Editing Toon Link (SSBU)

|image = [[File:Toon Link SSBU.png|x250px]]

'''Toon Link''' ({{ja|トゥーンリンク|Tūn Rinku}}, ''Toon Link'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. He was officially confirmed as playable alongside his predecessor {{SSBU|Young Link}} and the rest of veterans on June 12th, 2018. As in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', he is [[unlockable character|unlockable]], instead of being available from the [[starter character|start]]. Toon Link is classified as [[Fighter number|Fighter #43]].

As in ''Brawl'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', {{s|wikipedia|Sachi Matsumoto}}'s portrayal of Toon Link from ''{{s|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker}}'' was repurposed for ''Ultimate''.

 

 

 

Overall, Toon Link is a character with a simple, effective, and consistent gameplan that works when he gets momentum or wins neutral interactions. Toon Link has seen some strong results and representation mostly in Japan, through players, such as {{Sm|Lv.1}} and {{Sm|Sigma}}, who have had strong placements at majors.

*Clear {{SSBU|Classic Mode}} with {{SSBU|Link}} or any character in his unlock tree, being the last character unlocked after {{SSBU|Richter}}.

With the exception of the third method, Toon Link must then be defeated on [[Pirate Ship]]. In World of Light, he is fought on [[Wuhu Island]].

==Attributes==

{{incomplete|This section needs an in depth explanation of Toon Link's strengths and weaknesses.}}

Toon Link is a [[weight|middleweight]], yet boasts above-average [[dash]]ing speed and [[air acceleration]], as well as the ability to [[wall jump]]. However, his [[air speed]] is average and his [[falling speed|falling]] and [[fast fall]]ing speeds are both slow, while his [[gravity]] is low. Although they differ on the majority of their attributes, Toon Link and {{SSBU|Link}} both have above-average [[walk]]ing speeds. Like Link, he also wields his respective version of the {{s|zeldawiki|Master Sword}} and possesses a [[shield]]. The Master Sword grants Toon Link disjointed range, while the [[Passive shield|Hero's Shield]] blocks opposing [[projectile]]s if he is standing still or walking. Overall, Toon Link's attributes render him as a fairly quick, yet fairly [[Falling speed#Floaty|floaty]] character.

As a zoning-orientated character, Toon Link possesses a number of [[projectile]]s. His [[Hero's Bow]], [[Boomerang]] and {{b|Bomb|Link}} enable him to not only force approaches, but also camp effectively. His Hero's Bow and Boomerang in particular are very strong in the neutral game, both being b-reversable and relatively quick. The Hero's Bow is extremely quick and lasts for a long time, at the expense of being slightly slower, but also traveling further, even when uncharged. The Boomerang is slightly less quick than the bow, but can be angled and has very minimal endlag. His Bomb is also very good in the neutral, due to its status as an item and its large explosion hitbox. Because it is an item, it can be thrown in many directions like his boomerang.

In addition to these strengths, Boomerang and Bomb boast combo potential, with the latter being his most varied and useful combo starter. Thanks to its explosion no longer damaging Toon Link upon contact with an opponent, Bomb now grants him a number of follow-ups at varying percentages. With precise usage, it can be followed by his up smash or forward aerial even at high percentages, both of which are among his most viable KOing options, or down aerial for extremely early KOs. Bomb's combo potential is further supplemented by [[jump-canceling]] and its status as an [[item]], with the latter trait ensuring that its combo potential is never susceptible to [[rage]] or [[stale-move negation]]. Although it is not as versatile in comparison, Boomerang is nevertheless useful for Toon Link's combo game, as it can combo into his up tilt, grab and various other moves depending on its positioning.

Although Toon Link's combo game largely revolves around Bomb, he also possesses non-projectile combo starters. Up tilt is the most effective of these: it can combo into itself, up smash, and Spin Attack at low percentages; a short hopped neutral aerial, short hopped back aerial, and short hopped Spin Attack at low to medium percentages; and forward aerial and up aerial at medium to high percentages, which are reliable for kills. Aside from up tilt, grab aerial can be used as a long-ranged set-up similarly to Bomb, regardless of the opponent's damage, while neutral attack can be jab canceled reliably.  

