Sheik (Super Smash Bros. Melee)


 * This article is about Sheik's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee. For other uses, see Sheik.  Also, for information about Sheik's alter-ego, see Princess Zelda.

Announced at E3 2001, Sheik is a character in Super Smash Bros. Melee. She transforms from Zelda by using down+B (Transform), and can transform back into Zelda. By holding A at the stage loading screen, Zelda will automatically transform into Sheik at the start of a match.

Attributes
Sheik is a very fast character (in both movement and attack speed), but her attacks lack power and are vulnerable to being crouch cancelled. Her needles can neutralize opponents' projectiles and add to her edge-guarding game. Needle canceling makes for a speedy and unpredictable air-to-ground game. For the advanced player, reverse needle canceling improves mobility and recovery. Although her needles have many uses, her side special move (Chain) is very slow and virtually useless in advanced play. Sheik has a quick wavedash and dodge ability, but her very high short hop slows her SHFFL significantly. Sheik's very low crouch allows her to dodge many projectiles, including Fox's and Falco's blasters. Sheik's tilts are known not only for being fast like her other attacks, but also long-ranged and having high priority. Sheik is also famous for her down throw, which can chaingrab against much of the NTSC cast. Sheik's up smash is the second strongest in the game if sweetspotted at the tip of her hands, and it's quick. Sheik can also wall jump. Although her recovery doesn't travel much distance (a combination of relatively fast-falling speed, fairly poor air speed, and not much distance on her third jump), Vanish has a large number of invincibility frames and damages foes around her due to the explosion. Sheik can transform into Zelda if the player has a disadvantage as Sheik, or for her better recovery when knocked far offstage. However, Transform is fairly slow and grants few invincibility frames, allowing her to be easily punished. Pressing start, while illegal in most tournaments, allows for Sheik's transformation to be instantly finished.

Normal

 * Neutral A- Two swipes that do 3-4%, followed by a fast series of punches doing 1% each.
 * Side Tilt- A round kick in front of her. 6% damage.
 * Down tilt- A quick kick while crouching. 7% damage.
 * Up tilt- Kicks up, and lets her leg down in an axe-like way. First hit does 8%, second 3%
 * Dash Attack- spreads her arms apart, 10% damage

Smashes

 * Forward Smash- Kicks twice in front of her, has moderate knockback. 4% then 12% uncharged, 6% then 19% fully charged.
 * Up Smash- Puts her arms above herself and violently separates them to her left and right. 13% uncharged, fully does 17% in the NTSC version, 16% in the PAL. Incredibly powerful when sweetspotted, but otherwise does moderate knockback.
 * Down Smash- A powerful breakdance-like sweep. 13% uncharged, 17% fully charged.

Other

 * Ledge Attack- Kicks back on the stage, 8% damage.
 * 100% Ledge Attack- Slowly does a similar attack to her ledge attack below 100% damage, does 8%.
 * Floor Attack- Gets up and kicks in front and back of herself. 6% damage.

Aerial Attacks

 * Neutral Aerial- A Sex Kick, does 14%, and gets weaker the longer it's out.
 * Forward Aerial- a quick swipe in front of Sheik, Great knockback and great for edgeguarding. Usually does 13%
 * Back Aerial- A quick kick in back of Sheik, good for edgeguarding. 8% damage
 * Upwards Aerial- A spinning kick upwards, does 12%, Great for KO-ing. In the PAL version, does 10%.
 * Down Aerial- A downwards kick, does 9-11% damage

Grabs & Throws

 * Pummel- She punches the opponent with her fist, doing 2% each.
 * Forward Throw- Launches her foe forward. 8% damage.
 * Back Throw- Kicks an enemy behind Sheik. 7% damage
 * Up throw- Launches the enemy above her. Excellent for an aerial-attack follow up, though useless otherwise. 8% damage.
 * Down Throw- Punches enemy to the ground, 8% damage.

Trophy information
''This is Zelda's alter ego. Using a variation of the name of the ancient Sheikah tribe, she appears before Link and teaches him melodies instrumental to his success. It's believed that she's not just a quick-change artist, but rather that she is able to instantaneously alter her clothing and her eye and skin color by using her magical skills.'' Game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time [11/98]

Smash Red
''Strategically switching between Zelda and Sheik is key. Compared to her Zelda form, Sheik is nimble and has gorgeous moves, but she lacks a strong knockout attack. The number of needles thrown in Needle Storm is based on how long you hold the B Button before releasing it. Use the Control Stick to wave the Chain after brandishing it.''

Smash Blue
''The best strategy to use when playing as Sheik is to let her flow from one powerful attack into another, like a river of quicksilver. Zelda has some techniques with more punch, however, so in one-on-one battles, use Transform as needed. Sheik only travels a short way when using Vanish, but the move comes with a small explosion that damages foes around her.''

Trivia

 * Sheik's gender is greatly disputed among fans, mainly because the official artwork displays Sheik with a male's build instead of a female's build. In addition, a comparison between the official artwork of Sheik and Zelda (from Ocarina of Time) display very different body types and builds.
 * Sheik is the only character in Melee to need a better reaction time for her dash dance.

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%.