Ken vs Steve

Steve Matchup (Ken)

Ken vs Steve

Ken vs Steve is most stable when you stop playing directly into Steve's Up Tilt and Down Tilt, punish Jab and Dash Attack, and take the landing or ledge route first.

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ChatGPT Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)

Ken wants to stop Steve’s Jab, Dash Attack, and Forward Smash with Up B (5f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), and Up Smash (9f), then force Steve back outside Up Tilt and Down Tilt to keep stage control.
In Ken vs Steve, the stable plan is to avoid playing directly into Steve’s Up Tilt and Down Tilt and take the landing or ledge route before Steve can reset.
The table shows that Steve’s Jab, Dash Attack, and Forward Smash can be answered by Ken’s Up B (5f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), and Up Smash (9f), so those overcommitments should be cashed out immediately.
For Ken, Steve’s Up Tilt and Down Tilt are still hard to hit immediately out of shield, so reading the landing spot or ledge route matters more than forcing an early swing.

Full Move Frame Quick Reference

Opponent MoveStartupOn ShieldKen OOS Candidate MovesBarely Missed Moves
Jab4 (Gold: 3)-10 / (Gold: -9)
  • Up B (5f)
  • OOS Uair (8f)
  • OOS Nair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (+1)
  • OOS Bair (+2)
  • OOS Dair (+2)
  • OOS Fair (+2)
Up Tilt6 (Gold: 4)Punch -4 | Wood -3 | Stone -3 |Iron -2 | Gold -1 | Diamond -1
  • None
Down Tilt12…+5
  • None
Dash Attack8 (Gold: 8)Punch -15 | Wood -13 | Stone -12 | Iron -12 | Gold -10 | Diamond -10
  • Up B (5f)
  • OOS Uair (8f)
  • OOS Nair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Bair (+1)
  • OOS Dair (+1)
  • OOS Fair (+1)
Forward Smash13 (Gold: 10)Punch -22 | Wood -20 | Stone -19 | Iron -18 | Gold -15 | Diamond -17
  • Up B (5f)
  • OOS Uair (8f)
  • OOS Nair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Bair (11f)
  • OOS Dair (11f)
  • OOS Fair (11f)
Up Smash8…-11
  • Up B (5f)
  • OOS Uair (8f)
  • OOS Nair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Bair (11f)
  • OOS Dair (11f)
  • OOS Fair (11f)
Down Smash8…-34/-16
  • Up B (5f)
  • OOS Uair (8f)
  • OOS Nair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Bair (11f)
  • OOS Dair (11f)
  • OOS Fair (11f)
Neutral Air4 (Gold: 3)-10 (Gold: -9)
  • Up B (5f)
  • OOS Uair (8f)
  • OOS Nair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (+1)
  • OOS Bair (+2)
  • OOS Dair (+2)
  • OOS Fair (+2)
Forward Air8Punch -8/-8 | Wood -8/-7 | Stone -7/-7 | Iron -7/-7 | Gold -8/-7 | Diamond -7/-6
  • Up B (5f)
  • OOS Uair (+2)
  • OOS Nair (+3)
  • Up Smash (+3)
Back Air12Punch -8/-8 | Wood -7/-7 | Stone -7/-7 | Iron -7/-6 | Gold -7/-7 | Diamond -6/-6
  • Up B (5f)
  • OOS Uair (+2)
  • OOS Nair (+3)
  • Up Smash (+3)
Up Air4 (Gold: 4)Punch -4 | Wood -3 | Stone -3 | Iron -2 | Gold -1 | Diamond -1
  • None
Down Air20-14
  • Up B (5f)
  • OOS Uair (8f)
  • OOS Nair (9f)
  • Up Smash (9f)
  • Grab (10f)
  • OOS Bair (11f)
  • OOS Dair (11f)
  • OOS Fair (11f)
Neutral B**
Side B18**
Up B28 (Ground) / 23 (Air)**
Down B****
Grab13
Dash Grab16
Pivot Grab17

Win Condition Checklist

  • Ken should not play directly into Steve’s Up Tilt and Down Tilt; wait for Steve’s Jab, Dash Attack, and Forward Smash and answer with Up B (5f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), and Up Smash (9f).
  • After Ken blocks Steve’s Jab, Dash Attack, and Forward Smash, pick the reachable option from Up B (5f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), and Up Smash (9f) immediately.
  • Ken should not mash after Steve’s Up Tilt and Down Tilt; take the landing route, escape route, or ledge route first.
  • Ken should finish stocks by breaking Steve’s landing and recovery routes so Up Tilt and Down Tilt does not get more neutral reps.

Actions to Avoid

  • Letting Steve start the exchange on Up Tilt and Down Tilt terms and giving Ken’s stage control away for free.
  • Having Ken block Steve’s Jab, Dash Attack, and Forward Smash but never answer with Up B (5f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), and Up Smash (9f).
  • Sending Ken too deep after Steve’s Up Tilt and Down Tilt and letting the reset punish the chase back.
  • Panicking at the ledge as Ken and simplifying Steve’s Up Tilt and Down Tilt-driven advantage sequence.

Reference Links

Related Pages