Ivysaur Matchup (Mii Brawler)

Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)

Ivysaur controls midrange well with Forward Air, Back Air, Up Air, Down Tilt, and Side B, then turns those stops into strong juggling and ledge pressure. If Mii Brawler keeps trying to burst straight through that space with a dash-in or a high jump, he is likely to lose neutral at the vine tip and get pushed into the exact edgeguard sequence he does not want to play.
The important weakness is that Ivysaur is not built to brawl forever once Brawler gets inside. After blocking Jab 1, Jab 2, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, Forward Air, Down Air, Neutral B, Side B, or Up B, Mii Brawler can answer with Up B (3f), OOS Nair (6f), Up Smash (8f), or OOS Uair (9f). This matchup is more stable when Brawler uses shield to absorb the first layer, then starts the close-range fight from advantage instead of forcing first contact in the open.
Back Air usually funnels the punish toward Up B (3f), and Up Air often narrows it to Up B (3f) or OOS Nair (6f). If Brawler insists on swinging big after every blocked aerial anyway, Ivysaur gets to reset with drift and another landing trap. When the direct punish is thin, follow the landing spot and the ledge direction so the second touch is the one that actually breaks the defense.
For kills, it is more reliable to cash out after sending Ivysaur to the ledge than to force a single center-stage read. Ivysaur’s low jump and tether-based recovery make both the landing and the recovery route more committal than they look, so Back Air, Up Smash, and Up B become strong finishers once stage control is secured. Mii Brawler still should not dive too deep below the ledge, because exposing his own weak recovery is the easiest way to lose the trade.

Full Move Frame Quick Reference

Win Condition Checklist

• Do not try to break vine range with raw dash-ins or high jumps. Mix in shield first so Forward Air, Back Air, Up Air, Down Tilt, and Side B have to hit your block before the close-range fight starts.
• After blocking Jab 1, Jab 2, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, Forward Air, Down Air, Neutral B, Side B, or Up B, take the immediate punish that reaches from Up B (3f), OOS Nair (6f), Up Smash (8f), or OOS Uair (9f) so Ivysaur cannot rebuild midrange for free.
• After stopping Back Air, Up Air, or tip-spaced aerial pressure, do not force the scramble on the spot. Track the landing and the ledge direction so the second touch is where Mii Brawler breaks through.
• At kill percent, prioritize sending Ivysaur to the ledge and covering tether recovery or landing with Back Air, Up Smash, or Up B instead of overcommitting to one big center-stage callout.

Actions to Avoid

• Jumping recklessly through vine range and Razor Leaf, then giving Ivysaur the anti-air and ledge-trap sequence for free.
• Blocking Jab 1, Jab 2, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, Forward Air, Down Air, Neutral B, Side B, or Up B but still letting Ivysaur reset the midrange wall.
• Swinging big every time after blocked Back Air, Up Air, or tip-spaced aerials and getting clipped by drift back or another landing trap.
• Chasing too deep below the ledge for the kill and exposing Mii Brawler’s own weak recovery before Ivysaur is actually forced into a committed tether route.