1) Where's the vortex? It's a 50/50 yes but it doesn't create a loop that can only be broken by guessing correctly which is what a vortex is.
2) Again, it's not a vortex. Also, plenty of things outclass KF these days
3) Raven has 3 issues in the game. I won't argue about tier list placement or her strengths, just gonna list the issues:
a) difficulty opening up defensive players.
b) difficulty getting out of any knockdown setups.
c) difficulty dealing with advancing armoured moves.
An overhead b2 would help with the first one but does nothing for her nightmare match-ups against Bane/Doomsday/Grundy who exploit b and c the most.
If Raven were to get a 50/50 (she won't because the game is done but whatever) then both options don't need to lead to a full combo. b123 can still be the full combo option (b12~lift MB combo), while b2 removes the special cancel and can only do the string b23. Rather than being a blind guess there's actually some mindgames happening as to whether the Raven player will be trying to create space or go for damage. Saying that, if I were still playing I'd much rather have tools to get off the ground and deal with armour.
Oh and trait needs a start-up reduction so she can b3 - trait - continue combo with ease. She totally needs it.
Totally.