Sheik (Super Smash Bros. Melee)

Overview
Sheik is a character in SSBM. She transforms from Zelda by using down+B (Transform), and can transform back into Zelda. By holding A at the start of a match, Zelda will automatically transform into Sheik at the start of a match.

Unbeknownst to many, Sheik is only a disguise used by Zelda in the Ocarina of Time, and is not in any way a different person. She merely uses magic to change her skin and hair color and hide her dominant features. Compared to Zelda, Sheik is nimble and has gorgeous moves, but lacks a strong knockout attack. The number of needles thrown in the Needle Storm is based on how long you hold the B Button before releasing it.

The best strategy to use Sheik is to let her flow from one powerful attack into another. Zelda has some techniques with more punch, so in one-on-one battles, it is possible to Transform if needed. However, few players intentionally transform into Zelda except as a recovery technique since Sheik is typically capable of fighting and killing the opponent on her own. Sheik only travels a short way when using Vanish, but the move comes with a small explosion that damages foes around her; additionally, Vanish has a large number of invincibility frames, making Sheik more difficult to hit while she recovers.

Sheik has become quite famous among SSBM smashers. Her easy combo abilities and her technical ability can help her damage opponent's quickly. Since Sheik is quite easy to handle, it has also become a good starter player for beginners. Currently, Sheik is found 3rd on the tier list.

Pros

 * Quick, comprehensive close game
 * Needles compliment her already strong close game
 * Great tilt attacks, arguably the best in the game
 * Downthrow (against some characters an effective chain grab) can launch into further combos against almost every character in the NTSC cast
 * Her F-air move is one of the best finishers in the game as it can be put in almost every combo and sends at a very low angle, making DI comparatively ineffective against it.
 * 3rd jump is very potent due to the teleportation effect, afterburn, and the false 4th jump making it easy to avoid projectiles by riding underneath the level and grabbing the edge easily avoiding attack.
 * Quick Wavedash and Dodge Ability.
 * Great Combo Starter.

Cons

 * Easily juggled/comboed
 * Has a very high short hop, slowing her shffl' significantly.
 * Cannot dash-dance effectively due to her beginning animation ending too early
 * Laggy land after using her up B
 * Attacks lack power and are vulnerable to being Crouch Canceled

PAL changes

 * Down throw has a more horizontal send, making it impossible to chain grab or directly follow up if the opponent DIs away from Sheik.
 * Uair is weakened significantly to 10% damage from 12%. This makes it a powerful juggling tool at even high percents (especially against fast fallers), but makes it a terrible KO move.
 * The damage and knockback of the Up Smash tipper hit is slightly weaker, doing 16% damage instead of 17%.

Recovery
Sheik recovery is done by 2 jumps and the teleport ability. Another way of recovery is transforming into Zelda while in the air and using Zelda's up B to get back to the stage. Sometimes there's no need for transforming, so you can do the Smash Attack with Sheik on the air to gain inertia and arrive back on stage.

Sheik has a lot of landing lag after using her up B. Fortunately, her third jump is very easy to sweetspot. One common edgeguarding technique against Sheik is to edgehog, forcing Sheik to land on the platform, and attacking her during the landing lag.

Needle Storm
This is a very fundamental technique that should be applied to all Sheik players. It is recommended that right after the battle starts, After holding the B Button to charge needles, one can press Z, L, or R to save the charged needles. Needles can disturb your opponents while getting back to stage and destroy most projectiles, including Fox's and Falco's lasers. The Needle Storm can take up to 18% of damage.