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Bayonetta in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: A Detailed Review

Bayonetta, hailing from the action-packed world of the "Bayonetta" series, makes a return in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with her signature style and flair. Known for her elaborate combos and unique mechanics, she offers a playstyle that is rewarding for those who master her but can be challenging for newcomers. This review delves into her strengths, weaknesses, playstyle, and matchups against other characters in the game.

Strengths

1. Combo Potential

Bayonetta's greatest strength lies in her ability to string together long and devastating combos. Her neutral attacks, tilts, and aerials can lead into each other fluidly, providing opportunities to rack up damage quickly. Her side special (Heel Slide/After Burner Kick) and up special (Witch Twist) are particularly effective combo starters and extenders.

2. Witch Time

Bayonetta's down special, Witch Time, is a counter move that slows down opponents, giving her a window to punish them severely. This ability can dramatically shift the momentum of a match if used correctly, allowing for follow-ups that can lead to KOs.

3. Recovery Options

With multiple recovery tools, including Witch Twist and After Burner Kick, Bayonetta has one of the best recoveries in the game. This makes it difficult for opponents to edge-guard her effectively, allowing her to return to the stage safely from almost any position.

4. Versatile Edge-guarding

Bayonetta's ability to go offstage and pressure opponents with her aerials and specials makes her a formidable edge-guarder. Her back air and forward air are particularly useful for securing KOs offstage.

Weaknesses

1. Lack of Raw KO Power

Despite her combo prowess, Bayonetta struggles with closing out stocks at high percentages. Many of her moves lack the raw power needed to KO opponents outright, requiring players to rely on edge-guarding or high-percentage confirms.

2. Lag on Certain Moves

Some of Bayonetta's attacks, particularly her smash attacks, have significant end lag, making them punishable if whiffed or shielded. This requires Bayonetta players to be precise and strategic with their move choices.

3. Light Weight

Bayonetta is relatively light, making her susceptible to early KOs when fighting against characters with strong kill options. Her weight necessitates careful positioning and avoidance of high-damage attacks.

How to Play Bayonetta Effectively

1. Master Combos: Practice and perfect Bayonetta's combo routes to maximize damage output. Understanding which moves work at various percentages and against different characters is crucial.

2. Utilize Witch Time Sparingly: While powerful, Witch Time's effectiveness diminishes with repeated use. Employ it strategically to catch opponents off-guard rather than relying on it as a crutch.

3. Edge-guard Aggressively: Use Bayonetta's impressive offstage tools to pressure opponents and secure early KOs. Her aerials and specials can be used to disrupt opponents' recoveries.

4. Mix Up Recovery: Given her predictable recovery path, mix up the timing and direction of her specials to avoid becoming an easy target for edge-guarders.

Matchups

Favorable Matchups

• Heavyweights (e.g., Bowser, Donkey Kong): Bayonetta's combo game thrives against larger, slower characters who struggle to escape her juggles and combos.
• Characters with Limited Recovery (e.g., Little Mac): Her edge-guarding capabilities shine against characters with predictable or linear recovery options.

Challenging Matchups

• Zoners (e.g., Samus, Robin): Characters that can keep Bayonetta at a distance and punish her approaches can pose a significant challenge, requiring careful navigation and patience.
• Fast Characters (e.g., Fox, Pikachu): Fast characters can exploit Bayonetta's end lag and lighter weight, making it difficult for her to land combos or escape pressure.

Conclusion

Bayonetta in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offers a unique and rewarding experience for players willing to invest time in mastering her mechanics. While she boasts impressive combo potential and recovery options, her lack of raw KO power and susceptibility to punishment require strategic play. By understanding her strengths and weaknesses and adapting to various matchups, players can unleash her full potential on the battlefield.