Impa, the Enigmatic Sheikah, Sage of Shadow

[M23-X0]

Man the tide sure has turned wtih hyrule warriors, there were so many impa haters at one point. Im glad to see that people are finally coming around to the thought of impa in the game and her as a viable zelda character. It makes me happy

Actually, before Hyrule Warrior, the idea of having Impa playable was repugnant to me. None of her design was appealing to me (old hag in Zelda Between World, muscular guy in OoT, fat lady in Oracle...).

But the fact that Hyrule Warrior imposed an unique design to Impa, means that we'll have similar design in the next iterations. And I really like the new design of her ! She now have more gameplay possibilities, which are unique and attractive moreover. I'm sure that I'm not the only one thinking that way.

 

[TheDarkKnightNoivern]

Actually, before Hyrule Warrior, the idea of having Impa playable was repugnant to me. None of her design was appealing to me (old hag in Zelda Between World, muscular guy in OoT, fat lady in Oracle...).

But the fact that Hyrule Warrior imposed an unique design to Impa, means that we'll have similar design in the next iterations. And I really like the new design of her ! She now have more gameplay possibilities, which are unique and attractive moreover. I'm sure that I'm not the only one thinking that way.

Um Skyward Sword?

 

[Skyblade12]

Actually, before Hyrule Warrior, the idea of having Impa playable was repugnant to me. None of her design was appealing to me (old hag in Zelda Between World, muscular guy in OoT, fat lady in Oracle...).

But the fact that Hyrule Warrior imposed an unique design to Impa, means that we'll have similar design in the next iterations. And I really like the new design of her ! She now have more gameplay possibilities, which are unique and attractive moreover. I'm sure that I'm not the only one thinking that way.

She's also fun as heck to play in Hyrule Warriors, with a ton of moveset potential and some awesome weapons.

 

[GM_3826]

Um Skyward Sword?

Skyward Sword did MUCH, MUCH more than what Hyrule Warriors did. 99% of her design comes from there.

 

[M23-X0]

Um Skyward Sword?

I stopped playing Skyward Sword before seeing her .

Skyward Sword did MUCH, MUCH more than what Hyrule Warriors did. 99% of her design comes from there.

I did not like Zelda SS... Plus, I find her new design better in HW than Zelda SS. But I approve that they took her design from this game.

 

[TheDarkKnightNoivern]

I stopped playing Skyward Sword before seeing her .



I did not like Zelda SS... Plus, I find her new design better in HW than Zelda SS. But I approve that they took her design from this game.

Really? you see her pretty soon in the game

 

[JaidynReiman]

SS Impa is Impa's best design to date prior to Hyrule Warriors, but OOT Impa was still great as well. If we do get a new Zelda newcomer I really think it'd be Impa, although I don't see it happening just yet. Maybe she can get in as an AT. Or maybe they won't make her an AT because Sakurai will avoid characters from established franchises who are main characters and potential for playables.

Ghirahim I don't think will get even an AT.

 

[Skyblade12]

SS Impa is Impa's best design to date prior to Hyrule Warriors, but OOT Impa was still great as well. If we do get a new Zelda newcomer I really think it'd be Impa, although I don't see it happening just yet. Maybe she can get in as an AT. Or maybe they won't make her an AT because Sakurai will avoid characters from established franchises who are main characters and potential for playables.

Ghirahim I don't think will get even an AT.

Yeah, the "prior to Hyrule Warriors" bit is definitely worth noting. Her design there is easily the best Impa we've seen.

 

[SmashingObjection]

Hi, so I came up with a moveset for Impa based on her Hyrule Warriors appearance. This is my first one so please give me some feedback as I'm new to this (and smashboards in general)

Spoiler

I am basing this play style on her Hyrule Warriors appearence
She wields the giant blade to battle and can output heavy damage with her attacks while also
having good range and speed. However Impa has two main weaknesses that will prevent her
from becoming OP. First her recovery is easy to edge guard against and second she has a bit
of end lag on some of her moves. The end lag is due to HW Impa using the Iaido sword style
(sheathed sword fighting style) as Impa will sheath her sword after most moves.

(Note that I've had to make up names for these specials minus the recovery move)

Use this trailer for reference (/watch?v=1Ub83PeWYAE) and sorry in advance, I can't post full links yet D:

Neutral: Aqua Dive (0:54) - When on the ground Impa dashes forward a short distance and
does a spinning attack with her sword that creates a pool of water upon contact . In the air
she performs a downward flip (0:53) and then does the same spinning slash seen in the trailer.
This move can be charged as well.

Side: Pool Trap -
(This move is not seen in her trailer but instead at 4:29 here /watch?v=BvbTW6BPygE)
Impa extends her left arm forward and a blue sheikah symbol then appears 2.5 bowsers away
from Impa. This symbol disappears almost instantly, however if anyone is caught in it the
move seen in the gameplay clip then occurs. This an effective kill move.

