Spin Attack


 * For Sonic's Special Moves, see Spin Dash and Spin Charge.

The Spin Attack is Link's, Young Link's and Toon Link's Up Special Move. The move involves any of the three versions of Link spinning his sword around in a circle. Though generally not good in terms of recovery, it is very powerful in terms of offense.

A technique that you can use for this move is the Edge Slash (SSBM and SSBB only).

History
The Spin Attack, also known by many Link pros as "The Cyclone," has been a standard move in many the Legend of Zelda games, its first appearance being The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. While usually a basic move available from the start, in some games it can be upgraded with magic to deal more damage and have a greater range.

Super Smash Bros.
Link's Spin Attack has nearly identical animation (the size of the circle made by the attack while in the air is smaller), knockback, and damage when used on the ground and in the air. Both versions deal substantial knockback, making them good combo finishers. As a recovery move, though, it is lacking in both horizontal and vertical range, and also because the attack has strictly horizontal range, leaving Link vulnerable from above and below.

Super Smash Bros. Melee
If used on the ground, Link will have a bit more range and opponents will be hit away quite a distance. If hit by the attack near the end of its animation, the hit acts as a semi-spike, making it a useful edgeguard technique. Young Link's version has less range, but will suck in opponents to deal several hits of damage. If used in mid air, the move is the same for both Link and Young Link; they will spin while moving upward, dealing a possible 5 hits, the last having considerable knockback to it, with Young Link's version being considerably weaker. The move is greatly improved from the previous game, having larger recovery distance and covering Link from above if used in mid air.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
In SSBB, it gains the ability to be charged. It now traps enemies in a cyclone of slashes and tops it off with a powerful Up-Air. By holding the attack, Link will hold his sword in place for a few seconds before releasing a more powerful version of his normal Spin Attack, somewhat similar to a Smash Attack. The attack can only be charged while Link is on the ground, however. Toon Link also has the ability to charge up his Spin Attack, but it is more like Young Link's Spin Attack from Melee. While using the Spin Attack in the air, if all strikes make contact, the final blow has extremely powerful upward knockback. This is an excellent move for Toon Link to finish an aerial combo with, or to kill off the side of a small stage. The angled orientation of the aerial hitbox, especially for Toon Link's version, allows it to hit potential edge-guarders through the stage's edge. Toon Link's covers a greater distance in the air than Link's does. Toon Link can go from near the bottom of the Battlefield (SSBB) to the ledge without his midair jump.