StarCraft 2: Maru vs Serral - The Highest Skilled Series of the Year!

[@philipbrackett443]

27:30 - 28:30 I know Lowko is talking about SC2 here, but it applies to life as well. Very wholesome and sage advice from our Uncle Lowko

[@MetricBernard]

Thanks for pointing this out! Hope you have the best day of your life friend. If you don't try again! If you do, try for one better!

[@akiyamach]

You're right wow

[@dsds51621]

+1 wisdom complete

[@hsdExorcist]

Serral is the hive mind. He is controlling units with his mind and is pressing random buttons to keep his apm so that nobody figures this out, but we did. On serious note this was amazing battle, both are well deserved top players and you can clearly see that.

[@michajanicki6860]

eww you're a weirdo

[@ciprianhosu385]

53:13 Serral accidentally abducts his own overseer. He is indeed human lol.

[@Tillallare1]

I missed that haha

[@pirosopus9497]

good catch lmao

[@sagara5293]

"I only human after all , I only human after all , Don't you put the blame on me"

[@AlexandreBelanger]

Missed it too haha!

[@kozatas]

You got eagle eyes :D

[@consolescrub4031]

If we consider the moves like early hellion pressure to be a skill check at this level, I feel like going late game with Serral is trying to make 5 DC 30 skill checks back to back every minute. There are players who can keep it up for a while due to their ridiculous stats and modifiers like lower ping but it just takes a good baneling connection, a missed infestor sneaking up behind your forces or burrowed lings under your command centre for too long before the snowball rolls over you.

[@krzysztofkalinowski2998]

Yeah, Serral's secret is high crit chance with zerling/baneling runby

[@dragonoflocniroth]

Love the D&D reference, I totally agree here lol

[@Asuka2077]

zerg is cheap

[@Tillallare1]

Now this is the Maru I know and love! Definitely one of the best games you’ve casted recently, even though I think they’re all great.

[@mako2078]

I really appreciate the explanations of some of the game mechanics, it makes the games significantly more understandable as someone who doesn't play SC2.

[@SaltpeterTaffy]

15:38 Maru's pants are clearly on guard here.

[@Keln02]

Lowko, thank you for your great casting. It's always a pleasure watching you comment those replays. And it's the only link I still have with starcraft :)

[@dashiellpashley4272]

That game 2 was pretty impressive by maru. Insane to think he came back in a game where he was down 8k resources in the bank and constantly putting out fires on the map. Really made Liberator look like the best unit in the game, siege tanks can eat their heart out.

[@TurnOnTheBackburner]

I thought it was a Best of 3 and it looked like Maru was gonna lose since the cast was coming to an end, but I forgot it was a Best of 2. That 2nd game was really well played at the end with the Libs setup.

[@jebediah4780]

So impressive that a guy who doesn't even pull scv's and loses 2 bases worth to mutas can make mass ghosts which counter every single unit in the zerg arsenal and win after one engagement, after losing every single engagement for almost 30 minutes.

[@Spartsou]

"Zerg-Marine" :D I like it that game one was excellent, thanks for casting this series, Lowko!

[@tbxvividos]

"and he goes by the name of Sarah" Literally lol'd at the subtitles.

[@tmapache]

Serral's constant use of burrow is fantastic. Near constant burrow at enemy base locations forcing scans and delaying expansions significantly.

[@ИванИгревский]

That speech about regretting decisions at 28 min... Well, this is applicable for whole real life )

[@theorochocz6735]

I just love how lowko always start a serral vs maru saying that they are proably the top1 and top2 and how is sad that they don't face off each other so often

[@MrKenharo]

1:00 - The sheer excitement that you have when commentating/casting/doing-anything-with SCII is tangible and I'm here for it. Never stop!!! (...unless, you know, health and other stuff...)

[@TheSimianDeity]

The more Starcraft I watch, the more convinced I am that Zerg production is an inherent advantage that no amount of unit inefficiency can cancel out.

[@jaybee8862]

Sure, but once both players are at 200/200 it's not as relevant, if there wasn't a supply cap... well... that'd be different... but there's only so much that can be produced anyways

[@polca4love]

​​​@@jaybee8862 To a degree. Zerg killing enough units, even if their losses are superior will oft left them at an advantage since they can remax quickly and normally have more bases. Beating zerg in late game without having already done critical damage is an uphill battle. Curiously, making the pop cap higher would not necessarily mean a zerg advantage, since more units involve more ways of controlling choke points. Map size and terrain also counts. But as always, depends on the players and Serral is the best for a reason.