Down: Myriad Arrows (0:38 in trailer) - Impa extends her arm high into the air to summon a
large amount of water arrows. She then ducks as they rain down and hit anyone surrounding her.
If this move is done in the air, she dives to the ground like in the trailer instead of
ducking. This move acts as a meteor smash and is excellent for edge guarding. It can also be charged and can freeze opponents when fully charged.

Up: Focus Spirit - This move has to held in order to be completed and acts similarly to WFT's
deep breathing move. On the ground Impa puts her hands together and after 2.5s, she then
breaks them apart and swings her arms to either side of her. A small transparent explosion then
explodes around her causing any near opponents to flinch, however the main use for this move
is how it increases the power of her moves by 1.5X, halves the end lag on her moves, and
gives her a faster running speed. This effect lasts 7s and is based upon the mechanic in
Hyrule Warriors. When used in the air, Impa will levitate in place as she charges. Upon
completion the explosion will send her flying in arc motion as she flips. The arc is the same
distance as ZSS' down B, but greater in height. Impa can be hit during the flip

 

[LaniusShrike]

Pssst, if anyone wants to see in-game footage of Impa with her giant blade in Hyrule Warriors Adventure Mode...

 

[TeenGirlSquad]

HW Impa would be a good DLC character. The trophy quiz still leads me to believe that she might be on the release roster with her SS appearance, but anything is possible.

 

[Diddy Kong]

I wouldn't be upset with Skyward Sword Impa at all. But remember, Greninja's moveset also got made in one night. And Sakurai only got the official artwork from Game Freak to work with, Greninja showing no other moves than Water Shuriken. I bet that Sakurai could easily do the same with Impa. Note how in the Hyrule Warriors Direct Iwata referenced to Impa as samurai-like? He literally said she speaks, acts and fights a lot like a samurai does. And there's the fact that Impa was the very first character revealed to be playable alongside Link. She'd make the most excellent Hyrule Warriors character for Smash cause she's literally captain of the Hyrule Royal Knights, is protector of Zelda, and easily the most famous character outside of the 4 also playable in Smash Bros.

I believe Impa's chances are more than solid.

 

[TylerBlackRunIt]

Check out this Impa drawing I found on Deviantart...

It would be cool if Sakurai made a new designed for Impa in SSB4...

 

[Naglfarii]

Actually, before Hyrule Warrior, the idea of having Impa playable was repugnant to me. None of her design was appealing to me (old hag in Zelda Between World, muscular guy in OoT, fat lady in Oracle...).

But the fact that Hyrule Warrior imposed an unique design to Impa, means that we'll have similar design in the next iterations. And I really like the new design of her ! She now have more gameplay possibilities, which are unique and attractive moreover. I'm sure that I'm not the only one thinking that way.

uhh how about skyward sword that's her best design Imo

 

[Skyblade12]

uhh how about skyward sword that's her best design Imo

Hyrule Warriors has a superior design to Skyward Sword, IMO.

 

[Naglfarii]

Honestly I can't see smash using hyrule warriors for inspiration over a real zelda game

 

[Skyblade12]

Honestly I can't see smash using hyrule warriors for inspiration over a real zelda game

Hyrule Warriors clearly used Skyward Sword for inspiration. It just took the basic design and made it better.

 

[Diddy Kong]

Am still hoping to see Impa in Zelda Wii U. And I have a strong gut feeling that we might, and that she'll look a lot like her Hyrule Warriors self.

 

[Donalp15]

Skyward Sword and Hyrule Warriors have made Impa a lot more popular than she used to be, so I think there is a good chance of seeing her in the next Zelda.

 

[Tonydrake]

I think Impa is the best choice for a Zelda newcomer. She's one of the most important recurring characters in the series. I'd love to see her in the roster

Hyrule Warrior's design is awesome but I'm fine if she gets her Skyward Sword's design as long as she's playable

 

[TheDarkKnightNoivern]

How about we have SS as the main costume and Hyrule warriors as an alt, then everyone's happy

 

[iam8bit]

But what about her OOT look? I actually like that one the best.

But yeah, any incarnation is fine. Impa should be the de facto Zelda newcomer, she's the best choice by far IMO.

The only thing that works against her is the fact that the Zelda franchise already has 5 slots.

 

[TheDarkKnightNoivern]

But what about her OOT look? I actually like that one the best.

But yeah, any incarnation is fine. Impa should be the de facto Zelda newcomer, she the best choice by far IMO.

The only thing that works against her is the fact that the Zelda franchise already has 5 slots.

But it doesn't have a newcomer, who says 5 has to be the maximum?

