Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Kirby (SSBU)

Revision as of 15:25, September 26, 2019 by 176.201.42.231 (talk)
This article is about Kirby's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. For the character in other contexts, see Kirby.
Kirby
in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Kirby
KirbySymbol.svg
Universe Kirby
Other playable appearances in SSB
in Melee
in Brawl
in SSB4
Availability Starter
Final Smash Ultra Sword
Kirby (SSBU)
Kirby's ability to copy other fighters is totally unique! While he is light and can be launched easily, he can also jump up to five times in the air, so he has great recovery. Look for his new Stone transformation, too.
Super Smash Blog, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Official Site

Kirby (カービィ, Kirby) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He was confirmed on June 12th, 2018. Kirby is classified as fighter #06.

Makiko Ōmoto once again reprises her role as his voice actor, using a combination of new voice clips and ones recycled from Super Smash Bros. 4, respectively.

Attributes

Kirby is known for being a small lightweight, being tied for the eighth lightest character in the game. Despite this, Kirby's mobility is very poor in the air and only average on the ground, giving him a mediocre mobility overall: he has the twenty-first slowest walking speed, thirty-eighth fastest dashing speed, and a decently quick initial dash. He also has the fourth slowest air speed, fifteenth highest air acceleration, third lowest gravity, the fourth lowest falling and fast falling speeds, and above average traction. Due to these statistics, Kirby is a floaty character overall and has a hard time chasing opponents in the air. Although Kirby has 5 midair jumps, Kirby's recovery is average at best: despite his midair jumps and Final Cutter granting decent distance, his slow air speed combined with his low jump height means that he is extremely vulnerable to offstage edgeguarding.

Kirby's greatest strength is his fast frame data and combo potential due to the versatility of his moveset. The majority of Kirby's moveset is characterized by speed, possessing among the fastest tilts in the game, while his slowest moves instead boast very high power as a trade-off, while also being quite fast for their power. Neutral attack and forward tilt are fast and have decent range, allowing Kirby to quickly fend off opponents. Up tilt's low knockback and fast speed allows it to combo into itself or an aerial attack. Down tilt's very low power is compensated by its very fast speed and it launching opponents at the Sakurai angle, which allow it to trip most opponents even over 80%. His smash attacks have good range, high power, and great speed, making them excellent at scoring a KO. Kirby is also very small, making him hard to hit, which combined with his very low crouch, he can avoid almost all grabs and many attacks, while his spotdodge and rolls are average in terms of frame data. As a result, Kirby has a good ground game and a very useful defensive game, also thanks to his crouch, while his good frame data makes him not easy to punish.

The usefulness of Kirby's ground game also extends to his good grab game. His grabs have short range but are among the fastest, while his pummel's meager damage output is counterbalanced by its very fast speed. His forward throw, unlike most other forward throws in the game, has combo potential, and can lead into aerial combos. Back throw can be followed up by a back aerial at 0% on certain characters, tech-chase fast-fallers, and can KO at high percents. Up throw is his strongest throw and is able to KO almost all characters around 170%, or even earlier if it lands on a platform. Lastly, down throw is reliable for damage racking when no other throw can yield better results.

Kirby's air game is also decent, thanks to the versatility of his aerial attacks. Neutral aerial has a long duration, decent knockback on the clean hit and its very low landing lag and good coverage grant Kirby protection and allows him to take full advantage of buffering and pressuring. Forward aerial is a powerful combo tool, chains fluidly and its first two hits can allow additional follow-ups due to its low landing lag. Up aerial has vertical knockback, low landing lag and has a good amount of autocanceling frames, allowing for many potential follow-ups. Back aerial has slightly disjointed range, a decently long duration, and is Kirby's fastest and strongest aerial, making it a very good all-purpose aerial attack. Lastly, down aerial has considerable startup, but drags opponents downward before meteor smashing them and has low ending lag, making it a deceptively powerful edgeguarding tool. In addition, it is an effective combo starter with guaranteed follow-ups on grounded opponents, even against floaty characters.

Kirby's special moveset is generally situational, but still provides some unique strengths. Inhale is the most notable example; it allows him to either copy the neutral special move of any character he inhales, or spit them out as a weight-dependent projectile. Kirby can also spit some projectiles or eat them to heal himself. The former, depending on what character he inhales, can give Kirby a move that provides some assistance (Warlock Punch and Flare Blade), useful projectiles (Needle Storm) and (Charge Shot), a reflector (Nayru's Love) or other massive benefits (Monado Arts and Blaster). Kirby's version of the opponent's neutral special also has a 1.2x damage multiplier, encouraging him to rely on his Copy Ability. Additionally, since he can spit an inhaled projectile, Inhale gives Kirby a reflector; however, this has limited practical utility due to the combined lag of inhaling and spitting the projectile, which is considerably slower than traditional reflectors. It can also be used to Kirbycide or put the opponent offstage, although mashing out fast enough will free the opponent. Hammer Flip is very powerful, especially when fully charged, and Kirby can move and jump while charging. However it has high startup and endlag even when uncharged, as well as short range for a disjoint, making it situational and hard to land outside of punishing a shield break. Final Cutter is Kirby's recovery move, granting good vertical distance and decent horizontal distance, as well as protection in front of him during his ascent and descent. It also emits a shock wave upon landing, making it difficult to punish if not at point-blank range. Lastly, Stone causes Kirby to plummet straight down and ignore damage by any move that deals less than 25%. It is also very strong and can be canceled shortly after Kirby begins his descent, although similar to Hammer Flip, these benefits are limited by its slow startup and ending lag and if Kirby is still vulnerable to grabs even if he is transformed.

However, Kirby has noticeable flaws, his most notable weakness being his poor endurance. Being light and floaty, Kirby cannot endure strong hits for long at high percents. He is also very vulnerable to juggling, due to his aforementioned slow falling and air speeds. To make things worse, his only aerial with less than 10 frames of startup is his back aerial, which becomes active on frame 6. Not only does this make approaching opponents high up in the air risky, but also makes Kirby's aerials not very useful in a disadvantage state and he is often forced to rely on his jumps to escape or return to the ledge, while also making him vulnerable to pressure.

Another big flaw is Kirby's poor approach. Characters who can projectile or mobility camp like Greninja, Samus, and ROB can zone out Kirby with little to no effort. Kirby's lack of burst options outside of dash attack (which is not very reliable for this purpose) makes his approach in these matchups problematic and sometimes predictable. In addition, those with long disjointed hitboxes like Lucina, Chrom, and Mr. Game and Watch can outrange and wall out Kirby since his range, while improved from SSB4, is still mediocre relative to the cast. Final Cutter's projectile is fast and has decent range, but is weak and Kirby lacks other projectiles outside of spitting some projectiles or opponents as a star or using a copy ability. Despite having a great air acceleration, Kirby's air speed is too slow for him to take advantage of it, although his mobility issues are not as bad as Luigi's. Kirby also has several KO moves, but most of them are hard to land without a setup due to his mediocre range. Rage further compounds these issues, as Kirby will be launched even earlier, while he will typically not endure long enough in order to take advantage of it.

Overall, Kirby tends to run hot and cold. He can inflict an impressive amount of damage if he gets close to his opponent thanks to his potent combo game, but doing so is difficult for him due to his poor approach. As such, Kirby does well with a bait-and-punish playstyle, although being unprepared for an opponent's approach can be hazardous due to his unimpressive survivability.

Changes from Super Smash Bros. 4

Near the end of SSB4's metagame, Kirby had been considered a low tier, and was thus ranked as the 6th worst character in SSB4's most recent tier list (50th out of 55). In the transition to Ultimate, Kirby has been granted a mixture of buffs and nerfs, but has been buffed overall, although not enough to improve his standing considerably relative to the rest of the cast.

