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Passive shield: Difference between revisions

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{{ArticleIcons|ssbm=y|ssbb=y}}
{{disambig2|the [[fighter ability]] for characters that carry shields|the universal gameplay mechanic|Shield}}
[[File:linkshield.jpg|thumb|250px|Link blocking [[Falco (SSBB)|Falco's]] [[Blaster]] in ''Brawl''.]]
:''Hylian Shield redirects here. For the stickers, see [[List of stickers (The Legend of Zelda series)]]''.
While all characters have access to a [[Shield|bubble shield]], [[Link]] and his counterparts carry their own personal shields while in battle. While standing still, incoming [[projectile]]s that hit the shield will deal no damage and simply push Link back slightly. This effect was implemented in ''[[Melee]]'' and carries over into ''[[Brawl]]''.
{{ArticleIcons|ssbm=y|ssbb=y|ssb4=y|ssbu=y}}
In addition to the [[Shield|bubble shield]] common to all characters, [[Link]], [[Young Link]], [[Toon Link]], and the [[Hero]] carry their own personal '''passive shield''' while in battle. This shield defends them from [[projectile]] attacks while standing still, crouching, or walking.  


Since projectiles must hit the front of the shield to be blocked, Link may still be hit in the back, head, or feet, and parts of his standing animation may leave the shield temporarily useless. [[Crouching]] can migitate this somewhat, but then any projectiles that would have hit the shield normally will instead hit Link in the face. Link's shield is also unusable when he is holding an [[item]].
==Overview==
[[File:LinkShieldUltimate.jpg|thumb|250px|Link blocking a Fireball with his shield in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.]]
Incoming projectiles that hit the shield will deal no damage and simply push the wielder back, dependent on how much damage and knockback it would ordinarily do. Unlike other projectile-countering abilities (like [[reflection|reflector]]s or the default bubble shield), this shield cannot break and can block any amount of projectiles regardless of power. The only exception to this rule is Link's shield in the original ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', which is only aesthetic and has no effect in gameplay.


To be considered a projectile for the purposes of the shield, a [[hitbox]] must be both reflectable and blockable.
Link's passive shield mechanic was first implemented in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and has been retained in all installments of the series since then, and the mechanic is also shared with his [[clone]]s. Link's shield in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' was altered slightly—he now takes a defensive stance when hit, and his shield is also active while he is walking. The Hero, a DLC character for ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', uses similar mechanics to Link's shield.


The design of each Link's shield is taken from the respective game. Link carries the Hylian Shield from ''Ocarina of Time'' in both ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' while he uses the shield's ''Twilight Princess'' design in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''. [[Young Link (SSBM)|Young Link]] uses the Deku Shield from ''Ocarina of Time'' (which does not burn like its original counterpart), while [[Toon Link (SSBB)|Toon Link]] holds the Hero's Shield from ''The Wind Waker''.
Since projectiles must hit the front of the shield to be blocked, the wielder may still be hit in the back, head, or feet; some [[idle poses]] can cause Young Link and Toon Link to move their shields away from their bodies, and prior to ''Smash 4'', this also applied to Link. [[Crouching]] will cover the wielder's legs and disable the idle poses, but then any projectiles that would have hit the shield normally may instead hit the wielder's face. The shield is unusable when the wielder is holding an [[item]], as the shield is put on the wielder's back.
 
To be considered a projectile for the purposes of the shield, a [[hitbox]] must be [[reflect]]able and not [[unblockable]]. It does not actually matter whether the hitbox is attached to a projectile; [[Reflector (Falco)|Falco's Reflector]] in ''SSB4'' is blocked by the shield, even though its hitbox is attached to Falco himself.
 
In ''Melee'', a hitbox doesn't necessarily need to be reflectable to be blockable by a passive shield; the passive shields can block Hammer hitboxes although those are not reflectable. However, any hitbox that is unblockable to passive shields cannot be reflected or absorbed either.
 
In ''Ultimate'', from version {{SSBU|4.0.0}} onward, characters who carry shields can [[shield SDI]] when blocking a projectile with their shield.
 
==Origin==
===Link===
[[File:OOTShield.jpg|thumb|left|Young Link uses his Deku Shield to block an attack in ''Ocarina of Time''.]]
{{art-zeldawiki|Shield}}
Link has always possessed a shield in every {{uv|The Legend of Zelda}} game to defend himself against attacks. Depending on the game, it may be an always-active ability so long as Link is standing or walking, or it may have to be raised manually; in either case Link must be facing the attack in order to block it. In some cases, powerful attacks are too much for the shield and may cause Link to stagger or damage him anyway.
 
The design of each Link's shield is taken from their respective game. In all games, Link carries the {{s|zeldawiki|Hylian Shield}}, which debuted in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'' and retains a similar design across incarnations. Young Link uses the {{s|zeldawiki|Deku Shield}} from ''Ocarina of Time'' (which does not burn against fire, unlike its original counterpart), while Toon Link holds the {{s|zeldawiki|Hero's Shield}} from ''{{s|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker}}''.
 
Link being capable of shifting his shield's position by crouching is reminiscent of ''{{s|zeldawiki|Zelda II: The Adventure of Link}}'', where Link can either defend his upper body or lower body by crouching and standing. In addition, one-handed swords in ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' and ''{{s|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask}}'' would cause Link to crouch if he shielded without Z-targeting.
{{clr}}
 
===Hero===
[[File:DQXI - Shield of Heroes.png|thumb|left|150px|the Shield of Heroes, a recurring item throughout the ''Dragon Quest'' series.]]
 
Shields have been a recurring piece of armor in the ''Dragon Quest'' series since the original game; when equipped, they increase the wielder's defense, reducing any damage taken and occasionally blocking certain attacks altogether. The most powerful shields, such as Erdrick's Shield, are typically only available to the game's hero.
 
In ''Smash'', the Luminary uses Erdwin's Shield, Erdrick wields the Shield of Heroes (also known as Erdrick's Shield), Solo uses the Zenithian Shield, and Eight uses the Dragovian Shield. Other elements of the shield's functionality, such as being able to shift its position by crouching, are derived from Link's moveset, and by proxy, the ''Zelda'' series.
{{clr}}
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
LinkShieldMelee.png|Link blocking an arrow in ''Melee''.
YoungLinkShieldMelee.png|Young Link blocking a projectile in ''Melee''.
linkshield.jpg|Link blocking a projectile in ''Brawl''.
Toon_link_shield_ssbb.jpg|Toon Link blocking a projectile in ''Brawl''.
ToonLinkShield3DS.jpg|Toon Link blocking a projectile in {{for3ds}}.
LinkShieldWiiU.jpg||Link blocking a Fireball with his shield in {{forwiiu}}.
YoungLinkShieldUltimate.jpg|Young Link blocking a projectile in ''Ultimate''.
ToonLinkShieldUltimate.jpg|Toon Link blocking a projectile in ''Ultimate''.
Hero Passive Shield.png|The {{SSBU|Hero}} blocking {{SSBU|Bowser}}'s [[Fire Breath]] with his shield.
</gallery>
 
==Trivia==
*Certain other fighters in the series carry shields, but only the Links and the Hero have theirs as a constant gameplay mechanic.
**[[Palutena]] carries a shield that she uses during her [[Counter (Palutena)|Counter]], and her shield also protects her during her dash attack and back aerial.
**[[Steve]] wields a shield from {{uv|Minecraft}} for his [[perfect shield]] animation. In ''Minecraft'', shields are functionally identical to the passive shield mechanic in ''Smash'', but Steve does not otherwise carry a shield in ''Smash''.
*Hero is the only character who is not a variation of Link to have this ability.
*[[Zelda]]'s [[Phantom Slash|phantom]] has a similar shield which blocks projectiles.
**This makes [[Sheik]] and [[Ganondorf]] the only ''Legend of Zelda'' characters to not incorporate a passive shield.


{{stub}}
{{Zelda universe}}
{{Zelda universe}}
[[Category:Game Controls]]
{{Dragon Quest universe}}
[[Category:Game controls]]
[[Category:Character-specific terminology]]
[[Category:Link]]
[[Category:Link (SSB)]]
[[Category:Link (SSBM)]]
[[Category:Link (SSBB)]]
[[Category:Link (SSB4)]]
[[Category:Link (SSBU)]]
[[Category:Young Link]]
[[Category:Young Link (SSBM)]]
[[Category:Young Link (SSBU)]]
[[Category:Toon Link]]
[[Category:Toon Link (SSBB)]]
[[Category:Toon Link (SSB4)]]
[[Category:Toon Link (SSBU)]]
[[Category:Hero]]
[[Category:Hero (SSBU)]]

Latest revision as of 13:43, June 19, 2023

This article is about the fighter ability for characters that carry shields. For the universal gameplay mechanic, see Shield.
Hylian Shield redirects here. For the stickers, see List of stickers (The Legend of Zelda series).

