StarCraft 2: SERRAL vs MARU! (Best-of-7)

[@100thMkey]

playing a nearly 2.5 hour series is really a testament to how incredible both these players are. its like watching 2 grizzly bears push, bite, and claw each other for that long

[@jemleith3263]

A 2 hour cast? On Christmas? Thanks for the gift, Lowko.

[@6416661]

+1

[@mgaus]

2.34 hours!

[@tylernapier1017]

Plus we get to see his handsome face in the corner truly a great present

[@lhalfcube]

not just that its maru vs serral'!

[@Hungryj1111]

Took me 3 days but watched it all! Epic!

[@Foetoid2k6]

You ask about old replays being relevant still? I would personally love it if it were possible to maybe once a month do a "From the Archives" episode where you cast a competitive game from pre HOTS, or at the very least, pre LOTV. It would be incredibly fun to see a throwback like that :D

[@ulyssesdoroja2973]

I second this.

[@leojohn1615]

that sounds like heaps of fun

[@TheIardis]

I think what you'd find, very often at least, is that the skill level has gone up so amazingly much that the old games don't feel that special anymore. I watched a few of the old 'games of the decade' and was rather underwhelmed. Good games for sure but nothing compared to what we are seeing now.

[@Alekouzos]

Totaly agree! I wanna se 2 base swarm host vs 3 base terran again!

[@shinzoux5912]

This is a good idea.

[@ZC.Andrew]

I just watched Maru drop Widow Mines under Brood lords to kill them, and Serral save a Drone from a mine hit by morphing it into a crawler, with the missile in mid-air. Sweet baby Jesus, these two are on a whole different level!! What a holiday treat this is!

[@hunterb412]

I love watching SC2 and Lowko is the only way I get to see the pro scene. So I will always watch an old video. I just love to see their skills

[@coffee7973]

Maru is the embodiment of the phrase "you should've gone for the head" where if you're ahead and failed to kill him, he'll slowly crawl back and destroy you. Also Merry Christmas!

[@ashleyalexander7388]

Watching gods play starcraft is my favourite pass time.

[@ulyssesdoroja2973]

Artosis said this about Maru. If he's behind, the game is even. If it's even, he's ahead. If he's ahead, you're dead.

[@acidosis1985]

@@ulyssesdoroja2973 Very true statement right here.

[@Rorimac67]

Ok, when was that specific moment to go for the throat ? I've seen serral trying 100x in this series. With every unit combination possible, with every timing and angel possibel, with simultanous attack from different angels or at different locations. WHAT did he wrong ? WHAT awas his mistake ? Where WAS the moment to win the series ? I didn't get it.

[@ole-martinbroz8590]

@@Rorimac67 watch maru vs dark, recent game.. That's a zerg capable of absolutely destroying this style. Darks recent zvt style and form has been on point! You don't see dark playing better than serral but different and thus smarter. If serral wants to beat clem and maru i think he should really study dark now 👌

[@AlephTTM]

2 hour, Bo7, Serral v Maru... Lowko, how did you know what I wanted for Christmas?

[@kardainzr161]

Because he is the Zergaclaus!

[@krefen9286]

Love the addition of the facecam due to the live cast, would love to see your facial reactions to more games! Merry Christmas!

[@LowkoTV]

Thanks! You too!

[@CalciumChief]

Now, if you are to havea facecam, it's preferable to have something in the background. A blank wall is not the most popular choice. I guess that's the set-up for when he's on Twitch, but still. Can always geta green screen and put something there too, like the Zerg briefing room from SC1.

[@ZC.Andrew]

@@CalciumChief that's a great idea. It would be pretty cool to see the briefing rooms, or other SC2 backgrounds.

[@AAkCN1]

second that

[@KiddKiller]

@@LowkoTV hi

[@leojohn1615]

i love how you often mention the "top ten things science cant explain" in SC2 i feel like we need an actual video outlining all of them and why they deserve a place on the list

[@Owlr4ider]

"When you're ahead we're even. When we're even you're behind. When you're behind you're dead." Anyone facing Maru, apparently even Serral himself.

[@silenthero2795]

Maru's strategy: 1. T U R T L E 2. Refuse to die. 3. W I N

[@IMatchoNation]

KOREAN MAN TOO STUBBORN TO DIE

[@Franpowah]

>=(

[@pavel9652]

2b. Decline to gg out when prompted by opponent [only at bronze/silver league]

[@anarchosnowflakist786]

zerg wants to destroy your bases ? just say no ! he cannot legally take your minerals without your consent

[@sloper013]

trying this in life atm

[@Alex-og5wd]

2 hrs of Serral and Maru alright where's my popcorn

[@kardainzr161]

I think you forgot to buy popcorn, what are you going to do now??!!???

