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Samus in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: A Detailed Review

Samus Aran, the intergalactic bounty hunter from the Metroid series, is a versatile character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Known for her powerful projectiles and zoning capabilities, Samus can be a formidable force in the right hands. This review will delve into her strengths, weaknesses, effective playstyle, and how she matches up against other characters in the game.

Strengths

1. Projectile Game

Samus excels at zoning and controlling space thanks to her array of projectiles. Her Charge Shot is a powerful tool that can be used for both damage and pressure. The Missile (Homing and Super) adds another layer to her projectile game, allowing for varied approaches and setups.

2. Range and Power

Samus has long-reaching attacks, particularly with her grab and forward tilt. Her Smash attacks, especially her forward and up Smash, have decent power and can KO opponents at relatively low percentages.

3. Edgeguarding

With a combination of projectiles and aerial attacks, Samus can effectively edgeguard opponents. Her down aerial has a meteor effect, making it a potent tool for spiking recovering foes.

4. Recovery

Samus has a solid recovery with her Screw Attack (up special) and the ability to tether recover with her Grapple Beam. This allows her to mix up her recovery options and return to the stage safely.

Weaknesses

1. Mobility

Samus suffers from relatively slow ground and aerial speed, which can make it challenging to close the gap against faster opponents or escape pressure situations.

2. Laggy Moves

While powerful, some of Samus's moves, especially her Smash attacks and aerials, can be laggy if missed or shielded. This can leave her vulnerable to punishes.

3. Close-Quarters Combat

Samus struggles in close-quarters combat due to her slower frame data and lack of fast, reliable options up close. Characters that can get in her face and apply pressure can exploit this weakness.

Effective Playstyle

To play Samus effectively, players should focus on zoning and maintaining stage control. Utilize her projectiles to rack up damage and force opponents to approach. When they get close, use her tilts and aerials to keep them at bay. Edgeguard aggressively with her projectiles and aerials to secure early stocks.

Key Strategies:

• Charge Shot Management: Keep a Charge Shot ready to apply pressure and punish mistakes. Use it to control space and force opponents into unfavorable positions.

• Mix Up Recovery: Use both Screw Attack and Grapple Beam to recover, mixing up your approach to avoid becoming predictable.

• Spacing: Maintain a safe distance where you can use your projectiles and long-range attacks effectively while avoiding getting caught in close-quarters combat.

Matchups

Favorable Matchups

• Heavyweights (e.g., Bowser, Donkey Kong): Samus can zone these characters effectively due to their large size and slow speed. They have a hard time getting in past her projectiles.

• Characters with Poor Recovery (e.g., Little Mac, Ganondorf): Samus can capitalize on their weak recoveries with her edgeguarding tools.

Unfavorable Matchups

• Fast Characters (e.g., Fox, Sheik): These characters can close the gap quickly and apply pressure, making it difficult for Samus to set up her zoning game.

• Swordfighters (e.g., Marth, Lucina): Their disjointed hitboxes can challenge Samus's spacing and zoning efforts, allowing them to combat her from a safe distance.

Conclusion

Samus is a versatile character that thrives on zoning and stage control. While she may struggle against faster opponents and those with superior close-combat tools, her powerful projectiles and edgeguarding capabilities make her a formidable opponent. By focusing on her strengths and mitigating her weaknesses, Samus players can effectively dominate the battlefield and secure victory. Whether you're a fan of the Metroid series or just looking for a strong zoner, Samus is a solid choice in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.