Damage isnt really an issue on copy tbh, the biggest problem I have with copy is that they can attack right out of it. Of course you can avoid punishment by jumping forward/backwards while doing it, but why do we have to? Starshot should be your damage option.
Copy is very gimmicky, no doubt about that but its only gimmicky because barely anyone (both the Kirby and the opponent) knows what to do once it happens. This goes for every character in some way. Me and a few others actually know how to use them but that doesnt change the fact that the opponents dont incorporate them into their matchup knowledge. I always say in a few years this could change but idk, Kirby's been around since 64 and its no different lol. Thats why I want so many people to actually use them, even the bad ones, so they become more normal, and spread awareness that this is an option of Kirby's cuz right now most people dont even consider it and when someone does mention it they're like "oh, no good kirby will do that". But like Canon said, I use to think that they had to help him in the matchup, but that would indeed make Kirby the best in the game if he had no bad matchups because of that. If they just make them like the original it'd be perfectly fine. We just need to learn to use them thats all.
The biggest deal is all the other changes Kirby needs. Like every character he should rely on the players fundamentals, copy aside. Baiting, punishing, mindgames, spacing, movement, edgeguarding, getting gimps, combos, and mixups are how a good fundamental Kirby should be played... not spamming dash attack and/or camping the ledge with inhale. So in 3.5, I hope they make the right changes, I have faith in the PMBR. And if they dont there's always next patch hahaha!