"It's Freakin' Link!" - A look at Link in Smash 4

[Supersmashbrothers.]

He's heavier and more maneuverable, kind of like Captain Falcon. Which is perfectly fine by me.
Edit. I really feel bad for Megaman mains. HIs Jab, Ftilt, fair, fsmash, fspecial, nspecial, and his dspecial are all useless when Link is just standing still or walking.

Megaman isn't the best character. I'll still use him because... Megaman.

I liked how link was a light character but OK.

 

[FSK]

Link has always been a heavy character.

 

[LinkSpecialist]

All this is from the demo, but anywho-

• So this is gonna sound strange, but Link's D-air has two sweetspots. One for the meteor and another that's extremely difficult to land, but sends an opponent upwards instead of downward. Doesn't seem worth it though as I've only seen it kill at roughly ~140% from the ground of battlefield. Not bad, but considering how hard it is to land it, its not entirely worth it. the hitbox is the most outer layer of Link's D-air. Does 18% interestingly enough.

• His tether behaves differently to latch onto a stage from brawl, it now prefers to be under the stage rather than on top. If you try to tether too high above a latching point, Z-air won't grab the platform which would explain why I've been missing more often than not.

• Bomb D-throw over an opponent's head to combo into almost any aerial at low % is totally a thing now and very safe if shielded anyway.

• I want to play against more people to test this theory, but I strongly believe the aerial Spin Attack is now a viable edge guard tool if someone comes from high above. I've been killing lvl9 CPU's at roughly ~130% if they try to come back from above.

• With Link's new vertical recovery, you can in fact, D-air off the stage when hanging from a platform and still make it back provided you aren't gimped by your opponent. Needs strict timing to make it back however, but may be handy for spiking a recovering opponent if you're already hanging off the ledge because missing does not cause instant death, yet remains just as flashy~

 

[Rizen]

In Brawl Link could bomb D-throw combo into aerials.

For Dair, what frames does the spike hit on? Is it a frame 1 thing then other frames launch upward? Or is it more a sweet spot thing?

 

[DJ Arcatek]

It's the first couple of frames of Dair.

In Brawl, it WAS possible to pull off Dthrow Bomb combos, but since he doesn't get hit by his own bombs when thrown at an opponent in this game, follow ups are MUCH easier. That being said, I believe bombs are better than ever and are EASILY his best projectile by far. So many options with them, it's ridiculous.

 

[LinkSpecialist]

In Brawl, it WAS possible to pull off Dthrow Bomb combos, but since he doesn't get hit by his own bombs when thrown at an opponent in this game, follow ups are MUCH easier. That being said, I believe bombs are better than ever and are EASILY his best projectile by far. So many options with them, it's ridiculous.

Yes, exactly. Short hopping into d-throw is very much possible now and even if shielded, the bomb is still in play because it doesn't explode when it touches the ground from that height during a soft landing, leading to some an absurd amount of options for you to try and mix up your game.

• I'm sad to see the 'rang being nerfed slightly. It hasn't lost any of it's pull, however it no longer momentum cancels an opponents cannonball effect while keeping the hitstun but rather redirects their trajectory. However, at low % you can still very much use the rang to reel in opponents after exploding them with a bomb or say following up the jab, jab, jab combo for example during its return for some mindgames should they not see it coming that they're being pulled instead of flying away. The 'rang's pull is at it's strongest while someone is airborne just like in brawl.

 

[DarkDeity15]

Let me note that Link's fsmash has a crapton of endlag. Even more than in Brawl. Still a more powerful move now though, and if you tipper the first swing of his fsmash, it's a viable kill move at high percents.

 

[DakotaBonez]

Link is my favorite character to play as in the demo, and his new dash attack and backflip dodge are so perfect.
2 Things I noticed about his Z-Air.

If you get hit in the air, the next time you press L, Link will do an aerial attack instead of the regular Z-air, kinda annoying.

