Sheik (SSBM)

This article is about Sheik's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee. For other uses, see Sheik. Also, for information about Sheik's alter-ego, see Princess Zelda.

Sheik
Sheik
Universe	The Legend of Zelda
Appears in	SSBM SSBB
Availability	Starter
Tier	Top (3)

Announced at E3 2001, Sheik is a character in Super Smash Bros. Melee. She transforms from Zelda by using down+B (Transform), and can transform back into Zelda. By holding A at the stage loading screen, Zelda will automatically transform into Sheik at the start of a match.

Attributes

File:Sheik.jpg

Sheik is a very fast character (in both movement and attack speed), but her attacks lack power and are vulnerable to being crouch cancelled. Her needles can neutralize opponents' projectiles and add to her edge-guarding game. Needle canceling makes for a speedy and unpredictable air-to-ground game. For the advanced player, reverse needle canceling improves mobility and recovery. Although her needles have many uses, her side special move (chain) is very slow and virtually useless in advanced play. Sheik has a quick wavedash and dodge ability, but her very high short hop slows her SHFFL significantly. Sheik's very low crouch allows her to dodge many projectiles, including Fox's and Falco's blasters. Sheik's tilts are known not only for being fast like her other attacks, but also long-ranged and having high priority. Sheik is also famous for her down throw, which can chaingrab against much of the NTSC cast. Sheik's up smash is the strongest in the game if sweetspotted at the tip of her hands, and it's quick. Sheik can also wall jump. Although her recovery doesn't travel much distance (a combination of relatively fast-falling speed, fairly poor air speed, and not much distance on her third jump), vanish has a large number of invincibility frames and damages foes around her due to the explosion. Sheik can transform into Zelda if the player has a disadvantage as Sheik, or for her better recovery when knocked far offstage. However, transform is fairly slow and grants no invinibility frames. Thus, if Sheik transforms into the the sluggish Zelda she is often KOed.

Special Moves

• Neutral B: Needle Storm
• Smash B: Chain
• Up B: Vanish
• Down B: Transform

Trophy information

File:Sheiktrophy1 copy.jpg

#239

"This is Zelda's alter ego. Using a variation of the name of the ancient Sheikah tribe, she appears before Link and teaches him melodies instrumental to his success. It's believed that she's not just a quick-change artist, but rather that she is able to instantaneously alter her clothing and her eye and skin color by using her magical skills."

Game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time [11/98]]

File:Sheiktrophy2 copy.jpg

#240

Smash Red

"Strategically switching between Zelda and Sheik is key. Compared to her Zelda form, Sheik is nimble and has gorgeous moves, but she lacks a strong knockout attack. The number of needles thrown in Needle Storm is based on how long you hold the B Button before releasing it. Use the Control Stick to wave the Chain after brandishing it."

File:Sheiktrophy3 copy.jpg

#241

Smash Blue

"The best strategy to use when playing as Sheik is to let her flow from one powerful attack into another, like a river of quicksilver. Zelda has some techniques with more punch, however, so in one-on-one battles, use Transform as needed. Sheik only travels a short way when using Vanish, but the move comes with a small explosion that damages foes around her."

PAL changes

• Down throw has a more horizontal send, making it impossible to chain grab or directly follow up if the opponent DIs away from Sheik.
• Uair is weakened significantly to 10% damage from 12%. This makes it a powerful juggling tool at even high percents (especially against fast fallers), but makes it a terrible KO move.
• The damage and knockback of the Up Smash tipper hit is slightly weaker, doing 16% damage instead of 17%.

Recovery

Sheik recovery is done by using a mid-air jump and Vanish. Another way of recovery is transforming into Zelda while in the air and using Zelda's up B to get back to the stage. Sometimes there's no need for transforming, so you can do the Smash Attack with Sheik on the air to gain inertia and arrive back on stage.

Sheik has a lot of landing lag after using her up B. Fortunately, her third jump is very easy to sweetspot. One common edgeguarding technique against Sheik is to edgehog, forcing Sheik to land on the platform, and attacking her during the landing lag.