Kirby (SSB)/Down special

Overview

Kirby's down special move is named Stone, where Kirby transforms into a rock (an ability from most Kirby games) and becomes impervious to damage and knockback outside of grabs for the entire move's duration (exactly like a shield). While in stone form, Kirby can't move or attack until he reverts back to normal. Either simply waiting three seconds or pressing the B button will cause Kirby to revert back to normal. If the move is used in midair, Kirby will fall to the ground quickly; if Kirby lands on a sloped surface (such as the left side of Hyrule Castle) during the move or uses the move while standing on a sloped surface, he will slide down it. The Level 9 AI frequently does this move near this ledge, leading to SDing very commonly.

The move can't be used offensively while grounded, being unable to hit opponents unless Kirby uses it in the air and hits an opponent while falling. When he does however, it does 20% damage and great vertical knockback. The move is rather useful for countering juggling from opponents, especially air juggling, as the strong vertical knockback of the move can easily KO unwary opponents, or even more competent opponents if used unexpectedly. However, the slow startup makes it a bit less effective. Additionally, if Kirby lands and misses the opponent, the move has very high ending lag, even if immediately cancelled, being very easily punished by almost any move.

In terms of competitive play, it can be used to edgeguard Yoshi (albeit rarely) or other characters recovering from below at an angle (Falcon/Fox) but this is beatable by Smash DI'ing into the stage. It's also an unblockable attack if done on the exact edge of a lip (such as all the way on the left corner of Hyrule) as it will automatically hit twice, once on stage, and once while Kirby is falling.

Hitboxes

NTSC-J

ID	Part	Damage	SD	Angle	BK	KS	FKV	Radius	Bone	Offset			Clang	Effect	G	A	Sound
0	0	22%	0		70	78	0	200	0	0	0	0					Kick

NTSC-U/PAL

ID	Part	Damage	SD	Angle	BK	KS	FKV	Radius	Bone	Offset			Clang	Effect	G	A	Sound
0	0	20%	0		70	70	0	200	0	0	0	0					Kick

Summary

• Damage (22% → 20%).
• Knockback scaling (78 → 70).

Timing

Grounded

The hitbox only occurs if Kirby slips off the ledge. The frame strip shows if Kirby cancels the move as early as possible.

Hitbox	6-
Earliest cancel point	7
Animation length (ending)	29

Aerial

The frame strip shows if Kirby cancels the move as early as possible and he does not land.

Hitbox	23-
Earliest cancel point	43
Animation length (ending)	29

Legend (1 square = 1 frame)

Lag time

Hitbox

Earliest continuable point

Kirby's moveset

Neutral attack (1 · 2 · inf) · Forward tilt · Up tilt · Down tilt · Dash attack · Forward smash · Up smash · Down smash
Neutral aerial · Forward aerial · Back aerial · Up aerial · Down aerial
Grab · Forward throw · Back throw
Forward roll · Back roll · Techs
Floor attack (front) · Floor getups (front) · Floor attack (back) · Floor getups (back)
Edge attack (fast) · Edge getups (fast) · Edge attack (slow) · Edge getups (slow)
Neutral special · Up special · Down special