Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Lucina wants to punish Charizard’s jab sequence, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Forward Air, Back Air, and Side B with Up B (5f) and OOS Uair (8f), then repeatedly cash out on Charizard’s large hurtbox and slow landing.
In Lucina vs Charizard, trading up close is worse than forcing sword tip pressure with Fair and Nair, because limiting the jump and landing first cuts down Charizard’s explosive reversals.
The table shows that Charizard’s Side B, Forward Smash, Up Smash, Down Smash, Neutral B, Forward Air, and Back Air all leave meaningful shield punish windows, so those blocks should become ledge carry whenever possible.
If Lucina chases Neutral Air scrambles or Up B mashing too carelessly, the weight difference can flip the game fast, so kills should come from ledge sequences and repeated landing traps rather than forced swings.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Lucina OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 4 | -14 |
| |
| Jab 2 | 5 | -16 |
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| Jab 3 | 7 | -20 |
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| Forward Tilt | 12 | -18/-15 |
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| Up Tilt | 9 | -16 |
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| Down Tilt | 9 | -11 |
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| Dash Attack | 10 | -12 |
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| Forward Smash | 22 | -36/-37 |
| |
| Up Smash | 6/14 | -24 |
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| Down Smash | 14 | -35 |
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| Neutral Air | 8 | -6/-5 |
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| Forward Air | 8 | -14/-14 |
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| Back Air | 14 | -16/-15/-14 |
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| Up Air | 12 | -8 |
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| Down Air | 18 | -16/-17 |
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| Neutral B | 19/26/33/40 | -24 |
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| Side B | 23 | -52/-66 |
| |
| Up B | 9… | — | ||
| Down B | — | — | ||
| Grab | 8 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 11 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 12 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Lucina should use sword tip Fair and Nair to hold down Charizard’s jump path and make Forward Air or Side B hit shield first.
- After blocking Charizard’s jab sequence, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Forward Air, Back Air, Side B, or Neutral B, pick the punish that reaches from Up B (5f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), and OOS Fair (9f).
- After launching Charizard, do not force the kill early in center; cover the landing route and ledge direction so the next Fair or Uair keeps advantage going.
- Finish stocks from ledge Fair, Back Air, and Up B punishes so Charizard’s weight does not create extra neutral repetitions.
Actions to Avoid
- Scrapping at point-blank range and playing directly into Up Smash, Back Air, or Up Throw kill pressure.
- Blocking Side B or Forward Air and still letting Charizard reset because the punish was delayed.
- Going too deep offstage into flame hitboxes or Up B and giving the position away.
- Panicking at the ledge and simplifying Charizard’s Back Air and Forward Smash kill tree.