Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Ken wants to stop Bayonetta’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Jab 3 with Up B (5f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), and Up Smash (9f), then force Bayonetta back outside Rapid Jab and Up B to keep stage control.
In Ken vs Bayonetta, the stable plan is to avoid playing directly into Bayonetta’s Rapid Jab and Up B and take the landing or ledge route before Bayonetta can reset.
The table shows that Bayonetta’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Jab 3 can be answered by Ken’s Up B (5f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), and Up Smash (9f), so those overcommitments should be cashed out immediately.
For Ken, Bayonetta’s Rapid Jab and Up B are still hard to hit immediately out of shield, so reading the landing spot or ledge route matters more than forcing an early swing.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Ken OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 9 | -19 |
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| Jab 2 | 7 | -21 |
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| Jab 3 | 7 | -29 |
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| Rapid Jab | 6/10/14 | ** | ||
| Rapid Jab Finisher | 4/11 | -45 |
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| Forward Tilt (1) | 12 | -15 |
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| Forward Tilt (2) | 12 | -23 |
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| Forward Tilt (3) | 14 | -21 |
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| Up Tilt | 7/10/13 | -19/-10 |
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| Down Tilt | 7 | -15 |
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| Dash Attack | 15 | -17 |
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| Forward Smash | 17 | -38/-39 |
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| Up Smash | 18 | -35 |
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| Down Smash | 17/22 | -32 |
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| Neutral Air | 9 | -6/-7/-16 |
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| Forward Air (1) | 7 | -7 |
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| Forward Air (2) | 7 | -8 |
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| Forward Air (3) | 12 | -5 |
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| Back Air | 11 | -5/-6 |
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| Up Air | 9 | -5/-14 |
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| Down Air | 18 | -23 |
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| Neutral B (1) | 17… | -32 |
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| Neutral B (2) | 42/47/57/62… | -29 |
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| Side B | 15/51 | -25/-26/-15 |
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| Up B | 6/11… | +0 |
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| Down B | 8 (start of counter) | — | ||
| Grab | 7 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 10 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 11 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Ken should not play directly into Bayonetta’s Rapid Jab and Up B; wait for Bayonetta’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Jab 3 and answer with Up B (5f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), and Up Smash (9f).
- After Ken blocks Bayonetta’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Jab 3, pick the reachable option from Up B (5f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), and Up Smash (9f) immediately.
- Ken should not mash after Bayonetta’s Rapid Jab and Up B; take the landing route, escape route, or ledge route first.
- Ken should finish stocks by breaking Bayonetta’s landing and recovery routes so Rapid Jab and Up B does not get more neutral reps.
Actions to Avoid
- Letting Bayonetta start the exchange on Rapid Jab and Up B terms and giving Ken’s stage control away for free.
- Having Ken block Bayonetta’s Jab 1, Jab 2, and Jab 3 but never answer with Up B (5f), OOS Uair (8f), OOS Nair (9f), and Up Smash (9f).
- Sending Ken too deep after Bayonetta’s Rapid Jab and Up B and letting the reset punish the chase back.
- Panicking at the ledge as Ken and simplifying Bayonetta’s Rapid Jab and Up B-driven advantage sequence.