This is
@BrianTheBEAST thoughts on the Joker, not everything I want but definitely fair for sure
My final thoughts on this topic before the post-Evo patch
1. Give Joker a wakeup that actually has invincible frames (I would prefer acid blossom for this, but crowbar would be a secondary option).
2. Restore his Inj1 J2 version. I don't even use J2 unless I connect a sweep. In almost every other situation with almost every character (exceptions: braniac and other big bodies), J2 simply whiffs at many ranges. Buffing J2 would also give us more options to open up our opponents.
3. Fix some hitbox/whiffing issues. For example, 21 whiffs on a crouching Green Arrow.
4. Have MB gun explode on block to give + frames or give + frames back to MB rolling gas. It's disgusting that, once we finally get it, we can't even continue some sort of pressure because we literally have no + frames from our special. Only thing I rely on is 21 or 212 teeth. Every other option is punished..... hard
5. This is still my
biggest want for Joker - A re-work of F2. Please, a somewhat fast starting mid would be great because we don't have to rely on such unsafe options to even attempt to open up an opponent (D2 or sweep).
If Joker had these things, I'd be happy playing him for the entire lifespan of the game's cycle (just like how I've been religiously playing this character since Day 1). None of these changes will make him broken. It will simply make him more viable.
If they do not address these issues, here are some substitutes that aren't as important, but can still definitely help.
1. Actually make his parry invincible. I think it's utterly terrible that we make the right read (literally can be blown up by a jump in or low into full combo), yet we still get blown up by a mid or overhead.
2. Make D2 a tad bit faster. Here's the thing, if NRS doesn't rework F2, then we're stuck with our D2, D3, B1, and Jump-ins for Joker's neutral game. As already described previously, this is Joker's biggest problem. Making D2 faster would most definitely improve his neutral because his anti-airs become more consistent while, at the same time, we can make more use of that horizontally (when both players are on the ground)
3. Fix (or maybe buff?) MB gun whiff issues off B1. Not sure if this was intended, but B1 MB Gun only works on a certain amount of characters, but for many others, we have to strictly delay the MB Gun part.
4. Make crowbar safe. This ties in with how Joker literally CANNOT use his 32 string because every option is punished. 32 teeth? punish. 32 low canister? neutral jump punish (or just block because we have no + frames) 32 crowbar? punish. Every option (unless you do bounce cancel) is punished. Not to mention, all of this is reactable
5. Give more use to MB parry. I don't mind scaling down damage if it gives me a setup
6. Trait buff plz
Like I said, I don't mind if none of these become implemented, but I really this my first 5 are the only things Joker needs to become a viable (not overpowered) character
I dont mind these nerfs . I just hope that if they nerf him they dont touch his zoning . Other nerfs I dont mind .
