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Young Link (SSBM) (edit)

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==How to unlock==
==How to unlock==
For players to unlock Young Link, the Classic or Adventure Mode has to be completed with ten characters.  
For players to unlock Young Link, the Classic or Adventure Mode has to be completed with ten characters.


Alternatively, the player can take part in 500 VS. matches.
Alternatively, the player can take part in 500 VS. matches.
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Young Link's KO options are varied and often different than those found on most other characters. Young Link's neutral aerial and down tilt are quite powerful, with the former having almost nonexistent ending lag when L-canceled. Additionally, Young Link's forward smash has the unusual property of being two hits: one with fixed knockback, and one with powerful vertical knockback, acting as a trap of sorts. One of Young Link's most reliable finishers is his dash attack, which can KO at as low as 95% on some characters, and is unusually fast.
Young Link's KO options are varied and often different than those found on most other characters. Young Link's neutral aerial and down tilt are quite powerful, with the former having almost nonexistent ending lag when L-canceled. Additionally, Young Link's forward smash has the unusual property of being two hits: one with fixed knockback, and one with powerful vertical knockback, acting as a trap of sorts. One of Young Link's most reliable finishers is his dash attack, which can KO at as low as 95% on some characters, and is unusually fast.


Young Link's primary flaw, however, is his inability to easily and efficiently hit with his finishers. His neutral air requires him to be in the air first, and the remainder of his attacks can prove too awkward to hit with. His dash attack requires the first few frames to connect, and its ending lag can prove to be problematic; that and the inability to send the opponent upwards unless hit at a precise point of the sword and being a semi-spike, which characters (like Fox and Link) can tech out of. With proper use of DI, it's possible to avoid the second hit of Young Link's forward smash. Furthermore, Young Link's down aerial, which can act as one of the most powerful meteor smashes in the game, has a very small and situational sweetspot, significantly hindering its usefulness off the edge. His forward aerial is also among the weakest forward aerials to both combo and finish with and his up smash is weak and not reliable tue to DI, forcing him to over-rely on dash attack or down smash for KOing.
Young Link's primary flaw, however, is his inability to easily and efficiently hit with his finishers. His neutral air requires him to be in the air first, and the remainder of his attacks can prove too awkward to hit with. His dash attack requires the first few frames to connect, and its ending lag can prove to be problematic; that and the inability to send the opponent upwards unless hit at a precise point of the sword and being a semi-spike, which characters (like Fox and Link) can tech out of. With proper use of DI, it's possible to avoid the second hit of Young Link's forward smash. Furthermore, Young Link's down aerial, which can act as one of the most powerful meteor smashes in the game, has a very small and situational sweetspot, significantly hindering its usefulness off the edge. His forward aerial is also among the weakest forward aerials to both combo and finish with and his up smash is weak and not reliable tue to DI, forcing him to over-rely on dash attack or down smash for KOing.


Young Link's light weight makes him considerably easier to KO than other characters; this itself acts as a problem for Young Link due to his poor recovery in comparison to other characters of his weight class (such as {{SSBM|Mewtwo}} or {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}}).
Young Link's light weight makes him considerably easier to KO than other characters; this itself acts as a problem for Young Link due to his poor recovery in comparison to other characters of his weight class (such as {{SSBM|Mewtwo}} or {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}}).
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Young Link also has properties for some of his moves that extend behind damage distribution. Young Link shoots fire arrows for his neutral special, dealing flame damage and dealing more damage uncharged, but less damage fully charged. Young Link's [[Spin Attack]] hits multiple times rather than once, making it better for trapping opponents, but worse for netting KOs. Young Link's {{b|Bomb|Young Link}}s hit four times upon explosion opposed to two, allowing his bombs to deal more damage than Link's. Young Link's down aerial his a sweet-spot near the hilt of his sword, which [[meteor smash]]es opponents while also setting them ablaze.
Young Link also has properties for some of his moves that extend behind damage distribution. Young Link shoots fire arrows for his neutral special, dealing flame damage and dealing more damage uncharged, but less damage fully charged. Young Link's [[Spin Attack]] hits multiple times rather than once, making it better for trapping opponents, but worse for netting KOs. Young Link's {{b|Bomb|Young Link}}s hit four times upon explosion opposed to two, allowing his bombs to deal more damage than Link's. Young Link's down aerial his a sweet-spot near the hilt of his sword, which [[meteor smash]]es opponents while also setting them ablaze.


