If I attempt a lk reset, rather than using cr.lk, cr.lp, cr.hp x ex tatsu (which I rarely use), I’ll usually go straight for a b&b, or at least cl.hp x lk.tatsu, st.lk x whatever. They have to guess whether to block left or right, not low or high. :wonder:
If I’m using cr.lk, cr.lp, cr.hp, it’s probably going to end in a shou which builds meter rather than uses it. Not to mention the fact that if they tech the knockdown and you empty jump immediately, your jump looks as if you can meaty jump kick them, causing a lot of players to block high eating another cr.lk combo. You can also walk a couple frames and go for a really deep jump in. I’ll also use mp.shou sometimes if they’re conditioned to block low, since an immediate jump after that one DOES connect, but this one is risky since you intentionally give up damage and leave yourself vulnerable to reversals.
She has MANY good mixup options - she even gets a mixup after otoshi (meaty neutral jump, empty jump into cr.lk, safe jump). My Sakura is heavily influenced by Skatan Milla, and I tend to conserve meter a lot more lately, choosing instead to use them on shou fadcs and super (late in the game). My point is you don’t need ex tatsu to get a good mixup going, and many Sakuras could benefit from incorporating more of them in their game.