Link (Super Smash Bros.)


 * This article is about Link's appearance in Super Smash Bros. For other uses, see Link.

Link (Japanese: リンク, Rinku) appears as a starter character in Super Smash Bros. He is the sole represenater of the Zelda series. Having many disjointed melee attacks and two projectile weapons, Link can be a hassle to approach. However, his lack of speed and maneuverability cause Link even more problems in approaching an opponent. In fact, much of Link's strategy consists of standing back, throwing a few projectiles, and waiting for an opening. Due to his slow ground movements and attacks, it is imperative that Link players be able to not only short hop but be able to input an attack immediately afterward.

Attributes
Link has long ranged attacks due to his sword, and they also have good power and priority. On the down side, he also has slow attack and movement speed. His grab is long like his attacks due to being a tether grab, but it leaves him vulnerable if it misses. Link also has two good projectiles, which can lead to some very aestetic combos, makes Link tough to approach, and can be used to edge-guard. Link is also heavy, which means he is harder to knock around but easier to combo.

Link's biggest problem is his recovery. His very short jumps, fast falling speed (the second fastest in the game) and poor distance both horizontally and vertically of Spin Attack (even descends before the animation is over) makes his recovery arguably the worst in the game. It is easily edge guarded, especially with spikes.

Weak attacks

 * A: Sword Swipe, 2-5%
 * A-A Combo: Double Sword Swipe, 2-3%
 * A-A-A Combo: Stab 2-4%
 * Rapid A: Quick Sword Stab, 1% each

Strong attacks

 * Forward Tilt: Sword Up to Right, 7-18%
 * Up Tilt: Tilted Sword, 4-10%
 * Down Tilt: Sword Poke, 5-12%

Smash attacks

 * Forward Smash: Elongated Sword, 5-20%
 * Up Smash: Triple Up Sword, 3-7%, 2-3%, then 5-12%
 * Down Smash: Grass Cutter, 6-16%

Aerial attacks

 * Neutral Air: Sex Kick, 3-10%
 * Forward Air: Spin Sword, 5-20%
 * Up Air: Upwards Thrust, 6-16%
 * Back Air: Double kick, 4-10%, 4-10%
 * Down Air: Down Thrust Sword 6-16%

Throws

 * Forward Throw Kick, 11-14%
 * Back Throw: Kick back, 12-16%

Other

 * Dash attack: Running Sword Swipe 4-16%

Taunt

 * Lowers his right leg and raises his left arm (his sword arm), then pulls his right leg up, pushes his right knee out to his left, points his foot downwards so that the end of his left boot comes to about halfway up his left shinguard.

Special Moves

 * Neutral B: Boomerang 3-9%
 * Up B: Spin-Attack 3-16%
 * Down B: Bomb 3-13%

In Single-player

 * In the game's single-player mode, Link is the first character you battle, in which you must face him on Hyrule Castle.


 * If you are against Link in Single Player Mode on Very Easy, he will not attack or move until you make the first strike or after a period of time.

Extended Boomerang
Link's boomerang (neutral B attack) goes farther if it is treated as a smash attack. Quickly tap the control stick to the side while hitting B to extend the range.

Bomb Recovery
Like Samus, Link can use his bombs to aid his recovery. However, unlike Samus, Link must use a bit of technical skill and timing. While recovering, pull out a bomb and drop it slowly below Link. Continue to DI toward the stage and then use his bair. This will cause Link to explode toward the platform. Use his Up B and land back safely. Note that Link will not be able to grab the edge because the explosion causes him to face the other direction. To counter this, throw his boomerang before using his Up B. This technique is extremely situational, and poorly helps to recover in very few cases.

Bomb damages

 * Explosion: 5%
 * Throws
 * Tilt: 5%
 * Tilt Up: 5%
 * Tilt Down: 0%+5% (5%)
 * Dash: 9%+5% (14%)
 * Smash: 8%+5% (13%)
 * Smash Up: 8%+5% (13%)
 * Smash Down: 0%+5% (5%)
 * Air Throws
 * Tilt: 7%+5% (12%)
 * Tilt Up: 8%+5% (13%)
 * Tilt Down: 8%+5% (13%)
 * Smash: 9%+5% (14%)
 * Smash Up: 11%+5% (16%)
 * Smash Down: 11%+5% (16%)

Trivia

 * When Link picks up a battering item, his dash attack will show him using his sword and the item he's wielding.
 * A level 3 Link CPU on any stage will always use a bomb as his first attack and a level 9 Link on the Hyrule Castle stage will always use his boomerang as his first attack, making them very predictable and easy to approach.
 * In the Single-Player Mode on Very Easy difficulty, Link will not move until he has accumulated about 16% damage.
 * Link is stronger in the European version of SSB, as his Side Smash causes 24% instead of 20% and he has better air speed, improving his recovery.