[@ObeliskM]

Very relevant since zerg can instantly remax@@jaybee8862

[@rat2244]

The problem is at the high level, zergs inherent advantages are far more useful than terran's or protosses. Everyone complains about terrans muling but that pales in comparison to how easy it is for zerg to spread creep and ease of production compared to the other 2 races, especially with a player such as serral. I've been saying it for a while now and I think creep needs to be nerfed

[@Cuticatie]

@@rat2244That's so wrong on so many levels. At the pro level, protoss and terran have all the advantages. They have the better armor/attacks (like high templar) for protoss are almost indestructible as long as they have shields and creeps. Zerg is nothing compared to Terran and Protoss' prowess

[@mrmiah84]

Hey Lowko, Thanks for the great content! Would you consider casting games from the player’s POV (not necessarily their camera view)? I think that would be quite interesting

[@knightish]

This is a great idea. I want to see how serral key binds units and buildings. Or perhaps not see it because he’s too damn fast.

[@kasaruukii]

Lowko has done a video or two with serral's POV in the past. It's a little difficult to watch because of the speed but it was interesting to see.

[@HaploBartow]

​ @knightish He does from time to time, but it is not really that fun or easy to watch--they use very high contrast, and very low res and hop around so much that it practically mandates a strobing lights warning.

[@mrmiah84]

Ya, I remember in one video, he shifted to the player's POV, but it was too much - they move too quickly and it's so hard to understand. So ya, not from their camera view, but from their vision. I think that would be cool.

[@LowkoTV]

I've done this a few times, I may do it again at some point

[@MajonnasPojken]

As a Swede I love your pronunciation on Rådhuset Station

[@anotherplatypus]

54:28 "Love story between a zergling and a lurker right there for a moment... as they were staring at each other longly...." He took the time to point out those two units shared a moment together... rotflmao... These occasional offhanded jokes always get me confused startled glances when I burst out laughing... Props dude, keep it up. = )

[@llenroceteolc7446]

As always a very enjoyable replay by my favourite caster. Stellar job Lowko

[@aarongazzaniga1929]

The difference between game 1 and game 2 was that serral didn't really go for corruptors for the liberators. I wonder if that might have made the difference.

[@ciprianhosu385]

I agree. The liberators having free reign was the difference maker.

[@frederikvanhoucke3175]

indeed, I was thinking the same. Libs destroyed his army time after time and vipers do not have this punch that the corrupters have

[@isoufo]

@@frederikvanhoucke3175 Serral threw the game. SC2 is rigged. Paid off.

[@juanagung9973]

​@@isoufoor he just play a bad game? 🤔

[@tigera6]

He already commited to LingBaneHydra so the move to a late Spire and Corruptors isnt that natural, and he didnt see the mass Libs until its too late. Game 1 he already made Muta and has good air upgrade, so Corruptor is a much more natural choice.

[@zack-z3o]

When it's Maru vs Serral, it deserves to get at least 1 million views.

[@vladmarcu3536]

Yea, they are insanely good

[@erictred4529]

Thank you Lowko for the work you put into these vids! Keep up the great work you make an amazing caster!

[@dupree9881]

29:00 unfortunaltely i have no source, but i´m pretty sure i heard that they made such test with league of legends pros and the result was that the physical strain on the body is the same as you would see in f1 drivers.

[@DerPferdHorst]

You can tell Lowko is excited when you hear "F"iper and rele"f"ant a lot, hehe. Jokes aside, great games and thanks for sharing! I really thought Serral had the second game in the pocket for sure.

[@MarkkuS]

20:50 caustic spray is one of those things that need even more apm. Like queens with overlords sopreading creep.

[@LowkoTV]

Using rapid fire helps a lot for abilities like that, but yes it adds up for sure

[@HaploBartow]

Saw this live on Rotterdam's stream. Such a good game.

[@Mcdude22]

Journey before destination? These words are accepted

[@sechsauge]

29:00 yes, the brain CAN consume a lot of calories, but works quite efficiant, so that it works most of the time in "energy saving mode", kinda. Even if you´re thinking about something more intensively... those peaks won´t cost you much, calorywise. But in those kind of tournaments... a whole different story. The brain gets no rest and is constantly at peak and doesn´t try to work efficiant, doesn´t care about the cost. Compared to the energy saving mode, this is the "survival mode".

[@deathezz]

You see Dark playing a bo3 in 27 mins and then you have this. Nice!

[@nickykeys3423]

So much skill I used to play like 7 years ago but not anymore I love to watch

[@cahns5025]

your commentary is helping me learn the game ty

[@lucienshorf5165]

Thank you a lot for this great video ! From which cup is it ?

