Kirby (SSBU): Difference between revisions

|tier = D+

|ranking = 76

Kirby is currently ranked 76th out of 82 on the ''Ultimate'' [[tier list]], placing him in the upper half of D+ tier. This is similar to his placement in the previous game, where he was ranked 49th out of 54. Kirby is characterized by excellent frame-data, granting him access to quick and powerful [[combos]]. He also possesses high damage output on the majority of his moveset, with his back aerial and dash attack granting him acces to strong KO options in his kit. Kirby's relatively small size and low crouch also makes him hard to hit; his crouch especially allows him to avoid most grabs and some attacks. Finally, Kirby's [[Inhale]] grants him his opponent's [[neutral special move]], which not only deals more damage than the opponent's, but can also be useful for alleviating some of Kirby's weaknesses and turning the tides of various matchups.

However, Kirby's strenghts come at a cost of his poor endurance, as his light [[weight]] makes him susceptible to early KOs. His poor mobility, as well as a lack of projectiles and ranged attacks, presents a host of problems in [[Neutral game|neutral]] and offstage, as Kirby has trouble approaching and fighting those that can outrange him. Finally, Kirby's recovery, though far-reaching, is rather predictable, and his poor air speed and [[floatiness]] make Kirby very vulnerable to edgeguarding.  

Overall, Kirby's weaknesses undermine some of his strengths. As a result, he has consistently placed near the bottom in terms of competitive representation. Nevertheless, Kirby has still seen some success from dedicated mains such as {{Sm|Guilheww}}, {{Sm|JeJaJeJa}}, and {{Sm|Konokururu}}.

Kirby's greatest strengths are his quick frame-data, high combo potential, and the versatility of his moveset. The majority of Kirby's attacks are characterized by speed, with his tilts being among the fastest in the game, while his slowest moves instead boast high power as a trade-off, while still being quite fast for their power. Neutral attack and forward tilt are fast and have decent range, allowing Kirby to quickly distance opponents, with the latter being used for tech chase setups. Up tilt's low knockback and high speed allow it to combo into multiple moves, such as itself, an aerial attack, or an Inhale. Down tilt's low power is compensated by its extreme speed and it launching opponents at the [[sakurai angle]], which allows it to [[trip]] most opponents even over 80%. Should he trip his opponents with it, he can follow up with a variety of attacks, such as a dash attack, grab, or forward smash. Dash attack’s early hit is excellent for whiff punishing and scoring a KO, potentially KOing opponents starting at 90%, while the late hit can set up into an Inhale. His [[smash attack]]s have good range, high power, and great frame-data, making them excellent at scoring a KO. Kirby himself is also very small, making him hard to hit, and his minimal crouch allows him to avoid almost all grabs and several attacks. As a result, Kirby has an excellent grounded and defensive game thanks to his quick frame-data and evasive [[crouch]], requiring opponents to be careful when approaching him in neutral.

The usefulness of Kirby's grounded game also extends to his [[grab]] game. His set of grabs' short range are counterbalanced by being among the fastest in ''Ultimate'', while his pummel's meager damage output is counterbalanced by its extreme speed. His [[forward throw]], unlike most other forward throws in the game, has combo potential, leading into aerial attacks from low to mid percentages. [[Back throw]] can be followed up by a back aerial at 0% on certain characters, can KO at high percents, and can send opponents offstage. [[Up throw]] is his strongest throw and is able to KO almost all characters around 170%, or even earlier if it lands on a platform. Lastly, [[down throw]] is reliable for damage-racking when no other throw can yield better results.

