Ben and I played Makoto vs Valkenhayn last night for quite a long time and this is what I got out of it:
Valkenhayn has advantages all around (in this particular match up. It could probably be said the same for the majority of the roster that cannot zone him out or has instant block shenanigans. ). 236A, even on instant block is safe. With that safe, you’re going to want to keep your opponent in block stun for quite some time so you can do his version of a mix up - which consist of a constant variation of highs and lows. I would often 5b, 5c, 236A ( non instant blocked ) -> 2A, 6B, 2b, 236A. I would usually change 236A to 236C, since unless they know what you’re doing, their taking that overhead. If your opponent doesn’t instant block 236A and you psychic a jab, that’s a free counter throw. Jank ass frame trap? If it’s in the corner, step up, 2C, 6B, 2C, 6C -> Wolf form bullshit. Granted, since I am just starting with him, my timing on the wolf form combos is off. Basically, I don’t know when I need to wolf dash to effectively perform the x2 J.B, transform back to human, land 5B and then 632146D. Or find which combo it is that I can transform back to human in mid-air, continue the combo and then end with 236236C.
The main thing to remember is that he can wolf cancel a lot of his moveset and run away provided your opponent doesn’t catch on to it. The most ambiguous one would have to be kara cancelling 6C.
Reversals? No reversal without meter. His best reversals overwise are his Astral ( 214214C ) or 632146D.
Also, do not think that rapid cancelling his combos is meaningless… if you’re doing a prolonged combo, chances are you’re going to gain that meter back from what comes after 5B, 5C, 236A, (Rapid) 2C, 6B, 5B, 5C, 236C -> Wolf Combos of your choice since there are variants of them.
Unless it is a DP ( Makoto’s, Tsubamegaishi or INFERNO DIVIDER ) or some godly anti-air J.C wins on a lot of jump ins. Of course, there’s Hakumen’s drive to worry about…(maybe) unfortunately Hakumen has no fear factor to his gameplay.
Valkenhayn requires… no, demands excellent footsies. Without them, characters are going to stuff his main pokes ( 5B Can hit crouching opponents, 2A and 5C… but very little usage of it, due to its insane amount of startup. ) I can already see characters like Litchi and Hakumen being trouble for him - Litchi even more so that Hakumen, however. He has no true zoning game, but a small one that he can use against certain characters… I used 5C -very- often against Makoto because I knew that there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it if she didn’t instant block it. On counter hit, the hit stun is ridiculous enough to go straight into 236C and start combos. Even though his foostie game and offense are good, on the defensive, he’s horrible. Especially in the corner. With below average health and only four guard primers, you cannot afford to make too many mistakes. Missed opportunities equal heavy damage… even if it is only 2.5-3k. Once Kimchi got ahold of me in Makoto madness, I wasn’t getting out unless I guess right and even though I know the Makoto match up like the back of my hand, with a terribly defensive character like Valk, my options are still limited. I would have to luck out and wait for him to attempt to use his tail in the air so that I can 2C counter hit trade in my favor, 5b, TK 214B.
With all of that said, I don’t think Valkenhayn is a rush down character at all. Quite the contrary - he requires a lot of patience due to his game plan. It’d probably be wiser to attempt playing counter hit hunter, but being meaty with some of your attacks can pay off too, given the situation arises. You ( IMO ) have some bad match ups in the form of Hazama, Litchi, Taokaka and Tager, but they’re all winnable. Litchi may be a bit harder than the others, due to her laughing at your attempts to play footsies with her, but she won’t laugh as soon as you touch her. Attempting to rush down would just get you rushed down, as Ben’s Makoto thoroughly explained to me. With that said, testing Ragna’s 6A or anything of that nature is a no-no.
Well… I’ll probably have more once I play with him more and perfect his combos. Playing his has definitely opened doors for me in a more technical sense. He may be ’ Brokenhayn R. Hellsing ’ but at least he needs to work for his damage output. That is what I really wanted… to feel that I was putting in the effort to obtain my results. I may not be ready to use him in the next S.C tournament, but with the direction I am taking, he may become the new main. Hope this helped out… some. I know what makoto does -against- me, but using her? You’re gonna have to rely on Ben for that.
It’s really addicting.