I meant more in comparing execution/strategy involved. right now it seems like airdashers for the most part require the most execution of fighting games, and also the most strategy options.
I guess nowadays, people who play airdashers online in general are at least reasonably competent on fighting game basics in general. I think people often forget about people who don't play competitively at all, and just enjoy the story line or play with friends every once in awhile which I started out doing. My 1st exposure to airdashers was actually guilty gear X1 on ps1. back then I had no idea what roman cancels were, but thought the character design, music, pace, etc was way better than sf. played ggxx casually on ps2, mainly with occasional person who also don't play, and against ai. It wasn't till BBCS came out till I learned jump cancels, rapid cancels, basic strategy, etc. it was nice having a challenge mode, with movelists and demos laid out. After that, I did not even bother with SF, at all, and tbh have not even tried SFV. I admit I'm still not that good at doing combos, I can't complete bbcf challenge mode level 2 with anyone, or ever every combo in a combo video. some characters I use just have the weird moves that interfere with my muscle memory at level one. I can still pull off some that would wow regular players, who might be coming from sf or don't play fighting games in general.
I guess that's why people seem to come up with things like blazblue is all about combos, and not spacing, mindgames, etc. they seem even reasonably competent players can dish out some combos that look really impressive to casuals. they probably watched a few casual vids on youtube, or played 1 match online. In reality, I think airdashers require a lot more skill in all those other areas, with all the extra options you have defensively and offensively.
For ones who say that they move away from the fundimentals too much. I would argue that, they have evolved to the point they have their own fundamentals. mechanics like bursts, jump cancels, airdashes, rapid/homing/arcana extend/roman cancels, etc have just become common in too many games, that they became the fundamental mechanics. Thats why I actually recommend games like persona, BB or GG to beginners getting into fighting games. good tutorials, story line, etc to keep beginners entertained for awhile, and teach the basics, which can be applied to less popular titles.