You remember where you were on January 16, 2020? I do. The hype for the final character of the first Fighters Pass in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was basically at a boiling point. People were dreaming of Dante from Devil May Cry or maybe Sora. Then, the screen faded in on a familiar cel-shaded forest.
Solon appeared. Byleth was falling into darkness. Honestly, the collective groan from the "not another Fire Emblem character" crowd was loud enough to shake the internet. But looking back at the ssbu byleth trailer transcript, there’s actually a lot of charm and meta-humor that people missed because they were too busy being salty.
The Full SSBU Byleth Trailer Transcript
The trailer, titled "A Dark Cloud Gathers," starts exactly like a pivotal scene from Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Byleth is trapped in the darkness of Zahras after being sent there by Solon.
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Solon: "How is this? Of anyone, you should be able to handle the Hero’s Relics. With Areadbhar, strike with superior reach! Use Aymr’s overwhelming power! Unleash the blinding speed of Failnaught! Along with the Sword of the Creator, each weapon matches a direction. Your will and mine be now as one! To you, both sides of time are revealed through Smash! Show the world!"
Sothis: "So you return, and sooner than expected. I see. Too many swordsmen, are there? And you... you wield the sword as well? What will you do?"
Male Byleth is shown, looking defeated. Sothis smiles knowingly.
Sothis: "Huh. So that is how you plan to win the day? So be it. I reward your cleverness this time."
The screen flashes as Female Byleth is revealed, sparking the legendary "Byleth Recruits Byleth" splash screen.
Sothis: "Your will and mine be now as one! Both sides of time are revealed through Smash! Show the world!"
The "Too Many Swordsmen" Meta Joke
What makes this script so unique is how self-aware it is. Sakurai knew. He absolutely knew the community was tired of anime sword fighters. When Sothis says, "Too many swordsmen, are there?" she isn't just talking to Byleth; she's breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the disappointed fans watching the Nintendo Direct.
It’s a gutsy move.
In the Japanese version of the ssbu byleth trailer transcript, the joke is slightly different. Sothis is a bit more biting, asking Byleth if he's "making excuses" about the competition. The English localization opted for a more direct nod to the "too many swords" meme that had dominated Smash forums for years.
Why the Reveal Was So Divisive
It wasn't just about the weapons. It was the timing. Being the "grand finale" of the first Fighters Pass put a massive target on Byleth's back.
- Expectation vs. Reality: Fans expected a massive third-party icon to close the show.
- The Fire Emblem Count: Byleth became the eighth Fire Emblem representative (counting echoes).
- The "Promotion" Feel: People felt like Byleth was just an advertisement for the Three Houses DLC, Cindered Shadows.
But if you actually play the character, the transcript hints at why they’re special. Sothis mentions the Hero's Relics: Areadbhar (lance), Aymr (axe), and Failnaught (bow). This wasn't just another Marth clone. Byleth is a distance demon. You've got the crazy range of the side-special and the shield-breaking power of the down-special.
Hidden Details in the Dialogue
Did you notice Sothis mentions "each weapon matches a direction"? This is a literal explanation of Byleth’s move set.
- Up: Sword of the Creator (Grapple/Whip)
- Side: Areadbhar (Lance)
- Down: Aymr (Axe)
- Neutral: Failnaught (Bow)
It’s one of the few trailers that actually explains the gameplay mechanics through the narrative dialogue of the characters. Most trailers just show a montage of hits, but Byleth’s reveal is basically a tutorial disguised as a cinematic.
Impact on the Meta Years Later
Fast forward to today. Byleth is no longer the "hated" character. In fact, after MKLeo started dominating major tournaments with the character, the community's opinion flipped. People realized that Byleth’s "slow but hitting like a truck" playstyle is actually incredibly fun to watch.
The trailer might have had a rocky start, but the character has earned their place.
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If you’re looking to master the character, pay attention to the end of the ssbu byleth trailer transcript where Sothis mentions "both sides of time." This refers to Byleth's Final Smash, "Progenitor God Ruptured Heaven," where Sothis appears in the background. It’s a direct reference to the Divine Pulse mechanic from the original game.
What to Do Now
If you want to dive deeper into the lore or improve your Byleth game, here are the best steps to take:
- Watch the Frame Data: Byleth is slow. You need to know exactly when your moves will land. Use sites like Ultimate Frame Data to see the startup on Aymr (it's slow, don't just spam it).
- Re-watch the Reveal: Go back and watch the "Mr. Sakurai Presents Byleth" video. He explains the "Two sides of time" quote and shows off the development of the multi-weapon system.
- Practice the Tether Recovery: Byleth has one of the best recoveries in the game, but it’s tricky. Practice using the Sword of the Creator to ledge-trump opponents.
Byleth might not have been the "dream" pick for everyone, but they ended up being one of the most mechanically interesting additions to the roster.
Check your control settings and make sure your C-stick is set to "Tilt" to make those Areadbhar pokes easier to land. Stick with the distance, use the bow to force an approach, and remember what Sothis said: use that superior reach.