Editing Young Link (SSBM)

{{ArticleIcons|melee=y}}

{{Disambig2|Young Link's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''|the character in other contexts|Young Link}}

|name = Young Link

|image = [[File:Young Link SSBM.jpg]]

|game = SSBM

|ssbgame1 = SSBU

|tier = C-

|ranking = 17

'''Young Link''' ({{ja|こどもリンク|Kodomo Rinku}}, ''Young Link'') is a character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. He is a direct clone of {{SSBM|Link}}, with some minor differences.

Young Link is voiced by {{s|wikipedia|Fujiko Takimoto}} in all regions of ''Melee''. In a similar manner to his adult self, Young Link's voice clips are re-purposed directly from ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' and its sequel, ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask'', featuring a combination of returning voice clips and ones left over from the recording sessions for the two Nintendo 64 ''Zelda'' titles.

He ranks 17th on the [[tier list]] in the C- tier, one place higher than Link. Young Link has a very good approach due to some low [[lag]] [[aerial]]s, a great [[SHFFL]] and a good [[wavedash]], as well as three [[projectile]]s and good mobility overall. Young Link also is a potent [[combo]]er due to his projectiles, and can also [[edgeguard]] and [[space]] well. However, Young Link's primary flaw is that he has trouble [[KO]]ing, due to the lack of an efficient quick KO move and having difficulty in hitting cleanly with his [[smash attack]]s (except his down smash). Additionally, like Link, Young Link has a slow and predictable [[recovery]], though his ability to [[wall jump]], [[bomb jump]] and use his [[hookshot]] give him some options. Young Link's recovery, however, is rather poor for his [[weight]] class.

Young Link must be defeated in battle before he can be unlocked. There are two ways the player can encounter Young Link:

*One way is to complete Classic Mode, Adventure Mode, or All-Star Mode with 10 characters. If the player fails to defeat Young Link, they can re-fight him by completing one of these modes again. If this method is used and {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} or {{SSBM|Luigi}} have not been unlocked yet, then neither can be encountered through these modes until Young Link is defeated.

*Another way is to play 500 VS. matches to completion. If the player fails to defeat Young Link, they can re-fight him by playing another VS. match to completion. If this method is used, fighters with lower VS. match quotas must be unlocked before Young Link can be fought.

When fought, Young Link appears on [[Great Bay]], with ''Saria's Song'' playing in the background.

As a fighter, Young Link appears as a lighter, weaker, and faster form of Link, and generally falls under the same archetype as a character, similar to characters such as {{SSBM|Ness}}. Other properties of Young Link, however, are almost identical to those of Link. His airspeed and falling speed are identical to Link's, and he has only slightly lower traction, giving Young Link a slightly longer wavedash than Link. Unlike his 16-year-old self, who is a heavyweight, Young Link is a lightweight and gets sent farther and higher (due to having the same fall speed) than Adult Link. Young Link's primary asset is his range. His Kokiri Sword gives him a disjointed hitbox that can allow him to strike from farther ranges, and his neutral, down, and side specials all give him access to a variety of projectiles that can cause damage and start combos from significant distances. Young Link's projectiles are surprisingly damaging, especially in comparison to Link's; his bombs catch opponents in the blast with multiple hits, allowing for combo potential, and both his boomerangs and Fire Arrows inflict more damage and hitstun than Link's, allowing for some dangerous combo starters against his opponents. Coupled with a long-ranged grapple, Young Link's range is among the highest in the game.

Additionally, Young Link has access to a surprisingly good approach game. In addition to his aforementioned range boons, Young Link's aerial approach is very good. Fast, low-lag aerials and a small short hop coupled with a high falling speed gives Young Link an excellent SHFFL, and his high air speed can allow him to easily pursue enemies in the air. These traits also give Young Link a great air game and a surprisingly good edgeguarding game; Young Link's recovery options are great as well, with a relatively high third jump and a wall-grapple to assist him, and the ability to wall-jump.

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 Kokiri Sword makes "smacking" sound effects when it connects for every attack except for Young Link's up throw and up special. Young Link's Deku Shield is also slightly less durable than Link's (higher-damage projectiles will phase through the shield).

