Jigglypuff isn't exactly at the top of the tier list in today's meta, yet one player manages to push this character to the extreme. In 2017 alone, Juan 'Hungrybox' DeBeidma has consistently been able to win various tournaments over some of the best Melee players in the world, all with Jigglypuff as his only character, rightfully earning himself the number one title on the MIOM rankings. Since most other Puff players are far from Hbox's level of skill, I aim to seek out some things that make Hbox so much better than the others.

1. Consistent Punish Game:

This can be seen as something easily noticed, but it's definitely still one of the leading factors to Hungrybox's success. His punish game, particularly his rest setups, are unmatched. Off of even just one grab, Hungrybox always has a plethora of options to choose from that almost always lead into either an off stage edgeguard or a rest. This is all because of his knowledge of punish game and specific rest setups.

A way to help improve punish game with Puff is to think;

• Where will my oppent DI after a successful hit or throw? (Ex. Opponent doesn't DI upthrow at low percent, meaning a free rest)
• Did/Where did my opponent tech? (Ex. If your opponent misses a tech onto a platform, it's possible to get an easy rest)
• What attack or attacks would best give me the upper hand in this scenario? Will they be either leading into a rest, or an offstage edgeguard.
• In what way will my opponent try to recover?

Punish game is something, not just Puff players but every Melee player, should keep developing and improving, no matter how good they get. It's clearly one of the most essential elements of Melee. So it's not surprising that one of the best players in the world is amazing at it.

Puff's main punishes include:

Up air chains on spacies. Absolutely essential since you will mainly be facing counterpicking Fox's. This plus the, "Wall of Pain" of back airs will be your best friends in the Fox/Falco matchup. Versus floaties, you can abuse drill upsmash as a finisher, as well as several easy rest setups.

Other quick rest punishes that Puff can perform include:

• Rest landing lag of fox's Illusion
• Rest Fox upthrow-up air
• Jab reset rest
• Crouch cancel rest
  
  

2. Dealing with Lasers/General Neutral:

It's well known that Puff suffers from her weakness to projectiles, particularly Fox's lasers. Hbox uses a few key strategies to craftily avoid lasers. Some of these strategies include jumping over Fox's fullhop range, sticking to the ground and lightshielding, as well as just taking the lasers.

For most of Puff's neutral game, the preferred position on the stage is above Fox's lasers. Staying in this position is optimal, as it allows Puff to not take laser damage, while also controlling more airspace. This combined with a flurry of back airs can efficiently defend against an aerial approach from fox. However, Puff can attack and approach with even more options by sticking to the ground instead.

While on the ground, another option is to lightshield followed by wavedashing in. Lightshielding forces the Fox to make a decision.

• Keep shooting lasers and lose stage control
• Move in and shield pressure

If the Fox chooses to approach, punish off a grab or spaced aerial. If the Fox chooses to keep lasering, wavedash in and bair wall. This "from cover to cover" strategy works because it either forces the Fox to give up stage control or approach.

Finally that brings us to the last option on how to deal with Fox's lasers: Apathy. Contrary to popular belief, getting hit by some lasers is not the end of the world for Puff. While a constant onslaught of lasers can put Puff to kill percent, taking a few lasers in order to get a good punish is worth it when it comes to the end of the game. You can even take lasers in order to gain more stage control. However, it's important not to get hasty. If you blindly rush in after getting hit by lasers, you will get easily punished.

3. Advanced Movement:

In any recent Hbox set you watch, the most noticeable thing other than his punish game, is his impeccable movement. Puff is a slower character in Melee, but when Hbox plays, it's almost like he's playing another character. He especially utilizes Puff's platform movement, shield drops, wavedashes and wavelands.

Platforms can either be Puff's worst nightmare or best friend. If your opponent notices that you're slow on platforms, they can be extra bold, throwing out aerials. If you aren't fluent in your wavelands or shield drops, these can be free hits for your opponent. Knowing all the options and forms of movement you can have on platforms opens up a whole world of shielding and escape options. Wavedashing is, not surprisingly, also useful for Puff. She can wavedash out of throws for better positioning, allowing her to extend combos further. It can also be used to counter dash dancing approaches with a wavedash back to bair, pound or even grab.

Even though Puff isn't as reliant on advanced movement as some other characters in the cast, it's still obvious that players in top level play still need to utilize it as much as possible.

Final Thought:

These techniques that advance Puff as a character aren't unique to Hbox. They are techniques that many experienced Puff players have developed and used over many years. However, it's the constant application of these techniques, along with many others, as well as knowledge of the game that makes Hbox so successful. I have confidence that if you can use these tips and apply them to your playstyle, you can improve your Puff as well as improve as a player.

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