Matchup Rediscussion: Wario
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Zelda vs Wario
- What to know about this matchup...
- Constantly aim to get the percent or stock lead. Though easier said than done, at least you won't have to approach him this way. Otherwise prepare to deal with air camping. Try to catch his airdodges and aerial weaves with Nairs and good use of Din's from a good space. If you really cannot catch him, immediately transform to Sheik and take that lead.
- Don't be prematurely baited. Similar to Peach and other predominantly aerial characters, Wario will be attempting to bait Zelda into a committed approach. Observe him - you do have a moveset that can outprioritise his own, but waving that moveset about carelessly loses your cool, and this is exactly what he wants. Beware of sudden uairs from him, he can do this through your shield and autocancel it.
- Save the Dtilt if possible, learn Jab > Dash Grab percents. You want a trip badly if you ever manage to land it. A trip leads into a grab, which leads straight into a grab release lightning kick. At later percents you want jab to hit him so you can attempt to grab him. Note: a trip also leads into a buffered bair. Wario won't fall into many Dtilts at all, but if you do catch him on trip, you have a selection to choose from depending on which kick is currently freshest.
- OoS Usmash. Play passive aggressive - shield his aerials and strike with fast options. OoS Usmash is your most defensive option considering he is very aerial. Keep in mind that he can also attack through your shield to avoid Usmash.
- Grab Release > Lightning Kick. Ways of landing a grab on Wario are limited. Try to make him whiff an Fsmash and punish it's cooldown with a grab. If possible, pivot grab some of his aerials by surprise as he comes in. Never pummel, simply force the release, jump on the spot and Fair immediately.
- Useful Information...
- Wario's waft is a sneaky killer. Roughly every minute his waft begins to charge up and build up damage. Over 2 minutes and he will receive a fully charged waft, capable of dealing immense damage. A waft slightly undercharged will do considerably more knockback but less damage.
- His bite overrides non-disjointed attacks. Go for high-priority attacks with good disjoints such as Fsmash, Ftilt and jab to strike him out of his bite animation. Bite is a throw, so if you're caught, mash buttons to escape.