Link (SSBU)

Link in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
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Universe	The Legend of Zelda
Other playable appearances	in SSB in Melee in Brawl in SSB4
Availability	Starter
Final Smash	Ancient Bow and Arrow

“	Link has been redesigned to match his appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. He can now pick up arrows he's fired, and his bombs have been upgraded to remote bombs, so you can set them off when the timing is just right!	”
—Super Smash Blog, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Official Site

Link (リンク, Link) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He was suggested to appear in the then unnamed Ultimate in its first teaser trailer at the end of the March 8th, 2018 Nintendo Direct, and officially announced in Ultimate's E3 2018 trailer on June 12th. Link is classified as fighter #03.

Kengo Takanashi, Link’s voice actor from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, reprises his role in Ultimate with newly recorded voice clips, replacing Akira Sasanuma’s portrayal from Brawl and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Changes from Super Smash Bros. 4

In Ultimate, Link's design is now based off his latest major game, Breath of the Wild. He now incorporates multiple elements from Breath of the Wild into his moveset, such as the Remote Bomb, the Ancient Bow & Ancient Arrow, and the Sword Beam. This has led to a much larger overhaul in his moveset than most other returning veterans, in which several of his attacks of been altered in knockback, range, lag, or have been completely reworked altogether. Most likely as a result, Link was granted a large number of buffs and nerfs in his transition to Ultimate, but has been buffed overall.

Compared to his previous iterations in Smash, Link has better close combat capabilities thanks to his faster movement speed, and the return of the Boomerang improves his ability to combo. Furthermore, Link's grab game has improved due to his now possessing a more standard grab; while the Hookshot and Clawshot in previous games granted Link a long-ranged grab, they were unsafe to use due to their starting and ending lag. Link gains benefit from the universal buffs, as he has improved combo potential due to the 3-frame jumpsquat buff, and the change to perform an attack out of any run helps Link quite well, which compliments his already above-average traction. The universal buffing of the landing lag of aerials in Ultimate have strengthened Link's close combat capabilities even further, with neutral aerial's weak hit allowing it to set-up for a grab at low percents, while back aerial's first hit now effectively serves as a KO setup at high percents.

Additionally, Link sports a longer Master Sword that matches its length in Breath of the Wild, noticeably increasing the range of Link's sword based attacks to a point that Link's range is now on par with other sword-based fighters such as Lucina or Ike; this, along with other adjustments made to these attacks, grant them new utility overall: Forward tilt is now much more effective at a ledge-trapping option due to its wider arc, up smash serves as a more threatening anti-air option, forward aerial is more effective as a spacing option while the first hit can now be used to start combos, up aerial catches airborne opponents from a father distance, and Spin Attack has increased reliability as an OoS option and KOing tool due to its faster start-up and larger sweet spot, and down tilt's reduced damage output allows the move to combo for much longer, even serving as a potential KO confirm at higher percents.

Link has gained a new down special in place of Bomb, known as the Remote Bomb from Breath of the Wild; with it, Link pulls out a Remote Bomb which he can then throw and later detonate using the Sheikah Slate, making it function more like Snake's C4 bombs. Compared to his old down special, the move has a much larger blast radius and greater KO power, significantly improving Link's edgeguarding and ledge trapping capabilities while also controlling a considerably larger amount of space in neutral. Not only that, but because the item can be thrown while only being detonated at command, Link now sports greater combo potential and pressuring with the bomb itself, utilizing it in various Z-drop set-ups. Lastly, the move possesses potential as a strong, albeit tough recovery option, as it can also be Z-dropped and detonated to launch Link a considerable distance forward.

However, Link is not without his fair share of nerfs. As a result of the several changes and alterations he received in his transition to Ultimate, he has inadvertently lost several key strengths that his previous incarnation possessed. While Link has a much faster grab than his precious incarnation, the loss of his Hookshot has effectively removed one of his more potent recovery options, and his overall grab range has been significantly worsened between games. The replacement of his down special has also hindered Link in a variety of ways: Link can no longer pull out bombs as a way to potentially break out of combos, his new bomb no longer explodes on impact, removing one of his effective KO set-ups, and compared to his old bombs, Link can only have one Remote Bomb out a time, resulting in it becoming a worse zoning option than his previous down special overall.

Link has also received hitbox reductions to several of his sword-based attacks, now mapping them strictly to the sword itself. While this does not necessarily affect the reach of his attacks that involve swinging his sword from the Y-Axis (i.e. forward tilt, up tilt, forward smash), it has reduced the vertical reach of his attacks that are swung from the Z-Axis (i.e. down tilt), while also hindering the horizontal range of his thrusting sword attacks (i.e. up aerial, down aerial), making them harder to land overall.

Lastly, despite improvements to his landing lag and Spin Attack, his already sluggish frame data as a whole has been further worsened: A considerable number of his attacks have either increased endlag (such as forward tilt or down tilt), or increased start-up lag (such as a down smash, forward smash, forward aerial, and neutral attack), making it even harder for him to defend himself up close against opponents with superior frame data, such as Mario or Fox. This requires Link players to be more wary when fighting opponents with such strong boxing capabilities, as his weaker frame data puts him at a greater risk of being thrown into a disadvantage state easier.

Overall, the changes to Link have repurposed his playstyle from that of a hard-hitting zoner, to one where he relies on his Remote Bomb and Boomerang for stage control and trapping in a similar manner to Snake, while also focusing on controlling the midrange playing field with his improved range. Because of this, Link has noticeably deviated from his counterparts in terms of his overall gameplan and how he enacts it. Though he had initially amassed very strong results in the early metagame of Ultimate, where he was represented by notable players such as Salem and Izaw, his results have somewhat diminished over time; as Ultimate's metagame would continue to progress, Salem would eventually drop him in favor of Snake, which has inadvertently led to a slowdown of noteworthy results. This has caused players who initially thought of him as a high/top tier character, such as Dabuz, Samsora and ESAM, to reassess their opinions of Link, as they now more or less view him as either a lower high tier character or an upper mid tier character. However, Link continues to see tournament success in Ultimate thanks to the efforts of Izaw and T, the latter of which has made noticeable placements at super-regionals and majors, including placing 17th at 2GG: Prime Saga, while also placing 2nd at Sumabato SP 5. This has lead to Link amassing an increasingly robust set of results that are arguably the strongest out of any of his previous incarnations overall, though how he fares compared to the rest of the cast is currently up for debate.

