It's easy enough to write a scene where Buffy's the winner, but harder to have it bear all the narrative weight and character development that has Buffy stopping Angelus sword with her palms and declare she's enough (probably her greatest moment).

Hmmm, the power walk in "Prophecy Girl" was good. Also Buffy winning by smarts against Kralik. Your choices?

Both of those would be on my list, Hec. Also? When she throws the sword at the Watcher in Checkpoint. Her whole little speech, in fact, just rocked. I've watched Checkpoint specifically to get my Bitch back on.

Actually, at the end of Innocence, when she tells Angelus, "Give me time," is a moment that hits me just right too, although it's not badass, it promises the badass is coming (as is the moment when she shoots the Judge with the rocket launcher/flame thrower/bigass weaponie thing).

Looks like all the badass moments that came to my mind have already been mentioned (by the way, I love "Anne," Hec: we differ! Hurrah!).

And actually, something that's coming to my mind is Buffy running away from a crumbling Sunnydale in "Chosen." Cause that shit's kinda cool.

Oh, and:

Also Buffy winning by smarts against Kralik.

"If I was at full Slayer power I'd be punning right about now" cracks my shit up.

After being a punching bag for most of the episode, when she bounces back and wipes out Sunday and her minions in THE FRESHMAN.

Kicking Angelus in the crotch.(And that bit before, that I liked so much I gave it to Kay "Your friends are gone. Your weapons are gone. What do you have now?"
"Me."
) breaking swim team guys nose "I'm Buffy. And you are?"

After being a punching bag for most of the episode, when she bounces back and wipes out Sunday and her minions in THE FRESHMAN.

"I think as you reflect on this in the 2 seconds before you turn to dust you'll realize your mistake was touching my stuff." (paraphrase, but good for P-Cow today)

Wishverse!Buffy was credibly badass. Dug the scar and the doomy annihilation of the entire cast.

Buffy v. Faith in Becoming.

Matrix!Buffy v. Adam

Buffy v. Faith in Becoming.

Was that one of the extras they went back and added to the Season 2 DVDs?

Was that one of the extras they went back and added to the Season 2 DVDs?

Hmmm, what did I get wrong here? Now you're going to go make me research my own mistake, Matt! How fun is that going to be?

Hmmm, what did I get wrong here?

Uh, well, Faith wasn't in "Becoming," for starters.

Wrong season, Hec. Did you mean Graduation Day?

Wrong season, Hec. Did you mean Graduation Day?

Yep I sure did. Damn those tricky two-parters.