Chimp Charts: The Diddy Kong Matchup Thread - Seeking New Ownership

wildvine47 · Nov 5, 2014

Welcome to the Diddy Kong matchup thread, with all the information you'll need to know to tackle each character on the roster. Can't figure out where your banana needs to be? Need the best approach? Here from another board, looking to figure out how to slap that screeching simian? Or are you just looking for the perfect hoo-hah setup on that one character? We've got you covered.

Also, as customs are being allowed at EVO and more, please discuss those if you have experience with them. While Diddy's customs may not be the most useful by comparison, many other characters's customs are gamechangers matchup-wise, and if they're going to be legal, it'd be prudent to make sure they're discussed as well.

For that reason, please specify Customs-On or Customs-Off, or C-N and C-F for short.

Currently, we're discussing: Ownership Changes

Matchup Database:

Relevant Posts
SalsaSavant
MioTinto

Relevant Posts
RedBeefBaron: 1 2 3
FSK: 1 2 3

Relevant Posts
Dre89: 1 2
TriTails: 1 2
Mx|Edd

Relevant posts
Se7enSB
LiL.Will
Locke 06
wildvine47

Relevant Posts
Wintropy
redblade
Benzerade
MiloniVanili

cardboardowl · Nov 5, 2014

With sonic the placement of the banana is a big deal. If you force him to jump at you to get you, shield grab, dthrow, combo.

diddy uair is fast enough to win trades in the air.

Empty Number · Nov 5, 2014

I've been getting bodied by Marios lately. Now it might just be that the subset of Smashers that play Mario is very small and hence quite good - but he doesn't seem to have many weaknesses that Diddy can punish. His fireballs beat peanuts. His roll, shield and jab are all very quick - making banana punishes rare. His smashes outrange Diddy's and he has ridiculous priority on his usmash. To top it all off his dash attack is ridic and so hard to punish for me.

Maybe it's the slipperiness of the 3DS controls, but I can never seem to control Diddy as well against a Mario. He puts a strange pressure on me. It's not as overbearing as Sanic or Sheik - but he will often make me think about EVERY single move I make. He can punish so much so easily.

DtJ S2n · Nov 5, 2014

Empty Number said:
I've been getting bodied by Marios lately. Now it might just be that the subset of Smashers that play Mario is very small and hence quite good - but he doesn't seem to have many weaknesses that Diddy can punish. His fireballs beat peanuts. His roll, shield and jab are all very quick - making banana punishes rare. His smashes outrange Diddy's and he has ridiculous priority on his usmash. To top it all off his dash attack is ridic and so hard to punish for me.

Maybe it's the slipperiness of the 3DS controls, but I can never seem to control Diddy as well against a Mario. He puts a strange pressure on me. It's not as overbearing as Sanic or Sheik - but he will often make me think about EVERY single move I make. He can punish so much so easily.

I can agree with Mario being very hard but I don't think it's a bad match-up. We have a couple good advantages against him though. We're a much faster character and we have much better range. If we don't let him get too close to us, he can't do much. But if he gets close, he racks up damage very fast. Also if he gets us offstage, he has really strong options vs our recovery, very dangerous position. Despite all that, I think our range and speed makes it too hard for him to get on us like that.

phili · Nov 5, 2014

Seeing as no one has put this one out there yet..... I get bodied by any half decent rosalina with diddy. I find it really hard to approach her because of luma. Bananas are harder to use against her because of gravity, and when u grab her to get your dthrow combos off, luma punches you in the face.

I know we have a massive speed advantage against her, so I try to get in there and keep the pressure on all match, but i'm still finding it really tough since luma shuts down most of the regular approach options

wildvine47 · Nov 6, 2014

From my experience with it, Diddy's Side-B 1 and 2 are pretty good in the Rosalina matchup. If you don't kick out of Side-B 1 (the standard one), you can jump past Luma directly onto Ros's face, and then do a grab finisher there which will also hit Luma, getting them out of the way and leaving Ros without that tool for a few seconds. Alternatively Side-B 2, which is the divekick, is very fast and usually unexpected, and you can use it to either A) hop right over and past Luma to Rosalina or B) Dive right through Luma and continue into Ros. I've had more success with Side-B 2 in personal matches, but in For Glory Side-B 1 helps, despite it being more risky.

