Copy Abilities System
Unlike the original Kirby Air Ride where only Kirby could use Copy Abilities, all 21 characters in Kirby Air Riders can now absorb and use abilities! This dramatically expands tactical options during races and battles.
Key Facts:
- 16 Total Abilities available
- All characters can use all abilities
- Abilities found in boxes during races
- Each ability has unique offensive/defensive uses
- Abilities expire after use or taking damage
- Strategic timing is crucial
Abilities Showcase
See all 16 Copy Abilities in action:
Complete showcase of all Copy Abilities and their effects
How Copy Abilities Work
Obtaining Abilities
Method 1: Ability Boxes
- Rainbow-colored boxes scattered on tracks
- Random ability inside
- Most common method
Method 2: Inhale (Kirby Only)
- Kirby can inhale special enemies
- Guaranteed specific abilities
- Exclusive to Kirby character
Method 3: Copy Ability Capsules (City Trial)
- Specific ability guaranteed
- Rare spawns in City Trial
- Can be purchased with Miles
Using Abilities
- Activation: Press Y button (same as Special move button)
- Duration: Lasts until used or damage taken
- Visual Indicator: Character glows with ability color
- Combining: Cannot stack multiple abilities
Losing Abilities
You lose your Copy Ability when:
- Taking damage from opponents
- Using the ability
- Falling off the track
- Time runs out (some timed abilities)
Complete Ability List
Offensive Abilities
🔥 Fire
Effect: Shoots fireballs forward
Best For: Attacking opponents ahead, Clearing obstacles
Strategic Use:
- Fire 3 fireballs in quick succession
- Each fireball damages and slows opponents
- Great for maintaining lead position
- Effective in narrow corridors
Pro Tip: Aim for groups to hit multiple opponents at once
⚔️ Sword
Effect: Wide sword slash attack
Best For: Close combat, Area denial
Strategic Use:
- Large arc covers wide area
- Excellent for defending position
- Works while moving
- Deflects some projectiles
Pro Tip: Use when surrounded by opponents
💣 Bomb
Effect: Throws explosive bomb
Best For: Area damage, Strategic traps
Strategic Use:
- Bomb has small delay before exploding
- Can throw ahead to set traps
- Explosion affects multiple racers
- Destroys obstacles
Pro Tip: Throw at chokepoints for guaranteed hits
🚀 Missile
Effect: Homing missile locks onto nearest opponent
Best For: Guaranteed hit, Long-range attack
Strategic Use:
- Auto-locks on closest racer
- Cannot miss (unless blocked)
- Good vs. evasive players
- Travels long distance
Pro Tip: Best used on straight sections where evasion is limited
👊 Fighter
Effect: Rapid punching combo
Best For: Sustained offense, Close quarters
Strategic Use:
- Multiple hits in quick succession
- Pushes opponents aside
- Works while racing
- Great in tight packs
Pro Tip: Use at race start for early advantage
🔪 Cutter
Effect: Throws boomerang blade that returns
Best For: Hit multiple targets, Curved trajectory
Strategic Use:
- Blade travels out and back
- Can hit opponents twice
- Good for curved tracks
- Bypasses some defenses
Pro Tip: Throw around corners to surprise opponents
🔌 Plasma
Effect: Electric barrier around character
Best For: Defensive offense, Ramming
Strategic Use:
- Damages on contact
- Lasts several seconds
- Can ram opponents safely
- Protects from some attacks
Pro Tip: Charge through groups of racers
🎤 Mike
Effect: Sonic wave stuns all nearby opponents
Best For: Mass disruption, City Trial finals
Strategic Use:
- Affects everyone in radius
- Stuns for 2 seconds
- Doesn’t discriminate (hits allies in team mode!)
- Best in crowded situations
Pro Tip: Save for crucial moments like final lap or City Trial climax
Defensive Abilities
🧊 Freeze
Effect: Freezes opponents in ice blocks
Best For: Creating gaps, Stopping pursuers
Strategic Use:
- Frozen opponents completely stop
- Ice block lasts 3 seconds
- Can freeze multiple racers
- Creates safe distance
Pro Tip: Use defensively when being chased
📌 Needle
Effect: Spikes extend outward in all directions
Best For: Close-range defense, Ramming protection
Strategic Use:
- Damages anyone who touches you
- Lasts several seconds
- Prevents ramming attacks
- Works while racing
Pro Tip: Activate in crowded starts or tight corners
⚙️ Steel Ball
Effect: Transform into heavy steel ball
Best For: Invincibility, Avoiding hazards
Strategic Use:
- Complete invulnerability
- Cannot be knocked around
- Roll through obstacles
- Cannot boost or turn well
Pro Tip: Use through dangerous sections
Mobility Abilities
💨 Jet
Effect: Temporary massive speed boost
Best For: Overtaking, Catching up
Strategic Use:
- Fastest speed boost in game
- Lasts 5 seconds
- Hard to control at max speed
- Can miss turns
Pro Tip: Use on straightaways, not curves
🎡 Wheel
Effect: Transform into high-speed wheel
Best For: Sustained speed, Straight tracks
Strategic Use:
- Constant high speed
- Rams opponents aside
- Poor turning ability
- Good on simple tracks
Pro Tip: Best for drag races or straight final stretches
🔨 Drill
Effect: Drill underground briefly
Best For: Shortcuts, Avoiding attacks
Strategic Use:
- Go through walls/obstacles
- Invulnerable while underground
- Can take shortcuts
- Emerges ahead
Pro Tip: Memorize underground shortcut routes
Special Abilities
✨ Flash
Effect: Blinding flash stuns and disorients
