Links to the Past - A P:M Link video & discussion thread

[BigHairyFart]

It's tricky, but even. His sword is a little longer than yours, so you gotta keep your distance with projectiles. DACUS can also get you up close to start sword combos if needed.

 

[SoggyEagle]

Me getting bodied in Grand Finals at USC's ONE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xzP5Fbor2w

When the Winner's Finals match is uploaded, I'll edit that one.

 

[Fenrir VII]

Me getting bodied in Grand Finals at USC's ONE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xzP5Fbor2w

When the Winner's Finals match is uploaded, I'll edit that one.

Yeah I've been watching that. The main thing is, he was just DD camping you to wait for a commit, then grabbing (which in your defense was the same thing he has done to me and practically everybody else).

You gotta avoid that somehow, mainly just by using safer moves > jab jab, etc and spot dodge when you see that grab coming (obviously with mixups). I also think nair gimps are super important in the matchup. And never dash attack in the neutral... Too punishable. Tether is your best recovery if the marth wants to stay onstage.

One other point, I noticed you hardly ever use zair... It's situational against Marth, but amazing in the DK matchup. That arrow kill was too hype btw.

 

[Stanz]

Me getting bodied in Grand Finals at USC's ONE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xzP5Fbor2w

When the Winner's Finals match is uploaded, I'll edit that one.

In the second set you had some really good neutral airs defensively that set up better boomerang pressure. He whiffed a few grabs and you punished well. Seems to me you just got in too close too often and he has the advantage there. I think you could have bulled a few more bombs as opposed to dash attack in certain scenarios, but you are better than me so i'm just spitballing ideas. Still solid Link play ^^

 

[SoggyEagle]

I actually do keep my eye out for zair opportunities, but this is only my second tournament PM tournament, so far -- opportunities are difficult to weigh, still, especially against more aggressive opponents. I do see, however, how it'd be useful against a dash happy Marth.

Avoiding Atlas' Marth's tricks is really difficult, given his speed and precision (mostly referring to his shield), but the following Sheik game proved to me that if I could speed up feints or get him to whiff, I could start putting in kill links, maybe.

Also, this is the second time I've fought against a Marth (a Marth put me in loser's in my first tournament), and it just sucks to seemingly get auto-chained to death due to Link's weight -- I need a Marth main opponent in my area...

I could probably use more bombs, but there's just a general need to relax when fighting people like Atlas that also helps to distract my brain from thinking as clearly as I should.

Anyway, thanks for the tips/ideas/praise/condolences.

 

[Fortress]

We talking about bombs in here? Random bomb shenanigans at 6:44.

 

[Deleted member]

this is how i play against marth - http://www.twitch.tv/fdfriday/c/4095729?t=74m31s

there's also one GF match where he goes marth at 2:28:36

 

[SoggyEagle]

Yeah, I definitely just gotta work on my speed game, then.

I started working on it the next day after that tournament >_>

Hopefully, I can fight more Marth players, too.

 

[ITALIAN N1NJA]

Through lab testing, reading through forums on smashboards, and actually using what I learned in tournaments, I have discovered that bomb setups are extremely useful. I knew they were useful from the start but wow are they good. When the situation is appropriate I love to set up Double or even Triple Bomb Punts to cover every option. Not to mention your opponent becomes extremely intimidated when 3 bombs are coming towards them with Link coming through the middle with a Fair. That covers every option and I am looking forward to using more bomb tricks in the future. I already know most if not all of them. But it's implementing them into my playstyle in a smooth and efficient manner that I need to work on. Bombs are Links' best tool and they are amazing!

 

[cmloe]

Through lab testing, reading through forums on smashboards, and actually using what I learned in tournaments, I have discovered that bomb setups are extremely useful. I knew they were useful from the start but wow are they good. When the situation is appropriate I love to set up Double or even Triple Bomb Punts to cover every option. Not to mention your opponent becomes extremely intimidated when 3 bombs are coming towards them with Link coming through the middle with a Fair. That covers every option and I am looking forward to using more bomb tricks in the future. I already know most if not all of them. But it's implementing them into my playstyle in a smooth and efficient manner that I need to work on. Bombs are Links' best tool and they are amazing!

