Sm4sh Controversy: Bayonetta

Bayonetta has become one of the most controversial characters in the Sm4sh community, with many people calling for a ban from tournaments. People look at her recovery being very difficult to stop, Witch Time allowing advantages regardless of the move being countered, Bat Within allowing her to escape combos that no other character can, and her combo game working at most percents and KOing in many different ways at any position, some of which are inescapable.

---

So what do you all think? Should Bayonetta be banned?

I always had a hard time getting the timing for her extra jump. I don't follow competitive Smash much, I do enjoy seeing matches played and Youtube videos related to the games. But she does seem a tad bit overboard, especially with the things you listed there. She certainly has an edge compared to most characters. Witch Time being probably the best counter if used correctly. If they banned her I wouldn't be surprised and that's fine if you ask me.

While Smash For is likely in it's final months of competitive play so I don't think it will matter much in the long term. I would not be surprised if she was banned though given that Diddy and Meta Knight where in the past.

The one issue I see with doing this is that Bayonetta is a purchasable character. I know if she were totally banned from online play a lot of those who did buy her as DLC would be upset that they no longer are able to get anything out of the DLC they specifically paid for. At this point it seems unlikely and probably pointless since we're getting a new Smash game this year on Switch, but I wonder if they couldn't just tweak Bayonetta, and give her less overwhelmingly overpowered moves.