Best Ledgetrappers In Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Best Ledgetrappers In Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Key Takeaways

  • Ledgetrapping is crucial after reaching the ledge, offering a safer option than edgeguarding to finish off an opponent.
  • Fighters like Link, ROB, and Peach have tools to limit the opponent’s options near the ledge for easy KOs.
  • Characters like Snake, Pacman, and Samus excel at ledgetrapping, using tools like projectiles and unique mechanics to control the stage effectively.

As a seasoned Smash player with over 10 years of experience under my belt, I must say that these characters have truly mastered the art of ledge control. Each one brings something unique to the table, making them formidable opponents indeed!


In the game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a tactic known as ledge trapping is crucial for a skilled player to knock out their opponent. This happens when a fighter gets to the edge of the stage, either desperately holding on or standing near it. Ledge trapping is generally more effective at delivering a KO than edgeguarding, but it also provides a safer opportunity for the opponent to reclaim control over the stage.

A more effective strategy to deny an adversary another opportunity on stage is to corner them. This approach should not rely on guessing their moves but instead, restrict their choices that lead to a decisive strike. Many combatants possess specialized tools that minimize their opponent’s reaction time near the edge, such as specific throws or delayed attacks.

1 Link

Explosive Hero

In simpler terms, The Wilds’ Hero (or Link) excels in putting pressure on opponents precariously positioned on edges. His most effective tool for this is his neutral air move, which has a low recovery time after attack. He can rapidly perform this attack to counter the opponent’s actions or force them into reaction, an action that Link can swiftly block to retaliate and punish.

Despite Young Link and Toon Link having faster attacks and speed, Link compensates by utilizing his remote bomb to handle various scenarios. This device can be detonated at will, creating an active hitbox when it bounces on the ground. If an opponent lingers too long on a ledge or grabs the bomb using z-targeting, Link can respond swiftly with his powerful forward tilt or up-special move to push them offstage.

2 ROB

Spinning Out Of Control

In simpler terms, ROB doesn’t require a complicated approach to dominate the stage using his down-special move, often referred to as his gyro. This projectile spins and remains active, but he can only deploy one at a time on the stage. The challenge lies in blocking the gyro, as it disappears upon being blocked, allowing ROB to quickly summon another one for attack. If opponents try to grab or “z-catch” the gyro, they leave themselves vulnerable, providing an opportunity for ROB to follow up with a counterattack.

Although ROB possesses good zoning capabilities, he excels at close-quarters combat, particularly in boxing. His rotor arm assaults may be weak but they’re swift, making it challenging for opponents to retaliate effectively. He can even strike adversaries from the ledge safely with his down-tilt without any risk of repercussion. His ignition attacks such as neutral air and back air are relatively slow, but they become active and potent upon hit. It’s generally advisable to maintain a distance from him due to one of his throws sending fighters plummeting into the ground, enabling him to follow up with a devastating attack immediately afterward.

3 Peach

Ruling Princess

roots (turnips) and buoyancy. Roots serve as an effective method of keeping opponents at bay from a distance, even when they cling to ledges. The beauty of her strategy lies in her ability to gather as many roots as needed, with a rare chance to obtain other destructive items. Although it might seem wise for the opponent to wait, allowing Princess Peach ample time to collect her precious roots or items will only exacerbate their predicament.

Her turnip management is troublesome, but what truly makes her attacks intimidating is her float mechanic. Facing off against this skilled princess with exceptional control over item drops gives her an overwhelming advantage when an opponent is trapped in a corner. She can opt to drop and quickly retrieve the turnips while simultaneously launching safe aerial attacks such as her down-air and back-air.

4 Samus

Hunting Advantage

As a dedicated fan, I confidently assert that I’m no stranger to the intensity of ledge trap scenarios; Samus, with her bounty hunter gear, always holds her ground impressively. She skillfully pushes cornered opponents into action, leveraging her bombs and missiles strategically. When it comes to her bomb setups, she becomes a formidable adversary, as she shrinks her hitbox and swiftly maneuvers through the air with remarkable agility.

Her most intimidating special move is when she rapidly advances without any particular direction (neutral-special). With just a single action, she unleashes the full force of her current charge directly in front of her, adjusting to the opponent’s choice. Although it pushes the player away, the less powerful blasts create opportunities for combos, such as dash attack or back-air. Due to its noncommittal nature, many characters struggle against Samus because she can cancel her charge and switch to another attack or tether grab at any moment.

