(This is long, but I have to flesh out the issue. Sorry!)
This thread had to be made to give more visibility to a serious problem with Grodd and I hope someone from NRS sees it because the Grodd community is suffering. I also want to expose this great weakness in hopes that other players exploit it and prove my point.
Let's start with Stampede Cancel. The input is BF3, then FF or BB to cancel (similar to MKX style cancels). The window to input this cancel is insanely small making the cancel difficulty so high than maybe 95% of the the Grodd community on TYM and Discord still cannot consistently do it. For reference, I played A-List Cage in MKX as a secondary character and was able to learn the cancels and do them consistently in about a week or 2. This game has been out a month and I only know of 1 person in our community that can really do them well. Most of us still fear using them in a match because if you screw it up you'll be at -14.
So at this point you're either thinking, "Get good" or "Just dont do the cancel.". More practice is a good solution but while other people playing other characters have their characters figured out and our working on matchups and tech, we're still trying to get the damn cancel right. Don't take my word for it. You try it and tell me how it goes. Let's run down Grodd's offense so I can expose him real good!
112. Is high, starts up in 10 frames and has a gap between 1 and 2. Not one you just throw out there in the neutral unless you're punishing.
B2. 12 frame mid and maybe Grodd's primary attack tool. Only problem is it's a 1 hit move that you cant hit confirm. B2~leap works great on hit to launch a meterless combo, but on block you're going to eat full combo because every character can punish it. With trait on you can do B2~float and on block, air back dash to be safe(ish, it's punishable by many characters), and on hit you can do Psionic Blast to get a meterless combo. I think B2 is fair risk reward...but B2 isnt the problem.
B11+3. 20 frame low starter. This string sucks. It only works as a part of Grodd's "mixup" (He has no mixup...). On block it's -11. You'll ALWAYS be blocking low against Grodd since his only overhead is 28 frames. So basically if you throw this out you're asking to be full combo punished. Worst part is, sometimes you'll land B1, but the follow up 1+3 will whiff, sometimes leading to being punished for hitting someone...Why?!?!
22. This is the big one. The real problem. 22 is a 10 frame mid with good reach. It's Grodd's go to string and it's broke. It's -8 on block, it has an 8 frame gap that EVERY character can MBB3 of MBF3. Many characters like Aquaman that have a 6 frame D1 can D1~comboland without too much practice. Some characters like Flash can just mash D2 and launch Grodd in the middle of his string. Characters that have a parry can easily parry the gap. Wonder Woman will KILL you with her parry. It cant be made safe using the 1+3 or 3 ender to the string, only more punishable.
(Yes, that's just about it for his offensive options.)
Ok, so here's the issue. Grodd CANNOT attack. I'm fairly certain he was meant to use his Stampede Cancels to keep him safe doing shit like: 22~SC, or if they try and hit the gap you do 2~SC, then begin your pressure with 112~SC, B2~SC. That makes total sense to me except 95% of us can't do the damn cancel consistently. Every time we have to attack it could mean eating a combo. How many of you can say that about your character? Grodd in his current state is basically an unbearably high execution, YOLO character. It's a ton of risk, for a medium reward.
How to fix this:
It's simple. The window to do the cancel must be enlarged. You can keep Grodd a high execution character, but not so hard that the majority of people cant do it. If cancels are supposed to be this hard and we all just suck at doing them, then the alternative would be to shrink the gap in 22. Make it small enough to back dash but not punish with MBB3 or a D1. Seriously, Grodd in his current state may be the worst character in the game, you just didn't know it. Fix the 22/SC relationship issue and he may have a future.
We really do love playing this character and nothing I suggested would make him OP. I really hope this reaches the right people so Grodd can continue bringing the hype.
