Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Ivysaur covers midrange very well with Forward Air, Back Air, Up Air, Down Tilt, and Razor Leaf, then converts that first stop into strong juggles and ledgetraps. If Falco keeps trying to burst through with a run-in or a high jump, he is likely to lose at vine tip and get pushed into the exact disadvantage state he wants to avoid.
But Ivysaur is not built to brawl forever once Falco gets through the first layer. Jab 1, Jab 2, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, Neutral Air, Forward Air, Down Air, Neutral B, Side B, and Up B are all punishable on shield by OOS Nair (6f) or Up Smash (7f), so taking the first wall on shield before starting close-range pressure shifts the reward heavily toward Falco.
Blaster also matters here because it interrupts repeated Razor Leaf pacing and pushes Ivysaur toward low jumps or retreat movement, which are exactly the heights Falco can chase with Up Tilt, Nair, and Uair.
The win condition is not a raw grounded whiff-punish war. Force movement first, launch Ivysaur upward, then keep cashing out on the landing weakness and the tether recovery route until Back Air at the ledge or vertical kills close the stock.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Falco OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 7 | -17 |
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| Jab 2 | 5 | -19 |
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| Rapid Jab | 4/7/10… | — | ||
| Rapid Jab Finisher | 4 | -32 |
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| Forward Tilt | 10/12/14/16/18/20/22 | -20 |
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| Up Tilt | 7 | -18 |
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| Down Tilt | 4 | -21 |
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| Dash Attack | 4 | -27 |
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| Forward Smash | 15 | -33 |
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| Up Smash | 26 | -21 |
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| Down Smash | 13 | -26/-25/-24 |
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| Neutral Air | 7/10/13/16/19/22/25/28 | -14/-14 |
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| Forward Air | 14 | -8 |
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| Back Air | 7/13 | -5/-4 |
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| Up Air | 12 | -6 |
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| Down Air | 11 | -9 |
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| Neutral B | 7 | -34 |
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| Side B | 24 | -14 |
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| Up B | 15 | -22/-20 |
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| Down B | — | — | ||
| Grab | 13 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 13 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 13 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Do not try to jump straight over vine range. Use Blaster and walk-shield first so Razor Leaf or an aerial has to come out before you steer Ivysaur into Up Tilt, Nair, and Uair height.
- After blocking Jab 1, Jab 2, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, Neutral Air, Forward Air, Down Air, Neutral B, Side B, or Up B, punish immediately with OOS Nair (6f) or Up Smash (7f), and add Grab (10f) or OOS Uair (10f) when spacing allows.
- After stopping a tip-spaced Back Air or Up Air, do not end the sequence with one big swing on the spot. Track the retreat landing and the ledge direction so the second touch is what starts the real juggle.
- At the ledge, do not dive too low. Read the height of Vine Whip recovery or the landing spot afterward, then close the route with Back Air, Up Smash, or Uair.
- At kill percent, lean on ledge Back Air and vertical chase routes instead of forcing one big center-stage read, so Ivysaur’s own up-kill threat never gets the reset it needs.
Actions to Avoid
- Trying to jump over vine range or Razor Leaf on reaction and giving Ivysaur a free anti-air with Fair, Bair, or Uair.
- Blocking Jab 1, Jab 2, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, Neutral Air, Forward Air, Down Air, Neutral B, Side B, or Up B but still letting Ivysaur rebuild the midrange wall.
- Swinging big right after every blocked Back Air or Up Air tipper and getting clipped by drift back or another landing trap.
- Chasing too far below the ledge and exposing Falco’s predictable recovery before Ivysaur is forced into a committed tether path.
- Ending the juggle too early after the first launch and letting Ivysaur escape one of the matchup’s clearest weak points.