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Roy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: A Detailed Review

Overview

Roy, hailing from the Fire Emblem series, returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with his signature aggressive playstyle and fiery swordplay. Known for his fast and powerful attacks, Roy is a favorite among players who enjoy offensive tactics and rushdown strategies. His design in Ultimate maintains the essence of his previous iterations while benefiting from the game's overall improvements in speed and mechanics.

Strengths

1. High Damage Output: Roy's moves are designed to hit hard, especially when connecting with the hilt of his sword. This allows for devastating combos and early KOs if executed correctly.

2. Speed and Mobility: Roy is one of the faster swordfighters in the game, boasting excellent ground speed and decent aerial movement. His ability to quickly close gaps makes him a formidable opponent in neutral play.

3. Powerful Close-Range Combat: Unlike other swordfighters who rely on spacing, Roy excels in close-range combat. His attacks are most potent when opponents are close, making him particularly dangerous in tight exchanges.

4. Versatile Kill Options: With moves like his forward smash, up smash, and Blazer (up special), Roy has multiple reliable kill options that can be used in various scenarios.

5. Good Edge-Guarding Potential: His fast aerials and strong off-stage presence make Roy effective at edge-guarding opponents, capitalizing on their recovery attempts.

Weaknesses

1. Risky Playstyle: Roy's effectiveness hinges on getting in close, which can be risky against characters with superior range or zoning abilities. Poor execution can lead to significant punishment.

2. Recovery Limitations: While his Blazer provides vertical recovery, it lacks horizontal reach, making Roy vulnerable to edge-guarding and gimping.

3. Susceptibility to Zoners: Characters who excel at maintaining distance and spacing can give Roy a hard time, as they can prevent him from getting into his optimal range.

4. Predictability: Due to his straightforward playstyle, experienced opponents may predict Roy's approaches and punish accordingly, especially if he becomes too linear in his tactics.

Effective Strategies

• Stay Aggressive: Roy thrives on constant pressure. Utilize his speed to overwhelm opponents, forcing them into defensive positions where you can capitalize on openings.

• Master Spacing: While Roy excels at close range, precise spacing is crucial. Learn the sweet spots of his moves, especially his sword attacks, to maximize damage output.

• Mix Up Approaches: Avoid becoming predictable by varying your approaches. Use a combination of dash dancing, short hops, and aerial approaches to keep opponents guessing.

• Capitalize on Edge-Guarding: Due to his strong off-stage presence, make sure to leverage Roy's aerials to edge-guard effectively. Moves like his forward air and back air are excellent for intercepting recoveries.

• Adapt to Opponents: Given his weaknesses against zoners, adapt your strategy accordingly. Be patient, find openings, and use Roy's speed to close the distance quickly.

Matchups

• Favorable Matchups: Roy performs well against characters with slower speeds or those who struggle under pressure, such as Ganondorf, Bowser, and King K. Rool. His ability to rush down and outpace these characters gives him a clear advantage.

• Challenging Matchups: Zoners and range-heavy characters pose a significant challenge for Roy. Matchups against characters like Samus, Mega Man, or Simon Belmont require patience and strategic approaches to overcome their zoning abilities.

• Even Matchups: Against characters with similar speed and aggression, such as Fox or Captain Falcon, Roy needs to rely on superior execution and mind games to outmaneuver his opponents.

Conclusion

Roy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a high-risk, high-reward character that rewards aggressive play and precise execution. While he has notable weaknesses against certain archetypes, skilled players can mitigate these through smart play and adaptation. For those who enjoy a fast-paced, offensive playstyle, Roy offers a compelling option with the potential for spectacular plays and thrilling matches.