 

However, under the hands of a player with skilled precision, Young Link's projectiles, approach options and mobility can prove to be quite deadly.

 

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.

*{{change|With the exception of his up special and up throw, all sword attacks make a punch/kick sound effect instead of a slashing sound effect upon impact.}}

 

*{{change|Young Link is shorter than Link. While this does make him harder to hit, it also results in him having less reach in his attacks.}}

*{{nerf|Young Link's fast falling speed is much lower (3 → 2.2) making him more susceptible to juggling, and increasing his time airborne for SHFFL attacks.}}

*{{nerf|Young Link is overall weaker than Link in KO potential. Down smash, dash attack, and neutral air KO better than Link's counterparts, but at the cost of lower knockback on all other moves in addition to lacking Link's Spin Attack finisher.}}

*{{change|Young Link is significantly lighter than Link (104 → 85). While this drastically worsens his endurance for both horizontal and vertical survival, it makes him far less vulnerable to combos than his older counterpart. In particular, it makes him invulnerable to {{SSBM|Fox}}'s waveshine combos, as he is knocked down by the shine as opposed to pushed back.}}

 

**{{nerf|Forward tilt has a shorter duration (frames 16-19 → 11-13) and deals less damage (13%/14%/15%) → 10%/11%/12%). The faster swing speed also reduces the move's range above Young Link.}}

**{{buff|Down tilt's meteor smash hitbox has a higher priority than the pop up, making it easier to land.}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt does not deal consistent damage, and is weaker (11% → 7%/9%/10%).}}

**{{change|Dash attack sends the opponent away as a kill/edgeguard tool unlike Link's which pops up to combo.}}

**{{nerf|Young Link's sword swing is lower to the ground, reducing its vertical range.}}

**{{nerf|Forward smash's first hit has set knockback in order to chain into the second more reliably, however the second hit of the string can be avoided with the use of DI. It also has a shorter duration (frames 15-18 → 15-17) and both hits deal less damage (13%/14% → 10% (hit 1), 18%/20% → 9%/11%/12% (hit 2)).}}

**{{buff|Up smash is able to connect against shorter grounded opponents such as Fox and Pikachu owing to Young Link's shorter stature. The third hit also has less startup lag with a longer duration (frames 41-43 → 40-44), giving it more range in front and behind him.}}

**{{nerf|Up smash deals less damage (14% → 11%).}}

**{{buff|The second hit of down smash hits on both sides of Young Link, though it only covers his ankle on the small side.}}

**{{nerf|Down smash hitboxes are designed in such a way that it is worse than Link's for shield poking.}}

 

 

 

**{{change|Fire Bow's arrows deal [[flame]] damage (hence the name).}}

[[File:YoungLinkAerialAttacksSSBM.png|thumb|Young Link's aerial attacks]]

|game=SSBM

|neutralname=Slash ({{ja|なぎ払い|Nagiharai}}, ''Mow Down'') / Counter Slash ({{ja|返し|Kaeshi}}) / Stab ({{ja|突き|Tsuki}}) / Illusion Stab ({{ja|幻影突き|Genei Tsuki}})

|neutralcount=3

|neutralinf=y

|neutral1dmg=3%

|neutral2dmg=2%

|neutral3dmg=5%

|neutralinfdmg=1% (loop)

|neutraldesc=Same as Link's; two initial slashes, and then it can be either a single launching stab if the [[A button]] is pressed just three times, or a barrage of stabs if it's pressed in quick succession.

|ftiltdmg=12% (tip), 11% (base), 10% (body)

|ftiltdesc=Brings sword down, in an axe-like fashion. Considerably faster than Link's.

|utiltdesc=Swings his sword in an arc above himself. Quick, leads into various air combos if the foe [[DI]]s wrong. Above average KO power beyond high damages, usually 120%+, but can KO faster than his up smash.

|dtiltdesc=Swipes sword whilst crouching. Can lead into various combos, though somewhat slow. Incredibly powerful [[meteor smash]] if used against a foe on the ledge; unlike Link's, the meteor smash hitbox is located on the tip of the sword, making it considerably more useful for [[edgeguarding]].

