AK L0rdoftheFLY
I hatelove this game
As you all know, Kano's b1 and db1 have been modified in the EO BETA. Lets talk about those changes first.
B1 - range has been increased to increase consistency of the hitbox
db1 - visually has slightly faster forward movement but the startup frames are the same. Its been buffed to +15 on hit from +12 and made safer on block from -8 to -5.
I've been messing with his spacing and feel that these two moves are extremely underrated. I know what your thinking..."Its an overhead that has even better range...its GREAT! " I think that it has way more purposes than just being an overhead and I want to discuss them here. DB1 gets overlooked as a special and I want to review these moves in depth because they are single handedly the reasons why I play this character.
Basics:
b1 by itself is -10 on block but the entire string is safe with no gaps and is special cancellable. B1 can be cancelled into ex buff (dd3 ex) for an option select 50/50 with b3 and can also offer great frame trap options when the whole string is ex buff cancelled.
db1 is an advancing safe mod special that is +15 on hit and -5 on block.
1) Counter poking
He is known for having one of the best d4s in MKX at 8 frames. It low profiles and grants solid pressure on hit. However...his 8 frame d3 and 9 frame d1 often get beat by other faster pokes. When your opponent is doing a looping pressure like Lao hat spin at -3, Lao can block or armor your poke attempt. If he blocks your poke, he is right back in there starting his pressure again and now has more meter for frame traps and armor.
Kano has the option to block (baiting the armor attempt or instant divekick) or poke/string because its his turn. Instead of poking or doing a string, why not go straight for the 50/50? You might be saying "Duh...I've been doing this for months." Well that hasn't been possible until the EO BETA and even if you have been doing it with other characters, they usually don't get to do it for free. They have to spend resources to be safe. Kano does not. He can safely mix you up in the counter poke game.
2) Space control
Kano has lots of normals that move his body around.
f4 - fast advancing mid
f2 - moderately quick advancing mid
b1 - retreating overhead
b121 - First retreating then advancing string with great range
db1 - quick advancing special that is safe (the reason I play this character)
His back dash gets an honorable mention because it is top tier in MKX
This allows him to play footsies with the best of them in many different situations. b1 can be used by itself in the neutral to back up similar to how Guile in SF does with his B MK. It can also be used on reaction to other character fast advancing normals and some specials to counter them. I need to test this more and make a list of normals I can stuff on reaction and from what ranges but I promise you it can be done. It can also mess up jump arcs and quickly disrupt your opponents spacing. "Wait...MKX has footsies?" apparently so...who knew?
This move allows you to whiff punish very well from GREAT range with db1.
3) Stagger potential and Whiff punishing
Often, the retreating stagger of b1 can bait movement from your opponent allowing you to often check with d4 or f4. As soon as you disrupt their spacing or pressure, they will feel the urge to move and this is when you can make that read and punish them. This can lead to HUGE damage. 50%+ 2 bar combos are going to hit every match so save your meter for breakers...you will need them.
When you are in footsie range, d4 is often the go to move for many characters due to the nature of the move. It stuns on hit enough to grant you pressure and its safe on block. Kano has a fantastic ability to whiff punish d4s with db1. He can also use b1 in d4 range to bait a d4 and counter with db1. When these options are respected, it allows kano to throw projectiles and control the entire match.
I just wanted to put my thoughts down on paper but this is 100% open to discussion. I still feel that CT is Kano's best variation and offers the best options for spacing and footsies out of the 3...it also does the most damage.
I also feel that CT is more difficult to use. His 50/50s are not always easy to set up and his b1 db1 meta does take time to understand and master...I am no where near there yet but I'm working on it.
CHEERS!
I may add a video at a later date
B1 - range has been increased to increase consistency of the hitbox
db1 - visually has slightly faster forward movement but the startup frames are the same. Its been buffed to +15 on hit from +12 and made safer on block from -8 to -5.
I've been messing with his spacing and feel that these two moves are extremely underrated. I know what your thinking..."Its an overhead that has even better range...its GREAT! " I think that it has way more purposes than just being an overhead and I want to discuss them here. DB1 gets overlooked as a special and I want to review these moves in depth because they are single handedly the reasons why I play this character.
Basics:
b1 by itself is -10 on block but the entire string is safe with no gaps and is special cancellable. B1 can be cancelled into ex buff (dd3 ex) for an option select 50/50 with b3 and can also offer great frame trap options when the whole string is ex buff cancelled.
db1 is an advancing safe mod special that is +15 on hit and -5 on block.
1) Counter poking
He is known for having one of the best d4s in MKX at 8 frames. It low profiles and grants solid pressure on hit. However...his 8 frame d3 and 9 frame d1 often get beat by other faster pokes. When your opponent is doing a looping pressure like Lao hat spin at -3, Lao can block or armor your poke attempt. If he blocks your poke, he is right back in there starting his pressure again and now has more meter for frame traps and armor.
Kano has the option to block (baiting the armor attempt or instant divekick) or poke/string because its his turn. Instead of poking or doing a string, why not go straight for the 50/50? You might be saying "Duh...I've been doing this for months." Well that hasn't been possible until the EO BETA and even if you have been doing it with other characters, they usually don't get to do it for free. They have to spend resources to be safe. Kano does not. He can safely mix you up in the counter poke game.
2) Space control
Kano has lots of normals that move his body around.
f4 - fast advancing mid
f2 - moderately quick advancing mid
b1 - retreating overhead
b121 - First retreating then advancing string with great range
db1 - quick advancing special that is safe (the reason I play this character)
His back dash gets an honorable mention because it is top tier in MKX
This allows him to play footsies with the best of them in many different situations. b1 can be used by itself in the neutral to back up similar to how Guile in SF does with his B MK. It can also be used on reaction to other character fast advancing normals and some specials to counter them. I need to test this more and make a list of normals I can stuff on reaction and from what ranges but I promise you it can be done. It can also mess up jump arcs and quickly disrupt your opponents spacing. "Wait...MKX has footsies?" apparently so...who knew?
This move allows you to whiff punish very well from GREAT range with db1.
3) Stagger potential and Whiff punishing
Often, the retreating stagger of b1 can bait movement from your opponent allowing you to often check with d4 or f4. As soon as you disrupt their spacing or pressure, they will feel the urge to move and this is when you can make that read and punish them. This can lead to HUGE damage. 50%+ 2 bar combos are going to hit every match so save your meter for breakers...you will need them.
When you are in footsie range, d4 is often the go to move for many characters due to the nature of the move. It stuns on hit enough to grant you pressure and its safe on block. Kano has a fantastic ability to whiff punish d4s with db1. He can also use b1 in d4 range to bait a d4 and counter with db1. When these options are respected, it allows kano to throw projectiles and control the entire match.
I just wanted to put my thoughts down on paper but this is 100% open to discussion. I still feel that CT is Kano's best variation and offers the best options for spacing and footsies out of the 3...it also does the most damage.
I also feel that CT is more difficult to use. His 50/50s are not always easy to set up and his b1 db1 meta does take time to understand and master...I am no where near there yet but I'm working on it.
CHEERS!
I may add a video at a later date