5 Isabelle

Fishing For Advantage

Isabelle appears friendly working alongside Tom Nook, but becomes troublesome when an opponent is pinned on a ledge. Her Lloid and fishing rod provide various strategies for catching cornered opponents. Unlike a grab, her fishing rod swiftly captures the opponent before they can block from the ledge.

Apart from employing her C4 projectile and mid-range attack throw, Isabelle has the ability to use her pocket to store certain fighters’ projectiles such as Mewtwo and Sephiroth. If an opponent is careless with their zoning strategy against Isabelle, they may find themselves in trouble when she swiftly returns the stored projectile during her ledgetraps, effectively turning their plan against them.

6 Pacman

Fruitful Plan

As a gamer, I can craft some pretty intricate strategies using Pac-Man’s unique special abilities. Each fruit he eats grants different powers, speeds, and angles, giving me a wide range of options in any situation. However, things can get really interesting when he grabs the bell item! That’s because it stuns his opponents upon hit, setting them up perfectly for a knockout combo.

His sophisticated moveset integrates both his neutral-special and down-special abilities. His hydrant sprays twin jets of water that displace anything in its path, including Pacman or his fruits. Upon receiving sufficient damage, the hydrant transforms into an active hitbox for the player’s advantage. If executed by Pacman, the cornered opponent must contend with the angles of his fruits, hydrant, and the relentless character simultaneously.

7 Min-Min

Armed Combatant

Min-Min is crafted as one of the formidable long-range adversaries; her regular attacks have a physical nature, making it challenging for certain combatants to deflect them. She possesses three distinct types of appendages to amplify either her attack power or swiftness. With these arms, she effortlessly reaches ledges and can adjust their direction towards the opponent.

she primarily focuses on covering horizontal distances in her attacks, but she has the ability to explore additional options by moving and leaping during combat. She also possesses a tether grab, which adds an extra layer of threat to her extended attacks for opponents. One unique aspect of her is that she can execute aerial smash attacks, making her retaliation more profitable. Furthermore, if she misjudges the opponent’s actions, she can even throw another arm behind herself as a backup move.

8 Plant

Plan Of Nature

On the lower skill level, Piranha Plant offers impressive moves when it gains an advantage. Particularly effective for dealing with ledge traps is its neutral-special ability. When utilized on stages featuring platforms near the edge, it can launch Ptooie onto the platform, effectively thwarting any aerial recovery attempts by the opponent. The move should be watched closely as it remains quite active even during minimal movement, posing a threat even when the Plant itself is being held.

An alternative strategy is using Plant’s side special move. This releases a toxic fog that advances forward, inflicting swift harm on any adversary within the fumes. It also reaches opponents on the edge, compelling them to respond quickly to avoid excessive damage. However, if Plant remains in the poison cloud, it becomes unpredictable whether they will launch Ptooie or counter an opponent’s action with their short, swift attacks.

9 Zelda

Knightly Plan

When Zelda gets control during a game, she becomes incredibly strong. Her down-special move is terrifying for opponents who are at a disadvantage. She needs to take some time to prepare this move, but it can strike anytime, providing protection for Zelda as long as she gives the command or reacts accordingly.

Her approach is straightforward, but the size of her knight’s attack poses a challenge in avoiding it. The type of attack can switch between a downward or upward cut depending on her charge duration, thereby restricting the adversary’s options. With sufficient charging time, Zelda becomes more agile and her knight is poised to strike, particularly when she attacks or seizes the opponent for a powerful slash.

10 Shulk

Foreseeing Strategy

Shulk doesn’t need a complicated setup because his weapon is sufficient to limit the opponent’s recovery strategies. His Monado offers one of the longest sword ranges and wide attack coverage. He can jab at a distance with his forward smash and back-air, while catching any recovery attempts with his forward-tilt and forward-air. It’s tough for opponents to dodge Shulk’s active slashes as he has minimal end lag, allowing him to rapidly press the attack button repeatedly.

Despite his aerial moves being challenging to handle, it’s his Monado Arts that significantly improve them. His Speed Art allows him to launch aerials faster due to its reduced jump height, while his Buster Art increases the damage and offers more combo opportunities. The most daunting Monado Art is his Smash Art, which dramatically boosts his knockback power for easy KOs. Even if an opponent returns from the ledge, a swift Smash Art throw is typically sufficient for Shulk to claim a stock.

