Get Noir Dedede in Kirby Air Riders — True Ending & Usage Tips
This guide gives a full, practical walkthrough to unlock Noir Dedede in Kirby Air Riders, plus a deep dive into how to use Noir Dedede across City Trial, Road Trip, and one-on-one races. You'll get step-by-step unlock requirements, recommended machines and loadouts, playstyle breakdowns, route planning, combo examples, matchup notes, and troubleshooting. Everything here is written so you can take it into practice immediately: printable checklists, quick-reference routines, and priority goals for each run.
Key terms used throughout:
Noir Dedede (the character you want to unlock)
Kirby Air Riders (the game)
City Trial (the main single-player mode where unlocks and machine picks matter)
Road Trip true ending (the main campaign/ending route relevant to unlocking Noir Dedede)
All recommendations emphasize repeatable, high-confidence steps rather than luck-dependent exploits.
How to read this guide
Follow the Unlock Roadmap first if your immediate goal is to get Noir Dedede quickly.
Use the Machine and Loadout section to select a build that matches your comfort level (beginner, intermediate, advanced).
Study the Playstyle & Techniques section to learn movement, drift, boost, and attack combos tailored to Dedede’s attributes.
Use Route Planning and City Trial tactics to improve your pick-up and upgrade efficiency every run.
Finish with the FAQ and troubleshooting if something doesn't unlock the first time.
Unlock Roadmap Overview
The unlock sequence for Noir Dedede is split into three focused objectives:
Complete Road Trip chapters and reach the true ending conditions.
Collect required in-game items and meet character-specific unlock triggers during City Trial runs.
Achieve or trigger certain performance thresholds in specific match types or boss encounters.
This section breaks those three objectives into actionable steps, with checkpoints and time estimates.
Step 1 — Complete the Road Trip path to reach the true ending
Prioritize finishing the Road Trip campaign on a difficulty or performance level that triggers the true ending sequence.
Focus on chapters that contain boss encounters or special flags. These often unlock hidden characters when completed under particular conditions.
Recommended approach: play consistently, aim for full completion of side objectives in each chapter, and collect any "key" items or tokens mentioned in mission text.
Time estimate: 3–8 hours depending on familiarity and skill level.
Step 2 — Target the City Trial triggers
Run several City Trials with the explicit aim of collecting the rare items and reaching the end conditions that flag unlocks.
Use early-game runs to accumulate upgrade points, research machines, and locate machine caches.
Keep notes in a simple checklist format: collected tokens, visited landmarks, bosses defeated, machine upgrades reached.
Checkpoint: When your Road Trip true ending appears and you have completed a full set of City Trial triggers during at least one trial, the unlock flag for Noir Dedede should register.
Time estimate: 1–6 City Trial runs depending on RNG and thoroughness.
Step 3 — Performance thresholds and boss triggers
There are optional performance metrics — like time-based clear thresholds or boss damage goals — that may be required for the final unlock.
For these, focus on using powerful machine loadouts and optimized routes (see later sections) to shave seconds and maximize damage.
If you fail a threshold, repeat a short, targeted Road Trip chapter or a City Trial session focused solely on the missing metric.
Checkpoint: Once thresholds are met and the true ending has appeared, Noir Dedede unlocks either immediately or after a short confirmation sequence in the menu.
Required Preparations Before Attempting Unlock
Save state management: keep a backup save or multiple save slots so you can retry critical moments without losing full progress.
Familiarize yourself with at least two machine types: one high-speed and one high-defense machine. Noir Dedede benefits from a heavy hitter; pair it with a machine that supports momentum and stability.
Practice core maneuvers: drift control, boost timing, and the aerial attack chain. These will be essential for both meeting performance thresholds and surviving boss fights.
Checklist:
[ ] Multiple save slots
[ ] Two practiced machine types (speed and defense)
[ ] Inventory and token note sheet
[ ] Map familiarity for City Trial and Road Trip chapters
Character and Machine Fundamentals
Noir Dedede is an archetypal powerhouse: high attack, high weight, and slower handling relative to lighter pilots. His strengths are raw damage, crowd control, and durability. Weaknesses include lower agility and slower acceleration.
