I suppose you could call it that, I like to call it prediction, which is most of what Brawl is. Anyways, there's a large gap between "guessing game" and "garbage". I think it's an extremely viable tool in keeping Marth on his toes as far as short-hopping fairs is concerned.
Now as for side b. This move is a spacing tool yes. But it has mediocre start-up and can be blocked/dodged on reaction. That's not good and it hurts this tools viability in the match-up. Which sucks because she really needs it to fight Marth.
The point of side-b is not to connect, it's to force approaches and punish bad spacing. I never expect to hit with a side-b when I'm spacing with it, it's just a pleasant surprise if I do.
As far as moveset goes there is no comparison. Move for move Marth is superior. All of Marth's moves have high utility and are useful. ZSS has more synergy in her moveset. Her moves are made to work together. She is made to flow, not throw out moves in any given scenario. This is good when she has control but not so good when she loses it.
I kind of agree with this. There are a couple situations where ZSS can get stuck without options, however, I don't think it's such a ridiculous margin like you make it out to be. I don't think ALL of Marth's moves are of high utility. I think he relies on the great ones that are very adaptive, allowing him to use the same ones in many situations (f-air, side-b, up-b, etc.). The same goes for ZSS, she relies heavily on the same few moves to handle an array of situations, in fact, she probably has more viable options than Marth in most situations (since her moveset is so similar across the board).
I just don't see Marth mixing it up with an f-tilt or jab when he could use a side-b or d-tilt. It's the same for ZSS, she has solid options that she relies on.
After Marth gets past b move zoning, what else is left? Marth wins the close range game by far. And she falls prey to his shield pressure due to her poor rolling and dodging and lacking good OoS options.
You make it sound so easy. And plus, ZSS has great mobility, you may get a quick punish, but one hit and we're back to you trying to get to me.
Their mobility is equal so it just comes down to movesets and Marth wins out.
I fail to see the authenticity of this statement. How I look at it, we've got better ground speed, better jump speed, and equal aerial control. Marth has a better backroll, but we've got equal forward rolls, (plus all ZSS's know backroll is garbage and to avoid it)
ZSS also has nice combos and this is where her synergy kicks in. But her combo starters are D-smash and her shots which means there won't be many chances to get these off consistently.
and d-tilt, and n-air, and u-air, and dash attack, and up-b, and...
She can't go toe to toe in terms of hits either. Marth has a sword. If she challenges him she will usually lose. She has to keep him out or she loses.
But Marth has all the tools to penetrate that zoning and keep up his own zoning.
If she challenges the wrong area with the wrong moves, then absolutely, but it's the same way with everyone. Yes, Marth has the one-up in priority, but I think ZSS has the mobility and tools to deal with it.