Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Lucario builds midrange patience with Aura Sphere and movement, then cashes out hard once aura scaling is online. Bowser Jr. cannot keep feeding even scrambles and expect the lead to stay safe.
The stable route is to use Mechakoopa and cannonball to cut off Aura Sphere charge and dash lanes, then funnel the jump or burst option into Uair juggles and landing traps.
Up Smash, Up B, Side B, Dash Attack, and Down Smash are the committed answers you want to punish. If those hit shield, Up Smash or Grab should relaunch Lucario before the comeback factor gets out of hand.
Neutral Air and Forward Air are different. They are awkward to challenge up close, and Counter starts matter more at kill percent, so covering the landing and ledge path is safer than pressing on the spot.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Bowser Jr. OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 5 | -16 | -15 | -14 |
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| Jab 2 | 5 | -18 | -18 | -17 |
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| Jab 3 | 9 | -23 | -22 | -21 |
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| Forward Tilt | 12/15 | -12 | -11 | -8 |
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| Up Tilt | 6 | -22/-21 | -20/-20 | -18/-17 |
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| Down Tilt | 7 | -9 | -7 | -5 |
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| Dash Attack | 7 | -28/-27 | -26/-24 | -22/-20 |
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| Forward Smash | 19 | -27/-25 | -24/-26 | -19/-21 |
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| Up Smash | 15/19 | -37/-38 | -34/-36 | -30/-31 |
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| Down Smash | 16 | -28 | -25 | -21 |
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| Neutral Air | 10/18 | -2/-2 | -1/-2 | 0/-1 |
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| Forward Air | 7 | -6 | -6 | -5 |
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| Back Air | 13 | -10/-10 | -9/-9 | -7/-7 |
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| Up Air | 10 | -10/-10 | -9/-10 | -7/-9 |
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| Down Air | 4/11 | -10/-9 | -9/-9 | -8/-8 |
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| Neutral B | 9 (+8) | -26 | -25 | -23 |
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| Side B | (9)24 | -24/-30 | -19/-27 | -10/-24 |
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| Up B | 46 | -23/-31 | -22/-31 | -19/-29 |
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| Down B | 5 (Start of Counter) | — | ||
| Grab | 7 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 10 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 11 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- When ahead, cut down the raw brawls and use Mechakoopa plus cannonball to block Aura Sphere charge and dash movement.
- If Up Smash, Up B, Side B, Dash Attack, or Down Smash hits shield, answer with Up Smash or Grab and carry Lucario back to ledge.
- After stopping Neutral Air or Forward Air, cover the landing and ledge path instead of giving Counter or a whiff punish the next guess.
- Take stocks by stacking ledge pressure with Up Smash, Bair, and another Mechakoopa rather than reopening center-stage scrambles.
Actions to Avoid
- Playing even scrambles from the opening seconds and helping Lucario’s aura scaling matter sooner.
- Forcing a kill chase so hard that you walk into the reversal range of Back Air or Up B.
- Mashing after Neutral Air or Forward Air and giving the next exchange to a whiff punish or Counter.
- Giving up center while ahead and letting Lucario recharge Aura Sphere and land freely again.