Counters to strong moves
To beat this move you need a crouching normal that hits high. Listed below are moves suited for this.
Characters that can deal with it well will be marked ○, those who have a hard time beating it △, those who can score a crush counter or big damage ◎, and those who can't deal with it ｘ. (T) means that if you react too slow you risk a trade, but it is a winning trade so go for it.
◎ Ryu : cr.MP (T), cr.HP (T), MP dp, Parry (x3) > st.MP cr.HP xx HP dp
○ Ken : cr.MP, cr.HP (T), MP dp
○ Claw : cr.MP, LK Roll
○ Cammy : cr.HP (T), HK dp
◎ Chun : cr.HK, cr.MP (meaty) cr.LP st.LP xx LK SBK
○ Zangief : Lariat
◎ Dhalsim : cr.MK (meaty) st.LP xx EX Flame or b+MK xx MP Flame
○ Dictator : cr.MP, cr.HP (T)
○ Nash : cr.MP
△ Karin : cr.HP (T), EX Ressenha
○ Necalli : cr.HP (T), HP dp
○ R Mika : cr.MK, cr.MP (T), LK Wingless
○ Laura : cr.MP
○ Rashid : cr.MP
ｘ Birdie : nothing (or maybe cr.MP)
○ FANG : cr.MK, cr.HP (T)
When dp'ing, input it as 323 to get it while crouching. Ryu might become the Chun killer. Chun can also V-Skill or j.MK instead of going for legs, so it's a good idea to use a fast move in this situation.
It looks like a very strong move, but since it doesn't hit behind it's possible to walk under it if done from close. The hurtbox extends below to you can also beat it with an anti-air. Suitable moves listed below.
◎ Ryu : cr.HP, Parry > st.MP cr.HP xx HP dp
○ Ken : cr.HP
△ Claw : cr.HP
◎ Cammy : b+MP, st.HK (CC) > HK dp
◎ Chun : st.LK, b+HP > HK legs
◎ Zangief : st.LP, V-Skill > HP SPD, st.HP (slight charge) xx V-Trigger > EX air SPD
○ Dhalsim : st.LP, cr.LK (whiff) > throw
○ Dictator : st.MK, cr.HP, st.HK (CC) > MP Inferno
○ Nash : cr.MP, st.MK, b+MK, EX Scythe
○ Karin : st.HP, cr.HP
◎ R Mika : cr.MP, st.HP, f+HP (CC) > charged st.HK > EX Peach, EX Peach
◎ Necalli : st.MK, cr.HP (CC) > EX dp
○ Laura : st.MP, st.HP (whiff) > Command throw, EX Bolt
○ Rashid : st.LK, cr.MP
○ Birdie : cr.MP, EX Bull Horn
○ FANG : st.MK, cr.MK, cr.HP
This move's weakness is its startup. When fully charged, it starts up in 33f so every character can simply neutral jump after seeing Mika start chargeing. But if your reactions are too slow or the spacing isn't right you can get hit during your jump and take big damage, so I'll introduce more options. A lot of these options are low damage buttons like jabs, but since you get the pressure when they land the risk reward is pretty good.
◎ Ryu : cr.LP, cr.MP, Parry > b+HK st.LK xx HP DP
○ Ken : cr.LP, cr.MP
◎ Claw : st.LK, cr.MP, V-SKill (held) xx V-Trigger > Super
○ Cammy : st.MP, st.HK (CC) > MK Arrow
○ Necalli : st.LP
○ Dictator : st.LK, cr.MP, V-Skill (held) > EX Blast/Super
◎ Chun : cr.MK (whiff) > cr.LP st.MP cr.MK xx MK SBK
◎ Zangief : st.LP, V-Skill > HP SPD, st.HP (slight charge) xx V-Trigger > EX Air SPD
◎ Dhalsim : st.LP, cr.LK (whiff) > b+MK xx MP Flame
○ Nash : st.LK, cr.MP
○ Karin : cr.LP
○ R Mika : cr.LP, EX Peach
○ Laura : st.LP, EX Bolt
◎ Rashid : st.LK, cr.MK (whiff) > st.MP cr.MK xx LK Eagle Spike
○ Birdie : st.LP, EX Bull Horn
◎ FANG : cr.LP, Coward Crouch > K > st.MK (1) xx MP Sotoja
If your character has an option that makes the dropkick whiff, that's what you want to go for. Blocking it puts you in a mixup, so if you block it and have V-Gauge, the best thing is to V-Reversal.
It's not possible to cover all 4 of Dhalsim's options, so it's best to chose an option that covers both in front and behind teleports. If he teleports backwards, he just creates space so simply walk forward (but be careful not to walk into j.HP). Fast projectiles like Ryu's EX fireball and Vega's V-Trigger will knock him down so the reward is good. Every character can beat the forward teleports (both front and behind) with a standing jab but the reward is small, so if you want a more damaging option you can use one of your characters Crush Counters. Using a fast move is ideal if Dhalsim teleports back.
