Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
This matchup is decided by whether Peach gets to float in from favorable heights and smother Duck Hunt at close range, or whether Duck Hunt keeps changing the screen with can and gunman so those float approaches never arrive on clean timing.
Peach is excellent at breaking simple zoning patterns with low float aerials and turnips, and once she reaches point-blank range, Duck Hunt’s direct defensive options are not especially strong. On the other hand, Peach’s grounded mobility and vertical recovery are not overwhelming, so if her float height is read and her landing is forced, Duck Hunt can still push her to the ledge and make the stock very fragile.
The frame table shows that Jab 1, Jab 2, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Dash Attack, every smash attack, and Side B (1)(2) all lose to OOS Nair (9f), OOS Uair (9f), Grab (10f), OOS Fair (10f), OOS Bair (10f), or Up Smash (12f). Those grounded force-ins and Peach Bomber attempts need to be punished every time so Peach does not get free value from taking the floor.
By contrast, Down Tilt and most float aerials are largely safe. Swinging immediately after those usually just reopens the scramble at the range Peach wants. When the punish is not real, Duck Hunt should keep moving the can, retreat, and cover the next landing spot or drift lane with fair, bair, or up smash instead of forcing the first answer.
For kills, the reliable route is ledge clutter, not center-stage scraps. Stack can, gunman, bair, and smashes around jump and defensive getup options, and make Peach return through prepared space rather than chasing deep offstage where her horizontal recovery is strongest.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Duck Hunt OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 2 | -22 |
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| Jab 2 | 2 | -23 |
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| Forward Tilt | 7 | -22/-21 |
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| Up Tilt | 9 | -20/-18 |
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| Down Tilt | 8 | -8 |
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| Dash Attack | 6/17 | -14 |
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| Forward Smash | 15 | -20/-21/-18 |
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| Up Smash | 14 | -20/-19 |
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| Down Smash | 6/10/14/18/22/26/30 | -21 |
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| Neutral Air | 5 | -2/-4 |
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| Forward Air | 16 | -8/-8 |
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| Back Air | 6 | -6/-8 |
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| Up Air | 10/15 | -4/-4 |
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| Down Air | 12/18/24/30 | -6/-5 |
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| Neutral B | 9 (Start of Counter) | — | ||
| Side B (1) | 13 | -13 |
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| Side B (2) | 13 | -13 |
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| Up B | 7/11/16/21/26/31 | — | ||
| Down B | — | — | ||
| Grab | 6 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 9 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 10 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Keep can and gunman active as moving lane controls, not static walls, so Peach’s float-in routes keep changing.
- Punish Jab 1, Jab 2, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Dash Attack, every smash attack, and Side B (1)(2) with OOS Nair (9f), OOS Uair (9f), Grab (10f), OOS Fair (10f), OOS Bair (10f), or Up Smash (12f) whenever they touch shield.
- Do not force immediate retaliation against Down Tilt or float aerial pressure; move the can, retreat, and hit the next landing or drift path instead.
- When Peach gets close, prioritize rebuilding midrange with can or gunman rather than gambling on a big panic swing.
- Finish stocks at ledge by layering can, gunman, bair, up smash, and forward smash over jump and defensive getup options.
Actions to Avoid
- Do not repeat the same can line over and over and let Peach float over it on autopilot.
- Do not challenge every Down Tilt or float aerial immediately and hand close-range control back to Peach.
- Do not panic with large swings after losing space and feed Peach’s extended pressure.
- Do not chase too deep offstage and give up the prepared ledge traps that win this matchup more reliably.