4,331
edits
Link (SSBU): Difference between revisions
no edit summary
m (bit of a cleanup. would add kyon here but he's not in mhsp atm) |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
Kengo Takanashi, Link's voice actor from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild}}'', reprises his role in ''Ultimate'' in all regions, providing new voice clips that mimic the ones he recorded for the former game. In ''Ultimate'', Takanshi succeeds Akira Sasanuma, whose portrayal from ''The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess'' was re-purposed in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. | Kengo Takanashi, Link's voice actor from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild}}'', reprises his role in ''Ultimate'' in all regions, providing new voice clips that mimic the ones he recorded for the former game. In ''Ultimate'', Takanshi succeeds Akira Sasanuma, whose portrayal from ''The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess'' was re-purposed in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. | ||
Link is currently ranked 56th out of 82 characters on the current tier list, placing him in the C+ tier. Despite being buffed overall from SSB4, this is a moderate drop from his placement in ''SSB4'', where he ranked 31st out of 54. Link has solid disjointed range, courtesy of the iconic Master Sword with several strong KO moves that utilize it, such as forward tilt, dash attack, forward | Link is currently ranked 56th out of 82 characters on the current tier list, placing him in the C+ tier. Despite being buffed overall from ''SSB4'', this is a moderate drop from his placement in ''SSB4'', where he ranked 31st out of 54. Link has solid disjointed range, courtesy of the iconic Master Sword, with several strong KO moves that utilize it, such as his forward tilt, dash attack, forward aerial, his smash attacks, up aerial, down aerial, and [[Spin Attack]]. Link's non-sword moves also have amazing utility. His neutral aerial, in particular, is notorious for being a staple of his neutral game, being a strong landing, spacing, edgeguarding, and pressure tool. Link also has a strong projectile game, with his [[Remote Bomb]] acting as a dynamic tool for mindgames, item combos, edgeguarding, recovering, and ledgetrapping that he can activate at any time. His [[Boomerang]] is also good at catching approaches and keeping opponents in check. Overall, Link has a strong zoning game with powerful KO tools should his opponent get up close to him. | ||
Link has several weaknesses. He is on the slower side of the spectrum so he struggles to keep up with faster characters who can get around his projectiles. Link's sword moves also have below average frame data, which can cause him to be overwhelmed by faster moves. Link is also a heavyweight, making him one of the easiest characters to combo and juggle and keep in disadvantage. His recovery is also exploitable as his Spin Attack travels in a predictable path, leaving his head vulnerable to spikes or lingering hitboxes. | However, Link has several weaknesses. He is on the slower side of the spectrum, so he struggles to keep up with faster characters who can get around his projectiles. Link's sword moves also have below-average frame data, which can cause him to be overwhelmed by faster moves. Link is also a heavyweight, making him one of the easiest characters to combo and juggle and keep in disadvantage. His recovery is also exploitable, as his Spin Attack travels in a predictable path, leaving his head vulnerable to spikes or lingering hitboxes. | ||
Overall, Link has the tools to keep out his opponents and KO them at fairly low percentages but should his defenses be infiltrated makes it difficult for him to get back in neutral. Link had promising results in the early metagame thanks to strong performances from {{Sm|T}}, | Overall, Link has the tools to keep out his opponents and KO them at fairly low percentages, but should his defenses be infiltrated, it makes it difficult for him to get back in neutral. Link had promising results in the early metagame thanks to strong performances from {{Sm|T}}; however, his results and representation declined significantly in the post-online metagame, with only a few notable performances from players such as {{Sm|Rido}}. | ||
==Attributes== | ==Attributes== | ||
Link is a [[weight | Link is a heavy[[weight]] swordsman that sports powerful attacks and long [[range]] via the Master Sword. Link sports an above-average [[walking]] speed, the 15th slowest [[dashing]] speed, above-average [[initial dash]], the 10th slowest [[air speed]] (tied with {{SSBU|Diddy Kong}}), the 4th slowest [[air acceleration]], average [[gravity]], above-average [[falling speed]], the 6th highest [[fast fall|fast falling speed]], and above-average [[traction]]. Lastly, Link has among the lowest jumps in the game. Overall, these stats render Link's mobility generally poor. Like his [[Young Link (SSBU)|alternate timeline]] [[Toon Link (SSBU)|counterparts]] and {{SSBU|Hero}}, Link possesses two shields instead of just one. In Link's case, he wields the [[Passive shield|Hylian Shield]], which blocks opposing [[projectile]]s if he is standing still, walking, or crouching. Like Toon Link, Link also wields his respective version of the {{iw|ZeldaWiki|Master Sword}}, which sports overall better range compared to the previous installment. | ||