As for bananas, Gravity Pull does make them a pain to use. I find it better to hold onto bananas and punish whiffs rather than try and catch her off guard with them, as GP comes out so fast and most Rosalina mains will have it out on muscle memory. A strat I used on a GP-friendly Rosalina to varying success is to have a banana on hand, bait out a GP with peanuts, and then toss the banana at her on GP's cooldown. It's small but it's there. Hope some of that helps.

Negoksai · Nov 6, 2014

Make sure you pick the largest stage available uness you're against a projectile spammer in which case you want a smaller stage.

Dissent · Nov 12, 2014

If you get offstage vs Mario, recover high if you're worried about your ability to dodge gimps. It's not perfect, but his aerial options aren't very good and you get more horizontal speed than him in the air via monkey flip. Your kick also out prioritizes most of his abilities iirc. Oh, and Mario as a whole is a simple matchup once learned. Hold a banana but don't use it unless he's likely to be hit or in the air, bait the cape and then monkeyflip, grab, whatever. Get him off stage and forward air all day.

wildvine47 · Nov 20, 2014

So, with changes in the 1.0.4 patch, is anyone finding any matches to be easier/harder?

Personally I've found Rosalina's numerous nerfs have made her quite a bit easier to deal with, especially with here added lag and higher kill percents, whereas Sonic getting nothing but buffs is troubling for IMO an already bad matchup. :/

InBOUNDHD · Nov 20, 2014

I don't do so well against projectile-based characters, mainly because my playstyle with diddy is utilizing his popgun and bananas to create space and to control the stage. But when I am up against characters that can outrange me and have stonger projectiles that rip through my poor pop gun, i feel pressured to approach.

Wizdewdle · Nov 21, 2014

wildvine47 said:
After seeing that nobody had really made this yet, I figured we here at the Diddy boards could use a hub to discuss his matchups, for better or for worse.

So, which matchups do you think Diddy has the best time with? Which ones are the worst for our manic monkey main?

Personally, I've been having a rough time with the Sonic matchup. He got some really good buffs to launching power, his speed makes him really unpredictable and difficult to catch offguard, and his spring and other gimping tools are shutting down my recovery hardcore. The nerf to naners didn't help either, because now he can approach that much more confidently. Anyone else having issues with Sonic? And what are your tips for dealing with him?

To be completely honest, the only difficult matchups for me are Link, Toon Link, Duck hunt dog and Rob. The projectile users. Link and Toon link's bombs can mess up your combos and they don't always get hit by your popgun. An aggresive player like me will also have trouble against other Diddy's because they can punish my grabs and side b's and punish with a grab or banana toss. DHD and Rob are just a minigame. "Try to get to them without taking too much damage, then hit them. If you don't hit them and let them hit you or run away, you lose."

nerrof · Nov 25, 2014

I'm having a lot of trouble with Villager, especially ones who love to perma-pocket bananas. The match becomes about 5 times harder once he pockets your banana and never lets it go. About the only thing I can do is try to punish when Villager tries to re-pocket the banana to reset the pocket timer. But a smart Villager will only do this when off stage or otherwise too far away to reach.

Dissent · Nov 25, 2014

nerrof said:
I'm having a lot of trouble with Villager, especially ones who love to perma-pocket bananas. The match becomes about 5 times harder once he pockets your banana and never lets it go. About the only thing I can do is try to punish when Villager tries to re-pocket the banana to reset the pocket timer. But a smart Villager will only do this when off stage or otherwise too far away to reach.

Don't throw your banana at them. Hold on to it and sideB a lot, kick if you see sideB as it will go through Lloid Rocket without hurting you and they're likely expecting you to throw the banana. Throw the banana at them when they're off-stage or you think you've held on to it long enough that they won't expect it. You can also item tilt with crouch + forward on the cstick, which is great if you're betting they try to pocket when you're close with banana in hand. Also, another great option is to throw the banana up or down and then go in for a grab/punish.

nerrof · Nov 25, 2014

.dissent said:
Don't throw your banana at them. Hold on to it and sideB a lot, kick if you see sideB as it will go through Lloid Rocket without hurting you and they're likely expecting you to throw the banana. Throw the banana at them when they're off-stage or you think you've held on to it long enough that they won't expect it. You can also item tilt with crouch + forward on the cstick, which is great if you're betting they try to pocket when you're close with banana in hand. Also, another great option is to throw the banana up or down and then go in for a grab/punish.

