Wait, so your opinion is that the new Ice Clone is UNARGUABLY better, because of two DIFFERENT specials that have interactions with it? That's got nothing to do with the Clone, on top of that, Clone Toss and the niche interaction that is Clone Shatter in no way make up for the safeness and reliability of MK9, and the fact that you can get Air clones. Saying "reliability" doesnt even do it justice, MK9's Clone is so much better than MK9's, thats why it's a "crappy Clone". The only sensible comparison is MK9's Clone to which it got worse, you can ARGUE otherwise, but to act like its so clean cut undebatable that it needed that retarded page swallowing gif is just you being an obnoxious twat.
Those interactions count when you factor in that, until they get used, the clone is still doing what it's designed to do. And when they get used for those interactions, they provide utilities that you couldn't get out of MK9's clone. So yes, they do count, because they utilize the clone, still.
Yes, MK9's clone is safer off of blockstrings and jump-ins. MKX's clone also has utilities and properties that, as a whole, make it very powerful in comparison. Absorbing a projectile is huge. Being able to net chip damage and plus frames with it is huge. All the while, it still performs many of the exact same functions as MK9's clone. With that still intact, he has new uses of it that benefit him and solve some of the issues the character suffered from in the previous game. And this is just clone. Let's not ignore everything else Sub possesses.
Also, to comment on safety. Am I mistaken in that 100% safe clone blockstrings exist, granted you have to sacrifice hitconfirms? Am I mistaken in that one of clone's properties allows Sub to utilize other options a bit more freely when it is out? Yes, you have to commit to something to ensure you get it out on block as safe as possible. Yes, you can get rid of the clone by making Sub block. But don't ignore what is strong about clone and what you can do with it.
Also, air clone was barely useful. If you really think air clone is a talking point as to why it's better, you didn't understand MK9 Sub. Because truthfully, it didn't add anything in the later life of the game, nor was it really effective early on. Go back and watch footage. The use of air clone is so minimal, you'll forget it exists. Practically as niche as you say shatter is, if not moreso. So can we stop talking about it as a reason to say MK9 clone is better...when it's not?
Is he top tier? No...I think many would agree. He is a pretty absurd character in a game full of pretty to goddamn absurd shit. But to say clone and Sub himself are worse...? I mean, if you want to sit there and think a character who got 3-7'd and 2-8'd by a vast chunk of the top half of the characters in the game, and didn't really have an advantage like that over any other character...is better objectively than a character who still doesn't come close to struggling that hard after being nerfed...then be my guest. If you still think clone is "crappy" because you can't get it out safely every time you see your string is blocked and have to commit to safe setups, as well as can't do clone in a position that was useless in the last game, go ahead. Not gonna stop you.
By the way, I gif when I want. And no one's stopping you from doing the same. #DealWithIt...if you can't take a little silliness in a discussion and have to resort to insulting me, then you probably just need to leave the thread.