@maximesavard-beaudoin560]

o zvz lemme skip dat one see u tomorrow lowko lol