The Official Basic Knowledge Link Guide. (Check First Post)

[Deleted member]

This thread serves the purpose of displaying basic Link knowledge that you should learn and use while playing Link. It also provides link's to video guides to make learning these techniques easier and possibly quicker.​

Link 101​

I. Glossary
Link's Advanced Techniques and Tricks

The Glossary's Format

Name of AT
Description
How to Perform AT
Video Referance
Common Names​

Arrow Cancel
Canceling the opening frames of shooting an arrow to shoot a quick shot.
How to Perform
Before Landing on the ground shoot an arrow, Link should not draw an arrow from his quiver.​

(Arrow Cancel Guide - http://youtube.com/watch?v=XcODP-_bhrI)
Other names: Quick Draw

B-Sticking
Setting the C-stick to specials allows you to do retreating special moves.
How to Perfom
With the C stick set to specials, jump and hold forward on the control stick, then hold back on the C stick. It is possible to B-stick without sacrificing your C-stick's smash function. To do this, run forward and do a forward B, then immediately hold back. This should B reverse your gale boomerang pushing you forward a bit.​

(B-sticking video - http://youtube.com/watch?v=53Wix_KsK5g)
Other names: wavebouncing, recoil specials

Bomb Footstool Combo
Link's true footstool jab lock combo
How to Perform
Short hop or full hop, throw a bomb downwards, footstool your opponent, fast fall a nair, and then jab lock.​

(Bomb Footstool Combo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTWL01pmXlU)
Other names: N/A

Bomb Smashing
The ability to perform a smash attack while holding onto a bomb or item
How to Perform
Pull out a bomb, hold A whenever link is already in an animation (ie roll, airdodge, ZAC) then move the C stick left or right(you must release A to launch the smash attack)​

(Bomb Smashing at 6:15 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=V0u3sUOShcI)
Other names: Fsmashing with a bomb

Bomb Sliding
Using the momentum gained from the DAC to do a sliding bomb throw.
How to Perform
DAC with a bomb in hand. When inputting the normal DAC command the bomb can either be thrown upwards, forwards or backwards.
F-throw: Dash -> down c-stick -> Up forward+ Z
U-throw: Dash -> down c-stick -> Up + Z
B-throw: Dash -> down c-stick -> Up Back + Z​

(Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjdQY5SOqEE)
Other names: DAC with bomb

Craq Walk
Using Link's momentum to slide across the ground after landing from a jump.
How to Perform
To craq walk jump and hold back, when you land on the ground Link should slide a fairly long distance as he has one of the best craq walks in the game. You can then use this momentum to do a moving down smash, down tilt, forward tilt, or forward smash. It is also possible to do a grounded craq walk that has been dubbed pivot boosting. to do this tap back, then hold forward, link should then slide across the ground.​

(Craq Walking Video http://youtube.com/watch?v=TfgzVCD3uS4)
Other names: Pivot Dashing

DAC - Dash Attack Cancel
Canceling the dash attack into an up smash producing a sliding up smash
How to Perform
Dash > C stick Down > Up + Z, Some Link players change R to attack to make this technique easier. You must wait for Link to lunge from the dash attack (C down) before performing the DAC.​

(DAC guide http://smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=183002)
Other names: Kara Cancel, Smash Boosting, Snake Dashing.

Gale Guarding
Using The Gale Boomerang's push and pull effect to push the enemy away from the edge
How to Perform
Jump off the edge and angle the Gale Boomerang so then the gale boomerang pushes your opponent away from the stage.​

(Gale Guarding at 7:09 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=V0u3sUOShcI)
Other names: N/A

Jab Cancel
Canceling Link's second or third sword swipe in the A,A,A combo
How to Perform
To Jab cancel you press Down right after you press A. If you hold down and back this allows you to continuously use Link's first jab. Holding down and trying to continuously use his first jab will instead make you jab to down tilt. This enables Link to do such combos as A,A, grab and A, up tilt.​

(Jab Canceling at 1:30 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=V0u3sUOShcI)
Other names: N/A

Jab Lock
Keeping an enemy locked in their wobble animation through the use of Link's first jab
How to Perform
Jab at a lying opponent, your enemy should now wobble up and down instead of standing up. Hit your enemy again to then keep him from getting back onto his feet, thus locking him in his wobbling animation.​

(Jab locking video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e291cu7khzE)
Other names: N/A

Jump Cancel Bomb Throw
Inputting a jump right before throwing a bomb, allows you to throw bombs backwards while running forwards.
How to Perform
Run, jump and immediately throw a bomb in any direction (even down.) Simple yet effective.​

(JC'd bombs at 2:31 : http://youtube.com/watch?v=S2QiCMuunQk)
Other names: N/A

Ledge Hop Bomb
Ledge jumping, pulling out a bomb, and regrabbing the ledge.
How to Perform
Pressing down to release from the edge and immediately jump and pull out a bomb. Allows Link to always have a bomb in hand.​

(Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=S2QiCMuunQk)
Other names: N/A

