Mario vs Cloud (Smash Ultimate)

This matchup is a range negotiation: Cloud wants to pin Mario to the end of his sword; Mario wants to slip into grab and aerial windows without eating disjoints.

What Cloud is trying to do

• Wall you out with mid-range pokes until you jump or shield predictably.
• Convert small hits into ledge scenarios where his traps are streamlined.

Mario adjustments

• Approach in layers: threaten empty movement, then commit when Cloud’s option is locked.
• Prefer cross-ups and tight drift over linear full hops that lose to big aerials.
• When Cloud has limit, simplify—take space, reset, and force a whiff instead of trading blind.

Study links

Brush up on neutral planning and Mario’s starter guide while you lab this set. Fundamentals: short hops and OOS defaults.

Cloud players should read Cloud’s beginner guide for honest notes on limit discipline, plus edgeguard layers for closing stocks.