Editing Link (SSB4)

'''Link''' ({{ja|リンク|Rinku}}, ''Link'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. His return to the series was announced during the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] [[Nintendo Direct]] on June 11th, 2013.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13D1I5s236o Nintendo Direct@E3 2013]</ref> He was also among the first wave of [[amiibo]] that are compatible with ''SSB4''.

 

Link is ranked 31st out of 54 on the [[tier list]], placing him in the D tier. In addition to rendering Link as the second-highest-ranking mid-tier character, this is a significant improvement over his bottom-tier placement in ''Brawl'', where he was ranked 35th out of 38 and his best placement to date. Link possesses multiple [[projectile]]s in the form of his [[Hero's Bow]], [[Gale Boomerang]] and [[Bomb (Link)|Bomb]], each of which serve as great tools for combos, [[camp]]ing, [[gimp]]ing, and disrupting [[approach]]es. Aside from his projectiles, Link's {{s|zeldawiki|Master Sword}} grants him [[disjoint]]ed range and above-average power.

Link's special moves all have their uses. [[Hero's Bow]] is a strong option against characters who struggle at [[approach]]ing and is good for providing long-ranged pressure. [[Gale Boomerang]] is a decent spacing option and has follow-up potential upon contact or via its [[Pulling|vacuum]] effect. Gale Boomerang's drag effect also grants it [[gimp]]ing potential in the form of [[Gale Guarding]]. [[Spin Attack]]'s overall recovery distance has noticeably improved since ''Brawl'', while its already impressive power has been further increased, which in turn improves its KO potential or as a way to punish rolls. However, Link's [[Bomb (Link)|Bomb]] is perhaps the most versatile weapon within his arsenal thanks to its utility. Throwing a Bomb at an opponent can cause enough [[hitstun]] to help Link's approach and/or set up combos. Conversely, if the opponent shields it, the Bomb simply bounces off, allowing it to be used for spacing. Even holding a Bomb long enough for it to explode can be useful; while doing so damages Link, it gives him a small vertical boost and removes him from being [[helpless]], aiding his recovery and/or allowing him to break out of combos. Like in ''Brawl'', his bombs can also be used for a technique called [[Glide toss#Dash item throw cancel item throw (DITCIT)|Bomb Sliding]], which noticeably supplements his ground mobility. When combined with the overall fastest [[item throw]] animations in the game, Link's Bomb allows him to pressure opponents at a deceptively fast speed.

In terms of [[customization]], Link's custom moves benefit him. Power Bow grants Link's arrows incredible power, being able to KO significantly easier. However, this comes at the cost of heavily decreased range and increased charge time, with uncharged arrows lacking any utility. Quickfire Bow fires {{b|magic|effect}}al arrows at an extremely quick rate that are also unaffected by gravity, granting them spammability. However, they are much weaker and have shorter range. Boomerang removes the [[windbox]] from the Gale Boomerang and makes it act like the Boomerang from ''Smash 64'' and ''Melee''; it can now be angled easier, has four hitboxes instead of two and deals damage when returning to Link. However, most of Link's setups are now removed since the Boomerang can no longer pull opponents in. Ripping Boomerang possesses no windboxes, deals less damage and has shorter range, but it hits multiple times, goes through opponents, has four hitboxes similar to Boomerang, and stuns victims, making it good for setups. Shocking Spin is an [[electric]]ally charged Spin Attack with significantly stronger damage and KO potential, and the aerial version semi-spikes. However, the grounded version has increased ending lag, while the aerial version lacks back hitboxes and worsens Link's already sub-par recovery by decreasing its horizontal momentum and vertical distance; additionally, while the aerial version can semi-spike, it only works if the opponent is in front. Whirling Leap drastically improves Link's recovery, granting him significantly improved vertical and horizontal distance, alongside very high aerial control during its duration. However, it is solely limited to being a recovery option due to its lack of any hitboxes. Giant Bomb has Link pull out a massive bomb that has a greater explosion radius and damage. However, it has slightly more startup lag and does not explode upon impact, limiting its tactical use compared to the standard Bomb. Meteor Bomb is a much smaller Bomb with a shorter fuse that meteor smashes anyone it hits with moderate knockback. This gives it unique edgeguarding potential and can set up for interesting combos, but as it also affects Link, this prevents him from extending his recovery unless the bomb is used to interrupt potentially deadly vertical KOs.

Link also benefits from the general physics changes brought about by ''SSB4''. The [[Edge-guarding#Ledge Trump|edge trump]] mechanic combined with the increased speed to [[air dodge]]s immensely improves his recovery allowing him to make much greater use of his new and improved recovery options. The [[rage]] mechanic further boosts his power and can be utilized well, due to his excellent endurance. The changes of [[hitstun canceling]] has also improved his combo potential especially out of back aerial and down throw.

