I've been running with the spikes/tear gas almost exclusively since Robocop dropped, so I've done a fair bit of labbing with it. I agree that it's slightly better than the base grenades (which desperately need faster recovery and to not disappear if Robo is hit (after a certain fair counter-able startup ofc)).
One of the best things about the tear gas is that it enables high plus frame resets anywhere on screen. Not quite as much as you get with flamethrower, but with essentially no pushback so you have a lot more flexibility with your follow-up.
Your best resets are 22~db4b* (close gas) and f32~db4b*.
- You get between +12-15 (probably not worth going into detail here, but you basically get the lowest on large characters and the highest on smaller characters.
- 22 leaves you close enough for a normal throw without moving, and f32 usually needs a microdash (damn breathing hitboxes). Or you can connect cmd grab with a quick microdash.
- A follow-up f32 connects easily if you choose strike instead of throw. Or if they're trying to jump away from your CG, you can go for b2 and it will launch for a combo.
- You can use any button you want in the corner (there's no pushback), but 22 and f32 still give you the best plus frames and are hit confirmable, so I just stick with these.
- Both of these resets are safe if you forget to hit confirm. They don't always jail, but the gas grenade still hits the opponent once it's out, so in fact if your opponent tries to mash out of it, it'll trade and you can still use the plus frames.
As for using tear gas for actual DoT/stun setups, well, right now it kind of sucks for that--and got even worse when Ultimate shortened every knockdown (still don't know wtf they did that). The recovery is soooo long that it's very difficult to set this up safely on the ground close enough to be a threat. It's much easier to do as a juggle ender, but as we all know, Robocop's launchers are currently dogshit trash, so getting a juggle is very rare.
The only way I've found to set it up midscreen is off standing 4 on hit. It's Robo's only cancelable button that knocks down, but it has huge cancel adv so it works well.
- Use 4~db4* to put the gas behind them or db4b* to put it in front of them. Both should touch and do DoT if your oppo stays in place on wakeup.
- Do it anywhere you have enough room to get the full knockdown distance (not right in the corner, where you'll get the restand instead or risk the grenade rolling off-screen).
- If you read a back roll, put the gas behind them and they'll roll right into it. If they front roll, they'll avoid the gas but you recover in enough time to throw punish the roll. And if you use CG, you'll get the KB.
Pretty nice, but ofc the big problem is that you can't hit confirm s4. If the opponent blocks it and you did close gas, they have plenty of time to punish you. If you did regular gas, it'll hit them and you'll be safe, but you just wasted a bar. I've been practicing with trying to "amplify confirm" the db4, not amplifying it (and letting the spikes come out) on block, which is completely safe. It's hard to do though; the amplify timing is already tricky (I have to mash sometimes to make sure it comes out at all).
The only other somewhat viable grounded setups are off long knockdowns close (but not in) the corner. I'm trying use b12 or amplified rocket, which give the longest knockdowns and most knockback, so it's a matter of finding that sweet spot where you have enough distance to set up the gas safely but not so much that you lose all pressure. f212 has the same knockdown but is way to close to use the gas safely.
If you are lucky to get a launch, you can end a juggle in f21~, f32~, or 4~db4b* and get the gas out safely. f21 gives up some damage but gives you a nice medium knockdown distance for safety and pressure. f32 leaves them a little too close and 4 leaves them a little too far away.
Anyway, those are just my thoughts and findings. Definitely interested to hear what others come up with!
