Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Pikachu wants to block Bowser’s Jab 1, Forward Tilt, Neutral Air, and Up B (1), then answer with OOS Nair (6f), OOS Uair (7f), OOS Bair (7f), Grab (10f), or Up Smash (10f) to break Bowser’s close-range pressure before pushing him offstage.
Bowser still threatens huge reversals through Up B out of shield, Side B, Forward Air, and Fire Breath, so Pikachu’s risk rises sharply if neutral turns into stationary shield or ledge panic.
The table shows clear punish windows on Bowser’s Jab 1, Forward Tilt, Neutral Air, Up Air, and Up B (1), but Side B and Grab are not solved by shielding, so walking, drifting back, and Thunder Jolt are more reliable than camping in place behind shield.
Because Bowser lives so long, Pikachu should not rely on one grounded read to close stocks and should instead keep stacking edgeguards and landing traps with Thunder Jolt, Fair, Bair, Dair, and Thunder.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Pikachu OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 7 | -13 |
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| Jab 2 | 9 | -9 |
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| Forward Tilt | 10 | -15 |
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| Up Tilt | 11 | -19 |
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| Down Tilt | 10/15 | -22 |
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| Dash Attack | 11 | -33 |
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| Forward Smash | 22 | -32 |
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| Up Smash | 16/37 | -27/-30/-12 |
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| Down Smash | 12/28 | -49/-34 |
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| Neutral Air | 8/14/18/** | -12 |
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| Forward Air | 11 | -9/-10 |
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| Back Air | 9 | -17 |
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| Up Air | 9 | -12 |
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| Down Air | 17 | -30 |
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| Neutral B | 23/30/37/44… | — | ||
| Side B | 6 | — | ||
| Up B (1) | 6… | -36 |
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| Up B (2) | 6… | — | ||
| Down B (1) | 11/37…/1 | — | ||
| Down B (2) | 31…/1 | — | ||
| Grab | 8 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 11 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 12 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- After Pikachu blocks Bowser’s Jab 1, Forward Tilt, Neutral Air, or Up B (1), cash out immediately with the reachable option from OOS Nair (6f), OOS Uair (7f), OOS Bair (7f), Grab (10f), and Up Smash (10f).
- Respect Bowser’s Side B and Grab at all times; do not stay in shield at the ledge or after landing longer than necessary, and shift the catch point with walking, short hops, and Thunder Jolt.
- Once Bowser is offstage, use Thunder Jolt to tax his jump and high recovery routes first, then cover the low route with Fair, Bair, and Dair.
- Around the ledge, do not scramble into Bowser’s Up Tilt, Forward Air, and Fire Breath; keep the trap going by closing the upward escape route with Uair and Thunder.
Actions to Avoid
- Freezing in place with shield because of Bowser’s Side B threat and letting the Side B or Grab mixup become trivial for Bowser.
- Blocking Bowser’s Neutral Air or Forward Air, hesitating, and letting Bowser keep the close-range sequence where Up B out of shield stays live.
- Chasing Bowser too deep offstage and trading into the return hitbox from Forward Air or Back Air on the way back.
- Forcing raw Up Smash, Forward Smash, or Thunder too early, letting Bowser survive on weight, and giving up a full-power reversal.