There all this low tier hate from people who never even used or played vs Link.
I've always felt like I get a ton of props for actually using Link when I go to tourneys. Unless you're talking about the whole "LOL Link sux +3 MU for us" thing, which I don't really see that much of any more, I don't think Link gets a bad rap (outside of the fact that yeah, Link sux. Just not THAT bad
) For the most part I think his MU Chart is pretty accurate. Now it is true he doesn't get much representation.
Personally, I'd say when push comes to shove and you're at a tourney, if you know you're not gonna win with Link because of a crazy MU but you have a second who might have a chance, go for it. Don't lean on them like a crutch, but it's stupid for me to try to take on MK's and Falco's with Link when I have a Wario, Wolf, and Peach I'm very comfortable with using. Just don't abuse them to the point they're your new main. When I went to tourneys I'd usually use Link for about 85-90% of my matches, and usually only swapped out if my opponent changed characters as a deliberate CP.
Also, that Nightmare skin is pretty sweet. Nightmare was my guy in Soul Calibur 2