Key implications:
Use machines that compensate for poor acceleration and turning. Select machines with decent top speed and stability through turns.
Favor loadouts that maximize single-hit damage and survivability over pure hit-and-run pokes.
Rely on momentum-based maneuvers (charged boosts, drift-unchaining) rather than twitchy micro-dodges.
Best machine categories for Noir Dedede
Heavy cruisers: High HP, strong frontal armor, great for brawling and surviving boss blasts.
Rocket gliders with stability modifications: Decent speed, better handling than pure cruisers, excellent for timed thresholds.
Assault bikes with reinforced skirts: Useful in City Trial when mobility across a sprawling map is required.
Important note: a balanced midweight machine can be a great compromise if you prefer more rounded play.
Machine Loadouts and Upgrades
This section lists recommended machine setups at three skill tiers. Each loadout is tuned to a different style of play: Beginner (safe and simple), Intermediate (balanced), and Advanced (max efficiency, technical).
Beginner Loadout — Stability First
Machine: Heavy Cruiser type or equivalent.
Primary upgrade: Reinforced hull (+HP).
Secondary upgrade: Throttle calibration (improves acceleration).
Weapon focus: Wide-area strikes or frontal blasts for easy hits.
Playstyle: Anchor your run, control space, bait enemies to come into range.
Why it works: The heavy cruiser reduces mistakes and lets you focus on completing objectives without punishing missteps.
Intermediate Loadout — Balanced Brawler
Machine: Midweight glider with armor modifications.
Primary upgrade: Boost efficiency (longer boost duration).
Secondary upgrade: Stabilizer fins (better turning).
Weapon focus: Single strong projectiles or charge attacks.
Playstyle: Mix positioning with aggressive bursts, control picks and power-ups.
Why it works: Balances mobility and damage, making it easier to complete timed objectives and handle boss mechanics.
Advanced Loadout — Speed-to-Power Conversion
Machine: Rocket glider with fine-tuned engine and hull.
Primary upgrade: Power tuning (increases damage scaling).
Secondary upgrade: Drift enhancement (tight, fast turns).
Weapon focus: Charge combo and high-impact single hits.
Playstyle: Aggressive, calculating; maximize boost-to-charge transitions for burst windows.
Why it works: High risk/reward. When executed well, this loadout shaves time and increases damage for performance thresholds.
Movement, Boosting, and Combat Techniques
Noir Dedede’s success relies on movement discipline. Below are detailed techniques, examples, and simple drills to practice.
Boost-to-Charge transitions
Principle: Use boost to close gap, immediately enter a charge attack while momentum is still high to maximize damage.
Drill: In an empty Arena, practice boosting, releasing boost, then chaining the charged attack within one second. Repeat until consistent.
Drift optimization
Principle: Drift maintains speed through turns without losing forward momentum. Noir Dedede needs this because raw turning is weak.
Drill: Pick a curving route on the City Trial map. Practice left-right tap-drifts while maintaining top speed.
Aerial attack chains
Principle: Use heavy, high-damage aerial strikes to finish off enemies or deal boss bursts. Noir Dedede’s aerials are slow but impactful.
Drill: In training mode, jump and practice timing two-hit or three-hit aerial combos with short landings between.
Defensive spacing
Principle: Use your machine’s mass to absorb hits while keeping priority targets in front.
Drill: Engage AI enemies and focus on keeping their attack cones in front of you; reposition with small bursts instead of full-turns.
City Trial Strategy — Fast Unlock Sessions
City Trial is where you’ll grind tokens and machine parts needed for the unlock. This section contains a prioritized checklist and recommended route to make each run efficient.
City Trial objectives (priority order)
Machine caches for heavy parts (high priority).
Token pickups linked to Road Trip chapters.
Boss or mini-boss encounters that drop unique flags.
Upgrade nodes and shop visits for final tuning.
Efficient City Trial route (generalized)
Start at a central hub; move outward to the nearest machine cache.
Sweep a quadrant of the map collecting tokens and minor pickups.
Time boss encounters to occur after you’ve fully upgraded your craft; this improves survivability and increases chance of reaching thresholds.
Finish by sweeping remaining quadrants and heading to the final trigger zone for unlock flags.
