Zelda (SSBM): Difference between revisions

{{ArticleIcons|melee=y}}

{{disambig2|Zelda's appearance in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''|the character in other contexts|Princess Zelda}}{{for|information about Zelda's alter-ego|Sheik (SSBM)}}

|name = Zelda

|image = [[File:Zelda SSBM.jpg]]

|game = SSBM

|ssbgame1 = SSBB

|ssbgame2 = SSB4

|ssbgame3 = SSBU

|tier = D

|ranking = 24

Jun Mizusawa reprises her role as Zelda from ''Ocarina of Time'' in the game.

Currently, Zelda is 24th on the tier list, the lowest-ranked character in D-tier. Zelda's positive attributes include several powerful attacks, with the most notable being her [[Lightning Kick]]. Zelda's primary weakness, however, is her poor mobility; she possesses (along with Jigglypuff) the slowest dash speed in the game, and falls slowly. These attributes, combined with her very high [[traction]], result in her possessing the shortest [[wavedash]] in the game (alongside Peach). Additionally, despite Zelda's long range on her recovery move, [[Farore's Wind]], which can also be angled, it is fairly predictable and easily edgeguarded and/or edgehogged due to its awkward endlag, and it also lacks a hitbox when she reappears, leaving her vulnerable to punishes when he tries to land. All of these factors contribute to Zelda having terrible matchups against most of the cast.

Zelda does not fall under any specific archetype of characters, due to her unusual properties as a fighter; she has a slew of powerful finishers, such as her [[Lightning Kick]], but possesses average weight. Additionally, Zelda has a slow falling speed and high traction, leading to a very short, albeit fast, wavedash.

One of Zelda's strengths is her great overall KO power. Within the air, her forward and back aerials of the Lightning Kick can KO at as low as 50%, and her up air has a large hitbox that can also KO opponents. On the ground, Zelda's up tilt is surprisingly powerful, with its long duration and large radius allowing it to be a versatile move under most circumstances. Zelda's up and forward smash attacks are also powerful and they have high damage output thanks to their multiple hits.

In addition, Zelda has some fast attacks, such as her down smash (which is the fastest in the game) and her forward and back aerials, which requires opponents to tread more carefully when used. [[Nayru's Love]] has invincibility at frame 4, which makes it a good move to counterattack fast approaches. Up smash possesses quick startup and can be used as a great out of shield option, as it can lead to a grab if the opponent SDIs out of it. Forward smash has very low ending lag, a good disjointed hitbox, and a quick animation. The very last hitbox is significantly larger than the previous, being able to sometimes reach someone who SDI's in the front of the move. It can be also be thrown out in neutral to read fast approaches without putting herself in a bad spot. As an added bonus, many of Zelda's attacks have [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]]; combined with average reach for most of her attacks, Zelda has potential to stop others' attacks with her own.

Despite most of her moves dealing high knockback, she has an acceptable combo game. Her dash attack is her primary combo starter on the ground, all of her tilts are great comboing moves, her forward tilt can send her opponents backwards, allowing for potential combo starters, her up tilt can juggle at low percentages and follow up with an up aerial when it stops comboing and her down tilt can combo into itself until around 95% and can also combo into her down smash. Up smash can also be used a few times in a row at low percentages if the opponent gets caught right above her. In addition to this, Zelda possesses a good grab game. Her up throw can be a kill confirm around 80% as it leads to a guaranteed bair/fair on certain matchups. It also has the potential to chain throw at low percentages, and her down throw has several potential follow-ups, such as a dash attack, Lightning Kick, or even a forward tilt and can set up stage spikes and early edge-guards. Her forward and back throws are quite powerful and can set up edge-guards or even K.O. at high percentages. Neutral air can also be used to guarantee these aerials (on certain matchups) if landed without the last hitbox, which will make the opponent pop up with a set knockback.

However, Zelda is strongly held back by having one of the worst approach games in the game. On the ground, Zelda possesses the slowest dashing speed, a short wavedash, and a slow dash dance; combined with decidedly average range in her attacks, Zelda cannot effectively attack on the ground. Zelda doesn't fare much better in the air; despite her above average air speed, Zelda suffers from a low falling speed and a high short hop, leading to a very poor SHFFL. Zelda's lack of an effective projectile also prevents her from attacking from afar; [[Din's Fire]] is far too laggy, weak, and predictable to be an effective projectile, being too situational under most circumstances, even with the help of platforms and wavelanding.

