Bowser vs Doc JMU Archive

Bowser vs Doc JMU Discussion Archive

***Neutral***
Bowser has scary options in close combat, for example Up-B out of shield or grab which you can't even call ''close combat'' anymore due to the huge range.
Regardless, Doc has the projectile to sort of impede Bowser to approach.
Bowser has to use the right moves to not get punished, while Doc has to always watch out.
Dr.Mario needs to coordinate his ground-air game, because even ordinarily safe moves like B-air are kind of unsafe (even on block).
To describe neutral, it's like a fast & strong hitting but slow boxer fights against a waiting counter.

***Disadvantage***
Disadvantage Conclusion:
Bowser has trouble landing, but Doc has even more vs. him.
Both have superior options to catch each other, just Doc is in a worse position then Bowser in such a situation.
Once Bowser is offstage though, it's getting really tough for him. He first has to avoid Doc's D-air, Tornado or Cape offstage. Once he survived that somehow, the ledge game situation starts (in most cases). Thus, Doc can cover all ledge options. Be aware of Bowser's get up attack, it can be really punishable but also a astonishment due to the huge range.
Bowser has also options to edgeguard Doc (F-air) or covering the ledge (Up-B), but it's not as effective as Doc's.

Combo's and Kill options:
Doc is able to combo Bowser out of D-throw, but it's extremely strict. It's worth to practice though, you can get some really valuable juggles out of it. You also don't need to D-throw to start juggle situations.
Bowser on the other hand has a insane reward out of his grab. You can't exactly avoid any kind of combo out of his D-throw between approximately 0-90%. There's one opportunity, though. You can SDI out of his N-air, which he's probably going for at most percents. Just mash down and you will avoid a good amount of damage.
Otherwise, mixup alot. D-throw into U-air is a true kill setup but you can make it harder to hit with it for him.

***Stages***
Bowser benefits greatly from Lylat and Town & City due to platform shield pressure and early kills.
Final Destination is great for pressuring Doc since he can't land anywhere, but that comes with the price of Bowser equally not being able to safely land. You can also space around with pills as much as you want.
Smashville is pretty coequal, but you can't really camp Bowser out.
For Battlefield and Dreamland, you have to choose on your own as Doc. I'll list pros and cons.
Battlefield:
Pro:
-Doc survives a little bit longer
-Much space to edgeguard Bowser offstage.

Con:
-No instant walljump
-Bowser also lives longer

Dreamland:
Pro:
-Instant walljump
-Might kill earlier

Con:
-Bowser kills earlier
-U-throw to U-air is even more scary

But in general, it isn't really stage dependent.
Here's the stage preference list though:

Final Destination,  Smashville, Battlefield, Dreamland,        Lylat, Town and City
^good                           ^decent       ^okay          ^bel. average       ^bad     ^very bad