Unlike most Palutena players I abuse the fact she has a windbox you'd be surprised on how effective forward smash is if spaced correctly. It out ranges ledge attack and make a pretty fine punish. It also scares people into shielding at ledge which pivot grab easily covers. It's not the lag but the fact that Palutena mains never think to use her windboxes (bar down smash). I've had so much success with it I don't even think her forward smash is that bad anymore. The windbox is also allot safer than reflect because of the range. It also destroys Kirby, Cloud Little Mac, and anyone who doesn't sweet spot the ledge. The windbox itself seems to have a stronger push than reflect as well and can effectively push opponents out of the range of ledge snap (i also think the ledge snap mechanics apply to this windbox to where you can't snap the ledge immediately after getting hit by it and counts it as ledge fall instead of just getting blown off stage) , and is also strong enough push to push opponents off the ledge and platforms if they're not shielding. The windbox I think was the propose of her forward smash and the damage if it hits is just a bonus. I don't think that it's the move that's bad, were just not using it to it's full potential.
Down smash on the other hand needs to be buffed, but that's a different story :/
EDIT:
wpwood
@TheRealPalutena
MysteriousSilver
Hydde
can you guys help me test something? (Or just lab it and report what you think) I find up tilt to be an amazing combo starter, it puts your opponent above you and it combos into Nair, up air, and even up smash (at certain %s) on fast fallers and some floaties. Overall I think it does more damage than down throw > X and it's decently good at pressuring shields, but I want to see what you guys think about it
I also want you guys to test poking with down tilt instead of jab, it poking seems like it's positive on shield if spaced correctly. It also seems effective to throw out forward tilt immediately after down tilt regardless if down tilt connects on the shield. It seems that down tilt is pretty good at baiting because of it's low end lag (compared with her other moves).