In addition to the bubble shield common to all characters, Link, Young Link, Toon Link, and the Hero carry their own personal passive shield while in battle. This shield defends them from projectile attacks while standing still, crouching, or walking.

Overview[edit]

Link blocking a Fireball with his shield in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Incoming projectiles that hit the shield will deal no damage and simply push the wielder back, dependent on how much damage and knockback it would ordinarily do. Unlike other projectile-countering abilities (like reflectors or the default bubble shield), this shield cannot break and can block any amount of projectiles regardless of power. The only exception to this rule is Link's shield in the original Super Smash Bros., which is only aesthetic and has no effect in gameplay.

Link's passive shield mechanic was first implemented in Super Smash Bros. Melee and has been retained in all installments of the series since then, and the mechanic is also shared with his clones. Link's shield in Super Smash Bros. 4 was altered slightly—he now takes a defensive stance when hit, and his shield is also active while he is walking. The Hero, a DLC character for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, uses similar mechanics to Link's shield.

Since projectiles must hit the front of the shield to be blocked, the wielder may still be hit in the back, head, or feet; some idle poses can cause Young Link and Toon Link to move their shields away from their bodies, and prior to Smash 4, this also applied to Link. Crouching will cover the wielder's legs and disable the idle poses, but then any projectiles that would have hit the shield normally may instead hit the wielder's face. The shield is unusable when the wielder is holding an item, as the shield is put on the wielder's back.

To be considered a projectile for the purposes of the shield, a hitbox must be reflectable and not unblockable. It does not actually matter whether the hitbox is attached to a projectile; Falco's Reflector in SSB4 is blocked by the shield, even though its hitbox is attached to Falco himself.

In Melee, a hitbox doesn't necessarily need to be reflectable to be blockable by a passive shield; the passive shields can block Hammer hitboxes although those are not reflectable. However, any hitbox that is unblockable to passive shields cannot be reflected or absorbed either.

In Ultimate, from version 4.0.0 onward, characters who carry shields can shield SDI when blocking a projectile with their shield.

Origin[edit]

Link[edit]

Young Link uses his Deku Shield to block an attack in Ocarina of Time.

Link has always possessed a shield in every The Legend of Zelda game to defend himself against attacks. Depending on the game, it may be an always-active ability so long as Link is standing or walking, or it may have to be raised manually; in either case Link must be facing the attack in order to block it. In some cases, powerful attacks are too much for the shield and may cause Link to stagger or damage him anyway.

The design of each Link's shield is taken from their respective game. In all games, Link carries the Hylian Shield, which debuted in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and retains a similar design across incarnations. Young Link uses the Deku Shield from Ocarina of Time (which does not burn against fire, unlike its original counterpart), while Toon Link holds the Hero's Shield from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

Link being capable of shifting his shield's position by crouching is reminiscent of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, where Link can either defend his upper body or lower body by crouching and standing. In addition, one-handed swords in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask would cause Link to crouch if he shielded without Z-targeting.

Hero[edit]

the Shield of Heroes, a recurring item throughout the Dragon Quest series.

Shields have been a recurring piece of armor in the Dragon Quest series since the original game; when equipped, they increase the wielder's defense, reducing any damage taken and occasionally blocking certain attacks altogether. The most powerful shields, such as Erdrick's Shield, are typically only available to the game's hero.

In Smash, the Luminary uses Erdwin's Shield, Erdrick wields the Shield of Heroes (also known as Erdrick's Shield), Solo uses the Zenithian Shield, and Eight uses the Dragovian Shield. Other elements of the shield's functionality, such as being able to shift its position by crouching, are derived from Link's moveset, and by proxy, the Zelda series.

Gallery[edit]

Trivia[edit]

  • Certain other fighters in the series carry shields, but only the Links and the Hero have theirs as a constant gameplay mechanic.
    • Palutena carries a shield that she uses during her Counter, and her shield also protects her during her dash attack and back aerial.
    • Steve wields a shield from Minecraft for his perfect shield animation. In Minecraft, shields are functionally identical to the passive shield mechanic in Smash, but Steve does not otherwise carry a shield in Smash.
  • Hero is the only character who is not a variation of Link to have this ability.
  • Zelda's phantom has a similar shield which blocks projectiles.
    • This makes Sheik and Ganondorf the only Legend of Zelda characters to not incorporate a passive shield.