The Shadow of the Hero: Dark Link and Smash 4!

[Fastblade5035]

Hello, all, and welcome to the Dark Link thread. So, you may be asking yourself right now, "Who the heck is crazy enough to consider Dark Link for a Smash game?" Well, that's me!

This guy, right here.
Here's a moveset for Dark Link. Or, you can skip that and get down to the nitty gritty facts, including pros and cons.

Moveset:
A- A slash.
AA- A double slash.
AAA- A rapid slash. Link's AAA combo from 64 and Melee.
Ftilt- Dark Link slashed sideways.
Utilt- Dark Link raises both his sword and his shield above his head while crouching, then brings them down.
Dtilt- Dark Link stabs downward by raising his sword above his head. A reliable edguarding tool. Can meteor smash.
Usmash- Dark Link smashes his shield above his head, then slashes upward.
Dsmash- Dark Link stabs his sword in the grounds, and spins around his while standing on his shield. Good range, bad lag.
Fsmash- Dark Link raises his sword above his head, and brings it down. A replica of Link's Fsmash from Smash 64.
B- Dark Link stabs forward very quickly, shooting out a beam like Kirby's UpB.
UpB- Dark Link performs a mighty leap, while creating a burst of dark energy. Same distance as Lucario's UpB, but has an aura like Fox's.
DownB- Dark Link's eyes flash red, and he activates counter mode. He records his enemy's moves for 30 seconds, then can unleash them whenever he pleases, so long as the opponent hit's him first. The counter works like Marth's, but he uses his opponents moves instead.
SideB- Dark Link performs a short flip, similar to ZSS's DownB. However, Dark Link will end with a powerful stab. Bad for recovery.
Uair- Dark Link smashes his shield over his head.
Dair- Similar to Link's Dair. However, this is a meteor smash, and is much quicker. A stab downward, dealing decent damage.
Fair- Dark Link extends his arm, sword in hand. Great range and priority. Blocks some projectiles.
Nair- Dark Link emits a dark aura from his shield. The range is slightly larger than Wolf's Nair.
Grab- A quick swipe.
Forward Throw- Dark Link headbutts his opponent, leaving them stunned. Then, he stabs forward like Link in Ocarina of Time.
Up Throw- Dark Link sticks his oponent on his sword, then punches them off, sending them skyward.
Down Thow- Dark Link tosses his opponent on the floor, and brings down his blade. Similar to Pit's down throw.
Pummel- Dark Link will elbow his opponent
Weight- 8/10
Jump- 4/10
Height- 6/10
Speed- 6/10

Ok, so, here's the unique thing about Dark Link. Like his Ocarina of Time counterpart, Dark Link can copy his opponents. However, this is not the core of his gameplay. By using DownB, you begin "memorizing" any moves your opponents use. If they connect, they are recorded. If not, they have about a 55% chance of being recorded. After 30 seconds, Dark Link will flash lightly, like Donkey Kong and Samus when their B move is charged. Then, by pressing DownB again, Dark Link will enter a counter-stance. Once the opponent hit's him, he will unleash the recorded moves. After he uses this, he forgets the moves and must record more. The recorded moves act just like their legit counterpart, and thus can be DI'd out of, if the timing is correct. Other than that, he's a fairly basic character. He is heavy weight, being filled with dark energy. His weight is about that of Ganon, but he's fast. About Mario's speed. He's the same height as Link, being his shadow and all.

Ok, so, where does Dark Link stand?
Pros
- Does not use the clawshot, boomerang, arrows, or bombs, so he's very likely to be unique.
- Has appeared in more games than Vaati. He's appeared in Zelda II, Four Swords Adventures, Twilight Princess, Spirit Tracks, and Ocarina of Time.
- Has a medium sized fanbase.

Cons
- Pretty darn irrelevent nowadays
- In all his games, he's had a minor role, bar Zelda II.
- Outshined by Vaati, Ghirahim, Impa, Tetra, and pretty much every other Zelda rep.
- Is already a Link alternate costume
- Said fanbase is mostly outside of the Smash community.

