So my basic meter philosophy is to hoard all of it. I want to save up for a 3 meter hard knockdown combo or a combo to super because not only do you get the best oki, you get the best damage.
However some characters I make an exception and try to hold on to meter for various other uses.
Ex horiball:
Generally used to supplement slide vs. characters who are going to try to press you backwards. Generally not a good idea early in the round, but if your opponent is low on health you can make them much more cautious.
character specific uses, all for fireball except gief:
Akuma, Evil Ryu, Ryu, Sagat, Zangief(tag far ranged lariats)
Ex Upball:
Should rarely be used as an AA. Use st.hp, nj.hp, cr.mp, st.mp, st.hk, buffered electricity, normal upball, whatever, but try not to AA with ex upball unless it is vs. a jumparc changing move or you absolutely cannot afford to trade or reacted late. Use it as a get off me if your opponent has got predictable with their strings. Vs. most things you have another option.
characters I’m willing to expend the bar on regularly:
Adon, Cammy, C.Viper, Rufus, Seth, Yun, Yang
Ex Rainbow:
Against most players it’s a get out of jail free card so it’s easy to become over reliant on it. But resisting the urge to use it is really important. The best players will punish you.
characters I’m willing to expend the bar on regularly:
Seth(beats spd, tanden, and dp)
EX Electricity:
I basically only use this as an AA. Sometimes it’s your best option especially against divekicks. Also useful for chip kills, please don’t end combos in this.
characters I’m willing to expend the meter on regularly:
Adon, Cammy, Rufus, Yun, Yang
Using meter defensively when Blanka has so many good defensive tools is an easy trap to fall into. It feels safe, but you’re denying yourself possibly several hundred extra damage if you do get an opening in the future. Yes sometimes you need to do ex upball to break offensive momentum, but it doesn’t need to be your go to. Focus backdash, st.jab, etc. can all get you out of tight spots.