Light Arrow
- "Arrow of Light" redirects here. For the Arrows of Light used in Pit's SSB4 Final Smash, see Three Sacred Treasures.
| Light Arrow | |
|---|---|
 Zelda using the Light Arrow in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. | |
| Users | Zelda Sheik |
| Universe | Zelda |
| Article on Zelda Wiki | Light Arrow |
| “ | Fire an arrow of light that delivers heavy damage to all opponents in line with the shot. It even rips through shields. | ” |
| —Brawl's instruction manual (Zelda) | ||
| “ | Unleash a powerful bolt of light. The more opponents you have, the better your chances are of scoring multiple KOs in one shot. | ” |
| —Brawl's instruction manual (Sheik) | ||
| “ | Shoot an arrow of light that annihilates opponents. | ” |
| —Smash for 3DS's foldout | ||
Light Arrow (光の弓矢, Bow and Arrow of Light) is the Final Smash of both Zelda and Sheik. When used, Zelda/Sheik draws a large bow and sets an arrow. During this time, any characters in her line of sight will flinch. A second later, the Light Arrow is released, dealing significant damage and likely KO'ing the struck characters, although its power decreases drastically for every fighter caught in the blow.
Damage and properties
The move goes through walls, and also penetrates shields. Unusually, this Final Smash also ignores moves with super armor frames, and will therefore penetrate through said moves should it connect. This is likely due to the paralyzing effect of the first hit, which overrides the super armor and allows the second stronger hit to attack with full power.
While the basic move is the same whether Zelda or Sheik uses it, the damage and properties of the arrow are slightly different for either character. The primary difference is that Sheik sends opponents at a semi-spike angle, while Zelda sends them at more of a 45 degree angle upwards. Sheik's Light Arrow also does more damage but less knockback than Zelda's; the latter's Light Arrow in Brawl has enough knockback to one-hit KO the first target at 0% though its barely in the OHKO threshold and can be easily DI'ed. In SSB4, Zelda's Light arrow can no longer OHKO, but it can still KO at low percentages. In both games, even if Sheik's Light Arrow does not KO immediately, it can be equally difficult to recover from it due to its semi spike angle, especially if she uses it as an edgeguarding tactic. At extreme distances (the majority of the length of Hyrule Temple or New Pork City) Light Arrow does slightly less damage, although this is rarely noticeable due to its impressive power.
The move can hit a maximum of 6 targets in Brawl (three pairs of Ice Climbers) and 7 targets in SSB4 (in an 8-Player Smash) but the damage and knockback weaken for each target hit. Thus if used on many opponents, it may not KO the ones in the back, even at higher percentages. If the arrow connects with a fighter, the match will pause as the camera does a slow-motion close-up of each hit character in order (similar to the Dragoon). This zoom effect is faster in SSB4 than in Brawl.
Spacing is very important when using the Light Arrow. If the opponents are too close together, they may collide with each other and prevent KOs from happening. This is even more important in the Sheik version where opponents are launched at a very low angle.
Zelda's Light Arrow
- First Target: about 42%
- Second Target: about 32%
- Last Target: about 24%
Sheik's Light Arrow
- First Target: about 48%
- Second Target: about 36%
- Last Target: about 28%
However, these numbers can be further weakened with more targets. (i.e the Ice Climbers)
Trophy descriptions
_-_Brawl_Trophy.png){kind=icon}
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- Light Arrow (Zelda)
Princess Zelda's Final Smash. She wields a mighty bow of light with which she can attack from afar. Her arrow travels in a straight line and flies through all characters unlucky enough to be in the way. This attack cannot be blocked. The more enemies there are, the higher the chances to get them all with one shot. More is always better!
- Light Arrow (Sheik)
Sheik's Final Smash. After grabbing a Smash Ball, Sheik will be able to wield a bow of light. The arrow fired from this bow has the power to pass through multiple targets, so it will damage all enemies in the direction it flies. This, coupled with its shield-breaking power, makes it even more terrible. Even in Sheik form, Zelda's ability as an archer is undiminished.
In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
- Light Arrow (Zelda)
In many of the Legend of Zelda games, the sacred Light Arrows are required to defeat the final boss. In this game, Zelda fires one straight across the screen for her Final Smash. If it passes through multiple foes, the ones hit first will take the most damage. The Light Arrow has a lot of launching power, making it great for getting KOs!
- Light Arrow (Sheik)
Sheik's Final Smash uses a gigantic bow to fire a Light Arrow across the screen. If multiple foes are in its path, it will strike them all, ignoring shields like they're not even there. Sheik's Light Arrow is more damaging than Zelda's and it launches its victims at a lower angle.
Sheik's Final Smash uses a gigantic bow to fire a Light Arrow across the screen. If multiple foes are in its path, it will strike them all, even penetrating straight through their shields. Sheik's Light Arrow is more powerful than Zelda's and it launches its targets at a more shallow angle.
Origin
In conjunction with the Master Sword, Light Arrows have been used in The Legend of Zelda series as a weapon used to stun Ganon/Ganondorf, leaving him vulnerable to the Master Sword. The concept for them probably comes from the original NES The Legend of Zelda, in which Link used a similar weapon called the Silver Arrow to defeat Ganon. Link was first able to wield the Light Arrows in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on the N64, where he utilized them in the penultimate showdown with Ganondorf.
The first incarnation of Zelda to use Light Arrows was Tetra in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, who wielded Link's Hero's Bow and Light Arrows in the final battle against Ganondorf. In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Zelda is granted the Light Arrows by the Spirits of Light and once again uses them in the final battle with Ganondorf. The Light Arrows used in Smash are based on the Twilight Princess design.
Gallery
Light Arrow in Brawl.
Zelda striking Sheik with her Light Arrow in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Sheik's Light Arrow in for Wii U.
Sheik striking Zelda with her Light Arrow in for Wii U.
Light Arrow (Sheik) trophy in Brawl.
Light Arrow (Zelda) trophy in for Wii U.
Light Arrow (Sheik) trophy in for Wii U.
_-_Brawl_Trophy.png){kind=icon}
Trivia
- Light Arrow is one of the only Final Smashes shared by multiple characters, along with Landmaster, Triforce Slash, Critical Hit, and PK Starstorm.
- Dark Pit Staff is very similar to this move, and is often considered a clone of Light Arrow due to its similar properties (down to the zooming in on hit).
External Links
