For the pro Link players

[chesterr01]

Well, most Link players seem to have troubling juggling their enemy for good damage. Mostly, juggles seem to revolve around the up tilt, but there's one move that seems to be overlooked.

The dash attack (if you connect) is very good for juggling. Yes, it really is! I've tested juggling against my friend's Fox with Link and it's been very successful. Same effect against Ganondorf, so I tend to say that the dash attack might put up many more advantages in Link's game.

The tests were made after I've been savagely beaten by Montreal's #2-3 ranked player. (I'm #4 here)

VERY IMPORTANT : Never -ever- try to dash attack an enemy on the floor. That is stupid, you will get power shielded, and punished. Maybe for surprise, but use it as much as you use Ganon's fwd+b. Only use the dash attack on aerial opponents.

Mostly, this works even better if you can land it after the opponent's second jump. The dash attack can be linked into many more dash attacks, a few uptilts, but not too many, and at not too low percentages. The thing is that the dash attack as less knockback then the up tilt, and it actually gives a chance to chain the attack with more efficiency. It's way better then the "hit & chase" style for most Link players.

Also, the dash attack can be followed by any aerial you want. After practicing, I realized that there are two points of contact you want to aim for in the dash attack. These examples will be for Link facing to the right. (First player on FD, per se).

#1 Overhead slash: you want to hit the airborne enemy at an angle of 45 degrees with the highest part of the slash, thus ensuing another dashdanced dash attack at low percentages.

#2 Downward slash: you want to hit the enemy with the downward motion of the dash attack when he is low. That way, you can attack him faster while he is in the aerial tumble animation, and is preferable done when the enemy is a mid to high percentages. That actually gives you a chance to attack quicker (by that, I mean that you give less time to the enemy to recover from the tumbling animation).

The dash attack has a very big potential that should be worked on and developped. I've been able to to 70% combos on fastfallers (tests done on my friend's Fox), and I was able to stretch combos fairly well against middle/heavy weight chars (like Ganny).

I hope someone actually takes this in consideration, I felt like sharing a little bit of my knowledge to the world.

[CORY]

gotta take it to the l1nkz0rz f0rumz!

then the two l1nkz0rz m45+3rz who exist in the world can look at it.

god i'm lame in the morning...

[Mr.C]

Thanks for trying, but this is well known amoung the good Link players :p

[ImpactAR]

I think your post is very informative, chesterr01. If there are any one who is picking up on Link it would be great strategy to know.

I think it's safe to say that most "decent" Link already know the dash attack knocks the opponent up for combos and aerials. However, recognizing a safe opportunity for a dash attack in battle is difficult. Even then, Link players hesitate sometimes because of recovery time. Shield, dodge, and air dodge can cope with Link's dash attack. That probably gave the impression that most "good" Link player don't know about comboing with the dash attack.

In my opinion, Link is more of a short combo character. Link is a good melee character with strong damage attacks. Of course his knock back and recovery time keeps him from executing long, fancy combos. However, that is good in a way because Link needs space so he can set up attacks and use projectiles to assist him in his battles. Trying to make a long combo with Link seems to be pushing his limits and puts Link at risks.

However, the dash attack is still a useful tactic option for Link players. Who knows, it might open a whole new light for Link players. I think it would be good to discuss how to set up with and different combos that can be used with the dash attack. Perhaps discussing the dash attack may spark a new gameplay with Link.

To throw in my 2 cents.

An opportunity to set up a dash attack: Wavedash back to avoid an attack and dash attack.

A combo associated dash attack combo.

Situation: Your opponent is in the air. Start with a dash attack or sex kick to stun your opponent. Then repeatly juggle your opponent with...

dash attack => sex kick => dash attack => sex kick...

You can do this combo until you knock your opponent to far away, which may give your opponent a chance to get back on the offensive. Or end the combo with an Aerial Up A, Aerial Down A, or Forward Smash.

[Hmoob Koob]

Very true one what you said Impact, it is rather risky to use Link's dash attack, because of it's lag, that poses the biggest problem, myself being a Link player, and I would like to think of myself as a good Link player;), have found that the dash attack is very hard to set into place in battles, because one..Link is slow which hinders him really to be able to sneak in with the attack. Also the wavedash backwards then dash attack is probably one of the best options for getting the dash attack in, only problem is, the dash attack sends people up in the air only after higher percentages, which makes it rather useless for the first part of the match until a certain amount of percentage has been dealt.

Also, I've found that from time to time, dash dancing with Link into his dash attack can surprise opponents, don't do it too much, or you'll be on the recieving end, for me, it is true that Link isn't a combo king like that of Marth, or Shiek, imo, he's a 1-2 or 3 combo hitter. Things like if Fox is at 30%, (I can't remember the exact percentage to when Fox starts flying upward from Link's dash attack) but if you dash attack him, he flies high enough where he can't recover, and if your quick, you can Spin Attack right after, this should send Fox flying across the stage, and if you where close to the edge, bye bye Fox.

However I'm open to any suggestions on this, as I am always glad to try new things and you may never know when a new thing could be your key to winning.

[CaliburChamp]

WD backwards to dash attacks wont work. By the time you WD back they will already be on the ground ready to shield grab you after your dash attack. That Sex kick to dash attacks works good though. I already know that dash attacks can set up combos at low percent and juggles at higher percent. I personally like using A, A, Dash attack on fast falling characters. Even though the dash attack makes them tumble at higher percent and fall to the floor with an invisible attack, you should do the A, A, Dash attack combo. When you string them together, neutral ground A will stop the tumbling animation and set them upright, where you can rush in with another A attack to a Dash Attack. Its a good way to push them to the edge that way while using Links superb edgeguard skills.

