Phantom

Phantom
Official artwork of a Phantom from Phantom Hourglass.
Universe	The Legend of Zelda
Debut	The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007)
Smash Bros. appearances	SSB4 Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance	Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition (2018) (as Phantom Zelda)
Console of origin	Nintendo DS
Place of origin	World of the Ocean King New Hyrule
Article on Zelda Wiki	Phantom

Phantoms (ファントム, Phantom) are recurring enemies in the Zelda series.

Origin

Official artwork of Phantom Zelda from The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks.

Phantoms first originated in The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, as guardians of a temple that Link must visit at various points throughout the game. They are shown to be indestructible for a large portion of Phantom Hourglass, and getting attacked by one would result in Link being sent to the beginning of the temple. Phantoms in this game come in three variations, each with their own abilities.

They reappear in The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks with the same function, although this time they guard the Tower of Spirits and now come in four variations. After Link and Zelda head to the Tower of Spirits, they are ambushed by Chancellor Cole and his apprentice Byrne who take away her body with plans to resurrect the evil Malladus on atop of the Tower of Spirits, which broke apart during the ecounter. Later on, during Link's first encounter with a Phantom where he was helpless, Zelda's soul proceeded to rush to his aid and accidentally entered the Phantom though its back, resulting in her finding out that she can possess the Phantoms while inside one. From that point onwards, Link & Zelda made use of the unique abilities of each Phantom type in order to progress though the Tower of Spirits with each following visit on their quest to restore the Spirit Tracks and tower, and to reach the tower's top.

At the end of their journey before the final battle, Link & Zelda were able to free Zelda's original body from Malladus' possession. As Zelda has control of the Phantom from SSB4 onwards, the move is most likely referencing Spirit Tracks.

Phantom Zelda uses a Phantom as part of her moveset in Hyrule Warriors Legends under the name of "Toon Zelda".

In Super Smash Bros. 4

Assist role

The Phantom missing Yoshi doing his forward tilt in SSB4

A phantom appears as part of Phantom Slash, which replaces Zelda's ability to transform into Sheik as the 3DS hardware could not handle the transformation sequence. Rather than possessing the Phantom physically like in Spirit Tracks, Zelda simply commands it to attack beside her.

Trophy

The Phantom appears as a trophy exclusivly in the 3DS version.

Phantom trophy in the 3DS version.

Phantom

Sturdy guardians of the Tower of Spirits. Anjean says that normally they wouldn't attack anyone with a good heart, but evil spirits have possessed them and made them dangerous. If Link manages to stun one, Princess Zelda will swoop in and...possess it herself?!

According to Anjean, the guardians of the Tower of Spirits are attacking Link because they've been possessed by evil spirits. Luckily, Zelda can possess them too! When Link finds himself in a tight spot, she can use a Phantom's might strength to help him out! Not bad, eh?

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Assist role

Zelda using Phantom Slash in Ultimate.

The Phantom reappears as part of Zelda's Phantom Slash.

Spirit

The Phantom appears as a Spirit, which can transform into the Zelda from Spirit Tracks.

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Ability	Series
258		Phantom		★★	Can Be Enhanced at Lv. 99	The Legend of Zelda Series

Trivia

• Normally when a Phantom is possessed by Zelda, the eyes of the Phantom glow. In Smash however, they do not, most likely because Zelda is commanding it verbally rather than physically.

Gallery

• 

  A phantom as part of Phantom Zelda in Hyrule Warriors Legends.

• 

  A phantom hitting Fox.