Geoffmeister
PS4/EU Ermac main
After enough testing I decided to share this information, as I've seen no mention of it yet whatsoever.
114 - Phase Towards is +4 on block, I know this because Smoke is only at risk of trading with a 6 frame normal, 7 frame normals cannot touch him if followed up with f4 (10 frame true mid).
114-Phase is also character specific in the sense that it will Flip Screen (this is important, because you have to dial in f4 frame-perfect after the Phase) Here's the list of characters:
114-Phase Flip Screen:
Bo Rai Cho, D'Vorah, Ermac, Ferra/Tor, Goro, Jacqui, Jax, Johnny, Kano, Kenshi, Kitana, Kotal Kahn, Kung Jin, Kung Lao, Mileena, Reptile, Scorpion, Shinnok, Sonya, Sub Zero, Tanya
114-Phase No Flip Screen:
Alien, Cassie, Erron Black, Leatherface, Liu Kang, Predator, Quan Chi, Raiden, Takeda, Tremor, Triborg
What does this mean for Smoke?
More mindgames:
Opponent is at risk if he's pressing any buttons slower than 6 frames and including jumpouts, full combo off f42, f43, f4d12. After proper conditioning, you can be safe to go for a mixup. If opponent is backdashing, you can use b2 (14 frame far advancing mid) instead.
More meter-gain:
3 hits on block + a special, after conditioning you can reloop this after Vortex situations
More hit-confirming:
114 combos midscreen into EX Trident, for full corner carry
(credit to @BornThroughAshes)
What does this mean for Opponents?
Similar to... everything in Smoke's toolset, there is a way to counter this, some ideas:
- +4 isn't a huge advantage so backdashing or challenging with 7 frame normals (which are common since MKXL) are viable options, but admittedly there's risk to it.
- 114 holds a gap before the 4, this adds pressure to Smoke's 111 string, but the pressure can be completely negated similar to Scorpions 214 cancels on a read/reaction
- Armoring after Phase is also a good solution, hoooooowever, I've found that Smoke is capable of Phasing again before Armor as fast as 7 frames and remain invincible, the cost being a read, full stamina or 1 bar for EX-phasing.
Video for demonstration:
(Cyclone is a unique Armor move, keep in mind you can Cross-Phase other Characters for better punishing/pressure)
114 - Phase Towards is +4 on block, I know this because Smoke is only at risk of trading with a 6 frame normal, 7 frame normals cannot touch him if followed up with f4 (10 frame true mid).
114-Phase is also character specific in the sense that it will Flip Screen (this is important, because you have to dial in f4 frame-perfect after the Phase) Here's the list of characters:
114-Phase Flip Screen:
Bo Rai Cho, D'Vorah, Ermac, Ferra/Tor, Goro, Jacqui, Jax, Johnny, Kano, Kenshi, Kitana, Kotal Kahn, Kung Jin, Kung Lao, Mileena, Reptile, Scorpion, Shinnok, Sonya, Sub Zero, Tanya
114-Phase No Flip Screen:
Alien, Cassie, Erron Black, Leatherface, Liu Kang, Predator, Quan Chi, Raiden, Takeda, Tremor, Triborg
What does this mean for Smoke?
More mindgames:
Opponent is at risk if he's pressing any buttons slower than 6 frames and including jumpouts, full combo off f42, f43, f4d12. After proper conditioning, you can be safe to go for a mixup. If opponent is backdashing, you can use b2 (14 frame far advancing mid) instead.
More meter-gain:
3 hits on block + a special, after conditioning you can reloop this after Vortex situations
More hit-confirming:
114 combos midscreen into EX Trident, for full corner carry
What does this mean for Opponents?
Similar to... everything in Smoke's toolset, there is a way to counter this, some ideas:
- +4 isn't a huge advantage so backdashing or challenging with 7 frame normals (which are common since MKXL) are viable options, but admittedly there's risk to it.
- 114 holds a gap before the 4, this adds pressure to Smoke's 111 string, but the pressure can be completely negated similar to Scorpions 214 cancels on a read/reaction
- Armoring after Phase is also a good solution, hoooooowever, I've found that Smoke is capable of Phasing again before Armor as fast as 7 frames and remain invincible, the cost being a read, full stamina or 1 bar for EX-phasing.
Video for demonstration:
