It only takes a few matches with Dedede to realize something…
Gordo gets reflected back at you… Pretty easily.
Something I’ve noticed from a noticeable amount of Dedede newcomers is a tendency to use the Gordo like any other projectile.
This may make you think, “well, what a terrible projectile. This thing’s completely useless!”
But what if I told you that move is one of Dedede’s best moves?
So useful and so misunderstood it is. But, to perfect your game, it’s imperative to get used to using this move. Because it’s a great move… So long as you use it in the right way.
As said, the Gordo cannot be used like your standard projectile. Any attacks which deals at least 2% can reflect it. Don’t expect good results when you chuck a Gordo at someone and give them plenty of time and room to hit it back at you and reap a punish.
So how do you use the Gordo then?
Before we get into that, let’s just go over the basics of this move just to make sure everyone’s on the same page…
By pressing the command, Dedede will pull out a Gordo and whack it with his hammer. The hammer itself has a fairly strong hitbox at this point in time, and, after hitting it, the Gordo becomes a bouncing hitbox about the size of Kirby, give or take. The Gordo will bounce three times before disappearing, and you cannot pull out another one until it disappears.
This move can be “angled” in three directions - default, down, and up.
For the default, when used on the ground, the Gordo will bounce three times clearing a Final Destination’s worth of distance when thrown on the ground.
For the downward angle, the Gordo makes three jumps covering a bit more than half of Final Destination’s length.
For the upward angle, the Gordo makes three jumps covering about half a Battlefield platform of length.
Now, that’s just assuming you’re standing and on a flat surface. Gordo, however, is affected by gravity! Depending on how far the Gordo falls, the bounce after hitting the ground will vary. So, if you throw a Gordo from high above the stage, it’ll come crashing down and bounce higher than if you used it from the ground.
Gordo is further affected by gravity via slopes. If a Gordo bounces on a slope, its trajectory will be affected. Sometimes very drastically. Knowing how Gordo works with slopes on particular stages just takes practice and experimenting! It can really make certain stages with slopes like Skyloft and Lylat Cruise really worth it.
Gordo has one more unique property: wall clinging. It’s pretty situational, but if done just right, it’s actually possible to stick it right on the ledge of the stage! Doing so consistently, however, is…difficult if not impossible. (Further research needed.
)
Now that we’ve gotten the general mechanics of the attack out of the way, onto the previous question… If it’s not a standard projectile, how do you use Gordo?
Well, Gordo is a pressure tool. What do I mean by that?
It forces reactions. It’s a force that your opponent must deal with in some way whether that be by shielding, hitting it back or just getting out of the way.
Meanwhile, you, with your loveable mallet and awesome girth, are free to do whatever you please while that Gordo is bouncing around.
What exactly are the implications of this?
Well, let’s say you’re falling from up high, and you throw a Gordo down at your opponent.
There’s now an added hitbox coming at them alongside you falling to get back safely on the stage. The Gordo acts almost like a distraction. If you hit the Gordo at them just right, they’ll have to waste some time to hit it away, get out of the way, etc.. This can sometimes give you just enough time to land safely.
That’s an example of pressuring with Gordo in a defensive manner, but Gordo can also be used as an offensive pressure.
Take the situation where your opponent is hanging on the ledge.
You’re standing a few character lengths away from the ledge, and just toss an up-angled Gordo. Now there’s this bouncing hitbox just…bouncing there.
Normally your average opponent would have a handful of options at the ledge: plain get up, attack, jump, roll, or let go and jump upwards with an aerial attack. But with that Gordo there… Well, their options are even more limited!
Your opponent can either wait for the Gordo to go away, roll off the ledge or try and hit the Gordo back while you’re super close.
Pretty limited. And relatively easy to take advantage of!
Think they’re gonna roll? Down-smash, ftilt, whatever!
Think they’re gonna wait it out? Get ready for when they run out of invincibility!
Think they’re gonna try and hit it back? Ready your shield, then counter-attack!
Going over every situation where Gordo is a good option would be… Quite the task, to say the least. It’s a very versatile tool in our kit, but it requires creativity to really make it shine.
Experiment! If you have anything to add, any discoveries, useful tricks, etc., feel free to post here so this "guide" can potentially be expanded!
