One idea I have thought of is that the lvl 1 focus attack can be used on reaction to fireballs. Because Gen’s focus attack range is pretty far, you can react to a fireball with an instant lvl 1 focus attack, dash in, (edit*) try for a mix-up.
Gen’s mantis focus dash is 0/-3 on hit/block.
Gen’s crane focus dash is -3/0 on hit/block.
The thing I do is I do focus dash as a hit/block confirm depending on my stance. If I am at a disadvantage I simply try to block/tech it out most of the time (not everyone is fast enough to frame perfect throw on focus dash, especially when they have to react to forward/backward dash). If I am even it depends on how the opponent usually reacts on the type of situations. Usually I go for Mantis stand jab in this case.
It’s hard to use it with conscious though; I simply have occasional CH situations in which I would have gotten CHed out myself pre-2012, and that reminds me of the changes often.
Let’s say you tapped focus, does that give it a 1 frame start up? Im in bed, what can we deduce on the start up if we tap it, because if we can use it as a long as heck frame trap, the counter hit leads to crumple which is a free combo!
Another thought, after blocked hands we are pushed away and +5 (on block) just enough time to stance change to crane, at 0 frames we can begin a crane focus at max range. If we are at even frames, how much time does the opponent have to back away making an uncharged focus attack unblocked and therefore unpunishable?
At 0 frames we would have the choice of focus or something else st the same time they do, does a focus at that range count as an attack they are forced to dash away to move away from? (The block box, while you attack, certain attacks cause your opponent to block at a distance)
If your opponent is caught off guard, and is not prepared to dp or backdash, this could be a relatively safe approach after a blocked hands…
Afraid not. Focus without holding the button gives you a 21f start-up focus. I think that’s the fastest start-up focus can get.
If you do not hold the focus button, you can only absorb through the first 4f of start-up or something. You can get jabbed for the remaining start-up frames and you will get countered out.
The only thing Gen is different from others is now hitstun on mantis focus and blockstun on crane focus.
If you hold and look for an attack with the right timing you can absorb and CH in my hands setup right street11?
If you stance change after a blocked hands, that leaves you at zero and far away, ( im at work so I cannot say how far,) could it be close enough for Gens focus attack in the first place, and second, (after stance change, with both characters at 0 frames, even if you did charge, at that distance, (being pushed away from hands) What 3-4 frame poke could reach gens startup? Kens Kara-srk?
How likely is it if we charged focus, and either
See a step/walking movement and dashed away
See a poke or jump and charged only to absorb and CH
Catch them blocking, release level 1 focus, dash after it is blocked, and be in their face at 0 frames again?
Mh… wait, maybe there’s a bit of confusion: Gen’s Mantis FA leaves him at -21/-18 on block/hit. Crane FA instead -18/-21 on block/hit.
Most characters are just -21/-21 and -15 on block for the second level, with few exception:
Ken -28/-28 (2nd level is -22 on block)
Blanka -24/-24 (2nd level is -18 on block)
M.Bison -20/-20 (2nd level is -14 on block)
C. Viper -26/-26 (2nd level is -20 on block)
Deejay -22/-22 (2nd level is -16 on block)
Ibuki -20/-20 (2nd level is -14 on block)
Dudley -20/-20
Adon -25/-25 (2nd level is -19 on block)
Yang -20/-20 (2nd level is -14 on block)
Oni -22/ - special on hit (2nd level is -16 on block)
Considering that in the right circumstances one would get a CH level one, the frame advantage would not matter due to the crumple. So the on hit benefit only changes the attacks capable of landing after crumple (3 frames of more time.)
But on block in crane it makes a frame perfect throw.
how does it work? If you cancel a blocked level 1 FA into forward dash, how much frames of disadvantage does Gen get? I guess -3… but there’re the frames of the forward dash, right? So… how can we time a throw (or a standing lp)? And how many frames of advantage/disadvantage for a blocked level 2 FA?
Where crane focus level one is setup to be blocked, and gen can get a free dash in.
Gen can use his mantis focus as a safe blockstring, but to be honest, making his level one focus on hit and dash kind of makes it unnecessary because it would probably be a crumple right?
I just want to utilize these changes…
Seems so odd they would make gen so different in this aspect.
Also, I tried blocked hands into crane FA… all strengths push too far away to follow up with a focus attack
Focus attack as a counter hit is the most dangerous form you can use, I want a situation where gen forces his opponent to be at 0 frames advantage with Gen, and gen is in crane, and starts a frame perfect focus attack, outside of jab range, where he can catch the attack initiated by the opponent with his focus, on recovery frames because his opponent pressed a button, and if his opponent does not, gen gets blocked and dashes in for free, reinitiating the same situation, except closer.
My only conclusion thus far is:
(Blocked) mantis st.mp>stance change>tap or hold focus attack depending on the sound of buttons>dash in on hit or block>throw/tech/block/jab if blocked, combo if counterhit, block if normal hit.
*when I say sound of the buttons, I mean the sound of a player beside me with a joystick and the sound of his fingers hitting the buttons and/or the sound of the cherry switches clicking.