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Sephiroth in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: A Detailed Review

Sephiroth, the iconic antagonist from the Final Fantasy series, made his debut in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as part of the Fighters Pass Vol. 2. Known for his long-reaching sword attacks and menacing presence, Sephiroth offers a unique playstyle that combines range, power, and agility. This review covers his strengths, weaknesses, strategies for effective play, and matchups against other characters.

Strengths

1. Excellent Range:

   • Sephiroth wields the Masamune, an exceptionally long sword that grants him some of the best reach in the game. This allows him to control space effectively and keep opponents at bay.

2. Powerful Moves:

   • His attacks are not only far-reaching but also quite potent. Moves like his forward smash and down smash have significant KO potential.

3. Versatile Special Moves:

   • Sephiroth's special moves offer both offensive and defensive utility. For example, his Shadow Flare can pressure opponents from a distance, while Scintilla serves as a counter with a wide hitbox.

4. Winged Form:

   • When Sephiroth takes enough damage, he gains a Winged Form, which boosts his speed, power, and grants an additional mid-air jump, making him even more formidable.

5. Edgeguarding Potential:

   • His long-reaching aerials and powerful smash attacks make Sephiroth an exceptional edgeguarder, capable of intercepting opponents attempting to recover.

Weaknesses

1. Glass Cannon:

   • Despite his offensive prowess, Sephiroth has relatively low weight, making him susceptible to early KOs, especially from powerful attacks.

2. Laggy Moves:

   • Many of his powerful attacks have considerable start-up and ending lag, which can be punished if whiffed or shielded by opponents.

3. Predictable Recovery:

   • While his Up Special (Octaslash) offers decent recovery distance, it is somewhat predictable and can be intercepted by skilled opponents.

4. Struggles Against Fast Characters:

   • Quick, agile characters who can close the distance and apply pressure can exploit his weaknesses in close-quarters combat.

Effective Play Strategies

1. Control Space:

   • Use Sephiroth's long reach to control the stage. Keep opponents at a distance with his forward tilt and forward smash, and apply pressure with his aerials.

2. Mix Up Approaches:

   • Vary your use of Shadow Flare and Gigaflare to keep opponents guessing. Shadow Flare can force opponents to shield or dodge, setting them up for a grab or powerful attack.

3. Capitalize on Winged Form:

   • When the Winged Form is active, make the most of the increased mobility and power. Aggressively pursue KOs and leverage the extra jump for mix-ups in the air.

4. Edgeguard Aggressively:

   • Use Sephiroth's range to edgeguard opponents effectively. His back air and down air are particularly potent tools for intercepting recoveries.

5. Defensive Play:

   • Utilize Scintilla to counter predictable attacks and Octaslash strategically to recover safely and avoid being predictable.

Matchups

• Strong Matchups:

  • Heavyweights (e.g., Bowser, Donkey Kong): Sephiroth's range and power allow him to out-space and KO heavy characters.
  • Zoners (e.g., Samus, Link): His ability to reflect projectiles and apply pressure from a distance gives him an edge against zoning-focused characters.

• Weak Matchups:

  • Fast and Agile Fighters (e.g., Pikachu, Fox): These characters can close the distance quickly and exploit Sephiroth's laggy moves.
  • Combo-heavy Characters (e.g., Mario, Sheik): His lightweight nature and susceptibility to combos can be a disadvantage against these fighters.

Conclusion

Sephiroth in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a character that rewards players who can effectively utilize his range and power while managing his vulnerabilities. By controlling space and capitalizing on his Winged Form, players can dominate matches against a variety of opponents. However, mastering Sephiroth requires careful management of his laggy moves and awareness of opponents' strategies, particularly against quick and combo-oriented characters. With practice and strategic play, Sephiroth can be a formidable force in any match.