Ultimately, Link is considerably better than how he was in ''Brawl'' as his buffs are of greater quantity than his nerfs and while most of his direct changes do not greatly benefit him, the changes to the game's mechanics greatly benefit him overall as they improve his combo and KO potential and most importantly, they make his recovery far better fixing one of his main issues in ''Brawl''. Despite this, his other issues including his poor mobility and frame data were not properly addressed and in some cases, worsened and he did see a few notable hindrances from the changes to the game's mechanics. Nevertheless, he is a significantly more effective character relative to the cast and has seen greater tournament results although he still struggles against the higher tiered characters.

*{{buff|Link's [[fast fall]]ing speed is faster (2.666 → 3.04).}}

*{{nerf|[[Spot dodge]] has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frame 2-20 → 3-18) and has increased ending lag (FAF  23 → 28), no longer being one of the best in the game.}}

*{{buff|Dashing [[item throw]] has significantly less ending lag (FAF 42 → 19), making it the fastest in the game. This slightly improves Link's [[item]]-based zoning potential although he is still usually better off using his [[Glide Toss|DITCIT]].}}

**{{buff|Forward throw has less ending lag (FAF 41 → 36).}}

**{{nerf|Down throw deals less damage (4% (throw)/7% (total) → 3%/6%).}}

**{{change|Link releases opponents from down throw one frame later (frame 23 → 24).}}

**{{buff|The hitbox has a longer duration (frame 22 → 22-23). This prevents the hitbox from whiffing against certain characters with certain [[weight]] values.}}

**{{buff|Down throw has decreased knockback scaling (90 → 85) and it launches opponents at a higher angle (110° → 83°). When combined with its lower damage and the changes to hitstun canceling/DI, this significantly improves its combo potential.}}

*{{change|Due to the release of {{forwiiu}}, the Quickfire Bow and Power Bow custom moves were altered in order to match the ''Wii U'' version.}}

*{{nerf|Neutral attack's first hit's has considerably higher ending lag (FAF 20 → 28), significantly hindering its safety and its jab canceling potential.}}

*{{buff|Dash attack has less startup lag (frame 21 → 20).}}

*{{nerf|Dash attack's near hit deals less damage (13% → 12%) and has lower knockback scaling (78 → 72), hindering its KO potential.}}

*{{buff|Down tilt's main hitbox now always launches opponents in the direction Link is facing (Angle flipper: 0 → 3), making it a more consistent combo starter.}}

*{{change|Down tilt's hitboxes are now static, rather than being attached to Link's sword/body.}}

*{{change|Down tilt's main hitbox now uses one extended hitbox which covers Link's sword rather than two standard hitboxes.}}

*{{change|Down tilt's meteor hitbox is positioned higher, it can no longer hit grounded opponents and it now takes priority over the main hitbox.}}

*{{nerf|Down tilt's main hitbox has lower knockback scaling (50 → 30), hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{buff|However, this also improves its combo potential at lower percents.}}

*{{nerf|Down tilt's meteor smash hitbox is significantly smaller (4u → 1.5u) and the meteor smash hitbox inside of Link has been removed, giving the move less range inside of Link.}}

*{{nerf|Down tilt's meteor smash hitbox has dramatically reduced knockback (90 (base), 50 (scaling) → 0/62), making it immensely weaker.}}

*{{buff|Forward smash 1's near hit now has an extended hitbox, giving it more range inside of Link.}}

*{{buff|Forward smash 1's near hit now always launches the opponent in front of Link (Angle flipper: 0 → 3), making the move connect more reliably into the second hit.}}

*{{change|Forward smash 2's near hit now always launches the opponent in front of Link (Angle flipper: 0 → 3).}}

*{{buff|Up smash's second hit has less startup lag (frame 26 → 25).}}

*{{buff|Grounded [[Spin Attack]] has less startup (frame 11 → 8) and ending lag (FAF 86 → 82). The lower startup lag significantly improves the move's use as an Out of Shield punish.}}

*{{buff|Grounded Spin Attack has a new clean hit during its first two active frames which deals more damage on its front hit (12% → 14%). Its knockback values were not compensated, considerably improving its KO potential.}}

**{{buff|After the new early hit, the early mid hit deals significantly more damage on the front hit compared to the old mid hit (9% → 12%). The late mid hit starts two frames later than the old mid hit and hits equally as hard as the old mid hit.}}

