Nayru's Love
Nayru's Love in Brawl
Zelda using Nayru's Love in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
User Zelda
Universe The Legend of Zelda
Article on Zelda Wiki Nayru's Love

Nayru's Love (ネールの愛 Nēru no Ai, Love of Nayru) is Zelda's neutral special move. A large blue crystal forms itself around Zelda, which then splits into tiny blue crystals that spin around her. It can do several hits of damage and also reflect projectiles. Using it in mid-air slows Zelda's descent, though very slightly.

This attack will reflect any projectiles, similar to Fox's Reflector. However, unlike most other reflectors, there is a moderate amount of downtime after the move is used during which it will not reflect projectiles. This makes timing Nayru's Love important and Zelda may be hit by projectiles if she uses it too early.

The hitboxes from the shards tend to draw characters towards Zelda (with the exception of the outermost shards). This means that as long as the centre of the opponent is between Zelda and the outermost shards, this attack will rack up 13% damage, making it one of the most damaging reflectors when used as a direct attack. If the player hits the opponent with the move, it will also push them in the direction that the player is facing. This may be important to know because this way it's possible to push them in certain bad positions like off the edge or below the stage. The attack can also deal up to 15% damage if the player hits an opponent at Zelda´s back, pushing the opponent towards Zelda and dealing maximum damage.

In Brawl, if Zelda is in the momentum from being hit, buffers her mid air jump (upwards or a diagonal mid air jump) and uses Nayru's Love, she will gain a large boost upwards or diagonally. This is useful for Zelda's recovery while reflecting projectiles. It is known as Nayru's Love Jump.

Customization

 

Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the known variations:

  1. Nayru's Pulse: Less duration, damage and knockback, but adds a "flip" effect akin to Mario's Cape.
  2. Nayru's Explosion: Draws in opponents before creating an explosion around Zelda.

Origin

The attack is based on the Nayru's Love spell in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Link can use it to create a large blue crystal around himself that made him invincible to damage, yet still get knocked back from strong attacks. It is the spell which is representative of Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom. Unlike Zelda's version, it could not be used offensively. Link does not have this attack in any Super Smash Bros. games, despite it being his attack.

Description from the Melee Instruction Booklet

Reflect projectile attacks or attack nearby foes.

Description from the Brawl Instruction Booklet

Magically repel projectiles and damage enemies who come into contact with it.

Description from the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Foldout

Repel projectiles, and damage enemies with a crystal.

Gallery