Sex kick to dash attack works good on floaties. And A, A, dash attack works good on fast fallers.

[Hmoob Koob]

Originally posted by CaliburChamp
WD backwards to dash attacks wont work. By the time you WD back they will already be on the ground ready to shield grab you after your dash attack.

Wavedashing backwards to dash attack can work, to say that it won't work is an understatement, you have to be close, and prediction is key to making it work, that's the reason why I say that it's very seldom. Also Link's wavedash is short and quick, and it can definetly be made to surprise and opponent if used with the dash attack, seldom used, yes, but it still works, just don't abuse it.

[Garde]

Using the dash attack against airborne opponents has been unspoken common knowledge for quite some time. The dash attack should not really be used unless it's extending a combo in which the opponent is already stunned. Using it with WDing is not a safe idea, and taking risks can be a good thing, but taking risks with Link is an INCREDIBLY dangerous thing to do. As you know, when Link is left open, just about any character can take exploit Link's weight. Anyways, I have to get going, but I'll post more later.

[CaliburChamp]

Wavedashing backwards to dash attack can work, to say that it won't work is an understatement, you have to be close, and prediction is key to making it work, that's the reason why I say that it's very seldom. Also Link's wavedash is short and quick, and it can definetly be made to surprise and opponent if used with the dash attack, seldom used, yes, but it still works, just don't abuse it.

Link has one of the laggiest Wavedashes in the game, unless your talking about Young Link. Even with Y. Link it wont work good. And they can just so easily shield grab you with that tactic. Garde is right when he says to use it to extend a combo or catch them off guard. Link's Wavedash shouldnt be used offensively, only defensively cause his Wavedash doesnt carry him into an attack.

[Tiller420]

Young links wavedash is actually worth something at times but adult links is really pretty much pointless and is dash attack is very useful with the grab and with young link it has great not back too.

[The GERM]

Tiller: man, you don't know what the eff your talking about. Just because YOU don't know how to use Link's wavedash doesn't mean it's pointless. You can't say it's useless if you never use it, to find out it's purpose you have to force yourself to use it in actual matches to see what it can do.

[gore]

True dat Germ, I WD with link all the time and I really don't see why people are always ragging on it. I mean it doesn't really go to far, but you can still use it to set up moves.

[Tiller420]

sorry for making you guys angry only time i ever used or will use it for is wd to a grrab is what i found effective

[ImpactAR]

To CaliburChamp:

The situation you describe seems to be an aerial attack and that you are saying that wavedashing back then dash attack is nearly useless. There is some timing where you can land the dash attack on the opponent before he or she can land and shield, if you hit him or her before he or she lands, in that situation. However, that is not really the goal I'm trying to get at. Given that situation, you have the option of a dash attack after the wavedash. If you think they will shield then hookshot. It all comes down to predicting. It all comes down to mind games.

Also, wavedashing can be use offensively with Link. It's not as ideal as other characters, but it works. Wavedash for short chases is good when your opponent is trying to get out of range and avoid your attacks. A sudden wavedash forward and attack could be use as an element of surprise. Wavedashing can be use for spacing with Link. Wavedash also can help set up and aim for the frontal, tip of the sword from Link's short hop Forward Aerial A (remember to L-cancel), which makes it more difficult to counter attack Link and even gives Link more time retreat or to set up another attack.

To Tiller420:

You're not the only one that thinks or thought Link's wavedash is "pointless." Link's wavedash probably seems "pointless" because it's short compared to some other characters. Link's wavedash gives him enough distance to dodge an attack stay in attack range. Also, keep in mind you can do multiple wavedashes to make up for the distance. Mix it up with aerials and smashes.

Back on the dash attack topic:

I'm just here to discuss the "potential" of the dash attack.

To be honest, I really, very, VERY, rarely use Link's dash attack. The risks are to high and the reward is to low. Most of the time I do it on accident. Even when see an opportunity to use it as an combo extender I'll stick with another move.

With Young Link it's a different story. Young Link's dash attack has better knock back, has lesser lag, and knocks the opponent more horizontally (effected by how the opponent DIs and was hit) than Link's dash attack, which will help him set up his sex kick(s), which also has better knock back Link's sex kick, and/or edgeguard. Plus it's a better alternative than his Forward Smash when the opponent is out of range of the Down Smash. Although, I'm in the air sex kicking most of the time...

[Hmoob Koob]

Originally posted by CaliburChamp
Link has one of the laggiest Wavedashes in the game, unless your talking about Young Link. Even with Y. Link it wont work good. And they can just so easily shield grab you with that tactic. Garde is right when he says to use it to extend a combo or catch them off guard. Link's Wavedash shouldnt be used offensively, only defensively cause his Wavedash doesnt carry him into an attack.

You miss interpreted me wrong here, I didn't mean it as an offensive, as in wavedashing forward for offensive, no no, that would be a very bad idea. What I meant was wavedashing backwards into the sword attack, and I have definetly made this work before, hopefully that boggles this out, using Link's wavedash as in moving forward wouldn't work, but wavedashing backwards into any attack is what I was trying to pinpoint out, sorry for my bad posting:(