Best For: Disruption, Creating chaos
Strategic Use:
- Affects all racers in view
- Blinds for 2 seconds
- Causes AI to drive erratically
- Screen-wide effect
Pro Tip: Time with sharp turns to maximize crashes
😴 Sleep
Effect: Fall asleep and recover HP (if damaged)
Best For: Healing in City Trial, Trolling
Strategic Use:
- Heals machine HP
- You’re vulnerable while sleeping
- Lasts 3 seconds
- Mostly useful in City Trial
Pro Tip: Only use if safe and damaged
Ability Tier List
S-Tier (Best Overall)
- Freeze - Stops pursuers completely
- Jet - Fastest speed boost
- Missile - Guaranteed hit
- Mike - Mass disruption
A-Tier (Excellent)
- Fire - Reliable offense
- Plasma - Defensive offense combo
- Sword - Versatile close combat
- Needle - Strong defense
B-Tier (Situational)
- Bomb - Good for traps
- Drill - Shortcut dependent
- Cutter - Requires aim
- Flash - Timing dependent
C-Tier (Niche)
- Fighter - Too close range
- Wheel - Control issues
- Steel Ball - Limited use
- Sleep - Rarely useful
Best Abilities by Situation
Race Start (Crowded)
- Mike - Stun everyone
- Needle - Protect from rams
- Fighter - Push through pack
Mid-Race (Chasing)
- Jet - Catch up fast
- Missile - Hit leader
- Drill - Take shortcuts
Mid-Race (Leading)
- Freeze - Stop pursuers
- Fire - Shoot behind you
- Bomb - Drop traps
Final Lap
- Jet - Speed to finish
- Freeze - Stop last-second passes
- Plasma - Ram through defenders
City Trial (Combat)
- Sword - Best melee
- Mike - Clear area
- Missile - Safe damage
City Trial (Collection)
- Jet - Cover ground fast
- Drill - Access hidden areas
- Sleep - Heal damage (if safe)
Advanced Ability Strategies
Combo Strategies
Freeze + Attack Pattern:
- Freeze opponent
- Get ahead
- Drop Bomb or use Fire backward
- Maintain lead
Plasma + Ramming:
- Activate Plasma
- Ram opponents strategically
- Clear path forward
- Works in tight spaces
Drill + Shortcut Routing:
- Memorize drill-accessible shortcuts
- Save Drill ability for shortcuts
- Gain massive advantage
- Works best in Air Ride mode
Defensive Counter-Play
Against Fire/Missiles:
- Use Steel Ball for invulnerability
- Sword can deflect some projectiles
- Evade with Jet speed boost
Against Freeze:
- Plasma prevents freezing (electric barrier)
- Steel Ball prevents freezing
- Don’t cluster with other racers
Against Mike:
- Cannot avoid (area effect)
- Stay ahead of Mike users
- Use after they use theirs
Ability Locations (Air Ride Tracks)
High Spawn Rate Tracks:
- Rainbow Road (many boxes)
- Sky Circuit (aerial boxes)
- City Center (scattered throughout)
Low Spawn Rate Tracks:
- Time Trial courses
- Simple beginner tracks
- Top Ride mode (different mechanic)
Guaranteed Spawns:
- Stadium center (always 1 ability)
- Crystal Cave entrance (always 1 ability)
- Mountain Peak (always 1 ability)
Character-Specific Tips
Characters with Ability Synergy
Kirby:
- Can Inhale for specific abilities
- 4 different Specials don’t conflict with Copy Abilities
- Most versatile
Meta Knight:
- Combine Sword ability with speed
- Plasma + teleport Special = untouchable
- Offensive playstyle
Gooey:
- Extended item range helps find abilities faster
- Sleep ability more useful (healing + safety)
- Collection focus
Common Mistakes
❌ Using Too Early: Wasting on low-impact situations
✅ Save for Key Moments: Final lap, crowded sections
❌ Wrong Ability for Situation: Wheel on curvy track
✅ Match to Track: Jet on straight, Freeze when leading
❌ Ignoring Ability Boxes: Missing opportunities
✅ Always Grab: Even if not ideal, denies opponents
❌ Predictable Usage: Opponents expect it
✅ Surprise Timing: Unexpected moments more effective
Unlockables
Ability Challenges:
- Use each ability 50 times → Unlock ability statistics
- Master all 16 abilities → Unlock special cosmetic
- Win 10 races with each ability → Complete ability mastery
Achievement Tracking:
- Game tracks ability usage statistics
- View in Records menu
- Compare with friends
Conclusion
Copy Abilities add incredible depth to Kirby Air Riders’ racing. Mastering when and how to use each of the 16 abilities separates good racers from great ones. Experiment with different abilities in different situations to find your favorites!
Key Takeaways:
- All 21 characters can use all abilities
- Timing is more important than which ability
- Match ability to situation and track
- Save powerful abilities for crucial moments
- Learn ability spawn locations
Next Steps:
- Practice in Beginner’s Guide tips
- Pair abilities with Best Characters
- Use in City Trial strategy
Master the Copy Abilities and dominate the competition! 🌟✨
Related Guides
All Characters Guide - Unlock All 21 Riders in Kirby Air Riders
Complete guide to unlocking all 21 playable characters in Kirby Air Riders. Learn each rider's unique Special ability, how to unlock them, and which characters are best for different game modes.
City Trial Complete Guide - Master 16-Player Chaos in Kirby Air Riders
Master City Trial mode in Kirby Air Riders with strategies for power-up collection, event survival, final competitions, and 16-player multiplayer chaos. Learn the best characters, machines, and tactics.
Beginner's Guide to Kirby Air Riders - 12 Essential Tips to Win
Kirby Air Riders Beginner Guide | 12 Pro Tips: Boost Timing, Slipstream, Auto-Rails & Copy Abilities | Win Races on Switch 2 Fast