Yeah you'll get a huge punish if he uses it wrong, but it's massive damage by itself means if he lands one then fucks one up you don't get THAT much of a health swing in your direction. Coupled with his best-in-game health, he can afford to miss one, where characters like Akuma/Cammy/Karin etc can't afford to miss one at all. Does he get Oki of it? Surely he does =/ I haven't checked.
The issue is a Gief isn't going to just throw it out up close.. you'd just use it in that sweet spot range where these types of long range moves are used, if he whiffs one at that distance I can't imagine many characters being able to get close enough to meaningfully capitalize. This move isn't OP or anything, it's slow and situational, but it is literally an ultra specific tool that will totally shred the space control of several characters, all of whom ALREADY struggle against Gief. The only viable way to deal with him is keeping him out, keeping him at that sweet spot where you can poke him and dart in to initiate offense, then get back out if things go badly, but this move takes that ability away by making my 60 damage St.mk potentially cost me 180+ damage (judging by the videos)..
Add in the NJ headbutt that does a third of your damn stun bar almost.. I mean, aside from his vtrigger auto stun combo that headbutt will be insanely strong used right.
This is some Martian Manhunter type buffing. It's disgusting and shows Capcom are utterly and totally disconnected from their own game.
I'ma just fucking play Gief. There is LITERALLY no reason not to. Aside from Dhalsim, who now has fewer options vs him as well since that counter can catch his kicks, does Gief having any losing just?