However, Toon Link has some weaknesses. His grab game is overall very polarized: [[Hookshot]] grants him long-lasting grabs that can grab airborne opponents, and a [[grab aerial]] and [[tether recovery]] that are both very useful, yet his grabs have considerable start-up and ending lag (albeit much less so than in previous installments). By extension, Toon Link's back throw is one of his most viable KO options due to being one of the strongest back throws in the game, while his forward throw is decent for setting up edge-guards and creating space. Conversely, Toon Link's down throw lacks combo potential, which makes it drastically inferior to Link and Young Link's versions. It can almost combo into back aerial. Although Toon Link's up throw is a situational KO option on platforms like Link and Young Link's versions, his back throw utterly outclasses it in this role. As a result, Toon Link's up and down throws are used primarily for setting up aerial pressure, such as by launching an opponent into the trajectory of a previously thrown Boomerang or Bomb.

Toon Link's floatiness makes him particularly susceptible to strong vertical attacks, and renders his recovery quite predictable in spite of its improvements. Unlike other floaty characters, however, Toon Link cannot use his floatiness to perform long aerial combos because of his aerials' considerable ending lag. Toon Link's disjointed range is also somewhat offset by his short size, while the faster pace of ''Ultimate'' makes his defensive, projectile-based gameplan less effective than it was in previous installments.

Overall, Toon Link is considered a very balanced and fast fighter with a plethora of attack options via his projectiles, tether grab/recovery, and decent frame data. The combination of low ending lag on his forward and back aerials with his slow fall speed allow Toon Link to dominate in the air with combos, while his moderately fast yet fairly useful tilt attacks and reasonably strong smash attacks allow for relatively easy KOs. While his middling weight and slow falling speed make him easier to combo and KO, it is generally agreed that Toon Link's strengths outweigh his weaknesses by a fair margin.

Toon Link has received a notable mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition from ''SSB4'' to ''Ultimate''. Many of his standard attacks have been improved, but the general pace of ''Ultimate'', combined with the worsening of his camping tools, have annulled his improvements to an extent. As a result, Toon Link has been slightly nerfed overall.

 

Several of Toon Link's attacks where he uses the Master Sword have been notably buffed, alleviating one of his weaker points from ''SSB4''. Particularly, Toon Link now boasts a vastly buffed ground game: [[neutral attack]]'s first two hits can now [[lock]], and the third hit now has the tech-chasing ability his adult counterpart has. [[Forward tilt]] has less ending lag, all hitboxes send opponents in front of him, and its hitboxes can now hit behind Toon Link. The changes to the [[Sakurai angle]] allow [[down tilt]] to launch aerial opponents lower, improving its tech chasing potential. [[Dash attack]] is much faster, has more range and less endlag, and the sweetspots out-prioritize the sourspot, turning it into a respectable combo starter at low percentages. [[Up smash]] is more consistent on landing the sweetspot, whereas [[down smash]] now has consistent KO potential on both sides of the move instead of pulling opponents into a second hit.

Toon Link's air game, while seeing less buffs, has also become more useful; [[neutral aerial]] has more range, [[forward aerial]] can once again autocancel if performed in a short hop, [[back aerial]] is faster and has regained some of its combo potential, and [[up aerial]] is notably much safer to use due to its altered animation. Finally, Toon Link's Spin Attack has received various improvements, with the grounded version now being one of the best out of shield options in the game due to it being much faster and gaining KO potential, whereas the aerial version's power and safety have both improved and it will now always send opponents in front of Toon Link.

However, Toon Link also received some noticeable nerfs. One of his biggest nerfs was to his [[forward smash]]; the move no longer has a second hit, while its single hit instead is slightly slower, deals less aggregate damage, possesses no mixup or spacing potential, and has a debatably worse hitbox that fails to strike short opponents or ones hanging on an edge. His other major nerf was to his {{b|Bomb|Link}}s, which no longer beat weak projectiles and continue on, instead bouncing off of them; this massively worsens their potential in trade and projectile situations. Other nerfs to his [[camping]] ability include his item throws having more ending lag, which worsens his combo game via his Bombs; and his [[grab aerial]] now bouncing off of the first projectile or hurtbox it makes contact with, instead of piercing through. Aside from forward smash, a few of his sword-based moves also received some nerfs. [[Up tilt]] has slightly inferior combo potential at high percentages due to the changes to knockback, [[up smash]] has fewer active frames, and [[back aerial]]'s already minimal KO potential has been almost totally removed in favor of restoring its combo potential.