Aesthetics

• Link's design is explicitly based on his appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. His default outfit is the blue Champion's Tunic and the Hylian Trousers, with the more traditional green Hero of the Wild set as an alternate costume. The Master Sword's design has also been updated, having a glow reminiscent of that when encountering Malice.
• Link holds the Master Sword with his right hand and the Hylian Shield with his left. As a result, all of Link's animations have been horizontally flipped. He also has several altered animations, including a new idle pose with his legs positioned farther apart and his sword and shield held up at all times.
• Link's new on-screen appearance involves him gliding onto the stage using the Paraglider.
• Link has a new side taunt where he holds the Master Sword in front of him with both hands while it glows, similar to one of Ike's taunts. This replaces his Fairy taunt from previous games, which has been given to Young Link.
• Link's victory animation where he swings his sword then sheathes it now shows him swinging it back before sheathing it. He also faces away from the camera while doing it.
• Link's Boxing Ring alias has been changed to "Champion of Hyrule."

Attributes

• Like all characters, Link's jumpsquat animation takes 3 frames to complete (down from 7).
• Link walks faster (1.188 → 1.247).
• Link runs faster (1.3944 → 1.534).
• Link's traction is much higher (0.064 → 0.113).
• Link's initial dash is significantly faster (1.3 → 1.98).
• Link has increased air speed (0.88 → 0.924).
• Forward roll grants less intangibility (frames 4-17 → 4-15).
• Back roll has more startup with less intangibility (frames 4-17 → 5-16), and more ending lag (FAF 31 → 36).
• Spot dodge has less ending lag (FAF 28 → 27).
• Spot dodge grants less intangibility (frames 3-18 → 3-17).
• Air dodge grants more intangibility (frames 3-28 → 3-30).
• Air dodge has significantly more ending lag (FAF 34 → 50).

Ground attacks

• Neutral attack:
  • The third hit has higher knockback scaling (50 → 70), allowing it to set up edgeguards more effectively.
  • The first hit has smaller hitboxes (3.8u/4.5u/3u/2.5u → 1.8u), decreasing its range.
  • All hits have a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.6× (hit 1), 1.2× (hit 2), 2× (hit 3)), giving opponents more time to SDI each hit and DI the last hit.
  • The first and second hits have altered angles (95°/80°/361°/361° (hit 1), 90°/78°/60°/50° (hit 2) → 361°/361°/180°/361°) and knockback (35/30 base/37 scaling (hit 1), 38/10 (hit 2) → 25/20 base/25/15 scaling) to keep opponents close to Link, akin to other neutral attacks. This allows them to connect better and jab lock, but hinders their previously guaranteed jab cancel setups.
  • Neutral attack's speed has been modified overall.
    • The first hit has more startup (frame 7 → 8) and transitions into the second slower (frame 11 → 12).
    • The second hit has less startup (frame 6 → 5) and transitions into the third faster (frame 11 → 8).
    • The first and third hits have less ending lag (FAF 28 → 25 (hit 1), 37 → 35 (hit 3)).
    • The second hit has more ending lag (FAF 21 → 26), removing its jab cancel setups.
    • The third hit has a shorter hitbox duration (frames 6-10 → 6-7).
  • Neutral attack's damage has been redistributed, with the first two hits dealing more damage (2.5% → 3%) and the third hit dealing less (5% → 4%).
  • The third hit involves Link swiping vertically instead of thrusting his sword.
• Forward tilt:
  • The clean hit's hitbox has noticeably increased range (X offset: 6.2u → 7.8u).
  • Forward tilt has more ending lag (FAF 38 → 40).
  • It has smaller hitboxes (4.3u/2.8u/2.1u → 4u/2.8u/2.1u (early), 5.2u → 3.5u (clean)).
  • It always sends opponents in the direction Link is facing, even if hit from behind.
  • It causes the screen to shake when the sword hits the ground.
• Up tilt:
  • Up tilt's sword hitbox has considerably more range behind and above Link (X offset: 5u/0u → 8.4u/2u).
  • Up tilt deals more damage (9% → 11%), with its knockback scaling compensated (122/130/124/123 → 103/111/105/104).
  • It has slightly smaller hitboxes (3.6u/4.32u/2.88u/2.16u → 3.4u/4.3u/2.7u/2.16u).
  • It has a new animation, starting from behind Link rather than from his front.
    • The sword no longer reaches the ground in front of Link and has altered Z-Axis placements (Z offset: 0u/0u → -2.5u/-5.5u), making it more difficult (or sometimes impossible) to hit short or crouching opponents.
  • It has a lower hitlag multiplier (1× → 0.9×).
• Down tilt:
  • Down tilt has less startup (frame 11 → 10).
  • It has more horizontal range (Z offset: 16.6u → 17.5u).
  • It deals less damage (11% → 9%).
    • However, its knockback was not compensated, allowing it to combo for longer, and even serve as a KO confirm at higher percents into Spin Attack.
  • It has more ending lag (FAF 29 → 31), though its combo potential is compensated by Link's faster jumpsquat.
  • It has a smaller hitbox (3.1u → 2u).
  • It can no longer meteor smash aerial opponents.
• Dash attack:
  • The changes to jostle mechanics allow dash attack to hit opponents close to Link more easily, as he can no longer go through them during startup.
  • It has gained a shieldstun multiplier of 1.4×, which combined with the increased shieldstun for ground attacks makes it safer on shield.
  • The strong hit has been moved slightly farther from Link (X offset: 8u → 8.5u), and the mid hit has been moved back (X offset: 3.8u → 3u), slightly increasing the range of the strong hit overall.
  • It has slightly smaller hitboxes (3.5u/3.8u/3u → 3.2u/3.5u/3u).
  • The sweetspot has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.2×).
• Forward smash:
  • Both hits of forward smash have less ending lag (FAF 52 → 51 (hit 1), 68 → 61 (hit 2)).
  • The first hit shoots out a spinning Sword Beam as a projectile when Link is at 0% damage, in reference to multiple Zelda games where his sword shoots out beams when he is at full health. Charging forward smash increases the size, distance and damage of the projectile, dealing between 5% and 13% damage. This gives him a new long range option, while increasing the total damage of his forward smash at close range.
  • The first hit's innermost hitboxes have different angles (75°/55° → 69°/60°) and deal less knockback (47 base/15 scaling → 45/12), while the second hit has less startup (frame 12 → 10), allowing them to connect together more reliably.
  • Both hits have noticeably more range on the sword hitboxes (X offset: 0.5u/6.2u → 2.7u/8.5u (hit 1), 1u/6u → 1.5u/7.5u (hit 2)).
  • The closest hitbox of the first hit is larger, with tip's hitbox slightly reduced to compensate (3.5u → 4.2u (close), 3.8u → 3.5u (far)).
  • The second hit has larger hitboxes overall (4u/4u/3.6u/3.2u → 4.5u/4.5u/3.5u/3.5u).
  • The first hit has increased startup (frame 15 → 17) and transitions into the second hit slower (frame 20 → 22).
• Up smash:
  • All 3 hits have significantly more range on the sword hitboxes (X offset: 0u/5.5u → 2.5u/8.5u (hits 1 and 2), 5.5u → 7u (hit 3)).
• Down smash:
  • The first hit's hitboxes have been redistributed (14%/16%/17%/16% → 16%/17%/16%/14%), making it easier to land the stronger portions.
  • Down smash has larger hitboxes (3.5u/3.5u/2.9u/2.5u → 3.5u/3.6u/3.4u/3u (both hits)).
  • The first and second hit have had their stronger hitboxes moved farther from Link (Z offset: 5.8u → 7.5u (both hits)), noticeably increasing its range.
  • It has more startup on both hits (frame 9 → 12 (hit 1), 21 → 24 (hit 2)), and more ending lag (FAF 50 → 55).

