Espio
Kokomo
Okay, so I'm making this thread because there are some things that I really want to have an open dialogue about when it comes to Stryker and some things I feel should be cleared up.
This is positive thread, no call outs, flaming and nothing negative, it will not be tolerated (my thread also doesn't have this intent), so please bear with me for my lengthy discourse.
We've all been eagerly awaiting frame data for Stryker and mad respect and thanks to Somberness for his amazing work on not just the Stryker data, but ALL the data for the over 30 characters in this game.
I'd like to first begin by saying the frame data changes very little about how safe Stryker is and how he can be played effectively against solid competition.
There are some points of view in particular I'd like to address such as, "now people will know how to deal with Stryker".
This is a VERY good thing, it means that as the community levels up, Stryker players will level up with them and refine their Stryker gameplan, adaptation and innovation is how a character and a game evolve in a positive and progressive direction.
I know I've said prior to the frame data release that once we get frame data for Stryker, we'll be able to truly refine our strategies and truly flesh out Stryker fully and I feel my statement is still true today. I'm not playing Stryker to his 100% highest level yet, so I am eager and excited to continue this journey when I return to MK.
Knowledge is power and it will only make us as Stryker players, safer, smarter and better players overall when dealing with our opponents, this is not a set back, this is a step up and a refinement of Stryker and of ourselves as players.
we'll be sheding quite a few gimmicky things (i.e. down 4 baton sweep, which I am also guilty of using) and certain strings will be acquiring greater use and relevance.
I'd also like to address the concerns about Stryker having unsafe specials and I think it is nothing to be truly worried about, only remembered as to keep us safe and on point.
Most of the cast has either unsafe or very punishable specials on block or whiff, this is including, but not limited to Reptile, Kitana, Mileena, Scorpion, Kung Lao, Sub-Zero, Noob Saibot, Raiden, and Skarlet to name a few.
Stryker's baton sweep being -11 isn't a big deal, the move will simply have to be used more cautiously, more wisely and perhaps more or less as a combo ender for the untechable knockdown, it doesn't make the baton sweep bad, it just means it must be used with more restraint.
The above also applies to roll toss, sure it's -7 on block, but it's safe from the vast majority of the cast and as roll toss's primary function is as a counterzoning tool and combo ender, the move is in perfectly good shape overall and this is nothing to be too worried about, this will also encourage people to not be as liberal with when they throw out roll toss, making us more cautious and methodical players.
I'd like to talk about the point of view that Stryker doesn't have any + on block strings which is considered not something that bodes well for him, this isn't the case and I'll explain why in just a second.
Stryker's 3 highest damaging combo starters are all between 0 to -3 on block, this includes:
Back 1,2,2 (-2)
Back 3, 2 (-3)
back 2, forward 2 (0)
In other words, when Stryker goes for big damage, he is safe and that's important to think about when we discuss this, having strings that are zero or barely minus is great, obviously plus on block would be better, but these are still great and solid.
Stryker's other strings that are 0 on block include his 1,1 jabs and his 1,2, both of these can be used in up close pressure and are safe on block, 0 on block strings are respectable.
I'd also like to add that 1,1 for pressure off of a down 3 is a possible future option as it will function almost identically to Jade's 1,2 pressure (both the second hit in these strings hit crouch for both characters, while the first hit is high), it has proven effective for Jade, so I see no reason not to be effective for Stryker, given that their their standing jabs are almost the same speed, Stryker's is only 1 frame slower.
I want to also address Stryker's 2,3,2 and 1,1,4 strings. I'll start with 2,3,2, this string is very slow and is -28 on block, meaning it's a string to be avoided and should be trimmed out, Stryker isn't the only character to have strings like this, so it's not a big concern, it's one of his few unsafe strings that isn't really worth it, nothing to be too worried about in the grand scheme of things when the majority of Stryker's strings are zero to negative three on block with few exceptions.
Standing 2 happens to be -2 on block, which is also safe and hits crouch, so it can be used as a checking tool without being high risk.
1,1,4 is a string that is -9 on block, not ideal because it lacks pushback to make it very safe, this isn't problematic because you can simply cancel 1,1 into gun shot(which leaves Stryker at -1 on block A.K.A. safe) and the best part is 1,1 gun shot does the same amount of damage as 1,1,4, but it denies the opponent a wake up option and allows you to mix them up with either a throw, poke, block string, or low high mix up off of back 3,2, a much better use of the string in my opinion.
I'd also like to discuss back 2, 1 this string is -8 on block, but with ample pushback it keeps Stryker safe and the second hit will check crouching opponents, it's not a string I would be focusing on heavily, but it is an option and that is all I want to say about this particular string.
Stryker also has a standard set of decent pokes: 6 frame down 1, 7 frame down 3, 12 frame down 4, the works, so he can still escape pressure just fine and in addition, he has an awesome 7 frame uppercut.
My concluding analysis:
Stryker has not changed much post frame data release, his tier position hasn't changed and neither has his usefulness. The only thing different is that the community is informed on how to counter him and this means Stryker players will evolve along with them and become smoother, safer, and more methodical, essentially making us all better players, this is a win win for all parties involved.
I believe Stryker can beat anybody on the cast if played correctly and this frame data is as much of a tool for us as it is for our opponents, with complete data we can finally begin to push Stryker to his maximum potential and rely on objective data to make viable, non-gimmick based set ups and I think that's a beautiful thing.
Disclaimer: I didn't cover all of Stryker's moves discussed in the frame data, I just wanted to discuss the concerns and worries I've seen displayed for particular moves in his arsenal and my philosophy on Stryker and the data.