If you are holding a bomb in the air, fastfall by pressing down, release down, then press L.
Link will drop the bomb instead of throwing it down, while also shooting his tether. I can imagine this coming in handy if an opponent is below the stage and trying to recover. You can simultaneously drop a bomb on them and tether onto the stage to follow up with something else.

Is there a way to just drop the bomb without doing the Z-Air?
(besides the quit drop tech, like I wanna be able to drop it from any height)

Also, when link gets hit in the air and the L button suddenly becomes the A button, have they patched this in the full version?
It's annoying when I'm trying to tether back on the stage but he does a forward air instead. I've pretty much given up on tethering the stage when it seems better to always just up-b to it.

 

[LinkNIvy]

What can I do that's safe on shields besides projectiles? Tilts and jabs basically? SH->NAIR->FF looks like it's very punishable if they just block and I can't reliably land any of the other aerials out of SH. It seems like FAIR might be safe but I can't do it yet. People are mentioning bombs?

 

[Rizen]

What can I do that's safe on shields besides projectiles? Tilts and jabs basically? SH->NAIR->FF looks like it's very punishable if they just block and I can't reliably land any of the other aerials out of SH. It seems like FAIR might be safe but I can't do it yet. People are mentioning bombs?

I haven't played SSB4 yet but I'm guessing Z-air is safe.

 

[LinkNIvy]

It's the first couple of frames of Dair.

In Brawl, it WAS possible to pull off Dthrow Bomb combos, but since he doesn't get hit by his own bombs when thrown at an opponent in this game, follow ups are MUCH easier. That being said, I believe bombs are better than ever and are EASILY his best projectile by far. So many options with them, it's ridiculous.

I'm trying to do this but I keep getting damaged by the bombs. How is this done?

I haven't played SSB4 yet but I'm guessing Z-air is safe.

It's so hard to hit if they're on the ground, though. Either that or I have to wait for Link to start falling to have it be at the perfect angle. I think I should have worded it as how do I approach while being safe on shields

 

[DarkDeity15]

I'm trying to do this but I keep getting damaged by the bombs. How is this done?

It's so hard to hit if they're on the ground, though. Either that or I have to wait for Link to start falling to have it be at the perfect angle. I think I should have worded it as how do I approach while being safe on shields

Bombs are pretty safe on shields in general. Not only that, but they're great setup tools if you get a hit. Note that only two bombs can be out at once.

 

[Anonano]

A couple notes on Hylian Shield:
-IT BLOCKS MEGAMAN'S FSMASH!?!!? Y'all probably knew this. It's a projectile, so it's implied. But IT BLOCKS EVERYTHING (if it's a projectile).
-It doesn't block in the "crouching" animation (i.e. the "going to one knee" animation--it blocks in the "crouched" animation itself).
-The lag from shielding, as well as the sliding backwards animation, have both been nerfed.
-Walking, standing and crouching might seem awkward for maneuvering, but with his massively buffed back dodge (the L-targeting backflip *squeeee*) there's very little time where he's vulnerable. Frankly I feel his forward roll is mediocre in this rendition but it then gives you access to his back flip *squeee*

All this together imo makes Hylian Shielding a viable tactic versus campy characters, and combined with Link's own versatile projectiles and his zair makes him (again imo, which should be taken with much salt) very strong versus campy characters. You should be able to force approaches out of them in most situations at the very least.

Sheik needle spam seems very prominent as a tactic atm so you should at the very least be able to force Sheik approaches with Hylian Shield. Not like Sheik doesn't want to get in on you, but at least Sheik will have to approach on your terms and pretty much has nil spamming capability versus Link from neutral positioning, which is always something positive.

I've only been playing the demo, so I can't vouch for the Shield versus the entire cast, but that's my impressions so far.

Oh, and iirc there seems to be a strict window where dash attack (the L-targeting jump slash *squeee*) can be comboed into from a boomerang hit. Spacing and timing both seem to be pretty tight.

