Also, does anybody here play a more zoning based Nightwing?
It depends on what you mean by zoning, because zoning and keepaway are different. Zoning is about controlling the space between you and the opponent. Keepaway is just putting hitboxes on the screen and letting them never get near you. With zoning, it's not always about just never letting them near you, only about not letting them hit you. You obviously do zone while doing keepaway, but they're not synonyms like people make them out to be.
Staff is an example of a zoning tool, because Nightwing can reach ranges in front of him where the opposing character usually won't be able to hit him back unless they're using a projectile or something. Jumping back and doing j1 in staff to tag an opponent rushing in recklessly is a signal that, "Hey, that's my space; find a different way in or I'm gonna fuck you up." Even if they block it, they should get the message. If not, punish them. And in the event they do find a different way (like a jump-in), you should be prepared to deal with that (i.e. AA), because hey, that's the zone you led them to.
Using the range of staff to control space and punish mistakes is the best form of zoning that Nightwing has imo. Rushing down with zoning is also possible, too. Once again, it's about controlling the screen, not necessarily keeping them off you. His projectiles and keepaway are great,
I approach Nightwing like this: he's got a bit of everything (with focus on rushdown and pokes) so use it all.