The universal changes to gameplay mechanics are overall mixed for Toon Link. The reduced landing lag makes it easier for him to combo, and safer to land if his aerials hit. The ability to [[Dash-canceling|use any attack out of a run]] also allows Toon Link more access to his now respectable grounded game. On the other hand, the changes to [[shieldstun]] make his grounded moveset much safer, though it also means shielding opponents are now more likely to punish mispaced aerials as easily. The nerfs to shield grabbing alleviate the negative changes from shieldstun, but combined with other characters also having reduced landing lag, and the changes to shieldstun, this notably worsens his grab game, despite his grabs' much lower ending lag. Finally, the universal increase to mobility further contributes to Toon Link's grounded game (due to his faster [[walk]]ing and [[dash]]ing speeds) and allows him to now combo out of his [[Hero's Bow]] when uncharged, but also allows more mobile opponents to close in on the distance to him and/or stay away from him easier.

Overall, Toon Link has more utility in his sword-based attacks, but has to contend with worsened camping tools and the faster pace of ''Ultimate'', which makes his defensive, projectile-based game less effective compared to previous titles. This noticeably changes his playstyle, shifting from primarily a zoner and counter-zoner, to a more movement and pressure-based playstyle that utilizes his sword attacks more. Combined with various buffs other veterans have received, Toon Link performs worse than his ''SSB4'' iteration, and while he remains relatively viable, he's widely considered overshadowed by {{SSBU|Young Link}} due to the former's faster air-to-ground mobility, superior damage output, and stronger projectile game.

{{SSB4 to SSBU changelist|char=Toon Link}}

==Update history==

Toon Link received a mix of buffs, a single nerf and glitch fixes via game updates, but was buffed slightly overall.

Starting with update 2.0.0, Toon Link's forward aerial can now auto-cancel out of a short hop, greatly buffing the move's utility and offense. He also can now grab the ledge earlier after using his back aerial. Update 3.0.0 nerfed Boomerang's shield damage as a part of a universal nerf to projectiles. Update 3.1.0 made neutral attack connect better, and Toon Link can now shield SDI if a projectiles hits his Hero's Shield thanks to update 4.0.0.

Update 7.0.0 brought the most noteworthy buffs to Toon Link's kit. His dash attack was given less ending lag, both hits of his down smash now deal more knockback, his back aerial now hits earlier and has a slightly longer hitbox duration. His down aerial is now drastically stronger than it was before due to it now dealing more damage and not having its knockback not fully compensated. And finally, his grab aerial's hitbox lasts 2 frames longer. Due to these changes, Toon Link's KO potential and spacing were improved.

Update 10.1.0 made Aerial Spin Attack much more consistent by giving it much better hitboxes and a more favorable angle if Toon Link is moving forward.

Overall, Toon Link fares slightly better than he did at the launch of ''Ultimate''.

*While Toon Link is standing still, walking, or crouching, any incoming [[projectile]]s that hit his [[Passive shield|Hero's Shield]] will simply push him back slightly instead of inflicting damage. It can block any amount of projectiles, regardless of their power.

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

|neutraldesc=An inward slash, followed by an outward slash, followed by a forward thrust. The first two hits can [[lock]], and the third hit's semi-spike angle makes it useful to set up tech-chases. It is based on the final series of strikes that the {{iw|zeldawiki|Hero of Time}} inflicts to [[Ganon]] in ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time''.

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

|ftiltdesc= A lunging downward slash. Moderate startup at frame 9, with low ending lag and decent knockback, making it fast for its power. The hilt and the middle of the swords are semi-spikes, while the tip launches at the Sakurai angle. Its hitboxes at the beginning of the animation reach far enough back for Toon Link to hit opponents behind him. It resembles the "vertical slice" from ''The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker''.

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

|utiltdesc=An overhead arcing slash. Thanks to its frame 8 startup and very low ending lag, it is one of Toon Link's best combo starters. Can combo into itself at low percentages, and at later percents, it can combo into his neutral, forward, back and up aerials.

