Link (SSB): Difference between revisions

{{ArticleIcons|ssb64=y}}

{{disambig2|Link's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros.''|the character in other contexts|Link}}

|name         = Link

|image       = [[File:Link SSB.png|Link]]

|game         = SSB

|ssbgame1     = Melee

|ssbgame2     = Brawl

|ssbgame3     = SSB4

|tier         = C

|tierJP       = ?

|ranking     = 11

|rankingJP   = 9

'''Link''' ({{ja|リンク|Rinku}}, ''Link'') appears as a starter character in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' He is the sole representative of {{uv|The Legend of Zelda}} series. Link is perhaps the most well-equipped character with either long ranged and melee options of attack, with two projectiles (which would become three in later iterations), his long-reaching [[List of swords#Master Sword|Master Sword]] and his Hookshot. He is voiced by Nobuyuki Hiyama, who also voiced him in ''Ocarina of Time'' appearance.

Link is currently ranked 11th on the [[tier list]], the second lowest ranked character, outranking only {{SSB|Luigi}}. Link is known in high level competitive play as a very defensive character, relying on {{b|bomb|Link}}s and [[Boomerang]]s to prevent gimps and using his up tilt and up and back aerials for combos, while using his forward and down smash, down aerial, and [[projectile]]s for [[edgeguarding]]. Having many disjointed melee attacks and his aforementioned two projectiles, Link can be a hassle to [[approach]], while also having an average approach himself courtesy of his extremely high traction.

However, his lack of speed and maneuverability cause problems for Link in approaching the opponent. In fact, much of Link's strategy consists of standing back, throwing [[projectile]]s, and waiting for an opening. Due to his slow ground movement and attacks, it is imperative for Link players to be able to not only [[short hop]] but be able to input an attack immediately afterward. Link's [[recovery]] is awful, making offstage play very risky. He is also very easy to combo due to his weight and falling speed. Link's recovery and combo vulnerability make many of his matchups difficult. Link is slightly better in the [[PAL]] version due to having faster [[air speed]] (improving his recovery and some of his combo ability), and his forward smash dealing 4% more damage, and much better in the Japanese version where he is ranked 9th on the tier list, due to Link's up tilt having more reliable combo ability and sending opponents on a more favorable angle to combo, as well as his bombs being much easier to use in combos. Regardless, he has poor matchups on the NTSC version, and poor results due to his low playerbase.

[[File:Linkending.jpg|thumb|250px|Link's ending picture in ''Super Smash Bros.'']]

[[File:Ssb64link.jpg|thumb|Link in the ''Smash 64'' instruction booklet.]]

Link has some powerful finishers as well. His forward tilt is among the strongest, but also slow for one. His forward smash is powerful but slow for a forward smash. [[Spin Attack]] is a powerful move both on the ground and the air.

Link is known for relying on his two [[projectile]]s (his [[Boomerang]] and [[Bomb (Link)|bomb]]) to keep his opponents away and prevent them from [[approach]]ing. His projectiles can which can lead to some combos. They can also be used to [[edgeguard]]. However, while Link can camp well himself, he has trouble dealing with [[projectile camping]] from some characters (especially {{SSB|Fox}}), due to his poor mobility and jumps.

Link's biggest problem is his [[recovery]], which is possibly the worst in the game, and one of the worst in the series. His very short jumps, fast [[falling speed]] (the second fastest in the game) and extremely poor distance given by [[Spin Attack]] (it even descends before the animation is over), with no options to extend it. Link is also edgeguarded and [[gimp]]ed easily.

Link is low on the tier list because he is very easy to combo and edgeguard, which allows many characters to get him offstage quickly and finish him off, if not [[zero-death]]ing him outright. Link relies solely on his projectile camping to avoid this. Link is not helped by the fact that [[Dream Land (SSB)|Dream Land]] is the only legal stage in competitive play. When [[Hyrule Castle]] was legal, he could rely on projectile camping there far more than on any other legal stage.

===Japan to NTSC===

Link was severely nerfed in his transition to NTSC. Many of his combo starters were toned down or removed and his recovery is even worse, while his moves deal less damage. While the higher [[SDI]] presence makes it easier for him to escape combos, this doesn't really have an effect due to how easy he still is to combo. This makes him worse than in the Japanese version.

*{{nerf|Link's jumps are shorter due to his higher gravity (3.2 → 3.4).}}

*{{buff|Link's shield size is slightly larger (260 → 280).}}

*{{nerf|Up tilt deals 5% less damage (15% → 10%), making it much more punishable when shielded, and sends on a more horizontal angle, removing its ability to combo into itself at low percents for easy combos.}}

*{{nerf|Up smash deals 2% less damage (24% → 22%).}}

*{{nerf|Some of forward aerial's hitboxes deal 1% less damage.}}

*{{nerf|Back aerial's first hit comes out 1 frame slower. The second hit has a more diagonal angle.}}

*{{nerf|Down aerial deals 2% less damage (18% → 16%).}}

*{{nerf|[[Boomerang]] covers less distance and only causes opponents to tumble past 100%, removing most of its usefulness in combos.}}

*{{nerf|[[Spin Attack]] deals 1% less damage in spots and covers less distance in the air, worsening his recovery.}}

*{{nerf|[[Bomb]]s deal 1% less damage when thrown down and 2% less when thrown any other way.}}  

*{{buff|Bombs has more knockback at any percent which makes comboing easier.}}

===NTSC to PAL===

Link got a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition to PAL. His higher air speed improves his recovery and his forward smash is a better finisher due to its higher damage, but his higher weight makes him even more the vulnerable to combos. Ultimately, Link did not significantly improve in the PAL version.