Aerial attacks

• All aerials have less landing lag (10 frames → 6 (neutral, back), 12 → 11 (forward), 23 → 14 (up), 32 → 19 (down)).
• Forward aerial:
  • Forward aerial's animation has been sped up, with the gap between hits being shorter (12 frames → 8). This allows it to connect both hits more reliably.
  • The second hit deals more knockback (30 base/100 scaling → 43/120) and launches at a slightly lower angle (45° → 44°), now being as powerful as the first hit in Smash 4 .
  • Both hits have had their farthest sword hitboxes moved farther from Link (Z offset: 17u → 18u (hit 1), 15.5u → 17.5u (hit 2)), increasing its range.
  • Forward aerial has more startup for its first hit (frame 14 → 16), and more ending lag (FAF 50 → 52).
  • It auto-cancels later (frame 51 → 53).
  • Both hits deal less damage (11% → 8% (hit 1), 13% → 10% (hit 2)).
  • The first hit deals significantly less knockback (20 base/130 scaling → 31/25/33/25/33/26 base/28/30/30/30/28/26 scaling), no longer KOing until around 800%. It also has different angles (45° → 43°/367°/47°/367°/47°/38), a lower hitlag multiplier (1× → 0.8×), and uses weight-independent knockback.
    • This allows it to connect into the second hit even at high percents, and coupled with its lower landing lag, improves its combo potential on landing from low to mid percents.
    • However, this completely removes the the first hit's previously high KO potential, requiring Link to land the slower second hit in order to KO with the move.
• Back aerial:
  • Both hits of back aerial deal more damage (3% → 5% (hit 1), 5% → 7% (hit 2)).
  • The first hit launches at different angles (72°/68° → 73°/70°/66°), has a lower hitlag multiplier (1× → 0.8×), deals different set knockback to grounded and aerial opponents (40 → 50 (grounded)/36 (aerial)), and uses weight-independent knockback. These changes allow it to connect more reliably into the second hit.
  • The second hit has less startup (frame 18 → 15), thus reducing the frame gap between hits.
  • The second hit has lower base knockback (70 → 45), but higher knockback scaling (70 → 98). This allows it to combo more reliably at low percents, while also significantly improving its KO potential, KOing middleweights at around 200% from the center of Final Destination.
  • The second hit has less active frames (frame 18-22 → 15-17). The move's total duration was also not compensated for the second hit's faster startup, increasing its ending lag.
  • The first hit has slightly smaller hitboxes (4.5u/4.8u/5u → 4u/4.5u/5u).
  • The second hit has a slightly different animation.
• Up aerial:
  • Up aerial's clean hit has increased knockback (18 base/88 scaling → 23/93), improving its KO potential .
  • It auto-cancels earlier (frame 47 → 43).
  • It has more range (X offset: 6u → 6.9u).
  • It has a smaller hitbox (6u → 4.5u).
  • It has an increased hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.2×).
• Down aerial:
  • Down aerial has been reverted to possessing only a clean hit and late hit like in Brawl, with its early hit being removed. The clean hit remains mostly unchanged against grounded opponents, but meteor smashes aerial opponents like the early hit in Smash 4.
    • Because of this change, the move can KO grounded opponents much more reliably. The meteor smash against aerial opponents is also stronger, due to its knockback not being compensated for the clean hit's higher damage compared to the previous early hit.
    • Due to the removal of the early hit, down aerial can no longer combo into its bounce-off hit as effectively at higher percents, reducing its damage potential.
  • Down aerial's hitboxes are smaller (5u → 4u (clean), 6u → 4.2u (late)).
  • The clean hit (against grounded opponents) and late hit launch at a lower angle (65° → 60°), with the former also having decreased knockback scaling (80 → 78), slightly hindering their KO potential.
  • All portions of the move have a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.2×).
  • It has a different animation, with a more exaggerated downward thrust.