Quick Hugging
Speeding up the hugging process by fast falling
How to Perform
Run off the edge as if you were going to hug, and do a quarter circle back to quickly hug the stage and edgehog your opponent.​

(Speed Hugging at 7:20 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=IAcIXPJoGTo)
Other names: Speed Hugging

ZAC - Z drop, A Attack, Catch
Dropping a bomb with Z and then catching it while doing any aerial.
How to perform
Press Z to drop a bomb and immediately do any aerial to catch the bomb again. Allows you to always have a bomb in hand.​

(ZAC at 5:43 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=V0u3sUOShcI)
Other names: N/A

Zair
Using Link's tether recovery as an offensive tool
How to Perform
Jump and press Z (or L/R+A)
Doesn't seem like much, but it is actually one of Link's most useful attacks as it helps a lot with spacing and combos.​

(Video: N/A)
Other names: N/A

Zair Edgeguard
Using Link's tether recovery to expand the amount of invincibility frames you have while holding the edge.
How to Perform
While holding the ledge, release and press Z twice or Z then A . If you press Z once Link dangles there helplessly without any bonus invincibility frames. IF you press Z three times you will do a ledge attack. Zair Edgeguard allows you to release the ledge instantaneously as if it were Melee.​

(Zair Edgeguard at 7:43 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=V0u3sUOShcI)
Other names: N/A

Zair With Bomb
Gives you the ability to save your bomb for later use but still use your Zair.
How to Perform
Jump while holding a bomb and press L/R+A. Z doesn't work, instead you will throw your bomb if you press Z.​

(Zair with bomb at 4:12 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=V0u3sUOShcI)
Other names: N/A

II. Helpful Videos

The Art of Link by Izaw
In my opinion the BEST advanced techniques guide brawl has ever been blessed with. Learn these techniques Izaw has showcased and you will be on your way to playing a better link.
You can bow down to the creator of the greatest guide here

K10's Guide to Advanced Techniques
A great guide for learning basic universal advanced techniques.

Advanced Bomb Guide
Short, sweet and to the point.

III. Stage Counter Picks
These are the stage counter picks I would use

Bowser - Rainbow Cruise
Captain falcon -Final Destination
Diddy - Rainbow Cruise
Donkey Kong - Yoshi's Island
Falco - Yoshi's Island
Fox - Smashville/Brinstar
G&W - Final Destination
]Ganon - Rainbow Cruise
IC - Delfino Plaza
]Ike - Rainbow Cruise
Jigglypuff - Norfair
Dedede - Norfair
Kirby - Norfair
Link - Norfair (Deva) FO (ArkiveZero) :D
Lucario - Brinstar
Lucas - Yoshi's Island
Luigi - Final Destination
Mario - Final Destination
Marth - Rainbow Cruise/Norfair
MK - Norfair
Ness - Yoshi's Island/Lylat Cruise
olimar - Rainbow Cruise
Peach - Lylat Cruise
Pikachu - Luigi's Mansion
Pit - Luigig's Mansion
]PT - Final Destination
Rob - Norfair
Samus - Luigi's Mansion
Sheik - Norfair
Snake - Rainbow Cruise
Sonic - Norfair
Gay - Zelda's Bedroom (real answer: Norfair)
Wario - Luigi's Mansion
Wolf - Lylat Cruise/Rainbow Cruise
Yoshi - Rainbow Cruise
Zelda - Yoshi's island
ZSS - Final Destination

IV. Other Links (no pun intended)

The Greatest Web Page You Have Ever Encountered
Hands down the best tool for any smasher.

Link Finder
A great tool to find other Link mains to play against them.

The Link Chat Room
The Link board's chat room.

 

[lonewolfe]

Awesome.

Thank you for this. Although I know most of these things, it's definitely nice to be able to find a quick description and video for when I have questions, etc.

 

[4Serial]

pretty cool

 

[DSP]

Very good, basic knowledge. But you might want to add that you can actually craq walk without jumping, just pivoting.
What about wavebouncing? I know it's not so "basic", but it allows a more defensive use of the boomerang. You might add that, too.

 

[Jink]

AWEsome, this thread should be sticked.

writing in colors really helps the reader:bigthumbu

 

[Swordplay]

call for sticky....

 

[Crow!]

Another vote for sticky. Well done, and much needed for the Link forums.

 

[Deleted member]

Very good, basic knowledge. But you might want to add that you can actually craq walk without jumping, just pivoting.
What about wavebouncing? I know it's not so "basic", but it allows a more defensive use of the boomerang. You might add that, too.

yea the video that comes with the description shows pivot boosting and craq walking, but ill edit that in too, along with wavebouncing.

 

[Jink]

to ArkiveZero: DAC can also be peform by quickly pressing A~UP+A after a Dash, its very easy.

 

[Deleted member]

to ArkiveZero: DAC can also be peform by quickly pressing A~UP+A after a Dash, its very easy.

you have to turn tap jump off for that to work, plus its easier to just use cstick down + up z

 

[Validbadbadman]

Great thread, really sums up the basic moves needed for an advance link, plus the videos help a lot too. Hope this gets stickied!