[@kevincadelina8288]

37 yrs.10

[@jacktryinn6678]

@@DeceptiveMoth😈🫠🦍

[@jahjah410]

@@kevincadelina8288va . Wow.

[@Agarring_Dutch]

It took me three days to get through the entire video. But 100% worth it. The back and forth, the splits, the transitions. It is ALL amazing.

[@SaltpeterTaffy]

You have no idea how much I miss IdrA. He was by FAR my favorite personality in pro Starcraft. Toxic as hell, but when he delivered, he freaking delivered. He reminds me of Phil Hellmuth from professional poker. My all-time favorite smacktalk from any online game comes from him. He used a strategy he personally disapproved of. I don't remember what the strategy was. But as he was winning the game he said "No wonder you people play this way. It's so much easier than being good." Of course as player skill increased across the board, he fell behind and bowed out. :( Edit: Oh man, he said that during the HDH Invitational. The greatest competitive Starcraft event ever held. Video's no longer vailable. :(

[@plasmaoctopus1728]

I still think seeing the match where Idra rage quit seeing the Hallucinated Void Rays was golden!

[@bananian]

@@plasmaoctopus1728 You know those are halluc, right?

[@ZC.Andrew]

​@@bananianMost hilariously epic exchange between Idra and Huk ever!

[@true_xander]

That SCV pilot at 1:25:47 and his lovely built turret are took place in my heart. Such a touching story, it deserves at least something. A poem? A movie, maybe? Or at least this comment.

[@neeksthecuz]

If I played at this intensity for this long.... I honestly can’t even imagine. Truly gods amongst men

[@ezraclark7904]

Maybe there is something I'm not thinking about, but I feel like Ravens are super underrated in TvZ, so many scans could be saved!

[@davidpage7900]

I'm thinking just the same thing! Makes me want to try it out vs a computer opponent.

[@ZC.Andrew]

Ravens are generally dead weight in late game: too slow, too vulnerable, and too expensive. Terrans have plenty of Orbitals with energy anyway. Scans are instant and cost zero gas, which is good because they need that gas for Ghosts to counter Infestors and Vipers. Sometimes a Raven can land a sick AA missile vs Corrupters and Brood Lords, so making 1 or 2 can be nice, but it's situational.

[@trstnhn]

I think the problem is that they are too slow so always susceptible to getting picked off in fights or retreats and also that they cost a lot so you can't afford to be losing them like that.

[@bryanroach6017]

At 1:38:30 maru brings in like 10 SCV's on autorepair and those guys go to work for like 60s straight. I'm surprised we haven't seen this more often in the lategame to dump scv's, because it looked like they did quite a bit of healing and kept at least 1 thor alive through the fights. Guess it's just another one of those small 'only Maru' things xD

[@kharis7602]

2 hour casts are great, i can watch/listen while painting, Merry Christmas Lowko

[@jucoco1]

Painting 40k?

[@ZC.Andrew]

Do you paint the epic battle scenes of Maru vs Serral?!

[@mike-sol]

As a casual (never really played starcraft) who watches all your vids - I don't have any concern about replays from months or even years ago. I just enjoy listening to you chat over the games and pointing things out (or even just chatting such as the water discussion). Totally understand that it can feel totally different to others, though! Thanks for the great vids and hope you have / are having happy holidays :)

[@cjjuszczak]

Hey Loko, i really appreciate the longer video, even if they're not that popular on your channel, as a long time viewer of yours, i love it thanks again :)

[@tric30]

Not going to lie, I usually don’t watch anything Starcraft over an hour, especially when it’s obvious how the matchup will play out. But holy moly did I need two plus hours of Starcraft today. Thanks lowko!

[@housemana]

Lowko, i know that this is a job for you as well as a passion/craft. but when i hear about you saying things like "i was hesitant to cast this game because... [long videos] really don't do well on youtube", it kind of annoyed me. and i know thats not your intent. but to those who really love what you do, this is nothing but a big blessing and a big gift. love these long form things, i am grateful for them. thank you for doing them.

[@ericgetz5621]

Thanks!

[@tombrennan1842]

I liked this longer cast - I could watch a match and come back to it when I wanted another, or if a new SCII cast wasn't posted that day. More like this please?

[@dereklamont8998]

Thank Lowko, appreciate you releasing something for those that have longer attention spans.

[@vandernilsen2041]

Merry Christmas and happy best-of-seven! Hope everyone's day is fantastic!! Been hoping there was a cast today and was not disappointed!