Throws and other attacks

• Link grabs opponents with his hand instead of using his Clawshot.
  • Because of this, all grabs have noticeably reduced startup (frame 12/14/15 (standing/dash/pivot) → 6/9/10) and ending lag (FAF 62/66/67 → 35/43/38), making them safer to use at close range, and allowing Link to set up into them more effectively.
  • However, all grabs have much shorter range, and their hitboxes have a shorter duration (6 frames (standing), 8 frames (dash, pivot) → 2 frames (all)).
• Link no longer has a grab aerial or a tether recovery due to losing the Clawshot.
  • However, this allows him to Z-drop items without triggering the grab aerial's lengthy animation.
• Pummel:
  • Pummel deals less damage (2.1% → 1.3%).
  • It deals more hitlag (4 frames → 14), but has much less startup (frame 4 → 1) and ending lag (FAF 16 → 7).
• Link's forward, back, and down throws now deal knockback to bystanders, making them safer to use in battles with multiple opponents.
• Forward throw:
  • Forward throw launches at a more favorable angle for edgeguarding (50° → 33°).
  • It has slightly more ending lag (FAF 36 → 38).
  • It deals less damage (4% → 2.5% (release); 7% → 5.5% (total)).
  • It has higher base knockback (55 → 75), but lower knockback scaling (120 → 85). This allows it to knock opponents offstage more easily at low percents, but reduces its already lacking KO potential.
• Back throw:
  • Back throw deals less damage (4% → 2.5% (release); 7% → 5.5% (total)), with only its base knockback somewhat compensated (50 → 67).
• Down throw:
  • Down throw has one frame less ending lag (FAF 50 → 49). Combined with Link's faster jumpsquat, this increases its combo potential.
  • It has drastically increased knockback scaling (85 → 125), KOing middleweights at around 250%. This further improves its combo potential at low to mid percents, but weakens its KO setups into up aerial at high percents.
  • Its speed is no longer weight-dependent. This improves its combo ability on heavyweights, but reduces it on lightweights.
• Edge attack:
  • Edge attack deals more damage (7% → 9%).

Special moves

• Bow and Arrows:
  • Link uses the Traveler's Bow from Breath of the Wild instead of the Hero's Bow.
  • Arrows fired have a bright tip, making them easier to track. Arrows will also become momentarily lodged in opponents' bodies.
  • The move has less startup (frame 18 → 16), with its total duration reduced as well (FAF 47 → 45), improving its camping ability.
  • Arrows have higher knockback scaling (66 → 71).
  • Arrows that fail to hit an opponent will linger on the ground for a longer period of time, and can be picked up as throwable items. Arrows used in this way deal little damage and knockback, allowing them to set up combos. Using the Bow and Arrows while holding an arrow causes Link to fire two arrows at once for 1.5× as much damage.
    • Arrows can be picked up by opponents and thrown at Link.
  • Arrows can no longer be held indefinitely upon reaching full charge, now being fired automatically if held for more than three seconds.
• Boomerang:
  • The more traditional Boomerang has replaced the Gale Boomerang, functioning as it did in Smash 64 and Melee.
  • Boomerang has regained its damaging hitbox while returning, allowing Link to interrupt opponents' attacks and perform combos more reliably than he could with Gale Boomerang's returning windbox.
  • It deals more damage (7% → 8% (clean), 5% → 6% (late)), which increases further if used as a smash special move (7% → 9.6% (clean), 5% → 7.2% (late)). In addition, the returning hitbox deals 3% damage.
  • Its throw distance has been increased.
  • It damages Link if it gets reflected back at him.
  • It has received negative shield damage (0 → -4 (clean), -3 (late)), effectively dealing half its usual damage to shields.
  • Due to the removal of the Gale Boomerang, Link can no longer perform the Gale Guarding technique.
  • Boomerang travels more slowly upon returning. This increases the amount of time the hitbox is active, but also increases the amount of time it takes before Link can throw it again.
  • Rather than simply disappearing, the Boomerang will drop to the ground and disappear in a puff of smoke if it is intercepted by another projectile.
    • The Boomerang cannot be rethrown during this animation, reducing the utility of Boomerang in trade situations.
• Spin Attack:
  • Spin Attack has more vibrant graphics and generates a blue "slash" around Link. Link moves his arm while charging the move, and the Master Sword glints with light up to three times, referencing the three levels of charged attacks in Breath of the Wild. The grounded version is now an inward spin.
  • Link has separate voice clips for grounded and aerial Spin Attacks.
  • The grounded version has less startup (frame 8 → 7), with its total duration reduced as well (FAF 78 → 77).
  • The grounded version's sweetspot hitbox is larger, with its sourspot smaller to compensate (3u → 3.5u, 3u → 2.8u).
  • The grounded version's early and clean hits deal more knockback (early: 86 scaling → 88, clean: 48 base/86 scaling → 52/88).
• Remote Bomb:
  • The spherical Remote Bomb from Breath of the Wild replaces Bomb as Link's down special. Rather than exploding on contact or after a short time, the Remote Bomb bounces off opponents and objects, and can be launched around by attacks (including Link's). It is detonated by inputting down special again, similar to Snake's C4. Alternatively, it detonates automatically after about 30 seconds. This changes up Link's item play and recovery tactics substantially.
  • Remote Bomb's 30 second fuse allows it to remain in play much longer than Bomb's 3.66 seconds.
  • The explosion has a significantly larger blast radius.
  • The explosion deals significantly higher knockback, improving its KO potential. It also launches opponents at a more horizontal angle, allowing it to edgeguard more effectively.
  • Remote Bombs themselves can lock opponents if thrown lightly.
  • Remote Bomb's detonation has 12 frames of startup before it can damage the opponent. It also cannot be manually detonated if it is held by an opponent; if attempted, Link will try to generate another Remote Bomb, but this will fail and give him high ending lag.
  • Only one Remote Bomb can be on the field at a time, as opposed to two traditional Bombs.
  • The explosion damages Link even if opponents are caught within it.
  • The Remote Bomb itself deals less damage when hitting an opponent (5%/9% → 1%), since it no longer explodes on contact and cannot be detonated while held by the opponent.
  • Remote Bomb cannot be detonated while Link is helpless, preventing him from using his up special multiple times offstage. This hinders Link's vertical recovery.
    • However, in a similar vein to Snake's C4, Link can Z-drop and quickly detonate a Remote Bomb on himself to supplement his recovery, especially at higher percents due to its higher knockback.
  • Remote Bomb's explosion deals consistent damage (5%/9% → 7%).
  • Remote Bomb lacks the flame effect.
• Ancient Bow and Arrow:
  • Link's new Final Smash is the Ancient Bow and Arrow, replacing Triforce Slash. It is functionally similar to Zelda's Light Arrow and Dark Pit’s Dark Pit Staff from previous games, although it only deals a single powerful blow to the first opponent in the arrow's path along with any bystanders.
  • Ancient Bow and Arrow has more horizontal range than Triforce Slash.
  • It deals significantly less damage than Triforce Slash (60% → 35%).

