Asada's strategy is more on securing silver than winning gold at this point. Asada doesn't have to worry about qualities because she has enough qualities to satisfy the judges, except against Kim. Her disadvantage comes when she is measured against Kim or Kostner at her best skating or Murakami at super outing possibly.
Wrong. Another silver medal is of little value for Mao. At the time of Vancouver Olympics, she didn't have any "quantity" advantage against Kim. Her total base values are only 2 points higher than Kim's. This time, 12 points base value gap is impossible to fill just with "quality". Even so-called "quality" is not something measurable objectively. It depends on the judges' favors. With overwhelming base values (given expected lenient Olympic standars), Mao will be considered as the favorite. This recognition is the most important thing in this sport.