Balrog's Block Strings
What are some of Balrog's block strings? Most of the other characters have a special move at the end to give chip damage, but Balrog's non-ex dash punches would leave him at a frame disadvantage on block, enough to get SPD by Zangeif, super by Chun-Li, or by a 3-frame normal. Using meter to make it safe, to me, feels like a waste. So what are some things I could do when my opponent is blocking, other than a tick throw or just jab, jab, short?
Responses (4 total)
Unfortunately, Balrog doesn't have any true block strings; as you noted he doesn't have any special (or normal) non-EX moves that when performed will cause chip damage as well as push him far enough away (in most situation) to make the block string safe.
However, this is heavily character-dependent. As you noted, anyone with a three-frame startup move will be able to counter your non-EX dash punches which you would use as a finisher. Because of this, I would learn the matchups in which you know you can use your non-EX dash punches (in other words, find out what characters can't counter you) and use the dash punches in those situations (I'll fill in the character-specific matchups and conditions later).
Something to remember though about Boxer, he has his most advantage when using his EX moves, and he builds meter pretty fast if you are aggressive with him. Granted, the Super is useful, but an agressive Boxer will typically not have much meter since it will go towards using his EX moves often.
If you end a block string with his low ground rush punch (lp version) you should be ok. It pushes you away on block and recovers in time for most specials. You actually can use it to punish the shotos who like to spam cr. roundhouse. After you get pushed back you can counter hit their cr. roundhouse (especially ryu). Note that you can still be punished by most supers and some ultras.
just tagging in since i put an article together on blockstrings in general with an emphasis on Balrog:
http://shoryuken.com/f251/sf4-game-mechanics-blocking-blockstrings-balrog-emphasis-260986/
fyi, you can't use ex.dash punches in most blockstrings and they be safe, maybe something like blocked deep jump-in cr.mp xx ex.dash, but it's very unlikely. ex.dash punches have the most startup of all of his dash punch strengths. Better description in the article.
As casperOne stated, Balrog doesnt have any true blockstrings, but he's not hopeless.
If you know your opponent wont mash out a reversal (DP, SPD, supers/ultras) then Balrog can take advantage of his 3-frame jab to make some interesting blockstrings.
Doing a jab, walk forward a step, jab, walk forward... over and over is a pretty good "blockstring". This becomes deadly because at any time you can switch out a jab for a throw, or a sweep, or some other normals
You can also mixup an overhead rush punch after a couple jabs if you are looking to take a risk for some heavy damage.
- Note that everything stated here is NOT 100% Safe and are not true blockstrings.
I just wanted to share a couple things that you can do if you see that your opponent has blocked your attack and you want to do something more than just jab,jab,short or waste a bar on some chip damage