Update history

Link has overall been slightly buffed in game updates.

1.1.0

• The animation for crouching when holding an item has been updated.

1.2.0

• Fixed the Invisible Bomb glitch.

2.0.0

• Up aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 47 → 43).
• Bow and Arrows' arrow travels a longer distance (40 frames → 48). This improves its zoning pontential.

3.0.0

• Boomerang deals less shield damage (0 (all) → -4 (clean), -3 (late), -1.5 (return)).
• Created a glitch where opponents would unexpectedly teleport in any direction upon releasing Boomerang.

3.1.0

• The animation for throwing a large item has been updated.
• Boomerang teleportation glitch fixed.
• The Invisible Bomb glitch, which was formerly removed, has returned. It now occurs when the hitboxes of an opponent's attack and Remote Bomb's explosion collide.

4.0.0

• The universal buff to shields allows Link to shield SDI if a projectile hits his Hylian Shield.
• The lag upon waking up from the sleep effect has been adjusted, matching the rest of the cast.
• Aerial Spin Attack's auto-link angle hitboxes have less knockback. This removes the possibility of launching opponents at an unusually fast speed if the move fails to connect.
• Fixed the Invisible Bomb glitch from after it was inadvertently reintroduced in update 3.1.0.

Moveset

• While standing still, walking, or crouching, incoming projectiles that hit Link's Hylian Shield will deal no damage and simply push him back. It can block any amount of projectiles regardless of power.

Note: All numbers are listed as base damage, without the 1v1 multiplier.

		Name	Damage	Description
Neutral attack			3%	A downward slash, followed by an outward slash, then by an ascending slash. Has slow startup for a jab, but deals above-average damage, has good reach, and its third hit is a semi-spike with high base knockback, making it useful for tech-chasing and forcing opponents near edges offstage.
			3%
			4%
Forward tilt			13%	A lunging downward slash. It has noticeably slow startup for a tilt attack, but deals high damage and knockback for one in return, while possessing long range, the ability to hit opponents above and slightly behind Link, and only average ending lag that makes it safe on shield if spaced properly. This attack resembles the Z-Targeting slash used by the Link from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Up tilt			11%	An overhead arcing slash, starting from behind. Has good juggling potential from low to mid percents, comboing into itself depending on the victim's weight and falling speed, and decent KO potential at high percentages for its start-up.
Down tilt			9%	A kneeling inward slash. Has slow startup for a tilt, but low ending lag with vertical knockback, granting it combo potential into aerials and making it safe on shield with proper spacing.
Dash attack		Jump Slash	14% (tip), 13% (blade), 12% (body)	The Jump Attack. It is one of the strongest dash attacks in the game, KOing at around 110% from center stage when sweetspotted. However, it also has very slow startup (hitting on frame 20) alongside high ending lag, making it very punishable if whiffed or used recklessly.
Forward smash		Sword Slice	7% (blade), 14% (tip), 5%-13% (Sword Beam)	A two-handed, lunging downward slash. If the attack button is pressed again, Link will perform a single-handed outward slash. The first hit deals respectable damage and knockback at the blade's tip, but only deals half as much damage with much lower knockback when not tipped; however, the non-tipped hit is a natural combo into the second slash. Extremely powerful when both hits connect, being one of the strongest forward smashes in the game. If Link is at 0% damage, the first swing will launch a projectile.
			13% (blade), 12% (body)
Up smash			4% (hit 1), 3% (hit 2), 11%/10%/9% (hit 3)	A series of three overhead arcing slashes, the last one which launches opponents away. Has average startup, covers a wide range, deals high damage and can KO under 100%, but has high ending lag. The third hit deals more damage the closer opponents are to the tip of the Master Sword.
Down smash			17%/16%/14% (hit 1), 12%/11%/10% (hit 2)	A kneeling inward slash in front of himself, followed by a kneeling outward slash behind himself. The first hit launches opponents at a vertical trajectory, and can KO at around 100% uncharged with the strongest hitbox. The second hit is a semi-spike that has high base knockback, making it effective near edges, but deals less damage and overall knockback than the first hit.
Neutral aerial			11% (clean, foot), 9% (clean, leg), 6% (late)	A flying kick. It is a sex kick with relatively low startup, ending and landing lag. One of Link's most useful moves overall, as it lets him escape pressure, is safe on shield with proper timing, and can even lock and combo into other moves on landing especially with the late hit, a notable followup being dash attack as a KO setup at high percents.
Forward aerial			8% (hit 1), 10% (hit 2)	Two alternating, spinning outward slashes. The first hit has weak knockback in order to connect into the second hit, which deals high enough knockback to be one of Link's most reliable KO options. The move deals high damage if both hits connect, and due to its low landing lag and long range, it is also safe on shield move with proper spacing and timing. However, its slow startup, high ending lag and inability to autocancel before it can be interrupted leave it easy to punish if overused.
Back aerial			5% (hit 1), 7% (hit 2)	A hook kick followed by a mid-level roundhouse kick. Link's fastest aerial, coming out on frame 5, and has low ending and landing lag, allowing it to combo into itself at low percents. The first hit can also set up various attacks on landing, including an up tilt, up smash, or most notably, a Spin Attack, the last two of which can serve as KO setups at high percents.
Up aerial		Jump Thrust	15% (clean), 13% (late)	The Up Thrust. It is quite powerful when clean and has a long lasting hitbox that is difficult to dodge, making it an effective KOing and juggling option. However, it has moderate startup, coming out on frame 11, can only autocancel in a full hop if done near the start, and leaves Link highly vulnerable from other positions due to its long duration.
Down aerial		Downward Thrust	18% (clean), 15% (late), 11% (bounce)	The Down Thrust. Upon hitting a target without fast falling, Link bounces off them and can then hit them a second time, albeit dealing less damage. The clean hit is a powerful meteor smash against aerial targets, while also dealing high knockback to grounded targets, KOing them at around 125%. Like up aerial, the move has very long lasting hitboxes, which along with its disjointed range make it useful for contesting attacks from below and intercepting recoveries offstage. However, due to its very long duration, high landing lag and inability to autocancel even in a full hop, it is Link's most committal aerial.
Grab			—	Reaches out with one hand. A relatively fast grab, but possesses merely average range.
Pummel			1.3%	Hits the opponent with the Master Sword's pommel. A fairly fast pummel.
Forward throw			3% (hit 1), 2.5% (throw)	A front kick. Has little utility beyond launching opponents offstage, due to its weak power.
Back throw			3% (hit 1), 2.5% (throw)	A back kick. Launches the victim facing away from Link and at a slightly higher angle, but it is otherwise identical to forward throw.
Up throw			5% (hit 1, blade), 4% (hit 1, tip), 2% (throw)	Raises the opponent overhead and slashes them upward. Has relatively high knockback growth, which allows it to KO around 170% without rage. Against bystanders, it is a weak semi-spike with a sourspot at the base of the Master Sword; the thrown opponent is always hit by the sweetspot.
Down throw			3% (hit 1), 3% (throw)	Pins the opponent to the ground and then performs an elbow drop. A reliable combo starter into his up tilt, up smash, neutral aerial and up aerial.
Forward roll Back roll Spot dodge Air dodge		—	—
Techs		—	—
Floor attack (front) Floor getups (front)			7%	Slashes in front of himself and then behind himself.
Floor attack (back) Floor getups (back)			7%	Slashes in front of himself and then behind himself.
Floor attack (trip) Floor getups (trip)			5%	Slashes in front of himself and then behind himself.
Edge attack Edge getups			9%	The Crouch Stab from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Performs a thrust while climbing up.
Neutral special		Bow and Arrows	4% (uncharged), 12% (fully charged), 6% (uncharged, two arrows), 18% (fully charged, two arrows), 2.1%-3.9% (thrown arrow)	Wields the Traveler's Bow and fires an arrow forward. Charging increases the arrow's speed, distance and damage output; at full charge, the arrow flies almost completely straight and covers a very long distance. Good for gimping recoveries and pressuring opponents from afar. Upon hitting the ground or a wall, the arrows also linger for a while before disappearing, during which they can be picked up and thrown as items. If Link uses this move with an arrow picked up, he will fire two arrows at once, greatly increasing the damage dealt to opponents.
Side special		Boomerang	8% (clean), 6% (late), 9.6% (clean, smash thrown), 7.2% (late, smash thrown), 3% (return)	Throws a Boomerang, which flies forward and then returns to Link. On the way forward, it launches enemies vertically with high base knockback, and on the way back, it launches them towards Link with weaker knockback, allowing it to set up combos. It can be angled up or down, and inputting it like a smash attack increases its damage, as well as the distance it can travel.
Up special		Spin Attack	14%/12%/9%/7% (grounded, blade), 11.2%/9.6%/7.2%/5.6% (grounded, tip), 4% (aerial hit 1), 2% (aerial hits 2-4), 4% (aerial hit 5)	A spinning, outward slash. Much like in the The Legend of Zelda series, it is a powerful attack, and can be charged on the ground for even higher damage and knockback. Conversely, an aerial Spin Attack is a series of spinning, inward slashes and is Link's primary recovery move, covering respectable vertical distance, but minimal horizontal distance. The grounded version is a fast out of shield option and decays on damage over time, KOing at around 120% uncharged with the strongest hit, while the aerial version deals up to 5 hits and can KO reliably near edges.
Down special		Remote Bomb	1% (throw), 7% (detonation)	Pulls out a Remote Bomb, which can be thrown as an item. After throwing it, using the move again has Link detonate the Remote Bomb with his Sheikah Slate, creating a large blue explosion. The Remote Bomb has a maximum duration of about 30 seconds before detonating automatically, and can be knocked back by attacks, which also causes it to damage opponents in range. The Remote Bomb's throw deals low damage and knockback, but its explosion is significantly more powerful, having enough knockback to KO at around 180% from center stage with no rage. The explosion hurts Link as well if he is in range, which has its pros and cons; while being detrimental to him if he detonates the Remote Bomb with opponents too close to him, it also gives him a useful bomb recovery, especially at high percents.
Final Smash		Ancient Bow and Arrow	35%	Wields the Ancient Bow and fires an Ancient Arrow straight forward, which explodes upon impact with the nearest opponent in its line of fire. It deals low damage compared to other Final Smashes, but has high KO potential.