Kirby's buffs lie in the increased utility of his ground and aerial moveset. The first the first two hits of his jab can now jab lock, making them more useful for set-ups for downed characters, and the looping hits connect into the opponent much more reliably, albeit at the cost of reduced damage output. Forward tilt is a stronger neutral option, as its increased knockback gives it KO potential and its reduced ending lag makes it a harder move to punish overall. Dash attack has been completely reworked, reverting back to its Melee iteration - however, it is significantly stronger, dealing much more damage and knockback, has less startup compared to his previous dash attack in SSB4, can cross-up on shields, covers more distance, and is more reliable for catching opponents thanks to only consisting of one, long-lasting hit. These changes make it a stronger punish tool and a much more useful and versatile move overall than his previous dash attack. His smash attacks are stronger punish options, with forward smash having an increase in range, up smash having reduced start-up, and down smash regaining its semispike angle that makes it better for edgeguarding, similarly to one of its hitboxes in Brawl, and all three of have higher power, except for down smash, which has reduced knockback to compensate its lower angle, although it still KOs earlier close to the ledge. The landing lag in his aerials, already among the lowest in SSB4, was reduced even further and noticeably benefits him, making his aerials not only safer, but now capable of leading into followups, with forward air's first two hits now being able to follow up into forward smash, while his neutral aerial, one of his most situational attacks, has more range, more knockback and much less ending lag, making it safer and more reliable for pressuring, edgeguarding and KOing. Many of Kirby's attacks, such as up tilt and all his aerials except for up aerial also have more range, partially reducing one of his weaknesses from SSB4. Inhale has received a large number of of significant improvements: it has reduced ending lag, more range, Kirby has a doubled time period during which he can't lose his Copy Ability, it's now harder to make him lose it, he can now eat the projectiles he swallows to heal himself or spit them as a star, and his neutral special receives a 1.2× multiplier compared to his opponent, giving him a greater incentive to Inhale opponents, while also giving him a reflector. Lastly, Stone has super armor during its start-up, making it harder to interrupt Kirby out of the attack, as in previous Smash games, he could be interrupted even when he fully transformed.

However, Kirby has also received a few noteworthy nerfs. The most notable were to his grab game: The universal changes to the ending lag of grabs makes Kirby's riskier to throw out, his already mediocre grab range has been worsened (most notably on his pivot grab), and his forward throw has him jump up higher after the throw, which runs the risk of possibly landing on top of a soft platform, negating all follow-ups when it happens too early. This worsens Kirby's combo game on stages with platforms, and when combined with the loss of back throw's combo potential, grants Kirby a less effective combo game off of his grabs overall. Additionally, Stone no longer hits twice against shielded opponents, reducing its shield pressure considerably, and back aerial, one of his primary KOing options in SSB4, deals less knockback, although the clean hit now lasts for 3 frames instead of 2. Lastly, his down aerial, one of his most reliable combo starters in SSB4, has more range on the looping hits, but slightly less on the final hit and is less advantageous on landing due to the removal of frame canceling, reducing the effectiveness of its follow-ups since its landing lag was not reduced enough to compensate properly.

Overall, while Kirby has been improved from SSB4, he still retains many of the same issues (mediocre range, sluggish aerial mobility, noticeable start-up on aerials barring back air, susceptibility to being camped) that made him a poorly viewed character in SSB4. Additionally, a majority of the characters that were ranked on the same tier as Kirby or lower in SSB4 have received notably bigger improvements than Kirby, which includes characters such as King Dedede, Pac-Man, Falco, and Zelda. This, coupled with his very sparse tournament results, has garnered him an overwhelmingly negative reception across the Smash community; multiple competitive players including ESAM, Leffen, Tweek, VoiD, Dabuz, and Samsora view Kirby just as poorly as in SSB4 or even as one of the worst characters in the game altogether, with Mew2King going as far as to give Kirby his own tier below bottom tier, dubbed as the "Kirby Tier". However, he has earned some minimal representation in all levels of play, with players such as Komota, Jesuischoq, SuperGirlKels, and Captain L. Jesuischoq usually does decent in French majors, and Komota has achieved a few noticeable results in majors. As of now, due to Kirby's lack of representation outside of them, his overall viability remains questionable.

Aesthetics

  •   As with all veterans returning from Smash 4, Kirby's model features a more subdued color scheme.
  •   Like many other characters, Kirby is more expressive, both with his face and his movement.
  •   Some of Kirby's animations, particularly his dash and initial jump, have been tweaked to closer resemble his appearance from Kirby's Return to Dream Land onward.
  •   One of Kirby's voice clips when taking high knockback has been changed to his alternate KO sound from Smash 4.
    •   As a result, he gains a new KO clip, which sounds similar to one of his Melee knockback voice clips.
    •   Kirby's unused damage yell from Smash 4 is now used when he takes medium knockback.
  •   Kirby's on-screen appearance has a more intense, fiery explosion than in previous games. The large, cartoony stars that appear have been removed, and while the sparkle effects are still present, they have been drastically toned down. All in all, it more closely resembles how it appeared in the original Super Smash Bros.
  •   Up taunt has been shortened, with Kirby striking the ending pose without dancing first. The pose itself has been tweaked; Kirby now raises one of his feet, resembling the pose he makes when gaining an ability in his games.
  •   Kirby smiles during his side taunt.
  •   Kirby's victory poses have been modified. Two new dances are used, one with Kirby waving his arms and breakdancing, and another with Kirby moonwalking and sliding, both based off of Kirby’s Return to Dream Land and ending in a unique pose. Kirby also splits into three separate Kirbys when not in team battles, referencing his home series. This is the first and only game to have Kirby's victory poses finish differently.
    •   Kirby's idle pose at the end of his victory animation is more animate, with a gentle squash-and-stretch effect leading to a more rubbery feeling.
    •   Kirby faces forward instead of away when "wiggling" in one of his victory poses.
  •   When Kirby gains a new Copy Ability, he briefly poses like he does in his home series. This animation can be canceled.
  •   Some Copy Ability hats have been changed.
    •   His Samus helmet has a fully opaque visor, as it was in Super Smash Bros.
    •   His Captain Falcon helmet has triangular eyes, and the visor is opaque as in Super Smash Bros.
    •   Unlike Smash 4, his Jigglypuff cap matches his costume color, as in previous games up to Brawl.
    •   His Zelda cap has been changed from the wimple she wore as a child in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to a hairstyle matching her new A Link to the Past and A Link Between Worlds-inspired look.
    •   His Ganondorf cap is consistent with Ganondorf's Ocarina of Time appearance, effectively reverting to its design in Melee.
    •   His Ike cap uses the hairstyle from his Path of Radiance design, as in Brawl.
    •   His Wolf cap matches Wolf's Star Fox Zero-based appearance.
    •   His Robin cap, upon exhausting the Thunder tome, will disappear like it does in all other cases, instead of just disappearing with no animation.
  •   Kirby's Boxing Ring alias has been changed to "The Pink Demon".

Attributes

  •   Like all characters, Kirby's jumpsquat takes 3 frames to complete (down from 4).
  •   Kirby runs faster (1.57 → 1.727).
    •   His initial dash is noticeably faster (1.5 → 1.9).
  •   Kirby walks faster (0.93 → 0.977).
  •   Kirby's air speed is slightly faster (0.8 → 0.84).
  •   Kirby's traction is much higher (0.0493 → 0.116), going from below average to being tied for the 17th highest, making easier for him to punish out of shield.
  •   The changes to taunt interruptibility benefit Kirby more than any other returning veteran, as he can act quicker after discarding a Copy Ability.
  •   Forward roll grants less intangibility (frames 4-17 → 4-15).
  •   Back roll has more startup with less intangibility (frames 4-17 → 5-16), and more ending lag (FAF 31 → 36).
  •   Air dodge grants more intangibility (frames 3-27 → 3-29).
  •   Air dodge has significantly more ending lag (FAF 33 → 63), now being tied with Rosalina for the second slowest air dodge in the game duration-wise, only behind Jigglypuff.

