I just picked up Aqua and I can do some basic BnB's, but most of his combos seem to use meter and I find myself without meter A LOT, especially bc I burn one on full screen once I get a trident hit and go for the MB then another for the 20% dmg, is it worth it?
The combos I can do currently, b12, db2 MB, 22, db1, f2 1+3
b2, b12, db2 MB, 22, db1, f2 1+3
b2u3, 22, db2 MB, 22, db1, f2 1+3
B3, j3 22, db2 MB, 22, db1, f2 1+3
F3 j2 22, db2 MB, 22, db1, f2 1+3
d2 22, db2 MB, 22, db1, f2 1+3
SOMETIMES I can do this one without meter, but online its almost impossible: b12, db2, b12, db1, f2 1+3
Which one should I be using more? The F3 and B3 seem wasteful even though its like 40+ but 2 meters! Bc i usually armor the f3 or b3. And how do I get in? I usually try to do b12 and if they block they just punish the shit out of me. TIPS PLS! Also, what the heck do you wake up with? I seem to get eaten alive by meaty crossovers all day since I don't have any good wakeup attacks.
"Is it worth doing db2 MB, db2 at range?"
Depends on the matchup IMO, as well as the life situation. If I need to make up distance/life on the opponent, I do it. Easiest 20% in the game and free ground can be covered. If I have the life lead, I won't do it as often because it's just not necessary when 8% and the chip from doing it on their wakeup at range is 10%ish total damage anyway.
"I get punished for doing b12!"
There are a couple ways to solve this. Some people use b123 since it's only -3 on block and a hit-confirmed combo out of it leads to 36%, only 4% less than the normal b12 combo. Other's cancel their b12 into trident rush which is safe on block against everyone but Superman and Flash and can be MB'd for almost 30% if it ends up connecting. You can also try Water Shield shenanigans if you're feeling ballsy, but I wouldn't recommend it.
"What do you wake up with"
Meaties: Scoop
Jump ins: Just block, unless you really hate jump ins. We have a 7 frame d2 but it will only work against very badly timed ones.
My go to combos with Aquaman are:
Meter:
b12, db2, b12, db2 MB, 22 db1, f2 1+3/3 db2
B2, b12, db2 MB, 22, db1, f2 1+3/3 db2
d2, 22, db2 MB, 22, db1, f2 1+3/3 db2
b3, j3, 22, db2 MB, 22, db1, f2 1+3/3 db2
f13, db2 MB, b2, db1, f2 1+3/3 db2
f1, db1, 22, db2 MB, f2 1+3/3 db2
Meterless:
b12, db2, b12, db1, f2 1+3/3 db2
b2, b12, db1, f2 1+3/3 db2
b3, j3, 22, db1, f2 1+3/3 db2
f13, db2
f1, db1, f2 1+3/3 db2
All of them are viable but your go to should be combos starting with b1.