Editing Ganondorf (SSBU)

Ganondorf was infamously a poorly regarded character in [[Ganondorf (SSBB)|his previous]] [[Ganondorf (SSB4)|two appearances]] following his [[Ganondorf (SSBM)|debut appearance]], owing to a myriad of factors such as slow mobility, vulnerability to general pressure (such as rushdowns, zoning and combos), and awful recovery. Most likely due to his low placement in ''SSB4'', Ganondorf has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in ''Ultimate'', but was buffed overall, albeit not enough to raise his tier standing.

Ganondorf's primary strengths, such as his already strong damage output and knockback power, have been further increased since the previous game. Most of his moves deal even more damage, and some of his moves (whether they were already strong or among the weakest in ''SSB4'') are more powerful, like his [[dash attack]], [[back aerial]], [[Dark Dive]], and [[Wizard's Foot]]; notably, dash attack has become as potent as it was in ''Brawl'', whereas Dark Dive and Wizard's Foot have had most of their lost KO power restored from ''Melee''. Forward aerial, a move previously considered inferior to his back aerial, has improved range, making it a far safer KO move.

Ganondorf's smash attacks are now sword swings that possess increased, consistent power as well as larger, disjointed range. Up tilt, notorious for shattering full shields, is easier to land with its faster startup and stronger windboxes, and its sourspot has been strengthened to match its sweetspot. His notoriously weak grab game was also buffed, with his grabs having a longer duration and greater range, and his throws receiving improved utility such as higher power (forward throw, although it still remains rather weak), damage (up throw) or combo potential (down throw). Ganondorf is also heavier, making his already great endurance better.

Ganondorf notably benefits from some of the universal gameplay changes. The increase in mobility (most notably to his [[running]] speed, although it still remains slow), his faster [[jumpsquat]], and the reduced [[landing lag]] on his aerial attacks all improve his very poor neutral game and approach. His faster jumpsquat and landing lag reduction also improve his combo ability, thus further strengthening his damage racking game.

Despite these notable buffs, Ganondorf is not without nerfs, especially toward his hitbox placements and ineffective defensive game. His forward and up smashes, despite having disjointed range, have significantly increased ending lag; up smash has especially lost its ability to bait approaches. His down tilt's vertical angles on its close hitbox make it a much less effective KO option, especially out of [[Flame Choke]]. His up tilt is weaker, and has gained an incredibly weak late hitbox with no KO potential. Hitbox adjustments and/or reductions on his forward tilt, up tilt, back aerial, Dark Dive and Wizard's Foot make them harder to land and further worsens his blindspot issues. Among his biggest nerfs were to his up aerial, which has more startup and its sourspot no longer hits underneath him, thus removing most of its [[gimp]]ing effectiveness and [[lock]] combos, and [[Flame Choke]], as the aerial version is now escapable at low percentages and a "[[Sacrificial KO|Ganoncide]]" now KOs him first. Dark Dive's release also pushes back Ganondorf after he launches the opponent away, though this is counterbalanced by the release having less ending lag.

Despite gaining considerable improvements from the game's engine, Ganondorf is also hindered by some of the universal changes; the universal increase to mobility makes it slightly harder to catch up with some characters. The increased shield drop frames impairs his poor [[out of shield]] options, and the universally increased [[traction]] which reduces shield push makes his attacks, especially his aerials, less safe unless perfectly spaced. The increased [[tech]] window, as well as the restoration of buffering techs during hitlag, makes Flame Choke easier to escape from, and makes Dark Dive much easier for opponents to survive from being launched under the stage and retaliate. Although Ganondorf's heavier weight allows him to survive even longer, he is also easier to combo. The changes to [[air dodging]] are a mixed bag for Ganondorf, as they improve his great edgeguarding ability, but make him easier to edgeguard in return. Finally, the weakening of [[rage]] slightly hinders Ganondorf, though due to his increased damage and power, this change is fairly negligible.

 

Overall, Ganondorf has gained some drastic increases in power that renders his punish and advantage states much deadlier, but at the cost of notable nerfs that further affect his disadvantage, exacerbating his glaring weaknesses and making him even more polarized. Although initially considered to have improved substantially from ''SSB4'', the lack of changes from game updates, as well as various changes made to his fellow veterans both on release and through updates, have caused Ganondorf to fall behind. Said updates have also introduced a bevy of more powerful DLC characters, all of which Ganondorf struggles against in one way or another. Because of this, despite performing better as a standalone character in ''Ultimate'', Ganondorf has not significantly improved from his appearance in ''SSB4'', instead performing worse relative to the rest of the cast.