Kirby

Smash Attacks

SIDE SMASH

Kirby charges forward with a kick attack. This can be aimed up or down.

DOWN SMASH

Kirby spins, attacking with his feet. This hits both in front of and behind Kirby.

UP SMASH

Kirby launches himself up and does a flipkick attack.

Basic Attacks

Standing Attack

Kirby quickly jabs in front of him. Leads into rapid jabs with an ender.

Forward Tilt

Kirby spins and kicks horizontally. This can be aimed up or down.

Up Tilt

Kirby shows his flexibility by bending forward and sending his leg up behind him to kick forward!

Down Tilt

Kirby gets low and performs a leg sweep.

Dash Attack

After running, Kirby flips onto his hands and spins himself, kicking anyone around him. Hits multiple times and pops the opponent up.

Edge Attack

Kirby pops back up to the stage and delivers a kick to the opponent.

Air Attacks

Neutral Air Attack

Kirby spins vertically multiple times in the air, hitting anything around him.

Up Air Attack

Kirby does a flipkick attack similar to his Up Smash.

Down Air Attack

Kirby kicks downward multiple times. This has a small meteor effect.

Forward Air Attack

Kirby does three quick spinning kicks forward.

Back Air Attack

A reverse dropkick that deals solid damage for Kirby.

Special Attacks

Inhale (Neutral Special)

Kirby sucks his opponent into his mouth. Hit the Special button to copy your opponent’s ability or hit attack to spit that opponent out as a star that can hit other opponents! You can use the copied ability by using the Special button. Use Kirby’s Taunts to toss away the copied ability quickly. Down Taunt is your fastest option to toss it away.

Hammer Flip (Side Special)

This hammer attack can be charged up to unleash massive damage and launch opponents. When fully charged, however, Kirby continuously takes damage, so be aware of this!

Final Cutter (Up Special)

Kirby swings his sword upward before leaping into the air, then striking downward to the ground with a shockwave upon landing. This will meteor on the way down, so be sure you are over the stage when using it. You can move this left or right while attacking.

Stone (Down Special)

Kirby transforms into one of three heavy objects and drops to the ground. In this form, he does not flinch or take damage. These objects can push opponents, if they’re close enough.

Final Smash

Ultra Sword

Kirby pulls out the Ultra Sword and swings at your opponent. All opponents caught by the initial swing are pulled in and trapped for the onslaught. The range on the first hit is just under half of the Final Destination form. After the initial swing, the range of the attack extends and hits other opponents who are nearby. If you are immediately beside your opponent when starting the attack, that opponent receives a few extra percentage points of damage. If they’re at the side of a stage, most characters will be KO’d after about 40% damage, so look for this opportunity!

Strategy

Tied for lightest character in the game, Kirby is also one of the smallest. So, while he will be launched away relatively easily, it’s also a little harder to hit him! When he does get knocked off-stage, his multiple jumps assist greatly in his return. With these multiple jumps and good aerial attacks, his air game is above-average. In the air, though, he moves slowly, so you don’t have a ton of control over maneuverability. Because of his small size, Kirby’s primary issue is his attack range. Against characters who rack up damage from a distance or have good long-range attacks, this could pose a problem.

Because one of Kirby’s offensive weaknesses is his range, try to use Inhale on an opponent who has a good ranged attack or projectile: Palutena, Robin, Mario, Link, Fox, etc. If you inhale someone whose ability you don’t want, shoot that character out at another opponent for more damage. Alternatively, if that character has weak recovery, consider jumping off stage and shooting that character out then! Inhaling items can restore some health, but if you inhale explosive items, they hurt! Hammer Flip does a lot of damage, and if you charge it up all the way, it gains some super armor and invincibility, but you take damage. Since Kirby is so light, added damage is not the safest route to go! Final Cutter is fairly useful, as it doesn’t leave you in a fall state, but it does meteor, so you must be over the stage when using it. Final Cutter also has fairly good mobility to the left and right, so you can use it upon landing to push opponents away with its shockwave. Finally, Kirby’s Stone is a great way to prevent taking damage. Again, because Kirby is tied for lightest character, the less damage you take, the better off you are.

When looking to KO opponents, Kirby’s best options are his Back Air attack and his Side Smash and Up Smash. Additionally, Hammer Flip and Stone can also be used to KO opponents. Down Air has a small meteor effect, but if you’re looking to meteor smash, your best bet is Final Cutter, as long as you’re still going to land on the stage. On the ground, his attacks are quick with good recovery, and he has decent throws, so don’t be afraid to fight on the ground. His Up Tilt, Up Smash, and Down Smash all have some invincibility. In the air, Down Air and Forward Air are good for pressure, especially when combined with Kirby’s multiple jumps. When edge-guarding opponents, don’t be afraid to chase off the stage with your Back Air, Forward Air, and Up Air. Most characters won’t be able to recover as well as you do, so just save enough jumps to get back to the stage!

Recovery

Kirby’s primary recovery tool is his multiple jumps. Additionally, for vertical recovery, Kirby can use his Final Cutter, which can be aimed slightly to the right or left during the input. If you don’t reach the stage with this attack, though, Kirby will self-destruct! Horizontally, you have to rely on Kirby’s jumps. Remember not to be too predictable with your jumps. Use as many as you can, and be sure to move left and right with each jump!