Super Smash Strategies #2: Link

SUPER SMASH STRATEGIES #2: LINK

GAMES FROM: The Legend of Zelda

HOW TO UNLOCK

Starting character.

INTRODUCTION

Link has had a career in the video game world since 1986 (appearing in the first Legend of Zelda game).  Since  his debut, Link has become a household name.  Everyone knows who this green wearing, sword wielding, elf-like ears man (or boy) is.  The character has become so popular that Nintendo has never stopped making The Legend of Zelda games and every Zelda game is both a challenge and entertaining game all the way through.  In the Super Smash Bros. games, Link has been a playable character in all three of the games.  Many people love to select him as a character of choice, as others try to avoid him for obvious reasons.

MOVES

STANDARD ATTACKS

SMASH ATTACKS

THROWS (all of which applied after a grab is applied) 

AIR ATTACKS (all of which applied while in the air)

SPECIALS

STATISTICS

PROS AND CONS

PROS:

Unlike most characters, Link is a good choice if you want a character that has powerful attacks with up close combat as well as strong projectiles.

Using the grappling hook as his weapon to grab causes him to have a longer reach for grabbing than others.

Final Smash is almost an instant kill.

CONS:

Link has very poor jumping and double jump ability.

Certainly not the quickest character with running or attacks.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

STRENGTHS:

Bowser and King Dedede are very slow characters but strong up close.  Use a lot of Link's many projectile attacks.

Link could easily avoid Donkey Kong's ground hammer attack with a projectile.  With close combat, Link is also slightly faster than Donkey Kong.  Just avoid his charge punch.

Pokemon Trainer's three pokemon all have about the same speed as Link with up close combat.  However, there are a few moves that Pokemon Trainer does that are slower than Link.  While Charizard is doing his rock smash attack, just hit him with a projectile or slice him before he does it (since it takes a few seconds for Charizard to do this move).  Ivysaur could spam with his vine whip up close.  Fortunately, this move also moves his enemy which leaves the door wide open to slice him or hit him with a projectile.  While fighting Pokemon Trainer, Squirtle is the one you need to watch out for.

With up close combat, Link is quicker and more powerful than Peach and the Ice Climbers.  In addition, Peach and Ice Climbers also pushes their enemies out of the way while up close, which means Link has time to retaliate with a projectile.  While fighting either Peach or the Ice Climbers in the air or far away, Link can also kick their ass.

Link is better than Ganondorf (irony?)  Link obviously beats Ganon with speed, which is a huge advantage.  Another huge advantage is that Ganon doesn't have projectiles which means Link could stay away from him and destroy him!

Wario is slower than Link and also has no projectiles.  Just watch out for his chomp attack.

With Lucario's slow jumps, it is difficult for Lucario to avoid Link's projectiles.  This also goes for Pikachu.  Not for him being slow, because Pikachu is kind of quick, but because Pikachu is only a threat up close.

WEAKNESSES:

Kirby and Jigglypuff may not have stronger attacks up close but they are quicker.  With Kirby's and Jigglypuff's floating, they could easily avoid Link's projectile's.  Another disadvantage is their size.  Because Kirby and Jigglypuff are so small, they could avoid some of Link's projectiles just by standing there.

Fox's speed is a huge disadvantage for Link.  Link would be lucky to get an attack on Fox.  You have to time every attack perfectly if you want to beat Fox.  Link could use more projectiles against Fox, but with his deflector move, attacks would bounce back and hit Link.

Diddy Kong is quicker up close and could easily spam his enemies.  Link could try to just shoot projectiles at him, but Diddy also has a decent projectile move with his peanut shooter.  Try more hit and run moves against Diddy.

Zelda is stronger than Link.  Why doesn't she just save herself?  She is definitely seeking attention.  Zelda's projectile is a powerful move, plus she can control it while Link cannot control any of his projectiles.  Up close combat, Zelda is also quicker and a bit more powerful.  Use Link's Low Slash move to sweep her off her feet.  We know Zelda would just love that!

Sheik is also quicker up close than Link is and could also spam.  She has an okay projectile move, but the problem with it is that you can barely see it and with Link's poor jumping it makes it difficult to avoid it.

Ike is a little bit quicker and stronger than Link is up close plus he has a longer sword, which means he has a longer range for attacks.  Link could try to use projectiles against him, but Ike could quickly get up close to him again and start pummeling Link.

Link has an advantage with Snake up close.  However, with Snake's projectiles and explosions it makes him a threat to Link.  In addition, Snake has moves up close that pushes his enemies away from him.  This means that Snake has the opportunity to unleash on Link with his many range attacks.

Ness doesn't have a very strong projectile move, but he can control it.  Up close, Ness is quicker than Link. What makes Ness a threat to Link is his PK Fire move with his baseball bat combo.  

TIPS

Don't use Link's spin attack too often.  When he uses it and doesn't hit anyone, it leaves Link very vulnerable to his enemy's attacks.

Master the Ending Blow move and Axe Slash move.  From personal experience, these two moves help me out a great deal when I use Link.

If an enemy is avoiding you and being a coward, just jump up and use your Gale Boomerang to lure them in.  When they get up close just slice them.

Grab an enemy and throw them in the air.  Then jump up and use Upward Thrust.

If you want to fight an enemy in the air just use Link's low slash move and watch them go flying.