Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Marth wants to punish Squirtle’s Jab 1-3, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, Forward Smash, Up Smash, Down Smash, Back Air, Down Air, and Side B with Up B (5f) and OOS Uair (8f), then stop the rapid close-range sequence before it snowballs.
In Marth vs Squirtle, it is more stable to cut off the route with walk spacing and sword tip Fair than to mash in place, because Marth needs to control the dash in and the landing before Squirtle starts looping pressure.
The table also shows that Squirtle’s Forward Tilt is only punishable by Up B (5f), while Neutral Air, Forward Air, and Up Air are mostly too safe to force immediately, so the next movement read matters more than an automatic swing.
Back Air, Down Air, Dash Attack, and Side B are still real punish points, so every solid shield on those moves should become ledge carry and faster stock pace against Squirtle’s light weight.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Marth OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 2 | -11 |
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| Jab 2 | 4 | -17 |
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| Jab 3 | 5 | -21 |
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| Forward Tilt | 5 | -6 |
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| Up Tilt | 5 | -8 |
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| Down Tilt | 8 | -12 |
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| Dash Attack | 8 | -16 |
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| Forward Smash | 20 | -19 |
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| Up Smash | 19/21 | -35 |
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| Down Smash | 18 | -13 |
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| Neutral Air | 4 | -4/-5 |
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| Forward Air | 5 | -3/-3 |
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| Back Air | 5… | -15 |
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| Up Air | 5 | -3 |
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| Down Air | 6… | -14/-13 |
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| Neutral B | 26 | — | ||
| Side B | 23 | -18 |
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| Up B | 9… | — | ||
| Down B | — | — | ||
| Grab | 6 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 8 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 9 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Marth should use walk spacing and sword tip Fair to slow Squirtle’s dash in and reduce the number of point-blank scrambles.
- After blocking Squirtle’s Jab 1-3, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, Back Air, Down Air, or Side B, take Up B (5f) or OOS Uair (8f) immediately and carry toward the ledge.
- When Neutral Air, Forward Air, or Up Air lands shallow on shield, do not force a panic swing; place the sword on the landing path and catch the next jump instead.
- Take kills from ledge Fair, tippered Forward Tilt, and Up B punishes so Squirtle’s light weight matters early.
Actions to Avoid
- Swinging too freely at point-blank range into Squirtle’s small hurtbox and giving up jab or Up Tilt starters.
- Panicking after a seemingly safe Forward Tilt or Neutral Air and getting whiff punished for reaching.
- Blocking Dash Attack or Side B and still letting Squirtle restart the landing trap because the punish never came.
- Chasing too far offstage, missing the recovery drift, and allowing a full reset back to center.