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

|dtiltdesc=A kneeling inward slash. Can cause opponents to [[trip]] at low percents with a 50% trip chance and comes out on frame 9 with very minimal ending lag, making it very good for set-ups and tech-chases as well as being able to lock. At higher percents, it launches opponents away at a horizontal angle.

|dashname=Running Hack ({{ja|追い斬り|Oi Kiri}})

|dashdmg=8% (sweetspot), 6% (sourspot)

|dashdesc= A lunging outward slash. It has fast startup at frame 7 and very little ending lag (19 frames), making it safe on shield despite its lack of shieldstun and useful for catching landings. However, it has a sourspot on Toon Link's arm that deals less damage.

|fsmashname=Smash Upper ({{ja|スマッシュアッパー|Sumasshu Appā}})

|fsmashdesc=Winds up and then performs an upward slash. Toon Link moves slightly forwards when using it. It comes out on frame 16, it's strong and it and has less ending lag compared to his previous forward smash, but also less versatile. The duration of this move's hitbox is deceptively short compared to the animation, only lasting for two frames. As such, the move's range is also deceptively short and will fail to damage those above Toon Link beginning at frame 18. It resembles the final hit of Toon Link's sword animation when moving from ''The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker''.  

|usmashname=Sky Slash ({{ja|天空斬り|Tenkū Kiri}})

|usmashdesc=A hopping, overhead arcing slash. Can hit behind Toon Link. Although the animation causes Toon Link to hop, it cannot reach opponents standing on a Battlefield platform above him. A standard anti-air and effective for covering both sides of Toon Link quickly should down smash not suffice.

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

|dsmashdesc=A kneeling inward slash in front of himself, followed by a kneeling outward slash behind himself. Unlike in previous games, the first hit no longer leads into the second, although both hits have their knockbacks compensated, making the move effective near the sides of the stage.

|nairname=Two Part Slash ({{ja|二段斬り|Nidan Kiri}})

|nairdesc=An inward slash followed by an outward slash behind himself. Has a chance to trip (30% trip chance) grounded opponents at low percents. Can also be used to lock, or as a combo starter. It can autocancel at the peak of a short hop.

|fairname=Slash Up ({{ja|斬り上げ|Kiri Age}})

|fairdesc=A spinning outward slash. Has noticeable startup at frame 14, but it has low ending lag, can autocancel in a short hop and has respectable damage and great knockback, being able to KO at higher percents. It resembles his rolling {{iw|zeldawiki|Parry Attack}}.

|bairname=Backward Slash Up ({{ja|後方斬り上げ|Kōhō Kiri Age}})

|bairdesc=Turns around and performs an upward slash behind himself. Almost identical to forward aerial, but trades power for faster startup, being tied with neutral aerial for the fastest startup of his aerials, at frame 6. While it is extremely weak and will not KO at any reasonable percent, its very low base knockback, high knockback growth, and ability to autocancel with a short hop make it a fairly good option for combos. It can combo into itself at low percents, and into an aerial Spin Attack as a KO combo.

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

|uairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|14}} (clean), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|11}} (late)

|uairdesc=The {{iw|zeldawiki|Jump Thrust}}. Possesses [[sex kick]] properties. The clean hit has high knockback and can KO off the upper blast line at high percents, and the late hit can be used as a combo starter until high percents.

|dairname=Sword Plant ({{ja|下突き急降下|Shita Tsuki Kyūkōka}}, ''Down Thrust Dive'')

|dairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|16}} (clean), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|14}} (late) , 5% (landing)

|dairdesc=A [[stall-then-fall]] version of the {{iw|zeldawiki|Down Thrust}}. Has a powerful meteor smash at the start of the descent, and weak [[windbox]]es on landing, while also having a small hitbox that deals 5% when Toon Link takes out the Master Sword. Extremely risky to use offstage, as it has a long duration and, unlike the down aerials of the other Links, Toon Link's will not bounce off of any opponents he hits. Resembles his final strike to Ganondorf's head in ''The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker''.

|zairname=Midair [[Hookshot]] ({{ja|空中フックショット|Kūchū Fukkushotto}})

|zairdesc=Fires his {{s|zeldawiki|Hookshot}} forward. Can be used to [[Tether recovery|grab edges]] and is a very useful spacing option. As well as being safe on shield, it set ups tech situations at high percentages, which can act as an effective kill confirm. It replaces Down Tilt as Toon Link's main jab reset setup above 80-100% depending on character weight.

|grabname=Hookshot ({{ja|フックショット|Fukkushotto}})

|grabdesc=Fires his Hookshot forward. It is a tether grab, and thus has higher lag than normal grabs in exchange for much longer range. Has noticeably less ending lag than {{SSBU|Young Link}}'s grabs.