[@sugacookigeta]

What a treat watching these two go at it

[@OddOtter707]

Before I watch, let me guess. Serral Wins.

[@Daniel-rd6st]

As someone who has seen the game on winters channel i can tell you that you are 50% right

[@juny9445]

Pam pam paaaaam

[@wojurera3131]

No actually, and fk serral Maru Won🎉

[@Dallows65]

@@wojurera3131Why? They’re both great players who have spent thousands of hours perfecting their play. Why show resentment towards either? It’s not like this is Dota 2 where you can point to people on a team that are acting arrogant and big headed like Arteezy.

[@NoNameValorant]

Maru for me

[@destonwong2577]

If u cannot make a dent in zerg eco early, forget about winning in later parts of the game. Zerg has the fastest eco, fastest remax capability and very strong Spellcasters.

[@basicuser54]

Lowko what you think about Serral using burrowed banes and infestors hidden around the map in game 2 to counter the ghosts? Gamechanging maybe?

[@dbznappa]

Fipers and investers, I spat my beer! This is such great commentary!

[@jordonpohl7393]

When playing and coaching sports we used the acronym WIN for What’s Important Now … move passed the mistakes and focus on the task at hand 🤘 life lessons too 🙃

[@RandomGuy0987]

29:20 idk I've seen VR fps tournaments on youtube, with the guys on stage in their little squared off areas for VR and with gun shaped controllers, and they're crouching, proning and jumping around. It looked really cringe to see them acting all "operator as fuck" but they looked pretty physical.

[@Ben_R4mZ]

Lowko: "HIGHEST SKILLED SERIES of the Year!" Me: "So.... Game of the Year?"

[@chrisdaignault9845]

Best way for these guys to keep their win rates high is to not play each other often ;)

[@Cons2911]

I never really played SC.. but I am amazed by the good players if this game

[@Vorment]

What is that match from ? Which series ?

[@gray_exists9905]

Hell yeah been waiting for this cast!

[@jordanbraginton7640]

You quoted Sanderson again! Yes!

[@brianmendelson1736]

the studies on calories during chess tournaments are deeply flawed. they looked at weight change during the tournament. they forgot to look at caloric intake during these tournaments. so it's far more likely that players simply did not eat much because they were so hyperfocused on chess than it is that they were expending tons of extra calories thinking about the game.

[@mikeskirk]

The quote "I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me" applies a lot when it comes to late game terran vs zerg for Serral. Terran's are used to being in control during the late game against zerg, but Serral is not just zerg player.

[@benji7742]

25:37 This got me 💀

[@vietnamabc2290]

Journey before Destination Wow did not expect Stormlight fan here

[@JetLagRecords]

LowkoTV, Youre gonna blow up!

[@bt920]

What a game!!! I learned lots from watching these two play

[@Michael-kb2gk]

Those zergling splits my sweet god Serral

[@consolescrub4031]

Is it weird I kind of want to see pro players take a typing test? I'd also be curious if anything changes if they use the keys they normally use for SC2 but can't see the keyboard. There's probably some gold league players who would do alright with that as long as the test contains lots of 'a' key.

[@Krasses]

Ya you are weird, go home

[@davidkendal1361]

That was fun, amazing top level play.

[@archapmangcmg]

"They rarely play each other." Conspiracy theorist: Aha! Clearly, Serral is just a sock account of Maru! Have YOU seen Serral and Maru in the same room?!

[@marcosousa4029]

Stormlight Archives Quote?

[@yamilabugattas3895]

Really nice top level series. By the way, why is it a best of 2?

[@krioni86sa]

did you watch the whole video?

[@Killcycle]

Because it was a clanwar

[@victorkang1230]

Does anyone know what Lowko's ranking is? I thought he was Diamond but one of the comments in his videos said he's Bronze?

[@franciscoxc]

I don't see anybody taking advantage of the medivac energy upgrade. Is it useless?

[@screamingcactus1753]

I think it's just that medivacs are used as transports first and healers second. That and the odds that a medivac will actually survive long to use all its energy are fairly low.

[@franciscoxc]

that explains, thank you@@screamingcactus1753

[@franciscoxc]

that explains it thank you@@screamingcactus1753

[@Yeppersss]

2:00 " the story of a girl. Who cried a river and drowned the whole world"

[@Michael-kb2gk]

Me, who’s never played a game of SC2 in his life: “BUILD A GREATER SPIRE SERRAL HOW WILL YOU TRANSITION Serral: *wins* Ah yes

[@benjamineidam]

Hotdamn Man!!!! What a blast! But it is a absolute riddle for me how serral did not go flyers in game 2. Like... why? Sad :/ Still ways to go to be the GOAT! ;)

[@ryanprettyman758]

Fizers and investors are deadly!