[@michaelekstrom6504]

Great games. I love the unit variety in this series. So often it feels like pro games are just based around a few units (ling, bane, hydra for Zerg/marine marauder medivac ghost for Terran/ etc.) It’s really enjoyable and interesting to watch a series where the unit compositions change so much. Merry Christmas and thanks for the great content Lowko!

[@dansegrest]

Something to realize about videos this long about something people actually care about. This sort of content is “dessert.” This is really something to be savored by those who care about SC2. For this reason, and because it’s quite a bit longer than usual, I saved this video for after Christmas stuff with the family/friends/etc. Just wanted to share that so the analytics don’t get you down, Lowko-people might just be waiting to watch later. Maybe even after the new year. Thanks for all the great content. Best of luck in the new year.

[@BBPandora]

I thought the whole point of the 3 rax opening was to force a reaction from the zerg, so they dont drone up to 90 workers without being pressured. I think it requires a greater commitment to units from the zerg or they simply die. It wont kill someone like Serral but you could see that he couldnt drone as hard as he usually does. They were equal in workers at that point, I believe.

[@tigera6]

You are exactly right. The 3 racks create much more pressure than the 2-1-1 and force a much more defensive effort from the Zerg. The risk, however, is that your Marine get caught by lingbane and got wiped out instantly because there is no Medivac for evacuation.

[@SuperKnight263]

2 hour cast with my top favourite SC2 players AND it's blessed with face cam?! What a time to be alive!!

[@WindsorMason]

Do you happen to watch Two Minute Papers, by any chance? :D

[@dragomirvalentin]

Watching this on New year's Eve, the best way to end the year. This was the most awesome series I've seen this year

[@FrameEmpireStudios]

Really enjoyed this series. I personally don't mind the length at all, as long as it's top tier gameplay. I found your channel a couple of weeks ago or so, and been watching about two dozen uploads by now. Top quality content. Keep up the fine work.

[@Franpowah]

I don't mind the lack of Lowcam. I'm sick of all the youtubers facef**ging when it isn't needed. Regarding the top level players... it's not just the APM but the fast decision making, if I had 600 APM, about 450 of those would be mistakes xD

[@antonuralskiy6512]

Christmas, Pizza and Lowko casting 2 hours of Serral vs Maru. 'tis a good day!

[@krisdabrowski5420]

47:45 mine-able mineral walls have been around since brood war maps. long standing tradition

[@presidentduckling]

1:16:52 I just love how the music kicks in right after he goes "Isn't that insane?"

[@Silversiren28]

So far as replays being fresh goes, I watch your SC2 videos because they tend to be really fun matches with a lot of entertainment value. It's less important to me whether or not the game is up to date than it is that it's just a fun series to watch. I've tried other channels now and then but yours tends to be the most fun.

[@motorhead1295]

Been a while since I've even touched SC2, but having these amazing casts in my video recommended has me wanting to jump back in. Ty and keep at it Lowko!

[@johntravis8894]

Stays fresh forever as I don't watch live. So whenever lowko or Pig casts that's the day for me it's live. Watched a couple the other day you posted over a year ago... still enjoyed it. The race re-balances are what kills a replay for me. Hard to watch a science vessel use infected Terran. 😆

[@laurihuttunen4550]

Hey Lowko, just wanted to say thank you and sponsor your work. I really enjoy watching your videos and I hope you will continue making them in the future.

[@cbigmac23]

Ah, a full plate of leftovers, a 2 hour long best of 7 cast of probably the two best players in the world, now this is Christmas.

[@mikelynam7519]

Absolutely loved the twitch livestream overlay on the KZbin VOD. Felt like you were watching it live, while still being able to watch at your own pace and on your own schedule. Amazing video Lowko! :D

[@Dureknallt88]

Merry Christmas :) As for me, I personally like the long videos. A best of series doesn't complain about a break or two and it's way better than some of the summaries you find on youtube because after 10 minutes at the latest you are confused about what on earth is going on and you have not a clue how the situation is arose you're watching.

[@burdisdawurd7472]

I watched this match live and I've gotta say that this was one of the best series I have ever watched

[@thenoobthatcould6136]

I love having these casts on in the background as I do my god forsaken homework so thanks for the long casts.

[@schippes24]

i know, this year aint fully over yet, but still i want to thank you for your content and every part of your soul you put into it. i started this video on yesterdays evening around 23:00 o'clock because i was tempted. i only got like 4,5h of sleep yesterday but i just could not not-watch it. serral vs maru casted by lowko? you're just so entertaining. doing it life with the chat creates some more interaction as well, so doing it like that from time to time sounds promising to me. Thank you Lowko for another awesome year of content!

