imo
@ShinBlanka has it right. MKxl is basically like uSFIV. There are so many changes with the tier list that it is completely futzed or improved depending on your point of view. Even without the DLC characters for all intents and purposes it is a “new” game with core mechanisms like the way command grabs and breakers work for example, completely changed. So it is in fact an even deeper modification than simple character tweaking. The issue, as I see it is not just the DLC characters at all.
It is unfortunate the FR19 coincides with the fall of MKx but really there is a major like constantly for the next bunch of months. No matter when NRS dropped MKxl it would have conflicted with something. FR19 just got the short straw, (again!). I personally do not think it is reasonable for NRS to take tournament dates into consideration when planning releases. They should be focused on the best product, coming out in as short a time as possible, while meeting their financial and production considerations.
No one wants FR19 to be a huge petri dish for NRS to design their next patch in, but the question becomes; when should it be allowed? With all the changes to the original cast, is that really so different than the new DLC characters? Isn’t part of the FGC and eSports in general the shifting meta and changing landscape caused by the fluctuations in game design. I think it is.
Also as someone said before, without spectators there is no event, and I put forth the assumption that most spectators are interested in seeing the hype new stuff at pro-level but I suspect that many of the top players might be using non-kp2 characters anyway.
That being said, I think the safest decision for FR19 is to ban the DLC characters and run with the modified original + KP1 roster. Even though this clearly gives a similar advantage to some of the mega buffed and disadvantages some of the mega nerfed. I think if I was running the event this is what I would do.
Yet the braver, and more hype thing to do is let the chips fall where it may and allow the meta to form naturally during the crucible of kombat. Characters will gain haters, old school characters will become hype, maybe the finals will not be stacked with KP2 and the entire thing was over-thought. Or maybe it will be like Tanya was and lead to a DJT style win that was sweet as candy for the spectators. There is a purity to allowing the chips to fall where they may adding to the lore of the MKxl event scene, it’s rivalries and it’s texture.
I do not envy ShinBlanka choice here, but whatever it is .. it needs to be made as soon as possible.
