Mab Dachi[1] is Viola's signature weapon in Bayonetta 3. Bound to the Infernal DemonCheshire via a charm on the sword's hilt, it is Viola's only weapon besides her darts that she is able to use in combat.
A long-bladed katana said to have been forged by a renowned blacksmith in medieval Japan after being instructed to do so in a dream by Queen Mab, the queen of the faeries.
Said to be able to cut through anything when in the hands of a skilled swordsman, it was used by a procession of famed warriors over a long history of war.
The blade is inhabited by the Infernal Demon Cheshire, a creature that is seemingly equal parts mischievous cat and trained bear, and that manifests using the charm hanging from Mab Dachi's hilt when summoned by Viola.
Over time, the katana came into Viola's possession, but some say that this was the result the blade itself seeking the rightful heir to the faerie's power.
How To Obtain[]
Automatically equipped when playing as Viola.
Unique Traits[]
Mab Dachi provides some unique properties to Viola's combat that help differentiate her from Bayonetta. In addition to normal slashing attacks with , using allows Viola to throw Mab Dachi at her foes before it returns to her like a boomerang. The sword is also her only way to access Witch Time, requiring last-minute blocks and parries to activate.
Mab Dachi is unique in that it doesn't provide a corresponding Demon Masquerade transformation for Viola. Instead, its major special ability is conjuring Cheshire via Demon Slave.
As Mab Dachi is the conduit through which Cheshire is summoned, the sword remains out of Viola's hands while Demon Slave is active. Unlike Bayonetta, Viola is still able to move and fight bare-handed, though is stripped of her ability to activate Witch Time. Viola's hand-to-hand combat is comparable to that of Bayonetta's, sharing some moves such as After Burner Kick.
During Demon Slave, Cheshire cannot be directly controlled via inputs and instead attacks of his own volition for the duration of his summoning. He can still be summoned as part of the Wink Slave and Assault Slave variants of the ability to boost combos and counter-attack enemies.
Skills[]
Special[]
Full Throttle (+ x2)
Run at full speed, a bit faster than the average person.
Grapple Gun (Hold )
Fire a grappling gun to swing in midair, using the momentum to get some extra speed and distance.
Crystal Feather (Hold , replaces Grapple Gun when toggled on.)
Hover using crystalline wings, descending gradually over time.
Shredder (+ x2)
Use magic to give yourself a boost off of thin air and charge, using the momentum for a follow up attack.
Witch Time
When holding the katana, press to block an attack just before it hits to hone your senses and move beyond the speed of normal human ability. Enemies will appear to move in slow motion and be completely vulnerable to attack. Block at the last possible second for a longer effect duration.
Torture Attack
After stunning enemies with Infernal Demon attacks, press + to summon a variety of torture devices and deal additional damage and earn Orbs.
Punch[]
Shinobi Slide (Hold , + or +)
Drop your center of gravity in a defensive stance while running up close to enemies and slash. Enemy attacks are nullified while running.
While fighting bare-handed, this command delivers a right hook.
Upstroke (Hold , +)
Summon Cheshire's claw for an upward swipe, launching enemies.
While fighting bare-handed, this command performs an uppercut that launches enemies.
Tom Tom Balloon ( soon after )
Summon Cheshire's tail for a rising corkscrew slash that pulls you into the air.
While fighting bare-handed, this command performs a rising uppercut.
Bass Boost (+)
Summon Cheshire's head to spit out a pottery tanuki at enemies.
While fighting bare-handed, this command charges and fires a magic burst that knocks enemies back.
Syncopated Growl (+)
Summon Cheshire's head and whirl it around, attacking everything nearby as it bites.
This command performs a spinning lariat while fighting bare-handed.
( soon after ) Launch into the air with a blazing kick.
(Midair, +) Deliver a blazing dive kick from the air. Hold to keep going after impact.
Chromatic Moon (Hold , +)
Throw the katana in an upward diagonal spin, making it spin in place and deal continuous damage. Hold to wrap the katana in flames, and charge fully to add a Cheshire claw assist for even more power.
Viola can fight bare-handed while this skill is active.
While fighting bare-handed, this command performs a backflip kick.
Disc Charger (Hold , + or +)
Throw the katana horizontally, making it spin in place and deal continuous damage. Hold to wrap the katana in flames, and charge fully to add a Cheshire claw assist for even more power.
Viola can fight bare-handed while this skill is active.
While fighting bare-handed, this command performs a sliding attack.
Hungry Hi-Hat (+)
Summon Cheshire's head beneath enemies and make him bite like a bear trap.
While fighting bare-handed, this command performs a shockwave punch that knocks enemies back.
Windmill Pete (+)
Hurl the katana, making it spin as it revolves around you, slashing enemies.
Viola can fight bare-handed while this skill is active.
While fighting bare-handed, this command performs a roundhouse kick.
Shoot[]
Dodge Offset ( while holding or )
By using to dodge while holding or , you can offset your current combo and continue it after the dodge.
Wah-Wah (Hold or )
Charge to wrap the sword in flames, and charge fully to add a Cheshire claw assist for even more power.
My name Is (Hold )
Charge darts with magic, then release to throw explosive darts in a V shape.
Star In The Black (+)
Jump and hurl a cascade of darts in all directions. Darts that don't hit enemies will explode after a set amount of time.
Masquerade Rage[]
Wake Up! (+)
Unleash the power hidden inside Viola and transform. While transformed, attack and movement abilities are dramatically increased, allowing enemies to be attacked without fear of reprisal, and vitality gradually recovers as well.
Gallery[]
Mab Dachi concept art
Trivia[]
Mab Dachi's name likely comes from "Mabudachi" (「魔舞太刀」/ まぶだち / マブダチ), which translates to "real friend/true friend" and is often used as slang amongst teenagers, despite being a dated term.
The weapon's description references Queen Mab, a fairy referred to in Romeo and Juliet as causing people to "give birth" to dreams by riding her chariot over them. In many sources including the weapon's own profile, she is said to be the queen of the fairies.
, using 
allows Viola to throw Mab Dachi at her foes before it returns to her like a boomerang. The sword is also her only way to access Witch Time, requiring last-minute blocks and parries to activate.
Special[]