|dashdesc=Slashes in front of himself and slows down. Surprisingly powerful for a dash attack, and it has the unusual property of Young Link charging forward. With the ability to KO starting at 95%, it is one of Young Link's most used finishers.

|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|10}}

|fsmashdesc=Swings his sword in front once with low set knockback, and if the [[A button]] is pressed again, he will do a much more powerful slash to follow. The first hit easily chains into the second, though it can be DI'd out of. Very strong finisher, damage and knockback-wise.

|nairdesc=A standard [[sex kick]]. Stronger than Link's.

|fairdesc=Swings his sword twice in front of himself. Strangely, even though Young Link does two midair slashes, the move can only hit opponents once.

|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]] ({{ja|フックショット|Fukkushotto}})

|zairdesc=Uses his Hookshot. The attack has the unusual property of not suffering from [[stale move negation]]. With low damage, knockback and hitstun, as well as long lag, the move has relatively little use outside of being used for recovery, though its long range can potentially catch opponents off-guard, and it benefits from Young Link's small short hop. This move has [[Priority#Transcendent_priority|transcendent priority]].

|fthrowdesc=Kicks foe forward. Can chaingrab against heavy foes, or can simply lead into a combo or follow-up attack.

|uthrowdesc=Takes foe and swings his sword in an arc above, launching the foe above. Can lead into various combos, or simply his up aerial. At high percentage it can lead to his down aerial's meteor smash (up to 200%) if timed correctly.

|dthrowdesc=Suddenly grounds the foe and tackles them. This launches the foe temporarily in the air right in front of Young Link, and can lead into many combos, though being DI-able.

|edgesdesc=Slowly gets up and quickly thrusts his sword. Similar to Link's, only the sword has a hitbox, meaning that foes close to the edge can avoid the attack completely.

|nsdmg=1% (point blank) 8-15% (arrow)

|nsdesc=Shoots a flaming arrow that does not travel as far as Link's and does slightly less damage, but has more hitstun. Sticks in shields and the ground, and has its own hurtbox that can be hit by other attacks. Can shoot through opponents or hit twice if stale and used at point blank range.

|ssdmg=16% (throw), 19.3% (smash throw), 7% (far), 2% (return)

|ssdesc=Throws a boomerang forward. Young Link's boomerang doesn't go as far as Link's does, but it deals more damage. The boomerang's distance can be extended or have its trajectory altered with the [[control stick]]. The boomerang can be deflected off surfaces, either skidding, or completely changing direction when angled fully down.

|usdesc=Does a spinning attack. When used in the air, it gives Young Link a boost in the air, making it a recovery move. Compared to Link's version, Young Link's Spin Attack has slightly more control when used in midair and hits multiple times on the ground. This move has transcendent priority.

|dsdmg=2-7% (contact), 2% (explosion hits 1-3)

|dsdesc=Young Link takes out a bomb and can throw it like any other item. The bomb eventually explodes on its own, even being able to damage Young Link himself. Unlike Link's Bombs, Young Link's bombs deal multiple hits upon exploding. Oddly, anyone who comes in contact with the bomb will have an [[explosive]] effect on their bodies, despite the bomb not detonating. The explosion can grant Young Link an extra Spin Attack if used skillfully.

===Stats===

|cast = 26

|weight = 85

|rweight = 17-19

|dash = 1.8

|rdash = 5-7

|run = 1.6

|rrun = 8-10

|walk = 1.2

|rwalk = 6-10

|trac = 0.08

|rtrac = 7-13

|baseaccel = 0.02

|rbaseaccel = 2-23

|raddaccel = 5-11

|gravity = 0.11

|fall = 2.13

|ff = 2.2

|jumpheight = 32.52

|djump = 23.012

|cast = 26

|weight = 85

|rweight = 16-19

|dash = 1.8

|rdash = 5-7

|run = 1.6

|rrun = 8-10

|walk = 1.2

|rwalk = 6-10

|trac = 0.08

|rtrac = 7-13

|airfric = 0.005

|rairfric = 21-26

|air = 1

|rair = 6-8

|baseaccel = 0.02

|rbaseaccel = 2-23

|addaccel = 0.04

|raddaccel = 5-11

|gravity = 0.11

|rgravity = 8-11

|fall = 2.13

|rfall = 7-9

|ff = 2.2

|rjumpsquat = 8-15

|jumpheight = 32.52

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

[[File: Young Link Announcer SSBM.wav]]