On-screen appearance

Glides in on his Paraglider, and unsheathes his sword.

Taunts

• Up Taunt : Swings the Master Sword twice and twirls it behind him before sheathing it. It is very similar to his victory pose in Twilight Princess, which he performs after learning a Hidden Skill or defeating a boss/particularly difficult enemies.
• Side Taunt: Holds the Master Sword in front of him with both hands as it glows blue, then puts it aside. Similar to one of Ike's taunts.
• Down Taunt: Assumes a Fujian White Crane-like stance while rearing the Master Sword behind his head. Loosely based on the attacking pose used by the Link from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.

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  Link's up taunt.

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  Link's side taunt.

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  Link's down taunt.

Idle poses

• Assumes a battle stance.
• Looks behind him.

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  Link's first idle pose

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  Link's second idle pose

Victory poses

• Left: Swipes his sword three times and looks to his right (his "character chosen" animation in Super Smash Bros., but ends with him facing a different direction).
• Up: Stabs with his sword, then holds it up, giving off a battle cry.
• Right: Swipes his sword, then turns his back to the camera and sheaths it. Based off of Link's victory pose in Twilight Princess.

A flourished and abridged remix of the theme that plays when Link obtains a Triforce Piece in The Legend of Zelda and has since become the main theme of The Legend of Zelda series.

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In competitive play

Notable players

Any number following the Smasher name indicates placement on the Spring 2019 PGRU, which recognizes the official top 50 players in the world in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate from February 1st, 2019 to July 7th, 2019.

Active

•  Izaw - The best Link player in Europe. Placed 7th at Phoenix Blue 2, 9th at Valhalla II, and 13th at ICARUS V.
•  Lean - One of the best Link players in Japan. Placed 17th at Umebura SP 2 and 33rd at Umebura SP 3.
•  Otakuni - The best Link player in France. Placed 9th at SEL 4: Crêpes Strikes Back, 17th at Stunfest 2019, and 33rd at Albion 4. Ranked 15th on the French Ultimate Power Rankings.
•  Scizor - The best Link player in the United States. Placed 7th at Kawaii Kon 2019 and 13th at Ultimate Nimbus.
•  T (#47) - The best Link player in the world. Placed 2nd at Sumabato SP 5, 9th at Umebura SP 4, and 17th at 2GG: Prime Saga. Has wins over Marss, Tea, Shuton, and zackray.
•  VinS - One of the best Link players in France. Placed 2nd at DreamHack Tours 2019 and 3rd at Brussels Challenge Major Edition 2019. Ranked 9th on the French Ultimate Power Rankings.

