And we’re forgetting that these characters all have badass pokes to compliment that. Footsie games all day.
One thing you have to remember is that a charge can be maintained from any of that particular direction.
So backcharge can be done on back, downback and upback. Downcharge on down, downback and downtowards.
You can also charge both at the same time from downback.
This is how Balrog can do headbutt to Ultra.
Charge downback and then go upback + P for the headbutt. You’ve now successfully maintained a backcharge and can immediately go into Ultra.
And note that most charge specials are FAST, makes you move from one side to the screen to other in a split second so you can turn from turtling from full screen to on your face in an instant. Take a look to 3DS SF4 to see what happens if you allow charge characters to use their specials at will, guile becomes the very best character in the game.
Also, a few charge characters get no charge specials or utilities moves that make them dangerous in your face like honda oicho throw and HHS or Blanka hop and electricity.