Ground attacks

  • Neutral attack:
    •   Neutral attack's first and second hits have altered angles (55° → 361°/180° (hit 1), 70° → 361° (hit 2)) and knockback (8 base/30 scaling → 20 base/25/20 scaling (hit 1), 15/30 → 25/15 (hit 2)) to keep opponents close to Kirby, akin to other neutral attacks. This allows them to jab lock, and noticeably improves their previously poor linking ability.
    •   The second hit transitions faster into the infinite (frame 8 → 5) and has a lower SDI multiplier (1× → 0.3×), although with a slightly higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.2×).
    •   The infinite has shorter gaps between hits (4 frames → 2), a consistent angle (55°/68°/80° → 361°), a lower hitlag multiplier (1× → 0.5×) and SDI multiplier (1× → 0.4×), and deals less knockback (6/4/2 base/100 scaling → 7 base/35 scaling). This allows it to connect more reliably and makes it much harder to escape.
    •   The infinite's finisher has less startup (frame 5 → 3) and ending lag (FAF 51 → 40).
    •   The finisher deals more damage (2% → 3%) and launches at a lower angle (45° → 361°), with knockback not fully compensated (80 base/120 scaling → 70/115), improving its KO potential.
    •   All hits except the finisher deal less damage (2% → 1.8% (hit 1), 3% → 1.6% (hit 2), 1% → 0.2% (infinite)).
    •   The first hit has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.7×), giving opponents more time to SDI it.
    •   The second hit and each hit of the infinite have a shorter hitbox duration (2 frames → 1), and the latter also has one frame more startup (frame 6 → 7), although this is compensated by its faster transition from the second hit.
    •   The finisher has smaller hitboxes overall (4.5u/6.5u/5.5u → 5u/5u/5u).
    •   The finisher has a much higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 3×).
  • Forward tilt:
    •   Forward tilt has less ending lag (FAF 28 → 24). Combined with the increased shieldstun for ground attacks, this makes it much safer on shield.
    •   It has much more base knockback (12 → 40), improving its KO potential.
  • Up tilt:
    •   Up tilt's closest hitbox is larger (4u → 4.8u), now slightly larger than the late hit in Brawl.
    •   Its late hit and foot intangibility last one more frame (frames 6-9 → 6-10), now matching its duration from Brawl.
    •   It has less base knockback (40 → 30/26 (clean), 26 (late)) and more knockback scaling (116 → 132/125 (clean), 110 → 130/119 (late)), allowing it to combo better into his aerials from low to mid percents, while also improving its KO potential at very high percents.
    •   The hitbox at the tip of Kirby's foot launches at a slightly different angle (100° → 98° (clean), 88° → 86° (late)).
  • Down tilt:
    •   Due to the increased traction across the cast, opponents do not slide back as much upon tripping from down tilt, improving its reliability for starting combos.
    •   It has more knockback scaling (30 → 43), causing it to stop tripping opponents sooner, but improving its combo potential at higher percents if it doesn't trip.
  • Dash attack:
    •   Dash attack has reverted to its Melee iteration, where Kirby does a flaming tackle identical to the Burning copy ability from his home series, although it does not go off edges.
    •   It hits only once instead of six times, possessing a clean hit, mid hit and late hit. This makes it more reliable overall than the previous dash attack, which could sometimes miss its last hit due to the looping hits' poor linking ability.
    •   It propels Kirby a much farther distance forward, increasing its range, and due to him leaping during the animation, it can cross-up shields despite the changes to jostle mechanics. This makes it safer on shield at close range.
    •   It has less startup, with its hitboxes active fully throughout (frames 12, 15, 19, 24, 30, 35-37 → 9-17 (clean)/18-26 (mid)/27-34 (late)).
    •   The clean hit deals more damage (1% (hits 1-5), 4% (hit 6); 9% total → 12%), with knockback not fully compensated (100 base/70 scaling → 82/66), and launches at a more horizontal angle (65° → 46°). This turns it into a much stronger finisher, KOing opponents at around 160% from center stage and 105% near edges, compared to being unable to KO under 280% regardless of horizontal positioning.
    •   It has larger hitboxes (3.5u/3.5u/3.3u (hits 1-5), 3u (hit 6) → 5u (clean), 3.5u (mid & late)).
    •   Due to the mid hit dealing more damage than the previous dash attack's last hit (4% → 9%), and launching at a higher angle (65° → 76°), it KOs slightly earlier despite its lower knockback values (100 base/70 scaling → 80/50).
    •   It has more ending lag (FAF 54 → 60). Combined with no longer dealing multiple hits, this makes it much more punishable on shield if spaced poorly.
    •   The late hit deals more damage than the previous dash attack's final hit (4% → 6%).
    •   However, it has much less knockback (100 base/70 scaling → 80/50), hindering its KO potential despite launching at a higher angle (65° → 76°).
    •   It has a lower hitlag multiplier (2× → 1.3× (clean)/1× (mid)/0.8× (late)). This makes harder to DI, but makes it less safe in shield, especially in the later hitboxes.
  • Forward smash:
    •   Forward smash's clean hit deals more knockback (30 base/102 scaling → 32/109), improving its KO potential.
    •   Kirby lunges farther forward, giving it more range.
    •   It deals more damage when angled down (14% → 15% (clean), 10% → 11% (late)).
    •   It deals less damage when angled up (16% → 15% (clean), 12% → 11% (late)), although the clean is still slightly stronger than in Smash 4 due to its higher knockback values.
    •   The clean hit has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.2×), making it easier to DI.
    •   It has a different startup animation: Kirby pulls back before executing a thrust kick instead of performing a spin first, making it resemble Smash Kick, one of Smash Bros. Kirby's attacks in Kirby: Planet Robobot.
  • Up smash:
    •   Up smash has less startup (frame 14 → 12), with its total duration compensated (FAF 48 → 46).
    •   The clean hit and late hit had their duration reversed: the clean hit now lasts for 3 frames and the late hit only comes out on the last frame(frame 14 (clean)/15-16 (mid)/17-19 (late) → 12-14/15-16/17). This makes it more useful as an anti-air and makes it more consistent for KO'ing.
    •   The clean hit has more base knockback (32 → 36), improving its KO potential.
    •   The late hit (12% (base)/11% (tip) → 13%/12%) and the tip of the middle hitbox (12% → 13%) deal more damage.
    •   Its leg intangibility frames have been moved to match its faster startup (frames 14-19 → 12-17).
  • Down smash:
    •   Down smash launches at a semi-spike angle like one of its hitboxes in Brawl (69° → 29°), significantly improving its edgeguarding ability and allowing it to KO earlier near edges. It's also no longer vulnerable to LSI.
    •   It has much less knockback scaling to compensate for its lower angle(110 → 89), hindering its KO potential at center stage and across the stage.

Aerial attacks

  •   All aerials have less landing lag (10 frames → 6 (neutral), 13 → 8 (forward), 17 → 10 (back), 12 → 7 (up), 17 → 16 (down).
  •   The universal reduction to landing lag benefits Kirby's combo potential in his neutral, forward and up aerials and makes his aerial attacks safe on shield despite the changes to shieldstun for aerial attacks.
  • Neutral aerial:
    •   Neutral aerial's clean hit deals more knockback (30 base/90 scaling → 35/100), improving its pressure ability and KO power.
    •   All hitboxes are bigger (8u → 9u (clean), 7u → 8u (mid), 6u → 7u (mid-to-late), 5u → 6u (late)).
    •   It has significantly less ending lag (FAF 73 → 55), making it much safer to use.
    •   It auto-cancels earlier (frame 56 → 51).
  • Forward aerial:
    •   Forward aerial's first hit launches at a higher angle (45°/80° → 53°/84°) and deals less knockback (35 base/50 scaling → 43/39 (close), 35/38 (far)), allowing it to connect into the second hit more reliably.
    •   The first and second hits have lower hitlag (1× → 0.8×) and SDI multipliers (1× → 0.5×), making them harder to escape.
    •   The first and third hits have larger hitboxes (4.3u/4.3u → 5u/4.4u (hit 1), 4.9u → 5.1u (hit 3)).
    •   The third hit also extends further horizontally and vertically (Z offset: 8-12 → 7-13, Y offset: 3.9-4.2 → 3-4.2), further improving its range.
    •   The second hit extends further outwards (Z offset: 8-12 → 7-13), improving its horizontal range.
    •   The hitbox is also lower down (Y offset: 3.7-4.2 → 2.8-4.1).
    •   The third hit has a longer duration (frames 25-26 → 25-27).
  • Back aerial:
    •   Back aerial has larger hitboxes (4u (early)/3.4u (late) → 4.5u/3.5u), and the hitboxes extend further horizontally (Z offset: 7-10.5 (clean)/7-10 (late) → 6-13/6-11), noticeably improving its range.
    •   The clean hit has a longer duration (frames 6-7 → 6-8).
    •   The clean hit deals less knockback (20 base/104 scaling → 15/100), hindering its KO potential.
    •   The late hit has a shorter duration (frames 8-14 → 9-12).
    •   The clean hit has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.2×).
  • Up aerial:
    •   Up aerial has slightly less ending lag (FAF 40 → 38).
    •   It has more knockback scaling (100 → 108), improving its KO ability, without worsening its combo ability due to its reduced landing lag.
  • Down aerial:
    •   Down aerial's looping hits deal more damage (1% → 1.3%, total: 7% → 8.5%), with knockback scaling compensated (107 → 100).
    •   The looping hits have a noticeably lower hitlag multiplier (1.5× → 0.8×), alongside a larger hitbox (5u → 6u), increasing their range and making them harder to escape from.
    •   It can no longer be frame canceled, with its landing lag not reduced enough to compensate. As a result, it has more landing lag relative to Smash 4 if the landing hit connects, hindering its combo potential.
    •   The last hit has a smaller hitbox (6.2u → 5.6u).