All characters: st.LP
◯ Ryu : st.HP (CC) > st.HK VTC LK Tatsu > Denjin
◯ Ken : cr.HP (CC) xx V-Skill > MK Tatsu > HP DP
◯ Claw : st.HK (CC) > EX Barcelona > EX Aurora, V-Trigger
◯ Cammy : st.HK (CC) > HK Spike/st.HP xx Hooligan
◎ Chun : st.HK (CC) xx EX Legs, V-Skill > Stomp x3 >EX Legs
△ Zangief : Lariat, st.HK (CC) > EX Air SPD
○ Dhalsim : cr.MP, cr.HP
○ Dictator : st.HK (CC) > st.HP, V-Skill Hold
○ Nash : st.HP (CC) xx HK Scythe
○ Karin : cr.HP (CC) > HK Mujinkyaku
△ Necalli : cr.HP (CC) xx HP DP
○ R Mika : 4+HP (6+HP if crossup) > EX Peach or (CC) HK Wingless
○ Laura : st.HP (CC) > HP Bolt
◎ Rashid : st.HP (CC) xx EX Eagle > HP Mixer, st.MP (4+MP) > 236+HK (if crossup, becomes 6+MP (1) xx HK Eagle)
△ Birdie : cr.HP xx Banana
△ FANG : st.HP (CC) > st.HP
We need an option that covers both EX Strike (or normal strike) and a regular jump in. It's possible to make EX Strike whiff with low profile moves. Certain characters can low profile under it and punish the recovery. Another option would be an anti air that can beat both the dive kick and a normal jump with the same timing. This will generally be a DP or neutral jumping with a normal that has long horizontal range.
○ Ryu : MP DP
○ Ken : MP DP
○ Claw : nj.MK, V-Skill hold > V-Trigger > Super
△ Cammy : MK Spike
○ Chun : nj.HK, EX SBK, cr.HP (anti airs normal jumps, makes dive kick whiff)
○ Zangief : V-Skill > SPD, st.HP (slight charge) VT > Air SPD
○ Dhalsim : j.MP, cr.LK (whiff) > st.LP xx EX Flame
○ Dictator : j.MP MP > EX Knee
△ Nash : EX Scythe
△ Karin : nj.MK
△ Necalli : MP DP
◯ R Mika : cr.MP, EX Wingless
◯ Laura : HP Bolt
△ Rashid : HP Mixer
△ Birdie : cr.MP, EX Bull Horn
○ FANG : cr.HP, Coward Crouch > K > st.LP st.MK xx MP Sotoja
In the corner, EX Barcelona is hard to block, it has a good hitbox so it's also hard to anti air.
It's a hard to react 50/50 and if you try to get away you just get hit, so you'd think this is a strong vortex, but if the third hit doesn't connect the recovery animation changes and he becomes punishable. You can use a low profile move/high invincible move to make that last hit whiff. Not every character has that luxury though, and if yours doesn't just use a dp or an anti air.
◯ Ryu : MP DP
◯ Ken : MP DP
◎ Claw : V-Skill (3rd hit whiff) > st.HP stc cr.MP xx EX Roll OR st.HK st.LP cr.MP xx EX Roll
◯ Cammy : LK Spike
◎ Chun : cr.MK (3rd hit whiff) > cr.MK xx MK SBK
△ Zangief : cr.HP
◎ Dhalsim : cr.HK (3rd hit whiff) > 4MK xx EX Flame
ｘ Dictator : Nothing (or maybe cr.HP or forward dash)
◯ Nash : cr.MP
◎ Karin : LK Sappo (3rd hit whiff) > st.HP xx Tenko > LK Mujinkyaku
◯ Necalli : HP DP
◎ R Mika : cr.MP, early cr.HK (3rd hit whiff) > st.MP 6MP>4MP 6HP cr.MP
◎ Laura : st.MP, early cr.MK (3rd hit whiff) > st.HP xx EX Clap st.HP
◎ Rashid : cr.MK (3rd hit whiff) > st.MP cr.MK xx LK Eagle
◯ Birdie : cr.MP
◎ FANG : cr.MK, Coward Crouch (3rd hit whiff) > st.HP xx HP Sotoja
◎ Ryu: dash -> close LK -> LK tatsu/MK tatsu -> EX hado -> super
○ Ken: dash -> crouch MK xx MK tatsu/EX tatsu
◎ Claw: crouch HK -> towards HP xx V trigger -> super
○ Cammy: MK arrow, dash -> close LP xx HK DP, HK super
◎ Chun Li: whiff crouch MP -> crouch HP -> close MP -> crouch MK xx MK SBK, dash -> close LP -> HP legs/EX legs, super
△ Zangief: hold V trigger -> EX SPD, V skill absorb -> sweep
○ Dhalsim: whiff crouch MK -> back MK -> MP flame, block -> close HK
○ Dictator: crouch HK -> HK scissors xx V trigger -> crouch MP xx LK scissors xx EX inferno xx EX headstomp
◎ Nash: MK scythe, towards HP -> hold forward and input V trigger -> jump HP -> crouch HP xx close MP xx HK scythe, super
○ Karin: dash -> close MP xx ‘just frame’ tenko -> EX tenko -> dash EX DP, sappo -> tenko -> V skill, super
△ Necalli: LP disc, super
△ R. Mika: dash -> close LP xx EX peach
◎ Laura: MP bolt -> K ender, whiff crouch MK -> close HP xx EX thunder -> close HP
◎ Rashid: MK eagle, V reversal -> close HP xx HK eagle, whiff crouch MK -> close HP xx HK eagle
○ Birdie: MP headbutt -> super, EX headbutt (1st stage) xx V trigger -> crouch HP xx bull horn
△ F.A.N.G.: EX sotoja, V reversal -> close LP -> close MK xx MP sotoja, down-forward HP (1st stage) xx V trigger -> close HP xx HP sotoja
Thanks hanasu
The first thing to keep in mind is that there is no reason to block HK Whirlwind Shot. The best answer is to interrupt it.