In spite of these differences, it is heavily debated on which of the two are better, with them usually being near each other on [[tier list]]s. Young Link does better against [[floaty]] characters such as {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} and {{SSBM|Peach}}, but Link performs better against non-floaty characters.  
In spite of these differences, it is heavily debated on which of the two are better, with them usually being near each other on [[tier list]]s. Young Link does better against [[floaty]] characters such as {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} and {{SSBM|Peach}}, but Link performs better against non-floaty characters.
====Aesthetics====
====Aesthetics====
*{{change|Young Link wields the Kokiri Sword and Deku Shield instead of the Master Sword and Hylian Shield.}}
*{{change|Young Link wields the Kokiri Sword and Deku Shield instead of the Master Sword and Hylian Shield.}}
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|dairname= 
|dairname= 
|dairdmg=14%/16% (early), 17%/21% (late), 8%/9% (after bounce)
|dairdmg=14%/16% (early), 17%/21% (late), 8%/9% (after bounce)
|dairdesc=Very similar to Link's. Thrusts his sword down with massive damage, knockback, ending lag, and duration, and makes Young Link bounce after hitting a foe. If the opponent is positioned above or to the side of Young Link, they will be hit with an extremely powerful [[meteor smash]]. This is hard to perform as Young Link will most likely self-destruct. If the opponent is below Young Link, it results in considerable vertical knockback on the first hit, making it a great KO move. It is the strongest meteor smash in ''Melee'' (when the 21% hitbox connects) and is the most powerful aerial attack in the game, being even stronger than Ganondorf's down aerial, despite the latter having slightly superior knockback scaling. This is due to Young Link's down aerial having immensely high base knockback (70). Though it is very difficult to meteor smash opponents on a soft platform, it is capable of [[Star KO]]ing any grounded opponents (only if the characters are on the soft platform) under 150%.
|dairdesc=Very similar to Link's. Thrusts his sword down with massive damage, knockback, ending lag, and duration, and makes Young Link bounce after hitting a foe. If the opponent is positioned above or to the side of Young Link, they will be hit with an extremely powerful [[meteor smash]]. This is hard to perform as Young Link will most likely self-destruct. If the opponent is below Young Link, it results in considerable vertical knockback on the first hit, making it a great KO move. It is the strongest meteor smash in ''Melee'' (when the 21% hitbox connects) and is the most powerful aerial attack in the game, being even stronger than Ganondorf's down aerial, despite the latter having slightly superior knockback scaling. This is due to Young Link's down aerial having immensely high base knockback (70). Though it is very difficult to meteor smash opponents on a soft platform, it is capable of [[Star KO]]ing any grounded opponents (only if the characters are on the soft platform) under 150%.
|zairname=[[Hookshot]]
|zairname=[[Hookshot]]
|zairdmg=5%
|zairdmg=5%
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==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 -->
:''Any number following the Smasher name indicates placement on the [[2019 MPGR]], which recognizes the official top 100 players in the world in [[Super Smash Bros. Melee]].''
:''Any number following the Smasher name indicates placement on the [[2019 MPGR]], which recognizes the official top 100 players in the world in [[Super Smash Bros. Melee]].''
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It would not be until the next year where all preconceived notions of Young Link would be called into serious question, as {{Sm|Armada}} shocked the world by unveiling his Young Link at several supermajors such as {{Trn|Pound V}}, {{Trn|GENESIS 2}}, and most infamously {{Trn|Apex 2012}}. At these events, he defeated {{Sm|Hungrybox}}'s {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} decisively in three out of their four encounters, with his only loss being a narrow 2-3. He demonstrated that Young Link was one of the best answers to not only Peach, but other floaties such as Jigglypuff as well, due to his superior movement that allowed for a devastating hit-and-run strategy that adult Link would not be able to replicate. The two would meet again at {{Trn|Apex 2013}}, where Hungrybox attempted to avoid the matchup entirely by playing {{SSBM|Ness}} for two games, before being forced to switch back after losing those games. The fact that Young Link had the potential to be so oppressive to floaties, that world-class players like Hungrybox would go to such lengths to avoid playing the matchup, finally convinced ''Melee'' Back Room panelists that Young Link was a superior meta-call to Link. Reflecting this, he moved above Link for the first time in the eleventh tier list.
It would not be until the next year where all preconceived notions of Young Link would be called into serious question, as {{Sm|Armada}} shocked the world by unveiling his Young Link at several supermajors such as {{Trn|Pound V}}, {{Trn|GENESIS 2}}, and most infamously {{Trn|Apex 2012}}. At these events, he defeated {{Sm|Hungrybox}}'s {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} decisively in three out of their four encounters, with his only loss being a narrow 2-3. He demonstrated that Young Link was one of the best answers to not only Peach, but other floaties such as Jigglypuff as well, due to his superior movement that allowed for a devastating hit-and-run strategy that adult Link would not be able to replicate. The two would meet again at {{Trn|Apex 2013}}, where Hungrybox attempted to avoid the matchup entirely by playing {{SSBM|Ness}} for two games, before being forced to switch back after losing those games. The fact that Young Link had the potential to be so oppressive to floaties, that world-class players like Hungrybox would go to such lengths to avoid playing the matchup, finally convinced ''Melee'' Back Room panelists that Young Link was a superior meta-call to Link. Reflecting this, he moved above Link for the first time in the eleventh tier list.


