Witch Time

Witch Time is a major ability in the Bayonetta series. Since its debut in the first Bayonetta, Witch Time is featured as an ancient art practiced by Umbra Witches to improve their speed.

''Super Smash Bros. series
In all of her Super Smash Bros. playable appearances, Bayonetta has Witch Time as her down special move. When used, Bayonetta does a backflip, similar to her back roll animation, though when struck during this she activates Witch Time on that opponent, slowing their movement for several seconds; the amount of time is indicated by the clock hand that appears over them. The amount of time that Witch Time lasts depends on the opponent's damage, though multiple uses also lowers the duration of the effect.

If the move is used too late before being hit, Bayonetta instead uses Bat Within, in which she briefly turns into a swarm of bats to dodge the attack, reducing the amount of damage taken. The player can control where Bayonetta reappears by inputting on the Control Stick or Circle Pad. Bat Within is also activated if the player rolls or air dodges too late.

Unlike with most counters, Witch Time is able to counter certain unblockable attacks, such as Little Mac's KO Uppercut and Guard Breaker, along with Meta Knight's Shield Piercer. The move can also affect Wario-Man in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, despite the fact that he is invincible to everything except eating explosives and going off-screen. The only attacks that Witch Time cannot counter are grab attacks.

A stage-wide version of Witch Time is used at the start of Bayonetta's Final Smash, Infernal Climax, which is closer to Witch Time's function in the Bayonetta games as it slows the entire arena instead of a single opponent to fill up her Climax Gauge.