So I guess Adelheid isn't in the arcade version? It's been about two months and still no unlocks.
I was a little intimidated by this game at first by some of the Touch of Death stuff I've seen (such as Shen's BC combo) because I've never been a fan of that. Then I realized you don't really have to learn BC combos and all that. You could just as well use EX and EX Supers and do comparable damage.
You shouldn't worry too much about Shen's 100% etc, most every character can 90%+ if they have a full cancel gauge and 5 stocks, but you can only do it on the 5th round etc, and you gotta find an opening, especially Shen's it's actually not as common as you think. If anything, be worried about the characters than can do 50%+ damage with 1 cancel+1 super in the corners, I'll take the 100% any day compared to those (or Elizabeths or K's in general...)
You're absolutely correct, you don't need BC combos to win at all, Ex combos/NeoMaxes are suffice. I use Chin and I never go into hyperdrive and most of the time, I hold my own. That being said, this year's BC combos are much easier than 2k2 so you might as well learn it when it's easy.
Bottom line, I'm rock hard and dripping for this game.
Urm, that's an interesting metaphor. o_O