Yeah, I think I'm not moving in the right direction during my combo. I don't hear the block, I just grab nothing.
Anyways...
if AKiha casts Flame Pit
just rush in and hit him
He only casts the pit whenever I'm at the opposite end, which is more than enough time, even if I throw a sword, for him to return to blocking.
if he does 2aaaa2BBB block it and block the last B from 2BBB and punish it
O_O Thank you! I didn't know it was blockable! I played as Akiha during the old Re-ACT ((non-FT)) days, and I never saw a computer block it. I've been watching CL's videos for pressure strings, so I'll be fighting a really close game from now on.
if akiha is doing 214A or B or C just shield it
and punish him
If I shield it, I'm stuck in the animation for too long to do anything. The EX move is even worse, since it's full screen height. I've gotten some lucky Hiero wallswitches in when he tries to cast it, but he's learned, and no longer uses it if I Hiero. My best bet has been to dash forward and hope it erupts behind me, but it's scary to see the EX flash and dash, rather than block.
if he does air 236A while running just block it and rush in again
._. I WISH he jumped. He's on the ground all the time except when BnB-ing.
I've also gotten good at landing some last-frame jB's, so hopefully I can cross over and hit him before he switches directions, then maybe start faking once he gets used to it. There is a problem of the landing cooldown ((I'll try to practice IAD-ing out of it before I land, but since he's crouching, it'll be really hard for me...)), as well as him sticking to a corner like an emo, but hopefully some pressuring will drag his butt out. On the topic of pressuring, say he blocks every single attack ((>.> Which is far too often)). What would be the best combo to let me run my little butt out of range as soon as it's over? It doesn't have to be long at all, just safe.
Also, I realized that I'll never have a chance to use Ciel's 2C2C mix-up, since I won't be able to whiff the first hit ever... Any other suggestions for mixes?
And if I block Akiha's 2C at the very end of its reach, is there anything I can do? I mean, 2C is such a cooldown unfriendly move that there has to be SOMETHING... maybe.
Finally... I realize that this is a really, really noob-y question to ask, but what are all of Ciel's High or Low block only moves?
Anyways, it turns out he's getting sick... so I'll have to wait a bit longer for our rematch. =P