*{{buff|Grounded Spin Attack and Shocking Spin Attack's back hitboxes are positioned slightly further away from Link (X offset: 6.6 → 7), giving them slightly more range.}}

*{{buff|Down tilt has less startup lag (frame 13 → 11) with its total duration subsequently reduced (FAF 32 → 30).}}

*{{buff|Down tilt's hitboxes have been moved further away from Link (Z offsets: 12.8 (main)/15.4 (meteor) → 14.1/16.6), improving its range.}}

*{{nerf|Down tilt deals less damage (12% → 11%).}}

**{{buff|However, its knockback values were not compensated, improving its combo potential.}}

*{{buff|Link's grabs cover more distance and they have a longer duration (6 frames → 8), considerably improving their range.}}

*{{buff|All grabs have less ending lag (FAF 66 (standing)/77 (dash)/79 (pivot) → 62/66/67.}}

*{{buff|Forward throw has less ending lag decreased (FAF 41 → 36).}}

*{{nerf|Down throw deals 1% less damage (4% (throw)/7% (total) → 3%/6%) and has lower knockback scaling (90 → 85).}}

*{{buff|Down throw launches opponents at a higher angle (110° → 83°). When combined with its reduced knockback, this significantly improves its combo potential.}}

*{{buff|Grounded Spin Attack has higher knockback scaling (84 (clean)/80 (early mid)/80 (late mid) → 86/86/82), improving its KO potential.}}

*{{buff|Grounded Shocking Spin Attack's mid hit has higher knockback scaling (80 → 82), improving its KO potential.}}

*{{buff|Dash and pivot grabs' start-up lag decreased (frame 15 (dash)/frame 16 (pivot) → 14/15).}}

*{{buff|Shocking Spin deals more damage (14%/9%/7%/5% → 16%/11%/8%/6%) and it received an additional hitbox that deals 14%.}}

|neutralname=Slash ({{ja|なぎ払い|Nagiharai}}) / Counter Slash ({{ja|返し|Kaeshi}}) / Stab ({{ja|突き|Tsuki}})

|ftiltname=Bamboo Splitter ({{ja|からたけわり|Karatake Wari}})

|utiltname=Half-Moon Slash ({{ja|半月斬り|Hangetsu Kiri}})

|dtiltname=Grass Cutter ({{ja|草薙ぎ|Kusa Nagi}})

|dtiltdesc=A kneeling inward slash. Has slow startup for a tilt, but low ending lag with vertical knockback, granting it combo potential into aerials (most notably forward aerial, dealing 35% if both hits connect) and making it safe on shield with proper spacing. It also has a hitbox close to the tip of the Master Sword that [[meteor smash]]es aerial opponents, but deals weak knockback. It is also very difficult to land due to its small size and lower priority than the other hitboxes, leaving it unable to hit characters hanging on an edge except for {{SSB4|Charizard}}.

|dashname=Jump Slash ({{ja|ジャンプ斬り|Janpu Giri}})

|fsmashname=Sword Slice ({{ja|スマッシュ斬り|Sumasshu Giri}}, ''Smash Slice'') / Double Sword Slice ({{ja|二段スマッシュ斬り|Nidan Sumasshu Giri}}, ''Double Smash Slice'')

|usmashname=Triple Sword Slice ({{ja|三段斬り|Sandan Giri}})

|dsmashname=Front and Back Sword Slice ({{ja|前後足元斬り|Zengo Ashimoto Giri}})

|nairname=Link Kick ({{ja|リンクキック|Rinku Kikku}})

|fairname=Spinning Sweep ({{ja|回転なぎ払い|Kaiten Nagiharai}})

|bairname=Double Kick ({{ja|二段蹴り|Nidan Geri}})

|uairname=Jump Thrust ({{ja|上突き|Ue Tsuki}}, ''Up Thrust'')

|dairname=Downward Thrust ({{ja|下突き|Shita Tsuki}})

|zairname=Midair [[Clawshot]] ({{ja|空中クローショット|Kūchū Kurōshotto}})

|grabname=Clawshot ({{ja|クローショット|Kurōshotto}})

|pummelname=Grab Hilt Strike ({{ja|つかみ柄なぐり|Tsukami Gara Naguri}})

|fthrowname=Kick Off ({{ja|蹴り飛ばし|Keri Tobashi}})

|bthrowname=Back Kick Off ({{ja|後方蹴り飛ばし|Kōhō Keri Tobashi}})

|uthrowname=Throw Away Slash ({{ja|投げ捨て斬り|Nagasute Kiri}})

|dthrowname=Elbow Strike ({{ja|ヒジ打ち|Hiji Uchi}})

|nsc2desc=Fires {{b|magic|effect}}al arrows that charge quickly and travel in a straight line. Uncharged arrows are decently [[spam]]mable due to being fired faster, but charged arrows have a lower maximum damage output. The arrows also have shorter range.

