Smashpedia
Register
Advertisement

The Boomerang is a Special Move used by Link, Young Link and Toon Link. In Super Smash Bros., it is Link's Standard Special Move, while in Super Smash Bros. Melee, it is Link and Young Link's Side Special Move. Toon Link uses the Boomerang in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as well. It is also a custom move for Link in Super Smash Bros. 3DS/Wii U. The character throws the weapon of the same name, acting as a projectile.

Overview[]

One can tap the control stick while doing this move to increase its range, and tilt the stick up or down to aim it towards those directions. If the Boomerang is dodged as it comes back to Link, it will continue going, arcing in the direction the player last dodged in. Link can only have one Boomerang on screen at at time, unless it has been reflected by a perfect shield, Fox's Reflector, or Mario's Cape (Melee only). Trying the attack again while a boomerang is out only results in Link doing his boomerang throwing animation without actually throwing anything.

After being replaced by the Gale Boomerang in Brawl, Link regains the Boomerang in Super Smash Bros. 3DS/Wii U as one of his customized Side Special Moves.

Link's Special Moves
Super Smash Bros. Melee Brawl 3DS/Wii U Ultimate
Standard Special Boomerang Bow Hero's Bow Bow and Arrows
Side Special Boomerang Gale Boomerang Boomerang
Up Special Spin Attack
Down Special Bomb Remote Bomb
Final Smash Triforce Slash Ancient Bow and Arrow

Link's Custom Special Moves
Custom 1 Custom 2
Standard Special Power Bow Quickfire Bow
Side Special Boomerang Ripping Boomerang
Up Special Shocking Spin Whirling Leap
Down Special Giant Bomb Meteor Bomb

Toon Link's Special Moves
Brawl 3DS/Wii U Ultimate
Standard Special Hero's Bow
Side Special Boomerang
Up Special Spin Attack
Down Special Bomb
Final Smash Triforce Slash

Young Link's Special Moves
Melee Ultimate
Standard Special Fire Bow Fire Arrow
Side Special Boomerang
Up Special Spin Attack
Down Special Bomb
Final Smash Triforce Slash

Gale Boomerang[]

Gale

The Gale Boomerang in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Link no longer uses the standard Boomerang, but rather, the Gale Boomerang from Twilight Princess, which pulls enemies towards Link as it returns to him.

The Gale Boomerang has the exactly same use as the normal Boomerang. When it comes back, it additionally drags opponents and small items, such as the Deku Nuts, towards Link. It can also throw large items forward. However, when the boomerang is returning, it does no damage at all. If used properly, players can string a number of different attacks following the boomerang's retrieving tornado. Link's Side Smash would be the most favorable attack of choice, as it would cancel the knockback allowing the second hit to connect. Link's Down Smash, used with correct timing, can also damage opponents with both hits, causing a significantly larger amount of damage (up to 48% if charged).

If reflected, the Gale Boomerang automatically enters the second phase of its attack, meaning Link cannot be hurt by it, only pushed away by it.

The move can be used to perform Gale Guarding. If timed perfectly, one can literally ride on the Gale Boomerang.

Interestingly, the Gale Boomerang seems to cancel the landing lag from any of Link's aerial attacks if it returns to Link while he is on the ground after an aerial attack, most noticeably, his D-air.

Custom Variations[]

Ripping Boomerang[]

The Ripping Boomerang is one of Link's Side Special Moves that can be used via customization. Link throws a gale boomerang at short range, which can hit opponents multiple times.

Strengths:

  • Hits multiple times
  • Can carry opponents away
  • Can be angled

Weaknesses:

  • Shorter range
  • Slower to return

Ripping Boomerang can be a great move for a Link that needs space from opponents that get too close. The move hits multiple times and carries opponents away. It does suffer from a shorter range though. It can be angled to hit opponents recovering low to the edge or approaching Link from above. The boomerang can also take longer to return to Link if it connects with an opponent. Link can charge in while the opponent is being carried off by the boomerang and launch them away with a dash attack or smash attack.