SOOOO...
There's Dark Link! A bold new take on minor clones, made unique and interesting! I'll be the first to admit, his chances are utter garbage. However, once Ghirahim dies down, Vaati is forgotten, Impa is included, and Toon Zelda/ Tingle get in, only Dark Link will remain.
Remember. Dark Link is watching. He's waiting. He's... Dark Link.

Bow down to Dark Link, the next Zelda rep with your help! Assist Trophy will do, too.

 

[Swamp Sensei]

Lol?

He's already in Brawl.

 

[Fastblade5035]

Haw. Not sure if serious.
This is Ocarina of Time/Zelda II Dark Link. Besides, Dark Link never used Link's gear, bar the sword and shield.

 

[FalKoopa]

No thanks. With people like Tingle, Vaati, Ghirahim around, who are MUCH better options.

As Swampasaur said, he's already in Brawl. Heck, there's even a toon Dark Link!

 

[Deleted member]

Maybe if he was a more major character, but as it stands, Ganondorf is the only villain absolutely necessary.
Also, Dark Link wasn't in FSA, that was the similar Shadow Link.

 

[SmashShadow]

I'd say his chances are pretty good seeing as he was already playable as a pallete swap for Link. No need to make him a seperate character.

 

[Diddy Kong]

I have this hunch that there will be a Dark Link battle in the next Zelda for Wii U. Could be possible that by now he gets a much deeper role? And if Dark Samus and Dark Put are seriously suggested, then whyt not Dark Link? If we have a gaint roster, why not? Don't think it's likely to happen, and will probably always remain a costume. Yet Imthink Link's Dark Link costume could use some more personality. Make his sword and shield at least black. And also his items and maybe even projectiles. Though I don't think he should be the next Zelda rep. Still prefer Impa.

 

[Frostwraith]

Honestly, Dark Samus and Dark Pit have more factors favoring them than Dark Link has.

Still, done correctly, Dark Link could be a different character, but given what happened with Toon Link, I don't have much faith on such, unfortunately.

Seriously, Toon Link could've been a more unique character than what he was in Brawl... where's the Skull Hammer, where's the Deku Leaf? Where are Bombchu which made a reappearence in years in Phantom Hourglass, WW's direct sequel?

While I like Dark Link as a character, I think Dark Samus and Dark Pit are better dark counterparts than Dark Link, because they show different characteristics from their original counterparts. Dark Link doesn't and only serves as a simple mirror boss and overall doesn't contribute much to the plot, being just a surprise boss in most games he appears in. Even in FSA, the similar Shadow Link, despite being a recurring boss, he has nothing other than darkness to differentiate him from the Links.

Having these points in account, it's easy to understand why Dark Link's better off as a color swap of Link. Though I do defend the existance of a set of Dark Link costumes in the new SSB, giving him dark red, blue, green and other color tints to his outfit, remaining with the black skin and red eyes. Also, change the Master Sword to at least have the hilt black and make the FS be a dark Triforce instead of a light one.

Now, on to why Dark Samus and Dark Pit are preferred characters than Dark Link:

Dark Samus is actually the titular Metroid Prime from the same name sub-series of Metroid. Not being human, she obviously wouldn't have a Zero Suit form, thus being one point on why she can't be a palette swap of Samus. Being a mutant Metroid, she could have a Final Smash where she transforms into her true form and harasses the foes like Beast Ganon and Mr. Game & Watch's Octopus. She also has Phazon abilities that could give her a wide array of different moves from Samus, replacing normal Samus's bombs and missiles, for example. She could have a sort of "virus move" where she corrupts her foes with temporary damage over time and it would pass on the other foes like a Gooey Bomb, for example.

