I used to blame bad matchups, cheap tactics, and just about everything except my own decisions. Then I spent enough time getting thoroughly beaten to notice how predictable I was. Jump too often, get anti-aired. Throw out something reckless, eat a punish. It's a ruthless way to learn, especially with links that demand such fussy timing. Yet the little improvements are addictive. Reading one desperate reversal or finally winning a patient, scrappy round feels better than any accidental combo I ever landed at the arcade.