Over time, Hungrybox adapted back to Armada's Young Link play, with the latter not enjoying the character enough to push the matchup any further. Nonetheless, Armada and many other top players still acknowledge that Young Link has real, top-level potential against Jigglypuff and other floaties, a sentiment that has since been widely accepted. Modern opinions of Link have plateaued as well, with many players arguing that his sluggish ground movement has finally caught up to him in a more optimized metagame, and that many of his advantages in the past came from abusing player error with his more immediate power. The majority of players consider Young Link's movement and incredible prowess against floaties to overwhelm Link's harder hitting disjoints in those matchups.  
Over time, Hungrybox adapted back to Armada's Young Link play, with the latter not enjoying the character enough to push the matchup any further. Nonetheless, Armada and many other top players still acknowledge that Young Link has real, top-level potential against Jigglypuff and other floaties, a sentiment that has since been widely accepted. Modern opinions of Link have plateaued as well, with many players arguing that his sluggish ground movement has finally caught up to him in a more optimized metagame, and that many of his advantages in the past came from abusing player error with his more immediate power. The majority of players consider Young Link's movement and incredible prowess against floaties to overwhelm Link's harder hitting disjoints in those matchups.


However, in more recent times, players such as {{Sm|Mew2King}} and {{Sm|Armada}} now consider Link to be slightly better overall due to Young Link's greater struggle against non-floaty characters. Players such as {{Sm|Sixx}} and {{Sm|Aklo}} have also showcased tournament results as solo Link in more recent years that remain to be matched by his younger counterpart. He is thus viewed as a fringe yet viable secondary, with {{Sm|Axe}} being considered the best among them. While Young Link is expected to remain in the mid-low tiers due to his arguable lack of solo viability, he holds a very respected niche in top-level ''Melee'' that is still recognized in modern competitive play.
However, in more recent times, players such as {{Sm|Mew2King}} and {{Sm|Armada}} now consider Link to be slightly better overall due to Young Link's greater struggle against non-floaty characters. Players such as {{Sm|Sixx}} and {{Sm|Aklo}} have also showcased tournament results as solo Link in more recent years that remain to be matched by his younger counterpart. He is thus viewed as a fringe yet viable secondary, with {{Sm|Axe}} being considered the best among them. While Young Link is expected to remain in the mid-low tiers due to his arguable lack of solo viability, he holds a very respected niche in top-level ''Melee'' that is still recognized in modern competitive play.


==In single-player modes==
==In 1-P Mode==
===In {{SSBM|Classic Mode}}===
===In {{SSBM|Classic Mode}}===
Young Link can appear in ordinary one-on-one matches, in a team as an ally or opponent (paired up with either {{SSBM|Link}} or {{SSBM|Zelda}}), in a giant battle, or as an opponent in the metal fight. In these cases, Young Link either appears on [[Great Bay]] or [[Temple]], with the exception of the metal battle. In all such instances, bar the metal fight, ''Saria's Song'' will play.
Young Link can appear in ordinary one-on-one matches, in a team as an ally or opponent (paired up with either {{SSBM|Link}} or {{SSBM|Zelda}}), in a giant battle, or as an opponent in the metal fight. In these cases, Young Link either appears on [[Great Bay]] or [[Temple]], with the exception of the metal battle. In all such instances, bar the metal fight, ''Saria's Song'' will play.
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In addition to the normal trophy about Young Link as a character, there are two trophies about him as a fighter that are unlocked by completing the [[Adventure Mode|Adventure]] and [[All-Star]] modes on any difficulty with Young Link.
In addition to the normal trophy about Young Link as a character, there are two trophies about him as a fighter that are unlocked by completing the [[Adventure Mode|Adventure]] and [[All-Star]] modes on any difficulty with Young Link.