Inactive

•  Salem (#22) - Considered the best Link player in the world before dropping the character. Placed 3rd at Smash Conference United, 7th at Glitch 6, and 13th at GENESIS 6.

Classic Mode: A Quest to Seal the Darkness

Link's congratulations screen.

Link's opponents are all affiliated with darkness, referencing the main goal of every game in his series: to destroy darkness.

Round	Opponent	Stage	Music	Notes
1	Dark Pit	Reset Bomb Forest	Dark Pit's Theme
2	Giant Ridley	Norfair	Vs. Ridley
3	Bayonetta	Umbra Clock Tower	One Of A Kind
4	Dark Samus	Frigate Orpheon	Boss Battle 4 - Metroid: Samus Returns
5	Ganondorf	Gerudo Valley	Gerudo Valley	Zelda is a CPU ally.
6	Link	Temple	Great Temple / Temple	If using Dark Link costume, default Link appears as the enemy.
Bonus Stage
Final	Ganon	Sacred Realm	Calamity Ganon Battle - Second Form

Credits roll after completing Classic Mode. Completing it as Link has Title Theme - The Legend of Zelda accompany the credits.

Character unlock tree

Link's Classic Mode character unlock tree includes the following characters in order:

1. King K. Rool
2. Ice Climbers
3. Simon
4. Meta Knight
5. Snake
6. Young Link
7. Richter
8. Toon Link

Each character can be unlocked by clearing Link's Classic Mode, or the Classic Mode of any preceding character, if all preceding characters have been unlocked. Once all the above characters are unlocked, clearing Classic Mode with any of them will default to Mario's character unlock tree, starting with Sonic.

Role in World of Light

Finding Link in World of Light

Link was among the fighters summoned to the cliffside to fight the army of Master Hands.

Link was present on the cliffside when Galeem unleashed his beams of light. Link successfully deflected three beams of light with his Hylian Shield (staying true to the shield's unbreakable nature), but he lost his footing on the third blow, and was vaporized and placed under Galeem's imprisonment along with the rest of the fighters (excluding Kirby).

Link is unlocked near a Sheikah Tower when taking the Villager route. The player must defeat Don's spirit to access his unlock battle.

Fighter Battle

No.	Image	Name	Type	Power	Stage	Music
03		Link	Shield	3,600	Great Plateau Tower (Ω form)	Main Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Spirits

Link's Fighter Spirit can be obtained by completing Classic Mode. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 500 coins. Unlocking Link in World of Light allows the player to preview the second spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a Fighter Spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. Each Fighter Spirit has an alternate version that replaces them with their artwork in Ultimate.

Additionally, various incarnations of Link make an appearance in various Primary and Support Spirits.

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  93. Master Cycle

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  172. Link

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  178. Link (The Legend of Zelda)

• Epona Spirit.png

  196. Epona

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  217. Ricky

• Dimitri Spirit.png

  218. Dimitri

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  219. Moosh

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  223. Wolf Link & Midna

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  231. Loftwing

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  233. Wall-Merged Link

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  234. Link (A Link Between Worlds)

• Link (Link's Awakening) Spirit.jpg

  1,322. Link (Link's Awakening)

In Spirit battles

As the main opponent

Spirit				Battle parameters
No.	Image	Name	Series	Enemy Fighter(s)	Type	Power	Stage	Rules	Conditions	Music
183	File:Darknut.png	Darknut	The Legend of Zelda series	•Link		3,800	Bridge of Eldin (Battlefield form)	•Move Speed ↑ •Defense ↓	•The enemy's melee weapons have increased power •The enemy has increased move speed when the enemy's at high damage •The enemy gets a major stat boost when badly damaged	Main Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
208	File:FierceDeityLinkSpirit.png	Fierce Deity Link	The Legend of Zelda series	•Giant Link		13,900	Great Bay (Ω Form)	•Defense ↓ •Easy to Launch •Attack Power ↑	•You are easy to launch •You have reduced defense after a little while •The enemy has increased attack power	Calamity Ganon Battle - Second Form
227	File:FiSpirit.png	Fi	The Legend of Zelda series	•Link		9,500	Skyloft (Ω form)	N/A	•The enemy's melee weapons have increased power •The enemy's FS Meter charges quickly	Ballad of the Goddess (Remix)
1,086	File:Crispin Spirit.png	Crispin	StreetPass Mii Plaza series	•Link •Mii Swordfighter (Toad Hat, Standard Outfit)		1,500	Onett (Battlefield form)	•Item: Food	•Defeat the main fighter to win •The enemy becomes more powerful after eating •The enemy breathes fire	Personal Trainer: Cooking
1,233	File:Glory Hero Spirit.png	Glory of Heracles Hero	Glory of Heracles series	•Link		3,700	Wuhu Island (Swaying Bridge)	•Defense ↑	•Stamina battle •The enemy has increased defense after a little while	Revolt -Striving for Hope-
1,247	File:Frey and Freya.png	Frey & Freya	Zangeki no Reginleiv	•Link •Robin		3,700	Reset Bomb Forest	•Giant	•The enemy's melee weapons have increased power •The enemy's magic attacks have increased power •You are giant	Save the World, Heroes!

