good to know val is a grappler
Fair Point. Although, there's little stopping anyone from playing Val Grapple-centric, with her normal throw being damn good. I sure did, not optimal at all but it made for some fun "there's no way he'll throw me again" mix ups.
I suppose where my logic falls off could be the mechanical differences of SG vs SF4. Abel may very well be a semi grappler as I described because he's always got his command grab in his back pocket because if hes trained the opp to block his other tools he can do it for a free knockdown and subsequent mix up (this being pretty damn important iN SF4) not to dissimilar to a grappler.
And then you have the Skullgirls side of things where Valentines command grab and normal throw that is arguably very very similar. But despite this, even taking into account how the game works, it still doesn't feel as core to me. Not to mention she has to spare meter on scalpel to convert off her grab, it feels like something you just throw out on occasion if the opp falls asleep. Val players feel free to slap me across the face if I'm wrong, my inexperience may obviously start showing.
Beowulf on the other hand, given grab modes mechanics and all the different tools and conversions it offers you it feels a lot more core. You're rewarded a lot with a lot more than just a scaled down combo ala vals throw, you can use splash or chair dance to get your grappler style knockdown, where your cross up options are not at all too dissimilar to a certain Russians knees and Body Splash. Given grab mode bleeds into his command grab, you have a real reason to reset with it to open up for more mix ups, which to me at least is a much better prospect than having to throw some scalpels to convert.
Same with his normal throw, where Val has hers in the corner of her mind, Beowulf's feels like a real threat and a all round better option for when youve suitably trained someone to block your shenanigans because of what you get out of it. I wouldn't be surprised if you lot were scoffing at the Street Fighter comparisons, but this idea that if you get the grab on a trained opponent, you can get that knock down mix up (on top of your usual small combo into reset through knees -> whatever) it feels a lot like Abel and how he uses his grabs which are a very important tool for him. So that's why I make the comparisons
But I dunno, if not for Grab Mode I would be having a super hard time explaining my points, even moreso than I already am... Beowulfs grapple tools definitely feel like something he should really REALLY consider, even if situational. As opposed to simply throwing it out because your a hipster/rebel/sneaky ninja. Thats my piece, Im aware its hard to agree with, bring on the snarky responses!
I would talk about his leap and stuff, but this is too long. As for what makes a grappler a grappler though its definitely if they have a grab as part of their mix up, but it had to be a very important tool that they are always actively considering and have ready. Something that, if anyone read and understood my messy arguement, Valentine does not actively do any of these things whereas IMO Beowulf definitely does/should
AND BREATH.
