Link (SSB): Difference between revisions

{{disambig2|Link's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros''|the character in other contexts|Link}}

'''Link''' ({{ja|リンク|Rinku}}, ''Link'') appears as a starter character in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' He is the sole fighter from {{uv|The Legend of Zelda}} series. Link is perhaps the most well-equipped character with either long ranged and melee options of attack, with two projectiles (which would become three in later iterations), his long-reaching {{h2|List of swords|Master Sword}} and his Hookshot. His design is based on his appearance as an adult in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''.

Link is voiced by {{s|wikipedia|Nobuyuki Hiyama}}, who reprises his role from ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' through re-purposed voice clips.

Link is currently ranked 11th on the [[tier list]], the second lowest ranked character, outranking only {{SSB|Luigi}}. His placement in ''Smash 64'' is also tied with [[Link (SSBB)|his later iteration in ''Brawl'']] as his worst placement in the series. Link is known in high level competitive play as a very defensive character, relying on {{b|bomb|Link}}s and [[Boomerang]]s to prevent gimps and using his up tilt and up and back aerials for combos, while using his forward and down smash, down aerial, and [[projectile]]s for [[edgeguarding]]. Having many disjointed melee attacks and his aforementioned two projectiles, Link can be a hassle to [[approach]], while also having an average approach himself courtesy of his extremely high traction.

However, his lack of speed and maneuverability limit his ability to safely approach. As a result, Link's game plan is largely attacking from afar with thrown [[projectile]]s and waiting for an opening. Due to his slow ground movement and attacks, it is imperative for Link players to be able to not only [[short hop]] but be able to input an attack immediately afterward. Link's [[recovery]] is awful, with little vertical or horizontal distance, high endlag when landing on stage, and inability to [[b-reverse]]. It is widely considered to be one of the worst recoveries in the series, making offstage play very risky. He is also very easy to combo due to his weight and being a fast faller. Link's recovery and combo vulnerability make many of his matchups difficult. Link is slightly better in the European [[PAL]] version due to having faster [[air speed]] (improving his recovery and some of his combo ability), and his forward smash dealing 4% more damage, and much better in the Japanese version where he is ranked 9th on the tier list, due to Link's up tilt having more reliable combo ability and sending opponents on a more favorable angle to combo, as well as his bombs being much easier to use in combos. Regardless, he has poor matchups on the NTSC-U version, and poor results due to his small playerbase.

[[File:SSB64 Congratulations Link.png|thumb|250px|Link's [[congratulations screen]].]]

Link has some powerful finishers as well. His forward tilt is among the strongest, but also slow for one. His forward smash is powerful but slow for a forward smash. [[Spin Attack]] is a powerful move both on the ground and the air.

Link is known for relying on his two [[projectile]]s (his [[Boomerang]] and {{b|bomb|Link}}) to keep his opponents away and prevent them from [[approach]]ing. His projectiles can which can lead to some combos. They can also be used to [[edgeguard]]. However, while Link can camp well himself, he has trouble dealing with [[projectile camping]] from some characters (especially {{SSB|Fox}}), due to his poor mobility and jumps.

Link's biggest problem is his [[recovery]], which many agree is one of the worst in the series as well as the worst one of the game itself. Link's short jumps, fast [[falling speed]] (the second fastest in the NTSC-U version and the fastest in the NTSC-J version) and extremely poor distance given by [[Spin Attack]] (it even descends before the animation is over), with no options to extend it. Link is also edgeguarded and [[gimp]]ed easily.

