Hmm... yes, I guess you can play Hound like that but your losing a lot of potiential.
Hound Dog Extreme has been one of my main bots from the start and I've learn a lot of nifty things.
First of all, most of you probably look at the Tonfa's and think... "Man what crappy stats those are." I believe the tonfa's hit twice with each hit but the damage done is combined into one number. That is the only way I can figure how they do so much damage. In addition they also seem to have a good chance to stun, that electric around them isn't just for looks.
Secondly, you need to resist making him a "I can take anything on bot" by throwing a range weapon on him. His melee combo is pretty much the closest thing to perfection I've seen yet. If you can get a lucky drop on an air and have a slow tune-up on your main tonfa typically you can drop them out of the air easily and rip them to pieces like the rest.
Thirdly, rip them to pieces like the rest? His combo is devistating and near perfectly timed so it's uninterruptable. With shields he can get in close, do a full combo and kick them quite far to a wall(or best a corner). Then proceed to run up and just chain combo something to death. Sure, he doesn't have teleport and can't abuse lag but I've never lost a 1 on 1 (discounting running from AIRS that are too high flying). He's probably the best to take out Jikuns and Vanguards because his attacks home in well and once you hit once it's over for them, most the time they don't even get a hit in on me. Bynes give a bit of trouble since the shielding saves them getting combo locked but still rare for me to lose against.
Finally, this isn't a Byne or Jikun so don't rush a PS or huge crowd, you can take tons of damage, especially with have some of the best HP/cost carts in the game even more especially for a large, but his main skill set makes him best taking out loners; flanking and kicking someone away to single them out(always pick the tonfa which has the kick selectable by E).
Build:
2 Shields (I been leveling other bots since I recently got a K-Shield so haven't tried it, but maybe when I get home but since he doesn't have a crowd escape or rush mechnism I deeply suggest not putting weapons here)
Red Squealer HD
I think I use a Shino BD, but I'll have to check when I get home.
Carts:
Tough Runner - Sadly as far as LND melee go, he doesn't start with a ton of tough and without an escape mechnism being stunned will cost you and Stun Regain will just prolong your inevitable death, you run everywhere possible so it works quite well for him.
Tune-ups:
I'm still saving up for some of these but so far Slow on a tonfa is very helpful keeping someone pinned to a wall, I might do a grappler or two on the main tonfa then do the rest to up his stre/hp and maybe a little toughness and walk.
Summary:
He's not the end all bot to destroy everything, but if you can catch it, you can kill it and there pretty much isn't crap they can do about it. Learn to abuse his kick, sending people out of position where others can't easily assist without undermining their team can easily help you win rounds. Have faith in the Tonfa's of Doom. They might not hit as hard as some things but they hit harder then you think and the combo easily makes up for it.
