Link (Smash Plus)

Link is a playable character in Super Smash Brothers Plus for the Nintendo Switch Plus. Representing the Legend of Zelda universe, Link is listed as fighter #17 in Smash's modified numbering system, and is classified as a Heavyweight fighter. He is one of 8 available characters at the start of the game.
Link remains largely unchanged from his appearance in Smash Ultimate, with most of the changes reinforcing this Link's connection to Breath of the Wild (most notably his Final Smash). As such, he remains a stereotypical zoning character, using projectiles to keep opponents at bay and moving in for the kill when necessary. While his overall playstyle remains the same, he has received a few buffs in the transition, mainly that his Remote Bombs do slightly more damage if they are detonated within two seconds of them being thrown for the first time. Link is a solid character, despite his well below average aerial game and his limited recovery potential. It should also be noted that despite being classified as a Heavyweight, Link is at the bottom end of that weight class, so he can't take as much damage as other heavy hitters. Link has two normal jumps and can also wall cling in this version. He also retains his passive defensive ability of blocking any projectile with the Hylian Shield if no other button inputs are being pressed when the projectile hits in front of him. 
==Moveset==
===Basic Attacks===
*Neutral Jab- Link performs a three slash attack, a downward slash followed by a left to right slash followed by an upward swipe with the Master Sword that knocks foes away.
*Side Tilt- Link performs a single downward sword attack directly in front of him.
*Up Tilt- Link performs a single overhead slash with his sword from front to back, hurting opponents more at the top of the attack rather than the start or end.
*Down Tilt- Link performs a single poke with his sword straight forward, a move that can be quickly spammed but doesn't do a whole lot of damage.
*Dash Attack- Link performs a leaping forward slash attack with his sword that launches foes on contact, but has some endlag if he whiffs on the attack.
*Grab & Pummel- Link's Sheikah Slate will begin glowing and activate its Stasis runes, holding players that are grabbed a short distance from Link. He pummels by hitting them in the side with the pommel of the Master Sword.
*Forward Throw- Link deactivates the stasis rune and punt kicks the opponent in the gut, sending them a short distance forward.
*Back Throw- Link moves the opponent with Magnesis from the Sheikah slate and delivers a kick to their back, sending them backwards.
*Up Throw- Tosses the opponent straight upwards and performs a powerful slash attack with the Master Sword. Easily Link's most damaging throw.
*Down Throw- Link uses the Magnesis rune to lift the opponent into the air and then slam them back down to the ground, causing them to bounce back up.
*Neutral Air- Link performs a simple flying kick that comes out quickly but doesn't do a whole lot of damage.
*Forward Air- Link performs two spinning slash attacks directly in front of himself, with the second hit delivering far more damage and knockback than the first.
*Back Air- Link quickly performs two kicks in a combo move directly behind him.
*Up Air- Link points the Master Sword directly up in a thrusting motion. The move is slow to come out, but if it hits an opponent cleanly it will do massive damage.
*Down Air- Link moves downward and thrusts the Master Sword directly below himself. If he hits an opponent, he will bounce off of them and hold the position of the sword, allowing him to hit twice in one shot.
===Smash Attacks===
*Side Smash- Link performs a single downward swing with the Master Sword from high to low. Pressing the Attack button a second time immediately afterward will cause Link to perform a second, much more powerful swing from low to high, which can be used to send foes flying.
*Up Smash- Link performs three successive slash attacks above his head, each comboing into the last, with the third and final hit dealing the most damage and knockback. Arguably Link's most reliable KO option, though it does have a little start lag.
*Down Smash- Link performs a low sweeping slash attack with the Master Sword in front of him, before turning around and swinging the sword behind him in a similar motion. The first slash deals the most damage and knockback.
===Special Moves===
*Neutral Special: Bow and Arrow- Link will pull out the Traveler's Bow and fire a single arrow forward at opponents. Holding the Special Button will charge the attack, causing it to travel a longer distance and do more damage and knockback. In addition, if the arrow lands on the stage without having hit an opponent, it can become a projectile that anyone can throw. If Link picks it up and then uses Bow and Arrow again, he will shoot two arrows instead of one.
*Side Special: Boomerang- Link will throw a boomerang straight forward, which goes a set distance and then returns to Link's hands. It can travel further if input like a Smash Attack, and does more damage moving forward than it does on the return trajectory. It can also be slightly angled up or down.
*Up Special: Spin Attack- If used on the ground, Link will begin charging energy for as long as the Special Button is held or until he reaches max charge. Once released, he will spin around repeatedly with the Master Sword extended, creating an aura of energy around himself. The aura deals minimal damage, but sucks players into be hit by the blade, which deals a large amount of damage and knockback at full charge. If used in midair, the move can't be charged, but Link will rise at an upward arc and deliver several hits to opponents before finishing them off with a strong final slash attack and entering freefall.
*Down Special: Remote Bombs- Link will pull out a blue glowing bomb that he can then throw as a projectile. The bomb does small flinching damage when it hits an opponent, but Link can press the Down Special again to detonate the bomb remotely, creating a large explosion that can also hurt Link. The bomb can not be detonated if it is held by any player, and only one bomb can be on screen at a time.
*Final Smash: Divine Beasts- Link fires a Light Arrow from his Bow and Arrow. The first person it hits will be sent into a cutscene inside Hyrule Castle. The four Divine Beasts then blast the castle, causing a massive explosion that will blast the player away upon returning to the main screen.
===Miscellaneous===
*Entry Animation- Link flies in on his Paraglider and then pulls out his sword, ready for battle.
*Idle Animation 1- Link holds up his sword, which glints in the sunlight before resuming his normal pose.
*Idle Animation 2- Link assumes a battle pose, looks behind him as if startled, and then turns back around to face the opponent.
*Side Taunt- Link looks to his side, as a ghost of either Revali, Daruk, Mipha or Urbosa appears next to him to cheer him on before disappearing.
*Up Taunt- Link swings his sword twice before sheathing it on his back.
*Down Taunt- Link assumes a crane like pose and holds the Master Sword high above his head, causing it to gleam in the sun.
*Victory Animation 1- Link swings his sword twice and then sheaths it, turning dramatically towards the camera.
*Victory Animation 2- Link places his sword in front of his face, focuses and then raises it high into the air and lets out a battle cry in victory.
*Victory Animation 3- Link flies in on his paraglider and looks at the camera with a serious and stern glance.
Category:Super Smash Bros. Characters
Category:Super Smash Bros. (series)
Category:Smash Plus Characters