Gordo gets reflected back at you… Pretty easily.
Something I’ve noticed from a noticeable amount of Dedede newcomers is a tendency to use the Gordo like any other projectile.
This may make you think, “well, what a terrible projectile. This thing’s completely useless!”
But what if I told you that move is one of Dedede’s best moves?
So useful and so misunderstood it is. But, to perfect your game, it’s imperative to get used to using this move. Because it’s a great move… So long as you use it in the right way.
As said, the Gordo cannot be used like your standard projectile. Any attacks which deals at least 2% can reflect it. Don’t expect good results when you chuck a Gordo at someone and give them plenty of time and room to hit it back at you and reap a punish.
So how do you use the Gordo then?
Before we get into that, let’s just go over the basics of this move just to make sure everyone’s on the same page…
By pressing the command, Dedede will pull out a Gordo and whack it with his hammer. The hammer itself has a fairly strong hitbox at this point in time, and, after hitting it, the Gordo becomes a bouncing hitbox about the size of Kirby, give or take. The Gordo will bounce three times before disappearing, and you cannot pull out another one until it disappears.
This move can be “angled” in three directions - default, down, and up.
For the default, when used on the ground, the Gordo will bounce three times clearing a Final Destination’s worth of distance when thrown on the ground.
For the downward angle, the Gordo makes three jumps covering a bit more than half of Final Destination’s length.
For the upward angle, the Gordo makes three jumps covering about half a Battlefield platform of length.
Now, that’s just assuming you’re standing and on a flat surface. Gordo, however, is affected by gravity! Depending on how far the Gordo falls, the bounce after hitting the ground will vary. So, if you throw a Gordo from high above the stage, it’ll come crashing down and bounce higher than if you used it from the ground.
Gordo is further affected by gravity via slopes. If a Gordo bounces on a slope, its trajectory will be affected. Sometimes very drastically. Knowing how Gordo works with slopes on particular stages just takes practice and experimenting! It can really make certain stages with slopes like Skyloft and Lylat Cruise really worth it.
Gordo has one more unique property: wall clinging. It’s pretty situational, but if done just right, it’s actually possible to stick it right on the ledge of the stage! Doing so consistently, however, is…difficult if not impossible. (Further research needed.
)Now that we’ve gotten the general mechanics of the attack out of the way, onto the previous question… If it’s not a standard projectile, how do you use Gordo?
Well, Gordo is a pressure tool. What do I mean by that?
It forces reactions. It’s a force that your opponent must deal with in some way whether that be by shielding, hitting it back or just getting out of the way.
Meanwhile, you, with your loveable mallet and awesome girth, are free to do whatever you please while that Gordo is bouncing around.
What exactly are the implications of this?
Well, let’s say you’re falling from up high, and you throw a Gordo down at your opponent.
There’s now an added hitbox coming at them alongside you falling to get back safely on the stage. The Gordo acts almost like a distraction. If you hit the Gordo at them just right, they’ll have to waste some time to hit it away, get out of the way, etc.. This can sometimes give you just enough time to land safely.
That’s an example of pressuring with Gordo in a defensive manner, but Gordo can also be used as an offensive pressure.
Take the situation where your opponent is hanging on the ledge.
You’re standing a few character lengths away from the ledge, and just toss an up-angled Gordo. Now there’s this bouncing hitbox just…bouncing there.
Normally your average opponent would have a handful of options at the ledge: plain get up, attack, jump, roll, or let go and jump upwards with an aerial attack. But with that Gordo there… Well, their options are even more limited!
Your opponent can either wait for the Gordo to go away, roll off the ledge or try and hit the Gordo back while you’re super close.
Pretty limited. And relatively easy to take advantage of!
Think they’re gonna roll? Down-smash, ftilt, whatever!
Think they’re gonna wait it out? Get ready for when they run out of invincibility!
Think they’re gonna try and hit it back? Ready your shield, then counter-attack!
Going over every situation where Gordo is a good option would be… Quite the task, to say the least. It’s a very versatile tool in our kit, but it requires creativity to really make it shine.
Experiment! If you have anything to add, any discoveries, useful tricks, etc., feel free to post here so this "guide" can potentially be expanded!