|ssdefdesc=Throws the {{s|zeldawiki|Gale Boomerang}}, which flies forward and then returns to Link. It damages opponents as it flies away and [[Windbox#Pulling attacks|pulls]] opponents toward him during its return. It can be angled up or down, while a [[Item throw#Directions and strength|smash throw]] (which is similar to when performing the input for a smash attack) increases the distance it can travel. Unlike [[Boomerang]], a [[reflection|reflected]] Gale Boomerang is not threatening to Link, as it will only fly past him with its non-damaging windbox. It has set-up potential, albeit only at close range and at low percentages.

|fsdmg=1% (trapping), 3% (hits 1-14), 2% (hit 15), 15% (final)

 

 

===[[On-screen appearance]]===

|desc=Appears from within a whirlwind and equips the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. Seemingly based on the {{s|zeldawiki|warping}} animation seen upon using the {{s|zeldawiki|Recorder}} in ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''.

===[[Taunt]]s===

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

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

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

===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 -->

''Any number following the Smasher name indicates placement on the [[PGR 100]], which recognizes the official top 100 players in [[Super Smash Bros. 4]] of all time.''

''See also: [[:Category:Link players (SSB4)]]''

*{{Sm|Izaw|Sweden}} - One of the best Link players in Europe. Placed 4th at [https://smashboards.com/threads/avalon-u-ii-february-6th-2016-the-netherlands-europe.430332/ Avalon U-II] defeating {{Sm|Meru}} and 9th at two superregionals with {{Trn|BEAST 6}} and {{Trn|Eclipse 2}}. He was formerly ranked 2nd on the [[Swedish Power Rankings]] during 2017.

*{{Sm|Nicorin|Japan}} - The second-best Link player in Japan behind T. While he never reached the same peaks as T, he made some respectable placements at many different events such as 9th at {{Trn|Hirosuma 13}}, 13th at {{Trn|Rikabura 6}}, and 25th at {{Trn|Umebura 27}} with victories over {{Sm|Some}} and {{Sm|Brood}}.

*{{Sm|Scizor|USA}} - One of the best Link players in the United States and one of the first to perform well in North America. Besides T, he was the closest Link player to top 8 at a major tournament with 9th at {{Trn|2GGC: West Side Saga}} and also placed 33rd at {{Trn|2GGC: GENESIS Saga}}. He holds the best major result seen by Link in the ''post-Ultimate'' era with 13th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2022}}.

*{{Sm|Sova Unknown|USA}} - One of the best Link players in the United States. Residing in the MD/VA region, he mainly competed at local tournaments such as 5th at {{Trn|Glitch}} and 17th at {{Trn|Glitch 2}} with a win over {{Sm|Umeki}}. He has also given some of Link's best results seen in the ''post-Ultimate'' era, placing 3rd at {{Trn|Apex 2022}} and 17th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2019}}.

*{{Sm|T|Japan}} - The best Link player of all-time. His 3rd place finish at {{Trn|2GGC: Civil War}} is iconic for being the best Link result seen in ''Smash 4'', marking the character's peak at a supermajor and some of his best wins in players such as {{Sm|Abadango}} and {{Sm|Fatality}}. T's ability to perform at top level with Link became a main source for Link's rise on later tier lists in ''Smash 4'' and solidified him as the 46th best player on the [[PGR 100]].

*{{Sm|Tsage|USA}} - One of the best Link players in the United States. Alongside Scizor, he was considered one of the first North American Link players to perform well at notable tournaments, placing 7th at {{Trn|GUMS 15}}, 9th at {{Trn|Shift}}, and 49th at {{Trn|Shine 2016}}. Ranked 24th on the last major [[New England Power Rankings|New England]] Power Ranking of ''Smash 4''.

In All-Star Mode, Link is fought in Stage 2 in the 3DS version or Stage 6 in the Wii U version alongside {{SSB4|Samus}}, {{SSB4|Peach}}, {{SSB4|Bowser}}, {{SSB4|Zelda}}, {{SSB4|R.O.B.}}, and {{SSB4|Duck Hunt}}.

==={{GameIcon|SSB4-U}}[[Event Match]]es===

====Solo Events====

====Co-op Events====

Link and Peach.jpg|Link and {{SSB4|Peach}} on {{SSB4|Battlefield}}.

[[File:LinkT-PoseSSBU.png|thumb|Link's bind pose in {{forwiiu}}.]]

{{reflist}}