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iNu's Battles
Overview
iNu's Battles is a series of small-scale online StarCraft II (SC2) tournaments and showmatches organized by Korean tournament organizer and commentator Park "iNu" through the IntoTheClan community platform (intotheclan.com). The series focuses on the Legacy of the Void (LotV) expansion and primarily features top Korean professional players in short-format events. It is classified as B-tier or C-tier by Liquipedia, serving as a community-driven initiative to provide regular high-level SC2 content and entertainment within the Korean scene rather than a major international circuit event.
History
The series launched on June 11, 2023, with iNu's Battles #1. It has since produced multiple editions per year, typically as one-off showmatches or compact playoff events with 2–4 invited players. Editions are numbered sequentially (#1 onward), with occasional variations in format (e.g., showmatches vs. small brackets). By mid-2026, the series had reached #19, maintaining a consistent presence in the Korean SC2 ecosystem alongside larger events like the GSL. The organizer, iNu (IntoTheClan Head Admin and former Alpha X affiliate), uses the platform to host these events and stream related content.
Format
Events are held entirely online on South Korean servers. Most editions feature 4 invited players in a single-elimination bracket, with all matches played as best-of-5 (Bo5). Earlier or smaller editions have included 2- or 3-player showmatches. Qualification is by invitation only, targeting prominent Korean pros. Prize pools are modest, typically paid in South Korean won (KRW) and equivalent to roughly $70–$200 USD. The series emphasizes quick, high-quality matches over extended group stages.
Notable Editions
- #1 (June 11, 2023): The inaugural event, marking the start of the series with a 4-player format and $100 prize pool.
- #18 (July 28, 2026): Featured strong Korean talent including Rogue, Cure, herO, and ByuN. Rogue claimed the title after defeating Cure in the final.
- #19 (August 4–6, 2026): The most recent edition at the time of writing, structured as a 2-day event with quarterfinals beginning August 4 at 8 PM KST. It continues the series' tradition of showcasing top Korean players in a compact online format.
Past Champions
Limited public results are available, but known winners include:
- #1 (2023): NightMare defeated Classic in the final.
- #18 (July 28, 2026): Rogue defeated Cure 3–1 in the final (prize pool ₩200,000 KRW / ≈ $137 USD). Runner-up: Cure; semifinal results included Rogue over ByuN and Cure over herO.
Additional editions (#11–#17 and others in 2024–2026) have featured players such as ByuN, herO, Cure, and others, though comprehensive winner lists require further Liquipedia cross-referencing.
Viewership & Impact
As a B-/C-tier community series, iNu's Battles generates modest viewership primarily among dedicated Korean SC2 fans. Broadcasts are hosted via the IntoTheClan website (intotheclan.com) and the associated YouTube channel "인투더TV" (youtube.com/@intothe). The events contribute to the grassroots level of the Korean SC2 scene by offering regular matches between established pros outside of major circuits. They have no significant recorded peak concurrent viewer numbers in public databases and remain niche compared to ESL, WardiTV, or GSL productions. The series helps sustain community engagement and provides casting opportunities for iNu and collaborators.