Ganondorf (SSBU)/Down aerial

Hitbox visualization showing Ganondorf's down aerial.

Overview

Ganondorf stomps below him with electricity. It is his slowest aerial, but also his deadliest, with the sweetspot often being a guaranteed kill offstage, and the sourspot around Ganondorf's chest still killing earlier than both his forward and back aerial. It is able to start combos at low percent, with jab and grab being the main follow-ups, and at later percent with any aerial. It is also Ganondorf's prime kill confirm starter when followed up with forward aerial, back aerial, or up smash, though the latter require a precise fast fall. It can also be combined with Flame Choke, covering neutral tech when on the ground and both neutral and getup attack with the aerial version. Its usage as an out of shield is niche, although it can be very effective against dash attacks or repeated use of down tilt, such as against R.O.B.

However, it is often outclassed in its edgeguarding role by neutral aerial which lasts longer and cover more space with way less endlag, letting Ganondorf less vulnerable if the move doesnt connect. Its use cases are also almost nonexistent in neutral due to its long startup and mediocre horizontal range, making it a very high risk high reward option limited to reads and setplay.