Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Dark Samus should not use Charge Shot only for straight projectile trades here; mixing Missiles and low aerial drift to move Zelda herself first is what cuts off Phantom setup time before the trap ever becomes active.
The table shows that after blocking Zelda’s Jab, Up Tilt, Dash Attack, Neutral B, grounded Up B, and Down B, Dark Samus can answer with Up B (4f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Fair (9f), and Grab (10f), so close-range contact is still repayable.
At the same time, predictable Charge Shot timings into Nayru’s Love or direct jumps over Phantom into Forward Air and Back Air feed Zelda the exact reversal windows she wants.
Dark Samus should close stocks by getting ahead of Zelda’s weak movement, then covering the landing zone and ledge with Uair, Fair, Up B, and a held Charge Shot so Farore’s Wind exits stay squeezed.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Dark Samus OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Jab | 4/6/8/10… | — | ||
| Rapid Jab Finisher | 6 | -32 |
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| Jab | 4/7 | -13 |
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| Forward Tilt | 12 | -13/-10 |
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| Up Tilt | 7 | -15 |
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| Down Tilt | 5 | -10 |
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| Dash Attack | 6 | -18 |
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| Forward Smash | 16/18/20/22/24 | -16 |
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| Up Smash | 9/13/17/21/25/29/34 | -25 |
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| Down Smash | 5/13 | -24/-17 |
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| Neutral Air | 6/10/14/18/22 | -10/-9 |
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| Forward Air | 6 | -8/-12 |
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| Back Air | 6 | -8/-12 |
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| Up Air | 14 | -6/-8 |
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| Down Air | 14 | -6/-9 |
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| Neutral B | 11… | -25 |
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| Side B | 44—70 | -18 to -10 |
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| Up B | 6/35 | -29 (ground) // -19 (air) |
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| Down B | 26/32/38/46/59-127 | -19 to -15 |
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| Grab | 10 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 13 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 14 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- When Zelda starts building Phantom, Dark Samus should not stay planted for a full charge; use Missiles, forward drift, and low aerial movement to narrow Zelda’s retreat path first.
- After Dark Samus blocks Zelda’s Jab, Up Tilt, Dash Attack, Neutral B, grounded Up B, or Down B, immediately choose the reachable answer from Up B (4f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Fair (9f), and Grab (10f).
- After seeing Nayru’s Love, Dark Samus should not fire again in panic; wait for the whiffed reflector or landing lag, then take Fair, Grab, or a landing trap.
- Once Dark Samus launches Zelda, do not drift too far underneath her; use Uair, Up B, and a held Charge Shot to split the landing spot from Farore’s Wind reappearance.
Actions to Avoid
- Repeating Charge Shot from midrange at a fixed rhythm and letting Nayru’s Love create Zelda’s reversal for free.
- Staying in front of a completed Phantom and taking the full trap together with Din’s Fire pressure.
- Jumping in from the same height without a read and handing Zelda easy lightning kick intercepts with Forward Air or Back Air.
- Chasing Farore’s Wind too deep below the ledge and giving up position to Zelda’s reappearance or ledge coverage.