Link (SSBM): Difference between revisions

*{{Sm|Aklo|USA}} - The best Link player in the post-[[Project Slippi]] era. Although better known as a {{SSBM|Fox}} main, he uses Link as a counterpick, usually for {{SSBM|Marth}}. He was the first Link player to rank globally since Lord HDL in 2014. He notably won {{Trn|Redemption Rumble}} using Link to beat {{Sm|KoDoRiN}} and {{Sm|Swift|p=Maryland}} in his bracket, and used Link to beat {{Sm|Zain}} at {{Trn|Luminosity Makes Moves Miami 2024}} and {{Trn|Don't Park on the Grass 2024}}, marking the best result and wins the character has seen in the post-Slippi era. Following this, he became the first Link player to be ranked top 10, ranking at number 10 on [[SSBMRank 2023]], although his ranking was predominantly due to Fox.

*{{Sm|Aniki|Japan}} - One of the first notable Link players, and was the best Link in Japan. Placed 17th at {{Trn|Jack Garden Tournament}}, which remains the best supermajor result seen for Link (outside of {{Sm|Skler}}'s 13th place finish at the major/supermajor {{Trn|Viva La Smashtaclysm}}).

*{{Sm|Lord HDL|USA}} - One of the best Link players in the world during the early 2010s. While he commonly used {{SSBM|Marth}} as well and would eventually solo-main him, he used Link to place 17th at {{Trn|EVO East}} and 49th at {{Trn|Apex 2013}}. He became the first Link player to have been ranked on a global ''Melee'' top 100 power ranking list, with 87th on the [[SSBMRank 2014]].

*{{Sm|Savestate|USA}} - A Link player well known for advancing the character's technique, popularising many [[glitch]]es such as [[Ghost Arrow]] and [[Dimensional Arrow]]. Briefly resided in Europe and was the continent's best Link player while active, with some respectable placements of 4th at {{Trn|Midgard 2022}}, 17th at {{Trn|HFLAN 2022: Golden Melee Edition}}, and 25th at {{Trn|Fête}}. Formerly held the speedrun record for Link's [[Break the Targets]] stage. Eventually retired in 2023.

*{{Sm|Sixx|Germany}} - Considered the best Link player of all time before his hiatus in competitive play. He placed 9th at one of the biggest European tournaments for ''Melee'' with {{Trn|Heir 4}}, where he notably beat {{Sm|YungWaff}}. His best win with Link was with {{Sm|Amsah}} at [http://challonge.com/AvalonMVIsingles Avalon M-VI], and he has taken sets over other top European players such as {{Sm|nebbii}}, {{Sm|Nicki}}, {{Sm|Zgetto}}, and {{Sm|Mahie}} .

Historically, Link has always been regarded as an average to below-average character in the competitive metagame. While Link's spacing ability and his above-average air game have been noted, his poor mobility on the ground is widely seen as the reason for his low-mid tier ranking; even Aniki's impressive performance with Link at the {{Trn|Jack Garden Tournament}} could not move him up in the tier list, and Link's defensive playstyle has not become particularly powerful in the fast-paced metagame of competitive ''Melee''. As such, as the metagame progressed Link's standings began falling: aside from being ranked sixth on the April Fools' tier list, Link's best ranking was thirteenth on the sixth tier list; however, he has since progressively ranked lower on each subsequent list, including ranking below his clone, {{SSBM|Young Link}}, since the eleventh tier list, owing to Young Link's better mobility. Currently, he sits at 18th, having been ranked there since the twelfth tier list.

The post-Slippi era reignited discussions about Link's viability. These conversations initially revolved around Link's presence in doubles, where {{Sm|Sixx}} (alongside {{Sm|Ice}}) had a resounding first place finish at multiple European tournaments shortly after the release of Slippi. In the present metagame, {{Sm|Aklo}} has collected wins over numerous other top-level players using Link, both solo (such as {{Sm|KoDoRiN}}, {{Sm|Swift|p=Maryland}}, {{Sm|TheSWOOPER}}, {{Sm|Jflex}}, and {{Sm|Eddy Mexico}}) and as a mid-set [[counterpick]] (such as {{Sm|lloD}}, {{Sm|Rishi}}, {{Sm|Trif}}, and {{Sm|Logan|p=Pennsylvania}}). At {{Trn|Riptide 2024}}, {{Sm|Hunybear}} placed 33rd using only Link, marking the best placement for the character in over a decade, which was followed up by Aklo defeating Zain with Link at both {{Trn|Luminosity Makes Moves Miami 2024}} and {{Trn|Don't Park on the Grass 2024}}. While Link is still considered to be a mid-tier character and still struggles against the majority of the cast, it is more commonly agreed that his strong projectile game and kill confirms off of them give him a competitive edge against many of the higher-tier characters on {{SSBM|Final Destination}}.