Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Falco wants to punish Hero’s jab string, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, smashes, Neutral B, Side B, Back Air, and Down Air with OOS Nair (6f), Up Smash (7f), and Grab (8f), then carry those shields straight into juggle pressure.
In Falco vs Hero, giving too much room means more charge time and more command menu time, so it is more stable to stop Hero’s hands with Laser and touch the jump or landing first.
The table shows that Hero’s Side B, Neutral B, all smashes, Rapid Jab Finisher, Back Air, and Down Air all have clear punish windows, making shield stops a reliable way into Up Tilt or Up Air pressure.
Up Air is still almost safe and Up B is awkward to challenge from shield, so Falco should not overforce anti-air trades and should instead build kills from underneath with juggle control and ledge traps.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Falco OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 6 | -15 |
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| Jab 2 | 6 | -15 |
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| Jab 3 | 7 | -25 |
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| Forward Tilt (1) | 9 | -21 |
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| Forward Tilt (2) | 8 | -31 |
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| Up Tilt | 8 | -23 |
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| Down Tilt | 6 | -19 |
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| Dash Attack | 21 | -16 |
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| Forward Smash | 17 | -36 (-26) |
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| Up Smash | 13 | -29 (-19) |
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| Down Smash | 9/20 | -37/-26 (-29/-18) |
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| Neutral Air | 8 | -6 |
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| Forward Air | 14 | -7 |
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| Back Air | 18 | -9 |
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| Up Air | 6 | -5 |
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| Down Air | 16 | -12 |
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| Neutral B | [10(+7)] [11(+25)] [16(2/8/14/20)] | -22/-28/-24 |
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| Side B | [9/13(+7)] [10/15(+16)] [43/50/72/75/81] | -12/-25/-29 |
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| Up B | [4(+3)] [6/13/20/27(+13)] [39/49/59/69/79/89] | ** | ||
| Down B | — | — | ||
| Grab | 6 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 9 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 10 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Falco should use Laser to rush Hero’s charge timing and menu timing so grounded sword swings come out under pressure.
- After blocking Hero’s jab string, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, Neutral B, Side B, Back Air, or Down Air, answer immediately with OOS Nair (6f), Up Smash (7f), or Grab (8f).
- Once Hero is launched, keep the sequence on Up Air juggles and landing traps so another menu decision never appears for free.
- Take kills from ledge Back Air, Up Smash, and vertical chase so Hero gets fewer chances to swing a heavy smash or spell.
Actions to Avoid
- Backing off too far and letting Hero calmly charge or scroll for menu options.
- Blocking Side B or Neutral B and still giving Hero the next heavy swing because the punish was delayed.
- Forcing a challenge into Up B or Up Air and losing the juggle advantage for no reason.
- Panicking at the ledge and jumping directly into Back Air or smash coverage.