Punishing Dan's Tatsu/Hop Kicks/Dankukyaku with Gouken
What's a good punish move by Gouken vs. Dan's Tatsu on block? Is there any Gouken move that could counter-hit or at least trade hits against Dan's Tatsu?
Responses (2 total)
It depends on the strength of the move. Here is the frame data for each version of the move (assuming he is doing this on the ground):
| Version | Frame Advantage on Block |
| LK | 0 |
| MK | -2 |
| HK | -2 |
| EX | -3 |
For the LK version, there's anything you can do, the situation is effectively reset since there is no frame advantage/disadvantage for anyone.
Unfortunately, there isn't anything else you can do to reliably punish on block of any of the other versions of the moves either. Gouken is horribly slow, and has only one move with less than three startup frames, and that is his Parry/Counter move. The problem with using this is that you are relying on Dan to throw out another attack and in this case, it's more than likely going to be another Tatsu; Gouken's parry has armor properties, while Dan's Tatsu is armor breaking, so that's not an option.
So while you can't guarantee a punish, if you can predict (and that comes with all the normal caveats about trying to predict an opponents next move) what your opponent might do next, you have options.
Dan doesn't have a move that has less than four frames of startup, the same goes for Gouken (with the exception of throws in both cases), those moves being:
- Close LP
- Crouch LP
- Crouch MK
- Close HK
If you predict that Dan will follow up with a normal, crouch LP or MK is your best bet (they don't depend on proximity), at worst, you will trade if Dan uses one of his normal four frame startup moves (a trade which you will win in terms of damage exchanged).
If you know that Dan will throw, then you will have to counter with a throw tech.
In the event that Dan uses a move with invulnerability on startup (like another tatsu), your best bet would be to block.
Among these three, the best you can do is block, but like any other move, do it too often and you run the risk of your opponent reading this and throwing while blocking.
Wow, very in-depth answer. Thank you very much casperOne!
I just like to know what do you mean by "(assuming he is doing this on the ground)". Is there a difference if he does the Tatsu on the way down after jumping as opposed to starting on the ground?
