Bowser (SSBM)/Up tilt

Hitbox visualization showing Bowser's up tilt.

Overview

Bowser performs an upward swipe. It's extremely strong and disjointed, with high knockback growth and damage leading to KOs at unexpectedly low percentages. It is also as fast as his neutral attack, with high active frames and no late hit transition. As such, the move has great consistency, and is decent out of a crouch cancel. It is also a fairly decent out of shield option should Whirling Fortress be staled, or if up tilt would take the stock. It can potentially be confirmed into from Koopa Klaw or dash attack on some characters, though it's inconsistent. Up tilt can confirm itself at lower percentages (usually after 35%), though up smash and up aerial are also very possible. Whirling Fortress is a true combo, but should only be done in scenarios where it can be cancelled. It can also confirm a grab up close.

However, up tilt has a very high FAF, meaning that Bowser cannot afford to whiff the move. If he does, it's among his most punishable normals. Its hitbox is also a bit small, making it whiff on smaller characters. This also makes it relatively easy to low profile for characters such as Jigglypuff.