Why does Daigo use U1 over U2?

Classic Fighting Games Ultra Street Fighter IV
1

as I thought U2 was the way to go?

2

I personally choose the Ultra based on the MU, but U1 has it’s perks over U2

Reasons why U1 is good

  • Comboability - even off of basic combos, this still pumps out the damage you need in a tight spot.
  • Goes through fireballs - Not sure if anybody watched Riceeater’s video on this, but if you trade with a fireball and st.fierce you get extra damage which turns 380 damage into 430 at times. (rough damage calcs)
  • Pushes opponents towards the corner you are facing! - IMO, this is a big one. You switch sides after U2 and you get funky recovery and positioning out of the full animation.
  • Still does good damage after red focus! - if you do the classic low forward xx light axe kick Red focus attack into a fully charged U1, it gives you a pretty good sum of damage still.

Just personal food for the thought but most of the time Daigo is using the Ultra based on MUs lol.

3

U1 has the utility and U2 has the damage. I like U1 for punishing whiffed wake up reversals that put me out range to punish with anything else. It does more damage off an fadc/j.mp/ex tatsu than U2, but U2 has big damage, not reccomended for anti-airing, but it’s a good punish vs. characters like Elena who have punishables moves and lack fireballs.