Also, if Mario doesn't DI properly you can dthrow>dair spike him around 40-80%. Might be a true combo on bulky heavyweight characters at certain percents.

From what I can tell backflipping should also be a great way to disengage because between it's invincibility frames, its spammability and the Hylian Shield's defensive options you should be pretty safe from anything except direct physical moves.

 

[BBC7]

He's heavier and more maneuverable, kind of like Captain Falcon. Which is perfectly fine by me.
Edit. I really feel bad for Megaman mains. HIs Jab, Ftilt, nair(fair is not useless against standing Link), fsmash, fspecial, nspecial, and his dspecial are all useless when Link is just standing still or walking.

You have to remember that Mega Man can make your moves useless too with Jab/F-Tilt/Nair. Hell, even Leaf Shield can do the same. If he keeps his distance you, you have even less options against him and have to go up to him, where you now open up his projectile game if you run or he can catch you off guard with a D-tilt. Basically, here are all of the Link moves that can become useless by a distance-keeping Mega Man.

- Neutral B(jab destroys arrows),
- Side B(jab destroys boomerangs)
- Down B(Leaf Shield can destroy the bomb, Down B is best bet although can still be destroyed)
- Up B(won't connect from far away)
- Dash Attack(won't connect from far away, up close maybe)
- U-Tilt(won't connect)
- D-Tilt(won't connect)
- F-Tilt(won't connect)
- U-Smash(won't connect)
- D-Smash(won't connect)
- F- Smash(won't connect)
- Jab(won't connect)

Basically, Link needs to approach with an aerial, because trying to approach with any grounded move will end in Link just eating a Mega Man jab and not actually accomplishing anything of significance. Fighting a Mega Man is harder than just "LOL STAND IN ONE PLACE". I got this from experience with my friends, Link definitely has a hard time getting in against Mega Man, despite what you may think.

I don't think Mega Man has that hard of a time. You do have to remember that Link is mainly a melee fighter and not a ranged one.

 

[Blubba_Pinecone]

...
2 Things I noticed about his Z-Air.

If you get hit in the air, the next time you press L, Link will do his Forward air instead of the regular Z-air, kinda annoying.
...

Is there a way to just drop the bomb without doing the Z-Air?
(besides the quit drop tech, like I wanna be able to drop it from any height)

I forget that not many people had extensive Link experience in Brawl. Just like in Brawl, Smash 4 Link will perform an air attack if you press the "grab" function after being hit from either Zair or a tether recovery. To prevent this, do the second one with "airdodge" + "attack", Link will not do an air attack you don't want. I'll add this to the Zair and tether sections, as it is important to know in certain circumstances.

As far as we currently know, there is not a way to neutral drop a Bomb without Zairing outside of the Quick Drop tech.

stuff

This is not a match-up thread. Please discuss this elsewhere, or wait for an appropriate place to exist if one doesn't already.

 

[Lozjam]

You have to remember that Mega Man can make your moves useless too with Jab/F-Tilt/Nair. Hell, even Leaf Shield can do the same. If he keeps his distance you, you have even less options against him and have to go up to him, where you now open up his projectile game if you run or he can catch you off guard with a D-tilt. Basically, here are all of the Link moves that can become useless by a distance-keeping Mega Man.

- Neutral B(jab destroys arrows),
- Side B(jab destroys boomerangs)
- Down B(Leaf Shield can destroy the bomb, Down B is best bet although can still be destroyed)
- Up B(won't connect from far away)
- Dash Attack(won't connect from far away, up close maybe)
- U-Tilt(won't connect)
- D-Tilt(won't connect)
- F-Tilt(won't connect)
- U-Smash(won't connect)
- D-Smash(won't connect)
- F- Smash(won't connect)
- Jab(won't connect)

Basically, Link needs to approach with an aerial, because trying to approach with any grounded move will end in Link just eating a Mega Man jab and not actually accomplishing anything of significance. Fighting a Mega Man is harder than just "LOL STAND IN ONE PLACE". I got this from experience with my friends, Link definitely has a hard time getting in against Mega Man, despite what you may think.