[@volanceleste]

1:25:52 that SCV just nonchalantly building the tower as if nothing is happening.

[@ZC.Andrew]

And it survived too. Lol!

[@empanadasfritas7142]

5:00 Stimming just the ONE Marine to show Serral he is watching all at every single moment. Maru has being my favorite for decades now. "He's a god playing just for the lols..."

[@zuu1701]

Dude thanks so much for posting this extra long content on Christmas. Its helped me relax during the holidays. Watched the whole thing in chunks. Keep up the incredible work. Love your channel.

[@philipposmousouris7288]

Because I had been busy, I have been postponing it and made time to specifically binge this. Made some tea and here we go boys.

[@shaddartheimba]

Man Lowko you're the best. I'm catching my self watching your sc content through out the years now. Thank you!

[@derekeyler2634]

Thanks Lowko! Great cast, great series! Happy new year!

[@ThePeteriarchy]

Ah, yes. It was nice to see this live cast. Hopefully there'll be more of these at least on occasion in the future. Lowko even peeled back the curtain a little bit to show us how he makes his thumbnails with far more effort than most would think is absolutely necessary lol. We appreciate all the work, my dude. Merry Christmas!

[@andrewrivera5975]

I am 100% appreciate the two hour upload, That’s literally two hours of work you help me kill.

[@vycos-zen]

this was a very entertaining battle, two really awesome players and @Lowko your story telling makes it a notch up more fun to watch! thanks for doing these long format videos, i might have to watch it multiple sittings but its all worth it. gg

[@yosefshemesh5246]

What an insane series. These guys are just clearly the best. Every move they make is so perfect and calculated

[@mikestmp]

I like watching Lowko on .75 or .5 it sounds like he's drunk and just feels right to me, especially with his bottle of vodka. Lots of love.

[@TravelTryan]

Thank you, for everything. I have been through the hardest month of my life and this has given me a hope. I can't say it enough, KAWABUNGA!

[@johnwrath3612]

49:42 - you can have your buildings blocked by the dogs, and even though you cannot highlight them you CAN spam click on them and eventually they will blow up. It's actually fairly useful to prevent minor delays in building placement and you have a bunch of spare APM at the start of the game anyways.

[@yamilabugattas3895]

This was the best series I've seen this year, thank you for casting it all. I loved the addition of the blue flame hellions to protect the thors and deal with the broodlings in that last game. Maru is definitely the best Terran player out there right now, probably even the best player in general.

[@Rhaenday]

I really liked the Hellbats in front of the Thors against the Broodlords!

[@Justshrimpsfine]

I'm surprised at this point pro players aren't using foot peddles just to have more inputs.

[@stefanalenius]

22:30 Maru vs Serral will never get unfresh - returning to see this best of seven regulary

[@aniel09]

I just realized this was 2 hours. Alright saving this for NYE marathon. THANKS SO MUCH, LOWKO!!!

[@nguyenthiphuonganh]

Maru’s games lever lose freshness. Every now and then I’d go back and watch his WESG and GSL code S series, especially his games against TY, classic and Dark.

[@YourHyness]

That was awesome. thanks for casting! 🙏❤️

[@victoralvarado6064]

Lowko Chrismas Special 2021 is absolute bangers. Congrats in your almost 12 years making this awesome casts! Nothing like professional Starcraft 2 to keep the holidays pump it. Happy Holidays to everyone!

[@TrautBox]

Yesss 2 hour best of 7 for Christmas!!! Amazing!! Thanks, Merry Christmas

[@daisyjohnson5103]

OMG a 2 hours and a half video is the perfect Christmas gift from Lowko, thank you!

[@LowkoTV]

Happy holidays!

[@cesarverduga5966]

Great stream, I don't mind more of this multiple hours stream. Keep up the good work

[@sondiganteng]

thank you for casting this lowko.

[@jahmed525]

This is the best xmas gift ever!! I think your viewers (i know i certainly do) will love the longer series.

[@Spring8707]

Sadly missed the live cast on twitch, but I really love this, chat being there makes it more interesting as well. Hope for more live casts in the future! :D

[@glenndonnelly511]

It's July 2024 and to me this still feels like Christmas. Thanks Lowko

[@Uksidorgje]

Even if that length normally doesn't do well, right now, most viewers got the time to watch it :)

[@simonswanson9114]

I got one of your "don't forget to smile" Tshirts for Christmas! It made me really happy. Thank you for doing what you do and happy holidays!

[@marikx02]

The greatest Christmas present is the KOB2 Finals Serral v Maru, TY Lowko !!!!

