Kirby's Return to Dream Land/Characters and Copy Abilities/Beam

Beam is a ranged combat ability with reasonably powerful and safe attacks. Beam is notable in that there is a brief invincibility window at the start of almost every move. For bosses, Cycle beam has the best consistent DPS on ground, dealing 54 damage per use. Wave Beam should be used if there is a waiting period before a boss becomes vulnerable again. Beam Blast is ideal for aerial bosses. Capture Beam should always be used whenever possible, however.

The only mobility-enhancing attack Beam has is Beam Blast, which gives Kirby a reasonable height boost if used at the peak of a standard jump.

Beam Whip (Press 1)

• Attack properties ^[1]
  • 8 dmg
  • Can hit twice at mid-range; three times at close-range
  • Attacks through walls

Cycle Beam (Dash + 1)

• Tips
  • Use this move primarily against grounded bosses/minibosses
  • Take advantage of its brief invincibility to 'tank' an attack without having to go out of the way to dodge it

• Attack properties ^[1]
  • 18 dmg per hit
  • Can hit up to 3 times for a total of 54 dmg
  • Brief invincibility upon startup

Beam Blast (Dash + 1 in midair)

• Tips
  • Beam Blast gives a considerable vertical boost when used at the height of Kirby's jump; use this to reach higher ledges just out of reach (1 or 2 blocks about) of Kirby's full jump
  • Beam Blast can be used multiple times within one jump, especially when used at the peak of the initial jump
  • In most cases, use this against bosses/minibosses when you can't use Cycle Beam (i.e. when they're in the air)

• Attack properties ^[1]
  • 1st hit - 16 dmg
  • 2nd & 3rd hit - 14 dmg per hit
  • Max total - 44 dmg
  • Brief invincibility upon startup

Revolution Beam (Mash 1 in air)

• Tips
  • Beam Blast is much stronger than Revolution Beam as an aerial attack, and should be used over Revolution Beam
  • Use this instead of Beam Blast when it is important to stay suspended to dodge while attacking (for example, when Fatty Puffer shoots a geyser of water), as Kirby descends when using Beam Blast

• Attack properties ^[1]
  • 20 dmg
  • Kirby stays suspended in place
  • Brief invincibility upon firing the beam

Wave Beam (Hold 1, Release)

• Tips
  • This has weaker DPS than Cycle Beam thanks to the required charge-up
  • Use this primarily during idling time against grounded bosses/minibosses (for example, when a miniboss is spawning, or a boss is in the background)

• Attack properties ^[1]
  • 32 dmg
  • Brief invincibility upon firing the beam

Capture Beam (Up, Forward or Down next to foe + 1)

• Tips
  • This is just about the fastest grab attack in the game with excellent power, and should be used against bosses/minibosses whenever there's an opportunity to use it
  • This hits diagonally above Kirby in a roughly 45 degree angle, very quickly

• Attack properties ^[1]
  • Held object - 16 dmg
  • Thrown object - 60 dmg
  • Invulnerable while holding objects
  • Can capture foes in mid air.

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} An ability and damage guide at the Kirby's Rainbow Resort forums. It's mainly maintained by Plas Durock and contains contributions from several members of the Rainbow Resort forum and the GameFAQs KRtDL forum. http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/935607-kirbys-return-to-dream-land/62398037