I figure you're good at brawl, and i know you took time writing that but...
YOU'RE WRONG!
there are a few tricks that help me with Ike:
1.(Most important) SIDESTEP: Imagine your opponent is an autolance (common subspace enemy). As you know, the problem with Ike is his speed, so cheap attacks (ex: holding a with metaknight, pits arrows, etc.) are very damaging.
Back on the subject of autolances. we've all had to fight them, and it's really annoying until you learn to sidestep, atack, sidestep, attack and so on. you're going to have to do that with most fast opponents.
2. FORWARD+B: you may seem like a n00b, because of it, but you need to use this attack often. It takes some skill to master this, though.
I usually get to the edge of the course as soon as the game begins and charge it up. the only defenses against this are: grapping the edge and pressing b or squeezing in behind Ike. Luckily, with your attack charged, you can escape these defenses if you can see them coming.
This is also a good defense for cheap attacks. most people block with their sheild, but with Ike, it's not always best. block with this attack if needed. it can be very helpful. For example: say pit is attacking with his bow and arrows. hit pit's arrow after he fires it. sidestep behind him and charge a smash attack (forward+A is my fav). this type of thing happens often, using the forward+B to block an attack, then sidestepping to attack your opponent.
3. ATTACKING AFTER GETTING LAUNCHED: happens to me all the time. someone launches me and continues to do it. the two moves that are good for this: eruption and aether.
Eruption: after getting lauched, if launched high, charge eruption (standard b). when you're above your opponent, with a little space inbetween you, let go. As ike plunges his sword downwards, you're enemy's only defense is to sidestep, which usually does no good because as soon as they're vulnarable again, the shockwave of fire gets them. if they sidestep twice,they're far enough away to grab some items or hit them with your forward+b attack.
Aether: use this when you're launched short heights.
of course you could just down+a or use sheild, but sometimes those aren't effective.
4. DOWN+B: we all know Ike's slow, but this is attck that can combat any other attack, if you can see it coming.
5. CLOSE RANGE: as i told you before, sidestepping is key. but so is dodging. if you can do bothe of these well, then stay in close range, because his attacks are short ranged, but strong.
6. EXPECTING THE EXPECTED: contradictory to nuber five, another technique is to wait for opponents to come for you, and charge your attacks. with skillful opponents, it isn't always good, but every now-and-then, it helps.
7. STAY ON THE GROUND: i am not fond of his arials, so i suggest to stay on the ground.
8: PRACTICE: last step. train, practice, try. it takes a short while to master ike.