Q&A: Charge Characters

Question:
I've recently begun learning Charge characters and find them alien in comparison to motion characters. I've learned charge buffering but I'm having a really hard time with footsies considering I'm holding down back so much to charge, and walking forward removes the charge right? Any advice?

Answer:
Start with this: If this character had no special moves, how would you play them?

Just like with motion characters, special moves are not the whole character. Most charge characters have strong ground normals, good walkspeed, or both. In almost every case, a charge special move enhances space control at particular ranges.

Think of traditional Guile. You dont want to walk into his F+HP, his B+HK, or his crMK. Because of this, you tend to either block or jump at midrange... Sonic boom controls the ground. Flash kick beats the jump. All you have to do is -not- press that button and instead gather charge. Use their fear of your normals to gain charge that strengthens your position, or use that fear to walk right up to them and force a fistfight.