OK .. so I spoke with japanese players Light_K and Wuroncha ..
There was supposed to be a 3rd player who had more hands on with DOA5U but he couldn't make it.
Regarding 300 HP:
- They think that with the current system 240 HP would be too short for the game in its current state.
- They like the 270 HP that they currently have in 1.03A.
- They still remain reserved regarding the 300 HP. The reason is that they aren't sure how the game is going to flow with the increase of hold damage, the inclusion of power launchers and the more guaranteed setups from stuns.so they think that this was the reason for returning to 300 HP since 270 would seem too short as 240 seems too short in the current state of 1.03A. (I personally agree)
- They do agree that the longer the HP the more boring the match would become.
Regarding LOW Hold +5 frames:
- They like it.
Regarding Hold Extra damage:
- Comparing DOA4 and 5 .. they do not want the damage to be as high as DOA4.
- They like the current damage of holds.
- They understand the rational behind Shimbori's decision to increase hold damage. but they don't want the damage to be as severe as DOA4.
- They also made it very clear that they DO NOT want a DOA4 style game and they've grown out of that mentality.
- Wuroncha was happy with the hold damage increase since he is a brad player and he feels that his holds are rather weak.
Regarding force techs:
- They love them as much as we do. and they use them as much as we do.
- They're on the same page in a sense that the do not wanna lose them. They actually like them and want them in.
- in their own words, they say that force techs expose the opponent's bad habits, which is a great thing.
Regarding Lost properties and safety of some moves:
- They had mixed feelings in a sense that they would like to see how the game would play out (meaning were other moves altered to get advantage or not).
- They do acknowledge the value of frame traps in the game.
- They were quite excited about having to re-learn the game, since this IS a new version.
- They felt confident that Shinbori knows what hes doing with the characters.
- They brought up the example of Kasumi, and the japanese players have mixed feeling about her changes because they seem a bit drastic. Some like the changes, others hate the loss of old tools .. its pretty much the same as us really.
I forgot to mention sidestepping .. Sorry >__>
but what I can tell from all the times that I've been on stream with them, they actually like the DOA SS system in its current state... but don't quote me on that .. lol
other tidbits:
- Light_K mentioned that Rachel has some beastly damage output, and is fun and easy to use.
- also that power launchers have really strong damage potential getting rid of more than half your life from a CB.(150+ damage)
- I asked them about Ariel Gardens. They would like that stage back too.
- They wanted Tengu and Raidou too (but Mochi-A didnt want Tengu .. lol)
- They would like to see weather cheanging stages (Rain, Night and day variants of stages)
I hope this is of use to you guys ...
on a Side note:
I disagree with making sitdowns inescapable .. (just noticed the 2nd post). Sit downs as they are are fine, maybe if they increase slightly the advantage of SOME sitdowns to allow a little more, then yes. But, I would rather keep the SE possible in them. We already have enough inescapable stuns, as well as other stuns that give guaranteed followups as it is. I also feel like the FLOP stuns will add that missing element that you guys want from an inescapable sitdown situation, so ... I personally disagree with removing SE from sitdowns.