The parry is fast enough. Isn't it like barrier of frost 5f and barrier of ice 2f? This character should revolve around landing that parry.
This character needs slight, creative tweaks that make him not only more viable, but more interesting. Landing the parry /should/ temporarily buff Sub in some way during the follow up combo, so the risk is worth the reward. Pick ONE of the following and he'll be set.
- Grant automatic aura upon successful parry (normal aura for normal parry, ex aura for ex parry) and grant this specific aura route "unbreakable" property, where opponent cannot escape damage via breaker (variation is literally unbreakable). Unbreakable combo property ends when parry combo ends, normal aura effect persists as usual. If aura already applied, CURRENT effect (normal/ ex) refreshed upon successive parries.
- SZ gains access to new, more versatile strings gated behind a successful parry. Parry highlights opponent in new blue, frosted effect, which shatters when combo ends/ opponent hits the ground, cashing out additional damage proportional to number of hits in combo (longer combo = more potential damage, 0-5 hits extra 2%, 6-10 extra 4%, 11-..., extra 7% ) similar to Tanya Pyromancer dust. Ex parry "frosted"
effect allows for additional refreeze in combo. The metaphor in which the frozen opponent is being broken/ made "breakable," and implying SZ is not).
- SZ gains damage buff, lasting approx. the same duration as standard aura, upon successful parry, highlighted by audible/ visable taunt following opponents freeze.
- New move, true command grab rekka (mid). SZ grabs and headbutts opponent twice, shattering his Unbreakable mask and switching sides via rekka input (if desired). SZ reapplies mask in opponents recovery, sets situation at standing neutral much like Cryomancer cold blooded string, (standing position visually similar to Pumped Up Jax gotcha grab). Could entice opponent to act before SZ, granting parry meta type setplay. Ex cmd grab rekka 3 hits, +5 standing reset (also grants aura during mask reapplication).
- Blocking while aura is active reduces block stun, allowing for more parryable gaps. Damage inflicted post parry does not scale as if previously frozen.
NRS, please toy around with this.