So my view is that Geras lives and dies by the hourglass. It is his win condition as he can rewind time, and makes the opponent think twice before using a projectile (threat of snap). Based on this here is my view on 3 matchups I find difficult (Johnny cage excluded as he is brokenly oppressive):
- Mileena (6-4) - she can punish Geras for EVERYTHING. She can punish f3 with ball roll, she can punish an hourglass charge anywhere on screen. This means you can only charge hourglasses mid-combo, sacrificing damage. It is also hard to time the rewind correctly with her combos to not be hit out of it. She has specials that are very unsafe and if it wasn't for that combined with Geras' ability to punish HARD, then I'd have made this worse for Geras.
- Quan (6-4) - can full combo punish any hourglass used in neutral on reaction with stand 4, which will combo with skydrop, or if he is using Sareena, 4xxblades, into 4xxblades which even at full screen brings Geras right up to Quan. He can also use this to punish f3 even at max range. His zoning is possibly the strongest in the game too which makes it worse.
- Tanya (6-4) - can full combo punish any hourglass in neutral on reaction with her drill giving a full combo. Her combos are also difficult to get the rewind time right with to cause her to freeze or not be hit out of it. She can also armor through f121+3 and get a full combo with Goro.
One thing to note,
ANY character that uses Sub kameo is a HARD counter to Geras. If Sub kameo is used right, it renders his rewind time (his win condition) useless. If the opponent has sub armor on, rewind doesnt freeze them in place, therefore giving a full combo punish if Geras uses it. If I was playing against Geras and used Sub kameo, Id use the Sub Kameo immediately on landing a hit - then Geras cant rewind. I think using sub kameo really swings things and take a game off Geras e.g. Havik + Sub Kameo is probably a 6-4 too.
