Even in base, the guy looked like he had an answer to most problems. During his invasion of Amegakure alone, he dealt with a variety of issues. He can travel in the smallest toads and hide in peoples' shadows, proving he's a master of stealth (probably had lots of experience from collecting research). He DID manage to not only defeat a path, but escape with 1 arm while all 6 paths were present before. This was in Sage Mode, but the idea still stands. Your opponent is invisible? Use a detection barrier. Konan "immune" to physical damage? Literally pull out her greatest weakness. SM Jiraiya's on a new level because he only adds more to his long list of jutsu, and they all can be hazardous. In most cases he doesn't even need Frog Song, he just took that route because ninjutsu and taijutsu were apparently being countered.
Meh his fighting style seems to strive off having a variety and lost list of jutsu. These characters benefit the most from having more panel time.