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Lucina in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - A Detailed Review

Lucina, hailing from the Fire Emblem series, is a swordfighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate known for her balance, versatility, and consistency. As an Echo Fighter of Marth, she shares many attributes with her counterpart but has unique traits that cater to a wide range of players.

Strengths

• Consistent Hitboxes: Unlike Marth, whose power lies in the tip of his sword, Lucina's attacks are equally strong regardless of where they hit along the blade. This makes her more forgiving and reliable, particularly for players who value consistency over precision.

• Excellent Mobility: Lucina has excellent mobility both on the ground and in the air. Her quick movement allows her to weave in and out of combat, making her effective at both approaching and retreating.

• Strong Edgeguarding: With a set of powerful aerials like Forward Air, Back Air, and Down Air, Lucina excels at edgeguarding. Her ability to challenge opponents offstage makes her a threat to recoveries.

• Versatile Combo Game: Lucina's moveset allows for a variety of combo options. Her Up Tilt and Up Air can juggle opponents effectively, and her Down Tilt can set up further attacks or edgeguard situations.

• Effective Neutral Game: With a disjointed hitbox from her sword, Lucina can control space efficiently. Moves like her Neutral Air and Forward Air are great for poking and maintaining pressure.

Weaknesses

• Lack of Projectiles: As a swordfighter, Lucina lacks any projectile attacks, which can make matchups against zoners challenging. She must rely on her mobility and spacing to close the gap.

• Limited Kill Options: While Lucina has several options for kills, they require precise reads or edgeguarding. Her Smash attacks are powerful but punishable if whiffed.

• Predictable Recovery: Lucina's recovery, while decent, is linear. Her Up Special, Dolphin Slash, is fast but predictable, making her susceptible to being gimped or edgeguarded.

Effective Playstyle

To play Lucina effectively, focus on mastering spacing and timing. Here are some tips:

1. Neutral Game: Utilize her range to control the space. Use Forward Air and Neutral Air to poke and pressure your opponent. Stay mobile to avoid becoming predictable.

2. Edgeguarding: Capitalize on her edgeguarding potential. Use aerials like Back Air and Down Air to challenge opponents offstage. Mix up your edgeguard options to keep opponents guessing.

3. Combos and Juggles: Take advantage of her versatile combo game. Use moves like Up Tilt and Down Tilt to initiate combos and string into aerials for juggles.

4. Spacing and Punishes: Use her disjointed attacks to maintain a safe distance while pressuring opponents. Punish whiffs with her fast and reliable moveset.

Matchups

Favorable Matchups

• Heavyweights (e.g., Bowser, Donkey Kong): Lucina's speed and edgeguarding abilities allow her to exploit the recovery weaknesses and large hurtboxes of heavy characters.

• Close-Range Fighters (e.g., Little Mac, Incineroar): Her superior range and aerial game can keep these characters at bay, exploiting their weaknesses in the air.

Challenging Matchups

• Zoners (e.g., Samus, Link): Characters with strong projectile games can be difficult for Lucina to approach. Utilize platforms and perfect shields to close the distance.

• Fighters with Superior Range (e.g., Shulk, Sephiroth): While Lucina has good range, characters with even greater reach can outspace her. Focus on weaving in and out of their range to find openings.

Conclusion

Lucina is a well-rounded character suitable for players who enjoy a balanced, aggressive playstyle with a focus on spacing and edgeguarding. Her consistency and versatility make her a great choice for beginners and veterans alike. By mastering her spacing, movement, and punish game, you can maximize her strengths and mitigate her weaknesses in various matchups.