Patterns or reaction?

When I juggle something other than a spherical ball there are two ways to go about it. One-to learn the timing of each revolution, so as to catch an object in the same spot no matter the number of spins. Two-to learn to catch that object on all surfaces, that my hand is able to catch it at what ever angle it may fall.

I bring up juggling because it illustrates a point in swordsmanship that I am thinking about. I am at a certain point in training where I am starting to see patterns of cuts and blocks that, if done succesively, open up spots to strike. Strikes on opposite sides of the body which force an opponent to take wider blocks, sending the sword further away from the middle. Or using hard blocks to force an opponent to strike at a certain angle, which is a setup for a rebound parry.

But the problem is that for certain levels of swordsmen these patterns are useless. Beginners wouldn`t see or recognize openings and more advanced practioners should have more complicated patterns, perphaps even the strategy of utilizing one`s pattern against oneself! So what I am pondering is, like juggling, should I study up on different patterns, ways to draw an opponents strike, and even the rythm of a pattern itself? Or is it better for one to know every type of cut, block, parry and every possible response to each? Should I aim to be seemingly complex, never aiming to strike on my cut but planning four or five steps down the road? Or does the answer lie in the fast, decisive cut, the only one for that given situation?