Stage Mode - Can't beat stage 3 difficult

[STM1993]

1) The AI will actually shoot/throw weapons diagonally, and are actually very accurate with it espeically when you're already in mid-air from jumping. I have no problem with avoiding otherwise and never block unless its a diagonal shot with no other way to avoid. That's why I'm trying to get my >>J input to be perfect and avoid using J+J to dash.
2) Been trying to do that. They tend to stick too close to each other and the longer I keep the battle going, the more I begin to make mistakes from inputs and from getting weary. I have absolutely no problem with Deep or Rudolf, its mostly Dennis & Woody.
3) Already do that. And I'm using Dennis, whose >>JA has arest instead of vrest like Deep/Rudolf, which means I can only hit one enemy with >>JA, which makes things harder. I can use a weapon, but I find using a weapon slower and I tend to mess up my controls and end up throwing. That, and the AI can suddenly block, and Dennis has a lot of issues with his DvA missing his last kick.
4) Already do that.
5) Will consider it. With Mark + Jack + Sorcerer on Crazy.
6) As mentioned, they stick too close together and my >>JA is arest. I hit one, the rest will combo me. Plus, I don't want to free criminals.

Thanks for the advice though.