Rashid will most likely Whirlwind Shot from st.MP, f.MP (1), st.HP or cr.HP (1).
st.MP or f.MP (1) xx HK/EX Whirlwind Shot has at least a 5f gap so you can jump or even interrupt it. [That sounds off, f.MP xx EX Whirlwind seems like it has a 3f gap so you can't jump, needs further testing].
cr.HP / st.HP xx EX Whirlwind is more dangerous. It's not a true blockstring but you can not jump and can not interrupt it without an invincible move.
To sum it up:
So there's 2 things to keep in mind
If you're playing against someone who likes to uses meter to extend his pressure, you can also use an invincible move to get out.
[The article says several times that you can jump out if they f.MP xx EX Whirlwind, and the frame gaps listed in the article sound off.]
First, remember this: if you block a rekka just mash low jab. It will punish the rekka if she doesn't do any followup, beat the elbow (down+P) and the throw (up+K) will whiff and land behind you.
Karin can only backdash (K followup) to make herself safe, or use the palm (P) or slide (down+K) to beat the jab.
If she has a full gauge, she can do palm xx super as a scrub tactic elegant strategy to beat the jab, so you might want to focus on blocking if she has the meter.
Also remember that Ken and Cammy can punish all of Karin's options with a reversal super after blocking the rekkas. Karin can not save herself in that situation. Ryu's Shinku (4f), Chun's Hoyokusen (5f) and Karin's Kanzuki-Ryu Hadorokushiki Hasha no Kata (5f) will beat all of Karin's options except the throw (up+K) followup.
Valid options after blocking rekka:
◯ Ryu: cr.LP, super (whiffs if up+K)
◎ Ken: cr.LP, super (free)
◯ Claw: Hand cr.LP, claw cr.LP > stand block, K V-Reversal after blocking the second hit (Can punish with st.MP TC if she did a followup)
◎ Cammy: cr.LP x2, MK super (free)
◯ Chun: cr.LP x2, super (whiffs if up+K)
△ Zangief: cr.LP
△ Dhalsim: st.LP
△ Dictator: cr.LP
△ Nash: cr.LP
◯ Karin: cr.LP, super (whiffs if up+K)
△ Necalli: cr.LP
◯ R Mika: cr.LP, EX Peach (whiffs if up+K)
△ Laura: cr.LP
△ Rashid: cr.LP
△ Birdie: cr.LP (trades against the elbow)
△ FANG: cr.LP
Most characters can deal with this with a low jab. If your character can't stop the overhead, you can buffer stand block. If you got hit by the rekka, you don't have enough time to interrupt the elbow so either block or dp. If you chose to block, be ready for the overhead reset.
I almost forgot about this move. It's probably the hardest sweep to punish in this game, along with Chun's and Vega's.
Everybody can sweep it back if badly spaced, but from max range it gets harder. The hurtbox stays out for a little bit after the active frames so you can hit that with a fast move.
◎ Ryu: LP DP, st.LK xx EX Tatsu, super
◎ Ken: LP DP, st.LK xx MK Tatsu/EX Tatsu, super
◯ Vega: cr.HK, f.HP xx V-Trigger
◎ Cammy: cr.LP xx MK Arrow, raw MK Arrow, MK super
◎ Chun-Li: cr.LP xx LK SBK, EX Legs, st.HP xx super
☓ Zangief: cr.LP
△ Dhalsim: st.MP
◯ Dictator: cr.LK, LK Knee, st.HP xx HK Knee xx V-Trigger
◎ Nash: f.HK, kara EX Scythe (QCBMK~LK), super
◎ Karin: No charge V-Skill, EX Tenko, super
△ Necalli: st.LK, super, LP DP, EX DP
△ R Mika: cr.LP xx EX Peach, EX Peach
◯ Laura: LP Bolt, st.LK xx EX Bolt>K
◯ Rashid: cr.HP, LP Mixer
◯ Birdie: st.HP, LP Bull Head xx super
◯ FANG: cr.HK, df.HP xx V-Trigger > st.HP xx HP Sotoja