When I see alot of high level play I notice alot of backdashing going on. Is it because they are resetting distance? Thanks for the help guys.
Backdash is often used in FGs for the invulnerability frames that they have in their animations.
(For a quick example, in BlazBlue, if someone is charging at you (Say, Jin doing an ice car), and you are Tager, you can backdash-720 and go through his ice car directly into your GETB.)
edit: Here’s a quick video to explain what I’m referring to, in case you’re not familiar with BB.
[media=youtube]GUHDpRzl0qo[/media]
Backdashes are usually done either to create some space, or when up-close used to escape throw attempts or bait throws and punish. Some characters in some games have backdashes that make them completely invulnerable to everything in a certain amount of frames, like Potemkin in Guilty Gear and Tager in Blazblue.
Holy crap I had no idea. So does this apply to other games as well? Vs Series, SSFIV?
Backdashes are huge in SSFIV. Chun and Rose have particularly great backdashes.
Yes, every character in SSFIV has invincibility frames on their backdash, but also recovery frames which can be punished. Backdashes can be used to escape most throws and short distance moves even on wake-up(getting up after being knocked down) in SSFIV.
Backdash has a few frames of invulnerability. That’s why you see Daigo abusing it in most of his matches. It still takes good timing to do wake up backdashes but if you can master it, it will save you from getting grabbed or hit by a dp. Backdash won’t get you out of everything but for the most part, it’ll save your ass on wake up.
Backdashes can also be baited and punished, so don’t use them mindlessly.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve hit people with ultras for backdashing. It’s so fun, they think it’s safe.
My favorite use of the backdash is baiting focus attacks for a free ultra using jump ins. If you jump in on someone focusing, and your attack hits their armor and you know they’re gonna let the focus out immediately to counter your next normal, I just backdash, let their focus attack wiff and free ultra.