:'''Young Link'''     
{{Trophy/Fighter
:''Link's younger incarnation is often considered to be the true Link: he was a young boy in the very first Legend of Zelda game, and he has appeared as a youth in most of the subsequent games. Since his debut on the original NES in 1987, Link's appearance has changed over and over again, each time adding to the mystique of his incomparable story.''
|name=Young Link
::The Legend of Zelda <br> 7/87
|image=Young Link Trophy.png
|mode=Classic
|desc=Link's younger incarnation is often considered to be the true Link: he was a young boy in the very first Legend of Zelda game, and he has appeared as a youth in most of the subsequent games. Since his debut on the original NES in 1987, Link's appearance has changed over and over again, each time adding to the mystique of his incomparable story.
|gamelist={{Trophy games|game1=The Legend of Zelda|release1=7/87}}
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}


:'''Young Link''' [<span style="color:#FF0000">SMASH</span>]             
{{Trophy/Fighter
:''Young Link is lighter and faster than his older self, and his Kokiri sword packs less punch. Even though his Boomerang has a shorter range, he has greater control over it. He's a smaller target, and while his Hookshot has less reach than older Link's, you can still use it in midair as a last ditch attempt to grab a ledge.''
|name=Young Link
::B: [[Fire Bow]] <br> Smash B: [[Boomerang]]
|image=Young Link Trophy (Smash).png
|mode=Adventure
|desc=Young Link is lighter and faster than his older self, and his Kokiri sword packs less punch. Even though his Boomerang has a shorter range, he has greater control over it. He's a smaller target, and while his Hookshot has less reach than the older Link's, you can still use it in midair as a last-ditch attempt to grab a ledge.
|gamelist=:B: Fire Bow
:Smash B: Boomerang
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}


:'''Young Link''' [<span style="color:#0000FF">SMASH</span>]
{{Trophy/Fighter
:''With a youthful spring in his step, Young Link can perform amazing wall-jumps. Once he hits a wall, tap the Control stick in the opposite direction to send him leaping upward; you can practice to your heart's content in Target Test. His Spin Attack can strike multiple times even on the ground, and although it's hard to discern, so do his Bombs.''
|name=Young Link
::Up & B: [[Spin Attack]] <br> Down & B: [[Bomb (Link)|Bomb]]
|image=Young Link Trophy 2 (Smash).png
 
|mode=All Star
<center>
|desc=With a youthful spring in his step, Young Link can perform amazing wall-jumps. Once he hits a wall, tap the Control Stick in the opposite direction to send him leaping upward; you can practice to your heart's content in Target Test. His Spin Attack can strike multiple times even on the ground, and although it's hard to discern, so do his Bombs.
<gallery>
|gamelist=:Up & B: Spin Attack
Young Link Trophy.png|Classic
:Down & B: Bomb
Young Link Trophy (Smash).png|[<span style="color:#FF0000">SMASH</span>]
|game=Melee
Young Link Trophy 2 (Smash).png|[<span style="color:#0000FF">SMASH</span>]
}}
</gallery>
{{clrl}}
</center>


==[[Alternate costume (SSBM)#Young Link|Alternate costumes]]==
==[[Alternate costume (SSBM)#Young Link|Alternate costumes]]==
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[[File:LinkYoungLinkHookshot.png|thumb|right|A comparison of Link and Young Link's respective Hookshots.]]
[[File:LinkYoungLinkHookshot.png|thumb|right|A comparison of Link and Young Link's respective Hookshots.]]
*Link and Young Link's hookshot use the same model; as a result, it looks larger when Young Link uses it.
*Link and Young Link's hookshot use the same model; as a result, it looks larger when Young Link uses it.
*Young Link appears in the background of Link's montage in the introduction to ''Melee'', making him one of the five hidden characters, along with {{SSBM|Ganondorf}}, {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}}, {{SSBM|Mewtwo}}, and {{SSBM|Pichu}}, to have some kind of involvement in the intro.
*Young Link appears in the background of Link's montage in the introduction to ''Melee'', making him one of the five hidden characters, along with {{SSBM|Ganondorf}}, {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}}, {{SSBM|Mewtwo}}, and {{SSBM|Pichu}}, to have some kind of involvement in the intro.
*Despite the Deku Shield's vulnerability to flames in ''Ocarina of Time'', the Deku Shield is able to block fire projectiles in ''Melee''.
*Despite the Deku Shield's vulnerability to flames in ''Ocarina of Time'', the Deku Shield is able to block fire projectiles in ''Melee''.
*Because of its length, Young Link's defeat cry does not properly terminate when he is KOed on the left, right, or bottom blast lines; similar behavior occurs with {{SSBM|Mr. Game & Watch}} and {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}.
*Because of its length, Young Link's defeat cry does not properly terminate when he is KOed on the left, right, or bottom blast lines; similar behavior occurs with {{SSBM|Mr. Game & Watch}} and {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}.
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