 

[iam8bit]

I know there's no maximum, I just think with the separation of Sheik and Zelda, and Toon Link returning, a Zelda newcomer could've been less of a priority for Sakurai.

But of course, there's no way of knowing, and I'm rooting for Impa anyway.

 

[Diddy Kong]

If Skyward Sword Impa is gonna be the main costume, I think we're quite likely to see Ocarina Impa as an alternative to. So that would satisfy most fans of the character I think. Sakurai might also go for Hyrule Warriors, because after all, Ganondorf in Melee was based on the Space World 2000 demo of Link and Ganondorf fighting. It's where he also got the sword from.

So, I still fail to see why it would be impossible to see Hyrule Warriors Impa.

 

[Skyblade12]

If we assume that the trophy tease hints at newcomers, I think Impa is now assured, since Ghirahim is disconfirmed.

 

[Starbound]

If you're a trophy theory believer, Impa is now the only option.

And I think she's the only choice for a Zelda newcomer now.

 

[Skyblade12]

If you're a trophy theory believer, Impa is now the only option.

And I think she's the only choice for a Zelda newcomer now.

I always thought she was the only choice. She made a lot more sense than a one-off villain.

 

[TylerBlackRunIt]

It's Impa Time!!!!

 

[Parallel_Falchion]

Thank God for today's pic of the day. The two characters I wanted to not see on the roster at all costs, Chrom and Ghirahim, are both disconfirmed. This game just gets better and better for me.

Which leaves Impa as practically the only potential Zelda newcomer, especially if the trophy theory is to be believed. Don't break out the champagne just yet, but Impa fans ought to be happy about this.

 

[Skyblade12]

It's Impa Time!!!!

I hope we get this model. Alt costume if necessary, but it is just too awesome.

 

[Arcadenik]

Hot damn! Practically all of the relevant rivals are down... Tingle, Skull Kid, Midna, Fi, Ghirahim... all that's left is Impa!

 

[Pacack]

If you're a trophy theory believer, Impa is now the only option.

And I think she's the only choice for a Zelda newcomer now.

Well, there's still Ganon, but she has a whole lot less competition now that Ghirahim's out of the picture.

 

[RayaGRH]

Impa really would be the best choice for a new Zelda rep. Other than the core trio of Link, Zelda and Ganondorf, she is the only other character I believe that has constantly appeared in multiple games across many generations in the timeline. Plus, she had a really strong role in Skyward Sword that could definitely translate into a moveset. I could also see them making her a Sheik clone though, which would be a shame.

 

[Skyblade12]

Impa really would be the best choice for a new Zelda rep. Other than the core trio of Link, Zelda and Ganondorf, she is the only other character I believe that has constantly appeared in multiple games across many generations in the timeline. Plus, she had a really strong role in Skyward Sword that could definitely translate into a moveset. I could also see them making her a Sheik clone though, which would be a shame.

Well, if we take the trophy quiz as accurate teasing, I can't really see them doing that for a clone...


Question though: Who was announced first, Palutena or Pac-Man?

If it was Pac-Man, that could also mean that the trophy tease was for all the remaining newcomers, and Impa and Ridley would be the only two remaining. Again, not a role they'd likely give a clone (Lucina got that role, but only because Robin took the "massively unique spot").

 

[Parallel_Falchion]

Question though: Who was announced first, Palutena or Pac-Man?

If it was Pac-Man, that could also mean that the trophy tease was for all the remaining newcomers, and Impa and Ridley would be the only two remaining. Again, not a role they'd likely give a clone (Lucina got that role, but only because Robin took the "massively unique spot").

Mii Fighters, Palutena, and Pac-Man were all three at E3, technically in that order. Greninja was also technically announced after the trophies were shown, though in the same direct.

 

[RayaGRH]

I wouldn't mind too much if she was at least a semi-clone, with some of Sheik's moves and some new ones. As long as she wasn't postured in the same was as Sheik, and moved differently. Sheik has a very unique stance that wouldn't fit Impa, who is more statuesque.

 

[Wii Twerk Trainer]

Hope she's a Peach clone.

 

[Skyblade12]

Mii Fighters, Palutena, and Pac-Man were all three at E3, technically in that order. Greninja was also technically announced after the trophies were shown, though in the same direct.

Thanks. Good. That means that we might have more than just Impa and Ridley left.


But, yeah, I really do find the trophy tease believable. I've got Ridley already on a lock for a bunch of different reasons, so Impa is the only one left, and seeing her in Hyrule Warriors just kind of convinced me how awesome she could be (never even thought about her before).

 

[RayaGRH]

I hadn't really considered Impa until recently...she had slipped under the radar for me. Now now that Ghirahim has been deconfirmed, she is the only logical Zelda rep, and I fully support her. She can join Dixie Kong, Ridley and Captain Toad in my most wanted newcomers.