Link (SSBM): Difference between revisions

m
name change
m (name change)
(11 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 19: Line 19:
As in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', Nobuyuki Hiyama's portrayal of Link from ''{{s|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time}}'' was re-purposed in ''Melee'', with the ones used in the previous ''Smash'' title returning alongside new ones.
As in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', Nobuyuki Hiyama's portrayal of Link from ''{{s|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time}}'' was re-purposed in ''Melee'', with the ones used in the previous ''Smash'' title returning alongside new ones.


Link is ranked 18th in the tier list, in the C- tier, which is much higher than his second to last current rank in the ''Smash 64'' [[tier list]] (11th out of 12), and one place below his clone, {{SSBM|Young Link}}. Link's placement is due to his low lag aerials (with his neutral and forward air), a good variety of projectiles, several kill confirms, multiple strong tech-chasing options and a very high air speed. His disjointed hitbox also gives him a slight advantage against others, as well as a  [[Passive shield|fully functional shield]] that can block a wide variety of projectiles. Link is also a potent edgeguarder in the NTSC versions of the game; his Spin Attack is possibly the best semi-spike in the game, though he still has many other options like his notoriously active neutral air. Finally, similarly to {{SSBM|Samus}}, Link possesses a wide array of techniques specific to himself or shared between himself and his younger counterpart relating to his bombs, such as the Bomb Jump variants to extend his recovery and the Goron Roll enabling him to techroll on command.
Link is ranked 18th in the tier list, in the C- tier, which is much higher than his second to last current rank in the ''Smash 64'' [[tier list]] (11th out of 12), and one place below his clone, {{SSBM|Young Link}}. Link's placement is due to his low lag aerials (with his neutral and forward air), a good variety of [[projectiles]], several kill confirms, multiple strong [[tech-chasing]] options and a very high air speed. His [[disjointed hitbox]] also gives him a slight advantage against others, as well as a  [[Passive shield|fully functional shield]] that can block a wide variety of projectiles. Link is also a potent [[edgeguard]]er in the NTSC versions of the game; his [[Spin Attack]] is possibly the best [[semi-spike]] in the game, though he still has many other options like his notoriously active [[neutral air]]. Finally, similarly to {{SSBM|Samus}}, Link possesses a wide array of [[advanced technique]]s specific to himself or shared between himself and his younger counterpart relating to his bombs, such as the [[bomb jump]] variants to extend his recovery and the [[goron roll]] enabling him to techroll on command.


Link, however, suffers from a rather high falling speed and a high weight, making him an easy target for chain grabbing and combos. Although his recovery can be extended, he is still vulnerable to being edgeguarded due to his up-B being predictable, though his tether grapple and Bomb Jumps somewhat compensate for this.
Link, however, suffers from a rather high falling speed, making him an easy target for chain grabbing and combos. Although his [[recovery]] can be extended, he is still vulnerable to being edgeguarded due to his [[up special]] recovery being predictable, though his [[hookshot]] [[tether]] and bomb jumps somewhat compensate for this. Link is considered a non-viable pick at the highest levels of play, although one player, [[Aklo]], has had significant success utilizing him as a [[counterpick]].


==Attributes==
==Attributes==
Line 204: Line 204:
|pummeldmg=3%
|pummeldmg=3%
|pummeldesc=Hits opponent with the hilt of his sword.
|pummeldesc=Hits opponent with the hilt of his sword.
|fthrowname=Kick Out ({{ja|蹴り飛ばし|Keri Tobashi}}, ''Kick Flying'')
|fthrowname=Kick Out ({{ja|蹴り飛ばし|Keri Tobashi}}, ''Kick Fly-Off'')
|fthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 3% (throw)
|fthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 3% (throw)
|fthrowdesc=Kicks foe a short distance in front of him. Low knockback.
|fthrowdesc=Kicks foe a short distance in front of him. Low knockback.
|bthrowname=Reverse Kick Out ({{ja|後方蹴り飛ばし|Kōhō Keri Tobashi}}, ''Backward Kick Flying'')
|bthrowname=Reverse Kick Out ({{ja|後方蹴り飛ばし|Kōhō Keri Tobashi}}, ''Backward Kick Fly-Off'')
|bthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 3% (throw)
|bthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 3% (throw)
|bthrowdesc=Throws the opponent behind him and kicks them away.
|bthrowdesc=Throws the opponent behind him and kicks them away.
Line 371: Line 371:
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.
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}}.
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|Raz}}). 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}}.


==In 1-P Mode==
==In 1-P Mode==