Throws and other attacks

  • Grabs:
    •   All grabs have more ending lag (FAF 28 → 34 (standing), 39 → 42 (dash), 33 → 37 (pivot)), albeit they are still among the fastest in the game.
    •   All grabs have less range (Z2 offset: 10.2u → 9.4u (standing), 12.1u → 11u (dash), -17.9u → -15.7u (pivot)).
    •   Dash grab has slightly more startup lag (frame 8 → 9).
  • Pummel:
    •   Pummel deals less damage (1.55% → 1%).
    •   It has less startup (frame 9 → 1) and ending lag (FAF 10 → 6), but deals considerably more hitlag (4 frames → 11), increasing its effective duration.
  • Forward throw:
    •   Forward throw has Kirby jump slightly higher and further backwards at the end of the animation, able to reach the height of Battlefield's lower platform. The additional height weakens its combo potential at low percents, while the additional backwards distance prevents him from benefiting from the extra height at higher percents.
  • Back throw:
    •   Back throw has Kirby jump immediately after releasing the opponent as opposed to a few frames later, with its duration unchanged, increasing its ending lag. This causes Kirby to be much higher in the air after the move ends, removing its followups at low percents.
    •   Back throw has an altered animation where Kirby doesn't squish as much upon slamming the opponent to the ground.
  • Up throw:
    •   Up throw has gained a collateral hitbox upon landing that deals 7%, similar to Meta Knight's up throw, increasing its effectiveness in battles with multiple opponents.
  • Down throw:
    •   Down throw's first nine hits deal more damage (0.8% → 1%, total: 10.2% → 12%).
  • Edge attack:
    •   Edge attack deals more damage (7% → 9%).

Special moves

  • Inhale:
    •   Inhale has a larger vortex hitbox (7u → 8.5u) with altered hitbox placements (7.5u → 7u (Y offset), 13u → 15.5u (Z offset)), and an additional vortex hitbox, increasing its range.
    •   It has less ending lag when failing to inhale anything (FAF 73 → 68).
    •   It has less ending lag after copying an opponent (FAF 30 → 21), preventing the copied opponent from being able to hit Kirby before he can move.
    •   Its swallowing hitboxes are larger (4.2u/4.6u → 5.3u/5.8u), increasing the safety of copying an opponent when others are nearby.
    •   It can catch projectiles to heal Kirby, albeit with noticeable ending lag.
      •   Kirby can keep some projectiles, like a fully charged Charge Shot, inside his mouth and then choose to spit them out as a star that deals damage or swallow them to heal himself. The ability to spit projectiles also gives Kirby a reflector .
    •   Kirby dies later when performing a Kirbycide, though he still dies first. This gives the opponent less time to recover after Kirby is KO'd.
    •   Kirby receives a 1.2× damage multiplier for his Copy Abilities when compared to the copied opponent's neutral special. This improves the utility of his Copy Ability.
    •   Kirby cannot lose his Copy Ability by getting hit for 10 seconds after receiving it.
    •   The distance an opponent travels in a star scales with damage, allowing Kirby to KO spat opponents near edges more effectively at higher percents.
    •   Inhale has a more opaque visual effect.
  • Hammer:
    •   Hammer launches at a lower angle when not fully charged (53° → 48° (grounded), 55° → 50° (aerial)), improving its KO and potential.
    •   The grounded version has intangibility when fully charged (frames 2-10).
    •   The grounded version has more super armor when fully charged (frames 11-13 → 11-17).
    •   The aerial version deals slightly more damage (15%-27% → 16%-28%) with no compensation on knockback.
    •   The aerial version sends at a higher angle when fully charged (45° → 50°), slightly reducing its KO potential despite its increased damage.
    •   Kirby may use his uncharged or fully charged voice lines from Smash 4 when swinging an uncharged Hammer.
    •   A fully charged Hammer triggers Special Zoom.
  • Final Cutter:
    •   Final Cutter has less landing lag (34 frames → 30).
    •   It can snap to the ledge earlier (frame 36 → 33).
    •   The rising hit has a longer duration (frames 23-24 → 23-26). The set knockback during the additional active frames is lower (117/102 → 60/50) to link into the falling hit as well.
    •   The landing hit no longer has set knockback (120 set/100 scaling → 85 base/95 scaling).
    •   The falling hit has smaller hitboxes (6.5u → 6u (meteor), 6u → 5.5u (late)).
    •   The falling hit's meteor smash portion has slightly less set knockback (100 → 96).
    •   The projectile has a lower hitlag multiplier (1× → 0.7×), although this is compensated by the universal increase to hitlag.
  • Stone:
    •   Aerial Stone has super armor during startup (frames 19-28).
    •   The landing hit launches at a higher angle (0° → 25°) and has much more base knockback (40 → 86), although with its knockback scaling compensated (40 → 24), allowing it to set up edgeguards more effectively, while also increasing its KO power.
    •   The aerial hit can no longer combo into the landing hit, significantly decreasing its shield damage.
    •   If Stone is hit with a reversing move such as Cape, the transformation will visually spin around.
    •   Opponents can no longer run through Stone, but can now push the transformations along the ground.
    •   Stone can transform into a Treasure Chest found in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's shrines.
    •   If Kirby is metal when using Stone, the transformation will also be metal.
    •   Kirby doesn't change back to normal if he lands underwater.
  • Ultra Sword:
    •   It features a special background effect upon usage, in a similar fashion to the use of Super Abilities in Kirby's Return to Dream Land.
    •   The final hit deals less knockback (scaling: 100 → 95).

Update history

Kirby has been buffed via game updates, having his damage output, KO potential, and attack safety slightly improved. His forward tilt has less ending lag and deals more knockback, giving it newfound KO potential at very high percentages, while boosting its safety. Neutral and up aerials have less ending lag, with the former being able to auto-cancel earlier as well, aiding Kirby's aerial game. Dash attack deals more damage on all hitboxes, while its clean hitbox has wider range, enabling it to rack up damage more easily. In the 3.0.0 patch, Kirby has been buffed further, with improvements given to a few of his more generally lackluster attacks. Kirby can retain inhaled Copy Abilities noticeably longer and is less likely to lose his Copy Abilities after the initial threshold. His down throw's damage-racking capabilities are improved, and his Final Cutter can grab ledges earlier, making it safer for recovery. Up smash's clean hit now has a longer duration, improving its reliability as an anti-air option. Lastly, the universal nerf to projectile shield damage allows Kirby to overcome camping strategies better.

  1.1.0

  •   Up aerial has less ending lag (FAF 40 → 38).
  •   Final Cutter has some animations updated.

  1.2.0

  •   After copying Pac-Man's Bonus Fruit, Key will no longer be discarded when it is recycled.

  2.0.0

  •   Dash attack has more range.
  •   Dash attack deals more damage (10% (clean)/7% (mid)/4% (late) → 12%/9%/6%) with knockback partly compensated.
  •   Forward tilt deals more knockback, causing it to KO at high percents.
  •   Forward tilt has less ending lag (FAF 28 → 24).
  •   The aerial version of Stone has super armor (frames 19-28).
  •   Fixed a visual glitch in Team Battles where the smoke effects of Kirby's doubles were still present if Kirby is on a winning team with more than two characters.