Do you have any tips on implementing it, in a match?

 

[ITALIAN N1NJA]

Do you have any tips on implementing it, in a match?

Only use it when you know you have enough time to set it up and the situation is appropriate. Single bomb punts are good no matter what if your further away to help cover space as you move in. The other forms of punting are useful but only in the proper situation. Get good at fundamentals, then the AGT tech should be muscle memory to you with enough practice, after that then start up tricks! It creates mind games, covers options, and looks fancy all at the same time!

 

[Problem2]

Pretty hype match, but lots of trying too hard.

But here are a few more recent sets of me:
http://youtu.be/e_PTOam9Njw

These sets, I don't go Link all games. Played a pretty terrible Link these games. My mindset was definitely in the wrong place. You can tell I just wanted those games to be over.
http://youtu.be/1fiAKfADW-Y
http://youtu.be/VdgxevbXcYQ

 

[cmloe]

Im having a problem with killing my opponents as link. I can get damage on them very easily but it usually takes until 120-180% until i can finally kill them. Does anyone have any tips to help me out on this?

 

[NickRiddle]

You're complaining about people living to 120?

Umm... if they start to live forever, u-throw kills non-FFers at around 170.

 

[BigHairyFart]

Im having a problem with killing my opponents as link. I can get damage on them very easily but it usually takes until 120-180% until i can finally kill them. Does anyone have any tips to help me out on this?

Spin Attack OoS can net a kill if they're right on top of you. Otherwise, I would stick to Boomerang/Bomb mindgames to get above them, then fast fall a D-Air.

 

[Third]

http://www.twitch.tv/norcalsmash/b/525602647
20:11 vs. Hugenar as Mario/Marth
46:15 vs. Fridgebits as Snake/Sonic
1:07:20 vs. LTBoozer as Yoshi (Winner's Finals)
1:49:55 vs. Fridgebits as Luigi (Loser's Finals)
3:04:13 vs. LTBoozer and Nil as Yoshi and Ganondorf

This is my first tournament, but could someone critique my Link? My AGT was unfortunately off as the Wii was slightly different to my Wii and I wasn't able to adapt fast enough.

 

[ITALIAN N1NJA]

I've been trying to improve my fundamentals. They seem lacking. I can do plenty of tech and tricks, but that means nothing without a good foundation of fundamentals for them to flourish. I'm going to keep playing and practicing with friendlies and tournaments alike of course. Do any of you have tips on methods I could do in order to improve my fundamentals?

 

[Player -0]

If people could list some fundamentals that would be great. I can only think of spacing.

 

[Hylian]

I've been trying to improve my fundamentals. They seem lacking. I can do plenty of tech and tricks, but that means nothing without a good foundation of fundamentals for them to flourish. I'm going to keep playing and practicing with friendlies and tournaments alike of course. Do any of you have tips on methods I could do in order to improve my fundamentals?

Have you watched the first episode of my HyliCast? I go over how to train your fundamentals pretty well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtTN6AQrw_Y

 

[ITALIAN N1NJA]

Have you watched the first episode of my HyliCast? I go over how to train your fundamentals pretty well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtTN6AQrw_Y

I've watched it. I know of all the basics to practice. I know what to do to get better. I'm assuming it's just a matter of putting in the time and playing tons of people to get better at them. Practicing alone can only take you so far.

 

[Problem2]

If people could list some fundamentals that would be great. I can only think of spacing.

You definitely want to get good at bomb jump recovering. That's often the distance between winning and losing close games. Also getting consistent at doing the best follow up after landing a hard boomerang or grab, which changes based on damage and opponent. Being good at AGT in neutral and when recovering is also very important tech.

 

[Pug]

Oh man, I had the AGT timing down and could nail it every time... Then I realised I was using the Wi-Fi safe codeset. I switched to full, and now air dodge doesn't kick in until the full trigger press, which means I need to wait a few frames longer before hitting the C-stick.

