Smash Tactics

I was checking out the internet for some advice on how to improve my Super Smash Brothers: Brawl skills. What I've found horrifies me. The competitive scene plays about twenty layers above my skill level. It's like we didn't even buy the same game. The basic tenets are the same. I base my game around the same basic principles I play almost every single fighting game.

Faster, weaker characters that can capitalize on mistakes
Play a more patient, defense-oriented game
Block often, then counter
Attack when they can't fight back

There are exceptions, but it mostly boils down to block their attack, hit back.

In contrast, here's a sample tactical sentence based on what I learned: "Zelda's Usmash can be comboed twice on the ground when at low percentages, but the opponent can DI out of it." Here's another, describing how to do a move that is legal within the physics system of the game, jumping while facing backwards: "To execute a RAR, dash, tap backwards, then forwards and jump. This way, you can lead with the Bair, which for most characters is their best approach."

My favorite example of how crazy fighting games can get? This is from a national championship for Street Fighter III, 3rd Strike. The repeated timing needed to execute the repeated parries is within fractions of a second, and it's almost robotic the way he executes. That, plus the way the crowd goes apeshit, makes me realize... I need a new hobby.