| Witch Time / Bat Within | |
|---|---|
.jpg) .JPG) Witch Time (top) and Bat Within (bottom) | |
| User | Bayonetta |
| Universe | Bayonetta |
Witch Time (ウィッチタイム, Witch Time) is Bayonetta's down special in Super Smash Bros. 4.
Overview
Bayonetta performs a backflip, and if struck at frame 5 or later, activates Witch Time, which slows down the opponent dramatically for up to four seconds, leaving them open to a counterattack. Its effect is comparable to that of the Timer item. This is accompanied with the visual effect of a purple vortex and a clock surrounding the attacker. The slowdown duration is signified by the clock's hand, and upon making a full revolution, the effect wears off. If Bayonetta flinches during the effects, it wears off immediately. The duration of the slowdown varies based on the attacker's damage percentage and how frequently the move is used (which can reduce the slowdown time to as low as only half a second, as of version 1.1.5), regardless of whether it's successful or not. The move will fully recharge after 21 seconds of use. Though the hit used to activate will be nullified, any other hitboxes produced by the affected character will still be considered active under Witch Time, meaning that multi-hitting attacks can still potentially flinch Bayonetta and stop the slowdown if she is not quick enough to intercept. Bosses and enemies can be affected by the move, but with the exception of the Master Shadow form of Master Core, they will not display the clock visual effect.
If Witch Time is activated right before the counter frames run out, Bat Within activates instead: Bayonetta will transform into a swarm of bats and travel in any direction the player wishes, while also reducing the amount of damage taken. This mechanic technically gives Bayonetta the least vulnerable counter. It is also possible to activate both Witch Time and Bat Within at the same time, since the activation time for both moves overlaps within 5 frames of each other. When they are both activated, however, the slowdown time is reduced, but Witch Time then has a slightly shorter recharge time at 20 seconds.
Customization
Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:
| 1. Witch Time |
|---|
 |
| "Avoids an enemy attack and slows down the flow of time for them. The effect lessens with repeated use." |
- Witch Time: Default.
Like the other DLC characters, Bayonetta lacks custom move variations.
Origin
Witch Time is a major mechanic in Bayonetta, where Bayonetta/Jeanne slows down time while moving freely within it. It is used to traverse terrain that would otherwise be inaccessible, such as water or rock fragments. It can be activated in a variety of ways, primarily by dodging enemy attacks at the right time, as well as being activated by various accessories. Lumen Sages possess a similar ability called Light Speed, which also lets them slow down time. Various other releases by PlatinumGames and its predecessor, the Capcom subsidiary Clover Studios, also feature slowdown powers, such as the Bangle of Time in Devil May Cry, the "Slow" VFX ability in Viewtiful Joe, Veil of Mist in Okami, "Focus" in Transformers: Devastation, "Blade Mode" in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, and both Unite Bomb and Hero Time in The Wonderful 101.
Bat Within is a technique purchasable from the Gates of Hell. By dodging at the last second, Bayonetta instead activates Bat Within, transforming her into a swarm of bats to escape, while also negating the damage taken from the attack and slowing down time for an extended duration.
The way Bat Within works in SSB4 during Witch Time is the opposite to how it works in Bayonetta; it instead activates as Witch Time ends, and reduces slowdown time if both are activated instead of increasing it. Interestingly, Bat Within triggers in the first four frames of her air dodge and sidestep, and from the 3rd to 5th frame of her roll, which is more in line with the technique's original intended use, though in every case, it only halves the damage she would have taken, rather than completely negating it.
Witch Time as seen in Bayonetta.
Bat Within as seen in Bayonetta.
Bayonetta activating Witch Time & Bat Within at the same time.
Trivia
- Unlike all other counters, Witch Time can activate on every unblockable attack except for grabs (such as Little Mac's KO Uppercut, Ryu's fully charged Focus Attack, and all Final Smashes, excluding those that are actually grabs, such as the Black Hole portion of Black Hole Laser, Dedede Burst, Dream Home, Poltergust 5000, Psystrike, and Triforce Slash). However, she is still intangible to everything until the activation time for Bat Within begins.
- Witch Time will not slow down an opponent if activated by a projectile when the foe is too far away or when the opponent is completely intangible (when using Witch Time against most Final Smashes), although Bayonetta will still dodge the attack and speak as normal. However, if the opponent is Wario-Man, affected by a Super Star, dismounting a revival platform, or using a projectile too close to Bayonetta, they will be affected.
- Even though Super Dragon and Super Sonic also grant Yoshi and Sonic invincibility like Wario-Man, and Mega Charizard X only grants Charizard super armor, none of them get slowed down by Witch Time.
