So how am I supposed to fish for damage in this game? What kinds of things should I be doing?
That seems to be a loaded question.
Are you unfamiliar with DOA5 in general? There are tutorials from Emperor Cow and an in-game tutorial if you can't understand controls.
That's the thing, I don't know how to get better. Hence why I made a thread asking to be pointed in the right direction. No one seems to want/know how to answer.
DOA5U is a game based considerably on the use of yomi to overcome the opponent. Other fighters use this asset as well, but not to this extent. Virtua Fighter is probably the next most yomi intensive 3D fighter. Make no mistake, these games go about handling the yomi required a little differently. (I can explain this for those who think DOA and Virtua Fighter are exactly the same)
To get better requires knowing your options and your opponents', at any given time. From the offensive standpoint, while in critical stun
or in neutral, you are required to analyze the situation and execute the most likely option that will be successful in damaging your opponent.
The more you learn your character and your opponent's character while also learning your opponent's playstyle (or a general noob vs veteran/pro playstyle), the more successful you will be in winning matches consecutively.
Noobs tend to strike without heeding the disadvantage of their attacks, leading to whiff punishment, strike punishment, and throw punishment.
Veterans/Pros have a clearer understanding of these consequences and their skill differentiates accordingly. Dealing with them in critical state will prove to be more difficult, but understand the odds are in your favor, in most cases.
If you reveal a main character you like to use, I'm sure someone here could reveal how you should use them to get in there and start winning fights.