About Dark Pit, there's actually more to him than people think. Don't judge a book by its cover, they say. And it couldn't been more true. First of all, let's check his boss battle in Uprising. He has some moves that could be implemented in his moveset, not to mention that Pit's special moves have him use some of the Three Sacred Treasures, notably, the Mirror Shield. Wouldn't make sense to have Dark Pit use the Mirror Shield, instead that move could be replaced by his signature Dark Pit Staff. Could be a charged shot of sorts, for example. Also with long range, as staffs in Uprising are sniping weapons. He could also have better jumping and flight abilities as he can fly on his own and have his move from the boss battle where he charges at the foe, ideal for a side Special Move. As Uprising shows, he actually has his own personality, unlike some dark counterparts who simply appear to fight and be defeated. His personality is different from Pit, with a notable aspect: being more agressive. This could reflect on his moveset somehow, by having different A moves.

I hope this has enlightened some people on the subject of those dark counterparts. Don't take me wrong, I'm not bashing Dark Link in any form and in fact, I wouldn't mind having him as a separate character.

 

[BluePikmin11]

This is like supporting Dr. Mario.

 

[FalKoopa]

This is like supporting Dr. Mario.

Maybe, but Dr. Mario has a veteran status, and ways to make him unique, unlike Dark Link.

 

[PsychoIncarnate]

Dark Pit isn't needed anymore than Dark Link. He is a mirror image of pit and has access to the same equipment as Pit does in game.

 

[Frostwraith]

LOL, did I even say 'needed'? Obviously, you haven't read my post in its entirety.

Also, there's no such thing as a "needed character." Only possibilities. I am well aware that Dark Pit has the same equipment as Pit, but that's what can make him different from Pit. Pit retains his bow, while Dark Pit could use the Dark Pit Staff or another weapon from Uprising to have a different playstyle.

That doesn't apply to Dark Link.

 

[PsychoIncarnate]

Why not? He could have an entire moveset based on Zelda 2. He'd be different from Link using that.

You could give a different moveset to anything. Saying he CAN have a different moveset doesn't mean anything

 

[BluePikmin11]

Maybe, but Dr. Mario has a veteran status, and ways to make him unique, unlike Dark Link.

Veterans, retired veterans? That'll depend on if Sakurai wants the clones back for rushed reasons. The roster will be balanced, clones will imbalance it.

 

[FalKoopa]

The roster will be balanced, clones will imbalance it.

Eh? Could you elaborate on that point?

 

[BluePikmin11]

Eh? Could you elaborate on that point?

The roster is non-clone, that's what I meant. Man what was I saying. O-o

 

[Frostwraith]

Why not? He could have an entire moveset based on Zelda 2. He'd be different from Link using that.

You could give a different moveset to anything. Saying he CAN have a different moveset doesn't mean anything

I suppose you're right...

But I never said Dark Link had no moveset potential, I was just comparing his possibilities with Dark Samus and Dark Pit. But, you're absolutely right when you say Dark Link can have his own moveset. I also defend that and even made a complain on how Toon Link could have been more unique that what he was in Brawl.

 

[lordvaati]

D. Link is already in as a Boss, a la Giga Bowser or Porky.

also.....what would they do for his other costumes? some sort of Game & Watch thing with monocolors?

 

[FalKoopa]

A Dark Link poll? Interesting.

 

[Mario & Sonic Guy]

I don't really see a reason to treat Dark Link as a separate entity, especially considering that he's pretty much Link's shadow.

 

[CadePirate]

Maybe, but Dr. Mario has a veteran status, and ways to make him unique, unlike Dark Link.

I agree that he would be odd as playable, but I have seen it work with a brawl hack in a magic swordsman type fashion. Personally if he was playable make him a defense type of link with dark magic. But I lean towards Dark Pit more.

 

[Mega Bidoof]

He is literally Link's shadow.
Everything he does can be done by Link.

Anything that he has that Link doesn't is merely fanfiction.

 

[Altais]

Dark Link has always been mine favourite boss in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. That being said however, having him as a separate playable character is wishful thinking. All we can really hope for is a recolour. Personally, I am not as big a fan of the Twilight Princess Dark Link than I am of the Ocarina of Time Dark Link.