[@csmlouis]

10/10 would recommend the brain surgeon called the Finnisher; Serral. - Lowko.

[@joovids3576]

what did you mean they rarely play, didnt serral roll maru like 4 series in a row just this year alone?

[@keyes8495]

No one in this world can win as consistently in SC2 as the Greatest Of All Time, Serral.

[@dustinseth1]

Serral is so good that commenters even surprised when Maru wins

[@jozsab1]

2 players, 50 minutes, 400 actions / s ... 2400000 actions in a single game

[@Gdohhhrzzzz]

Fipers and Investors! Let's do the thing!

[@pigeonking45]

Lowko is a big Sanderson fan

[@RedRaiderPenguin]

@53:15 Serral abducts an overseer :D

[@mh1593]

amazing pair of games

[@TheDuckHasArrived]

Very nice games. Thanks.

[@vitorh3568]

I wonder if Harstem has already cast these same games recently as well xD

[@Daniel-rd6st]

No but Winter 🙂

[@Asuka2077]

29:34 after every ranked session before the gym my smart watch tells me I am burning calories for some reason lmao, maybe you are onto something 🤔

[@caelestigladii]

Heh. This is only the second time I saw proper anti air defences.

[@RubysWrath]

I just feel so bad for zerg. Its been nerfed into the earth.

[@bernardo.bridon]

Removing baneling health upgrade was ridiculous. Nerfing the damage, fine, banelings are a brutal unit that if you take your eyes off of them for a second your entire mineral line explodes, but nerfing their hp made them SO MUCH WORSE in combat

[@Chili_Bass]

I just wish we would get SC3 or a proper W3 remaster - or at least some DLC / Expansions for these games... Maybe now with Microsoft things might change but probably not... There was no mention of any of these games at BlizzCon

[@ronnymohtar2258]

lowko do you watch your own videos?

[@rhildor1]

Fire 🔥 🔥🔥🔥

[@Jaysnipes]

Me being an average Ling bangling buster knowing at the 3 min mark I already have more than 12 zerglings and banglings on way more than likely.

[@bloodydove5718]

The Brain is the greediest structure in the human body; 1/5th of all the energy your body uses on a daily basis is consumed by the brain. And most of that is without you spending energy thinking, that 1/5th is just your brain processing info from your senses and automatic processing like moving your muscles. Now throw in intensive critical and analytical thinking, like from playing chess... And you get the crazy results from those studies.

[@超越上帝超越无限]

Who's the best protoss atmosphere? Anyone can tell me foe real

[@LDSG_A_Team]

They're just built different.

[@ThermalVoid]

Calling it now: Maru wins! Edit: Well I wasn't right, but he didn't lose either.

[@Tillallare1]

Indeed lol

[@N0noy1989]

Why are you calling Maru wins? The last 11 games they played, Maru only won one. The last series Maru won against Serral, not counting the ties during WTL, was back in 2021, lol. Clem is the only Terran who's a serious threat to Serral.

[@offensivebias8761]

​@@N0noy1989🤓

[@bmcwxyz]

How often top tier terrans constantly lose their mass ghost to a single fungal growth astounds me. At least pre-split them into 2 clumps for god's sakes.

[@nathanswanson1955]

Ahh yes the classic Zerg fiber, investor, ling, bane XD

[@emptycoast420]

Bridge Four 4 lyfe!

[@ZacharyBradley777]

I miss this game

[@petergriffin5450]

great games n casting

[@letsplaygameswithdan9534]

Dude serrel is Darth Vader he was young anikin during his frist 3 years but he turned into the final boss dark lord of zero all respect to dark and reynor but serrel is just terrifying he takes no damage and knocks out everybody

[@Tomoyuki_Tanaka]

I honestly thought Serral would *spoiler* win the second game. Interesting. I'm shocked Maru pulled that off.

[@roybatty-]

This game was released in 2010. Time for a reboot ffs.

[@zar1385]

should of posted the video twice with both thumbnails to see which was viewed more.

[@Cheng798536]

amazing games. I bet their hands are shaking after that 2 games.

[@ican_faxcrvvv]

lemme guess, "and its Serral, who obtaines a victory"

[@Tillallare1]

Well, you’re half right lol

[@Sliyjay]

Seems like liberators are the zergs prime weakness

[@Sommerk91]

Serral makes zerg seem super overpowered for late game

[@aavilab]

Awesome !