Yea sure in practise mode for fun. Show me that done in a tournament. Oh wait, you wont, coz it never happened. But yea i forgot about the EX version, coz nobody used it in tournaments.
No one used it in tournaments because it cost meter and Reptile had a ton of other attacks that became amazing with meter while invisibility was a flat buff and free 50/50's, which are both good but not better than a giant slow forceball or an armored dash.
Unless Ermac's name suddenly changes to Sentinel flight is gonna suck, sorry bro.
I'd disagree. For as many characters that are really similar to older versions, there are ones that are really different. Sonya is really different compared to mk9 overall, liu kang has at least his dark light variation that's really unique, I'd say cage with his stunt double, etc etc. I'd say that the variations have allowed nrs to keep their classic characters while adding a lot of new ideas for them, which is awesome.
As i saw in Liu Kang's dualism variation, you actually have to channel the spell in order to heal. I just don't see how that's viable and i don't see many people playing that variation over the other two, especially flame fist which is probably gonna be the most popular. I'm also not feeling Sonya's variations, it would at least be better if the drone flew in from offscreen instead of just spawning above your head, and the one where you're drone spawns bombs for you is just weird as hell...
You don't necessarily have to be able to see your character to know what you're doing... I (and plenty of other reptile players) can do his elbow dash bnb combo while completely invisible. Once you have your timing down... you don't need visibility.
Okay the liu kang one I think the orbs will definitely be useful at least so that variation will be used. For sonya I think we need to get our hands on her to see what the hell is up, she looks weird but I wouldn't say they look useless at all, for all we know she could be great.
This, they could've very well just took what was there from MK9 add one or two moves(or just tweak older ones) and call it a day and no one would've complained(because the variations would never be known to begin with), yet they took upon the task to bring this new system, and of course you can't expect for it to be the epitome of balance right out of the gate, but sure is a solid idea.
I didn't say it's useless, the drone is good for mixups and could serve in similar ways as Batmans trait from Igau. But Liu Kang's channel can be easily interrupted, pretty much instantly with any projectile. I guess it could be useful against some characters but we just have to see it in game.
Ex Dash didn't have armor in MK9 hell it could be interrupted between hits if the opponent was familiar with Reptile.
I'm assuming by channel you mean the healing move (maybe that's what it's called, idk lol) which in that case whether or not it's useful doesn't make or break the variation and I think the dark orbs will definitely be useful so that variation will be unique from other versions of lk and still be viable. I don't want to get too far into theory fighting but I think it's safe to say the variation will be useful.
When i say channel i mean that you have to stay in place while the animations going for it to do an effect, and it can be interrupted with any hit. But yeah, it probably serves a purpose if it's in the game, at least i hope so.
Well for the orbs they will be useful after a knockdown at the very least...
Until you play OGs and South Americans in the older MKs. >_>
