alf2: current state - insights

[YinYin]

>>+A<A ... charged dragon punch (if not enough, but later enough mp)
>>+A< ... dragon punch (if enough mp)
>>+A< ... charged run attack (if not enough mp)
>>+A ... normal run attack (thats a different input)

In my opinion these are a bit too much possible actions for a "run attack".

i understand your concern
but most of all this is just the horizontal dragon punch
the charging animation basically tells the player: hey you didn't have enough mp there - get some more
the charged dragon punch is a very rare occurance - because it requires you to first have just not enough mp and then charge long enough to get the required amount (recharging mp is actually slower here) and press attack instead of releasing the charge
this may be complex but its more of a hidden feature anyway
if you don't know it it won't bother you

i think the basic idea that this input has two different actions depending on mp is a fact players should grasp quick enough unless they also keep wondering why their special moves don't work when they don't have enough mp

Also, something else. What's the correct order of input for that hold-back-run-attack? First Attack, then holding back? Simultaneous?

simultaneous works best on most keyboards
however it doesn't matter when the opposite direction is pressed (unless it could interfere with the input before)
as long as it is held in the required frame