Reynor vs ShoWTimE on 1 February
On February 1st, the renowned HomeStory Cup will host an electrifying BO3 (Best of Three) clash between two of Europe’s finest StarCraft II players: Reynor and ShoWTimE. The outcome of this match will be a pivotal moment in the tournament, as both players are hungry to secure their place at the top. This encounter not only promises incredible individual skill but also the clash of two distinct tactical approaches that could determine the outcome. The HomeStory Cup is known for its intimate atmosphere and high-stakes matches, making this one to watch for anyone who follows the European StarCraft scene. As both players are highly motivated to perform, let’s dive into what’s at stake and how these two contenders stack up.
Reynor: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Reynor, the Italian prodigy, has been in phenomenal form over the past few months. His consistency in high-level tournaments is nothing short of impressive. The 2025 HomeStory Cup will be an important test for him, and based on his recent results (4-1 in his last 5 matches), it's clear that he is in great shape to battle for the top prize. Known for his exceptional macro control and aggressive unit timings, Reynor thrives in scenarios where he can maintain fluid and rapid transitions across different phases of the game. His mastery over Zerg, especially his use of roaches, ravagers, and mutalisks, has made him a nightmare for most Protoss players. His ability to adapt to different map styles and enemy playbooks gives him a significant edge.
Reynor’s primary strength lies in his fast-paced mid-game pressure, where he focuses on overwhelming opponents with massive waves of units. His larva injects are consistently spot-on, and his drone production is aggressive, allowing him to expand with near-impossible timing. His numbers speak for themselves – a 68% win rate in 2025 HomeStory Cup matches with over 30% of his games ending in less than 15 minutes. He’s an adept manipulator of his resources, and he often forces his opponent into uncomfortable positions by taking early risks.
Key to his success is his ability to strike quickly during the transition to the mid-game. In terms of map control, he holds key positions with ling run-bys and early scouting, exploiting weaknesses before his opponents can stabilize. His Zergling-based aggression, especially when paired with banelings, can catch even the most prepared players off guard.
However, Reynor has had some issues with Protoss players who specialize in aggressive early pushes, which could prove to be a critical vulnerability against ShoWTimE. His recent form, while strong, has shown cracks when facing top-tier Protoss players who excel in multi-pronged harassment. How well he can manage this will determine his path to victory in this series.
ShoWTimE: Tactical Approach and Current Form
ShoWTimE, the German Protoss star, has been consistently one of Europe’s most formidable StarCraft II competitors. Despite his relatively calm and calculated style, ShoWTimE is known for his surgical precision and ability to execute high-level timings with minimal mistakes. His performance in the last 5 matches has been stellar, with a 4-1 record, including impressive wins against top-tier Zergs. He thrives on orchestrating well-timed pushes with his army of adept stalkers, immortals, and archons, applying constant pressure on his opponents.
In terms of playstyle, ShoWTimE is incredibly methodical. He favors a balanced approach, combining powerful early game defense with a sharp transition to the mid and late stages of the game. His ability to manage his resources and execute tech transitions efficiently sets him apart. ShoWTimE excels in taking advantage of his superior tech, particularly with his warp-in mechanic, allowing him to overwhelm unprepared opponents quickly.
ShoWTimE’s play revolves around exceptional probe control, establishing a smooth economic foundation, and always having a superior army composition at key moments in the game. In 2025, he’s maintained a 72% win rate against Zergs, largely due to his emphasis on perfect army positioning and the ability to quickly overwhelm Zerg players who attempt to outpace him. The Protoss player has been known to outmaneuver his opponents with blink stalkers and disruptors, ensuring that his armies always have an edge in the fight.
However, ShoWTimE’s sometimes passive early-game approach can leave him vulnerable to unpredictable aggression, particularly when facing players like Reynor, who thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure situations. ShoWTimE will need to be at the top of his game, ensuring that his force-field control and engagement timings are flawless. If his macro slips even slightly, Reynor will seize the opportunity to launch a devastating counter-attack.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
The head-to-head history between Reynor and ShoWTimE has been a rollercoaster, with both players having their fair share of wins. In their last five encounters, Reynor has edged out ShoWTimE 3-2, but all these matches were extremely close, with only slight errors in decision-making causing the loss for ShoWTimE. When ShoWTimE wins, it’s often due to his superior late-game transitions and the overwhelming power of his disruptors and colossus forces. On the other hand, Reynor’s victories have been more reliant on his aggression and ability to dictate the flow of the game through smart early-game maneuvers.
Both players know each other’s strengths and weaknesses inside-out, which means psychological warfare will play a huge part in this match. The question will be whether ShoWTimE can withstand the early pressure and survive long enough to dominate with superior Protoss tech. Reynor, for his part, will need to ensure that he doesn’t overextend his aggression and leave himself vulnerable to counter-pushes.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
The most crucial battle will undoubtedly be in the early to mid-game, where Reynor will try to set the pace with his Zergling run-bys and early baneling pressure. ShoWTimE’s ability to defend against these pushes with perfect force-field placement and probe management will be key. Any slip-up in his defense could result in massive damage and a decisive advantage for Reynor.
Another critical zone is the timing window when ShoWTimE will look to transition into his strong mid-game with blink stalkers and disruptors. If Reynor can fend off the initial push and retain map control, he’ll have the opportunity to turn the tables with his overwhelming Zerg swarm. This clash will likely define the trajectory of the series, especially when both players are pushing for critical tech upgrades like +1 for zerglings or disruptors for Protoss.
Match Scenario and Prediction
Given both players’ current form, the most likely scenario is an action-packed series with high tension early on. Reynor’s early game aggression will be tested by ShoWTimE’s solid defense and ability to execute precise late-game transitions. While ShoWTimE is certainly capable of holding off Reynor’s advances, I believe the Zerg player will find a way to land critical hits in the early game and slowly wear down the Protoss’s economy. Reynor’s fast expansions and map control will likely be too much for ShoWTimE to handle in the early stages.
Prediction: Reynor to win the series 2-1, with the final match likely going into a tense late-game scenario. The key metric will be Reynor’s efficiency with early-game aggression and how ShoWTimE handles the pressure.
Final Thoughts
The outcome of this match hinges on who can control the tempo early on. Will Reynor’s aggressive Zerg strategy prove too overwhelming for ShoWTimE’s defensive Protoss play, or will ShoWTimE’s impeccable late-game execution grant him the upper hand? The HomeStory Cup’s BO3 format ensures that every move will matter, and both players will leave it all on the line.
Ultimately, this clash will answer one key question: can ShoWTimE adapt to Reynor’s early aggression, or will Reynor continue his dominance in the matchups where the tempo is set by him? The answer will define this thrilling encounter.