  3.0.0

  •   Up smash's clean hit has a longer duration, with the late hit having a shorter duration instead (frame 12 (strong)/13-14 (mid)/15-17 (late) → 12-14/15-16/17).
  •   Neutral aerial has less ending lag (FAF 63 → 55) and auto-cancels earlier (frame 56 → 51).
  •   The first 9 hits of down throw deal more damage (0.8% → 1%, total: 10.2% → 12%).
  • Inhale
    •   Kirby dies later when performing a Kirbycide with Inhale, though he still dies first. This gives the opponent less time to recover after Kirby is KO'd.
    •   Kirby cannot lose Copy Abilities received by Inhale for a longer period of time (5 seconds → 10).
    •   Kirby is less likely to lose Copy Abilities when getting hit (Chance to lose: Damage Received/70 * 130% → Damage Received/70 * 100%).
    •   Fixed a majority amount of Inhale Glitches:
      •   Visual glitch where Kirby would retain parts of Metal status with Wii Fit Trainer.
      •   Visual glitch where Kirby’s Bandana from Snake would move during the camera view of each frame.
      •   Opponents now properly gain intangibility when caught by Inhale; previously opponents would become stuck in a hitstun during Inhale.
      •   Infinite floating glitch that occurs when Kirby uses multiple copied Mii Swordfighter's Gale Strikes in the air after performing a throw that left him in the air.
      •   Gliding glitch when Kirby uses a copied and B-reversed Mii Swordfighter's Gale Strike while running.
  •   Final Cutter can snap to the ledge earlier (frame 36 → 33).

  3.1.0

  •   Kirby can no longer perform the initial dash cancel to Pikmin Throw.
  •   Fixed an issue that resulted in Kirby being unable to perform dodges, shield and crouch after attempting to change then losing the chosen Monado Art.
  •   Scenarios where the opponent would not escape from Inhale after Kirby gets hitstunned at a specific frame has been fixed.

Moveset

Note: All numbers are listed as base damage, without the 1v1 multiplier.

  Name Damage Description
Neutral attack Vulcan Jab/Smash Punch 1.8% A one-two combo. When button mashed, Kirby performs the Vulcan Jab from the Fighter ability before concluding with the Smash Punch, also from the Fighter ability. It is very quick due to coming out on frame 3, and its first two hits have very minimal ending lag. These traits make it effective for jab canceling or as an out of shield option.
1.6%
0.2% (loop), 3% (last)
Forward tilt   8% (base), 7% (tip) Throws a spinning roundhouse kick. It is quick, due to coming out on frame 5, having very little ending lag and can be angled. Due to its above average knockback, it can KO middleweights starting at around 132% at the edge of Final Destination.
Up tilt   5% (clean), 4% (late) A scorpion kick. Although its damage output is low, it is a very useful combo starter at low percents, especially on fast-fallers, due to it coming out on frame 4 and having both minimal ending lag and disjointed range which slightly reaches behind him. It also renders Kirby's foot intangible throughout its duration.
Down tilt Squish Kick 6% A crouching shin kick. It is fairly spammable due to coming out on frame 4 and having minimal ending lag. When coupled with its tripping potential, it can be a very useful set-up option.
Dash attack Burn 12% (clean), 9% (mid), 6% (late) The Burn attack from the Fire ability. It has decent start up at frame 9 with a lengthy hitbox that grows weaker over time. When struck cleanly, it has great power, KOing middleweights at around 98% from the edge of Final Destination.
Forward smash Smash Kick 15% (clean), 11% (late) The Spin Kick from the Fighter ability. Due to becoming active at frame 13, it's fast for a forward smash. It can be angled and moderately moves Kirby forward, giving it deceptive range. Its clean hitbox also deals respectable damage and has very high knockback growth, which makes it a powerful and reliable KOing option. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at around 80%. However, its late hitbox lacks reliable KO potential.
Up smash   15%/14% (clean), 14%/13% (mid), 13%/12% (late) A bicycle kick. It can hit behind Kirby, while its clean hitbox deals respectable damage and has very high knockback growth like forward smash. It clean hitbox KOs middleweights at around 110% from anywhere on Final Destination. Kirby's foot is also rendered intangible throughout its duration. However, its mid and late hitboxes lack KO potential. Comes out on frame 12 and has 29 frames of ending lag, so it's speed is only average for an up smash.
Down smash   14% (clean), 10% (late) A spinning split kick. It hits in front of and behind Kirby, and its clean hitbox deals respectable damage and has very high knockback growth like his forward and up smashes. Comes out on frame 10. Semispike with above average power, with its clean hitbox KOing middleweights at around 103% from the edge of Final Destination. It also renders Kirby's feet intangible, albeit only during its clean hitbox. However, its late hitbox has significantly lower KO potential.
Neutral aerial Twinkle Star 10% (clean), 8% (mid), 6% (mid-to-late), 4% (late) A cartwheel, similar to the aerial attack from the Smash ability. Its very low landing lag makes it a decent set-up option at low percents or a tool for shield pressure when short hopped, while it's surprisingly high knockback growth makes it a decent anti-pressure and out of shield option. It has big hitboxes, especially at the beginning, giving good protection and coverage around Kirby. It can also edgeguard, but it has the highest amount of ending lag out of Kirby's aerials, although much safer than in SSB4 since its ending lag was reduced drastically. Despite having sex kick properties, it also has noticeable startup lag at frame 10, tied with forward and up aerials. Autocancels in a full hop.
Forward aerial   4% (hit 1), 3% (hit 2), 5% (hit 3) The Aerial Spin Kick from the Fighter ability. The first two hits have low knockback, which allows them to connect reliably with the third hit. Its low landing lag also allows the first or second hit to be used as set-up options into other moves, such as an up smash or forward smash at high percents. Good for combos. Can connect into itself for a Wall of Pain in certain instances. Autocancels in a full hop.
Back aerial   13% (clean), 8% (late) A dropkick. It functions as a sex kick, but also has the lowest amount of start-up lag out of Kirby's aerials, due to it coming out on frame 6. It autocancels from a short hop and its clean hitbox also deals the most damage out of his aerials, and possesses very high knockback growth, which make it a viable KOing option. While near the edge of Final Destination, its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at around 105%. It also boasts good range due to its slightly disjointed hitbox, which makes it a viable edge-guarding option, and allows it to use it in a wall of pain.
Up aerial   9% The Moon Somersault Kick from the Fighter ability. A decent juggling option, it can also be used for continuing a combo due to its low landing lag. Autocancels in a short hop.
Down aerial   1.3% (hits 1-5), 2% (hit 6), 2% (landing) A diagonal corkscrew dropkick. An effective combo starter on grounded opponents and, due to the last hit being a weak meteor smash, it is a useful edge-guarding option, especially since its low ending lag makes it relatively safe to use off-stage. It can even lead into a footstool jump on fast-fallers and heavyweights. While it has the highest amount of start-up lag out of Kirby's aerials due to coming out on frame 18, and not autocanceling in a short hop, it can be auto-canceled on landing, giving Kirby a very large window to safely land while tumbling. Despite possessing a landing hit, it's landing lag is only moderate, with 16 frames,making it safe even if not autocanceled.
Grab   The Foe Grab from the Fighter ability. One of the fastest grabs, but has short range. Kirby's throws are based on attacks used by the Suplex and Ninja abilities.
Pummel   1% The punch version of the Arm Throw from the Fighter ability. Weak, but one of the fastest pummels.
Forward throw   5% The Pile Driver from the Suplex ability. Unlike the majority of forward throws, it possesses combo potential. Its most reliable follow-ups are neutral, forward and down aerials at low percents, and up aerial and Final Cutter at medium percents. Using it below a Battlefield platform will have Kirby land on said platform, hindering followups at lower percents, but extending them at higher percents.
Back throw   8% The Big Suplex from the Suplex ability. Despite having an average damage output and very low base knockback, it has very high knockback growth. As a result, it has decent KO potential, yet can also combo into back aerial on certain characters at very low percents. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at around 137%.
Up throw Air Drop 10% (throw), 7% (landing) The attack of the same name from the Ninja ability. Like Meta Knight's up throw, it can damage and launch bystanders upon landing. It is weaker than his back throw when used at the edge, but it is consistently strong regardless of where it's used on the stage. Great knockback, KOing middleweights at around 158% from anywhere on Final Destination, and the landing hit can KO at around 157%. Because Kirby jumps up to perform it, he can land onto platforms above him upon descending, which enables it to KO even earlier.
Down throw   1% (hits 1-10), 2% (throw) The Fury Stomp from the Suplex ability. It is Kirby's most damaging throw at 12%, which makes it useful for damage racking. It can also damage nearby opponents.
Forward roll
Back roll
Spot dodge
Air dodge
Techs
Floor attack (front)
Floor getups (front)
  7% Performs a spin kick before getting up.
Floor attack (back)
Floor getups (back)
  7% Kicks on one side and then the other before getting up.
Floor attack (trip)
Floor getups (trip)
  5% The Break Spin from the Yo-yo ability.
Edge attack
Edge getups
  9% Performs a cartwheeling kick while climbing up. It has surprisingly good range compared to many other characters' edge attacks.
Neutral special Inhale 10% (swallow), 6% (spit) Inhales the opponent. It has a grabbox and can be held indefinitely. Upon Inhaling an opponent, Kirby can spit them out as a star to deal damage to them and any nearby opponents, copy their neutral special move, or walk around slowly and/or perform a short hop. However, the opponent can escape from Kirby's mouth via button mashing. Some characters will give Kirby a slight variation of their neutral special due to mechanics that would not work properly when copied, such as Luma Shot and Pikmin Pluck. When inhaling projectiles, Kirby will heal off a small amount of percentage, and when inhaling large projectiles, such as Samus's fully charged Charge Shot, it can be spat out as a star. Kirby' s copied neutral special's damage output has a x1.2 multiplier compared the opponent's version.
Side special Hammer Flip 19% (grounded uncharged), 16% (aerial uncharged), 35% (grounded fully charged), 28% (aerial fully charged) The attack of the same name from the Hammer ability. It is chargeable and, when fully charged, Kirby's hammer will ignite and deal recoil damage. He can also slowly walk and jump while charging it, while a fully charged Hammer Flip grants armor during part of the swing. When it is used in midair, Kirby will swing his hammer twice. While near the edge of Final Destination, uncharged Hammer Flip KOs middleweights at around 65%. Conversely, fully charged Hammer Flip KOs middleweights at around 6%. Although weaker, aerial Hammer Flip nevertheless possesses impressive KO potential. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at around 86%. Conversely, its fully charged version KOs them at around 33%. When fully charged and on the ground, it makes Kirby invincible from frame 2-10 and gives him super armor from frame 11-17. Despite this power, the move is considered essentially useless in competitive play outside of shield break punishes due to its small hitbox, terrible startup, and huge endlag.
Up special Final Cutter 5% (ascent), 2% (descent), 5% (landing), 6% (shockwave) The attack of the same name from the Cutter ability. It can meteor smash any opponents he comes into contact with upon descending. The sword also emits a shockwave upon hitting a solid surface, which is Kirby's only projectile aside from spitting out an Inhaled opponent. A good vertical recovery move and has decent horizontal distance when angled. However, it is extremely predictable due to its high start-up. Kirby cannot sweetspot the edge until he starts to descend, and if the platform beneath him disappears or if he is pushed off while he is still in the landing animation, he will be rendered helpless.
Down special Stone 18% (impact), 14% (shockwave) The Stone Change (while Kirby is on the ground) and the Stone Smash (while Kirby is in the air) from the Stone ability. Thanks to its high damage output, Stone Smash KOs middleweights at around 108% and deals considerable shield damage. It can also be canceled in midair by pressing the special button, which can be used for mindgames. Although Stone Change is slightly weaker, it is a semi-spike. Kirby cannot be damaged while he is transformed, although his Stone forms have a set amount of durability, and he can be grabbed while transformed.
Final Smash Ultra Sword 3% (stun), 5% (hit 1), 2.5% (hits 2-9), 16% (hit 10) The Super Ability of the same name. Kirby wields a gigantic sword to repeatedly slash the opponent before enlarging the sword and then concluding with a powerful downward slash. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at around 15%.