Boomerang[]

The Boomerang is one of Link's Side Special Moves that can be used via customization. The move actually reverts Link's Gale Boomerang back to the normal Boomerang that he used in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Strengths:

  • Good attack power
  • Good launch
  • Greater range with smash input
  • Can be angled

Weaknesses:

  • Will not pull opponents towards Link on the way back

The Boomerang move is actually Link's old side special from Smash 64 and Melee. It keeps many of its attributes from back then, such as being able to be angled and having greater range when the side special is input like a smash attack. The boomerang has good attack power and launch when it hits on the way out, but will not do as much damage or pull opponents towards Link on the way back.

Link's Custom Special Moves
Custom 1 Custom 2
Standard Special Power Bow Quickfire Bow
Side Special Boomerang Ripping Boomerang
Up Special Shocking Spin Whirling Leap
Down Special Giant Bomb Meteor Bomb

Floating Boomerang[]

Floating boomerang

The Floating Boomerang is one of Toon Link's Side Special Moves that can be used via customization. He throws a high-power boomerang that's slow to return, and will disappear on the way back.

Strengths:

  • Can be used again faster if it vanishes on the way back.

Weaknesses:

  • Less damage.
  • Slow.
  • Vanishes if it hits something on the way back to Toon Link.

The Floating Boomerang is a move that has quite a few drawbacks to it, although if someone knows how to use it effectively they could expose a few advantages. It is slow and doesn't deal very much damage. It'll also vanish if it hits something on the way back to Toon Link. However, if this does happen, it means Toon Link can use the move again faster; this isn't by much though and Toon Link can't count on an opponent to get into the boomerang's return path every time he throws it out.

High-Speed Boomerang[]

High-speed boomerang

The High-Speed Boomerang is one of Toon Link's Side Special Moves that can be used via customization. Toon Link throws a fast Boomerang that can pass through opponents, but deals less damage.

Strengths:

  • Fast.
  • Good range to it.
  • Can pass through opponents.

Weaknesses:

  • Less damage.
  • Has starting lag.
  • Smaller hitbox.

The High-Speed Boomerang is a fast move with good range on it. The fact that it passes through opponents is good for the same reasons as the Piercing Arrow, being able to set up combos. The hitbox is smaller and the move deals less damage, but if Toon Link is able to hit an opponent with it he can probably get off a combo for more damage. If Toon Link hits an opponent with it at its full range, the opponent will be hit more times as the boomerang spins in place briefly at the end of its path. The move does have starting lag on it, so it is best to use it at a distance.

Toon Link's Custom Special Moves
Custom 1 Custom 2
Standard Special Fire Arrow Piercing Bow
Side Special Floating Boomerang High-Speed Boomerang
Up Special Hurricane Spin Rising Slash
Down Special Time Bomb Short-Fused Bomb

Origin[]

The Boomerang is one of Link's main weapons the The Legend of Zelda series. Boomerangs have been a staple weapon since the very first game. While weaker than the Bow, it is reusable and capable of pulling items back to Link. The design used in Melee is based on its design in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. However, Adult Link in the game couldn't use the Boomerang; only Young Link could.

It is typically used to stun enemies, retrieve items, and trigger switches, making it more of a tool than a true offensive weapon. Some weak enemies could be defeated using the boomerang, and in some games the boomerang was capable of cutting down objects. In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, the traditional Boomerang is replaced by the Gale Boomerang, which had the ability to summon tornado-like gales. The Gale Boomerang has the same uses as the traditional Boomerangs from the other Zelda games, but the Gale Boomerang could additionally turn fans and put out fires.

Glitch[]

In Super Smash Bros. Melee (version 1.1), there is a glitch with Link's Boomerang. It causes the Boomerang to get stuck to his arm, causing Link to lose the ability to throw it again.

Advertisement