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

|pummeldesc=Hits the opponent with the Master Sword's pommel. Fast but weak, though it has one more frame of ending lag compared to other similar pummels.

|fthrowname=Tackle ({{ja|タックル|Takkuru}})

|fthrowdesc=A shoulder tackle. Deals collateral damage to bystanders. Its moderate knockback makes it a decent option for setting up edgeguards and creating space, as well as launching the opponent into the trajectory of a returning Boomerang or a descending Bomb. It can also combo into a dash attack at low percentages, but this combo is only effective if the opponent misses their [[tech]] and does not [[DI]]. It appears similar to [https://zeldawiki.wiki/wiki/File:ALttP_Link_Bashing_Artwork_2.png an illustration] in ''A Link to the Past'' where Link performs a shoulder bash.

|bthrowname=Circle Throw ({{ja|巴投げ|Tomoe Nage}})

|bthrowdesc=The tomoe nage,{{ref|a}} a judo throw. A reliable KO throw, as it can KO middleweights at around 138% at the edge of {{SSBU|Final Destination}} with good [[DI]].

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

|uthrowdesc=Tosses the opponent up into the air and performs a spinning upward slash. Has very minimal KO potential, even on platforms, as it KOs middleweights at around 185% on Final Destination. Instead, it is best suited for setting up aerial pressure or launching an opponent into the trajectory of a previously thrown Boomerang or Bomb.

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

|dthrowdesc=Pins the opponent to the ground and performs an elbow drop. Due to its lack of combo potential, it is absolutely inferior to his alternate timeline counterparts' down throws. As a result, its only utility is for setting up aerial pressure or launching an opponent into the trajectory of a previously thrown Boomerang or Bomb.

|nsdesc=Wields his {{iw|zeldawiki|Hero's Bow}} to fire an {{iw|zeldawiki|arrow}}. It can be charged up for more power and range. The arrows move much slower than the arrows that Link or Young Link fire, making them easier to avoid. However, this also means that the arrows remain active for longer. It can also lock at low percents.

|ssdmg= 8% (close), 9.6% (smash throw), 5% (far), 3% (return)

|ssdesc=Throws his {{iw|zeldawiki|Boomerang}} forward. It flies forward and then returns to Toon Link. On the way forward, it launches enemies vertically with low base knockback, and on the way back, it launches them towards Link with no base knockback but very high knockback growth, allowing it to set up combos. It can be angled up or down, and inputting it like a smash attack increases its damage, as well as the distance it can travel.

|usdmg= 1% (uncharged hits 1-10), 3% (uncharged hit 11), 1.6% (charged hits 1-10), 4% (charged hit 11), 4% (aerial hit 1), 2% (aerial hits 2-4) 4% (aerial hit 5)

|usdesc=[[zeldawiki:Spin Attack|Spins rapidly with the Master Sword outstretched]]. The grounded version is a series of outward slashes, whereas the aerial version is a series of inward slashes. The last hit of both versions has a horizontal launching angle. The grounded version can be charged to inflict even more damage, and due to it being faster and much stronger than in ''SSB4'', it is a very good out of shield option and one of Toon Link's best KO options. The aerial version can carry opponents to the upper blast line, and KO them there if they are sufficiently damaged.

|dsdesc=Pulls out a {{iw|zeldawiki|Bomb}}, which explodes 4.98 seconds (299 frames) after being pulled out. Its explosion deals low knockback and sends opponents diagonally upwards, while creating brief comical smoke. The bomb's explosion does not harm Toon Link if it hits an opponent, and it deals more damage when smash thrown at the opponent's feet. Compared to Young Link's bombs, Toon Link's bombs are very volatile, exploding upon contact with the ground unless dropped on a platform while dropping through it. Arguably Toon Link's best combo starter, it grants him a number of follow-ups at varying percentages. With precise usage, it can be followed up with up smash or forward aerial for a potential KO confirm, even at high percentages. As the Bomb functions on a timer, it can help Toon Link with recovery by [[Bomb (Link)#Bomb recovery|removing him from helplessness]].

|fsdmg=1% (trapping), 2.8% (hits 1-14), 2% (hit 15), 14% (final)

|fsdesc=Uses the [[zeldawiki:Triforce|Triforce of Courage]] to emit a thin beam of light from his left hand to stun an opponent in front of himself. If the beam comes in contact with an opponent, Toon Link dashes forward and performs a barrage of slashes while they are trapped in a Triforce-shaped energy field before concluding with an outward slash that shatters the energy field and launches them and any bystanders.