In addition to overall long range, Link's grounded moveset features other merits: neutral attack deals above-average damage and has a reliable [[semi-spike]] in its third hit. Forward tilt boasts both above-average damage and knockback, which in tandem with its good range and low ending lag, makes for a great [[spacing]] option. Up tilt also deals above-average damage which, in tandem with its low ending lag and large range, makes it a great [[juggling]] option. Down tilt possesses low ending lag, satisfactory damage, and high vertical knockback; altogether, these traits render it a great combo starter for devastating chains of aerial attacks. Dash attack possesses high damage, knockback, range, and traveling distance, all of which make it very useful for KOs at around 110%. | In addition to overall long range, Link's grounded moveset features other merits: neutral attack deals above-average damage and has a reliable [[semi-spike]] in its third hit. Forward tilt boasts both above-average damage and knockback, which in tandem with its good range and low ending lag, makes for a great [[spacing]] option. Up tilt also deals above-average damage which, in tandem with its low ending lag and large range, makes it a great [[juggling]] option. Down tilt possesses low ending lag, satisfactory damage, and high vertical knockback; altogether, these traits render it a great combo starter for devastating chains of aerial attacks. Dash attack possesses high damage, knockback, range, and traveling distance, all of which make it very useful for KOs at around 110%. | ||
| Line 315: | Line 315: | ||
==In [[competitive play]]== | ==In [[competitive play]]== | ||
===Most historically significant players=== | ===Most historically significant players=== | ||
<!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines --> | <!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines --> | ||
| Line 331: | Line 326: | ||
*{{Sm|T|Japan}} - The best Link player of all-time, with performances that have yet to be matched by any other Link player. He remains the only Link player who has placed top 8 at a major, having placed 4th at the major {{Trn|Umebura SP 7}} and 5th at the supermajor {{Trn|2GG: Kongo Saga}}. | *{{Sm|T|Japan}} - The best Link player of all-time, with performances that have yet to be matched by any other Link player. He remains the only Link player who has placed top 8 at a major, having placed 4th at the major {{Trn|Umebura SP 7}} and 5th at the supermajor {{Trn|2GG: Kongo Saga}}. | ||
*{{Sm|VinS|France}} - One of the two best Link players in Europe. Placed 9th at {{Trn|Tech Republic VI}}, 25th at both {{Trn|VCA 2021}} and {{Trn|COLOSSEL 2022}}, and 33rd at both {{Trn|Ultimate Fighting Arena 2019}} and {{Trn|Syndicate 2019}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|alice}}, {{Sm|varun}}, and {{Sm|Mezcaul}}. Ranked 43rd on the [[European Smash Rankings]]. | *{{Sm|VinS|France}} - One of the two best Link players in Europe. Placed 9th at {{Trn|Tech Republic VI}}, 25th at both {{Trn|VCA 2021}} and {{Trn|COLOSSEL 2022}}, and 33rd at both {{Trn|Ultimate Fighting Arena 2019}} and {{Trn|Syndicate 2019}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|alice}}, {{Sm|varun}}, and {{Sm|Mezcaul}}. Ranked 43rd on the [[European Smash Rankings]]. | ||
===Tier placement and history=== | |||
In the beginning of ''Ultimate''{{'}}s metagame, many players noticed that Link had significantly improved from ''SSB4'', recognizing the increased reach of his sword, the return of his previous Boomerang from ''Smash 64'' and ''Melee'', his improved mobility, most of his aerials being safe on shield (most notably his neutral aerial), and the versatility of his new Remote Bomb special. Compounded with {{Sm|Salem}}'s strong success with the character at majors and supermajors in the game's early months, Link received an extremely positive reception from the community, being regarded as a high-tier or even a top-tier character. Although opinions on the character eventually mellowed out, especially after Salem dropped the character, the community continued to remain positive thanks to strong results from Link players on a regional level and {{Sm|T}}'s strong performances at majors, leading Link to have a relatively average playerbase. | |||
However, the post-pandemic period saw Link's position in the metagame decline, most notably due to T's lower activity and worse results. On the other hand, there were not a lot of Link players active at a national level, with only a few players such as {{Sm|Rido}} and {{Sm|VinS}} seeing some success outside of regionals. This led to a noticeable decline in Link's metagame representation, with the character dropping from 32nd at the end of 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AJs-mj5TTdkmkl7nhj4twJymVPTLTUdT0MBToL1cxDs/edit#gid=342014565|title=OrionRank 2019 character data from July-December 2019}}</ref> to 55th by the end of 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gRlzy4z_dpqb2ZRhGoqtbDcuvUKz_ROsMZHGegon53M/edit#gid=329450080|title=OrionRank 2019 character data from July-December 2022}}</ref> Due to this, most players reassessed the character as a mid-tier, which is reflected in his current position on the tier list, where he is ranked 56th out of 82 characters and on the C+ tier. | |||
