I believe VF, Tekken, and SC are all in the same category as having solid and deep gameplay, it's just different aspects of depth-- people don't like to accept that fact however, and continue to enable "FG prejudice".
For instance, you don't have to worry much about lows and throws in VF as you do in Tekken, but in VF you have more options in many cases regardless of frames, but frames still hold more value in VF than in SC or Tekken. But at the same time, there's things like "nitaku"(two-choice or forced option select) and "ETEG"(evading throw escape guard) that aren't in Tekken or SC. SC has a block button with plenty of options from that more so than having options from attacks, and your position in the stage can have more of a serious effect than in VF or Tekken (VF's taking more of this approach with hybrid stages, though) since you can nullify some potentially strong combos by moving in the air, at the risk of a ringout, or a setup leading to that.
Movement I think is more important in Tekken because while you can't get ringed out, having poor movement can get you locked to the wall, or because your hitbox is slightly closer than it should be, that df+2 now just launched you leading to a 45%-70% combo.
To me, VF is great, it's not the "holier than thou" of a fighter most say. I strongly believe it was the packaging that made people think the game is deeper than the other 3d fighters. Hell, Kakuto Chojin was just as deep as VF imo, as was Last Bronx. Again, this is all my thoughts and opinions though...
Anyway, whatever with that setup. Just don't tech and take whatever damage is coming. It's not that much anyway. I don't think it deemed a nerf though.