Great advice, thanks! Unfortunately i'm stuck on 3DS for the moment since I can't afford a Wii U yet, so I don't have a c-stick to use.

About the side-B kick through Lloid Rocket...I've tried that before, it's strange about whether it beats the rocket or not. Sometimes the kick will destroy the rocket and hit Villager, sometimes the rocket beats it out. Might just be my timing though.

Dissent · Nov 25, 2014

nerrof said:
Great advice, thanks! Unfortunately i'm stuck on 3DS for the moment since I can't afford a Wii U yet, so I don't have a c-stick to use.

About the side-B kick through Lloid Rocket...I've tried that before, it's strange about whether it beats the rocket or not. Sometimes the kick will destroy the rocket and hit Villager, sometimes the rocket beats it out. Might just be my timing though.

Maybe, might need a sweet spot.

Antonykun · Dec 25, 2014

Hallo guys, Swordfighter main here. I wanted to know your opinions of Mii Swordfighter. I think that this MU might be even despite Diddy being perceived as best and Swordfighter as worst. Swordfighter has the tools to not care about peanuts and maybe bananas and has D-air to gimp and n-air against Diddy's Rocketbarrel, but at the same time Diddy is Diddy and can steamroll Swordfighter when he's in advantage.

wildvine47 · Jan 21, 2015

Been a while since I've been in here. Almost forgot I'd made this after getting distracted by finals, classes and holidays end of November. Figured now was as good a time as any to bump this thing up a bit, get some discussion rolling.

Anyhow, since our champ chimp came to be recognized as king of the jungle/tiers, does anyone have any opinions on what some of Diddy's worst/most difficult matchups are? Maybe providing a bit of insight as to what makes Diddy's life difficult will help the complaining about him subside, and lead to less salt in general.

Personally, gimp heavy characters like Sonic (who continues to be probably my worst matchup) and Metaknight are a huge headache, as Diddy is especially susceptible to gimping when recovering low (where characters like Sonic and Meta are very good at sending you) thanks to rocketbarrel detaching.

Also had a nasty set of matches against a Koopalings player who had very good timing with dropping clown car bombs on me with abandon ship whilst I was recovering. The stocks I lost to that thing...

Tripswag · Jan 23, 2015

I guess I can help out a bit with the Sonic matchup. I won't say that I'm an expert, but I can offer what is hopefully some helpful insight.

First of all, over time that I've spent playing Sonic, I've come to prioritize a few things:
1. Stay on the stage. Don't try to make flashy gimps, don't try to chase offstage. Just stay on.
As wildvine mentioned, Sonic is able to gimp Diddy VERY easily. The amount of stupid SD's I've made against Sonic mains is incredible, and I can attribute most of them to just getting greedy.

2. Keep a banana out at all times and either in hand or in front of you.
Though this seems very simplistic, it actually throws Sonic players that haven't experienced it quite yet for a loop. Their options suddenly become limited. They can't just spindash toward you, as the banana will stop it and you will immediately be able to punish. Their options become either dash attacking over it to pick it up (punishable by a shield/grab), an aerial or a jump spindash (punished by properly spaced aerials), or running up and rolling behind the banana and usually, by extension, you (punishable by proper roll punishes).

3. Use and abuse the monkey flip - grab
With banana in hand, your opponent will become defensive. Running up and Side B'ing is usually pretty free.

These are the main things to keep in mind. The banana will work to limit your opponent's options, and from there you have to adequately be able to punish what they throw out.

Best of luck! I'll include a video of me playing against a Sonic in tournament. Feel free to offer any feedback also.

Jester Kirby · Jan 25, 2015

Sheik advice? Have yet to find a consistent style for beating her and her offstage game is scaaary!

MrGame&Rock · Jan 25, 2015

Jester Kirby said:
Sheik advice? Have yet to find a consistent style for beating her and her offstage game is scaaary!