Link was significantly nerfed in his transition to the NTSC-U version compared to his original Japanese incarnation. Link's gravity was increased which reduced the height of his jumps and Spin Attack, notably making his recovery even more limited than it already was. A handful of Link's moves were also made noticeably less effective. Up tilt received a huge damage/knockback reduction which both significantly hindered Link's combo potential at lower percents and his shield pressuring potential. Down aerial also saw a significant power reduction which made it far less effective as a combo ender. While the higher [[SDI]] presence/hitlag does make it easier for Link to escape combos, this overall does not help Link too much (due to his susceptibility to combos) and Link's higher gravity made him more susceptible to combos. In addition to this, these factors also hindered some of Link's main combo tools, particularly up smash and back aerial due to their multi hitting nature. Link is overall significantly worse in the NTSC-U version, as his combo game is weaker and his biggest weakness (his recovery) was made even worse. Link ended up going from a solid mid tier in the Japanese version to one of the worst characters in the North American version.

*{{nerf|Link's [[gravity]] is higher (3.2 → 3.4). While this does improve his vertical endurance and his ability to land, it also makes him more susceptible to combos and more notably, it reduces the height of his jumps and his Spin Attack, hindering his already poor recovery.}}

*{{buff|Link's shield is slightly larger (260 → 280).}}

*{{nerf|Up tilt deals 5% less damage (15% → 10%), without compensation on its knockback values. This not only greatly hinders the move's KO potential and its combo potential at lower percents but this also greatly hinders the move's shield pressuring potential, going from being able to chain into itself on shield to now leaving Link at a frame disadvantage on shield (if the move is landed from the front).}}  

**{{buff|However, the move's lower power also improves its combo potential at higher percents.}}

*{{change|Up tilt launches opponents at a lower angle (90° → 79°).}}

*{{nerf|Up smash deals less damage (8% (hit 1)/4% (hit 2)/24% (total) → 7%/3%/22%).}}

*{{nerf|Down aerial deals less damage (18% → 16%) and has lower base knockback (30 → 25), significantly hindering its KO potential.}}

*{{nerf|[[Spin Attack]] grants less height due to Link's higher gravity.}}

===NTSC-U to PAL (EUR)===

Link has been noticeably buffed in the transition to the European PAL version. His air speed is much higher (now being almost as high as Pikachu's) and he is also significantly heavier which noticeably increases his survivability. Link's recovery covers significantly more distance (although it still remains linear and exploitable) and his higher weight means that a vast majority of hits do not send him as far, giving him the potential to live for significantly longer. Link's forward smash also saw a rather large increase to its power, making it significantly more powerful as a combo ender. Link's combo game in general was improved as his higher air speed gave him access to combos he could not perform previously (or in situations where certain combos would not work) and his stronger forward smash allows him to get KOes off combos where he previously could not score KOes. Ultimately, Link is considerably stronger in the European version than in the North American version, although he is still regarded to be slightly weaker than his Japanese counterpart, being considered to be no higher than mid tier.

 

*{{buff|Link is significantly heavier (0.96 → 0.9) going from being tied for the 4th heaviest to the 2nd heaviest.}}

*{{buff|Link's air speed is much higher (31 → 37) going from being tied for the 5th highest to the 3rd highest.}}

*{{buff|Link's air acceleration is higher (0.04 → 0.05).}}

===PAL (EUR) to PAL (AUS)===

In a rather unique case, Link was changed in the Australian version, being the only character in the game who differs between the European and Australian versions. Link was heavily nerfed in his transition to the Australian PAL version, even beyond his NTSC-U counterpart. The higher weight and stronger forward smash Link received in the European version were reverted to how they were in the NTSC versions, hindering his endurance and KO potential. His air speed received a rather drastic decrease, being a considerable amount lower than in the NTSC versions and his double jump gains even less height. Both of these factors not only made Link's recovery the worst it had ever been by a significant margin but they also made Link's combo potential the worst it had ever been. Link's lower air speed removed combos Link could do in every other version while his lower double jump also meant that certain combos would stop working sooner. As a result of these factors, Link is considerably worse than in any other version, likely being the absolute worst character in the Australian version.

