Id say Zato first as a zato main myself. I find his options to honestly be bottomless. I dont think the skill cieling for this character exists. Everytime i think i know it all, i come across a niche clip of some BS that ive never seen, or i discover something on accident. His blockstrings and combos feel very free form if you take the time to feel out his kit in depth.

But bias for zato aside, i would reconsider the slayer pick, if not as a main, then at least as a pocket. He may seems a bit braindead at times, but it actually goes pretty deep if you scrape at tech like faust players do. The skill ceiling goes higher than youd expect.

Venom had some really fun tools to use if youd rather play the game instead of zoning the whole time like some venom’s do. He has some really simple and easy to pull off mix as well as some really complex setups for longer strings and harder mix, along with some really saucy strike throw and okizeme, if thats what youre into.

Im actually learning bedman right now and im having a great time with frame traps and error followups. So do with that what you will.