My friend plays Sheik so we do this matchup a lot, and its pretty fun. Sheik is light so the KO on UpAir is earlier than on other characters, but I guess that also makes her harder to combo. I find that when recovering, Monkey Flip + Kick is your best way to go, as Sheik doesn't have THAT many options for it aside from Bouncing Fish. Also, don't bother with the peanuts here, Needles laughs at them.

But thats just basic stuff. I too would like some more concrete info on beating Sheik with Diddy

Tripswag · Jan 25, 2015

Anyone have experience with the Pikachu matchup?

Meek Moths · Jan 26, 2015

i need help for zelda she does teleport it kills me very early... other problems she gives me is reflector and her very good d throw

HeroMystic · Jan 27, 2015

Sup Fellow Red-Hats.

Mario boards having a MU discussion against Diddy. http://smashboards.com/threads/world-8-2-mario-vs-diddy-kong-match-up-thread.387993/

We're all saying it's 80:20 in Ally's favor. Dunno about Mario himself though.

dahuterschuter · Jan 29, 2015

Only characters I find to be particularly bad are the Links, can never find a way inside and once you manage to get up close they`ll d-smash, or spam ten spot dodges in a row and then roll away. The sword is broken powerful and outreachs everything Diddy has and Link`s projectiles trump the peanuts and bananas.

Someone please.

Meek Moths said:
i need help for zelda she does teleport it kills me very early... other problems she gives me is reflector and her very good d throw

Zelda problems in general. Every Zelda player is utter defense, as with many characters since it's the nature of this game.

As soon as you see her start that warp, shield. When you move in they're probably going to hit their Naryu's Love or short hop it or something, so you've pretty much gotta get close enough they think they can activate it, but far enough not to get hit, but also close enough to move in in time afterwards. Or just shield. Overall you're never going to have a Zelda match that is not tedious and annoying, but at least you can hopefully win before never playing them again.

Diddy Kong · Jan 30, 2015

DangerofDesire said:
Anyone have experience with the Pikachu matchup?

A little. It's extremely hard to land Side B on Pikachu due to his small size. Peanuts also aren't nearly as effective, and Thunder Jolt can mess up your ground approaches. Approach from the air, but be aware of Thunder, which should be logical vs Pikachu. A banana in hand can really make your life easier, as Pikachu doesn't like to get hit. Quick Attack can mess with Diddy to, but always be aware to shield it and try to counter with a banana whenever possible. Be wary of off-stage Thunders as well. Those will gimp us hard, as well as U Air. Try to go for the ledge when you recover with Side B.

I even think this matchup might be even.

Swanky_ · Feb 1, 2015

I struggle most with Pikachu, Sheik and Luigi. Does anyone have match up tips for these guys?

RESET Vao · Feb 2, 2015

While Diddy's gameplan is very effective and simple to perform if you are capable of getting your own way I think there are a few characters who are a pain in the arse to steamroll. They're probably even matchups but require you to think, contrary to popular belief. Right now I have trouble being braindead against Rosalina, Pikachu, Sonic and ****ing Toon Link yo (Shoutouts to Yackabean). I used to think that Jigglypuff would beat him on like day 1 but his new aerials make it look like in his favour. Sheik's gimp game can be problematic for Diddy but otherwise it seems fine to me. I have no ZSS experience really.

We should get some discussions going yo, really grind these matchups down (throw up air).

Antonykun said:
Hallo guys, Swordfighter main here. I wanted to know your opinions of Mii Swordfighter. I think that this MU might be even despite Diddy being perceived as best and Swordfighter as worst. Swordfighter has the tools to not care about peanuts and maybe bananas and has D-air to gimp and n-air against Diddy's Rocketbarrel, but at the same time Diddy is Diddy and can steamroll Swordfighter when he's in advantage.

I have not thought about the capabilities of the Mii characters due to them not being legal in anything I've entered. I probably should see them as an option but they just seem to be banned everywhere.

CHOMPY · Feb 2, 2015

CALLING OUT ALL DIDDY MAINS!!!

We need your inputs on the Pit matchup. If you guys experienced the matchup against Pit, please go to the thread below.

http://smashboards.com/threads/matchup-discussion-diddy-kong.387529/

MrGame&Rock · Feb 2, 2015

I had a lot of trouble with Little Macs when I went to APEX. Advice on the Mac matchup?

