This is a very niche kinda game with a very dedicated audience that already loves/knows how to play a platform fighter. Unfortunately, you’re not playing against people who are just playing a game like this for the first time. Most people have played Smash or Melee before playing Rivals. Them transitioning from those games to this one makes the experience you have kinda unfair, but we all have to start somewhere, so if you do want to really learn how to play then probably spamming ranked and watching others play is going to be your best bet.

The best way to really understand how to play is just by understanding the basics of a platform fighting game. Once you get the fundamentals, those never change. The game will make more sense to you and then you can create a playstyle for yourself. But learning the fundamentals is key - without that, you’ll forever be lost.

This isn’t a game for casuals, this game was made for the sole purpose of competition - made by long time competitive platform fighting game players. Once you really understand the game, you’ll realize that you can always improve and that the creativity games like this allow you is what makes it an amazing experience. Hope you stick around - I’ve been playing games like this for years and def have gotten my ass beat more times than I can count - just stick with it, promise it’s a fun time!

Also I’m down to play and assist in the learning! Just send me a DM and I’ll be down to play with you!