Kirby's aerial game is also notable, despite his poor [[air speed]], due to the versatility of his aerial attacks. [[Neutral aerial]] has a long-lasting hitbox, high knockback on the clean hit, minimal landing lag, and good coverage, making it a safe landing option. The weak hit of neutral air can combo into his tilts, grab, or even a smash attack. It can also be useful as a combo finisher and as a KO move at high percents. Due to the move lasting longer compared to his other aerials, it can safely pressure shields. [[Forward aerial]] is a powerful combo tool, can pressure shields, lead into a [[wall of pain]] at low precents, be useful as a respectable KOing option when landing the final hit, and its first two hits can allow additional follow-ups due to its low landing lag. [[Up aerial]] has good vertical knockback, low landing lag and a fairly quick [[auto-cancel]] window, allowing for several potential follow-ups and even opportunities to KO when near the upper blast line. [[Back aerial]] has decent range, high knockback on the clean hit, and is Kirby's fastest aerial, making it one of his strongest options overall. Lastly, [[down aerial]] has considerable startup, but has multiple hits that drag opponents downward before the final hit [[meteor smash]]es them and has low ending lag, making it a deceptively powerful [[edgeguarding]] tool as well as a reliable combo starter with follow-ups on grounded opponents.

Kirby's [[special move]]set can provide some unique strengths. {{B|Inhale|Kirby}} is his most notable example; it allows him to either [[List of Copy Abilities|copy]] the [[neutral special move]] of any character he inhales, or spit them out as a weight-dependent [[projectile]]. Depending on what character he inhales, the copy ability can give Kirby a move that assists him in matchups to various degrees, such as useful projectiles to counter-camp his opponent ([[Needle Storm]], [[Charge Shot]], {{SSBU|Wolf}}'s {{b|Blaster|Wolf}}), powerful punishing options ([[Giant Punch]], [[Homing Attack]]), a reflector ([[Nayru's Love]]), or other benefits ([[Monado Arts]]). In addition, Kirby's variant of the opponent's neutral special has a 1.2x damage multiplier. Kirby can also inhale projectiles; smaller projectiles will be swallowed, allowing him to heal himself, while larger ones (such as a fully-charged Charge Shot) can be stored in his mouth and spat out, essentially giving Kirby a reflector. The spat projectiles can be used to punish opponents at mid-range and can launch them away with high knockback. Inhale can also be used to [[Kirbycide]] or spit the opponent out offstage, although the opponent can escape by [[button mashing]]. [[Hammer Flip]] boasts amazing power, especially when fully charged, and Kirby can move and jump while charging. However, its high startup and endlag, along with its short range and Kirby's poor mobility being further slowed when charging, makes it difficult to land outside of a [[shield break]], covering ledge options, or after a jab lock. Final Cutter is his primary means of [[recovery]], granting good vertical distance, as well as a disjoint in front of him during his ascent and descent. It also emits a shockwave projectile upon landing, making it difficult to [[punish]] if the opponent is not behind Kirby. Lastly, [[Stone]] causes Kirby to turn into an object and ignore up to 25% damage. It is also a powerful attack, especially in the air, and can be canceled shortly after Kirby begins his descent, although these benefits are limited by its slow startup and ending lag, and Kirby is still vulnerable to grabs while transformed.

Kirby’s most notable flaw, however, is his poor approach. Owing to Kirby's poor mobility and lack of reliable projectiles, speed demons or characters who can camp with projectiles can wall out Kirby, such as {{SSBU|Sonic}}, {{SSBU|Mii Gunner}} and {{SSBU|Samus}}. Kirby's lack of reliable burst-movement options especially makes his approach in these matchups problematic and sometimes predictable. In addition, characters with long and/or [[disjointed hitbox]]es, such as {{SSBU|Ike}} and {{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}}, can outrange and wall out Kirby since his range is short relative to the cast. Final Cutter's projectile has decent range and quick movement, but has somewhat slow startup due to it requiring Kirby to perform the entire rising and falling portions of the move beforehand, and he lacks other projectiles outside of spitting inhaled projectiles/opponents, or from a copy ability. This requires conscientious usage to avoid punishment. Despite possessing great [[air acceleration]], Kirby's air speed is also too slow for him to take advantage of it, hindering his aerial approach and recovery despite possessing five midair jumps, wwith the latter being especially prevelant due to his recovery being fairly linear. Kirby also has several KO options in his kit, but some can be hard to land without a setup due to their short range.

