Ok, well I just had an hour long session of CvS2 both offline in training and a few online matches. My game is definitely improving, I can start to do 2xqcf somewhat consistently from the left side, about 75-80% of the time which is an improvement from 40%, and right side has moved up from 20-40%. Still really gotta work on the right side it's really annoying me.
First thing I did was do vs both with Ryu, C-groove with ratio 2. I then proceeded to jab at the same time on both controllers to see if there was any perceptible difference. I couldn't see any. However, when I made them within hitting distance, the Ryu with the controller consistently won out. Though this may be attributed to the that that is necessary to push the button down before the button is registered.
So I tried out P-Groove in training mode, and as a note I *HATE* parrying in CvS2, I find it a lot more difficult than 3rd strike parrying simply because the motion isn't as fluid and I don't have it "down". After practising for a bit I could parry Ryu's Super fireballs pretty consistently, it's not the most difficult super to parry through for sure, but if the lag was a significant factor I don't think I could've even parried that.
I then went online and played against a first timer, he wasn't that bad but I won 2-0. I then played against a japanese guy on my friends list who is now ranked 400th or so and did ok against him. I couldn't get past his Ryu, but I gave him a good run when it was Guile vs Ryu. I could pull wake-ups successfully and blocking was all very fine. I honestly couldn't notice any lag if it did exist, or rather, I'd just chalk it up to "internet lag" anyway.
I mean, we're talking 1 or 2 frames here, I don't work on that level, just don't have the instinct or reflexes for it so I won't notice that level of lag. I'm not a master parryier in SF3 by any means, fireballs can be parried consistently and jump-ins and the like, the basic fair. Multi-hit stuff I fall down, and same with low parries, can't do them for the life of me.
The way I figured it, is if it's a constant lag of 1 frame or so, if on a subconscious level I DO perceive it, then my hands and such will adjust to the timing. It's simply an offset that'll be present that my mind will adjust to and I probably will never even be aware of it. And if I become serious enough that it does become an issue then I'll probably look for alternatives, but for now it suits my needs.
I'm just afraid I might be justifying my purchase decision but I think I still have time to return it so it's not too late. I looked at the MAS, and it's just too big :/ The X-Arcade is nice, because even though it's pretty sizeable I can still play with it on my lap.
And about CvS2, I *never* drop. Ok, maybe not NEVER, I think there were 1 or 2 matches where the lag was just ridiculous (1 second between frames) and after 30 seconds I just said screw it. Other than that, I've never dropped. The annoying thing is that I've played against the upper rank guys A LOT of matches. Like some guys I'll play against 10-20 matches in a row winning MAYBE one of them. I like it, it's fun for me because I learn a ton, but the problem is that my record looks HORRIBLE (1100 matches, 400 wins) and sometimes people think I'm a dropper. But I think at this point, people play the game on Live because they like it. The level of skill has definitely gone up compared to last year as even the 2000th ranked people are rocking me pretty badly >_< Though there's also the combination of my skills lagging as well.
Man, I don't even LIKE CvS2, I think it's stiff and boring, but it's a fighter and it's ONLINE. That's why, when 3S my favourite game ever comes out online I'm gonna go nuts.
Fighting and racing can and WILL coexist!