If you've read this far, you're very dedicated to long winded rants and thank you for that
.
Espio out.
This is positive thread, no call outs, flaming and nothing negative, it will not be tolerated (my thread also doesn't have this intent), so please bear with me for my lengthy discourse.
We've all been eagerly awaiting frame data for Stryker and mad respect and thanks to Somberness for his amazing work on not just the Stryker data, but ALL the data for the over 30 characters in this game.
I'd like to first begin by saying the frame data changes very little about how safe Stryker is and how he can be played effectively against solid competition.
There are some points of view in particular I'd like to address such as, "now people will know how to deal with Stryker".
This is a VERY good thing, it means that as the community levels up, Stryker players will level up with them and refine their Stryker gameplan, adaptation and innovation is how a character and a game evolve in a positive and progressive direction.
I know I've said prior to the frame data release that once we get frame data for Stryker, we'll be able to truly refine our strategies and truly flesh out Stryker fully and I feel my statement is still true today. I'm not playing Stryker to his 100% highest level yet, so I am eager and excited to continue this journey when I return to MK.
Knowledge is power and it will only make us as Stryker players, safer, smarter and better players overall when dealing with our opponents, this is not a set back, this is a step up and a refinement of Stryker and of ourselves as players.
we'll be sheding quite a few gimmicky things (i.e. down 4 baton sweep, which I am also guilty of using) and certain strings will be acquiring greater use and relevance.
I'd also like to address the concerns about Stryker having unsafe specials and I think it is nothing to be truly worried about, only remembered as to keep us safe and on point.
Most of the cast has either unsafe or very punishable specials on block or whiff, this is including, but not limited to Reptile, Kitana, Mileena, Scorpion, Kung Lao, Sub-Zero, Noob Saibot, Raiden, and Skarlet to name a few.
Stryker's baton sweep being -11 isn't a big deal, the move will simply have to be used more cautiously, more wisely and perhaps more or less as a combo ender for the untechable knockdown, it doesn't make the baton sweep bad, it just means it must be used with more restraint.
The above also applies to roll toss, sure it's -7 on block, but it's safe from the vast majority of the cast and as roll toss's primary function is as a counterzoning tool and combo ender, the move is in perfectly good shape overall and this is nothing to be too worried about, this will also encourage people to not be as liberal with when they throw out roll toss, making us more cautious and methodical players.
I'd like to talk about the point of view that Stryker doesn't have any + on block strings which is considered not something that bodes well for him, this isn't the case and I'll explain why in just a second.
Stryker's 3 highest damaging combo starters are all between 0 to -3 on block, this includes:
Back 1,2,2 (-2)
Back 3, 2 (-3)
back 2, forward 2 (0)
In other words, when Stryker goes for big damage, he is safe and that's important to think about when we discuss this, having strings that are zero or barely minus is great, obviously plus on block would be better, but these are still great and solid.
Stryker's other strings that are 0 on block include his 1,1 jabs and his 1,2, both of these can be used in up close pressure and are safe on block, 0 on block strings are respectable.
I'd also like to add that 1,1 for pressure off of a down 3 is a possible future option as it will function almost identically to Jade's 1,2 pressure (both the second hit in these strings hit crouch for both characters, while the first hit is high), it has proven effective for Jade, so I see no reason not to be effective for Stryker, given that their their standing jabs are almost the same speed, Stryker's is only 1 frame slower.
I want to also address Stryker's 2,3,2 and 1,1,4 strings. I'll start with 2,3,2, this string is very slow and is -28 on block, meaning it's a string to be avoided and should be trimmed out, Stryker isn't the only character to have strings like this, so it's not a big concern, it's one of his few unsafe strings that isn't really worth it, nothing to be too worried about in the grand scheme of things when the majority of Stryker's strings are zero to negative three on block with few exceptions.
Standing 2 happens to be -2 on block, which is also safe and hits crouch, so it can be used as a checking tool without being high risk.
1,1,4 is a string that is -9 on block, not ideal because it lacks pushback to make it very safe, this isn't problematic because you can simply cancel 1,1 into gun shot(which leaves Stryker at -1 on block A.K.A. safe) and the best part is 1,1 gun shot does the same amount of damage as 1,1,4, but it denies the opponent a wake up option and allows you to mix them up with either a throw, poke, block string, or low high mix up off of back 3,2, a much better use of the string in my opinion.
I'd also like to discuss back 2, 1 this string is -8 on block, but with ample pushback it keeps Stryker safe and the second hit will check crouching opponents, it's not a string I would be focusing on heavily, but it is an option and that is all I want to say about this particular string.
Stryker also has a standard set of decent pokes: 6 frame down 1, 7 frame down 3, 12 frame down 4, the works, so he can still escape pressure just fine and in addition, he has an awesome 7 frame uppercut.
My concluding analysis:
Stryker has not changed much post frame data release, his tier position hasn't changed and neither has his usefulness. The only thing different is that the community is informed on how to counter him and this means Stryker players will evolve along with them and become smoother, safer, and more methodical, essentially making us all better players, this is a win win for all parties involved.
I believe Stryker can beat anybody on the cast if played correctly and this frame data is as much of a tool for us as it is for our opponents, with complete data we can finally begin to push Stryker to his maximum potential and rely on objective data to make viable, non-gimmick based set ups and I think that's a beautiful thing.
Disclaimer: I didn't cover all of Stryker's moves discussed in the frame data, I just wanted to discuss the concerns and worries I've seen displayed for particular moves in his arsenal and my philosophy on Stryker and the data.
If you've read this far, you're very dedicated to long winded rants and thank you for that
.Espio out.
.
