This post is not necessarily directed at Joz but to anyone interested in usage of CH.
Ahh… I’m glad you see now Jozhear that CH is a viable frame trap. Whether you follow it up after a st.lk, meaty cr.mk or a level to FA (just to name a few), it works as a frame trap quite well. Especially if spaced (as Duey explained above and examples shown by Alex). If you wish, I can show you many examples as well (vids of Makoto, Cat-K, Nao, Reiketsu etc. using it as a viable frame trap. I even noticed Tatsu pull of some nice traps with CH this past weekend at SCR). And IMO, it’s not about style, it’s a viable tactic that should be incorporated into any Vega players game if they wish to use the character to maximum efficiency.
But let me explain to you what makes CH such a strong, and rather one of Vega’s most abused, poke. It’s his BEST tool to punish OS techs from kara throw range. Vega, is at his strongest when he pressures an opponent with pokes from within kara throw range. He can position an opponent and set them up for strong tick throw set ups. Most opponents who know the match up well enough will usually tech when Vega pressures them at said range in fear of a Kara throw. That’s when you start to mix in CH in your offense. It blows up OS techs and leaves opponents vulnerable to a strong mix up. Whether Ryu [for example] decides to tech with cr.mp or any other poke, you’ll end up beating it clean. It catches backdashes/jumps and he can’t be command thrown out of it either when he leaves the ground. On hit, it deals solid meter-less damage. On block, you’re safe. It’s a tried and true tool that Japanese Vega’s have been abusing for over a year now, since Vanilla. I’ll gladly show you TONS of vids demonstrating it’s uses if you’re interested (it’s all over Youtube). Watch Cat-K in Vanilla (he made walk up CH look so gdlk lol).
That’s the main utility for CH.
As far as footsies goes, it has amazing range and can beat many pokes (e.g. Ryu’s cr.mk, Chun’s st.mp, etc.) clean. Of course, it’s only strong as a footsie tool when it’s spaced but that shouldn’t be much of a problem since spacing is crucial in footsies (duh…). Of course, it’s not Vega’s strongest footsie tool but still strong nonetheless.
I hope it makes sense now. Before, when Vega goes for a CH during his offense, and is blocked, he is safe. Now, he’s left at a punishable disadvantage. It’s neither as strong nor reliable as a way to open people up during pressure. It’s just as much as a risk for you as it is for your opponent to tech (actually worse, since you can eat a much more devastating combo).
Edit: I’m just going to post some vids anyway just in case anyone is interested:
[media=youtube]NTtwSVJxZ6Q[/media] (check out the first match. He used the tactic I explained above many times throughout the vid but check out 1:33. It’s rape. 2:15 demonstrates it’s potential as a footsie tool).
[media=youtube]VJsCFnzyZk8"[/media] Makoto is godlike. Especially the match against Tokido.
[media=youtube]VXrLuBihIj8"[/media] Pretty much Makoto pulling the same trick against Uryo in Super. Blowing up OS techs all dai!!
The reason I’m so upset over the nerf is because it’s one of my main tools that I abuse when I get in on my opponents and open them up for damage. It truly helps me secure 70% of my tournament wins. Especially against the stronger players in Socal. It’s definitely not a nerf that I can see myself dealing with.
Vega is too pimp.