Why use Counter Assault?

[Heatpark]

After watching 'pro' gameplays and playing the game myself for awhile, I have yet to still use Counter Assault. But everytime I do play, I feel like I should start consider using it but I don't quite understand why.

Here are my reasons:

1. The cost of use.

Using a CA costs you 50 heat and a guard primer/libra/whatever (unless you only have one left). If I'm going to risk using CA, wouldn't it be better to use a reversal distortion (like Tager's Magna Tech Wheel) or a DP (which is invincible like Ragna's Inferno Divider) so I can rapid cancel if the opponent blocks it? Using CA seems to give me less reward since CA deals no damage and I'll probably be able knock the opponent down for an oki or even get a combo off the attack (like Hazama's Jayoku Houtenjin) if I use a reversal distortion or a DP. The majority of the cast does have a invincible DP or a distortion for reversal (except for Carl I think) so this doesn't seem to be something difficult.

Litchi however maybe an exception seems All Green hits quite far away and her DP can't be rapid canceled

Another exception I can think of is Noel's CA. Her CA passes through the opponent and can give Noel the upper hand.

2. The risk.

All of the methods mentioned (CA, reversal distortion, invincible DP) can be baited by the opponent. If the opponent baits CA and distortion, they will probably get a counter hit combo and you will lose 50 heat. If the opponent baits the reversal distortion, you will only lose 50 heat if you decide to rapid cancel unless the attack whiffs.

I'm sure people can convince me to use CAs. I'm probably too narrow minded with my experience.

[Circuitous]

The difference between using a CA and a Reversal Super is you don't need an opening and good invuln to use a CA. To throw out Magnatech Wheel in a blockstring you need gaps large enough to do the input and actually have the move come out, which Counter Assault simply doesn't need. CA doesn't do damage, but it puts you back in neutral (if it isn't baited, of course) and gets you out of pressure for a while.

It's lower risk than a DP or Super, but in exchange it's less reward. That's how these things work.

If I had a nickel for every time my scrubby ass tried to do Giganter to get out of pressure only to get wrecked for it, I'd be set for life.

[Kujikawa]

There is no need for a gap in pressure for you to use a CA, unlike a Reversal.

You should always use a counter assault over a Reversal Distortion, unless you are very, very sure it will hit.

You have to be pretty careless to get your CA baited - It's very difficult to bait.

It also depends on which character you are, some characters have really shitty CAs like Tao, and other characters see it has their best way out of pressure like Platinum (Without Bat).

[Heatpark]

So CA is safer to use because it is harder to bait...

Ok, I can see the reason. Maybe I'm just greedy.