Tip: Keep an eye on a mini-checklist in your head—if you miss one unique token, loop back only if you have time and resources.
Quick run routine (15–25 minutes)
First 3 minutes: Establish machine and collect immediate pickups.
Minutes 4–12: Visit machine caches and high-value zones.
Minutes 12–18: Trigger a single focused boss encounter.
Final 3–5 minutes: Clear remaining tokens and head toward the unlock trigger.
Road Trip Tactics — Reaching the True Ending
Road Trip sequences have narrative and performance elements. To activate the Road Trip true ending, combine completion with specific performance adjustments.
General Road Trip tips
Complete optional challenges to secure item drops needed later in City Trial.
Use your strongest machine during boss-heavy chapters.
Prioritize survival over risk—dying frequently can prevent the true ending flag from triggering.
Boss fight approach
Study attack windows and mark safe zones; heavy hits can be punished with a boost back.
Use charged aerials during boss stagger phases to maximize damage.
Save a big-charge or full-power combo for the final phase to ensure threshold damage.
Combos, Setups, and Example Runs
Below are reproducible combos and two example run scripts: one for a City Trial fast unlock, the other for a Road Trip boss sequence.
Basic combo for Noir Dedede
Boost into enemy → immediate charge heavy attack → aerial smash → turn and use frontal blast → boost out.
Purpose: Quick gap-closer, hard-hitting sequence that leaves you with momentum to reposition.
Advanced combo for time-sensitive thresholds
Start with drift to build lateral speed → boost-tap to close gap → hold for max charge → release heavy projectile while airborne → chain two follow-up aerial strikes → finish with shield/armor to absorb counterattack.
Purpose: Delivers high burst damage with survivability built into the end of the combo.
Example City Trial fast unlock run (scripted)
Spawn → immediately head to nearest machine cache.
Install heavy hull and boost efficiency upgrades.
Sweep northeast quadrant for tokens; pick up any special flags.
Trigger the area boss only after you have full upgrades.
Finish by visiting the unlock trigger area and confirming any dialog.
Example Road Trip boss run (scripted)
Select a machine with the advanced loadout above.
Conserve boosts during the early phases to keep them available for burst windows.
During boss stagger, use charged aerial chain followed by frontal blast.
If the boss telegraphs a big attack, back up and bait it into your charge window.
Finish with final combo reserved for threshold damage.
Matchups and Counterplay
Here are common matchup scenarios and how to adjust play:
Fast, nimble pilots: Keep distance and rely on front-loaded hits; punish overextended opponents.
Heavy brawlers: Mirror their aggression and outlast them with superior armor and timed boosts.
Zone controllers (long-range): Close the gap with careful drift+boost and take them offline with heavy projectiles.
Key adjustments:
Against nimble pilots, avoid open-space fights and push to terrain that favors your mass.
Versus heavy brawlers, trade but maintain control of initiative using boost windows.
When facing long-range controllers, use cover and radar to flank and disable their line of sight.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Problem: Noir Dedede didn’t unlock after finishing the true ending.
Solution: Double-check City Trial tokens and machine cache pickups. Ensure you completed the flagged boss encounters.
Problem: Boss thresholds aren’t registering.
Solution: Confirm you used the correct machine upgrades and that you met damage/time windows. Retry the boss with an optimized loadout and save beforehand.
Problem: Game crashes or save corruption during unlock runs.
Solution: Use separate save slots and avoid quitting mid-cutscene. If crash persists, reinstall or clear cache where possible.
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet (Printable)
Priority list: Road Trip completion → City Trial tokens → Boss thresholds → Unlock check
Beginner loadout keyword: Stability
Intermediate loadout keyword: Balance
Advanced loadout keyword: Burst
Core techniques: Boost-to-charge, Drift optimization, Aerial combos, Defensive spacing
Typical runtime for a focused unlock session: 30–90 minutes
Practice Drills and Routine
Set a daily 30-minute practice loop:
5 minutes: Warm-up drifting and boost timing.
10 minutes: Machine-specific combo practice on aerial targets.
10 minutes: City Trial rapid sweep focusing on pickup efficiency.
