Edge-Guarding as a Samus main can oftentimes be difficult, however there are quite a few options that can be explored especially when looking Hugo “HugS” Gonzalez. HugS’ Edge-Guards are multi-faceted, thought out, and effective, especially when utilized correctly.

Basic Up-Tilt By the Ledge

The easiest to employ for a Samus is an up-tilt by the ledge. When HugS’ opponent fails to sweet-spot their recovery, he up-tilts as they come up above the ledge. This pushes the opponent out again which, depending on percentages, can lead to them losing a stock or, at the very least, needing to recover again.

The downside to this, however, is that depending on their closeness to the ledge, you opponent can oftentimes tech the up-tilt and recover. In certain cases, this tech can also lead to Samus getting counter-hit by them as well. Regardless, used in the correct situations, this edgeguard will almost never fail.

Basic Forward-Smash

In cases when HugS baits an early recovery that lands on the stage, the strongest follow up to that is simply a forward-smash. HugS punishes the fact that there will be significant landing lag following their recovery and a forward-smash is the best tool for that.

Spaced correctly, this will almost always work, especially against characters with slow recoveries. The downside here comes from what happens if it is whiffed. If it is mistimed, and your opponent can either spot-dodge or shield before the move connects, a forward-smash will most likely be punished hard with a strong aerial or smash attack.

Low Forward-Tilt

When HugS’ opponent recovers just slightly above the ledge, oftentimes he will respond with a low forward-tilt that pushes them away. While the knockback from the move is not as significant as others, it will usually drop the opponent down as well, setting up for more options.

While resetting the situation with better odds for an edgeguard, a low forward-tilt rarely leads to the loss of a stock and requires another interaction. So, when being used, make sure to be ready for a follow-up edgeguard right away.

Run-Off Neutral-Air

In situations in which HugS’ opponent is still actively recovering from below or horizontally, and he is close enough to act, HugS will come off the stage with a neutral-air before they get to the ledge. Depending on the character and percent, this will hit them far enough away that they cannot recover. This is especially effective due to Samus’ strong recovery options, so going deep with this will not necessarily lead to losing a stock.

Using the neutral-air off-stage is effective and can be one of the most versatile tools when edgeguarding as Samus. It however can be extremely risky if you are hit by the recovery of your opponent, and on stages like Battlefield, may even lead to losing a stock at low percentages.

Bomb By the Ledge into Punish

Used far more situationally, HugS sometimes will drop a bomb by the ledge, resetting his opponent into a panic early up-B which he then can punish in a variety of ways. This option allows for a variety of punishes based on how the opponent responds and his own spacing.

This is a versatile choice innovated by HugS and can lead to many different scenarios. This diversity can sometimes lead to a misstep by yourself or an inability to read the situation. It is also not a high percentage option and is not as successful as other choices. However, adding this to your arsenal can vary your choices at the ledge and work tremendously in your favor.

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