No, it is fact. If it is programmed into the game that staff zoning is faster and safer, and it can/has been verified through testing, it is fact. It is proven. It is not an opinion. Something that is demonstrable, and repeatable, to have less startup frames and more frame advantage, is a fact.
What it shows is that you have no idea how to play Nightwing. Dick has no reason to be the aggressor against J'onn in staff. That's the point of being in staff stance in the first place. He doesn't lose outside of staff range, because he's not trying to be in close. He WANTS to be at range in staff. Ground blast is a superior zoning move to almost everything J'onn has.
Dick DOES have the advantage of numbers in this matchup, at least as far as zoning. In close, Manhunter may have a bit more of an advantage, he has more six frame normals and a good high/low game thanks to command grab. Trait gives him more range and damage, and he already does more damage than Dick. When MMH trait is up, Dick clearly doesn't want to be rushing down. I think we can all agree on that. Dick has escrima B2 mixups and generally more frame advantage in both stances, plus the threat of MB flipkicks.
MB orbs are something Dick has to respect, but since Dick has no problem sitting back with Staff, it's less of a hassle than if you were playing a pure rushdown game with say, Batman.
If you want to argue the numbers, as of the current in-game data and latest patch, Ground Blast is 21 frames of startup. TK strikes are 29, Pillars are 22, teleports are 26. TK strikes are safe, fine, but they're still negative. GB is safe on block. And it hits low. +9 for regular, +18 for EX. Pillars are -17 on block, so yes, Dick does get to do a reversal ground pound versus pillars and TK strikes to keep MMH honest. Just like he does against Aquaman's From the Deep. Almost nothing will allow MMH to avoid the reversal pound. He has to respect it. Manhunter can't do that for free, he has to make a read, since Dick is already 9 or 18 frames ahead of him. Even MB pillars are only even on block, or so.
Even if the frame data is off in some cases, this does not take long to test. An hour, at most, if you really want to knuckle it out. The frames are mostly accurate, but go try it for yourself.
It's not as if Dick can simply sit back and spam in staff of course, but because it is faster and safer, it is much more easier for him to keep MMH out than the reverse.
Dick has the overall advantage in the matchup, because the tools that J'onn uses to get in have no invincibility, and the tools he uses to keep Dick away are often slower and unsafe. Dick gets to control the ground with faster zoning moves and generally safer zoning and offense. That is my experience, from what I've watched, what I've tested and the games I've played. And with that, this conversation is over.
Agree to disagree. Time will tell if it changes in MMH's favor, the game has a lot more growing to do.
