Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
This matchup gets explosive the moment Palutena lets both Climbers arrive at close range together, because the grab pressure and overlapping hitboxes make each single mistake much more expensive.
The win condition is not to hit both at once every time. Use Explosive Flame and nair to disturb the formation, launch one first, and then keep the split alive with uair, bair, and landing traps before they can regroup.
The table shows that jab, Forward Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, the smash attacks, Dair, Neutral B, Side B, and Down B can all be punished on shield by nair, grab, bair, fair, or uair. Up Tilt and the safer aerials are much less reliable immediate punishes, so those spots are better treated as regroup denial and landing coverage.
For kills, do not gamble in center. Force a separation, take the isolated Climber to the ledge, and finish with bair or Up Smash before the partner can restore the full two-body threat.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Palutena OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 4 | -20(-15) |
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| Jab 2 | 4 | -21(-12) |
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| Forward Tilt | 9 | -14(-10) |
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| Up Tilt | 8/11/14/17/20/23/27 | -16(-7) |
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| Down Tilt | 8 | -16(-10) |
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| Dash Attack | 9 | -24(-18) |
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| Forward Smash | 11 | -27(-22) |
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| Up Smash | 12 | -29(-24) |
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| Down Smash | 9/16 | -22/-17 |
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| Neutral Air | 6 | -4(+2) |
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| Forward Air | 19 | -5(+3) |
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| Back Air | 8 | -3(+0) |
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| Up Air | 7 | -10(-3) |
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| Down Air | 12 | -16(-12) |
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| Neutral B | 18/19 | -29(-24) |
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| Side B (1) | 10/14/18/23/28/34/40/51 | -21 |
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| Side B (2) | 10/13/15/18/21/24/28/32/37/42/49 | -24 |
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| Up B | 13 | — | ||
| Down B | 16/21/26/31/36/41/46/51/56 | -22(-15) |
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| Grab | 8 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 10 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 10 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Use Explosive Flame and nair to split their spacing before the full close-range duo pressure begins.
- When you block jab, Forward Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, the smash attacks, Dair, Neutral B, Side B, or Down B, punish with the OOS routes from the table.
- Treat Up Tilt and the safer aerials as regroup-denial situations instead of forcing raw shield punishes.
- Once one Climber is launched away, prioritize keeping the split alive over trying to hit both at once.
- At the ledge, cover jump with bair and catch grounded getups with grab or Up Smash before the partner can reconnect.
Actions to Avoid
- Letting both Climbers begin a close-range exchange together.
- Swinging after every blocked Up Tilt or safe aerial and giving them time to regroup.
- Resetting to center stage after a split instead of extending the one-body advantage.
- Fishing for one huge swing that misses both and hands the initiative back to the pair.
- Throwing out desperate Up Smashes in center and agreeing to their strongest scramble range.