I don't think Mega Man has that hard of a time. You do have to remember that Link is mainly a melee fighter and not a ranged one.

You are forgetting that Links hylian shield while walking and standing makes all of Megamans approaches useless. He has to approach with an aerial, which is very easily countered with a bair, Zair, fair, nair, and ftilt. Projectiles will be nearly useless against a good Link main. And Links bombs are the god of out of shield options.

 

[Rizen]

Link was always a spacing character more than melee. Not exactly a range character but uses range a lot to support spacing. I'm glad Link kept this spirit in SSB4. If I wanted a quick sword melee fighter I'd have gone with Marth.

 

[LinkNIvy]

I'm guessing that the Hylian Shield doesn't work against DHD cans, pigeons, PacMan's B or any of Robin's stuff? The bow seems like it would overpower purely campy projectile characters like DHD, PacMan, BJ on FD once they land, but what about Robin since his fully charged thing is so fast?

This is not a match-up thread. Please discuss this elsewhere, or wait for an appropriate place to exist if one doesn't already.

Balance isn't in a bubble. Bringing up the shield's effectiveness requires context.

 

[BBC7]

By the way, it turns out Hylian Shield doesn't actually protect against Mega Man's Neutral B(Metal Blade) while standing. As a fellow Mega Man player, I find myself occasionally throwing in Metal Blades while shooting lemons in order to catch possible Arrow or Bomb attacks from Link. Mega Man Jab doesn't always beat out Link's Arrow, by the way. A charged Link Arrow will beat out a Mega Man Jab.

That being said, Hylian Shield is really annoying for projectile characters. It isn't a big hard-counter though, many projectile characters still have ways to get around it, even if it involves ditching their best techniques and moves for ones that work better in the situation.

 

[Dunk Master]

"Hyrule Shield stays up while walking"

YES! I'm assuming he drops it when dashing though. Still, it's good to see the shield becoming useful actually. Unless something big happens, I'm pretty sure Link is going to be a hard counter to mega man

 

[Jade_Rock55]

It is also up during crouch,but during the crouch animation when he is going down it is not up.

 

[Blubba_Pinecone]

Added DownB canceling to the Advanced Techniques section. It's pretty neat, check it out.

Not sure if it already has a name, but seems appropriate.

 

[LinkSpecialist]

I'm surprised pivot Fsmash isn't in the Advanced techniques list. I love the OP much thus far. For the smash to come out instead of ftilt the stick must rest for a split second then smash while pivoting.

I do enjoy how jab canceling can be done now by holding either down-right or down-left on the stick to reset the jab with good timing. Before it had to be held in the opposite direction you're facing in brawl if I recall correctly.

 

[Rizen]

Added DownB canceling to the Advanced Techniques section. It's pretty neat, check it out.

Not sure if it already has a name, but seems appropriate.

This sounds very useful, good work!

I have to wait until the Wii U version is out to join the party

 

[Izaw]

Yo, you can combine arrow cancelling with bomb cancelling

So, Shorthop with Bomb in hand - Charge arrow(a little bit), so that he lands with the airdodge animation, and Down B to cancel, its really powerful, and the only real good use of arrows imo

It's a Really scare approach actually... short hop half charged arrow to instant bomb ... <.<

 

[LinkSpecialist]

..Down B to cancel, its really powerful, and the only real good use of arrows imo

I have to respectfully disagree with you there, I've been finding arrows very useful against characters who are sent off stage and perfect for shutting down characters who use their second jump prematurely if you hit them as they use it, effectively forcing them to use their Up-b more earlier and predictably set themselves up for an edgeguard or even better, they're simply gimped.