In addition, Kirby also has poor endurance. While being light and floaty can help him escape combos from other characters, this also means he risks getting KOed earlier. He is also vulnerable to [[juggling]], due to his aforementioned slow falling and air speeds. The existence of [[rage]] further pronunces this issue, as Kirby will be sent flying even further by heavily damaged opponents, and his light [[weight]] prevents him from gaining the advantage of his own rage. This imposes as a risk in approaching opponents in the air, while also preventing Kirby's aerials from being used effectively when in a disadvantage state, often forcing him to rely on his jumps, Stone, or neutral aerial to escape and return to the ground or ledge.

Overall, Kirby has a tendency to run hot and cold. In turn, Kirby is characterized as a glass cannon who is capable of inflicting an impressive amount of damage if he gets close to his opponent thanks to his excellent frame-data and potent combo game, however, doing so is challenging for him due to his poor approach. As such, Kirby functions well with a bait-and-punish playstyle, although being unprepared for an opponent's approach can be hazardous due to his low survivability, an attribute that is commonly shared with other characters of Kirby's archetype.

Near the end of ''SSB4''{{'}}s metagame, Kirby had been considered a low-tier character due to a combination of lackluster attributes and underwhelming moveset despite its power. Likely owing to this, Kirby has been granted a mixture of buffs and nerfs in the transition to ''Ultimate'', being overall buffed, though not enough to raise his standing on the tier list.

Kirby's buffs lie in the increased utility of his moveset as a whole, with overall improved frame-data and KO power on his finishers. The first two hits of his [[neutral attack]] can now [[jab lock]] and connect better into the looping hits (albeit at the cost of reduced damage output), while [[forward tilt]] is a stronger poke and KO option due to its reduced ending lag and its increased knockback. His [[dash attack]] has been mostly reverted back to its ''Melee'' iteration — however, it is significantly faster and stronger, has less startup and a far longer duration compared to his previous dash attack in ''SSB4'', can cross-up on shields, covers more distance, and is more reliable for catching opponents thanks to only consisting of a single, long-lasting hitbox; these changes make it a stronger punishing tool and a much more versatile move overall. His [[smash attack]]s are now stronger punishing options, with [[forward smash]] having much more range, [[up smash]] having faster start-up, and [[down smash]]'s regained its semi-spike angle, restoring its utility at edgeguarding; all three also have improved KO power, with forward and up smash dealing more knockback, and down smash's altered angle KOing earlier at the edge despite its reduced knockback). Several of Kirby's attacks, such as up tilt and all his aerials excluding for up aerial also have more range, partially alleviating one of his weaknesses from ''SSB4''.

The universal reduction to [[landing lag]] has also exponentially benefitted his aerials, despite possessing among the lowest landing lag in ''SSB4''; his aerials are not only safer, but now capable of leading into followups, with [[forward aerial]]'s first two hits now being able to follow up into a grab or forward smash. His neutral and up aerials —the former being one of his most situational attacks— are now faster, deal more knockback (with the former's clean hit being one of the strongest neutral aerials in ''Ultimate'', and the latter had some of its lost KO power restored from ''Melee'') and have less ending lag; neutral aerial also has more range, and up aerial deals higher damage.

For Kirby's special moves, [[Inhale]] has been significantly buffed with faster startup, less ending lag, a much longer grace period in which Kirby cannot lose his Copy Ability, a lower probability of losing said ability after this period has ended, and a new 1.2× multiplier to his copied [[neutral special]] compared to his opponent (albeit without a corresponding increase to knockback), giving him a greater incentive and a higher reward from inhaling opponents. Furthermore, he can now eat the projectiles he swallows to heal himself (and store certain ones in his mouth as well, enabling him to spit them out as stars). [[Hammer Flip]] now renders Kirby nigh-impossible to stop for a longer time as long as he's grounded; [[Final Cutter]] is faster and its landing hit is much more powerful, which improves its utility; and [[Stone]]'s aerial variant now has super armor during its startup, making it more difficult to interrupt Kirby out of the attack, as in previous ''Smash'' games he could be interrupted even when he fully transformed.