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

*'''Up taunt''': Sheaths the {{iw|zeldawiki|Master Sword}} and places the {{iw|zeldawiki|Hero's Shield}} on his back and uses the {{iw|zeldawiki|Wind Waker|item}} to conduct the "{{iw|zeldawiki|Wind God's Aria}}", with a tune at the end, which is the same one heard after completing a song in ''{{s|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker}}''.

*'''Side taunt''': Sheaths the Master Sword and places the Hero's Shield on his back and watches a {{iw|zeldawiki|fairy}} fly around.

*'''Down taunt''': Swings the Master Sword in front of himself while yelling in a panicked tone, ending with him being comically exhausted and catching his breath.

*Looks around cautiously.

*Taps his foot on the ground.

SSBUToonLinkIdle1.gif|Toon Link's first idle pose.

SSBUToonLinkIdle2.gif|Toon Link's second idle pose.

*'''Left:''' Conducts using the Wind Waker before striking a pose similar to his official artwork from ''The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker''.

*'''Up:''' Chases a pig. Upon catching a {{s|ZeldaWiki|pig}}, he holds it above his head. Whilst balancing on one foot, he occasionally starts to lose balance before steadying himself.

*'''Right:''' Tries to catch a pig, but ends up tripping and falling on his bottom. He then proceeds to rub his bottom for the rest of the victory pose while smiling sheepishly.

[[File:ZeldaSeriesVictoryThemeUltimate.ogg|thumb|A flourished and abridged remix of the theme that plays when [[Link]] obtains a [[zeldawiki:Triforce|Triforce Piece]] in ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda|Game}}'' and has since become the main theme of ''The Legend of Zelda'' series.]]

==In [[competitive play]]==

 

*{{Sm|Ang|Mexico}} - Although his activity is relegated to Mexico, he has consistently been one of the best Toon Link players in North America, regularly placing top 8 at {{Trn|BIT MASTER MTY}} events and has also placed 17th at the supermajor {{Trn|Smash Factor 9}}.

*{{Sm|JoJoDaHoBo|USA}} - One of the best Toon Link players in North America who has higher peaks. He most notably placed 13th at the superregional {{Trn|Crown 2}} upsetting {{Sm|Zomba}} as well as 17th at the major {{Trn|MAJOR UPSET}}.

*{{Sm|Lv.1|Japan}} - One of the best Toon Link players in the world, especially since 2023. His 3rd-place finish at the major {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 15 "FINAL"}} is currently the best Toon Link placement at a major.

*{{Sm|Manzoku|Japan}} - The third-best Toon Link player in Japan. Although not as consistent, he has seen some strong results such as 25th at the supermajors {{Trn|Kagaribi 5}}, {{Trn|Umebura SP 9}}, and {{Trn|DELTA 4}}.

*{{Sm|Marvelous_Marco|USA}} - One of the best Toon Link players in North America who is more consistent at majors, most notably 17th at the major {{Trn|Rise 'N Grind 2023}} and 33rd at the supermajor {{Trn|Battle of BC 5}}.

*{{Sm|Sigma|Japan}} - The best Toon Link player of all-time, and the first Toon Link player ranked top 50 on a global ranking, ranking 44th on the [[UltRank 2022]].

===Tier placement and history===

Toon Link saw middling success in the early metagame, most notably in Mexico -- thanks to players such as {{Sm|Ang}} and {{Sm|Hyuga}} -- and Japan -- thanks to players such as {{Sm|Lv.1}}, {{Sm|Ri-ma}}, and {{Sm|Sigma}}. However, Toon Link's representation was not as strong outside of those two regions, mainly due to perceptions that Toon Link was noticeably inferior to Link and Young Link. This perception stemmed from the buffs and changes Link and Young Link received, which made many to consider both characters at least high-tier. Coversely, Toon Link received a mix of buffs and nerfs in his transition, and was seen as a weaker version of Young Link due to having a weaker projectile game and damage output. In addition, most of Toon Link's best players generally only participated at regional-level events, while Ri-ma relegated Toon Link to a secondary in favor of {{SSBU|Joker}}, leaving Sigma as the only notable Toon Link player consistently performing well at majors. As such, many players considered Toon Link to be a mid-tier.

