The best idea of how to fix mid-tier and newbie problems with 400ms lights! | Forums

[Disruptis]

Very clickbait tagline, I know, but I had an amazing idea for how to fix this constant back-and-forth problem between the casuals and people can't get past their own skill caps, and the prodigy competitive tier. And it has to do with guard stance.

Specifically, guard stance change delays. The reason those are in the game to begin with is to stop people from helicoptering their guard stance and blocking every single attack with relative easy, allegedly. Practically, there would still be a single frame where the attack lands and it is decided whether or not the attack hit, but I'm not here to argue that. I'm here to toss around the idea of a seperate "instant block stance change".

Right now, the delay between when you switch guard and when you get to block is about 100ms. Let's be generous and say the average ping of a for honor player is 40ms. That means you are blocking/parrying a 400ms light, but in reality you only have about 260ms to do so. Considering that the majority of people are gonna find their reaction speed hard-capped at about 200ms with a lot of training, and that's only while focusing on a single thing and expecting it coming, that's not a lot of leeway at all. Especially since you are generally looking for attacks coming in any direction, and need to discern whether the attack is a heavy or not. In fact, a lot of people are frustrated that they can see it coming, but can't block in time. Here-in lies my suggestion.

Make guard stance changes instant, but only for four switches, and only for blocking. After four switches within the space of 700ms, you will change back to the regular 100ms switch delay. Notice I also said for blocking. There would still be a separate, invisible "attack delay", so as to not upset the balance already worked into the game. This means that you can't parry until that 100ms attack delay is over, but you can at least block. That alone won't change things for the top-tier, and get rid of a LOT of salt coming from the lower ones. It's a win for everyone! Except for those at lower levels relying on fast light attacks to compensate for their lack of skill.

Let me know if any of you have an idea where this could fail that I haven't seen.

[Vendelkin]

I like this idea. mild buff, limited repercussions. less than a second in change-able interaction. positive potential outcome against light spam.

This also sounds very testable if the changes are made and the code implemented.

[The_Sun_Danc3]

Honestly I think reducing change on both from 100 to 50 will actually help. With 50 to both it will not nerf light attacks ability to hit, but nerf the idea that you have to read the opponents character and not their UI to block lights. It will make it easier to change your guard to block attack so more rec players don’t get spammed to death for not learning another characters animations by heart, but not make high level play a complete turtle fest. If you changed the disparity between attacking and defending by 100 milliseconds nobody would land neutral attacks at high level play ever, breaking the game