However, Kirby has also received several noteworthy nerfs. The most notable were to his sub-par [[grab]] game, which has been made even worse: his grab has had its mediocre range further worsened (especially on his pivot grab), and [[forward throw]] depicts him jumping up higher after the throw, which runs the risk of potentially landing on top of a soft platform, negating all follow-ups when it happens too early (although following up neutral air or up aerial can allow more follow-ups), while [[back throw]] has lost most of its combo setups due to changes to the animation. Altogether, this grants Kirby a less effective combo game off of his grabs overall. His other received nerfs include Stone no longer hitting shielding opponents twice, reducing its shield pressure considerably; [[back aerial]] deals less knockback (although the clean hit now lasts for slightly longer to compensate); and [[down aerial]], one of his most reliable combo starters in ''SSB4'', has more range on the looping hits, but slightly less on the final hit and is less advantageous on landing due to the removal of [[frame cancel]]ing, reducing the effectiveness of its follow-ups since its landing lag was not reduced enough to compensate properly. Furthermore, Kirby still retains many of the same issues that plagued him in ''SSB4'', with mediocre range, sluggish aerial mobility and a high susceptibility to being camped.

Universal changes to the game's mechanics both benefit and hinder Kirby. The revamped [[air dodging]] mechanics have significantly improved his innate ability to [[edgeguard]] opponents more effectively, and directional air dodges have also given him a secondary recovering option, but this also makes him more susceptible to juggling and edgeguarding as well, due to his short-ranged aerials and predictable landing options. The changes to downwards velocity KOing opponents faster from the bottom blast line now render Final Cutter as a significantly more deadly edgeguarding and [[sacrificial KO]] option, further improving its utility. The increased [[shieldstun]] and increased startup on shield grabbing notably benefits Kirby's safety on hit, due to his moveset's naturally high damage and low ending lag, making him harder to shrug off and punish accordingly. Conversely, the changes to grabs' ending lag make Kirby's own grab riskier to throw out, as their ending lag can prove more punishable. The increase in mobility is a mixed bag for Kirby, as while his mobility has improved overall relative to the cast (most notably his aerial mobility), his problems with camping from the previous incarnation remain, exhibited with the increased prevalence of zoners. Overall, his edgeguarding and defensive options have been improved at the cost of his range issues becoming even more prevalent than in ''SSB4''.

Kirby has been buffed once more in update 8.0.0, strengthening a handful of his finishers such as down smash, back aerial, and [[Stone]], with the former having decreased start-up, alleviating the nerfs they initially received in the transition to ''Ultimate''. Dash attack had its clean hit's knockback increased and its previously high endlag reduced, with cross-ups now being much safer and as well as giving the late hit follow-up potential. Although forward aerial's increased damage output and knockback makes it harder for him to follow up with his combos at low percents, it is an overall benefit since it renders his finishers to be more potent, while indirectly giving his other combo tools more flexibility. Update 13.0.1 added a minor buff/bug fix of Kirby's version of [[Lightning Buster]] less ending lag to match {{SSBU|Mythra}}.

|utiltdesc=A scorpion kick. Although its damage output is low, it is a very useful combo starter at low percents, due to it coming out on frame 4 and having both very minimal ending lag and disjointed range which additionally reaches behind him. It also renders Kirby's foot [[Intangibility|intangible]] throughout its duration, which can give him protection above him and allows it to be used as an anti-air tool despite its rather poor range.

|dtiltdesc=A crouching shin kick. It is fairly spammable due to coming out on frame 4 and having minimal ending lag. When coupled with its [[trip]]ping potential, and the fact that Kirby's crouch allows him to dodge many attacks with high hitboxes, it can be a very useful set-up option especially after a crouch.