Dissent · Feb 2, 2015

MrGame&Rock said:
I had a lot of trouble with Little Macs when I went to APEX. Advice on the Mac matchup?

Shield and roll everything unless KO punch is active, keep pulling bananas, don't land near him, sideB a lot.

Rango the Mercenary · Feb 3, 2015

How do you guys feel about the Ike matchup? Do you have a tough time against anything he does?

RESET Vao · Feb 6, 2015

At the moment, no - not really. I am yet to play a good Ike though so I have no real impression on the MU.

LCC Son-in-Law · Feb 12, 2015

Hey Diddy Boards, we in the Little Mac boards are trying to go over the Diddy Kong matchup and would appriciate any input yall may have on this matchup. Please, drop by if you can.

Diddy Kong · Feb 12, 2015

Vs Mac is interessting, cause getting ground control isn't as easy as with other characters. Despite our speed advantage, Little Mac has crazy priority, and we don't like taking hits from you. From the air we beat you though, real badly. Our Side B messes you up as well, but Mac has his ways around it. Not easy ways, you'll have to work hard but maintaining oressure and stage control should be top priority for Mac. Bananas can ruin your day, so apply pressure as much as you can. Diddy has this with 6-4 I'd think.

TimeMuffinPhD · Feb 14, 2015

Does anyone have some advice on the Toon Link matchup, bear in mind I've not played against TL much.

Swanky_ · Feb 16, 2015

Do you guys know if Luigi down throw -> fair -> fair is guaranteed on us at low percents? Playing with 1 Luigi the night before a tourney I could always up air before he followed up the second fair, but in bracket the next day, a Luigi got me with 2 fairs every time. Just wanted to see if anyone knew for sure so I can approach the situation appropriately in the future.

Pazx · Feb 17, 2015

Swanky_ said:
Do you guys know if Luigi down throw -> fair -> fair is guaranteed on us at low percents? Playing with 1 Luigi the night before a tourney I could always up air before he followed up the second fair, but in bracket the next day, a Luigi got me with 2 fairs every time. Just wanted to see if anyone knew for sure so I can approach the situation appropriately in the future.

IIRC it's not a true combo on anyone, I'm not sure how much time you have to act but proper DI + uair/jump/airdodge will serve you well.

Swanky_ · Feb 17, 2015

Pazx said:
IIRC it's not a true combo on anyone, I'm not sure how much time you have to act but proper DI + uair/jump/airdodge will serve you well.

do you know the best way to DI it?

Sinister Slush · Feb 18, 2015

Tell us how hard you guys kick us in the nose.
Most of the more active Yoshi's are up to adding some of you on wifi for more MU experience and to get a better idea on what to say.

As if we need that though
http://smashboards.com/threads/match-up-discussion-diddy-kong.391471/

PyroTakun · Feb 18, 2015

Hey guys, we're discussing the Diddy Kong MU over at the Ike boards. Would greatly appreciate any input!

http://smashboards.com/threads/prepare-yourself-vs-diddy-ike-match-up-thread.372316/page-7

Chimp Charts: The Diddy Kong Matchup Thread - Seeking New Ownership

Smash Ace

Smash Apprentice

Smash Journeyman

Stardog Champion

Smash Apprentice

Smash Ace

Smash Apprentice

Bananaman Formerly Known As Sails

Smash Ace

Smash Cadet

Smash Rookie

Smash Rookie

Bananaman Formerly Known As Sails

Smash Rookie

Bananaman Formerly Known As Sails

Hero of Many Faces

Smash Ace

Smash Cadet

Smash Journeyman

Smash Ace

Smash Cadet

Smash Ace

Legacy of the Mario

Smash Journeyman

Smash Obsessed

Smash Cadet

Smash Journeyman

Sinbad: King of Sindria

Smash Ace

Bananaman Formerly Known As Sails

The Mercenary

Smash Journeyman

Dork-in-Law

Smash Obsessed

PhD in time travel and muffins.

Smash Cadet

hoo hah

Smash Cadet

❄ I miss my kind ❄

Smash Journeyman

Information

Network