Wicked Weave

Power drawn from ancient witchcraft and woven through hair.

Wicked Weaves are a type of attack that can be executed by powerful Umbra Witches to summon forth Infernal Demons by using their hair as a conduit. In the original game, Bayonetta's Wicked Weaves manifest the massive limbs of Madama Butterfly, while Jeanne's manifest the limbs of Madama Styx. The farther into a combo a Wicked Weave is produced, the more powerful it becomes. In Bayonetta 2, a more powerful variant named Infernal Weaves appears when Bayonetta activates Umbran Climax.

Quick Facts

First appearance: Bayonetta (2009)
Affiliation: Umbra Witches
Type: Combat Mechanic; Summoning Ability
Primary user: Bayonetta
Function: Summons Infernal Demons for powerful attacks using hair as a conduit

Lore & Background

The Wicked Weave is deeply integrated into the lore of the Umbra Witches, who are followers of darkness. Bayonetta herself uses her hair as a conduit to summon demons from Inferno, the realm of infernal creatures that is distinct from Paradiso (heaven) and Chaos (the human world). The source explicitly states that Bayonetta's strongest attacks involve summoning parts of Madama Butterfly and other demons with her hair. This connection is not merely cosmetic; it is a functional manifestation of her heritage as an Umbra Witch, one of the two factions originally tasked with preserving the balance between light and dark using the Eyes of the World.

Reader's Guide

To execute a Wicked Weave attack, players must press a specific combination of buttons during combat. This action summons demons to deal massive damage to enemies. Bayonetta can also perform 'Torture Attacks' by summoning devices like chainsaws and iron maidens, but these are distinct from the demon-summoning Wicked Weaves. Additionally, players can utilize a 'Witch Time' ability by timing dodges perfectly to slow down enemies, allowing for counter-attacks. The game features a rating system that judges performance based on variables such as time, combo points, and damage at the end of each fight.

Did You Know?

The development team name, 'Team Little Angels,' is a play on the name of the team who developed the first Devil May Cry game, 'Team Little Devils.'
Bayonetta was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in Japan in October 2009, with North American and European releases following in January 2010.
Director Hideki Kamiya jokingly called the automatic attack mode on Easy and Very Easy difficulties 'Mommy Mode.'
The game features a fixed button configuration because Kamiya felt there was 'not really a point to changing [it].'
By 2010, Bayonetta had sold over one million units worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Wicked Weave?

The Wicked Weave refers to both a signature combat mechanic and specific collectible artifacts found within the game world. These items are intrinsically linked to Umbra Witch heritage and allow players to unlock various attire options.

Who utilizes the power of the Wicked Weave?

This ability is primarily employed by Umbra Witches, such as Cereza and Bayonetta themselves. It draws its energy from ancient witchcraft that is physically woven through their hair to manifest supernatural effects.

What purpose do Wicked Weave collectibles serve in gameplay?

Gathering these manifestations across different regions does not improve combat statistics but instead unlocks specific costumes for the protagonist. They act as cosmetic rewards that highlight the history of Infernal contracts and witchcraft lore.

Is the Wicked Weave mechanic present in Bayonetta Origins?

No, the prequel title diverges from this formula by focusing on a unique partnership with Cheshire instead. It relies on a distinct progression system rather than using traditional Wicked Weave combat terminology or collectibles.

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