Alright guys I'm back home, so let's get back on topic for a while, only 5 days left.
----------------------------------------------------------------
List
1. The game requires more poke moves. While negative on block, or positive on block (preferably positive on block if the movement supports it,) the game needs more moves that are safe on punishment on block.
Solution: Either (ONE of the following options)
A) Add more moves to the game that are +0 to -4 on block, to encourage movement of some kind instead of just countering stuff.
B) Add poke moves to the game that are positive on block slightly (+1 - +2) to encourage landing pokes into offense instead of just string delays.
Since you introduced the Virtua Fighter characters into the game, this makes a lot of sense, because both options are used in Virtua Fighter, the difference would be that there are varying levels of punishment in DOA depending on how much of a risk one takes.
2. String Delay is, while an interesting mechanic, very hard to methodically deal with at any level. And while, at this point, it's hard to remove, part of the largest pain is the combination of string delay and free canceling together. Both these things take away from the potential of the game, and make it hard for a player to effectively play defense, regardless of having one of the best defensive moves of all time, the defensive counter.
Solution: Either (ONE of the following options)
A) Reduce the amount of time in general characters have to delay attacks, and make free canceling slower.
B) Adjust the frame data so if moves are delayed at all, they're unsafe on block, and make free canceling slower.
C) Adjust the frame data so if moves are delayed at all, they're negative on hit (so people can't follow up with anything else) and disallow stuns and combos from delayed moves (because with the window there is, it's almost impossible to react to these at a competitive level).
----------------------------------------------------------------
This is how the list is shaping up so far. Bring up anything I forgot, that you disagree with on the list or need to add to the list in general, or the concerns that other professional players have. The reason I added multiple options to fix problems is because Team Ninja is a lot more likely to use our feedback if you don't try telling them there's only one way to do it. Sure, there's always a best way, but the key is to add many ways that are improvement and hope for the best.