EDIT:Congratulations on the sticky!

 

[Jink]

Why isn't this sticky yet?, where are the mods?

 

[Cat Fight]

I just picked up Link recently as a 2nd/3rd character and I gotta say, Izaw's AT guide was very helpful.

Good stuff.

 

[Deleted member]

idk why its not stickied :\

I asked mic_128 but i think he's been gone lol

 

[ES Lite]

This is a very good guide. The mods should sticky this because it lists ALL of Links ATs so far. nice going ArkiveZero! And thanks for putting up my guide =)

 

[Linkguy]

Well thought out guide my brotha!! It flows very nicely, and as a wonderful addition to the already great guide has some important thread links. This is definately sticky material IMO.

 

[Chill]

Guys calm down, this was made less then two days ago. Don't freak out when it's not instantly stickied.

 

[Onomanic]

I vote a sticky. It's quite a good guide and really helpful to others.


Need a dispens-erm, need a moderator in here!

lol TF2 ftw

EDIT: Yay, it's been stickied! Huzzah!

 

[IceDX]

 

[Deva]

honestly, wtf with the triforce? can't you talk?

 

[Force]

It is a pretty badass looking triforce though, I must say. Has anyone found out a way to B-stick without ruining the ability to DAC? it's seeming like an either or propisition

 

[Deleted member]

It is a pretty badass looking triforce though, I must say. Has anyone found out a way to B-stick without ruining the ability to DAC? it's seeming like an either or propisition

B reverse all your moves

 

[Warriors]

honestly, wtf with the triforce? can't you talk?

sonic main

 

[Zair]

Wow thank you for this. This is really helpful.

 

[Finns7]

IceDx I got mad respect for that comment.

 

[Prios]

Great guide, Link was the first character I played when Smash graced the N64, and remains the character I enjoy playing the most.

 

[Crapazard]

Nice guide, thanks alot.
One question, is it best to have c-stick as specials to be able to do wavebounce or smash so i can do DAC?

 

[Deleted member]

it matters

if you really really want to set specials to the cstick thats ok, but to dac you have to turn tap jump off and to dac you press Right/Left+A > Up+A, timing should be the same

i play with the default settings so imo cstick to smash is better

 

[T-skjorte Ninja]

I can't work out Zair with Bomb.

When I do L/R+A I only drop the bomb.

 

[Deleted member]

you have to make sure link air dodges before you press A

 

[sasook]

Wow this completely kills my guide. Mine is the "yet another link guide by a new user" and just when I thought people might start looking at it, this comes up. This is so much better, which is cool but makes me sad.


Wow Deva and Force commented here? They're two of the best Links I've seen.

 

[T-skjorte Ninja]

I see. That would make sense.

I thank you very much for the pro tips and techs.

Now I found some methods that makes up for Links nerfings. >.>


Btw, the Z button DID work. as a Zair with Bomb.

 

[Phantom1987]

I don't really know if this is helpfull, but is still a link trick (glitch) I discovered (don´t know if someone more discovered though)... I´m new in this site so I don´t really knew were to post it ^^U... Maybe someone can repost it in the correct place >_<

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxN0eQSxkU8

 

[Deleted member]

do you want me to call it phantom boomerang? lol....

if not i was going to call it clearing the stage

 

[Phantom1987]

I think it would be a lack of modesty calling it phantom's boomerang xD.. it was more like a joke directed for rhe people that discover a combo and inmediately baptise it with his/her name xP... I don't mind which name is given to it (sry for my grammar x_x)

 

[chelin]

This is some pretty cool stuff thanks for posting this up....im a big fan of Link

 

[Onomanic]

You should add the Bomb footstool combo XD

 

[NintenJoe]

You should add the Bomb footstool combo XD

I'm not an expect at this technique, but I don't really find it helpful... It seems like a long shot to run up to your enemy and bounce on them. Not to be a jerk, its a good technique, but a little too sitatuional for my liking. If I don't understand it completely, please explain, I don't want to sound ignorant.

 

[Deleted member]

I'm not an expect at this technique, but I don't really find it helpful... It seems like a long shot to run up to your enemy and bounce on them. Not to be a jerk, its a good technique, but a little too sitatuional for my liking. If I don't understand it completely, please explain, I don't want to sound ignorant.

are you joking? this is extremely helpful. sh down thrown bomb to nair is one of my favorite techniques, and adding the footstool and jab lock make this technique one of link's more important ones.

if you want to know some set ups just watch my videos i always sh bomb throw to nair.

 

[NintenJoe]

are you joking? this is extremely helpful. sh down thrown bomb to nair is one of my favorite techniques, and adding the footstool and jab lock make this technique one of link's more important ones.

if you want to know some set ups just watch my videos i always sh bomb throw to nair.

I didn't know there was an alternative to jumping on your opponent. (Thats the only "Bomb Footstool I've seen") I thought the Bomb footstool was the thecnique where you run up to your opponent, jump on their head, throw the bomb, then Dair. But, if you start with the bomb instead of the footstool, by all means add it to the guide. I'll look into that combo now, sounds useful.