So it looks like armored launchers are pretty much not a thing anymore. It's either the launcher doesn't have armor, or the move keeps it's armor but doesn't launch anymore.
How much thought was put into which moves got what? Something THAT game changing should be given more consideration than it got.
Think about what that does to OKI. A change like this requires non metered / regular reversals to have some invincible startup frames.
It was already a problem that some rush down characters could completely disrespect your reversal options because they either already stuffed them or had multiple hit mixups that would just negate your armor anyway.
On top of that, there were moves specifically used for countering ex wakeups... two quick hits into HKD.
If the ex launchers that were used as wakeups before can just get stuffed by anything now because they don't have armor, OR they can't combo, where is the risk for just running up to someone after a HKD? What utility do the moves designed to counter armored reversals have now? The person on the ground literally has no viable options left anymore.
After a HKD, what's going to happen is that the person who got knocked down is 100% forced to defend a follow up string. The only option is to either attempt a wakeup that will get stuffed by anything AND cost you a meter, OR use a meter bar to attempt a reversal that yields no follow up for you AND is punishable? Under no circumstance are either of these options a good one. Blocking is always the best choice now.
If regular reversals were given invincible startups, disregard. If they were not, this game sucks really fucking hard now.
I haven't been around here a lot recently, so I guess I can't say for sure... But with all the bitching people did about 50/50s before, I can't even imagine that even a single person is in favor of taking away all viable reversal options.
There are going to be characters / matchups that are SO bad that one character won't even be able to get up. A lot.