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Byleth in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: A Detailed Review

Byleth, hailing from the Fire Emblem series, was introduced to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as part of the Fighters Pass Vol. 1 DLC. This character brings a unique blend of powerful weaponry and strategic gameplay, thanks to the arsenal of Hero's Relics at their disposal. In this review, we'll delve into Byleth's strengths and weaknesses, effective play strategies, and their matchups against other characters.

Strengths

1. Versatile Range

Byleth wields a variety of weapons, each offering different ranges and utilities:

• Sword of the Creator (Neutral attacks and Specials): Provides a decent reach and offers a tether recovery option.
• Areadbhar (Tilts and Aerials): Extends Byleth’s range with lance attacks that can poke through zones effectively.
• Aymr (Down Special and Smash attacks): Delivers devastating damage with a high knockback potential, ideal for punishing mistakes or breaking shields.
• Failnaught (Neutral Special): A bow that can be charged for a powerful projectile attack, useful for zoning and edge-guarding.

2. High Damage Output

Byleth's attacks, especially Smash attacks and Down Special (Aymr), deal significant damage. This makes Byleth a formidable opponent when landing clean hits, capable of securing early KOs.

3. Strong Edge-Guarding

With tools like the charged Failnaught and long-range aerials, Byleth can effectively pressure opponents off-stage. The Down Special, while slow, can catch opponents recovering predictably.

Weaknesses

1. Lack of Speed

Byleth is characterized by their slower movement speed and attack startups. This can make it challenging to deal with faster opponents who can easily close the distance or avoid Byleth's attacks.

2. Limited Combo Potential

Due to their slower attacks, Byleth doesn't have a broad range of combo options. Most of their gameplay revolves around landing single, powerful hits rather than chaining multiple moves together.

3. Predictable Recovery

While the Sword of the Creator provides a tether recovery, it is somewhat predictable and can be intercepted by opponents familiar with Byleth's patterns.

Effective Play Strategies

1. Spacing and Zoning

Utilize Byleth's long-range tools to maintain a safe distance from opponents. Focus on using tilts and aerials to poke and control space, making it difficult for opponents to approach safely.

2. Punishing Mistakes

Capitalize on opponents' mistakes with Byleth’s high-damage attacks. Moves like the Down Special can be devastating against opponents who miss their timing or shield incorrectly.

3. Edge-Guarding

Take advantage of Byleth's powerful edge-guarding tools to secure KOs. Use the Neutral Special to snipe opponents attempting to recover, and time aerials to intercept them off-stage.

Matchups

Favorable Matchups:

• Heavyweights (e.g., Bowser, Donkey Kong): These characters’ larger hitboxes and slower speeds make them more susceptible to Byleth’s powerful attacks.
• Characters with Predictable Recoveries (e.g., Little Mac, Ganondorf): Byleth can effectively edge-guard and punish these characters off-stage.

Unfavorable Matchups:

• Fast Characters (e.g., Fox, Pikachu): Their speed can overwhelm Byleth, making it difficult to land hits.
• Projectile Users (e.g., Samus, Link): Byleth may struggle against characters who can out-zone them with faster or more numerous projectiles.

Conclusion

Byleth is a character that rewards patience and precision. Their powerful attacks can turn the tide of battle, but players must be mindful of their slower speed and limited combo options. By mastering spacing and punishing opponents, Byleth can be a formidable force in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Understanding matchups and leveraging Byleth's strengths against specific opponents will be key to success.