Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
If Toon Link plays this matchup by standing still and trading directly into Cloud’s long sword and fast Neutral Air and Back Air, his light weight and floaty landing turn into easy juggling for Cloud. Cloud still has no projectile and wants time to recharge Limit safely, so the matchup shifts when Arrow, Boomerang, and Bomb are layered to stop both his grounded advance and his reset timing while Toon Link keeps moving forward to claim the air first.
The full table shows that Jab 1-3, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, all smashes, Neutral B, Side B, and Down B (2) are all clear punish points for Up B (6f), OOS Nair, OOS Bair, Grab, or Up Smash. By contrast, Neutral Air, Back Air, and Up Air are mostly safe on shield, while Forward Air is basically only Up B punishable, so trying to answer every sword swing after shield just drags Toon Link into Cloud’s preferred spacing.
The win condition is to follow your projectiles, keep catching Cloud’s jumps and landings with Dash Attack, Up Smash, and Up Air, and carry him to ledge before he gets a safe window to rebuild Limit in center stage. His recovery without Limit is narrow enough that Bomb and Boomerang at ledge can cover the low Up B route and jump from ledge at the same time.
That does not mean every stock needs a deep offstage chase. Cloud’s Up B and Back Air are still strong denial tools once you leave the stage, so holding the ledge trap, taking the line again, and forcing him to recover twice is the steadier plan.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Toon Link OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 4 | -21 |
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| Jab 2 | 5 | -24 |
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| Jab 3 | 6 | -27 |
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| Forward Tilt | 9 | -16 |
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| Up Tilt | 6 | -18 |
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| Down Tilt | 7 | -26 |
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| Dash Attack | 9 | -26 |
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| Forward Smash | 19/24/28 | -29/-30 |
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| Up Smash | 12 | -24 |
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| Down Smash | 8/21 | -38/-20 |
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| Neutral Air | 5 | -5 |
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| Forward Air | 18 | -6/-6/-7 |
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| Back Air | 11 | -3 |
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| Up Air | 8 | -5/-5 |
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| Down Air | 11 | -11/-12 |
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| Neutral B | 18(18) | -25(-33) |
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| Side B | 10 | -25 |
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| Up B | 7/10 | ** | ||
| Down B (1) | — | — | ||
| Down B (2) | 12 (ground) // 14 (air) | -70/-71 |
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| Grab | 9 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 12 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 13 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Do not stop at one Arrow, one Boomerang, or one Bomb. Move forward behind them and shut down both Cloud’s walk-up pressure and his Limit charge timing.
- When you block Jab 1-3, Forward Tilt, Up Tilt, Down Tilt, Dash Attack, any smash, Neutral B, Side B, or Down B (2), punish on time with Up B (6f) first and confirm whether OOS Nair, OOS Bair, Grab, or Up Smash gives more reward.
- After blocking Neutral Air, Back Air, or Up Air, do not force a shield punish that is not there. Cover the landing or retreat lane with Boomerang, Up Smash, and Up Air instead.
- Once Cloud is launched, keep chasing with Dash Attack, Up Smash, and Up Air so he does not get to recharge Limit safely in center stage before reaching ledge.
- At ledge, keep Bomb and Boomerang available so the no-Limit Up B recovery route and jump from ledge are both threatened and the trap can continue.
Actions to Avoid
- Throwing single projectiles from long range and staying in place while Cloud chooses freely between walking forward and charging Limit.
- Missing the guaranteed punish on the jab string, grounded buttons, Neutral B, Side B, or Down B (2) and letting Cloud keep swinging in his strongest mid-range.
- Trying to punish Neutral Air, Back Air, and Up Air on shield every time and starting a close-range scramble in spots where Cloud is still basically safe.
- Chasing too deep offstage and letting Cloud’s Up B or Back Air reverse the position into a bad recovery for Toon Link.