Enemy Emulation Guidelines

Just so there's no confusion on what's good and what's not-so-good, here's the clear as day, step-by-step explanation of what to do and not do. For a more general guide to IF Contests, see the iFAQ.

Pick an Regular Enemy - Kirby has to be able to eat it to copy the ability, so no bosses and no Copy copy-ability special cases.

It Cannot Already Give an Ability - If the foe gives a power, in any game, it's already done. Move along.

Give It to Kirby - Translate what the enemy does to be something he can now do. They spit fire, so he spits fire. What it does and he should do have to match.

Make It Make Sense - The ability should be something the enemy does. If Mumbies was possible, Kirby wouldn't shoot out bandages and wrap enemies as Mumbies doesn't do that.

It's pretty straightforward. Outside of that, you can design a hat for Kirby, since that seems to be how things are going, but it is not required. For the ability's usage, a system seen more like in Amazing Mirror or Squeak Squad should be aimed for more than Super Star Ultra. Translation: do one thing. There should not be a long move list with standing, in-air, while dashing, or in-air while dashing tactics.

- See What Others Submitted -

- Submissions are closed! -

Further Considerations for New Entries

It shouldn't have needed to be said, but here are some more nasty trends that popped up after the contest was posted that probably should have been avoided. So, since Wave 1 is over, here's some look-outs for the next batch to be wary of:

It Has To Be Edible - As is stated directly above, twice, Kirby has to be able to eat the enemy. No special circumstances, no invented means, no Shotzo. It has to be able to happen.

Ability Hats Aren't Scalps - If you're going to make an Ability Hat, don't just skin the top off the enemy. Hammer doesn't even wear Bonker's cap, Ice doesn't sport Chilly's fez, and even Cutter isn't Kibble's helmet. If you're going to make a hat, make a hat. Don't just say, "Uh, it's the enemy's head," because that's the same as not making one, 'cuz you truthfully haven't made anything.

Make the Ability Unique - A nasty habit emerged where a submitted ability would be just like an existing ability only weaker or superior. Outside of Sleep, every ability is supposed to be good and useful, even when compared to others.

These Aren't Primary Powers - The Dream Lands and Crystal Shards had "base" abilities that were mixed with pets and other powers. These are not supposed to be so rudamentary. If anything, a pet would mimic something like these in a combo (Rick's Spark is Beam, after all). These should reflect ability usage from every title outside of those three. I say this so no one else goes off on a wild tangent.