Chain
| Chain | |
|---|---|
 The chain is straight when first unraveled. | |
| User | Sheik |
| Universe | The Legend of Zelda |
Chain (鉄糸舞, Iron Thread Dance) is Sheik's side special move in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Overview
It involves Sheik pulling out a long metal chain and whipping it around. When Sheik pulls out the chain, the player has full analog control over it. The player can whip it in all directions - above and even behind Sheik's head. When a foe makes contact with the middle of the chain, they are slightly damaged. However, when the foe makes contact with the tip of the chain, they are given a small electric shock. It can be used to block solid projectiles like Link or Samus's bombs. In Brawl, the chain can act as a tether recovery, although inexperienced players randomly whipping the chain around can cause Sheik to immediately let go once tethered.
Due to the move's poor damage and lag, Chain is almost never used in competitive play. However, it is possible for the move to be used to stun opponents for extended periods of time, dealing significant damage to the opponent. Mew2King is known for performing this[1] on opponents on the ledge, often resulting in the opponent losing a stock.
In Brawl, using this as the very first move in a match can crash the game. There is also a glitch called the Chain Jacket glitch which affects the properties of the move's hitboxes.
Instructional quotes
 instruction booklet |
 |
Hold down  and use  to brandish Sheik's Chain. It can be used for both offense and defense.
|
 instruction booklet |
 |
Move the Control Stick and hold down the B Button to attack with Sheik's chain. This move can also be moved to grab onto the stage edges. |
Gallery
The chain being whipped around in Brawl.
The chain being used as a tether recovery.
Trivia
- On the Temple stage, when Sheik uses Chain in the right spot on the small pillar (near the entrance to the underground area), the chain will keep on making a small chain noise that can sometimes make character voices and cries inaudible.
- Sheik flaunts the chain as part of her side taunt in Brawl. In Smash 4, she instead flaunts the wire of her Burst Grenade.
- In the E3 2001 pre-release trailer of Melee, the Chain looked and felt as though it was fast, responsive, and weighted at the end. This suggests that it originally had very different physics than what was implemented in the final build of the game.
- While Chain does not return in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Simon and Richter are capable of holding the attack button after using their neutral attack or forward tilt in order to swing their whips in an identical fashion.
