Exactly.
I'd say about -4 or -5 is about the time where it's a bad idea for you to walk backwards because D1s will tag you no matter what. But 0, -1, and -2 might as well be positive on block as far as the options you still have.
I came to this discovery last night while I was wondering why the hell all of Kano's moves are so negative.
Offense in this game is so clever. It works almost like a 3D fighter, which I'm accustomed to.
In Tekken, if you are -1 or -2, you could still side step afterwards and continue pressure. The side step will dodge all the opponent's fastest attacks BUT they could still go for something slower that'll catch sidestep if they predict you'll press on. The thing is though, if you get them scared enough not to use their fastest moves, you could use your own fastest moves to continue pressure.
NRS has really outdone themselves imo.
Looking back at other people's frame data suddenly everything makes sense.
Who needs a 50/50 or strong zoning when you have such powerful neutral tools like this?
Subzero has this same little game from his super safe B2 mid. So at first people thought he'd just be forced to do unsafe 50/50s all day, but with this offensive plan, he could be safe as fuck and just pressure you all day.
The characters that could do this plan effectively in a scary way so far that I have found are:
Johnny with his F344
(14 frame high starter, forward advancing, -2 on block)
Kano with F12
(13 frame high starter, forward advancing, 0 on block)
Cassie with F4
(9 frame MID starter, decent range, 0 on block)
Subzero with B2
(14 frame mid starter, forward advancing, -2 on block)
Baraka with F4
(12 frame mid starter, forward advancing, -2 on block)
Skarlet with F43 kicks
(13 frame mid starter, forward advancing, -1)
These will end up being these character's best moves in footsies and quiet possibly their strongest tools, period.
Even after you block these moves you are in the offender's guessing game.
It's fascinating af....
I also see why Baraka's variation move where he adds an extension to his D1 is going to be SO fucking good at countering some of this.
Shoutouts
@16 Bit and
@Dizzy 's Johnny vs Skarlet Washed Up Warrior's match that made me discover this.