Despite her array of powerful moves and decent platform movement, she suffers numerous other flaws. In addition to a poor approach on the ground, most of Zelda's moveset consists of unreliable finishers. Her forward and up smash suffer from SDI problems, as opponents can easily SDI out of it before the last hit. Zelda's up aerial, while powerful, is impossible to land on a grounded opponent, as it has some start-up lag and the hitbox is above her. Her Lightning Kicks need to be sweetspotted to KO effectively. Her forward and back throws can only KO at very high percentages when used near the edge, limiting their utility. As such, Zelda's up tilt and down smash are possibly her only reliable KO moves and even those have their flaws; the former is rather slow for a tilt attack and the latter is rather weak for a smash attack. Lastly, some of her toolkit suffers from a lack of applicable uses, which includes her down aerial, her aforementioned Din's Fire and jab.

Zelda also suffers from having generally situational specials (save [[Transform]]). Nayru's Love can only harm attackers in short ranges, and it has high ending lag and it doesn't protect her from attacks above her. Din's Fire, as mentioned earlier, doesn't aid her approach at all and suffers from too much ending lag. [[Farore's Wind]], generally considered her best special move, requires precise timing and angles to reach the ledge, else Zelda might land onstage and could potentially get punished, or worse, self-destruct. Farore's Wind's hitbox is also not generally viable for offensive use barring ledge stalls, and even then it lacks follow-ups on many characters.

Overall, Zelda emphasizes a defensive gameplan by trying to find openings for grabs, dash attacks, or lightning kicks. Players must be precise on landing her finishing moves, as their fast startup and strong power can be offset by a difficulty and landing them. She must also try and use wavedashing as well as platforms as much as possible, as her low mobility can prove to be a burden when trying to fight in neutral or against disadvantageous situations. To find success, she has to bait out options and wait for an opponent to make a mistake, else she be overwhelmed by other foes.

[[File:ZeldaAerialAttacksSSBM.png|thumb|Zelda's aerial attacks]]

|game=SSBM

|neutralcount=1

|neutralname=Short Flash ({{ja|ショートフラッシュ|Shōto Furasshu}})

|neutral1dmg=2% (hits 1-3)

|neutraldesc=Zaps magic quickly from her palm, in a similar fashion to {{SSBM|Ganondorf}}'s neutral attack. Has [[transcendent priority]]. Slowest neutral attack in ''Melee'', hitting on frame 11.

|ftiltdesc=Swipes her hand forward with sparks. Has transcendent priority. Can be angled up or down. Second strongest forward tilt in ''Melee'', only beaten by {{SSBM|Bowser}}'s sweetspotted [[forward tilt]]. The hitbox on Zelda's hand sends the opponent behind her.

|utiltdmg=11%

|utiltdesc=Waves her hand, filled with sparks, in an arc above her head. Surprisingly powerful and the hitbox lasts for a long time, so it is an excellent anti-air. Has transcendent priority.

|dtiltdesc=Thrusts her foot out quickly from under her dress. Can [[meteor smash]] opponents who hit her leg and grounded opponents who hit the tip of her foot. Airborne opponents who hit her foot will be launched upwards.

|dashdesc=Shoves her hands in front, with magic sparks coming out them. Has transcendent priority.

|nairdmg=2-3% (hits 1-5), 5% (hit 6)

|nairdesc=Spins in place while emitting magic sparks from her hands. Many hitboxes, good for spacing. Has transcendent priority. It may be DI'd out of.

|fairname=[[Lightning Kick]] ({{ja|稲妻キック|Inazuma Kikku}})

|fairdesc=Kicks forward. If the opponent is hit with the glowing spark at the tip of Zelda's foot, it zaps them ''very'' powerfully, in a way similar to Captain Falcon's [[Knee Smash]]. Has transcendent priority.

|bairdesc=Virtually identical to her forward aerial but in a different direction and with slightly less startup lag. Has transcendent priority. A bit faster than her forward Lightning Kick, so it can be used twice in a short hop.

|uairdmg=13%

|uairdesc=Releases a giant fireball that causes an explosion above Zelda. Can be used to [[shark]] opponents on the stage when Zelda is recovering. Has very high power, being the fifth strongest up aerial in ''Melee''. Has transcendent priority.

|dairdesc=Thrusts her foot downwards. A very weak [[meteor smash]].

|uthrowdesc=Thrusts foe to the sky. Has the ability to chain throw fast-falling opponents at low percents.

|nsdesc=Twirls around with magical hitboxes on both sides. A decent "get off me" move. The attack also reflect projectiles.

|ssdmg=7-13%

|ssdesc=Launches a controllable fireball that charges as it travels until it explodes. The fireball can be directed up or down with the [[control stick]]. Knockback angle depends on which side of the enemy is hit, so it can be used to knock opponents toward or away from Zelda. This move puts Zelda in a [[helpless]] state when used in the air.

|usdesc=A yellow ribbon of magic spins around Zelda, causing her to disappear. After that, she will reappear in the direction held on the [[control stick]] (or directly above her original location if the control stick is not moved). It does not have a hitbox upon reappearing and Zelda is locked out of moving for some time if she reappears in the air, leading to the move being somewhat punishable.

