Yeah, @all the people defending falcon punch:
..The fact is there are safer options, thus better options present at all times. And yes, prediction is a part of brawl, but alot of those moves who need prediction/mindgames can be used for punishing without having to start said move before the opponent starts the move you want to punish with said move.
And player-3, no, counter can be activated after the opponents move starts. Not with all moves, but with alot of moves.
Falcon punch is that bad. In theory and in practice. falcon punching 7 people in a tourny? You shouldnt even attempt falcon punches in tourny. ever.
Yes, a falcon punch 'pays off when it lands', and this is what makes you guys blind it seems. As it will not land in a tournament setting. It wont. It is soooooo easy to avoid with infinite airdodges, DI, faster attacks etc.
In short: You will not land a falcon punch in a tournament setting. Nor should you ever rely on it, or even attempt it.
and in a way falcon punch can punish, but only moves who start after you start the falcon punch, wich requires the opponent to screw up, so cannot be used as a pro falcon arguement in a matchup discussion, it doesnt help falcon, it just wont work etc. etc.
And if it does work, (IF), you were ******* lucky, and should thank god. twice.
And then yell at him for putting the stupid idea of attempting a falcon punch in a tourny match into your brain.
I dont even understand how one can even think of defending the falcon punch..
Let me put it this way:
MK's will sooner Dsmash than Fsmash. Because Fsmash has some lag, they'll choose moves with little/less lag.
For falcon these moves are Bair, Uair, Nair, jab etc.
The best falcon is the most safe falcon. The least punishable falcon. The falcon with the least openings. And falcon already sucks when you only use quick(er) moves.
One should never. Ever. use a falcon punch in a tourny match.
Like I said, falcon punches are for friendly matches.