Every time I miss an AGT I die a little inside.

 

[Arctic]

Hey everyone! Here are some friendlies with alphabattack and Rain. Criticism is greatly appreciated!
Alpha (Pit) v Arctic (Link) by alphabattack
Alpha (Pit) v Arctic (Link) by alphabattack
Rain (Mewtwo) v Arctic (Link) by alphabattack

 

[NickRiddle]

NickRiddle vs. Xaltis (ZSS)
NickRiddle vs. Master Raven (Mewtwo)
NickRiddle vs. ESAM (Samus/Pikachu)

 

[Apollo Ali]

Yoooo hype to see youor match versus ESAM.

 

[Fenrir VII]

hey hey I have vids again.

http://www.twitch.tv/holyflamej/b/534184236

Me vs. KOKingpin (winner's semis)
Link vs DK
Link vs DDD
Fox vs DDD

Me vs. Atlas (winner's finals)
Link vs Marth x3

minus the technical errors, the second set of matches is about as well as I know how to play the Marth matchup. had like 1-2 SDs each game, unfortunately, but played pretty even otherwise.

 

[SoggyEagle]

I've yet to see a Link win against a good Marth. I've only taken one friendly match off of Atlas in Link v Marth, I think.

It's like trying to swing a catapult at an opposing swordsman.

 

[Fenrir VII]

Think I could've taken this one... just screwed up too much. The match felt much easier this time... just took some getting used to.

I still think it's really even, though.

 

[Heero Yuy]

Faced the local champion of P:M today in a few matches. I didn't face his main unfortunately but he wasn't sandbagging.

Me (Link) vs Peach
Comments: I gotta stop whiffing UpB's... Really bad habit of mine.
http://youtu.be/4HBfWS-IW6I

Me (Link) vs Marth
Comments: Epic comeback game 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fuk8prwtq4

Me (Link) vs Diddy
Comments: Diddy's mindgames tho...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zHkGutNodQ

Me (Link) vs Ness
Comments: Game 2 = DERP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1EBXRH045o

 

[SoggyEagle]

Think I could've taken this one... just screwed up too much. The match felt much easier this time... just took some getting used to.

I still think it's really even, though.

I think it's getting 'less uneven' but I still feel like it's not quite even. The speed factor is the most significant for me : / I need faster enemies to practice with...

 

[DarkDeity15]

I actually find it a bit difficult to bomb punt, so instead I just plant a bomb or two on platforms (if there are any) and punt them from there when I feel fit. I guess I'll just do that as an alternative until I get actual bomb punting down lol. I don't really know the level of effectivness that tactic has, so I would like to hear from you guys about it. Plus, I'm forced to use my Wii U, so I have to stick with my Classic Controller pro til the GameCube adapters are finally out.

 

[NickRiddle]

Mayflash adapter.
12 dollars.
Attaches to your Wiimote.
Solving problem.

 

[Fortress]

NickRiddle vs. Xaltis (ZSS)
NickRiddle vs. Master Raven (Mewtwo)
NickRiddle vs. ESAM (Samus/Pikachu)

So, watching your games versus ESAM, and, you're really solid, but I was just wondering why you don't pull out bombs to recover when near the stage so that you can use your tether as opposed to spin attack? I mean, more mixups and flexibility as far as I can see it. At around 12:20 you just get edgehogged and I kind of wondered why you opted for the spin attack over a tether mixup lol.

I mean, Samus has the brick drop and all... but...

 

[NickRiddle]

So, watching your games versus ESAM, and, you're really solid, but I was just wondering why you don't pull out bombs to recover when near the stage so that you can use your tether as opposed to spin attack? I mean, more mixups and flexibility as far as I can see it. At around 12:20 you just get edgehogged and I kind of wondered why you opted for the spin attack over a tether mixup lol.

I mean, Samus has the brick drop and all... but...

If people are brain-dead, they see that you are pulling a bomb and hit you for it.
I could have zaired, but he reacts to air-dodge with FF nair which hits me before I can tether the edge.

