Energy Ball Pros:

It's more dangerous to get caught by. IIRC, Energy Ball does 8-48% damage.

Landing Energy Ball allows leads into easy (and deadly) follow-ups.

Its repeating hitboxes stay out longer than Dark Wave's hitboxes do.

It cannot be Spot-Dodged or Shielded.

It can be used offstage without suiciding.

It sticks to walls.

It's a GIANT FLAMING SUN OF DEATH

It takes up less space in PSA.

'Dorf can catch up to a thrown Energy Ball and run along with it, using it as a shield.

Energy Ball encourages foes to Jump over it, into a place where 'Dorf likes his foes to be: in the air in front of or above him.

Energy Ball introduces a stage hazard very briefly, which can be used to pressure and manipulate foes. More interesting gameplay.



Energy Ball Cons:

It can be reflected. Energy Ball against characters who can reflect is generally a bad idea.

It's slower then Dark Wave, making it easier to avoid.

It is easy for a low-damage foe to escape from, because the hitbox size was over-Nerfed (IMO).

It doesn't cover as much horizontal distance at once as Dark Wave does.

Stronger enemy projectiles will plow right through Energy Ball without stopping.

It's just a max-charge Super Scope shot, no fancy PSA here. But it works!

Using it will destroy any item in 'Dorf's hand. This will be fixed next version.



Dark Wave Pros:

It can not be reflected back against 'Dorf; Dark Wave flips on his Y axis, and 'Dorf flips around with it.

It can KO foes with high damage by itself (no follow-up necessary).

It deals all of its damage at once. No escaping with partial damage.

It can go through walls.

Stronger enemy projectiles tend to clang with Dark Wave rather than go through it.

Some say it is better at edge-guarding than Energy Ball is -- but I think they're about even in that department.



Dark Wave Cons:

It does less damage: 16% on ranged hitboxes and 32% on fist hitboxes, IIRC.

It deals a single hit with modest knockback and KBG. Energy Ball's follow-ups are much better.

It is easier to dodge than Energy Ball. Neither can be aimed, but 'Dorf can interact with Energy Ball. Dark Wave is "Fire and Forget".

Using it offstage is suicidal.

It does not line up with 'Dorf's arm properly, most noticeably when used offstage.

It looks like a wave of Grape Soda to some.

It takes up more space in PSA.

Dark Wave doesn't have interesting counterplay. You just avoid it or get hit in a second.

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