11 Belmonts

Vanquishing The Darkness

In a compensatory manner, where they fall short in some areas, Richter and Simon excel in others quite powerfully. Their standard attacks offer a broad scope for pushing opponents off the stage, such as their forward tilt. They can also reach an adversary perched on a ledge from a distance using angled forward air, back air, and forward smash. While their whips are potent at keeping enemies at bay, their other special moves swiftly thwart any efforts by the enemy to regain neutrality.

Each special ability encompasses a particular area, featuring a skyward arc with an axe. Their most potent weapon is sacred water, capable of multiple strikes that can corner adversaries at the edge. Adversaries should exercise caution when managing these lingering attack zones, particularly when a Belmont amasses sufficient damage to securely knock out the opponent with just a single whip strike.

12 Mii Gunner

Gunning For Ledge

Mii characters can tailor their special abilities to suit their preferred playstyle, and when it comes to ledge-trapping, the most challenging Mii character to deal with is Mii Gunner. Their strongest moves during an advantageous position are the grenade launcher and bomb drop. Their approach resembles Samus’ strategy, but their special abilities offer more benefits due to their plus frames. When correctly positioned, the grenade launcher significantly reduces the opponent’s ability to regain control of the stage.

Instead of solely relying on their special moves, Mii Gunner should also utilize their regular attacks effectively. Their forward-air and forward smash offer a wide reach in front of them, while up-air is perfect for catching opponents hovering above. The powerful combination of their specials and disjointed normals makes them nearly impossible to bypass.

13 Steve

Crafting The Situation

In combat situations, Steve’s toolkit enables him to adapt and modify his setup, particularly in scenarios involving ledges. Opponents should avoid granting Steve time to mine for resources. Once he gathers specific materials, he can enhance his attack power by crafting weapons, which in turn allows him to execute powerful combos. This additional crafting ability puts pressure on the opponent to make quick decisions.

As I face off against my opponent, it’s clear that Steve isn’t just about smashing blocks – he’s a master strategist. He can craft his own platforms and fortify them with walls, setting up intricate traps to throw me off-guard. For instance, he might drop an anvil on weakened blocks or roll an empty minecart straight towards me. Those iron attacks pack quite a punch when he’s in control, but the minecart transforms into a command grab when it decides to roll on its own.

14 Rosalina

Cosmic Issue

Rosalina skillfully uses Luma to put pressure on opponents trapped in a corner. Her ability to manipulate Luma means she can be in two spots simultaneously, denying the opponent recovery options by launching cosmic attacks from either position. To escape this situation, the opponent must react swiftly and counter before Rosalina has properly positioned herself and Luma.

She quickly counters an opponent’s move when controlling Luma in her presence. Her teammate and she can either execute ground attacks or let Luma protect the stage while Rosalina launches active aerial assaults from above. The opponent should be mindful of this duo, as either partner can support each other, even if Rosalina gets hit.

15 Mr. Game & Watch

2D Danger

In a tight spot, Mr. Game & Watch has an abundance of methods to intensify the pressure on his trapped foe. His most alarming option when he’s in control is his neutral special, which launches food items ahead of him. When used correctly at roll distance and combined with food tosses, it significantly limits the opponent’s escape routes due to the persistent effects of the cooked hitboxes. The special move doesn’t have many recovery frames, providing ample time for the user to react to the opponent’s response.

Regardless of where the adversary perches on the ledge, they will encounter Mr. Game and Watch’s expansive attacks. His aerial moves offer extensive protection for the fighter, with minimal recovery time, particularly in his forward air and neutral air. It is generally unwise to challenge him during his smash attack as these are massive and span broadly across the fighter, even including his invincible up smash.

16 Snake

Soldier Power

The snake is armed with an exceptional set of tools for a soldier, and its strategic approach often involves placing C4 charges at a roll’s distance from the edge. Then, it quickly executes an up-smash move to ensnare any adversaries jumping towards it. Interestingly, even though Snake is nearer to the C4 explosives, his hurtbox is smaller during these detonations compared to his enemies, providing him with a strategic advantage.

Overcoming Snake’s traps can be tough, as regaining control of the stage is another hurdle. Despite having only long limbs, Snake’s attacks are quite powerful. His grab game is formidable due to a unique mechanic that forces opponents to the ground, enabling him to link an attack. When opponents reach higher health percentages, they can easily be combined with moves like forward-tilt and up-tilt. At times, Snake’s most effective strategy is to remain still, waiting for the opponent to act impulsively due to fear of explosion, leaving them vulnerable to a lethal attack.

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2024-11-26 05:35