All of you stfu, HD is hype, whatchall going on about???
I guess they could add another system next to it for those who don't like HD, but tbh, HD is not a TOD thing. It requires the right kind of character and IMHO, you get 2 full HD gauges in a match. As I've said before, it combines the best of both worlds, LOOOONG combos other games have introduced but in a sane, kof-like manner.
The fact that HD and Power stocks are built and used at the same time is kind of like having 2 systems at once, the waza/chikara systems of Last Blade 2 spring to mind. I never really cared what the flavour of the month system was in the last kofs, as long as the stock was there. None of the people I played with did either. Everyone was from the KoF 98 school of thought, and fancy stuff just isn't welcome. Never, for the life of me, did i understand what the point in armour mode was.
For those of us who are getting owned by HD combos: adapt your playstyle to the situation. Part of winning a match is being one step ahead of the mind games. Everyone has a favourite set-up. Do you know what moves are capable of juggling you into an HD? Do you know how to safely deny them? Is your opponent really going to use HD? Maybe he's going to save it for your next character instead of blowing his load to end your 30% life. Same for stock, etc etc etc.
@ Diavle: every HD Cancel consumes 10% of the gauge, in addition to the timer. In theory, you get max 9 cancels. In practice, I'd say 6/7.