===[[Taunt]]===

{{Taunt/SSBM|char=YoungLink|desc=Takes out a bottle of Lon Lon Milk, drinks it, and then wipes his mouth. This is the longest taunt in the game.}}

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

{{Idle

|image-1=Young Link Idle Pose Melee 1.gif

|image-2=Young Link Idle Pose Melee 2.gif}}

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

{{Crowd

|char=Young Link

|game=Melee

|desc-us=Young-Link!

|desc-jp=Young-Link!

|pitch-us=Male

|pitch-jp=Male}}

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

{{Victory/SSBM

|victory-theme=ZeldaThemeMelee.ogg

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

|desc-1='''B: '''Checks his belt, then readjusts it. Based on one of his idle animations from ''{{s|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time}}''.

|desc-2='''Y: '''Puts his sword and shield together and then raises his sword high into the air. Shares this victory pose with Link.

|desc-3='''X: '''Sheathes his sword, then dusts off his hands and looks at the screen while posing.

|char=YLink}}

==In [[competitive play]]==

===Most historically significant players===

 

*{{Sm|Niklas2912|Norway}} - The best Young Link player in Europe and considered to be one of the best solo players with the character. During 2019, he placed highly at regionals such as 5th at both {{Trn|Vivaldi Autumn 2019}} and {{Trn|Vivaldi Winter 2019}} as well as superregionals with 17th at {{Trn|Valhalla II}}. In the same year, he ranked 14th on the [[Norwegian Power Rankings]], but has become inactive in recent years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

===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.

In All-Star Mode, Young Link and his allies are fought on the stage [[Jungle Japes]], with ''Saria's Song'' playing, as the remainder of the Zelda stages are instead taken by Link and Zelda.

 

===[[Congratulations_screen#Super_Smash_Bros._Melee|Congratulations Screens]]===

YoungLinkClassicMode.jpg|Classic Mode

YoungLinkAdventureMode.jpg|Adventure Mode

YoungLinkAllStarMode.jpg|All-Star Mode

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.

 

|name=Young Link

|image=Young Link Trophy.png

|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

 

|name=Young Link

|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

 

|image=Young Link Trophy 2 (Smash).png

|mode=All Star

|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.

|gamelist=:Up & B: Spin Attack

:Down & B: Bomb

|game=Melee

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

|{{Head|Young Link|g=SSBM|s=25px}}

 

SSBMWebsiteYoungLink2.jpg|Dodging {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}'s [[Falcon Punch]] on Temple.

Young Link's Boomerang Move.jpg|Using [[Boomerang]] on {{SSBM|Mewtwo}} on Fourside.

SSBMWebsiteYoungLink6.jpg|[[Taunt]]ing on [[Princess Peach's Castle]].

[[File:LinkYoungLinkHookshot.png|thumb|A comparison of Link and Young Link's respective Hookshots.]]

*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'', it is able to block fire projectiles in ''Melee''.

*Young Link and Roy are the only fighters to use their KO voice cry for other uses. Young Link's is used during his Star KO animation (although it is slightly longer, and treated as a separate voice clip in the [[sound test]]),  and Roy's is used when fully charging [[Flare Blade]].

**Because of its length, the variation of Young Link's defeat cry when he is KOed on the left, right, or bottom blast lines does not properly terminate; similar behavior occurs with {{SSBM|Mr. Game & Watch}} and {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}.

*Despite the entire playable ''Zelda'' cast in ''Melee'' all being based on their ''Ocarina of Time'' designs, Young Link is technically the only one to appear in another game; in this case, ''Majora's Mask''.

*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0122/index.html Young Link's page at Smabura-Ken]

 

*[[smashwiki:26TP/Young Link|Translation]]  

[[Category:Young Link (SSBM)| ]]

[[Category:Trophies (SSBM)]]

[[es:Young Link (SSBM)]]