 

|ff = 1.85

|jumpheight = 31.262

|shorthop = 18.337

|djump = 21.444

|cast = 26

|weight = 90

|rweight = 12-14

|dash = 1.1

|rdash = 25

|run = 1.1

|rrun = 25-26

|walk = 0.7

|trac = 0.1

|rtrac = 1-4

|airfric = 0.005

|rairfric = 21-26

|air = 0.95

|baseaccel = 0.01

|rbaseaccel = 25-26

|addaccel = 0.038

|gravity = 0.066

|fall = 1.4

|ff = 1.85

|rjumpsquat = 23-25

|jumpheight = 31.262

|shorthop = 18.337

|djump = 21.444

===[[Announcer]] call===

[[File: Zelda Announcer SSBM.wav]]

 

===[[Taunt]]===

{{Taunt/SSBM|char=Zelda|desc=Holds her hands together, as if in a prayer.}}

 

===[[Idle pose]]s===

|desc-2=Makes a thinking gesture.

|desc-3=Turns her body away, while putting her right arm on her left. This pose is similar to the one she makes in her artwork, and near the end of ''Ocarina of Time''.

|image-1=Zelda Idle Pose Melee 1.gif

|image-2=Zelda Idle Pose Melee 2.gif

|image-3=Zelda Idle Pose Melee 3.gif}}

===[[Crowd cheer]]===

|game=Melee

|desc-us=Zel-da Zel-da Hu!

|pitch-jp=Male}}

===[[Victory pose]]s===

|victory-theme=ZeldaThemeMelee.ogg

|victory-desc=An orchestrated portion of the main theme from ''The Legend of Zelda'' series.

|desc-1=Praying, she then turns her head upward.

|desc-2=Looks to her left, holding her left arm proudly.

|desc-3=Focuses, then conjures a flame between her hands.

==In [[competitive play]]==

===Most historically significant players===

:''See also: ''[[:Category:Zelda players (SSBM)]]''

*{{Sm|Kalne|Japan}} - [[Sheilda|Co-mains Zelda and Sheik]]. Has multiple top 8 at Japanese locals such as [[MasterHand]] and was ranked 37th on the [[Japan SSBM Rank 2019]], becoming one of the few times a Zelda player has ranked on a country ranking.

*{{Sm|Narcissa|USA}} - A Zelda player who was considered one of the best in North America and peaked at 2nd on the [[Chicago Power Rankings]]. Won [http://challonge.com/sgdq2013melee SGDQ 2013], placed 65th at {{Trn|EVO 2015}}, and placed high at many [[Show Me Your Moves]] locals. She later switched to Roy before becoming inactive from competition.

*{{Sm|Rienne|USA}} - Created [https://www.profaneto.me/2017/07/the-profane-tome-index.html The Profane Tome], which is considered a "bible" for Zelda players. Is generally considered to be the best Zelda in the world at the moment, having wins over top players such as {{Sm|Aura}}, {{Sm|Nicki}}, and {{Sm|Mekk}}.

*{{Sm|The Lake|USA}} - The best Zelda player of all-time. He became a respected player in Pittsburgh, ranking as high as 4th on the [[Pittsburgh Power Rankings]] and has one of the most famous Zelda clips with his 4-stock over {{Sm|Nintendude}} in a tournament match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://youtu.be/8RM-J9V8iP4|title=Nintendude Vs. The Lake}}</ref> Outside of this, he holds the best Zelda results at notable regionals and majors, placing 25th at {{Trn|The Big House}} and 33rd at {{Trn|Revival of Melee 3}}. He passed away in October of 2022.

Zelda was ranked extremely high on the first [[tier list]], tying for 6th place with {{SSBM|Samus}} and {{SSBM|Luigi}}; however, discussion in [http://www.smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=22623 the MBR average tiers topic] suggests this is an artifact of some tier list contributors grouping her with her top-tier counterpart {{SSBM|Sheik}}, and her placement was not fully based on her prowess as an independent character. The second tier list rectified this and had Zelda tie with Link and Ness for 14th to 16th place. Following this, Zelda fell again to 20th on the third tier list, and has since frequently appeared on the 19th and 20th spots on the tier list. Zelda's position is attributed to a combination of undesirable traits, being floaty, a middleweight yet tall (making her easy to juggle and KO from the upper blast line), having sluggish mobility, a poor [[wavedash]], and poor hitbox placements on most of her moves. However, the most important factor of Zelda’s lack of viability is Sheik’s existence as a top tier, which has deterred many smashers from using her in serious play.

