Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Ness wants to block Isabelle’s Jab, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, Forward Smash, and Up Smash, then answer with OOS Nair (8f), Grab (10f), Up Smash (10f), OOS Uair (11f), or OOS Fair (11f) before the trap structure gets set again.
In Ness vs Isabelle, waiting too long at the range of Lloid Trap and Fishing Rod usually hands the ledge game away, so the stable plan is to break in with close-range pressure and make Isabelle defend without full setup behind her.
The table shows that many of Isabelle’s grounded buttons are punishable and her close-range reversal game is limited, so once Ness gets in, Down Tilt, Nair, and throw routes can keep the advantage rolling.
At the same time, Isabelle can weaponize Pocket against repetitive projectile use and turns the ledge into a very narrow funnel with Fishing Rod and traps, so Ness has to vary PK Fire usage and avoid predictable recoveries.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Ness OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab | 3 | -13 |
| |
| Forward Tilt | 8 | -19 |
|
|
| Up Tilt | 6 | -15 |
| |
| Down Tilt | 9 | -10/-14 |
|
|
| Dash Attack | 7 | -21 |
| |
| Forward Smash | 14 | -20 |
|
|
| Up Smash | 9/14 | -12 |
|
|
| Down Smash | 8/12 | -28/-25 |
| |
| Neutral Air | 5/8 | -2/-3 |
| |
| Forward Air | 10 | -6 — +4 |
|
|
| Back Air | 13 | -4 — +5 |
| |
| Up Air | 6 | -5/-6 |
|
|
| Down Air | 11 | -5/-6 |
|
|
| Neutral B | 8 (Start of projectile pocket) | — | ||
| Side B | 21 | ** | ||
| Up B | ** | ** | ||
| Down B | 9/17/25/34/43/51 | ** | ||
| Grab | 14 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 15 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 17 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Ness should not stand still outside Lloid Trap and Fishing Rod forever; force contact before Isabelle finishes building the full lane-control setup.
- After blocking Isabelle’s Jab, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, Forward Smash, or Up Smash, Ness should immediately choose the reachable punish from OOS Nair (8f), Grab (10f), Up Smash (10f), OOS Uair (11f), and OOS Fair (11f).
- Once Ness gets in, he should carry Isabelle all the way out with throw routes, then use Bair and PK Thunder to pressure the recovery rather than giving center stage back early.
- When Isabelle shows Pocket, Ness should reduce obvious PK Fire timing and close space with movement and direct hitboxes instead.
Actions to Avoid
- Letting Isabelle keep full control of the setup range without challenging the body behind Lloid Trap and Fishing Rod.
- Blocking Isabelle’s grounded buttons and still refusing the punish that exposes her weak close-range defense.
- Feeding Pocket by repeating PK Fire on obvious timing and giving Isabelle the tempo back for free.
- Recovering high or jumping from the ledge too predictably into Fishing Rod and trap coverage.