Also, with the larger blast zones, arrows can be great for sealing the kill if they survive regardless of a big hit. At high percentages arrows can kill when you got the aim for hitting opponents with charged shots.

 

[Izaw]

I have to respectfully disagree with you there, I've been finding arrows very useful against characters who are sent off stage and perfect for shutting down characters who use their second jump prematurely if you hit them as they use it, effectively forcing them to use their Up-b more earlier and predictably set themselves up for an edgeguard or even better, they're simply gimped.

Also, with the larger blast zones, arrows can be great for sealing the kill if they survive regardless of a big hit. At high percentages arrows can kill when you got the aim for hitting opponents with charged shots.

Yea it's true they're good for shooting opponents who are sent offstage, but I was talking about neutral game, while both are on the stage

 

[Rizen]

Are arrow locks (and jab locks) back in SSB4?

 

[Izaw]

I think so, not sure if Link has them, ive seen pikachu do it tho

 

[LinkSpecialist]

Jab locks are no more from what I can tell in my time in the lab. They have a pop up otg (off the ground). Arrows still lock after a split second charge, otherwise they can roll away when hit. When locked though its a distance away so our options to follow up are limited to running grabs, bombs and other mid-range attacks.

 

[Sabaca]

So if my Boomerang is out and i got no bomb yet it would be better to draw a bomb than punishing with arrows when there is the situation to do so. Or would that actually be a situation where arrows are useful outside of the arrow- bomb- cancelling.

 

[NofroTwist ProteinfartPie]

Jab locks are back from brawl, except they don't work like an infinite anymore. Apparently it only works for 3 jabs before they pop up, like Linkspec said. However, Link's jab doesn't work for locking anymore, but his arrows and Nair still do. Both are pretty much useless though. There aren't many practical arrow lock set ups anymore since the boomerang doesn't knock people to the ground and footstool -> Nair lock is somewhat useless since we don't have a jab lock anymore.

 

[TLMSheikant]

Found out today about this nifty bomb cancelling thing. I can now do airdodge with bomb in hand, zair and bomb cancel the landing in the demo, reminds me of Brawl. Does anyone know if Tink also has this?

EDIT: Saw the vid. I hope it isnt patched lol.

 

[Deleted member]

the important thing about the bomb canceling is the abilitly to lag cancel his aerials on a short hop

on the first few frames of Link's jump, if you press throw it will drop the bomb. if you do it too late he will SH, zair and drop the bomb.

so this allows you to SH-ZAC Dair and cancel the lag

 

[Rizen]

Sweet, a lot of Link veterans are returning! Welcome back guys! :D

 

[Blubba_Pinecone]

KO percents for the following moves have been retested and updated:

Spoiler

• Utilt
• Ftilt
• Fsmash
• Fsmash 2nd hit
• Usmash
• Dsmash (both hits)
• Nair
• Dair (At all points of the move's behavior)
• Uair (Initial hit)
• UpB (Grounded)
• Uthrow

As always, while specific percents are given, keep in mind the arbitrariness of the testing method: Mario's specific properties, his position on FD, and FD's dimensions' affect on percentage measurements depending on knockback trajectory. In short, reading the percentages relative to each other based on trajectory is a better way to understand what they mean in a match as opposed to the literal values.

 

[Rizen]

I'm not sure how accurate this is so take it with a grain of salt. I think this is the landing lag for each character's aerials:
http://i.imgur.com/t80TyRa.png

Aside from Uair and Dair, of course, Link has minimal landing lag. He should have a strong aerial to ground game again but not as much as Brawl.

 

[Jade_Rock55]

Cool this is useful thank you !

 

[Onomanic]

Bombs out of shield are amazing. I'm really digging not taking damage off my own bombs when they hit an opponent.

 

[Blubba_Pinecone]

So umm, jab > jab cancel > jab is a true combo at higher percents. This should makes things fun. I've managed a 14 hit combo in training mode, and that's without stale moves, haha.

I'll add something about it to the OP after some more messing around.