=={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: A Quest to Seal the Darkness== | =={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: A Quest to Seal the Darkness== | ||
| Line 659: | Line 659: | ||
*While Link's ''Smash'' series [[amiibo]] is based on his ''SSB4'' appearance and does not match his ''Ultimate'' design, he possesses an amiibo in the ''Breath of the Wild'' line that matches his incarnation in ''Ultimate'' (despite possessing different weapons) and is identical to his Fighter Spirit. | *While Link's ''Smash'' series [[amiibo]] is based on his ''SSB4'' appearance and does not match his ''Ultimate'' design, he possesses an amiibo in the ''Breath of the Wild'' line that matches his incarnation in ''Ultimate'' (despite possessing different weapons) and is identical to his Fighter Spirit. | ||
*In Link's Hero of the Wild outfit, there's a gap on his right arm.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/IdRRIFT.jpg]</ref> | *In Link's Hero of the Wild outfit, there's a gap on his right arm.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/IdRRIFT.jpg]</ref> | ||
*One of Link's Tips talks about how | *One of Link's Tips talks about how his name is only in five titles in the series, and that one is trickier to remember than the others. These games are ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'', ''The Legend of Zelda: A Link To the Past'', ''The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening'', ''The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds'', and the one that is "trickier to remember" being ''Link's Crossbow Training''. | ||
*Link is the most common opponent for Classic Mode routes, as he appears in 23 different routes. | *Link is the most common opponent for Classic Mode routes, as he appears in 23 different routes. | ||
*Despite his ''Twilight Princess'' incarnation (which based his designs in ''Brawl'' and ''SSB4'') being retired after this game, the ''Twilight Princess'' version of Link still makes an appearance in ''Ultimate'' as a spirit, although in his Wolf form. | *Despite his ''Twilight Princess'' incarnation (which based his designs in ''Brawl'' and ''SSB4'') being retired after this game, the ''Twilight Princess'' version of Link still makes an appearance in ''Ultimate'' as a spirit, although in his Wolf form. | ||
*Marketing for ''Ultimate'' depicts Link as a mascot of the game alongside Mario with roughly equal status for the first time in the series; for instance, Mario and Link were the two most prominent veterans teased for the game in March 2018, they are the two most prominent characters on the "Everyone is Here" cast artwork, and were shown on interstitial screens to represent the game at {{Trn|EVO 2019}}. | *Marketing for ''Ultimate'' depicts Link as a mascot of the game alongside Mario with roughly equal status for the first time in the series; for instance, Mario and Link were the two most prominent veterans teased for the game in March 2018, they are the two most prominent characters on the "Everyone is Here" cast artwork, and they were shown on interstitial screens to represent the game at {{Trn|EVO 2019}}. | ||
**The only cases in which Link does not share prominence with Mario are the {{SSBU|How to Play}} video (depicting Mario and {{SSBU|Bowser}} as has been tradition), the [[Controls]] menu (due to the fact that only one character is used to test controls), and [[Adventure Mode: World of Light]] (as Mario is the first required unlock while Link can be skipped over, although Kirby is the mode's ''de facto'' starter character). While Mario is marginally more prominent on the boxart for ''Ultimate'', it still depicts him and Link as a mascot duo. | **The only cases in which Link does not share prominence with Mario are the {{SSBU|How to Play}} video (depicting Mario and {{SSBU|Bowser}} as has been tradition since ''Melee''), the [[Controls]] menu (due to the fact that only one character is used to test controls), and [[Adventure Mode: World of Light]] (as Mario is the first required unlock while Link can be skipped over, although Kirby is the mode's ''de facto'' starter character). While Mario is marginally more prominent on the boxart for ''Ultimate'', it still depicts him and Link as a mascot duo. | ||
*Link has some | *Link has some carryovers from ''Smash 4'': | ||
**Although Link has a new side taunt, an unused model of the fairy from his previous side taunt (which is given to Young Link instead in ''Ultimate'') remains in his character files.<ref> | **Although Link has a new side taunt, an unused model of the fairy from his previous side taunt (which is given to Young Link instead in ''Ultimate'') remains in his character files.<ref> | ||
[https://tcrf.net/Super_Smash_Bros._Ultimate#Link Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - The Cutting Room Floor]</ref> | [https://tcrf.net/Super_Smash_Bros._Ultimate#Link Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - The Cutting Room Floor]</ref> | ||