Link (Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U)

''This article is about Link's appearance in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. For other uses, see Link.''

Link is a veteran fighter and a starter character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.

Differences from Brawl
While being a very low tier character in Brawl, Link received many buffs (and a few nerfs) that makes him a much better character overall.

Appearance-wise, he has a refined design from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, however borrowing few elements from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

Attributes

 * Faster ground and aerial speed.
 * Reduced lag in most attacks.
 * Higher second jump.
 * Dodge roll is slightly faster and has a different animation, resembling his roll from Ocarina of Time.

Ground Attacks

 * Forward Tilt has less startup and ending lag.
 * Forward Smash is much stronger in terms of knockback, and the first hit locks the opponent into the second (like Toon Link's). However, both hits causes less damage.
 * Up Smash's final hit deals much more knockback.
 * Down Smash is a powerful Meteor Smash in the second hit, when used against airbonee opponents by the edge.
 * Dash Attack has a different animation, resembling his Jump Attack from Twilight Princess. It also has more range and more knockback, however it is slower.
 * Causes different knockback depending on which frame and hitbox it hits: vertical with the broad part of the blade, mostly at the beginning of the attack; and horizontal with the tip of the blade, mostly by the end of the attack.

Aerial Attacks

 * Forward Aerial is much faster and has less ending and landing lag. It also has slightly higher range. However it deals less damage.
 * Back Aerial start-up lag is faster, however causes less damage.
 * Up Aerial has a different animation, with Link spreading his legs while stabbing more forcefully. It is faster and with less lag.
 * Down Aerial's initial frames causes Meteor Smash, similar to Toon Link's. It also has reduced ending and landing lag. However; it causes less damage unless it's the Meteor Smash.

Grabs and Throws

 * Grab is faster and with less ending lag if it misses.
 * Grab Aerial is faster and has higher range when used as tether recovery. However, it causes less damage when used for attack.
 * Up Aerial has a slightly different animation, with less ending lag.
 * Down Aerial has less knockback scaling.

Special Moves

 * Hero's Bow charges faster and the arrow travels longer distance, even when uncharged.
 * Gale Boomerang has increased knockback and travels farther.
 * Spin Attack's aerial distance is much higher. However, it has less base knockback, but higher knockback scaling.
 * Bomb's explosion no longer hurts Link at close range (only if it blows while he is holding the bomb). The Bombs' fuse are also faster. However, the bombs can now be absorbed by Ness' PSI Magnet and Mr. Game & Watch's Bucket.
 * Triforce Slash deals much less damage.

Normal

 * Standard Combo: Slashes twice, then a stab. 2%, 2%, 5%. If you hit all three, 10%.
 * Side Tilt: Slashes broadly and strongly in front of him. Can KO at around 110%. 13%.
 * Up tilt: Slashes in an arc above him. 9%.
 * Down Tilt: Slashes his sword low to the ground. 12%. Can Meteor Smash if it hits the opponent under the middle of the sword or above the middle of the sword.
 * Dash Attack: Link does his famous jump strike. Very strong, can KO at around 100%. 14%.

Smash Attacks

 * Up: Triple Slash - Link slashes upwards three times. Only the third slash will launch.


 * Uncharged: 4%, 3%, 11%. Total: 18%.
 * Fully charged: 5%, 4%, 15%. Hit all three for 25%.


 * Side: Double Slash - Link slashes once, and then has the ability to slash twice. The second slash is overall stronger, but if Link hits an enemy with the tip of his sword on his first slash, it will do more damage and launch opponents farther. However, if this happens, it is very likely that he will have no chance of hitting the second slash.


 * Uncharged: 7%, 12%. If both hit, 20%. 
 * Fully Charged: 9%, 18%. If both hit, 28%.
 * Uncharged (tip of the first slash): 14%. 
 * Fully charged (tip of the first slash): 19%.
 * Down: Sword Sweep - Link slashes on the ground on both sides.


 * First slash: Uncharged: 14%.
 * Fully Charged: 19%.
 * Second slash (back): Uncharged: 10%.
 * Fully Charged: 16%.

Other attacks

 * Edge attack: Link stabs in front of him right after climbing the edge. 7%.
 * Rise attack: Slashes on both sides of him. 7%.

Aerial attacks

 * Neutral Air: Kicks forward. Similar to Mario's. 11%.
 * Front Air: Slashes twice in front of him. First slash 8%, second, 10%.
 * Back Air : Kicks twice at his back. First kick 3%, second, 5%.
 * Up Air: Thrusts his sword upwards. 15% sweet spotted, 13% if not.
 * Down Air: Link does his famous finisher, pointing his sword down as he falls, using his weight to power the attack. Can Meteor Smash if it hits at the initial frames. Usually 15%, sometimes 18%. If Link hits the same opponent twice, the second hit will deal 8%. 

Grabs and Throws
Grab - Fires his Clawshot and reels in opponents with it. Note: It will no longer fall on the ground when it misses like it did in previous games. He can also use it for tether recoveries.
 * Pummel: Punches enemy with his sword hand. 2%.
 * Up Throw: Throws the opponent upwards and slashes at him. 7%.
 * Front Throw: Kicks the opponent forward. 7%.
 * Back Throw: Kicks the opponent to his back. 7%.
 * Down Throw: Throws opponent on the ground and body slams them. 7%.

Taunts

 * Up taunt: Swings his sword in front of him twice, then spins it as he brings it closer to its sheath and sheathes it. This taunt is a reference to Zelda: Twilight Princess, where you could make Link do this same thing after killing an enemy.
 * Side Taunt: Releases his fairy, Navi, which spins around his once and comes back to him.
 * Down Taunt: Stands on one foot and makes a pose, as his sword shines briefly.

In competitive play
To be added

Link
''Green tunic? Pointy hat? Yep, it's Link, all right! In this game, his sword and shield make for effective attacking and blocking, and his bow, bombs, and boomerang will spice up any battle. He's even brought his Clawshot for grabbing enemies and edges. Jeez, just how much can Link carry?''
 * NES - The Legend of Zelda (08/1987)
 * SNES - The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (04/1992)

Link (Alt)
''If Link was on a desert island and could only pick one item, it'd be his powerful sword. This weapon is key to his down-air attack, a move with great launching potential and the ability to strike twice. He can also strike twice with his side smash—the second blow deals more damage and launches harder.''

Adult Link (Ocarina of Time)
''The children from Kokiri Forest never seem to grow into adults. Just a young boy, Link is entrusted with a quest by the Great Deku Tree. He leaves the forest and eventually find the Master Sword in the Temple of Time. When he awakes, he is sever years in the future and an adult!''

Other features
Link is one of the few characters who have a Tether recovery, using his hookshot to grapple onto the edge.