Match-Up Export #3: Zero Suit Samus (In-Progress) Update #1 Complete

Zero Suit Samus has the following combo possibilities on Fox:

• Down-smash Chain: Must start between: 0% ~ 35%; ends at ~100% with a guaranteed aerial follow-up.
• Unbuffered Forward-throw Chain-grab: XX%
• Buffered Forward-throw Chain-grab: 17%-26% + re-grab

Zero Suit Samus dies to a fresh up-smash at 81% on Final Destination with no DI.
Zero Suit Samus dies to a fresh up-smash at ~97% on Final Destination with proper DI.
Zero Suit Samus has a stronger/weaker/equal aerial game than Fox in this match-up.
Zero Suit Samus has a stronger/weaker/equal ground game than Fox in this match-up.
Zero Suit Samus has a stronger/weaker/equal edge-guarding game than Fox in this match-up.
Zero Suit Samus has a stronger/weaker/equal survivability than Fox in this match-up.
Zero Suit Samus has a stronger/weaker/equal camping game than Fox in this match-up.
Zero Suit Samus is at a slight advantage against Fox.

Advantages​

Disadvantages​

The largest disadvantage in this match-up is ZSS's ability to place Fox in a high damage d-smash lock.
Fox also has a large difficulty approaching ZSS without fear of being placed in said lock.
Fox is unable to safely chase ZSS off-stage.
Fox cannot depend on spot-dodging due to ZSS having an exceptional ability punishing the maneuver.

Strategy & Match-Up Mentality​

Aerial Game:


Ground Game:
When it comes to the ground game, focus on your grabs. Down-throw and back-throw are both excellent for racking damage and resetting the stage for more camping from your end. One trick ZSS has in her ground game comes from dash attack to AAA. However due to Fox's fall speed, Fox is able to successfully shield and grab ZSS out of the AAA combo after the dash attack. Fox should never find himself spot-dodging as ZSS' grab game is sub-par and she has an excellent time punishing spot-dodges with down-smash.

Approach:
Against Zero Suit Samus approaching generally isn't something you need or should do the majority of the time. ZSS is a character based on baiting in order to land attacks such as down smash and side b. However, when it comes to approaching with these, they prove to be less useful than when you are approaching her. Due to your superiour camping ability in this match-up, approaches are generally not something you should have on your mind. Fox trotting in and out can also prove useful if you don't get too close. Generally, use your lasers and speed to force ZSS to approach, which will open her up for plenty of punishment and allow you to control the pace of the match.

Defense:


Camping Game:
This is pretty basic. ZSS is limited in her ability to camp, which usually consists of her baiting attacks against your approach. However in this match-up Fox is able to easily utilize his speed to safely SHDL against ZSS without fear of punishment and quickly reset the stage with a throw against ZSS's limited approach options.

Edge Game:
When guarding ZSS it is important to not chase her offstage, her high maneuverability will result in you being placed in a bad position against her. Instead hold onto the edge and force ZSS to recover on stage and punish from there.

Surviving:
Fox should be able to avoid ZSS' kill options very well due to him not having a need to be baited into her attacks. Be prepared to DI correctly if caught in a down-smash lock as down-b, side-b, and bair-air are all excellent options for ZSS to hit you with out of it. When recovering from off-stage be careful and cautious. A down-smash at the edge from ZSS can catch rising fairs and side-b recoveries, so make sure to be unpredictable and watch ZSS as she prepares to edge-guard.

Killing:
When it comes to killing, you have a good set of options against ZSS. On many moves, you are not safe to up-smash on the block against ZSS, however if something is a complete wiff for ZSS, the up-smash is your's for the taking. Down-smash is another great option as ZSS will have a harder time than others surviving from that angle. It is important to not focus on killing ZSS and instead just focusing on avoiding her and punishing her approaches. Do not fish for the KO against ZSS.

Frame Data:

Banning & Counter-Picking​

Videos & Other Outside Resources​

Videos

• Matches on Starter Stages
• Matches on Counterpick Stages
• Lock Demonstration Videos

Other

• Thread Specifics
• Misc.

Verdict​

Stage Dependent Ratios:

• ?: XX:XX
• ?: XX:XX

Planned Updates:
Links to Matches
Link to Zero Suit Samus Boards Fox Match-Up Discussion
Links to All Previous Zero Suit Samus Discussion from the Fox Boards
Stage Banning
Stage Striking
Stage Counter-Picking
Possible Secondaries
Chaingrab Specifics
Dealing with Opponent Projects
Utilizing your Own Projectiles
Approach
Defense
Recovery
Edgeguarding
Killing & Surviving
Frame Data Comparisons
Advantages & Disadvantages
Key Points

This is updated as much as I feel it should be at this point. I'd like the opinions of other players rather than going with my own opinions, which is why I intentionally did not fill in some blanks.