Triforce Slash
The Triforce Slash (トライフォースラッシュ Toraifōsu Rasshu Triforce Rush) serves as the Final Smash of both Link and Toon Link in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Link or Toon Link repeatedly slashes the enemy using the power of the Triforce, and then delivers a finishing blow with enough power to KO.
Overview
The attack starts out with the Triforce symbol on the back of Link/Toon Link's hand glowing. A ray of light will stun anyone horizontally in front of them. Link/Toon Link will then dash towards any opponent stunned by the beam and strike them repeatedly for an immense amount of damage. The ambient time stops making it not dangerous in moving stages. Super Smash Bros Brawl: Premier Edition player's guide says that the attack can only reach two character lengths in front of them. The guide is incorrect, the attack can actually reach all the way across Final Destination for Link and half across for Toon Link if one holds on to the special button. This attack seems to be primarily meant for a single target, but more than one character can easily be hit simultaneously if they are close enough to each other and can even KO multiple characters. Ike's Great Aether is very similar to Link's, as they both trap the opponents in a barrage of powerful slashes, but one of Triforce Slash's advantages is that it can be done at the edge of the stage, greatly increasing the rate of KO. Apparently, another player can change the knockback angle of the final blow that ejects the opponent. When Link is pausing to charge the final blow, another player can attack the trapped player and when Link does that ejecting blow, they will be sent flying according to the knockback of the other players move. This also applies to Toon Link.
Toon Link's Triforce Slash does the exact same amount of damage and number of hits as Link's and only differs in appearance/sound effects. Toon Link's Triforce Slash has a more cartoony appearance than Link's, as homeage to Wind Waker's cartoonish graphic style. In addition to Toon Link's version being more Wind Waker-esque, it is also a bit slower. It also has much lower range and slightly less knockback. It is also worth noting that Toon Link's Triforce Slash has less start up time compared to Link's. Also, the final strike at the end of his Triforce Slash has greater range than Link's, though the strength of a smash attack. Note that the character will get super armor from being caught by Link or Toon Link's Final Smash, but they are also trapped in the spot where they are caught by the Triforce symbol.
Damage
The main target will receive a total of 78% damage from the full attack while others may received up to 60% before being ejected by the second to last strike. Each strike will cause 4% and trap any victims for the next strike, until the 15th, which ejects all but the primary target from the attack and is followed by Link winding up for the final blow. Additionally, if the attack is used at close range, the attack does 5% damage while trapping the target(s), yielding up to 83% total damage. The last strike causes 18% damage and immense knockback to the main target and anyone close enough to it. This is the same for both Links. The attack consists of a full downward slash, an up slash, a diagonal-left slash resulting in a spin-cut, a full-up cut, another downwards cut, an up-right slash, a left slash with two spin slashes, another right-slash, and a powerful stab to finish the move, which makes up for a total of 17 strikes.
Description from the Instruction Booklet
The Triforce symbol on Link's hand flashes and binds the foe in a prison of bright light. Link then deals a blindingly-fast set of attacks that culminate in a huge final blow.
Trophy Description (Link)
Link with a Smash Ball, releasing his ultimate attack. Light flares from the Triforce symbol on the back of his hand and rushes out to meet the enemy he faces. The enemy gets trapped within the glittering Triforce, is quickly cut to shreds, and is launched by the last strike. The attack works on one enemy at a time, so it's best to go after the character in first place.
Trophy Description (Toon Link)
Toon Link's Final Smash. Hit an enemy with the light emanating from the Triforce mark on his hand to initiate the move. The enemy will be trapped within the Triforce and be unable to move--Toon Link will then rush in close and carve up his foe at lightning speed. The final blow will break the Triforce prison and send the opponent off the screen.
Escapes/Glitches
- See also: Triforce Slash glitch
- One can dodge the Triforce Slash by air dodging. The Triforce will appear around the player for a second, but then disappear. It only works if the player dodges between the time he holds his hand up, and the beam of light actually shoots out.
- If Togepi uses Earthquake right beside the Triforce Slash, the player can escape.
- If R.O.B. uses his Up-smash attack just before Toon Link activates Triforce Slash, Toon Link will throw the Triforce, but "slingshot" forward without slashing, and in most cases, self-destruct himself.
- If the Triforce Slash tries to grab the secondary Ice Climber during his/her invincibility period of Belay, then the attack will fail. However, for the rest of that stock, the secondary Climber's special effects, such as the puffs of smoke from dashing or jumping, will be played at a reduced speed.
- If the Triforce Slash targets the following Ice Climber, and the leader is killed, the targeted Ice Climber will disappear and leave Link slashing nothing. Additionally, the Triforce will not explode at the end, it will instead be merely pushed and vanish. If this happens while Link is dashing over to them, he'll keep going and probably dash off the edge.
- When in a stamina match, if the person in the Triforce Slash loses all HP, they will fall out and Link/Toon Link will continue to use the Triforce Slash with nothing caught inside of it.
- Toon Link's version can be canceled by throwing an item just at the right time. The Triforce will only appear for a split second, and will then disappear.
- Pit can partly block the Final Smash by using his forward smash or his dash attack, taking the damage but canceling the knockback. However, one must time this move perfectly.
- If Marth or Ike uses counter on Link or Toon Link's final smash, it will cancel. However this must be timed perfectly.
- The Triforce Slash will sometimes fail upon connecting. The Triforce will appear around the target for a second, as if it was air dodged, but disappears, and the character gets 30% damage without knockback. This can be caused by certain terrains, such as the crest of a hill getting in Link/Toon Link's way.
- If Link or Toon Link targets someone behind a drop-through sloped block, he will dash onto the slope and miss the targeted enemy.
- In some cases, when he passes the enemy he will enter a helpless state if in midair.
Trivia
- Triforce Slash is one the only Final Smashes used by multiple characters, along with Landmaster, Light Arrow, and PK Starstorm.