Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Sonic should use movement and spin threat to make Lucario throw the first hitbox or Aura Sphere first. The matchup is much cleaner when Sonic controls the pace early instead of giving Lucario time to scale into a heavy Aura stock.
Lucario’s Jab, Up Tilt, Dash Attack, smash attacks, Neutral B, and Up B are punishable on shield by Up B (4f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Fair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), and Grab (10f), so grounded commitments should not go unpunished.
The danger is trying to win only with speed once Lucario is already at high Aura, because one repeated landing or repeated spin timing can swing the stock instantly.
The stable win condition is to build the lead while Lucario is still weak, keep forcing him back to ledge, and deny the big mid-screen read that would let Aura take over the game.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Sonic OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 5 | -16 | -15 | -14 |
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| Jab 2 | 5 | -18 | -18 | -17 |
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| Jab 3 | 9 | -23 | -22 | -21 |
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| Forward Tilt | 12/15 | -12 | -11 | -8 |
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| Up Tilt | 6 | -22/-21 | -20/-20 | -18/-17 |
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| Down Tilt | 7 | -9 | -7 | -5 |
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| Dash Attack | 7 | -28/-27 | -26/-24 | -22/-20 |
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| Forward Smash | 19 | -27/-25 | -24/-26 | -19/-21 |
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| Up Smash | 15/19 | -37/-38 | -34/-36 | -30/-31 |
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| Down Smash | 16 | -28 | -25 | -21 |
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| Neutral Air | 10/18 | -2/-2 | -1/-2 | 0/-1 |
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| Forward Air | 7 | -6 | -6 | -5 |
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| Back Air | 13 | -10/-10 | -9/-9 | -7/-7 |
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| Up Air | 10 | -10/-10 | -9/-10 | -7/-9 |
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| Down Air | 4/11 | -10/-9 | -9/-9 | -8/-8 |
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| Neutral B | 9 (+8) | -26 | -25 | -23 |
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| Side B | (9)24 | -24/-30 | -19/-27 | -10/-24 |
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| Up B | 46 | -23/-31 | -22/-31 | -19/-29 |
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| Down B | 5 (Start of Counter) | — | ||
| Grab | 7 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 10 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 11 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Sonic should use retreat movement and spin feints to force Lucario into committing Aura Sphere or an aerial before Lucario gets to dictate the range.
- After blocking Lucario’s Jab, Up Tilt, Dash Attack, smash attacks, Neutral B, or Up B, answer with Up B (4f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Fair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), or Grab (10f).
- As Lucario’s percent rises, Sonic should avoid repeating the same landing and spin timing so Aura does not turn one read into the whole stock.
- Sonic should prefer ledge pressure and stage resets over deep offstage guesses, keeping Lucario trapped rather than giving him the one big counterhit.
Actions to Avoid
- Standing in front of Aura Sphere and accepting Lucario’s preferred reaction range.
- Blocking the grounded burst options and still giving Lucario more Aura time for free.
- Assuming pure speed is enough after Lucario already has the stronger Aura routes online.
- Throwing away ledge pressure for deep chase routes that expose Sonic to Lucario’s comeback swing.