Just to put into writing what the Ultra Presentation said about rebalancing etc and see everybodys thoughts on it:
Compressing the tiers gap - all players should have top tier potential
"Address unblockables" - make of that what you will
Character examples
Chun Li - increased offensive game
+ HP increase to 950
+ EX Kikoken to knock-down on hit
+ EX Hazanshu has armor break
Yang - Faster and more dynamic (but conservative) play
+ Shorter start-up on Standing Light Kick
+ Increase in Jumping Middle hit-box
+ Faster walk speed
Ibuki
+ EX Kazegiri has more invincibility frames (to improve wake-up options)
+ Tsumuji has a larger lower hit-box (to accomodate crouching opponents)
- All versions of Neckbreaker (except EX) no longer a hard knockdown.
Honda - Offensive Un-Nerf
+ Extended range of Ultra II
+ Ultra I has a shorter start-up time
+ Fwd Jump M-Punch has smaller hurt-box
Balrog - Made to be more Super-Turbo-Rog
+ Longer-range Dirty Bull
+ Reduced recovery time for Buffalo Headbutt
+ Lower charge time for higher-levels of turnaround punch
Dudley - Improved middle-distance game
+ Short Swing Blow completely throw invincible
+ Increased damage on target combos
+Larger hit-box on some attacks
Ken - Faster, flashier, less like Ryu
+ Shorter start-up for Cr.HK
+ Faster walk speed
+ Higher damage on (non-animated) Shinryuken
Vega more offensive options, improved wake-up
+ Hit-stun increase on Cr.LP
+ Faster start-up on Bloody High Claw
+ Faster Start-up on Splendid Claw
T.Hawk - better pressure-play, less grab-dependant
+ Cr.MK special-cancelable
+ Faster Walk Speed
+ Improved Ultra 2
Cammy - Reduced ability to win in 2 combos (Combo options intact)
+ Cannon Strike can be done lower to the ground
- Damage reduction on Heavy attacks
- Stun reduction on Heavy attacks
Edit: Differences picked out from the Ultra announcement trailer.
Fei
- cr.lk is now 4 frame startup
- Rekkaken range decreased (lp confirmed, other strengths not yet)
Dhalsim
+ 2-strike MK
Evil Ryu
+ Larger hitbox for LK Tatsu
Guy
+ Target combo impacts on crouch
+ Target combo extended range
Cody
+ Knife throw has armor break
Rufus
+ EX Messiah impacts on crouch
Yang
+ Far sMP special cancelable
So...what do y'all think?
My thoughts
Glad to see it's mostly positive, rather than just nerfing everything that's easy to do.
Glad to see Cammy get a wee nerf, didn't think Ibuki needed the buff, but guess it's a tradeoff for the neckbreaker
Looking forward to seeing a faster Ken again :)
Good to see the boxers and Honda getting some TLC, theyre fan-favorites but don't get enough attention in SSFIV
Compressing the tiers gap - all players should have top tier potential
"Address unblockables" - make of that what you will
Character examples
Chun Li - increased offensive game
+ HP increase to 950
+ EX Kikoken to knock-down on hit
+ EX Hazanshu has armor break
Yang - Faster and more dynamic (but conservative) play
+ Shorter start-up on Standing Light Kick
+ Increase in Jumping Middle hit-box
+ Faster walk speed
Ibuki
+ EX Kazegiri has more invincibility frames (to improve wake-up options)
+ Tsumuji has a larger lower hit-box (to accomodate crouching opponents)
- All versions of Neckbreaker (except EX) no longer a hard knockdown.
Honda - Offensive Un-Nerf
+ Extended range of Ultra II
+ Ultra I has a shorter start-up time
+ Fwd Jump M-Punch has smaller hurt-box
Balrog - Made to be more Super-Turbo-Rog
+ Longer-range Dirty Bull
+ Reduced recovery time for Buffalo Headbutt
+ Lower charge time for higher-levels of turnaround punch
Dudley - Improved middle-distance game
+ Short Swing Blow completely throw invincible
+ Increased damage on target combos
+Larger hit-box on some attacks
Ken - Faster, flashier, less like Ryu
+ Shorter start-up for Cr.HK
+ Faster walk speed
+ Higher damage on (non-animated) Shinryuken
Vega more offensive options, improved wake-up
+ Hit-stun increase on Cr.LP
+ Faster start-up on Bloody High Claw
+ Faster Start-up on Splendid Claw
T.Hawk - better pressure-play, less grab-dependant
+ Cr.MK special-cancelable
+ Faster Walk Speed
+ Improved Ultra 2
Cammy - Reduced ability to win in 2 combos (Combo options intact)
+ Cannon Strike can be done lower to the ground
- Damage reduction on Heavy attacks
- Stun reduction on Heavy attacks
Edit: Differences picked out from the Ultra announcement trailer.
Fei
- cr.lk is now 4 frame startup
- Rekkaken range decreased (lp confirmed, other strengths not yet)
Dhalsim
+ 2-strike MK
Evil Ryu
+ Larger hitbox for LK Tatsu
Guy
+ Target combo impacts on crouch
+ Target combo extended range
Cody
+ Knife throw has armor break
Rufus
+ EX Messiah impacts on crouch
Yang
+ Far sMP special cancelable
So...what do y'all think?
My thoughts
Glad to see it's mostly positive, rather than just nerfing everything that's easy to do.
Glad to see Cammy get a wee nerf, didn't think Ibuki needed the buff, but guess it's a tradeoff for the neckbreaker
Looking forward to seeing a faster Ken again :)
Good to see the boxers and Honda getting some TLC, theyre fan-favorites but don't get enough attention in SSFIV