The wild Bayonetta in her natural habitat is a creature of beauty and grace, destroying angels without suffering a scratch. Every battle is a practiced dance that would make ballerinas envious. Below are the components of an Umbra Witch’s motion repertoire, so that you and Bayonetta may enact beautiful dances of death together.
Walking and Running
Nudge the Left Analog Stick to make Bayonetta walk, and hold it all the way to make her run. During normal play, Bayonetta will spend most of her time running along the ground and between enemies. However, if precarious platforming is afoot, or unknown terrain is coming up, you may wish to walk until you’re fully aware of your surroundings.
Jumping and Double Jumping
Press the Jump button to make Bayonetta jump once. Single jumping is good for when you’ve launched an enemy into the air and want to quickly follow up with an aerial combo. It’s also good for making quick aerial maneuvers out of the reach of enemy attacks, or riding up to meet airborne enemies.
Press the Jump button twice to make Bayonetta do a double jump for maximum air. Double jumping is great for when you really need to get some room to breathe in the heat of combat, or want to prepare an assault from above. Some chargeable attacks are safest when gearing up for them at a double-jump’s height as well.
Gliding/Floating
While airborne, hold the Jump button to make Bayonetta glide. Gliding is an excellent tool for platforming sequences, but also to extend your hang time between attack maneuvers.
Taunting
Press the Taunt button to make Bayonetta taunt a single enemy. Holding the Taunt button results in a longer taunt that affects all visible enemies onscreen. Taunting enrages enemies, making them more aggressive and difficult to defeat, but it has many beneficial uses as well.
Torture & Punish Attacks
Many enemies can have Torture Attacks performed on them if Bayonetta has eight full magic orbs stored. If the Torture Attack prompt shows up in the screen’s bottom center as you fight an enemy, press the requested buttons to have Bayonetta enter a Quick Time Event. Follow the prompts to inflict massive damage and gain added rewards!
Evade/Dodge
Dodging is the most important defensive move in Bayonetta’s repertoire. Press the Evade button to perform this maneuver as enemy attacks approach, and Bayonetta will flip out of the way. Bayonetta can dodge in the air as well.
The dodge timing affects what happens next. If you dodge too early, you’ll come out unscathed with no special effects. If you dodge too late, you’ll get hit. However, efficient players are always aiming to attain Witch Time, which is covered next!
Witch Time
Witch Time is the second most important defensive ability in Bayonetta’s repertoire, and it’s primarily activated by dodging an attack as close to getting hit by it as possible. In Witch Time, the entire world slows around Bayonetta, letting her move and attack enemies with impunity as they are left largely helpless by their slowed state. Use this time to get really stylish!