Boomerang
Boomerang | |
---|---|
![]() Link's boomerang in Melee. | |
Users | Link Young Link Toon Link |
Universe | The Legend of Zelda |
Article on Zelda Wiki | Boomerang |
“ | Tap |
” |
—Melee's instruction manual |
“ | Increase range by tapping the Control Stick to the right. Control the angle of his throw with the Control Stick. | ” |
—Brawl's instruction manual |
“ | Does damage on the way out and on return. Change the angle with ![]() |
” |
—Smash for 3DS's foldout |
The Boomerang (ブーメラン, Boomerang) is a special move used by Link, Young Link, and Toon Link. In Super Smash Bros., it is Link's neutral special move, while in every other game, it is Link, Toon Link, and Young Link's side special move.
One can tap the control stick while doing this move to increase its range, and tilt the stick up or down to aim it towards those directions. If the player dodges the Boomerang as it comes back to them, it will continue going, curving in the direction they dodged in. Link can only have one Boomerang on screen at any time; trying the attack again while a boomerang is out only results in Link doing his boomerang throwing animation without actually throwing anything. It's perhaps a good projectile for spacing.
The design used in Melee is based on its design in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. However, Adult Link in the game couldn't use the Boomerang; only Young Link could.
In Super Smash Bros. Melee (version 1.1), there is a glitch with Link's Boomerang. It causes the Boomerang to get stuck to his arm, causing Link to lose the ability to throw it again. There another glitch, the Boomerang Superjump, that can be performed by both Link and Young Link.
Gale Boomerang
“ | Can pull foes in when the boomerang returns. Control the angle with ![]() |
” |
—Smash for 3DS's foldout |
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Link no longer uses the standard Boomerang, but taking after Twilight Princess, the Gale Boomerang (疾風のブーメラン Shipū no Būmeran Hurricane's Boomerang), is used instead, which pulls enemies towards the player as it returns to Link. Toon Link still uses a normal boomerang, as in Wind Waker.
The Gale Boomerang has the exact same use as the normal Boomerang. When it comes back, it additionally drags opponents towards Link. However, when the boomerang is returning it does no damage at all. If used properly, the player can string a number of different attacks following the boomerang's retrieving tornado. Link's side standard smash would be the most favorable attack of choice, as it would cancel the knockback allowing the second hit to connect. Link's down smash - if used with correct timing - can also damage opponents with both hits, causing a significantly larger amount of damage (up to 48% charged). Care has to be taken with this technique though, as the Gale Boomerang doesn't do damage while dragging opponents, the opponent can also take the chance to prepare their own attack while being drawn towards Link. The Gale Boomerang can also throw large items forward and can bring small items toward Link.
If reflected, the Gale Boomerang automatically enters the second phase of its attack, meaning Link cannot be hurt by it, only pushed away by it.
The move can be used to perform Gale Guarding. If timed perfectly, one can literally ride on the Gale Boomerang.
Interestingly, the Gale Boomerang seems to cancel the landing lag from any of Link's aerial attacks if it returns to Link while he is on the ground after an aerial attack, most noticeably, his down aerial.
The Gale Boomerang returns in Smash 4 as Link's side special move once again, with stronger knockback and launches opponents on a more vertical trajectory for easier follow-ups. Link also makes use of his Gale Boomerang in the Challenger From the Shadows trailer, where he uses it to fight Charizard. He also uses it in the Goddess of Light trailer, where he attempts to finish Pit off with it before Palutena intervenes.
Customization
Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the known variations:
Link
- Boomerang: A normal boomerang with good attack power, but it won't pull opponents, similar to pre-Brawl Boomerang.
- Ripping Boomerang: A short-range boomerang that passes through opponents,dealing multiple hits.
- In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, this variation is a Challenge unlock, only obtainable by scoring at least 50 KOs in Endless Smash while playing as Link.
Toon Link
- Floating Boomerang: Flies slower with more control. More easily returns to Toon Link.
- High-Speed Boomerang: Flies faster and passes through multiple enemies, but is slightly weaker and only returns to the spot where it was thrown.
Boomerang in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Ripping Boomerang in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Floating Boomerang in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
High-Speed Boomerang in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Origin
Boomerangs have been one of Link's main weapons since the very first The Legend of Zelda game; while generally inferior to the Bow as a means of indirect attack, it is reusable, capable of pulling items back to Link, stuns enemies, and trigger switches, making it more of a tool than a true offensive weapon. Some weak enemies could be defeated using the boomerang, and in some games the boomerang was capable of cutting down objects. In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, the traditional Boomerang is replaced by the Gale Boomerang, which had the ability to summon tornado-like gales. The Gale Boomerang has the same uses as the traditional Boomerangs from the other Zelda games, but the Gale Boomerang could additionally turn fans and put out fires. The item pulling effect is not used in the Smash Bros. series.
Gallery
Link using the Gale Boomerang in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Toon Link using the Boomerang in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.