Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
This matchup gets ugly for Dedede if Hero is allowed to create time with sword range and projectiles, then cycle all the way into Command Selection.
That said, Hero does not have elite close-range frame cycling or shield pressure, and the table shows real punish windows on jab strings, tilts, Dash Attack, every smash attack, Neutral B, and Side B, so Dedede has a clear plan of walking and shielding through projectiles, then cashing out blocked buttons with Grab (10f) or OOS Nair (10f).
Gordo should not be tossed carelessly from full screen because Hero can swat it back with the sword or cover it with spells; it works better from mid-range where it clips menu startup and charge timing while still being hard to turn back on Dedede himself.
For kills, it is more repeatable to make Hero spend MP on air dodge, Up B, or other escapes and then seal jump, neutral get-up, and panic options at ledge with Back Air, Up Tilt, and smash attacks than to gamble on deep offstage chases before Hero finds the one explosive opening he needs.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | King Dedede 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
- Do not spam Gordo from full screen; place it at mid-range where it reaches Hero’s Command Selection or charged spell setup while still keeping enough spacing that a reflected Gordo or spell does not immediately hit you back.
- After blocking jabs, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, any smash attack, Neutral B, or Side B, take the guaranteed punish first with Grab (10f) or OOS Nair (10f) so Hero cannot reset distance for free.
- After shielding Forward Air, Back Air, or Up Air, do not force an immediate punish; cover the landing or drift-back endpoint instead with Forward Air, Up Air, or a re-thrown Gordo and win the second interaction.
- Do not overchase center stage. Walk, shield, and pre-place hitboxes to take space, then make Hero spend MP on Side B, Up B, or defensive movement before converting into ledge pressure.
- Prioritize ledge trapping over deep edgeguards, using Back Air for jump, Up Tilt and smash attacks for panic or grounded get-up options, and finish the stock before Hero finds a high-payoff spell or swing.
Actions to Avoid
- Do not repeat full-screen Gordos and eat both the reflected projectile and Hero’s follow-up approach or spell.
- Do not try to punish every pause from Hero with Dash Attack or Forward Smash and run into Forward Air, Back Air, Up Smash, or Command Selection reversals.
- Do not swing right away after every blocked Forward Air, Back Air, or Up Air and whiff into Hero taking back mid-range control.
- Do not chase too deep offstage and give up Dedede’s strongest ledge sequence to an altered Up B route or Command Selection recovery mix.