Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
This matchup revolves around where Ivysaur can interrupt the flow after Palutena uses Auto Reticle and Explosive Flame to lift Ivysaur into landing traps with Neutral Air, Up Air, and Up Smash.
Instead of taking a direct scramble, Ivysaur does better by using the tip of Razor Leaf, Down Tilt, and Forward Air to stop Palutena’s dash-in and short hop before Palutena can settle into that airborne pressure loop.
The table also shows clear punish windows on Palutena’s Jab 1, Rapid Jab Finisher, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, and Neutral B, where Grab (10f), OOS Nair (10f), and OOS Bair (10f) let Ivysaur reclaim the turn against careless grounded pressure.
At the same time, Neutral Air, Forward Air, Back Air, and Side B are mostly safe on shield here, so do not force the kill in center stage; it is more stable to take Palutena straight above Ivysaur for Up Air or Up B, or push Palutena back offstage and repeat the ledge sequence.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Ivysaur OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 8 | -12 |
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| Rapid Jab | 4/7/10… | — | ||
| Rapid Jab Finisher | 3 | -32 |
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| Forward Tilt | 14/24 | -28 |
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| Up Tilt | 8… | -27 |
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| Down Tilt | 14 | -17 |
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| Dash Attack | 6 | -23/-21 |
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| Forward Smash | 18 | -34/-36 |
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| Up Smash | 18 | -34/-37 |
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| Down Smash | 17 | -41/-42 |
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| Neutral Air | 5… | -10/-9 |
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| Forward Air | 9 | -5 |
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| Back Air | 8 | -5 |
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| Up Air | 10… | -12/-11 |
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| Down Air | 10 | -7 |
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| Neutral B | 24/30/36 | -24 |
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| Side B | 28/33/38/43/48/53/57 | -2 |
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| Up B | ** | — | ||
| Down B | 7 (Start of Counter/Reflect) | — | ||
| Grab | 7 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 10 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 11 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Do not stand in front of Auto Reticle and Explosive Flame for too long; shift the firing lane with walk-backs and low jumps, then place Razor Leaf, Down Tilt, and the tip of Forward Air where Palutena wants to start dash-ins and Neutral Air.
- After blocking Palutena’s Jab 1, Rapid Jab Finisher, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, or Neutral B, answer with Grab (10f) or OOS Nair (10f) first, and extend to OOS Bair (10f) or OOS Dair (14f) when the spacing allows it.
- After blocking Neutral Air, Forward Air, Back Air, or Side B, do not mash immediately; track the backward drift or landing spot and take the next turn with Up Air, Forward Air, or Razor Leaf instead.
- At kill percent, prioritize Up Air and Up B when Palutena is directly overhead, and at the ledge use Razor Leaf to narrow jump and neutral get-up before resetting the edge pressure with Back Air or Down Tilt.
Actions to Avoid
- Jumping high every time Auto Reticle or Explosive Flame appears and drifting directly into Palutena’s Neutral Air, Up Air, and Up Smash landing trap routes.
- Repeating Razor Leaf from the same distance until Reflect Barrier or jump-in movement blows up Ivysaur’s midrange control.
- Blocking Palutena’s Neutral Air, Forward Air, Back Air, or Side B and still swinging immediately in spots where Ivysaur has no real out-of-shield punish.
- Chasing Teleport recovery too deep, giving up center stage, and letting Palutena slip back past the ledge trap for free.