Soooo, with customs coming into play I feel like its gonna hurt Baraka further tier wise, unless lots of character specific changes are made. Like, what are the "dirty" load outs possible with this character? V1 getting blade charge is good, but you still have to open people up with V1....Not to mention its not rocket science to know when to break away. Theres leg kebob mixed with the command grab, but a low reward high risk 50/50 doesn't seem like the answer to Baraka's problems, nor does it seem like an efficient use of the command grab. It also doesn't seem on par with some of the crazier customs that are about to be in the mix. But I for sure could be wrong here.
You guys got any interesting load outs?? I've messed around a little with the flag stuff but never had a whole lot of success.
Currently tested the flag stuff in some sets, too slow to activate and hard to utilize against the zoners who are the characters Baraka may have more trouble against in general, but I am hoping that NRS looks at these and also looks at changing the numbered requirements for certain specials like making command grab a one slot move.
We have to wait and see what universal changes the game will have and buffs if any Baraka gets plus nerfs to the rest of the cast might end up getting.
I do think you're underselling command grab plus leg kebob. That variation is Doomsday in terms of safety and harassment. Also 21% restands into guesses are absurdly good.
Every time Baraka punishes you with 1,1,2 ex blade spark he gets 20% +8 restand. If the opponent tries to jump they can eat sweep, if they duck they eat sweep and then there's forward 4 which can lead to KB that's 20 something percent or forward 4, leg kebob. If they didn't block you have restanded them again and now you've done 30% damage plus bleed and they have to guess again. Once you condition them well with forward 4 and sweep you can start leaping on them and then they have to guess what you're doing and in most mix up scenarios you're totally safe if you play him correctly. Leg Kebob buffs up Baraka's forward 4 stagger too which allows him to go for throws or other options. There's too many variables to consider and it actually makes his staggers matter more.
Same thing with the application of Back 3,1,2 or Back 3,1, leg kebob. All options are safe on block and gapless. Baraka also has a million ticks off down 1, down 3, down 4, standing 1, 1,1, his back 3, his jump 1 and so forth.
Never have to deal with breakaway and constantly guessing with staggers that actually mean something. Command grab makes people want to press and then you press on me at the wrong time and you eat 20% and then you have to guess again and my correct guesses have the potential to loop you in the guess multiple times.
Does it make Baraka top tier? I'm not saying that. Does it mean Baraka has lots of stagger and mix options? Absolutely! We need to see how thing match up, but I absolutely love this combination and will be putting it to as much use as I can in concert with Jade and Erron.
