15 most badass women in video game history

7. Bayonetta (Bayonetta series)

Key quote: “Let’s dance, boys!”

Who she is: Bayonetta (born Cereza) is the protagonist in the series named after her. She is an outcast originally of the Umbra Witches, a clan who practice dark magical arts. Since she spent 500 years in a tomb, she suffers from amnesia. She plans on eliminating a man named Balder, who turns out to be her father. He has turned evil and wants to alter reality no matter the cost. To defeat him, Bayonetta must fight through an entire army of angels that hail from Paradiso. She is an expert in Bullet Arts, and she possesses the Left Eye of Darkness, which provides her with god-like powers.

Why she’s on the list: Bayonetta has been through a lot, and as an adult, she tends to come off as cruel and careless. While she is insensitive, she is also flirtatious and funny — even during a battle. She tends to use sexual innuendos to mess with her opponents and catch them off guard. Due to her impatience with other people, she tends to work on her own, especially since she feels like she can do everything better on her own. She sometimes takes her rage out on others, but she also shows compassion for those she cares about. Bayonetta is a complicated character who will not hesitate to get into a fight.