Senior Member
First of all, I want to say, I acknowledge the character has just come out. This is just my INITIAL thoughts as someone who has played and fought against Sakura. I also play on console so keep in mind that from this perspective, we have quite the input lag. Also, it seems that with the new character some hits have been going through my blocks. I don’t think this is intended, so this has also played a role in the viability of Sakura and the characters current strength.
Anyways, onward. I will be addressing the chains, and options within the chain.
Much like Berserker, Sakura has an infinite chain with stamina to support it. Both have Uninterruptible properties. Berserker has a start up to get uninterruptible properties, Sakura does not. Berserker has a chain that must go a specific way. Sakura does not. Now normally the start up of Sakuras chain wouldn’t be a big deal because it’s a little slower, but unlike berserkers pretty standard speed, Sakura evens the playing field with his very unpredictable heavies that give 3 speed options. This also includes a fully charged heavy which becomes UB and can come from any direction, unlike Berserker who’s heavy is a top heavy finisher. Much like the speed of Conquerors infinite, Sakura on console seems to be difficult to block, though this may be due to me playing characters that have slower recovery. In summary of chains, overall, Sakura is much more unpredictable and harder to parry with an easier start up.
Now on to the mix ups. Berserker can cancel into a 400ms light or a GB. Pretty good overall, but Sakura has a kick option after a heavy instead of a light, that also has variable timing and guarantees a heavy. It can also be feinted into GB offering more options. It also seems to be incredibly tight to dodge (though admittedly I could probably practice this more to get the timing down). In summary, to build on to the unpredictability, Sakura has more option selects.
Again, this is just my initial analysis. I am aware there is more to discover about the hero and more muscle memory to build in response. Overall though, Sakura seems to be one of the stronger characters and despite a simple kit, has the nimbleness and ferocity of Berserker and the unpredictability and mind games of a mix between Wardens shield bash and Centurion/Shugoki heavies.
His feats are also mind blowing, but that’s a different discussion. I started this conversation to see what others initial thoughts were. My opinion is that I love his simple kit and his movement fluidity playing with him (despite playing against him his movements looking awkward and clunky). It just seems like, especially playing with him, with the mix between HA on every attack, the unpredictable options on speed, kicks and their mix ups, it cripples the viability of most other heroes. I have yet to have a bad match up with him. Though I love how fun he is, this fact alone shows his current kit isn’t necessarily health at the moment. I will wait a couple weeks to see if my opinion changes, and give possible changes after further analysis.
Senior Member
Interesting. She feels more like a mix between centurion and Shugoki to me. I don't think the comparison to Zerk really stacks up because even though his combo line is predictable his feint windows and special neutral 400ms feinted light allow him to have far more flexibility than Sakura has. He has much more armor in lew of combo play than she does.
I still primarily play on console and i'm not really struggling against her at all. Her side heavies are easy as heck to see coming when charged fully because she gets momentum in her swing when it's committed to. Her top heavy is the tricky one to tell with because less overall movement. She can very easily feint that and trade with parry attempts. You really just don't parry her. Same with Centurion and Goki to an extent. Her kick is easy peasy to dodge and nets a GB since the recovery is decently long. It's only a threat for me when someone actually target swaps it or uses it when i'm Near or at OOS. Sweep isn't a threat as long as dodge into unlock roll goes unnerfed.
Sakura does not have armor on every attack. Only opening heavy, fully charged heavies, and light finisher. Even goki has more armor than Sakura. Her recoveries, poor range, eh bash mix up, and very small hitboxes is what is keeping her down. She's A tier at best and high tier B at worst.
Member
I play on console too and I find Berzerker to be a way better hero overall. I should say that I believe Berzerker is OP and needs a nerf either to his damage or hyper armor. At least I can block most of Sakura's attacks; with Berzerker's feints it's a complete guessing game that I always lose. I'm a little frustrated with the amount of hyper armor being added to the game in general. It's become a double-edged sword. It's been added to make offenses more viable, but now you are forced to turtle up until your opponent is done attacking.
I think that Sakura's kick mix-up is completely nullified by back dodging when you see the kick coming, as the kick, sweep, and GB will all miss. Which feats are mind blowing? I don't find any of them to be too crazy. Everyone is making a big deal about Senbonzsakura; I don't find it worse than any other Tier 4 feat.