|dashdesc=The Burn attack from the {{s|wikirby|Burning}} ability from ''Kirby's Adventure''. It has decent startup at frame 9 with a long-lasting hitbox that grows weaker over time. Its clean hitbox is one of the strongest dash attacks in the game, KOing middleweights at around 100% from the edge of Final Destination, though it is extremely punishable on shield due to its ending lag. Unlike ''Melee'', it does not slide off of edges.

|fsmashdesc=Based on the Spin Kick from the Fighter ability from ''Kirby Super Star''. Due to becoming active at frame 13, it is disproportionately for a forward smash. It can be angled and moderately moves Kirby forward, giving it deceptively good range. Its clean hitbox also deals respectable damage and has very high knockback growth, which makes it a powerful and reliable KOing option. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights starting at around 70%. However, its late hitbox lacks reliable KO potential due to its high base knockback at the expense of very low knockback scaling. The hitbox also has a deceptively short duration compared to what it seems, and has noticeable ending lag (29 frames), making it unsafe on shield and punishable if not used correctly. A powerful punishing option that is also capable of 2-framing reliably if angled downwards.

|usmashdesc=A bicycle kick. It can hit behind Kirby, while its clean hitbox deals respectable damage and has very high knockback growth akin to forward smash, KOing middleweights at around 100% from anywhere on Final Destination. Kirby's foot is also rendered intangible throughout its duration. Has moderate startup and ending lag, coming out on frame 12 and having 27 frames of ending lag, which gives it the fastest interruptibility of Kirby's smash attacks. Its late hitbox is noticeably weaker, but still has surprisingly respectable KO power for an up smash, KOing middleweights at around 120% from anywhere on Final Destination.

|dsmashdesc=A spinning split kick. It hits in front of and behind Kirby, and its clean hitbox deals respectable damage and has very high knockback growth like his forward and up smashes. Comes out on frame 7, with the fastest startup of his smash attacks. It semi-spikes with above average power, with its clean hitbox KOing middleweights starting at around 100% from the edge of Final Destination, and is additionally a reliable 2-framing option that is very useful for edgeguarding as a result. It also renders Kirby's feet intangible for 10 frames starting from frame 5 until the clean hit ceases at frame 14. However, its late hitbox has significantly lower KO potential due to its lower damage, not KOing middleweights on the ledge of Final Destination until around 140%. Due to it having 31 frames of ending lag, it has the highest ending lag of Kirby's smash attacks, and combined with its long duration, it's extremely punishable if shielded or whiffed.

|nairdesc=A cartwheel that also appears in the {{s|wikirby|Smash Bros.}} ability. Its very low landing lag makes it a decent set-up option at low percents or a tool for shield pressure when short hopped, while its high knockback growth makes it a decent anti-pressure and [[out of shield]] option. In addition, on Final Destination, it can KO middleweights under 160% at center stage and at around 110% at the ledge if landing the clean hitbox, making it one of the strongest neutral aerials in the game. It has large hitboxes that cover Kirby's body, especially at the beginning, giving good protection and coverage around him. It can also edgeguard, but it has the highest amount of ending lag out of Kirby's aerials, although still significantly less than in ''SSB4''. It has properties of a [[sex kick]] and autocancels in a full hop. Due to coming out on frame 8, it has the second fastest startup of Kirby's aerials, although this also makes it slower in comparison to other sex kicks.

|fairdesc=A series of multiple aerial kicks. Due to coming out on frame 10, it has the second slowest startup of Kirby's aerials. The first two hits have low knockback, which allows them to connect reliably into the third hit; however, they are notably inconsistent and the move will frequently experience fallouts as a result. Its low landing lag also allows the first or second hit to be used as set-up options into other moves, such as an up smash or forward smash at high percents. A versatile aerial that is good for combos and edgeguarding, it is capable of connecting into itself for a [[wall of pain]] in certain instances. The third hit has enough knockback to KO middleweights near the edge of Final Destination at around 140% without rage, making it fairly efficient for edgeguarding despite its average knockback. It can also be used as an out-of-shield option if Kirby is too far away to hit the opponent with neutral aerial or up aerial instead. Auto-cancels in a full hop.