[@JonathanNeal77]

Merry Christmas from the U.S.!!! We celebrate on the 25th typically! Love this longer series!!!

[@danielhaskins7028]

wow this was awesome! Thanks Lowko! Merry Christmas!

[@SivionEslinger]

Well, i was prepared with plate of christmas salads but after looking at video length I've had to go back for more food.

[@TerrGVD]

Just started this and am super excited, for the match up, and for the new type of casting style. Love your videos!! Love SC2 and have been following since release and your channel has been most consistent in content I enjoy. Keep it up and great stuff!!

[@adampreisler2303]

I myself play terran mostly (although only in master league) and Maru of course is amazing but after watching this series I have to say that terran late game seems to be op. In the past it used to be the zergs late game that was op but now that Thors deal so much dmg vs massive I wonder what zergs can do. Terran late game: 1. You float bases immediately from safety so not a lot of mining time is lost. 2. After taking last minable base you can usually land 20+ MULES and get like 4 bases worth of income. 3. You can also sacrifice SCVs once you've got like 10+ orbital commands, getting even bigger armies supply wise (other races can do but might regret it if they lose their remaining workers). 4. Thors deal amazing damage to all air units and are pretty good vs ground too.. they suffer vs lings, neural and blinding cloud but that's what ghosts are for in gm level play. 5. Everything about ghosts is good (especially vs zergs) - they can cloak, deal high vs light dmg, for armored/massive target there's the 170 dmg snipe that ignores armor, they can EMP clumped up casters and let's not forget about those pesky nukes... 6. Hellbats + medivacs mostly negate broodlords, locusts and zerglings. 7. Sensor towers + scans offer instant enemy detection, you can see that serral couldn't kill some burrowed mines here and there because he didn't have overseers with him while Maru simply scans anywhere he wants and no problem no need to worry. 8. Medivacs and SCVs are by far the best at healing your units, compared to zergs it doesn't require so much micro, protoss can only heal shields. I think all of this might be averted if thors had 1 less range on their vs massive air or broodlords had 1 more range in their attack. The way it is now broodlords get decimated by thors. Especially if thors also have hellbats around. Also it might be worth it removing the "massive" tag from broodlords and slightly increasing their speed - they are seriously slow at 1.97 speed, even slower than thor (2.62 +can be medivaced). Actually it is most likely the slowest unit in the game except queens off creep.

[@CommanderReplay]

I saw a study years ago measuring SC2 APM and they determiend that APM start to fall off each year after age 24. For baseball players there peak season is usually 24-28 where they have the most hand speed plus knowledge of the game. Most tail off quite a bit around 30.

[@Vpradhan1991]

Absolutely awesome!!! Thanks for the long cast lowko!

[@ThaSPAWN]

Lowko! I am more than happy with 2h+ video!!! Just wanna make engagement, because I will be watching it in a few days, when I have my "Special Lowko-time" by myself. Sorry for not boosting the stats instantly.

[@JosephParker_Nottheboxer]

Hellbats and Hellions origami differently! It's all about the origami factor, how well something can fold up and stack. I bet with the same sized piece of paper one person can make a crane and another can make a ball. Different sizes... Plus it's hell-bats vs hell-lions. Bats are way smaller than lions, because science. I just don't know how a lion can turn into a bat and visa-versa, that bit confuses me.

[@willydaplumber5154]

Merry Christmas to you lowko! God bless and thank you for this long and most likely Rockin Video!!

[@Pacifica.Obscura]

Thank you lowko. I’m spending today alone and this is what I needed.

[@Vest-one]

Maru, you are the God of SC2.

[@viet4life897]

Helluva treat; Merry Christmas Lowko!

[@LazerMax22]

It's a christmas miracle.

[@kolyaortyakoff]

Lowko - "How long do replay stay relevant?" Me, who only watch starcraft on this channel - "Until you cast it"

[@DexteruL]

Merry Christmas Lowko, nice addition of the facecam. keep adding it. I have insomnia and i found out that watching your videos really help me sleep. Don't get me wrong , i like the action and your commentary , but i guess the information just overloads my brain and puts me to sleep.

[@russiancat5020]

One hell of a Christmas present man! Thank you so much

[@billk2742]

Thanks for the long cast today. Merry Xmas!

[@richiejacobs9874]

Thanks for the arrows in the thumbnail! Was scared Maru and Serral switched races

[@TritonTv69420]

Hopefully its a Banger!

[@carlthegamer9215]

Great game, whatched the whole thing my man! Have a blast of a year!

[@gsuberland]

What an incredible set of games! I'm exhausted now.