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CharacterBeginner~1 min read
Mario: Beginner Guide for Smash Ultimate
Starter routes, honest strengths, and the habits that cost Mario players stocks in bracket.
Published Updated
- mario
- all-rounder
Mario is a fundamentals character: strong aerial control, simple reward off openings, and a punish game that scales as your execution tightens.
Gameplan snapshot
Control mid-range with safe aerials, threaten grab when opponents shield too long, and convert hits into edge scenarios instead of overchasing on stage.
Key moves to lab first
- Forward air — Your spacing poke at low/mid percents; learn safe landing patterns.
- Up air — Ladder routes are execution checks—learn one stable sequence before improvising.
- Fireball — Use it to reset neutral, not to win neutral by itself.
Out of shield
Mario’s answers vary by spacing—build a small menu with your coach or VOD review. Start from the framework in OOS basics.
Advantage and kills
Mario rewards clean advantage cycles: corner opponents, threaten jump, and route to your kill tools at higher percents.
Common mistakes
- Overapproaching with the same full-hop aerial.
- Fishing ladder routes at percents where a simpler confirm wins.
Related reading
Movement: short hops. Concepts: neutral. Full character page: Mario.