JSA, I'm not sure what anything you've said is based on. Imp's strength was obviously 1v1 but he got to second on the 2v2 ladder with one partner and 3rd with another.

Why do you think Teddy is better now than he was before? Or HHH? You love to say that you could get to the top of the ladder if only you could concentrate. Now, given the power of concentration, how can you assume the strength of any player at any time, especially players who played before you had even joined the site, when this powerful variable is completely unknowable.

Also, please tell me more about Impaller's gameplay. I would love to hear about it from someone who has never played him.

And Arun, Teddy was already one of the best ever. Also, I don't know how you know anything about the strength of players now in comparison to any other time on the site considering your own rating.

Ace, I think they are better than before because they have played so many games since that time. Are you telling me you no longer improve after your games? And focus is a big thing on the ladder, I don't think it was as much back then. Why? There were about 5 very good players on the ladder back then, now there are 15+.

I have watched his ladder games from when he played, I feel like you can learn nearly as much about a player by watching 10 of their games compared to playing them 10 times.

And with Teddy, gotta agree with you there. He was nearly unstoppable when he disappeared and he's still very good, no doubt about it.

Like I said, this can't be proven or disproven without the Impaller coming back.

Yes JSA, I'm saying I don't really improve. I am in fact a worse player than I was before. At a certain stage you plateau and if you don't keep playing you can become a worse. This should be obvious. Just playing more games does not make you a better player.

Again with the "focus", this malleable concept that allows you to simultaneously claim you "could" be number one while also giving yourself a pat on the back because it's apparently harder now than before.

In my opinion, you can always be better at a game like warlight. There's always ways to do things just a little bit better. Just when you think you know everything there is to know, you get beat by a completely unexpected thing. It's the way warlight is. After games, many players realize what they did wrong and try to not do it again. I feel liek that makes you a better player.

You've been hearing too much of Pulsey I'm afraid. Giving myself a pat on the back in what way? I say nothing about my skill in this thread, yet you bring it in anyway. I've always thought you were a decent guy but saying stuff about me that is completely unrelated to the topic is out of line.

Thank you Veelvraat. Based on your answer which I think is sufficiently accurate, we have kind of an unofficial list of legends.

@Fizzer: I think it would be nice if there is an official "Book of legends", containing not only the category of "longest time n.1", but also other interesting achievements: players who reached n.1 position, players with most rating points, rookie of the year, biggest come-back etc. I think it creates tradition and fame around the game on one side, while on the other hand it will surely be a satisfaction for the great players who dedicated many hours to the WL, and will also be a target to reach for the new players.
I will post this message also on the appropriate ladder thread.

I also think that by playing more games you will improve. Like the 10 000 hour rule in cricket, the closer you get to that mark, the better you become. After that mark (which here, will be a very long time away I think even for the best on this site as there are so many different variables - after playing so much you will know how to react perfectly to anything an opponent can throw at you).

You're welcome Sava! I like your idea of a hall of fame on the site.

The recent addition of trophies to the site is already a way of recognizing great achievements. Only downside to this system is that there's no list available, so it's not easy for newer players to find out who earned a trophy in the past.

Honestly, Imp was incredible at times. Then there were games and even whole RR tournies in which he either wasn't entirely attached to the idea of winning or he just could meld well to the variety of player(s) he was up against.

However, a lot of his wins can fairly be attributed to the wow factor that was often attached to his hip. Even years ago just about every top 1 vs 1 player was nervous to take him on. Nerves being razzled can cause a plethora of interesting side effects to a person's decision making skills. Especially when they turns often take close to three days a piece.

I don't feel like checking, but I think I'm 1-2 with him overall. Maybe more cause I can think of at least three tournament games in which we played, let alone ladder which I'm sure I was unlucky enough to draw him a time or two.