Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Samus wants to stop Bowser Jr.’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Rapid Jab Finisher with Up B (4f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Fair (9f), and Grab (10f), then force Bowser Jr. back outside Rapid Jab and Side B to keep stage control.
In Samus vs Bowser Jr., the stable plan is to avoid playing directly into Bowser Jr.’s Rapid Jab and Side B and take the landing or ledge route before Bowser Jr. can reset.
The table shows that Bowser Jr.’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Rapid Jab Finisher can be answered by Samus’s Up B (4f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Fair (9f), and Grab (10f), so those overcommitments should be cashed out immediately.
For Samus, Bowser Jr.’s Rapid Jab and Side B are still hard to hit immediately out of shield, so reading the landing spot or ledge route matters more than forcing an early swing.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Samus OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 4 | -12 |
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| Jab 2 | 4 | -22 |
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| Rapid Jab | 4/7/10… | — | ||
| Rapid Jab Finisher | 6 | -32 |
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| Forward Tilt | 7 | -18/-16 |
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| Up Tilt | 7 | -19 |
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| Down Tilt | 4/12/23 | -11 |
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| Dash Attack | 8/11/14/17/20/25 | -17 |
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| Forward Smash | 18/21/24/27/30/35 | -12 |
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| Up Smash | 7/9/12/15/18/22 | -26 |
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| Down Smash | 12 | -32 |
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| Neutral Air | 7 | -6/-7/-7/-5/-6/-6 |
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| Forward Air | 10 | -11 |
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| Back Air | 12 | -9/-10 |
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| Up Air | 6 | -5 |
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| Down Air | 15… | -11 |
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| Neutral B | 37-97 | -23 to -17 |
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| Side B | 23 | — | ||
| Up B | 17/56 | — | ||
| Down B | — | — | ||
| Grab | 11 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 14 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 15 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Samus should not play directly into Bowser Jr.’s Rapid Jab and Side B; wait for Bowser Jr.’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Rapid Jab Finisher and answer with Up B (4f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Fair (9f), and Grab (10f).
- After Samus blocks Bowser Jr.’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Rapid Jab Finisher, pick the reachable option from Up B (4f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Fair (9f), and Grab (10f) immediately.
- Samus should not mash after Bowser Jr.’s Rapid Jab and Side B; take the landing route, escape route, or ledge route first.
- Samus should finish stocks by breaking Bowser Jr.’s landing and recovery routes so Rapid Jab and Side B does not get more neutral reps.
Actions to Avoid
- Letting Bowser Jr. start the exchange on Rapid Jab and Side B terms and giving Samus’s stage control away for free.
- Having Samus block Bowser Jr.’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Rapid Jab Finisher but never answer with Up B (4f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Fair (9f), and Grab (10f).
- Sending Samus too deep after Bowser Jr.’s Rapid Jab and Side B and letting the reset punish the chase back.
- Panicking at the ledge as Samus and simplifying Bowser Jr.’s Rapid Jab and Side B-driven advantage sequence.