How to Beat Snake in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Strategy Guide

How to beat Snake is the first question I asked myself when this hulking, projectile‑spamming soldier kept blowing me up. Facing Snake in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate can be one of the most frustrating matchups in the game. 

After dozens of hours of learning his tricks, I realized he isn’t unbeatable. You just need to understand his unique playstyle, exploit his weaknesses, and stay patient.

How to Beat Snake: Understanding Snake’s Playstyle and Tools

Snake is a zoner with a twist. He relies on an arsenal of explosives to control space, rack up chip damage, and force you into mistakes. His grenades detonate after about two and a half seconds and can be picked up or thrown by both players. He also sets a remote C4 charge that blends into the stage and explodes on command, and his Nikita missile lets him steer a missile around the stage.

Because Snake’s kit is so projectile‑heavy, many players assume they have to camp him out. That strategy often backfires because he can camp better than most characters. Instead, focus on recognizing his setup patterns. Clear grenades with quick moves and throw them back before they explode. Watch for blinking C4 on platforms or the center of the stage and steer clear of the blast.

Snake’s weaknesses balance his strong zoning. He is one of the slowest characters on the ground and in the air, so he struggles when opponents rush him. His out‑of‑shield options are limited: his down air is fast but has small range. He also takes self‑damage from his explosives. Properly timed rushdown can force him to hurt himself while you avoid the blast.

If you’re still unlocking characters, our guide to unlocking every fighter in Smash Ultimate explains how to add Snake to your roster quickly so you can practice the matchup.

Counter Strategies: How to Approach and Punish Snake

Once you understand his tools, the next step is learning how to approach. The best way to beat Snake is to stay just outside his grenade range, then burst in when he commits to pulling a grenade or Nikita. Dash in, shield the grenade explosion if necessary, then punish his lag. Multi‑hit aerials like Pikachu’s neutral air or Lucina’s forward air can break grenades and still hit Snake. Fast ground attacks like Fox’s dash attack let you punish his landing lag.

Shielding is important, but holding shield for too long lets Snake set up. Don’t be afraid to let a grenade detonate on your shield if it means you can punish his next move. Perfect shielding (parrying) gives you a bigger frame window to counterattack. Against Nikita, jump over it or hit Snake while he’s remote‑controlling it, because he’s vulnerable during this move.

Offstage, Snake’s recovery is exploitable. He uses his Cypher drone to float upward and can drop a C4 to refresh it, but he moves slowly. Jump offstage and swat him with a forward air or spike when he tries to ascend. Characters with strong offstage presence – like Mario, Inkling, or Sephiroth – can intercept him repeatedly. Just watch out for his up tilt when he’s back on stage; it’s one of the strongest in the game and can kill early if you’re careless.

In four or eight‑player matches, pay extra attention to grenades; our list of the best multiplayer Switch games highlights how chaotic Super Smash Bros. Ultimate can get. Focus on your positioning and avoid standing near Snake’s traps while you fight other opponents.

Choosing Characters and Stages: Which Picks Help You Beat Snake

Your choice of character and stage can make this matchup much easier. Characters with quick movement and disjointed hitboxes excel at running past grenades and whacking Snake before he can set up. Pikachu, Sonic, Joker, or sword fighters like Lucina can keep him at bay. Reflectors from Fox, Wolf or Falco can send grenades or Nikita back at him.

Heavy characters like Bowser or Donkey Kong struggle more because they’re big targets for explosives, but they can outlast him if they avoid setups. Zone‑breakers like Roy with strong burst options also fare well. Experiment with your main and see which tools counter his kit.

Stage selection matters too. Smaller stages like Smashville or Battlefield limit Snake’s ability to set up long‑range traps and force him into close combat, while larger stages like Kalos or Town and City give him more room to camp. Platforms let him hide C4, so stay mindful of where he places it. When playing online, I ban stages with high platforms to make it easier to track his traps.

If you enjoy exploring different fighting styles, our guide on the best fighting games lists Super Smash Bros. Ultimate among the top titles. Trying other fighters can help you adapt to varied matchups.

Sharpening Your Skills: Practice and Adaptation

Beating Snake is all about practice. Spend time in training mode to learn the timing on his grenade explosions and practice punishing his up tilt. Play against friends who main him or watch tournament matches to see how top players parry grenades and edgeguard his recovery. Patience is critical because rushing blindly into explosives will only get you blown up. Stay calm, pick your moments, and the matchup will feel more natural over time.

For more casual fun, our list of top 8‑player Switch games showcases how party‑style matches can teach you to thrive amid chaos and track multiple grenades at once.

Putting It All Together: Practice at Home

Improving your overall Smash fundamentals will make every matchup easier. Work on spacing, movement, and adaptation in training mode and matches with friends. Watching tournament sets and reviewing your replays also helps you spot habits and adjust.

When you’re ready to hone your skills at home, you can pick up Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch. Our marketplace offers the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate eShop key at a great price. Practicing with your own copy lets you put these strategies into action and master how to beat Snake.

FAQs

How do I counter Snake’s grenades in Smash Ultimate?

To counter Snake’s grenades in Smash Ultimate, you should learn their timer and hitbox. Grenades explode after about two and a half seconds, and you can pick them up and throw them back or swipe them away with a weak attack.

What characters are good against Snake in Smash Ultimate?

Characters with speed and disjointed hitboxes are good against Snake in Smash Ultimate. Fighters like Pikachu, Joker, Sonic, Lucina, and Fox can close the distance quickly and punish his laggy moves. Characters with reflectors also shine because they can send his grenades and Nikita missile back at him.

How do I deal with Snake’s C4 and traps?

To deal with Snake’s C4 and traps, you need to keep track of where he places them. The C4 is a small red or grey patch on the stage that starts blinking before detonation. When you see him stick it on you or the stage, move away or shield to avoid the explosion.

Is Snake a heavy character in Smash Ultimate?

Yes, Snake is a heavy character in Smash Ultimate. He is one of the heaviest in the game, which lets him survive strong attacks at high percentages. However, his heavy weight combined with slow movement makes him an easy target for combos if you get past his explosives.

How do I edgeguard Snake effectively in Smash Ultimate?

To edgeguard Snake effectively in Smash Ultimate, you should intercept his slow recovery. Jump offstage and hit him while he ascends with his Cypher drone. Spikes, long‑lasting aerials, and projectiles all work well. If you knock him out of his up B, he has limited options and often must recover low.