ChatGPT Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Lucario is strongest at explosive close-range punish sequences and huge reward on hit, while Greninja is strongest at speed-driven rushdown and combo-based advantage.
The more this stays only about projectile trades, the more both sides get to set their preferred pace. The side that steps forward first after forcing hesitation usually takes control.
The table shows reliable shield punishes on Rapid Jab Finisher, Down B (2), Down Smash, Side B, and Jab 3, with OOS Dair, Grab, OOS Fair, and OOS Nair showing up most often as the clean ways to take the turn back.
Do not force shield punishes on the relatively safer choices like Neutral Air and Forward Air. It is usually better to read the landing or ledge route and punish the next action.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Lucario OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 3 | -15 |
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| Jab 2 | 3 | -15 |
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| Jab 3 | 5 | -26 |
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| Rapid Jab | 5/8/11/14… | — | ||
| Rapid Jab Finisher | 4 | -39 |
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| Forward Tilt | 10 | -14/-14 |
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| Up Tilt | 9 | -18 |
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| Down Tilt | 5 | -12 |
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| Dash Attack | 7 | -13 |
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| Forward Smash | 13 | -26 |
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| Up Smash | 12/18 | -23 |
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| Down Smash | 11 | -29 |
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| Neutral Air | 12 | -2/-4 |
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| Forward Air | 16 | -6 |
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| Back Air | 5/7/11 | -8/-7 |
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| Up Air | 7/10/13/16/19/22 | -12/-12 |
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| Down Air | 17 | -16 |
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| Neutral B | 20—60 | -18 to -13 |
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| Side B | 24(+5) | -29/-28 |
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| Up B | 19 | — | ||
| Down B (1) | 8 (Start of Counter) | — | ||
| Down B (2) | 19 | -33/-32 |
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| Grab | 10 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 13 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 14 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Do not settle for projectile trades alone; step forward and touch the body as soon as you make the opponent pause.
- After blocking Rapid Jab Finisher, Down B (2), Down Smash, Side B, and Jab 3, answer immediately with OOS Dair, Grab, OOS Fair, and OOS Nair so the opponent cannot keep the turn.
- Do not force immediate retaliation on Neutral Air and Forward Air; take the landing route, escape route, or ledge direction first.
- Finish stocks through repeated landing traps and ledge pressure instead of overcommitting to single hard reads in center stage.
Actions to Avoid
- Drifting back forever around projectile trades, then giving up the time needed to pressure the body.
- Swinging after every blocked Neutral Air and Forward Air and feeding the whiff punish or reset the opponent wants.
- Chasing too deep for the kill and exposing Lucario’s own recovery or defensive weakness.
- Panic-jumping or panic-rolling from the ledge and making the opponent’s ledge trap too simple.