On-screen appearance

Kirby rides in on his classic warp star, followed by a small explosion while flipping off of it.

Taunts

All taunts remove Kirby's copy ability, if he has one.

  • Up taunt: Smiles and poses, producing a star.
  • Side taunt: Spins around playfully, followed by a "Nyum!" while standing on one foot. (Based on his "character chosen" animation in Super Smash Bros.)
  • Down taunt: Leans toward the screen and says "Hi!" while waving his arms.

Idle poses

  • Dozes off, then shakes his head awake.
  • Turns to face away from the screen, then turns back.

Victory poses

Note: Outside of team battles, Kirby's victory poses have three separate Kirbys, referencing the Kirby dances from his home series.

  • Left: Moonwalks to the left, twists, slides to the right, and jumps into a pose where he stands on one foot. Based on Kirby's dances in Kirby's Return to Dream Land and ends with a pose similar to his Brawl render.
  • Up: Cartwheels to the left twice, wiggles, and does a front flip before posing.
  • Right: Jumps twice, shuffles backwards, does a breakdance, and poses while facing away from the camera. Based on Kirby's dances in Kirby's Return to Dream Land, with the ending pose also appearing in said game.
The victory theme of the Kirby universe is a cover of the short recurring theme that plays when Kirby completes a stage or defeats a boss, debuting in Kirby's Dream Land, though the shortened version that this track is based on debuted in Kirby's Adventure.

In competitive play

Since the release of Ultimate, many professionals immediately noticed Kirby's significant flaws from the previous installment have been retained, and that his improvements to his other attributes are considered to be too negligible to fix them. As a result, his representation in the national levels has been minimal, with his reception being notoriously negative across the community. Kirby does, however, achieve at least some results in the local and regional scene. Jesuischoq has won a few local Europe tournaments and got good results in French majors, while Komota has made several respectable regional placings in the United States, as well as a noticeable 65th place finish at Frostbite 2019 . Most notably, SuperGirlKels has effectively used him as a secondary, notably using him to place in the Top 8 in ICARUS V and managing to take out Exodia along the way by using a combination of her main, Sonic, and Kirby. However, despite respectable local and regional results from said players, and game updates helping him, most of the community doesn’t consider them significant enough to address his key weaknesses from SSB4.

Notable players

Any number following the Smasher name indicates placement on the Spring 2019 PGRU, which recognizes the official top 50 players in the world in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate from February 1st, 2019 to July 7th, 2019.

Classic Mode: Gourmet Clash

 
Kirby's congratulations screen.

Kirby's opponents are characters who, like Kirby, are known for their large appetites. For each battle, Kirby and his opponent each spawn with 35% damage and several food items appear on the stage as the match begins.

Round Opponent Stage Music
1 Pac-Man   Pac-Land PAC-MAN
2 Giant Yoshi   Yoshi's Island Ground Theme - Super Mario World
3 Donkey Kong   Jungle Japes Jungle Hijinxs
4 Giant Wario   Gamer WarioWare, Inc.
5 King K. Rool   Kongo Jungle Mangrove Cove
6 King Dedede   Fountain of Dreams Gourmet Race (64)
Bonus Stage
Final Marx Mysterious Dimension Vs. Marx

Credits roll after completing Classic Mode. Completing it as Kirby has Staff Credits - Kirby's Dream Land accompany the credits.

Character unlock tree

Kirby's Classic Mode character unlock tree includes the following characters in order:

  1. Ness
  2. Jigglypuff
  3. Pac-Man
  4. Zelda
  5. Robin
  6. Corrin
  7. Lucas
  8. Palutena

Each character can be unlocked by clearing Kirby's Classic Mode, or the Classic Mode of any preceding character, if all preceding characters have been unlocked. Once all the above characters are unlocked, clearing Classic Mode with any of them will default to Mario's character unlock tree, starting with Sonic.

Role in World of Light

 
Kirby facing the World of Light, from the mode's opening cutscene.
 
Kirby in the start of World of Light's gameplay

Kirby was among the fighters summoned to the cliffside to assist in defeating an army of Master Hands.

