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Character Review: Chrom in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Chrom, hailing from the Fire Emblem series, makes his presence known in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a formidable fighter with a fast and aggressive playstyle. He shares many similarities with his Echo Fighters, particularly Roy, but distinguishes himself with unique traits that cater to players who favor relentless offense and punishing mistakes. Below, we explore Chrom’s strengths, weaknesses, effective play strategies, and his matchups against other characters.

Strengths

1. Speed and Mobility: Chrom boasts impressive ground speed and mobility, allowing him to close gaps quickly and apply constant pressure to opponents. His dash speed and quick aerials make him a versatile threat in both offensive and defensive scenarios.

2. Combo Potential: With a combination of fast attacks and strong juggling capabilities, Chrom excels at stringing together combos. His aerials, particularly his Up-Air and Neutral-Air, can be used to extend combos and maintain pressure.

3. Powerful Attacks: While Chrom's sword lacks a sweet spot like Roy’s, his attacks are consistently powerful across the blade. This makes it easier to deal reliable damage without worrying about precise spacing.

4. Edgeguarding and Recovery: Chrom’s Up-B, "Soaring Slash," has a strong offensive presence, capable of catching opponents off-guard with its multi-hit properties. It can be used for both recovering and edgeguarding effectively, though it carries some risk.

5. Pressure Game: Thanks to his fast jab (one of the fastest in the game), Chrom can trap opponents in shield and force them into unfavorable positions. His Side-B, "Double-Edge Dance," is also a versatile tool for mix-ups and shield pressure.

Weaknesses

1. Predictable Recovery: One of Chrom’s most significant drawbacks is his linear recovery. "Soaring Slash" covers a fixed distance and leaves him vulnerable to edgeguarding. Skilled opponents can exploit this by intercepting his recovery attempts.

2. Lack of Projectile: Chrom does not possess any projectile attacks, which means he can struggle against zoners who effectively control space and keep him at bay.

3. Fragile Offstage: While Chrom is strong on stage, his weaknesses are amplified offstage. His inability to mix up recovery options makes him susceptible to being gimped, particularly by characters with strong edgeguarding tools.

4. Limited Range: Despite wielding a sword, Chrom's range is not as extensive as other swordfighters like Marth or Lucina. This necessitates a more aggressive playstyle to stay within effective range.

Effective Play Strategies

1. Stay Aggressive: Utilize Chrom’s speed to stay on the offensive. His ability to transition from ground to air seamlessly allows him to maintain pressure and keep opponents guessing.

2. Master Combos: Leverage Chrom’s combo potential by learning to string together aerials and tilts. Practice landing his Up-Air and Neutral-Air as combo starters and extenders.

3. Mix Up Approaches: Use Chrom’s dash and quick aerials to vary your approach options. Mixing in grabs and "Double-Edge Dance" ensures you remain unpredictable and challenging to defend against.

4. Edgeguard Cautiously: While Chrom can edgeguard effectively, be wary of overcommitting and putting yourself in a position where you cannot recover. Use "Soaring Slash" strategically to avoid predictable patterns.

5. Adapt to Opponents: Against projectile-heavy characters, be patient and look for openings to close the gap. Use your speed to weave through projectiles and capitalize on any lag or mistakes.

Matchups

Favorable Matchups

1. Little Mac: Chrom can easily exploit Little Mac’s poor aerial game and offstage recovery. Chrom’s superior aerial mobility and edgeguarding can create significant challenges for Little Mac.

2. Ganondorf: Ganondorf’s sluggish speed and lack of aerial prowess make him susceptible to Chrom’s fast-paced gameplay. Chrom can easily combo Ganondorf and exploit his recovery weaknesses.

Unfavorable Matchups

1. Samus/Dark Samus: These characters can zone Chrom effectively with projectiles, making it difficult for him to approach safely. Chrom needs to be patient and find openings to close the distance.

2. Pikachu: Pikachu’s small size and agility can make it challenging for Chrom to land hits. Pikachu can exploit Chrom’s recovery and gimp him offstage with ease.

3. Ness/Lucas: Their projectile game and aerial capabilities can give Chrom trouble. Their ability to edgeguard effectively with PK Thunder can also exploit Chrom’s recovery weaknesses.

In conclusion, Chrom is a powerful choice for players who enjoy aggressive and fast-paced gameplay. While he has notable weaknesses, particularly in his recovery, players who can capitalize on his strengths and manage his vulnerabilities will find him to be a rewarding character to master. Understanding his matchups and fine-tuning combo execution and edgeguarding will further elevate your Chrom game in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.