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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Peach Character Review

Peach is a versatile and technical character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, known for her unique float mechanic, powerful aerials, and strong combo game. As a character who first appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Peach has evolved significantly over the series, and in Ultimate, she is considered one of the stronger characters in the roster.

Strengths

1. Float Mechanic: One of Peach's defining features is her ability to float in mid-air. This mechanic allows her to perform aerial attacks while hovering, giving her unparalleled control over her aerial game. It also helps in mixing up timings and approach angles, making her difficult to predict and counter.

2. Powerful Aerials: Peach has a suite of strong aerial attacks, including her forward aerial (often called the "crown slap"), which is a powerful kill move, and her neutral aerial, which is fast and great for comboing. Her back aerial is also a reliable kill option.

3. Combo Potential: Peach has excellent combo potential. Her down tilt can start combos that lead into various aerials, and her float-canceled aerials allow for extended strings. The turnip projectile can also be integrated into combos for added damage and pressure.

4. Edgeguarding Abilities: With her float, turnips, and strong aerials, Peach is a formidable edgeguarder. She can float offstage to cover recovery options, and her turnips can be thrown to snipe opponents trying to recover.

5. Variety of Kill Options: In addition to her aerials, Peach has several other kill options, including her up smash, forward smash, and the aforementioned forward aerial. Her down smash is also effective for punishing rolls and spot dodges.

Weaknesses

1. Lightweight: Peach is relatively light, making her susceptible to early KOs against characters with strong kill moves. This requires careful play and good defensive tactics to avoid being KO'd prematurely.

2. Technical Demand: To play Peach effectively, players must master her float mechanics and advanced techniques like float-canceled aerials and turnip setups. This technical demand can be a barrier for new players looking to pick her up.

3. Laggy Moves: Some of Peach's more powerful moves, like her forward smash and down smash, have significant end lag, making them punishable if whiffed or shielded.

4. Limited Range: While her aerials are strong, Peach lacks disjointed hitboxes, which can make it difficult to contest characters with swords or other long-range weapons.

Effective Playstyle

• Master the Float: A key to success with Peach is mastering her float mechanic. Use it to perform aerials close to the ground, approach from unexpected angles, and mix up your timing to throw off opponents.

• Utilize Turnips: Turnips are a crucial part of Peach's kit. Use them to create pressure, control space, and extend combos. Learning to pull and utilize different turnip faces (especially the powerful Stitch Face) adds depth to her projectile game.

• Combo Game: Practice Peach's combo routes extensively. Knowing which moves link together and how to extend combos with float mechanics will greatly increase your damage output.

• Edgeguard Aggressively: Use Peach's float and aerials to edgeguard opponents effectively. Don't be afraid to go offstage and challenge recoveries, as Peach can return safely with her float and umbrella.

Matchups

• Strong Against: Peach tends to perform well against characters who struggle to deal with her aerial pressure and float mechanics. Characters with poor recovery options or who are easily gimped, like Little Mac or Ganondorf, can find it difficult to deal with her edgeguarding abilities.

• Challenging Matchups: Characters with long-range disjointed attacks, such as Marth, Lucina, or Cloud, can pose a challenge due to their ability to outrange Peach. Additionally, fast characters like Fox or Pikachu can apply pressure quickly, making it difficult for Peach to set up her float game.

In conclusion, Peach is a rewarding character for players willing to invest time in mastering her unique mechanics. Her combination of float-canceled aerials, turnip usage, and strong edgeguarding makes her a formidable opponent in the right hands. However, players must be aware of her vulnerabilities and adjust their playstyle accordingly to maximize her strengths.