After Galeem absorbed all of the Master Hands during the opening cutscene, he began to unleash beams of light that vaporized all of the fighters and later imprisoned all of them. Kirby was the sole survivor after escaping on his Warp Star, barely warping away from the beams before they could engulf him. Despite being the sole survivor, Kirby is still seen as a puppet in a few areas of the mode. It was later explained that Galeem had analyzed Kirby at some point during the story and was able to make puppet fighters in his image without needing Kirby himself.

Kirby crash-lands in a canyon area, and begins his quest to save the other fighters as the initial starting protagonist.

He is later seen alongside several other fighters, as they make their final stand against Galeem and Dharkon.

Fighter Battle

No. Image Name Type Power Stage Music
06 Kirby There is no fighter battle for Kirby, this fighter is available from the beginning

Spirits

Kirby's Fighter Spirit can be obtained by completing Classic Mode. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 500 coins. Starting World of Light and play as Kirby allows the player to preview the first spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a Fighter Spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. Each Fighter Spirit has an alternate version that replaces them with their artwork in Ultimate.

Additionally, Kirby makes an appearance in various Support Spirits.

In Spirit battles

As the main opponent

Spirit Battle parameters
No. Image Name Series Enemy Fighter(s) Type Power Stage Rules Conditions Music
48 Boo Super Mario series Kirby   1,800 Mushroom Kingdom U (Slide Lift Tower) •Invisibility •The enemy is invisible
•The enemy's shield has extra durability
Main Theme - Luigi's Mansion (Brawl)
50 Bob-omb Super Mario series Kirby   (×3) 3,500 Mushroom Kingdom •Item: Bob-omb •The enemy's throwing-type items have increased power
•The enemy has increased move speed
Airship Theme - Super Mario Bros. 3
66 King Bob-omb Super Mario series •Giant Kirby   4,100 Peach's Castle •Item: Bob-omb •The enemy is giant
•The enemy is easily distracted by items
Main Theme - Super Mario 64
69 Piantas Super Mario series Kirby   (×2)
Kirby   (×2)
Kirby   (×2)
Kirby   (×2)
1,600 Delfino Plaza •Item: Tidal Wave
•Item: Mushrooms
•Certain items will appear in large numbers after a little while Delfino Plaza
71 Luma Super Mario series Kirby (×4) (    ) 3,500 Mario Galaxy •Item: Stars •Take your strongest team into this no-frills battle Rosalina in the Observatory / Luma's Theme
74 Lubba Super Mario series •Giant Kirby   4,100 Mario Galaxy •Hazard: Low Gravity
•Item: Super Launch Star
•Gravity is reduced
•The enemy starts the battle with a Super Launch Star
•The enemy is giant
The Starship Sails
116 Viruses Dr. Mario series Kirby (×3) (   ) 4,000 Mario Bros. (Battlefield form) N/A •Timed battle Fever
285 X Parasite Metroid series Kirby Team   (x10) 2,100 Lylat Cruise N/A •The enemy favors neutral specials
•Defeat an army of fighters
Sector 1
327 Star Rod Kirby series Kirby Team   (×4) 9,200 Fountain of Dreams N/A •The enemy starts the battle with a Star Rod Gourmet Race (Melee)
329 Robobot Armor Kirby series •Metal Kirby Team   (×4) 4,000 Halberd •Item: Drill Stamina battle
•The enemy is metal
Pink Ball Activate!
331 Dragoon Kirby series Kirby   13,500 Pilotwings •Item: Dragoon Parts •Items will be pulled toward the enemy
•The enemy has increased move speed
The Legendary Air Ride Machine
335 Gooey Kirby series Kirby   4,200 Dream Land N/A •Timed battle
•The enemy favors neutral specials
Gourmet Race (64)
339 Whispy Woods Kirby series Kirby Team   (×5) 9,300 Green Greens •Hazard: Heavy Wind •Dangerously high winds are in effect
•Reinforcements will appear after an enemy is KO'd
Boss Theme Medley - Kirby Series
341 Nightmare's Power Orb Kirby series •Giant Kirby   4,000 Fountain of Dreams •Assist Trophy Enemies (Nightmare) •Hostile assist trophies will appear after a little while
•The enemy is giant
•The enemy starts the battle with a Star Rod
Vs. Marx
360 Waddle Dee Kirby series Kirby Team   (×4) 3,700 Dream Land GB N/A •Take your strongest team into this no-frills battle Kirby Retro Medley
362 Waddle Doo Kirby series Kirby   (×3) 2,500 Dream Land •Hazard: Zap Floor •The floor is electrified
•The enemy starts the battle with a Super Scope
Butter Building (for 3DS / Wii U)
366 Scarfy Kirby series Kirby Team (×4) ( , x3) 1,400 Dream Land N/A •Reinforcements will appear after an enemy is KO'd Green Greens (Melee)
368 Rocky Kirby series •Metal Kirby   2,600 The Great Cave Offensive (Battlefield form) N/A •Timed Stamina battle
•The enemy favors down specials
•The enemy is metal
The Great Cave Offensive
370 Bomber Kirby series Kirby   3,500 Dream Land GB •Item: Bomber •The enemy starts the battle with a Bomber Butter Building (Brawl)
380 Prince Fluff Kirby series Kirby   1,900 Super Happy Tree N/A •The enemy's throws have increased power
•The enemy favors grabs and throws
Green Greens (for 3DS / Wii U)
432 Dugtrio Pokémon series Kirby   (×3) 1,500 Pokémon Stadium 2 (Ground type) •Earthquake •Periodic earthquakes will shake the stage after a little while Pokémon Gym/Evolution - Pokémon Red / Pokémon Blue
438 Geodude Pokémon series Kirby Team   (×4) 1,400 Pokémon Stadium 2 (Ground type) N/A •The enemy favors down specials Pokémon Gym/Evolution - Pokémon Red / Pokémon Blue
458 Ditto Pokémon series Kirby   3,400 Pokémon Stadium N/A •The enemy favors neutral specials
•Only certain Pokémon will emerge from Poké Balls (Ditto)
Road to Viridian City - Pokémon Red / Pokémon Blue
470 Marill Pokémon series Kirby   1,700 Pokémon Stadium 2 N/A •Water and ice attacks aren't as effective against the enemy Pokémon Gold / Pokémon Silver Medley
546 Diancie Pokémon series •Reflect Kirby   (×2) 3,900 Kalos Pokémon League N/A •The enemy reflects projectiles
•The enemy favors down specials
•The enemy takes less damage while in the air
Battle! (Champion) - Pokémon X / Pokémon Y
553 Pyukumuku Pokémon series •Tiny Kirby   (×4) 1,600 Wuhu Island N/A •Only certain Pokémon will emerge from Poké Balls (Pyukumuku) Battle! (Wild Pokémon) - Pokémon Sun / Pokémon Moon
559 Nihilego Pokémon series Kirby   (×3) 4,100 The Great Cave Offensive (Ω form) •Hazard: Poison Floor •The floor is poisonous
•The enemy loves to jump
•The enemy falls slowly
The Battle at the Summit!
623 Wrys Fire Emblem series Kirby   2,500 Temple N/A •Timed Stamina battle
•The enemy tends to avoid conflict
•The enemy heals over time
Shadow Dragon Medley
806 White Pikmin Pikmin series •Tiny Kirby Team   (×13) 4,400 Distant Planet (Battlefield form) •Item: POW Block
•Hazard: Poison Floor
•The floor is poisonous
•Timed Stamina battle
•The enemy favors dash attacks
Forest of Hope
809 Rock Pikmin Pikmin series •Tiny Kirby Team   (×8) 1,800 Garden of Hope •Hazard: High Gravity Stamina battle
•Your jumping power decreases
•The enemy favors down specials
Garden of Hope (Original)
948 Ghosts Pac-Man series Kirby  
Jigglypuff  
Squirtle  
Pac-Man  
3,500 Pac-Land (Battlefield form) Assist Trophy Enemies (Ghosts) •Hostile assist trophies will appear PAC-MAN
1,122 Unira Clu Clu Land series Kirby Team   (×4) 1,800 75m •Item Tidal Wave
•Item: Unira
•Certain items will appear in large numbers
•The enemy is easily distracted by items
Clu Clu Land
1,155 Hakkun Sutte Hakkun Kirby   2,100 Yoshi's Island •Invisibility •Timed battle
•You are invisible after a little while
Flower Field
1,180 Tomatrio Tomato Adventure Kirby (×3) (   ) 1,600 Yoshi's Island (Melee) (Battlefield form) •Item: Maxim Tomato •The enemy is easily distracted by items Mixed-Up Scramble
1,186 Mattel The Legendary Starfy series Kirby   1,800 Delfino Plaza (Large Island) Assist Trophy Enemies (Starfy) •Hostile assist trophies will appear Tortimer Island Medley
1,226 Magkid Slide Adventure MAGKID Kirby Team   (×4) 1,800 PictoChat 2 Assist Trophy Enemies (Devil) •Hostile assist trophies will appear
•The enemy can deal damage by dashing into you
•The enemy has increased move speed
PictoChat
1,278 Qbby BOXBOY! Series Kirby   (×4) 9,300 Wii Fit Studio •Item Tidal Wave •Certain items will appear in large numbers Ice Cream Island
1,330 Slime DRAGON QUEST Series Kirby Team   (x5)
•Giant Kirby  
1,700 Gaur Plains (Battlefield form) N/A •Stamina battle
•The enemy favors neutral air attacks
•Reinforcements will appear after an enemy is KO'd
Fighting Spirits - DRAGON QUEST III
1,336 Liquid Metal Slime DRAGON QUEST Series •Metal Kirby   5,700 Great Cave Offensive (Battlefield form) •Move Speed ↑
•Defense ↑
•Attack Power ↓
•The enemy has super armor and is hard to launch or make flinch
•The enemy starts the battle with a Franklin Badge
•Timed stamina battle
Battle for the Glory - DRAGON QUEST IV
1,343 Jiggy Banjo-Kazooie Series •Gold Kirby   (x5) 2,000 The Great Cave Offensive N/A •Timed stamina battle
•The enemy falls slowly
Treasure Trove Cove