 

 

==In 1-P Mode==

===In {{SSBM|Classic Mode}}===

In Classic Mode, Zelda can appear in ordinary one-on-one battles, on a team with either {{SSBM|Link}}, {{SSBM|Marth}}, {{SSBM|Young Link}}, {{SSBM|Peach}} or {{SSBM|Bowser}}, or in the game's metal battle. In her appearances, Zelda usually appears on [[Temple]], though she also appears on Great Bay when with Young Link, and on Battlefield when with Bowser and in the metal battle. Unusually, however, Zelda will never appear as an ally in team and giant fights.

===In [[Event Matches]]===

Zelda is featured in the following event matches:

*'''[[Event 20: All-Star Match 2]]''': Zelda is the third opponent the player must fight in this series of staged battles. Their character battles her on the [[Temple]] stage, and the player's character has 2 stock while Zelda has 1. With a timer of four minutes, the player must defeat her and the other four characters with the overall time and life they have: {{SSBM|Samus}}, {{SSBM|Link}}, {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}, and {{SSBM|Fox}}.

*'''[[Event 29: Triforce Gathering]]''': The player plays as Link with Zelda as their partner, both of whom have one stock. They face {{SSBM|Ganondorf}} on the [[Temple]] stage, who has two stocks. Clearing the event allows the player to unlock Ganondorf.

<gallery>

ZeldaSheikClassicMode.jpg|Classic Mode.

ZeldaSheikAdventureMode.jpg|Adventure Mode.

ZeldaSheikAllStarMode.jpg|All-Star mode.

</gallery>

==[[Trophies]]==

|desc=The crown princess of Hyrule. Zelda entrusted Link with the future of Hyrule after a revelation came to her in the world of dreams. She knows much about the Triforce; in fact, the only person who likely knows more about Triforce lore is Ganondorf himself, whom Zelda evaded in Ocarina of Time by transforming into her alter ego, Sheik.

|desc=Zelda is a bit slow and, because of her light frame, easy to send flying. On the other hand, her magical skills lend her reliable and explosive attack power. Zelda's easier to use if you focus on waiting and countering rather than pressing attacks. She can use Nayru's Love to reflect projectile attacks or as an offensive weapon.

|gamelist=:B: Nayru's Love

:Smash B: Din's Fire

|desc=Zelda's midair Lightning Kick centers immense magical power in the ball of her foot. If she strikes perfectly, the attack is as strong as can be. If her aim is slightly off, it'll be exceedingly weak. Farore's Wind again utilizes Zelda's magical prowess, this time by transporting her great distances. It's vital to know the lay of the land before using this move.

:Down & B: Transform

|colspan=5|[[File:Zelda Palette (SSBM).png]]

|{{Head|Zelda|g=SSBM|s=25px}}

|{{Head|Zelda|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Red}}

|{{Head|Zelda|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Blue}}

|{{Head|Zelda|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Green}}

|{{Head|Zelda|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=White}}

Zelda SSBM Artwork.png|Official artwork of Zelda.

FaroresWindMelee.png|Using [[Farore's Wind]].

ZTransMelee.jpg|Using [[Transform]] on [[Temple]].

==Trivia==

*Zelda is the only starter character in ''Melee'' who was not revealed at [[E3]] 2001. Instead, she was revealed when her page was added to [[Smabura-Ken]] on November 6.

**In [[Media:Betameleescreen.jpg|a screenshot]] of the character select screen in ''Melee'', from Smabura-Ken, Zelda's portrait is missing from the character select screen. This seems to have been done to hide the surprise of Zelda being playable, as Sheik was revealed first.

*Zelda and Sheik are the [[fighter ability|only characters with the ability]] to transform into another character (each other) in ''Melee'', and the first to do so in the ''Smash Bros.'' series.

*Zelda is the only character in ''Melee'', along with {{SSBM|Peach}}, to have 3 [[idle poses]]. The majority of the cast only have either one or two.

==References==

{{reflist}}

*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/1106/index.html Zelda's page at Smabura-Ken]

[[Category:Zelda (SSBM)| ]]

[[Category:Trophies (SSBM)]]

[[es:Zelda (SSBM)]]