Dedicated mains would continue to push Toon Link, which led his overall representation to remain relatively stable for most of the game's lifespan, usually hovering between the high-30s to low-40s. Although some Toon Link players ultimately fell out of the limelight, newer players would appear and replace them, including {{Sm|Marvelous_Marco}} and {{Sm|JoJoDaHoBo}}, who began placing well at American events in the post-online metagame, and {{Sm|Manzoku}}, who dropped Link for Toon Link during the pandemic. In addition, Lv.1's results began improving, most notably in mid-2023, while Sigma's results remained strong, which ultimately led to him being ranked 44th on the [[UltRank 2022]], the first Toon Link player to be ranked in the top 50 globally. This has led many to believe Toon Link was stronger than previously perceived. As it currently stands, Toon Link is ranked 46th on the tier list as an upper mid-tier and is no longer considered the worst Link, as he is ranked 10 spots above Link.

Toon Link fights alongside two CPU Toon Link teammates in all of his battles, likely referencing ''The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes''. Toon Link fights characters from different universes in each stage. If playing Classic Mode in Co-op, one CPU Toon Link will still appear.

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|1||{{CharHead|Mario|SSBU|hsize=20px}}, {{CharHead|Luigi|SSBU|hsize=20px}}, {{CharHead|Peach|SSBU|hsize=20px}}, and {{CharHead|Yoshi|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[3D Land]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Super Mario Bros.|Ground Theme / Underwater Theme - Super Mario 3D Land}}''||rowspan="6"|{{Head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Red}}{{CharHead|Toon Link|SSBU|hsize=20px|color=Blue}} (x2) are CPU allies. If either of these costumes are being used by the player, the {{Head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px}} default Toon Link takes their place.

|2||{{CharHead|Villager|SSBU|hsize=20px}} and {{CharHead|Isabelle|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Tortimer Island]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Animal Crossing|Kapp'n's Song}}''

|3||{{Head|R.O.B.|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Grey}}{{Head|R.O.B.|g=SSBU|s=20px}}{{Head|R.O.B.|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Yellow}} {{SSBU|R.O.B.}} (x3)||[[75m]] ([[Battlefield form]])||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Other|Stack-Up/Gyromite}}''

|4||{{CharHead|Squirtle|SSBU|hsize=20px}}, {{CharHead|Ivysaur|SSBU|hsize=20px}}, and {{CharHead|Charizard|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Pokémon Stadium]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Battle! (Trainer) - Pokémon Sun / Pokémon Moon}}''

|5||{{Head|Inkling|g=SSBU|s=20px}}{{Head|Inkling|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}}{{Head|Inkling|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Yellow}}{{Head|Inkling|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Green}} {{SSBU|Inkling}} (x4)||[[Moray Towers]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Splatoon|Now or Never!}}''

|6||Giant {{CharHead|Ganondorf|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Great Plateau Tower]] (Battlefield form)||''{{SSBUMusicLink|The Legend of Zelda|Main Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes}}''

|Final||[[Ganon]]||[[Sacred Land]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|The Legend of Zelda|Calamity Ganon Battle - Second Form}}''||{{Head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Red}}{{Head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}} Toon Link (x2) are CPU allies. If either of these costumes are being used by the player, the {{Head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px}} default Toon Link takes their place.

Note: In the fourth round, {{SSBU|Pokémon Trainer}} is absent.

 

Note 2: Items do not appear in the sixth round.

Although Toon Link does not appear in the World of Light opening cutscene, he was vaporized and later imprisoned alongside the rest of the fighters (except {{SSBU|Kirby}}) when Galeem unleashed his beams of light.

Toon Link is unlocked in the [[Forest Hill]] sub-area of [[The Light Realm]]. To awaken him, the player must activate a nearby switch which extends the bridge and defeat the spirit of [[List of spirits (The Legend of Zelda series)|Zelda (Breath of the Wild)]] that's in front of him.

{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"

!style="width:5%;"|No.

!style="width:5%;"|Image

!Name

!Type

!Power

!Stage

!Music

|43

|[[File:Toon Link SSBU.png|center|108x108px]]

|{{SpiritType|Attack}} <center>{{color|#dc1029|Attack}}</center>

|7,500

|[[Wuhu Island]] (volcano)

|''{{SSBUMusicLink|The Legend of Zelda|Main Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes}}''

{{clr}}

Toon Link's fighter spirit can be obtained by completing {{SSBU|Classic Mode}}. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 300 Gold, but only after Toon Link has been unlocked. Unlocking Toon Link in World of Light allows the player to preview the first spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a fighter spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. His fighter spirit has an alternate version that replaces it with his artwork in ''Ultimate''.