*{{change|Link is heavier (0.96 → 0.9).}}

*{{buff|Link has higher air speed (91 → 97).}}

*{{buff|Forward smash deals 4% more damage.}}

|neutralname= 

|ftiltname= 

|utiltname= 

|utiltdmg=10%

|utiltdesc=Quickly swings the Master Sword in a small arc above him. Can be chained together and good for leading into combos, usually forward tilt or neutral aerial. The attack's trajectory is based on where they are positioned on hit; when facing right, there's a slight right angle, and vice versa. This move can usually KO a foe reliably above very high damages such as 200%. Changes heavily in Japanese version of Smash 64, doing 14% damage and being able to [[shield break]] and a better angle for combos.

|dtiltname= 

|dashname= 

|fsmashname= 

|fsmashdmg=12% (tip), 20% (non-tip)

|fsmashdesc=Twirls his sword twice in hand, then slashes downward in a similar fashion to his forward tilt, but with more power and lag. Much stronger if hit with the main blade, with very good knockback.

|usmashname= 

|usmashdmg=22% if all hits connect

|dsmashname= 

|nairname= 

|fairname= 

|bairname= 

|bairdmg=20% if both hits connect

|uairname= 

|uairdmg=16%

|uairdesc=Stabs upward, similarly to his [http://zelda.gamepedia.com/Up_Thrust Up Thrust] from ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link''. Decent KO power, can also juggle. Link's blade carries the move's hitbox. Useful on platforms to extend combos.

|dairname= 

|dairdmg=16%

|dairdesc=Aims his sword directly below him for a long duration, similarly to his [http://zelda.gamepedia.com/Down_Thrust Down Thrust] from ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link''. This has great horizontal knockback. It is possible to hit the same enemy twice to have this move inflict 32% altogether. This move can be used to KO recovering foes by jumping directly at them, but this is only safe if the bounce of the connected hit allows Link to return to the stage. It should be noted that this move's downwards descent can be hastened by fast falling, although doing so is unwise near ledges. Has substantial landing lag when the player lands on the ground while using the move if not [[L-canceling|Z-cancelled]]. Usually considered to be Link's best aerial for shield pressure when Z-cancelled. Used competitively to end combos due to its knockback.

|grabname=[[Hookshot]]

|fthrowname= 

|bthrowname= 

|usdmg=Ground: 21% if both hits connect (clean), 13% if both hits connect (late) Air: 16% (clean), 8% (late)

|usdesc=Performs his signature [http://zelda.gamepedia.com/Spin_Attack Spin Attack]. A powerful attack, especially on the ground; when grounded, the spin creates a wide, orange magic circle that grants the move more range. However, it is generally not good for recovery, as it covers a very short distance; this gives Link a predictable recovery, and is often cited as the main reason why he is in bottom tier, as he is very easily [[edge-guarding|edgeguarded]] by most characters, especially {{SSB|Pikachu}} and {{SSB|Kirby}}.

|desc-us=Go Link *claps 3 times*

|desc-jp=Link-Link

==In [[Competitive play]]==

===Matchups===

{{SSB64MatchupTable-JPN|link=y}}

===Notable players===

:''See also: [[:Category:Link professionals (SSB)]]''

*{{Sm|Gyaki|Japan}} Best Link main in the world, placed 5th at [[Snosa III]] and 2nd at [[Kansai 2017]]

*{{Sm|Firo|USA}} 24th in 64LR 2016

*{{Sm|Sekirei|Japan}} Now mains Pikachu

*In the game's single-player mode, Link is the first character the player battles, in which they must face him on [[Hyrule Castle]].

Link's boomerang ([[neutral special]] attack) goes farther if it is treated as a [[smash]] attack. Quickly tap the control stick to the side while hitting [[B]] to extend the range.  

Like {{SSB|Samus}}, Link can use his bombs to aid his [[recovery]]. However, unlike {{SSB|Samus}}, Link must use a bit of technical skill and timing. While recovering, one should pull out a bomb and drop it slowly below Link, then continue to DI towards the [[stage]], and use a back aerial. This will cause Link to explode toward the platform. One should then use his [[Up B]] and land back safely. Note that Link will not be able to grab the [[edge]] because the explosion causes him to face the other direction. To counter this, one must throw his [[boomerang]] before using his [[Up B]]. This technique is extremely situational and difficult to perform. Despite the difficulty of pulling off the technique, it does not greatly help Link's recovery.

A technique popularized by {{Sm|Kort}} involving a set up of positioning a bomb for a boomerang hit as an edgeguarding technique. The technique requires Link to throw a bomb on stage opposite to where the enemy is (preferably when the enemy is offstage), followed by a toss of a boomerang against the bomb, causing the boomerang to 1) ricochet flying in the opposite direction towards the enemy, 2) accelerate at a faster speed then the previous speed then initially thrown, and finally 3) will go through Link without causing Link to catch the boomerang, allowing for Link to reduce lag caused by the grab of a returning boomerang.<ref name="youtube">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLEqW5gOSVA]</ref>

*''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' ([[nwiki:NES|NES]])

|{{Head|Link|g=SSB|s=25px|cl=White}}

*On the [[Character selection screen]], Link's portrait greatly resembles his artwork from ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''.

[[Category:Characters (SSB)]]

[[Category:The Legend of Zelda universe]]

[[Category:Link (SSB)]]