Looking for guidance as a brand new player

[wanton quest]

Sf6 is really the first time I've properly jumped into the fighting game genre so I was looking for advice on how to cement the fundamentals for this game before I move onto combos and such. For example when it comes to blocking Manons gap closing kicks is it better to super parry or regular block or are both not smart plays and I should try taking advantage of the DI instead (I think that's what its called.

At the moment I'm playing Luke (might branch out to Ken or Kimberly later), but I just keep getting mauled in the majority of the matches I've played so far.

In addition, the majority of the time I'm having trouble getting off special moves despite being fairly consistent in training rooms (I'm going to assume this is normal, but after 6 hours of gametime I'm starting to be unsure).

[spiral lodge]

execution wise: yeah, it takes more than 6h to get good at special moves
keep on practicing
AntiAIr is a huge part of the game, try to put some practice into that too

about being mauled: look at the replay with frame data on, and leanr 1-2 or two things you can do differently next time.
e.g. a punish where you missed one.
over time, this adds up

[wanton quest]

Appreciate the advice, I'll check the replays out when I get home, there's definitely a few matches I know I could've won if I was more aware.

I also didn't know there was a replay option lmao

[cursive rock]

And listen, sometimes you just need a break. With a sleep debt of even 5hrs, your reaction time goes down by 10%

I see too many new players grinding ranked even on an empty tank