The 2014 North American WCS Season 2 kicks off tomorrow at 12:00 AM CEST with Protoss-dominated Group A and a battle between: Kim “Revival” Dong Hyun, Chris “HuK” Loranger, Song “HerO” Hyeon Deok and Yang “Pigbaby” Hee Soo for a spot in the RO16.

Group A

• Kim “Revival” Dong Hyun (Zerg) 
• Chris “HuK” Loranger (Protoss)
• Song “HerO” Hyeon Deok (Protoss) 
• Yang “Pigbaby” Hee Soo (Protoss) 

As a 2014 WCS AM Season One semifinalist (having lost out to Oz), the Season XIII Intel Extreme Masters Shanghai champion (co-incidentally defeating Oz 4:0 in the final), Revival, is sure to be one of the favourites ahead of the competition. His biggest rival in the group is sure to be HerO: 2014 Intel Extreme Masters Cologne winner and reigning champion in multiple DreamHack tournaments. Although, despite being a major player in the scene, he failed to make it out of the WCS 2014 Season One RO32. Can he make it on the second attempt?

However, not to be forgotten are Chris “HuK” Loranger and newcomer Yang “Pigbaby” Hee Soo. A StarCraft II veteran, HuK’s global omnipresence is not to be underestimated: last year the Canadian Protoss player competed in competitions all across the globe picking up first place in multiple major tournaments. As a member of the Evil Geniuses team, the support and training system is in place to push him towards the RO16. The unsigned newcomer, Pigbaby, is a different story…

Group B

• Choi “CranK” Jae Won (Protoss) 
• Choi “Bomber” Jo Sung (Terran)
• Lim “NesTea” Jae Duk (Zerg)
• Maru “MaSa” Kim (Terran)

Group B sees a more even split of races as Choi “CranK” Jae Won, Choi “Bomber” Jo Sung, Lim “NesTea” Jae Duk and Maru “MaSa” Kim go head-to-head on Thursday May 22nd at 12:00 AM CEST. 

Having narrowly missed out of the WCS AM 2014 Season One RO16 (coming in third in his group), CranK is looking to put an end to his inconsistent performances. The 2013 season saw him advance to the RO8 having finished in first place in all previous qualifying rounds. From there he attempted to qualify for the WCS Global Finals but was defeated by none other than 2014 WCS EU favourite, Snute (3:0). After Season One last year, the Protoss player dropped into Challenger League only to battle his way out and drop down again in Season Three. Will this year see a similar struggle? 

Both Bomber and NesTea are big names within the scene and are sure to be the favourites: as a WCS AM 2014 Season One quarterfinalist and WCS 2013 Season Two champion, Bomber has the experience to pull out yet another win here. His biggest rival from within the group is sure to be NesTea: an iconic player (the first to win three GSL championships) and scene favourite. Although in many ways much like HerO: despite past achievements and eSports fame the WCS top finishes are somewhat lacking. That’s no reason not to watch out for MaSa though! Despite coming in last in his group for Season One’s RO32, the Terran player is looking good in the lead-up to Season Two.    

Join us live at starcraft2.com/wcs at 12:00 CEST to watch the action unfold!