Combos vs Sequences, Ultimately which is better?

It seems like because of combo scaling and the plain familiarity with the basic character combo that they are limited in a way. First there is a limit to the amount of damage that a combo can do. Second each character has limited amount of basic combos, once you've studied their setups, you can see them coming and defend. e.g Once you've seen Akira's top 4 or 5 combos and know how to anticipate when they're used, or what the standard setups look like you can avoid them.

On the other hand, I don't think there is any kind of sequence scaling is there? So potentially you can come up with sequences that can do 100% damage. And, there are far more sequences than there are combos. Every combo is a sequence but not every sequence is a combo.

I realize that sequences can be stopped and combo's once the initial strike is successful can't be stopped. But, each character has a limited number of basic combos, and combo starters. If your opponent focuses on denying you the combo starters and setups for combo starters then UR dead in water
right? But some (non combo) sequences are a lot more subtle and more based on individual style. Whereas I might recognize the standard setups for a combo and be able to avoid it, It not as easy to see someone's esoteric sequence coming, and if their mixup is good, I could pay a very heavy price.

Obviously advanced players will have a deep arsenal of both combos and sequences, but for beginning to intermediate players is it better to focus on pulling off all of the standard combos for your character? or are you better off developing your own arsenal of sequences, that your opponent may have never seen before and may not have figured out how to defend against.

 

I AGREE TO THE 10TH POWER!!