As a minion

Spirit				Battle parameters							Inspiration
No.	Image	Name	Series	Enemy Fighter(s)	Type	Power	Stage	Rules	Conditions	Music	Character
187		Marin	The Legend of Zelda series	•Zelda •Link		4,600	Tortimer Island (Battlefield form)	•Hazard: Slumber Floor	•The floor is sleep-inducing •Timed battle	Tal Tal Heights	Link (Link's Awakening)
238	File:Botwzelda.png	Zelda (Breath of the Wild)	The Legend of Zelda series	•Zelda •Link •Inkling •Donkey Kong •Falco •Zero Suit Samus		9,200	Great Plateau Tower	N/A	•Stamina battle •Reinforcements will appear after an enemy is KO'd •Defeat an army of fighters	Main Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild	Link (Breath of the Wild)
1,328	File:Hero's Comrades Spirit.png	Hero's Comrades	DRAGON QUEST series	•Ike •King Dedede •Zero Suit Samus •Sheik •Tiny Robin •Zelda •Link		13,300	Yggdrasil's Altar	N/A	•The enemy has increased melee-weapon damage and move speed •The enemy's smash attacks have increased power •Stamina battle	The Hero Goes Forth with a Determination	Erik

Alternate costumes

Gallery

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  Link, Kirby, Mario, and Cloud artwork, as posted by Tetsuya Nomura's official Twitter account.

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  Artwork of all The Legend of Zelda characters, as posted on the official Legend of Zelda Twitter account.

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  Link's fighter card.

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  Link taunting on the Great Plateau Tower.

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  Link about to perform his forward smash on Temple.

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  Link performing a Spin Attack on Pac-Man on Spirit Train.

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  Link holding a Heart Container on Great Bay.

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  Link performing his new Final Smash, Ancient Bow and Arrow.

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  About to strike Ganondorf with his forward smash on Skyworld.

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  Struck by Daisy's down smash on Spirit Train.

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  Link struck by Dr. Mario's forward smash on New Pork City.

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  Link, Mario and Samus struck by the Inkling's Splat Roller on Figure-8 Circuit.

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  Link getting hit by Isabelle's forward smash on Luigi's Mansion.

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  Link struck by Roy's neutral aerial on Skyloft.

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  Link, Marth and Shulk advancing towards Rathalos on Coliseum.

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  Link, Pikachu, Bowser and Inkling being attacked by Rathalos on Tortimer Island.

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  Link using Bow and Arrows on Prism Tower.

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  With Mario, Donkey Kong, Samus, Ice Climbers, Pit, Villager and Inkling on Battlefield.

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  With Kirby, Mario, Inkling, Marth, Pit, Ridley and Villager on Battlefield.

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  With all playable The Legend of Zelda veterans on the Great Plateau Tower.

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  With Zelda and Ganondorf on the Great Plateau Tower.

Trivia

• Ultimate marks the first time in the Smash series where Link does not wear his trademark green tunic as his default outfit, as well as the first time Link no longer has his Goron and Zora tunics from Ocarina of Time as his respective red and blue alternate costumes. His new red and blue costumes are based on armor sets from Breath of the Wild - the Hylian Tunic and the Royal Guard Uniform, respectively.
  • Ironically, Link's Champion's Tunic cannot be dyed in Breath of the Wild despite being the base for four of his costumes in Ultimate. His Hero of the Wild set can be dyed, but the colors used for the other four costumes based on this outfit are not possible in Breath of the Wild.
  • Despite being recolored versions of the Hero of the Wild outfit, neither his Fierce Deity nor his Twilight Princess-inspired costumes appear to expose his knees. This is in line with how both outfits appear in their respective Zelda games. Additionally, if one views him wearing these costumes during gameplay, then one can tell that his trousers were indeed lengthened due to the appearance of seams and other fabric detail and not just simply recoloring his legs.
  • Despite Link's default design lacking a cap, Kirby still gains his familiar green cap when copying Link.
  • Link's Skyloft-based alternate costume (now a white recolor of his Champion's Tunic) is the only one of his eight costumes in this game that does not appear in Breath of the Wild.
• Ultimate is the first Smash game where Link does not use a tether; however, his doppelgängers Young Link and Toon Link still use one.
• This is the first game where Link is no longer left-handed, matching Breath of the Wild; this resulted in multiple animation changes.
• In the E3 demo of the game, Link's portrait used his in-game model instead of his official artwork. This was also the case for Mario, Pikachu and Villager.
  • Coincidentally, all four of these characters were playable in the Super Smash Bros. for 3DS demo.
• Link is one of the five veterans from Smash 4 to have their Boxing Ring alias changed in Ultimate, the others being Kirby, King Dedede, Mega Man, and Ryu.
• Link is ranked #3 on Ultimate's roster, which is coincidentally the same number of playable Links in the game as well as the same number of pieces in the Triforce, as well as the number of sides of a triangle.
• Ultimate marks the first time in which any incarnation of Link (including Young Link and Toon Link) has new voice clips recorded for Smash as opposed to reused ones from the Zelda series.
• While Link's Smash series amiibo is based on his SSB4 appearance and does not match his Ultimate design, he possesses an amiibo in the Breath of the Wild line that matches his incarnation in Ultimate (despite possessing different weapons) and is identical to his Fighter Spirit.
• In Link's Hero of the Wild outfit, there's a gap on his right arm.
• One of Link's Tip's talks about how Link's name is only in five titles in the series, and that one is trickier to remember than the others. These games are Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, The Legend of Zelda: A Link To the Past, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, and the one that is "trickier to remember" being Link's Crossbow Training.
• Link appears in the least amount of Spirit Battles out of all the starting characters with a current total of 9.
  • Conversely, Link is the most common opponent for Classic Mode routes, as he appears in 19 different routes, mostly in his dark alternate costume.
• Along with Bowser & Meta Knight, Link has the most words in his Classic Mode title.
• Despite his Twilight Princess incarnation (which based his designs in Brawl and SSB4) being retired after this game, the Twilight Princess version of Link still makes an appearance in Ultimate as a spirit, although in his Wolf form.
• Marketing for Ultimate depicts Link as a mascot of the game alongside Mario with roughly equal status for the first time in the series; for instance, Mario and Link were the two most prominent veterans teased for the game in March 2018, they are the two most prominent characters on the "Everyone is Here" cast artwork, and were shown on interstitial screens to represent the game at EVO 2019.
  • The only cases in which Link does not share prominence with Mario are the How to Play video (depicting Mario and Bowser as has been tradition), the Controls menu (due to the fact that only one character is used to test controls), and Adventure Mode: World of Light (as Mario is the first required unlock while Link can be skipped over, although Kirby is the mode's de facto starter character). While Mario is marginally more prominent on the boxart for Ultimate, it still depicts him and Link as a mascot duo.
• Interestingly, although Link has a new side taunt, an unused model of the fairy from his previous side taunt remains in his character files.