|bairdesc=A quick reversed dropkick. It functions as a sex kick, but also has the lowest amount of start-up lag out of Kirby's aerials, due to it coming out on frame 6. It can autocancel in a short hop and its clean hitbox also deals the most damage out of his aerials, and possesses very high knockback growth, which make it a viable KOing option. While near the edge of Final Destination, its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at around 105-110%, which is around the same KO percentages of Kirby's clean neutral aerial. It also boasts good range due to its slightly disjointed hitbox, which makes it a viable edge-guarding option, and allows it use in a [[wall of pain]], as well as a good approaching option if used in a reverse aerial rush.

|uairdesc=An aerial flip kick similar to his up smash. Comes out on frame 8, tied with neutral aerial for having the second lowest startup of Kirby's aerials. A decent juggling option, it can also be used for continuing a combo due to its low landing lag. Can be used as an out-of-shield option if the opponent has a large enough [[hurtbox]]. Due to its decent damage and knockback, it is strong enough to KO middeweights at around 150% on Final Destination on grounded levels, making it a useful KO option after a full hop, or above platforms. It can auto-cancel in a short hop fast fall.

|dairdesc=A diagonal corkscrew dropkick. A decent combo starter on grounded opponents and due its low ending lag, and the final hit is a weak meteor smash, which makes it useful for edgeguarding and allows it to gimp characters with short recoveries. It can even lead into a [[footstool jump]] on fast-fallers and heavyweights. While it has the highest amount of start-up lag out of Kirby's aerials and of his moveset due to coming out on frame 18, and not auto-canceling in a short hop, it can be auto-canceled on landing, giving Kirby a decent window to safely land while tumbling. While possessing a rather good auto-canceling window, and being good for edgeguarding, its usage offstage is only serviceable against characters with slow or exploitable recoveries, as the final hit cannot reliably KO characters even as high as 180% offstage.

|grabdesc=Reaches out. It is one of the fastest grabs, but has short range. Based on the startup animation of the Torent Lariat from the Suplex ability from ''Kirby Super Star''.

|pummeldesc=A sequence of punches. Possesses an average damage output, but is one of the fastest pummels.

|fthrowdesc=A throw resembling the Rock Drop from the Suplex ability from ''Kirby Super Star''. Unlike the majority of forward throws, it possesses combo potential. Its most reliable follow-ups are neutral, forward and down aerials at low percents, and up aerial and [[Final Cutter]] at medium percents. Using it below a {{SSBU|Battlefield}} platform will have Kirby land on said platform, hindering followups at lower percents, but extending them at higher percents.

|uthrowdesc=The Air Drop from the Ninja ability from ''Kirby Super Star''. Like {{SSBU|Meta Knight}}'s up throw, it can damage and launch bystanders upon landing. It is weaker than his back throw when used at the edge, but it is consistently strong regardless of where it is used on the stage. Great knockback, KOing middleweights at around 160% from anywhere on Final Destination without rage; though it is extremely susceptible to [[DI]]. Because Kirby jumps up to perform it, he can land onto platforms above him upon descending, which enables it to KO even earlier.

|floorfdesc=Performs a spinning kick before getting up.

|ssdesc=The attack of the same name from the {{s|wikirby|Hammer}} ability. It is chargeable and, when fully charged, Kirby's hammer will ignite and deal [[recoil damage]]. He can also slowly walk and jump while charging. When it is used in midair, Kirby will swing his hammer twice, with each hit being equally powerful. While near the edge of Final Destination, uncharged Hammer Flip KOs middleweights at around 65%. Fully charged Hammer Flip KOs middleweights at around 6%. Although weaker, aerial Hammer Flip nevertheless possesses impressive KO potential. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at around 86%. Its fully charged version KOs them at around 33%. When fully charged and on the ground, it makes Kirby invincible from frame 2-10 and gives him super armor from frame 11-17. To counteract its power, it has lengthy startup and endlag, making its usage in competitive play outside of shield break punishes or covering get-up options from ledge very limited.