*{{nerf|Link is significantly lighter (0.9 → 0.96), with Link being reverted to his NTSC weight.}}

*{{nerf|Link's air speed is drastically lower (37 → 27), going from the 3rd highest to the 3rd lowest.}}

*{{nerf|Link's double jump is lower (0.88 → 0.85).}}

*{{nerf|Link's starting horizontal air velocity multiplier for his double jump is slightly lower (0.35 → 0.34).}}

*{{nerf|Forward smash deals less damage (24% (clean)/14% (late) → 20%/12%) without compensation on its knockback values, significantly hindering its KO potential and reverting its power back to its NTSC counterparts.}}

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

|ftiltname=Forward Chop ({{ja|フォワードチョップ|Fowādo Choppu}})

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

|dtiltname=Grasscutter ({{ja|草薙ぎ|Kusanagi}})

|dashname=Dash Thrust ({{ja|ダッシュ突き|Dasshu Tsuki}})

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

|fsmashdesc=Twirls his sword twice in hand, then slashes downward in a similar fashion to his forward tilt, but with more power and lag. Much stronger if hit with the main blade, with very good knockback, being the most powerful forward smash in the game (knockback wise).

|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=Up Thrust ({{ja|上突き|Ue Tsuki}})

|uairdesc=Stabs upward, similarly to his {{iw|zeldawiki|Up Thrust}} from ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link''. Decent KO power, can also juggle. Link's blade carries the move's hitbox. Useful on platforms to extend combos.

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

|dairdesc=Aims his sword directly below him for a long duration, similarly to his {{iw|zeldawiki|Down Thrust}} from ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link''. This has great horizontal knockback. It is possible to hit the same enemy twice to have this move inflict 32% altogether. This move can be used to KO recovering foes by jumping directly at them, but this is only safe if the bounce of the connected hit allows Link to return to the stage. It should be noted that this move's downwards descent can be hastened by fast falling, although doing so is unwise near ledges. Has substantial landing lag when the player lands on the ground while using the move if not [[Z-cancel]]led. Usually considered to be Link's best aerial for shield pressure when Z-cancelled. Used competitively to end combos due to its knockback. Along with [[Pikachu]]'s, this is the only down aerial in SSB to lack a [[meteor smash]] hitbox.

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

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

|bthrowname=Reverse Kick Off ({{ja|後方蹴り飛ばし|Kōhō Keri Tobashi}}, ''Backward Kick'')

|usdmg=16% (grounded clean), 8% (grounded late), 5% (additional hitbox), 16% (aerial clean), 8% (aerial late)

|usdesc=Performs his signature {{iw|zeldawiki|Spin Attack}}. A powerful attack, especially on the ground; when grounded, the spin creates a wide, orange magic circle that grants the move more range. However, it is generally terrible for recovery, as it covers a very short distance; this gives Link a predictable recovery, and is often cited as the main reason why he is in bottom tier, as he is very easily [[edge-guarding|edgeguarded]] by most characters, especially {{SSB|Pikachu}} and {{SSB|Kirby}}.

|desc=Descends from a column of light and unsheathes the Master Sword. Based on the end-of-dungeon teleports from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''.

==In [[competitive play]]==

===Most historically significant players===

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

<!--This character has a 10 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 -->

*{{Sm|Firo|USA}} - More known for his prominent {{SSB|Ness}}, but is also has a strong Link that he used in tournaments. Has placed 4th at {{Trn|The Empire Smashes Back}}, 7th at {{Trn|Pound 2016}}, 9th at {{Trn|COA VI}} and has used Link to beat {{Sm|Jimmy Joe}} and {{Sm|KoRoBeNiKi}}. Previously ranked 33rd on the [[2017 64 League Rankings]].

*{{Sm|Gyaki|Japan}} - One of the best Link players in Japan and in the world. His best placement is his 2nd place at {{Trn|Kansai 2017}} where he defeated {{Sm|kysk}} and {{Sm|Kurabba}}. He also beat {{Sm|Isai}} and {{Sm|Josh Brody}} at {{Trn|Snosa III}} where he placed 5th. He was previously ranked 17th on the [[2017 64 League Rankings]].

