Have a few minutes, gonna write down a few techs that help me win with her, especially online. I have a very decent win/loss ratio going mostly thanks to her, and these are some of what I've learned to be most helpful to remember.
Covert Ops
Don't underestimate the insane range of F2. It's outside most other character's normals. I like to finish the string (F2,B1) for a hard knockdown at close range, then follow with one of my mix-up strings.
My go-to combo-starting string is, without a doubt, B1,4. 80% of the time, they won't catch on how to properly block it until there's no way they can come back from all the damage. It seriously amazes me how my opponents nearly ALWAYS get hit by B1,4, which I then naturally combo into MS+4.
BTW, my go-to juggle from MS+4, for damage, is B3,3,4,Leg Grab (let both elbows hit). For pushing into the corner, replace Leg Grab with MS+1. My ideal combo is Dive Kick,2,1,3,MS+4,B3,3,4,Leg Grab. Easy enough to perform for 12 hits and 32% damage.
Going back to the mix-up strings: B1,4 (again) is ideal, with good range, quick and tricky. If you're worried you're using it too much and the opponent might start reading it, throw in a B3,3,4. Use these two strings to your advantage, making it so that they never know whether to block you high or low. Likewise, if they've been playing you enough that they're reading your strings all the way into Kartwheel, easy remedy: make use of the other MS commands, especially the throw. It'll let them know that the Kartwheel is merely your favorite move, but not your only option.
I utilize most of my strings from charging at them from mid-screen. If I'm at an ideal distance, I run at them into either F2 or B1,4 (B3,3,4 has short range, so it's not good for running in). If you're at a closer range, you can also utilize your strings after an cross-over overhead jump-punch to confuse them.
For the parries: you'll start landing them more and more often the more you use them. There's really no textbook tech for them. It's all about getting used to them and feeling your opponent out. Surprisingly, they counter Scorpion's Teleport and Mileena's Roll if you throw it out at the right time. Also Kano's balls (lolsorry). Don't be afraid to throw them out if you're in a good spot to not get fully punished---it has enough frames that you can counter all those normals and specials, but not enough that you'll eat a full combo punish (unless you're nose-to-nose with your opponent; even then, I tend to get away with it).
Remember Sonya's D+3. It's her best poke. It'll beat out most of your opponent's normals and stop them from punishing you at close range. Throw out one or two of these, and suddenly you have the advantage. I like to follow up my one or two D3s with B3,3,4.
One thing about B3,3,4: the second elbow of 4 hits high, not mid. I suggest not letting that second elbow hit on block; only if you're juggling them. It's not hard to figure out that the second elbow can be ducked and punished with a low poke.
Dive kick: Don't overuse it. When you do, try to aim for their feet if you can. If you aim for the head and they block, you become more punishable. A lower hit on block will have Sonya flip away far enough that you can retreat, or even poke them with a D3 when they inevitably try to walk in to hit you.
Leg Grab is great for wake-up. I get them in the corner a lot with this, given how fast it is. The safest way to wake up with Leg Grab is after tech-rolling away, if they try to run in to rush you down. Don't underestimate how quickly it starts up. It's very useful this time around. If you find that your opponent is rushing you with quick enough attacks that beat your wake-up Leg Grab, armor it. That's what it's there for. Sonya doesn't need meter for anything, so don't feel bad. This and the X-Ray are what her meter's there for.
Speaking of which: Getting overwhelmed by a zoner? It's not ideal, but an EX Arc Kick will get you out of that bind; it'll do this pretty easily for you, but you'll have to know how to follow up, because a zoner will always be a zoner, and they'll just try to get away again. If you do resort to EX Arc Kick to beat a torrent of projectiles, I suggest running in after them and unleashing an F2,B1 string when you're in rage for the hard knockdown at close. Now you get to rush like you're supposed to!
Ideally, however, you'd beat a zoner by being patient and dexterous. Duck their projectiles, and walk toward them in-between shots. If you're in a safe enough range, Dive Kick over a projectile to cover bonus distance and scare the crap out of them. Trust me, they'll freak out pretty quickly that you're closing in (Covert Ops Sonya is a nightmare at close-range) and start making mistakes. Usually they'll try to jump at you to kick you away. Read their jumps, or walk/run out of their attack range and counter with your F2. I beat my Ice Clone Sub-Zeroes using this freak-them-out tactic. Just stalk them like Predator and close in like Jason in-between their dumb little projectiles, and they'll soon freak and do something punishable. In this specific case, however, remember his Slide! That's the Sub-Zero freakout move. As you close in, block low whenever you feel he might slide. There's no punish for blocking low at a distance. Also throw your Rings when you get a chance. It might hit them out of making their Ice Clone, and it's added pressure to stimulate their freakout time.
I'll share some Demolition stuff another time if anyone wants. Was having a tough time with this one, but I'm getting the hang of it! It's fun when you learn it well.