|usdesc=The attack of the same name from the {{s|wikirby|Cutter}} ability. It weakly meteor smashes any opponents he comes into contact with upon descending, which is somewhat useful as a sacrificial KO or to edgeguard opponents who run out of ledge invincibility, though not to the extent of similar moves like [[Aether]]. The sword also emits a shockwave upon hitting a solid surface, which is Kirby's only projectile aside from [[Inhale (Kirby)#Spitting characters|spitting out an Inhaled opponent]]. Solid vertical recovery distance and has serviceable horizontal distance when angled. Can also punish improper aerial approaches, but overuse will render Kirby vulnerable to punishment due to the high start-up. Kirby cannot [[sweetspot]] the edge until the peak of the ascending slash, making this recovery vulnerable to edgeguarding. If the platform beneath him disappears or if he is pushed off while he is still in the landing animation, he will be rendered [[helpless]].

|dsdesc=The Stone Change (while Kirby is on the ground) and the Stone Smash (while Kirby is in the air) from the {{s|wikirby|Stone}} ability. While transformed, Kirby gains armor that can withstand at least 25%, though he can be grabbed while transformed. Stone Smash also grants super armor during startup (frames 19-28), and can also be canceled in midair by pressing the special button, which can be used for [[mindgame]]s. Thanks to its high damage output, Stone Smash KOs middleweights at around 100% and deals considerable [[shield damage]]. Although Stone Change is considerably weaker, it is still a relatively potent [[semi-spike]] and comes out much faster thanks to its shockwave (frame 11 instead of 29). Stone's usage include combating juggles, or being used as a landing/edgeguarding tool; however, due to its high overall lag and predictability, it is not often used in competitive play.

*{{Sm|JeJaJeJa|USA}} - One of the two best Kirby players in the post-online metagame, having placed well at many events including 33rd at the supermajors {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2022}} and {{Trn|Let's Make Big Moves 2023}}. In addition, his 17th-place finish at {{Trn|Port Priority 7}} is tied for the highest placement for a Kirby player at a major.  

*{{Sm|Jesuischoq|France}} - One of the best Kirby players in the world in the early metagame who regularly placed highly at European events, including 2nd at the regional {{Trn|Smash4Glory - Ultimate Edition}} upsetting {{Sm|Glutonny}} and 13th at the superregional {{Trn|VCA 2019}}.

Since the release of ''Ultimate'', several professionals immediately noticed Kirby's significant flaws from the previous installment had been retained, in spite of the mechanics suiting him better in comparison to ''SSB4''. In addition, players notified his vulnerability to being camped, poor range, slow air speed, as well as platforms potentially negating all follow-ups should he start a combo with a forward throw. Despite some representation from players such as {{Sm|Jesuischoq}} and {{Sm|Ferretkuma}}, most of the community considered Kirby to be a low or bottom-tier in the early metagame, with some going as far as to consider Kirby could be one of the worst characters in the game.

Patches 6.0.0 and 8.0.0 gave Kirby some major improvements, including more KO power and versatility to his aerial attacks, partially restoring his ability to follow-up on platforms, and gaining additional options for KO confirms. In addition, although Kirby's representation remained rather small and was often in the bottom 10, he began seeing more success from players such as {{Sm|Guilheww}} and {{Sm|JeJaJeJa}} both online and offline. These small positives were enough to raise opinions on the character slightly. As such, although Kirby continues to have little impact on the metagame, he is no longer considered a candidate for the worst character in the game. This is reflected in Kirby's placement on the current tier list, where he is ranked 76th as a low-tier character, although gradually improving results from dedicated players have led a few players to believe Kirby should be ranked higher.

SSBUKirbyJPTwitter1.jpg|With Meta Knight and King Dedede on Green Greens.

**Ironically, Kirby has the most spirit battle appearances of all characters, with 61 total.