Well, I do agree that 4H+K should be +20 even with stagger escaping to guarantee a CB, but we do have certain options now to circumvent that. For example, depending on the iFrames, we could do 4PK/3H+K after initial stun and get the bound state into a re-launch->air throw. Not as much damage as the CB, but it does minimize the amount of guesses required to get some decent damage. Additionally, a big problem we had was that if someone tried to hold out of a CB, we tried to HiC Izuna. But then they get all uppity and start low hold spamming, causing our standard Izuna to "whiff." Now we can either punish the low hold with the CB (mid P) or use the new low throw Izuna, which should be a better read now that low hold recoveries have increased.
So basically just before max stun threshold, we have these options:
1) CB->Shoho
2) 6KK->Air throw
3) Bait standing HiC Izuna
4) Bait crouching HiC Izuna
1 beats out someone trying to counter options 2, 3 or 4 (high reward)
2 beats out someone trying to counter options 1, 3 or 4 (decent reward)
3 beats out someone trying to counter options 1, 2 or 4 (high reward)
4 beats out someone trying to counter option 3 (high reward)
Those are some decent options for damage, imo. Sure, it's more complicated than that, but essentially the gist is that they have to go for a hold, opening them to 3 or 4, unless they wish to suffer 1. 2 is just a fun mix-up with minimal reward but minimal risk.
The handstand skills would be nice, sure. I'm not going to say Ryu shouldn't have more options. But, we still have good options for high damage and expecting to be as braindead as Jann Lee or Christie is a bit too forgiving for my tastes. The real problem, again, is not his damage potential, but rather getting in to initiate that damage. His new mid and that WR H+K don't really help with this, since the H+K one is a knockdown and the mid is just another slow mid (seemingly no more effective than 4P). Combined with the fact that in vanilla DOA5 he already had some of the worst string mix-ups and lows, and we're really left with few good ways to initiate a situation in which we can properly utilize our damage options.
One thing the WR H+K has going for it is that you can force tech them afterwards instead of going for the juggle.
Also, the new mid is better than you give it credit, it has longer range than 4p, and hits twice, making it the better choice as a tracking move.
Really what he needs, IMO, would be stuff like:
1K to be + on NH (some mix-up needs to come out of PP now that PP4PK is gone)
I agree with this heavily.
1P to have an alternate mid mix-up to 1P2K (Hayate-style)
Eh, would be nice now that 1p is his only decent low, even momiji has a mixup now.
His old 2H+K (dat mid-crush)
It crushed mids? didn't know that.
3K move and strings to have some sort of use or mix-up (this move is so pointless in its current form)
3k is a decent poke, it's safe at range even if they block it.
A decent-speed mid that crushes highs (like all other ninjas have) and opens options (ie: not 7K)
Doesn't 3p fulfill this?
Some gap-closing technique(s) that is not beaten by simple side-stepping
A 12 frame mid of some sort. Any sort.
Eh, Ryu has never had a 12f mid.
Obviously he doesn't need all of those, but just one or two would drastically increase his viability and make an opponent think before rushing him down with anything but the most predictable punch strings.
