Smash Ultimate: How to Sephiroth

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you on how to effectively play Sephiroth in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Sephiroth is a versatile sword character known for his long-range attacks and powerful moves. Understanding his toolkit and strategies will help you capitalize on his strengths and mitigate his weaknesses.

Step 1: Mastering Basic Mechanics

• Understanding Sword Moves:
  • Sephiroth has two types of sword moves: stab moves (sweet spot at the tip) and slash moves (sweet spot above the middle).
• One-Winged Angel Mechanic:
  • This mechanic activates when Sephiroth is at a certain damage threshold (around 80-100% stock). It enhances his mobility and gives super armor on smash attacks, along with an additional double jump.

Step 2: Utilizing Special Moves

• Neutral Special - Flare Series:
  • Flare: Basic projectile to force opponents to approach.
  • Mega Flare: Travels halfway and explodes, useful for ledge trapping.
  • Gigaflare: Strong explosion that travels even less distance.
  • Hold the B button to cancel the charge with shield, jump, roll, or grab.
• Down Special - Scintilla:
  • A counter move that can miss if the opponent attacks from above, below, or behind. Use sparingly as it can leave you vulnerable.
• Up Special - Blade Dash and Octaslash:
  • Quickly press B for Blade Dash, a safe recovery option.
  • Hold B for Octaslash, which can be angled and has high damage potential, but is laggy if shielded.
• Side Special - Shadow Flare:
  • Charge to add spheres that will explode after a short duration. Use strategically for spacing and pressure.

Step 3: Effective Neutral Play

• Focus on using aerials like forward air, back air, and neutral air.
  • Short Hop Aerials: Quick attacks to catch opponents off guard.
  • Full Hop Aerials: To call out opponent's jumps or landings.
• Use neutral air for close-range interactions, as it has less landing lag.
• Mix up your approach with grounded moves like down tilt and dash attack to punish landings.

Step 4: Combo Strategies

• Starting Combos:
  • Use down throw to link into short hop aerials.
  • Back throw can also lead to aerial follow-ups at higher percents.
• Aerial Combos:
  • Practice landing neutral airs to extend combos with additional aerials or tilts.
• Pressure with Timing:
  • Mix up your timing with aerials and ground moves to keep your opponent guessing.

Step 5: Stage Control and Conditioning

• Maintain stage control by pressuring your opponent’s shield with safe moves.
• Use shadow flare to condition your opponent’s movements and create openings.
• Be patient and react to your opponent’s actions; avoid committing too heavily unless you have a read.

Step 6: Edge Guarding and Recovery

• Edge Guarding Techniques:
  • Use forward air to challenge recovering opponents.
  • Down tilt and down smash can punish ledge options.
• Recovery Mix-ups:
  • Mix up your recovery with double jumps and directional options to avoid getting punished.

Conclusion

Sephiroth is a powerful character that thrives on spacing and reads. Focus on mastering his special moves, aerials, and combos while maintaining stage control. Practicing these techniques will enhance your gameplay and help you dominate your opponents. For further improvement, consider watching other tutorials on sword characters and practicing your skills in matches.