Additionally, this incarnation of Link and others under the same artstyle appear in a few primary and support spirits.

SSBU spirit Toon Link.png|177. '''''Toon Link'''''

SSBU spirit King of Red Lions.png|248. King of Red Lions

SSBU spirit Alfonzo & Engineer Link.png|260. Alfonzo & Engineer Link

SSBU spirit Totem Link.png|262. Totem Link

==In Spirit Battles==

|{{SpiritTableName|Tetra|link=y|size=64}}

|''The Legend of Zelda'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Ezlo|size=64}}

|''The Legend of Zelda'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Alfonzo & Engineer Link|customname=Alfonzo and Engineer [[Link]]|size=64}}

|''The Legend of Zelda'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Totem Link|customname=Totem [[Link]]|size=64}}

|''The Legend of Zelda'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Toon Link}} {{Head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Brown}}{{Head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Red}}{{Head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}}

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|•Item: The Legend of Zelda

|{{SpiritTableName|Bomberman|link=y|size=64}}

|''Bomberman'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|•Assist Trophy Enemies (Bomberman)<br>•Item: Exploding Types

|{{SpiritTableName|Link (Link's Awakening)|customname=[[Link]] (Link's Awakening)|size=64}}

|''The Legend of Zelda'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}

|•Assist Trophy Enemies ([[Chain Chomp]])

|{{SpiritTableName|Aryll|size=64}}

|''The Legend of Zelda'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|[[Wuhu Island]] (Swaying Bridge)

|{{s|zeldawiki|Link}} (The Wind Waker)

|{{SpiritTableName|Beedle|size=64}}

|''The Legend of Zelda'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}

|{{s|zeldawiki|Link}} (The Wind Waker)

|{{SpiritTableName|Linebeck|size=64}}

|''The Legend of Zelda'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Madame Couture|size=64}}

|''The Legend of Zelda'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Rosalina & Luma}} {{Head|Rosalina|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Red}}<br>•{{SSBU|Toon Link}} {{Head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Teal}}{{Head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Red}}{{Head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}}

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

===Fighter Showcase Video===

*Toon Link's pose in his official render is based on [https://zeldawiki.wiki/wiki/File:TWW_Spin_Attack_Artwork.png an artwork] of him performing a [[Spin Attack]] in ''The Wind Waker'', which was also used in [https://zeldawiki.wiki/wiki/File:TWW_Platinum_GameCube_Bundle_Box.jpg promotional art] for European limited edition bundles of the game. This artwork was also [https://zeldawiki.wiki/wiki/File:TMC_Spin_Attack_Artwork.png edited and reused] for ''The Minish Cap''.

*Toon Link is the only character who travels to [[3D Land]] in {{SSBU|Classic Mode}}.

*Toon Link and {{SSBU|Diddy Kong}} are the only characters who have a [[CPU]] ally in every round of their Classic Mode.

*While holding a small [[item]], Toon Link reuses his facial expressions from ''[[Smash 4]]'' in his [[idle]] animation.

*Despite Toon Link's {{mvsub|Toon Link|SSBU|down aerial}} no longer bouncing off opponents, his character files still have data for the 8% damage hitbox used after a bounce, which is labeled as "AttackAirLw2Attack". This was also the case in ''Smash 4''.

*In his ''Ultimate'' trailer, his sword attacks use punching sounds when they hit: this is different from the actual game, where they use unique comical [[slash]]ing sounds.

*Toon Link is one of only five characters to predominantly use his left hand to wield his weapon, sharing this trait with {{SSBU|Young Link}}, {{SSBU|Sephiroth}}, {{SSBU|Ice Climbers}}, and {{SSBU|Rosalina & Luma}}.

*Toon Link is one of five characters whose unlocking battle in World of Light is not on either Final Destination or a Ω form. The other four are {{SSBU|Peach}}, {{SSBU|Daisy}}, {{SSBU|King K. Rool}}, and {{SSBU|Mii Gunner}}.

*When using his up taunt and in one of his [[victory screen]]s, Toon Link appears to conduct the Wind’s Requiem with the Wind Waker, which is the first song Link learns in ''The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker''.

*If Toon Link holds his Bomb or any kind of explosive and it detonates while he is invincible, Toon Link [[Media:Shield Glitch Toon Link.jpg|doesn’t immediately equip his shield]] in his idle animation.