*{{Sm|Hebiichigo|Japan}} - One of the best Link players in Japan. He placed 3rd at {{Trn|Kanto 2013}} and has top 8s at Kansai events such as {{Trn|Kansai 2016}} and {{Trn|Kansai 2022}} with wins over {{Sm|Tatsuman}}, {{Sm|Fukurou}}, and {{Sm|Shizuku}}.

*{{Sm|Isai|USA}} - One of the best Smash 64 players of all time who is efficient with the entire cast. Notably placed 2nd at {{Trn|Apex 2012}} with solo Link, beating top players such as {{Sm|SuPeRbOoMfAn}}, {{Sm|JaimeHR}}, and {{Sm|Kefit}}. He has also placed 1st at {{Trn|B.E.A.S.T 7}} and 3rd at {{Trn|Snosa II}} primarily using the character.

*{{Sm|Kort|Brazil}} - Considered the best Link player in South America. Kort is known for his utilization of Link's bombs, notably with the titled black-cat setup. He commonly played Link alongside other secondaries at multiple North American tournaments such as 2nd at {{Trn|Called Out!}}, 13th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2016}}, and 17th at {{Trn|GENESIS 3}}. He was previously ranked 20th on the [[2018 64 League Rankings]].

*{{Sm|Sekirei|Japan}} - Considered the best Link player from Japan and of all time. He won {{Trn|Kanto Fall 2019}}, using Link to beat Kurabba and {{Sm|Fukurou}} to take the tournament. He additionally has great tournament results at other Kanto tournaments and has beaten other highly regarded players such as Isai and {{Sm|Jousuke}}.

Throughout the history of ''Smash 64'', Link has always been regarded as one of the worst characters in the game due to his attacks being too slow and his recovery being too poor to consistently keep up with the cast. On the first tier list for ''64'', he was ranked dead last as a bottom-tier character alongside Samus. He rose up to 11th on the second tier list before being tied at 10th with Luigi on the third list. While Link players have developed innovations with his defensive game, namely regarding setups with bombs, his flaws would be too significant overcome, causing him to drop down to 11th on the fourth and most current tier list.

In spite of his placement, Link has achieved high results in a few tournaments thanks to players such as Isai, Gyaki and Sekirei. Even with these impressive placements, it is unlikely Link will rise above his bottom-tiered status that he has consistently remained in throughout the game's lifespan.

Link's boomerang ([[neutral special]] attack) goes farther if it is treated as a [[smash]] attack. Quickly tap the control stick to the side while hitting the special button to extend the range.  

Like {{SSB|Samus}}, Link can use his bombs to aid his [[recovery]]. However, unlike Samus, Link must use a bit of technical skill and timing. While recovering, one should pull out a bomb and drop it slowly below Link, then continue to DI towards the [[stage]], and use a back aerial. This will cause Link to explode toward the platform. One should then use his [[up special]] and land back safely. Note that Link will not be able to grab the [[edge]] because the explosion causes him to face the other direction. To counter this, one must throw his [[boomerang]] before using his up special. This technique is extremely situational and difficult to perform. Despite the difficulty of pulling off the technique, it does not greatly help Link's recovery.

A technique popularized by {{Sm|Kort}} involving a set up of positioning a bomb for a boomerang hit as an edgeguarding technique. The technique requires Link to throw a bomb on stage opposite to where the enemy is (preferably when the enemy is offstage), followed by a toss of a boomerang against the bomb, causing the boomerang to 1) ricochet flying in the opposite direction towards the enemy, 2) accelerate at a faster speed then the previous speed then initially thrown, and finally 3) will go through Link without causing Link to catch the boomerang, allowing for Link to reduce lag caused by the grab of a returning boomerang.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLEqW5gOSVA]</ref>

*''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' ({{iw|nwiki|NES}})

*On the [[Character selection screen]], Link's portrait greatly resembles his artwork from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time}}''.

*This is the only game in which Link is the only ''Legend of Zelda'' fighter.