t!MmY posted:

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Fighting with Kirby - An Overview

It is very important for someone unfamiliar with Kirby to learn quickly that you do not win fights with Kirby the same way you do with other characters. He is weak, so you can't go for out-right KOs like Marth; his attacks are slow so you can't hope to get mad combos like Sheik; and his movement, both on the ground and in the air, is slothy, which means you can't hope to make lightning-fast maneuvers like Fox. Because of these factors many people who are used to playing other characters will not have a clue when trying to use Kirby.

Kirby is best played in close combat, sticking with his opponent, not giving them room to properly distance themselves nor time to think. His excellent evasive abilities help him avoid attacks as he strikes both from the ground and in the air and "taps" his opponent off the ledge. From there, his victim must split their attention between Kirbys' attacks and attempting to recover back to solid ground, leaving little in the way of retaliation. While off the ledge, Kirby has the advantage with his ability to fearlessly engage in off-stage combat for a prolonged time; his multiple jumps allow for multiple attacks while he floats safely in the air. Depending on the situation, Kirby can go for KOs with Back-Air or Up-Air; or he can try to interrupt recovery attempts with Neutral-Air or Down-Air, netting KOs without need of power or speed.

Kirby should not rush head-on into the fight; rashly doing so against a skilled player will likely result in you quickly losing a stock. The same goes for overdoing it on the defensive. If you're too concerned with dodging attacks, then you will never get the hits in that you need, nor will you be able to capitalize on the small opportunities advanced players leave open for attack. You have to play Kirby smart. Your opponent must always be under the threat of attack, but Kirby mustn't attack until there is an opening.

Concentrate on utilizing your Tilts when on the ground. They can catch your opponent far more often than a Smash Attack and they will not leave you as open to counter attacks should you miss. They don't pack much of a punch, but the damage will build up on your opponent and you'll be able to use the knockback from your Tilts to push your opponent off the ledge where they're vulnerable.

Forward-Tilt is the one to use when your opponent has enough damage to knock them off the ledge. The speed and range of this attack can often land a hit before your opponent can react, or can interrupt their attack before it has a chance to reach you.
Down-Tilt has a greater reach than the F-Tilt but with less power. Since it is a crouching attack, Kirby will be hard to hit before, during, and after this attack.
Up-Tilt isn't likely to KO someone or push them off the stage by itself, but it easily leads to juggling and combos.

Aerials form an integral part of Kirby's fight. Mixing your offense with a variety of Tilts and Aerials will keep your opponent from effectively judging where to strike or how to defend. Keeping your opponent from predicting your attacks is part of any good fighter's game but it is even more valuable to Kirby who cannot afford to be hit.

Forward-Air can be used to rack up damage, and the third hit can knock your opponent horizontal.
Down-Air has a bit of start-up lag, but this attack works well when you want to go offensive and the Meteor Smash is an added bonus.
Back-Air is quick, strong, and effective in practically any situation. Especially deadly when intercepting a recovery attempt.
Up-Air is even stronger than the B-Air, but only especially useful when your opponent is above you.

The final, and most unique aspect of Kirby's fighting technique is that at any given time your opponent could set himself up for a sudden "Kirbycide" - that is, one of a number of attacks that results in both Kirby and his opponent Self-Destructing. There will be much cursing and gnashing of teeth when you do this, and the word "cheap" will inevitably come up more than once. But without this shockingly effective ability, Kirby would easily be rock-bottom on the Tier List.

Summary:
Kirby is light, but hard to hit because of his dodges, evasion and crouching.
Kirby is slow, but keeps his opponent guessing.
Kirby's primary attacks are tilts and aerials.
Kirby's main strategy is to build damage until the opponent goes off the ledge.
Kirby's KOing strength lies in Ledge Gaming, Edge Guarding, and Air Guarding.
Kirbycide 4TW!

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