Link blocking a Projectile with his shield in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
This article is about the shields used by Link, Young Link, and Toon Link. For the bubble shield that all characters use, see Shield.
While all characters have access to a bubble shield, Link and his counterparts carry their own personal shields while in battle. While standing still, incoming projectiles that hit the shield will deal no damage and simply push Link back slightly. This effect was implemented in Super Smash Bros. Melee and carries over into Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. A difference with Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U is that there is no knockback, and an animation when something is blocked. Another change in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U is Link being able to use his shield while walking, but not dashing. Toon Link can also block while walking, but only at a very slow speed.
Since projectiles must hit the front of the shield to be blocked, Link may still be hit in the back, head, or feet, and parts of his standing animation in Brawl may leave the shield temporarily useless. Link's standing animations were changed in Smash 4, so he will always block projectiles while standing. Crouching can help cover the gaps somewhat, but then any projectiles that would have hit the shield normally will instead hit Link in the face. Link's shield is also unusable when he is holding an item or if he's in the air.
The design of each Link's shield is taken from the respective game. Link carries the Hylian Shield from Ocarina of Time in both Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee while he uses the shield's Twilight Princess design in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros 4. Young Link uses the Deku Shield from Ocarina of Time (which does not burn like its original counterpart), while Toon Link holds the Hero's Shield from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
To consider the projectile to be purposed for the shield, it must be reflectable and not unblockable.
Origin[]
Link's shield in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
Link has always possessed a shield in every Legend of Zelda game to defend against enemies and solve puzzles. Some games had the shield active whether he was standing or walking. Or it might had to have been used as an item. Link needed to be facing the attack to block it. Some attacks are too powerful for the shield making link stagger or take damage. Some enemies can even steal his shield, making him have to find or buy another one.
The design of each shield is taking from their respective games. Ocarina of Time shield was in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee, and the Twilight Princess shield in Brawl. Young Link holds a Deku Shield from Ocarina of Time, and unlike its counterpart, the Deku Shield does not burn when hit with fire.
Toon Link holds the Hero's Shield from The Wind Waker.
Link being able to crouch to change his shield position is a reminiscent of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, in which Link can shift his shield position to protect his upper or lower body by crouching and standing.
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