There's so much misinformation and/or misunderstanding of how shit works in this game it's triggering me.
Throws beating pokes and d2 during start up has been a thing since MKX and it's 100% a good thing. I don't want the game to turn into a poke mashfest.
Throws don't eat pokes after pokes have reached active frames (unless they're both active on the first frame at the same frame). If that happens to you then you just mistimed your shit.
If you read a throw and you want to punish with D2 YOU HAVE TO DUCK THE THROW, WAIT FOR IT TO WHIFF, THEN PRESS D2. You can't just willy-nilly press d2 out of plus frames and expect to win you nubs. Some d2 punishes whiff on throws because of fucked up hurtboxes and hitboxes and that should be fixed though (doubt it will though, fuck Liu Kang and his throw smh).
Throws are fine IMO but I'd be ok if they're made 12%. It won't make a difference though and you people will still bitch about them. I'm not buying this major problem with the game coming from a 2% increase on a throw lmao. The only thing I think should change is make KB throws activate after 2 consecutive wrong techs not one. KB throws are a bit cheap IMO.
Look at Charlie's screen shot braindead. Tell me how that isn't the most ludicrous looking thing when that Kano's grab has hit that noob who is in a low profile state and is a half a mile away. It looks even more dumb when it literally vacuums Noob in to complete the throw. (I've seen the video).
I don't think anyone in this thread is arguing AGAINST throws. We are arguing how insanely powerful they are especially in the online environment where lateness is very much a factor ON TOP of the frame delays in general connections.
Also really break down that D2 scenario. To punish a throw with a D2 or a standing one etc into full combo, you have to let go of block and neutral crouch. You literally have to give up every bastion of defense you have to predict that throw. Currently, that's the online meta...just let go of block and make a hard read. It's hilarious how many people I can open up by doing JK throw once, and then get JK String on block afterwards.
The issue with characters who do a "Step Back" after their throws is in fact REALLY dumb (Kang as you alluded to has this).
Sometimes it's due to the distance between characters (where your d1 or d3 will whiff due to their push back but their throw will reach you), other times it's due to lateness, but either way it's silly that a throw can handle so many different situations especially for certain characters.
The solution to this obviously, is to take the throw and tech it. Which is fine, except the online environment makes even that a task in itself and it's also another pure guess.
So the options for one damn move is to 1)Give up all of your defensive options (neutral duck) at the risk of eating a 9f mid from a lot of characters into full combo for the reward of a full combo against the opponent. 2) counter poke but still sometimes have it eaten by the throw (3% option that puts pressure in your favour or risk of 14% into their oki). 3)Block in anticipation of a string but are ready to tech the throw if need be, but still deal with the 50/50 tech and the reward for all of this is either chip damage, throw tech damage, and a completely neutral situation afterwards.
Imo, a way to remedy it, is to give help balance that risk/reward a little more for the defender. Even making throw techs with a little more advantage for the defender would help greatly....reducing some of the insane throw ranges would also help greatly as some of them (Scorps) are out of control. If throws are going to win trades on active frames, then they shouldn't out range most pokes and be faster than the pokes that would reach them (d4's)
