Stage Mode - Can't beat stage 3 difficult

[STM1993]

And now, they keep stealing the weapons and boulders aren't nearly as effective because it often gets deflected and Dennis has a weak throw. Now my problem is facing enemy Woody/Dennis for their D>J. No improvement in stage progress(3-3). I also started using D>J less because unlike Firen, he has exposed areas and hit lag causes them to be further exposed.

The reason why I used D>A a lot even if it doesn't work is because it'd distract the AI as long as there is a ball coming at them. I'll be trying more D^A and using >>J to dash more than to use J twice. Perhaps I should also change the way I input moves - by pressing all keys at once rather than one button at a time?

EDIT:
Big improvement now, finished all heroes in 3-3, only died because I got confused with my controls at the end with D>A against a sorcerer ice ball. Key is abusing D^A and >>JA and being VERY patient(which I hadn't been, I kept trying to attack) just like when fighting YinYin, and taking advantage of the fact that the enemies also try to grab weapons. Not gonna bother with D>A except in emergencies. Reserve D>J for getting away if I can't use run, and try not to steer into a big crowd(at most 3 enemies and hit via z-axis). It seems heroes become stupid when holding a weapon, tending not to use their special moves - good to know when fighting Davis, possibly Dennis and Woody.

Also got the inspiration I want for my character. Yay!