As a minion

Spirit Battle parameters Inspiration
No. Image Name Series Enemy Fighter(s) Type Power Stage Rules Conditions Music Character
67 Shine Sprite Super Mario series Rosalina & Luma  
Kirby (×3) (   )
13,100 Delfino Plaza (roof) •Temporary Invincibility
•Sudden Final Smash
•Item: Stars
•Defeat the main fighter to win
•The enemy will suddenly have a Final Smash
•The enemy will occasionally be invincible
Delfino Plaza (Remix) Piantas
72 Hungry Luma Super Mario series Rosalina & Luma  
Kirby  
1,900 Mario Galaxy •Item: Super Launch Star •Take your strongest team into this no-frills battle Egg Planet Hungry Luma
104 Geno Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Sheik  
Peach  
Kirby  
Bowser  
Mario  
13,700 Mario Galaxy (Battlefield form) N/A •Defeat the main fighter to win
•Timed battle
•The enemy's FS Meter charges quickly
Rainbow Road Medley Mallow
332 Rick Kirby series Pikachu  
Kirby  
4,100 Green Greens •Hazard: Ice Floor •The floor is frozen
•The enemy starts the battle with a Fire Flower
•The enemy has increased move speed
Planet Popstar Kirby
333 Kine Kirby series Squirtle  
Kirby  
3,600 Wuhu Island (Rocks at sea) •Buoyancy Reduced •You can't swim
•The enemy starts the battle with a Freezie
Float Islands Kirby
334 Coo Kirby series Falco  
Kirby  
4,100 Dream Land •Hazard: Heavy Wind •Dangerously high winds are in effect
•The enemy loves to jump
•The enemy falls slowly
Forest/Nature Area Kirby
690 Ball Game & Watch series Mr. Game & Watch  
Pac-Man  
Jigglypuff  
Kirby  
3,900 Flat Zone X (hazards off) •Item: Balls •The enemy favors grabs and throws
•The enemy's throwing type items have increased power
Flat Zone 2 Ball
723 Viridi Kid Icarus series Mii Swordfighter   (Moveset 1232, Viridi Wig, Viridi Outfit, High Voice Type 6)
Kirby  
13,700 Reset Bomb Forest N/A •Defeat the main fighter to win
•The enemy's special moves have increased power
•Timed battle
Wrath of the Reset Bomb Cragalanche
1,107 Fighting Alloy Team Super Smash Bros. series Captain Falcon Team   (×4)
Zelda Team   (×4)
Mario Team   (×4)
Kirby Team   (×4)
3,300 Final Destination (Battlefield form) N/A •Take your strongest team into this no-frills battle Cruel Smash Green Alloy
1,119 Devil Devil World Ridley  
Kirby   (×2)
3,900 75m (Battlefield form) •Assist Trophy Enemies (Devil) •Hostile assist trophies will appear 25m Theme Bon-Bon
1,197 Munchy Monk Rhythm Heaven series Ken  
•Tiny Kirby   (×3)
1,500 Spirit Train Item: Food •Defeat the main fighter to win
•The enemy favors up specials
•The enemy is easily distracted by items
Fruit Basket Dumplings
1,216 Dr. Lobe Big Brain Academy series Dr. Mario  
Kirby (×2) (  )
3,400 PictoChat 2 •Hazard: Low Gravity
•Hazard: High Gravity
•All fighters have reduced jump ability
•Gravity is reduced after a little while
Title Theme - Big Brain Academy
1,286 Clip & Snip Snipperclips - Cut it out, together! series Pac-Man  
Kirby  
3,600 PictoChat 2 N/A •The enemy starts the battle with a Killing Edge Noisy Notebook Snip
1,301 River Survival Super Mario series Bowser  
Kirby  
Yoshi  
Rosalina & Luma  
5,500 Kongo Falls (Ω form) Bob-omb Festival
•Item Tidal Wave
•Item: Food
•Survive until the timer runs out
•Bob-ombs will rain from the sky after a little while
Slide Goomba

Alternate costumes

 
               

Gallery

Character Showcase Video

Trivia

  • Kirby's stock icon is one of four to show eyes (the others being Meta Knight, R.O.B., and Sonic), due to it being a simplistic pink circle otherwise, in order to tell that it is his stock icon.
  • Kirby's pose resembles his character artwork in Kirby Super Star, but rotated to slightly face the screen. Coincidentally, this was also used for his character select artwork in the original Super Smash Bros.
  • Kirby is the only Kirby series character to keep his Final Smash between Smash 4 and Ultimate.
  • Since Kirby is the starter character of World of Light and part of the starter roster, it means he's the only character that isn't unlockable in the game for any mode.
    • This also makes Kirby the only character in the entire series that is never unlocked in any mode.
      • This means it is impossible to see the message saying that "Kirby joins the battle!"
    • Despite his status as the mode's starter character and closest thing to a main character, Kirby's depiction in marketing or artwork for Ultimate is no more prominent than any of the other starter characters, apart from Mario and Link who collectively serve as the game's mascots.
  • Kirby has the highest amount of voice clips for any character in the game, with 95 clips.
  • Kirby is the only starter character in Ultimate whose universe has more than one character to not include any characters in their Classic Mode unlock table, as Meta Knight is in Link's, and King Dedede is in Donkey Kong's. Namely:
  • Unlike other characters, Kirby can actually taunt online when playing outside of arenas, but only to discard his copy ability.
  • As a result of not being captured, Kirby is one of the few characters that doesn't have copies of him produced by Dharkon or Galeem during their boss fights.
  • Ironically, while the Kirby Dance has traditionally been composed of reused animations in the game, Kirby uses the slide in one of his new victory poses despite not using it in the entire Smash series.
  • Since Kirby was never possessed by Galeem like everyone else, his presence in many spirit battles went unclear for some time, until Masahiro Sakurai addressed this in an interview; stating that Galeem managed to analyze Kirby halfway through the story, making it possible to create puppets of him.[1]
  • Kirby is one of the five veterans from Smash 4 to have their Boxing Ring alias changed in Ultimate, the others being Link, King Dedede, Mega Man, and Ryu.
  • Kirby is the only Kirby character to face Marx as his final boss in his Classic Mode route.

References