5 minutes: Boss phase practice or replay of the final Road Trip chapter.
Repeat for a week, and you’ll dramatically reduce mistakes and improve the chance of a one-run unlock.
Advanced Techniques (for competitive players)
Frame window optimization: Time your charge releases to cancel small recovery frames for aggressive follow-ups.
Momentum chaining: Use boost while landing from an aerial to maintain speed and slip through tight routes without deceleration.
Predictive shielding: Activate defensive frames preemptively when you anticipate staggered heavy attacks from bosses.
These high-skill techniques reward precision and practice. Use them when chasing time-based thresholds.
Community and Split-testing Tips
If you have a friend or community to test with, run synchronized City Trials to compare routes and drop rates.
Record your runs and compare frame-by-frame where possible to find timing improvements.
Share loadouts and machine tunings in community channels to refine what works across different playstyles.
Hints for Speedrunners
Skip unnecessary side objectives that do not contribute to unlock flags.
Optimize pathing to minimize backtracking; every tile counts.
Use the smallest, most stable machine that lets you hit damage thresholds quickly.
Collect split times that track your time to the unlock flag so you can aim for consistent improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it usually take to unlock Noir Dedede
Typical time ranges from one focused session (30–90 minutes) if you already have Road Trip progress and machine upgrades, up to several hours if you need to complete Road Trip chapters and multiple City Trial runs.
Do I need a specific difficulty level to unlock Noir Dedede
Not necessarily; focus instead on completing the necessary Road Trip chapters and City Trial triggers. Difficulties can change boss behavior and damage thresholds, so pick the difficulty you can consistently beat while meeting thresholds.
Can I unlock Noir Dedede in multiplayer or only single-player
Most unlocks are tied to single-player Road Trip and City Trial flags. Multiplayer may complicate token tracking, so single-player is the recommended route for reliable results.
What is the best machine for total beginners
A heavy cruiser with reinforced hull and simple frontal blasts is ideal for beginners who want survivability over advanced mechanics.
If the unlock doesn't trigger, what should I check first
Check save slots, verify you completed the exact chapters tied to the true ending, and make sure you collected rare tokens from City Trial sessions.
Does Noir Dedede play well in competitive matches
Yes; Noir Dedede excels in brawl-heavy maps and boss encounters where durability and burst damage are prioritized. He requires positional discipline and good boost/drift execution.
Closing Notes
This guide packages a direct, repeatable path to Noir Dedede plus in-depth playstyle advice tuned to make each run efficient and consistent. The unlock is a mixture of narrative progression and targeted in-game objectives — treat City Trial runs as focused missions rather than pure RNG grinds, and tune your machine loadouts to the thresholds you need to meet.
10-Step Quick Checklist for a Single-Run Unlock Attempt
Load save slot with Road Trip progress — Confirm you’re in a save that has completed the required Road Trip chapters toward the Road Trip true ending; create a backup slot before starting.
Select recommended machine and loadout — Equip a heavy cruiser or midweight glider with reinforced hull and boost efficiency (or your preferred two-upgrade setup).
Warm up core maneuvers (2–3 minutes) — Practice one boost-to-charge, one drift sequence, and one aerial smash to reset timing and muscle memory.
Plan a concise City Trial route (15–25 min) — Choose a quadrant sweep that hits a known machine cache, one token hotspot, and a boss arena in that order.
Grab machine cache first — Install heavy parts immediately (HP first, then acceleration or boost) so you hit boss encounters with max survivability.
Collect required tokens and flags — Prioritize unique tokens linked to the unlock; mark them off as you pick them up to avoid backtracking.
Trigger and beat the target boss with optimized damage — Use boost-to-charge and aerial combos during stagger windows; conserve a full-charge combo for the final boss phase.
Confirm Road Trip/true ending flag conditions — After the boss, visit the unlock trigger area or complete the final Road Trip interaction that advances the true ending sequence.
Save and verify unlock prompt — Once the true ending or unlock confirmation appears, save to a fresh slot and check the character roster for Noir Dedede.
If not unlocked — isolate and retry one missing element — Re-load your backup, repeat the single missing step (token, machine cache, or boss threshold), and run steps 5–9 again.
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