I've gotten better at it, but it's still a pain in the ass.

 

[DarkDeity15]

Mayflash adapter.
12 dollars.
Attaches to your Wiimote.
Solving problem.

Heard of it. I'd rather wait until the official adapters are out. Buying the mayflash now would be a waste of money imo. That wasn't my main concern however, although I know what you mean lol.

 

[Pug]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8DbosnvPQ4

Link ditto, I'm the yellow Link. I will never forgive myself for what happened in the last few seconds of the match.

* So many missed bomb catches. Those moments where I fall right into a bomb are where I'm trying to AGT them back at him.
* So many missed d-throw dair follow ups. If I'd been more patient and chased his techs I'd have been in a much stronger position.

That's what I picked up watching it back. I'd love feedback from you guys!

 

[AeroLink_the_SoulMaster]

Recent videos; please forgive the quality on some of them. lol

From Farmers Fight in College Station, TX:

Vs. Infinity
Winners Semifinals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa91zJhW0y8&index=8&list=PLH2pxgOx7XCVyCF5UUky0idsqo_IAC7R7
Losers Finals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PGYHqiR5bY&list=PLH2pxgOx7XCVyCF5UUky0idsqo_IAC7R7&index=4

Vs. Abstract Logic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R-zxwwwRkw&list=PLH2pxgOx7XCVyCF5UUky0idsqo_IAC7R7&index=5

Vs. DMG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvEm1RwI67Q&index=9&list=PLH2pxgOx7XCVyCF5UUky0idsqo_IAC7R7

Vs. Sparking Zero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y2ZDWPVGBE&list=PLH2pxgOx7XCVyCF5UUky0idsqo_IAC7R7&index=10

Doubles (with Denti ALL GANONDORF)

Vs. Infinity and DMG
Grand Finals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmhRg41FPoA&index=22&list=PLH2pxgOx7XCVyCF5UUky0idsqo_IAC7R7
Winners Semifinals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWaua9MhI-0&index=28&list=PLH2pxgOx7XCVyCF5UUky0idsqo_IAC7R7

Vs. Grime and Scuba Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12WZJYwZFHs&list=PLH2pxgOx7XCVyCF5UUky0idsqo_IAC7R7&index=24

More vids! From the latest Infinity and Beyond weekly tournament in DFW, TX.

Vs. Awestin
Grand Finals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzDQ1evjmWs

Vs. Bwett
Losers Finals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-_hZKK5q-4

Vs. Denti
Losers Semifinals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spXwp2M611w

Vs. Darkgun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tiygJpKhfw

Vs. Infinity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uXUr2rBiRE


Doubles as THE BIFORCE (Double Link with Problemo)

Vs. Erasmorpheous and Scotch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URuG_G5rhS8

Vs. Team Unfair (Awestin and Oracle)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvsmVuOY0q8

 

[Fortress]

Can't wait to check these out. Took fifth at a major all-state event in PM with my Link, wish I would've got any of my matches recorded. Got on stream once, and happened to get bopped in that particular match.

 

[Bravo_10]

I have videos! :D

You guys have never seen me play before, so this is pretty cool. Went to a local last week and played on stream twice. (Spoiler alert) I wound up losing close sets both times, but I think I showed what I can do. I'm a pretty technical Link, but I've only been playing competitive Melee/PM for like a year, and I think it shows. Ah well, only one way to get more experience!

Versus Ry (Marth)
http://youtu.be/JmDmYxqGsr8

Versus Life (Pit)
http://youtu.be/3SqxAXZaHao

Tell me what you think!

 

[Fortress]

Not too bad, but be more confident in your attacks and movements. You tend to shield after throwing 'rang a lot, so be careful about that, you miss quite a few opportunities for follow-ups since you threw up your guard. I'm just in the first game now, but that's one thing I'm noticing. I think you're doing a lot of things right, but just work on not shielding so much when you land a hit, and grab followups. Remember, you're almost never going to hit Pit with jab after D-throw.