Yoshi has unusual properties which can give him an edge against players used to combating more "normal" characters. His running grab and pivot grab are stellar, and he can punish shields from midair with Egg Lay. The double jump is unusual, with some "super armor" like Snake has during his recovery, allowing Yoshi to take a hit and counterattack. His attacks also do a better job of flowing from one to the next than most characters in Brawl, letting him keep the pressure high once he finds an opening.
Yoshi has a unique shield which always covers his entire body. Unfortunately, his roll dodges are terrible, his standing grab is terrible, and he is not permitted to cancel the shield with a jump like most characters can, and he emerges from his shield slower than other characters. This gives Yoshi a hard time dealing with some projectiles and with characters whose melee attacks have notably longer range than his own.
Recovering properly with Yoshi requires turning "tap jump" off in your control scheme. Yoshi should throw eggs first, and double jump afterward. If tap jump is on, Yoshi will instead do a double jump but then cancel it when he throws his egg. Yoshi should always beware of being footstooled off stage, as throwing eggs provides only a minimal vertical boost.
An advanced technique called dragonic reverse can make Yoshi "wavedash". It is done by canceling Yoshi's double jump with an attack. This is very hard to perform and only for more advanced players.
Standard Attacks[edit]
Wii Remote + Nunchuk |
Wii Remote (sideways) |
Wii Classic Controller |
GameCube Controller
|
Attacks
|
Info
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Double Kick |
Kicks twice. A good panic move.
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+
|
Tail Swipe |
Swipes his tail forwards.
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+
|
Tail Poke |
Pokes his tail upwards.
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+
|
Tail Swat |
Swats his tail downwards.
|
while dashing |
while dashing |
while dashing |
while dashing
|
Running Headbutt |
Yoshi headbutts in to their opponent.
|
Smash Attacks[edit]
Wii Remote + Nunchuk |
Wii Remote (sideways) |
Wii Classic Controller |
GameCube Controller
|
Smash Attacks
|
Info
|
Smash + |
+ + |
(Smash + ) or  |
(Smash + ) or
|
Head Butt |
Headbutts forwards.
|
Smash + |
+ + |
(Smash + ) or  |
(Smash + ) or
|
Head Slam |
Headbutts upwards.
|
Smash + |
+ + |
(Smash + ) or  |
(Smash + ) or
|
Tail Whip |
Does a sweeping motion with it's tail.
|
Pummels and Throws[edit]
Unlike other characters, Yoshi grabs with his tongue.
Wii Remote + Nunchuk |
Wii Remote (sideways) |
Wii Classic Controller |
GameCube Controller
|
Pummels/Throws
|
Info
|
after grab |
after grab |
after grab |
after grab
|
Chew |
Yoshi chews the opponent.
|
after grab |
after grab |
after grab |
after grab
|
Forward Spit |
Spits forwards.
|
after grab |
after grab |
after grab |
after grab
|
Spin Spit |
Spits backwards.
|
after grab |
after grab |
after grab |
after grab
|
Skyward Spit |
Spits upwards.
|
after grab |
after grab |
after grab |
after grab
|
Groundbound Spit |
Spits downwards.
|
Air Attacks[edit]
Wii Remote + Nunchuk |
Wii Remote (sideways) |
Wii Classic Controller |
GameCube Controller
|
Air Attacks
|
Info
|
  |
  |
  |

|
Drop Kick |
Yoshi kicks in the air. the kick gradually gets weaker.
|
+  |
+  |
+  |
+
|
Head Smash |
Yoshi spins smashing his head into his opponents midair.
|
+  |
+  |
+  |
+
|
Tail Whip |
Uses his tail to whip enemies behind him.
|
+  |
+  |
+  |
+
|
Tail Flick |
Yoshi flicks it's tail upwards. This move is dangerous at high percentages.
|
+  |
+  |
+  |
+
|
Flutter Kick |
Comboing downward kick from mid-air.This is useful as a quick hop.
|
Special Attacks[edit]
Wii Remote + Nunchuk |
Wii Remote (sideways) |
Wii Classic Controller |
GameCube Controller
|
Special Attack
|
Info
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Egg Lay |
Yoshi quickly shoots his tongue out, grabs onto a enemy, and lays his foe into a egg.
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+
|
Egg Roll |
Yoshi curls up and turns into an egg that can roll right or left. He inflicts damage upon contact with an enemy.
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+
|
Egg Toss |
Yoshi materializes an egg and throws it in an arch. The distance the egg travels and where it goes depends on how long the B button is held and the direction the control stick is pointing.
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+
|
Yoshi bomb |
Yoshi executes a flip while in the air, and drops down. Two stars appear next to were he lands, both capable of providing minimal knockback.
|
Wii Remote + Nunchuk |
Wii Remote (sideways) |
Wii Classic Controller |
GameCube Controller
|
Taunt
|
|
|
|
|
Dances around in a circle.
|
+
|
( or )+
|
or
|
or
|
Spins around, chasing his tail, then looks at it.
|
|
+
|
|
|
Waves to the screen, saying "Yoshi!" (same as in Melee).
|
Final Smash[edit]
Super Dragon: Yoshi grows wings allowing him to fly, rendering him invulnerable whilst in this state, and starts spewing fire. Pressing the B button will also allow him to shoot fireballs. If Yoshi remains standing for around 3-5 seconds, he starts spewing fire automatically similar to the flame curry. However while in this form, Yoshi has no inertia hence he'll be a bit hard to control for beginners.