Hey guys! Let's dive deep into mastering Zelda in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate! This guide will cover everything from her basic moves to advanced strategies, ensuring you can dominate the competition with Hyrule's princess. Zelda is a unique character in Smash Ultimate, possessing powerful zoning tools and devastating kill options, but she also requires precise timing and spacing to be effective. Knowing the ins and outs of her moveset is crucial for success. We'll break down each of her special moves, standard attacks, and aerials, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Understanding how these moves interact with each other will allow you to create combos and control the stage. Beyond the moveset, we'll explore advanced techniques such as perfect pivoting, utilizing her Phantom Slash effectively, and mastering her recovery options. These skills will elevate your Zelda gameplay and give you a competitive edge. We'll also delve into her strengths and weaknesses as a character, matchups to be aware of, and general strategies for approaching different playstyles. Whether you're a beginner looking to pick up Zelda for the first time or a seasoned player seeking to refine your skills, this guide has something for everyone.

Zelda's Moveset: A Detailed Breakdown

Let's get into Zelda's core moves and how to use them effectively. Knowing each move's properties is key to mastering her gameplay.

Special Moves

• Neutral Special: Lightning Kick. Zelda's Neutral Special is the Lightning Kick. This move involves Zelda charging up and unleashing a powerful kick. The longer you charge, the further Zelda travels and the more damage and knockback the kick inflicts. A short hop before using Lightning Kick can extend the range and catch opponents off guard. It's crucial for horizontal recovery, covering distance quickly. This is a good move for edge-guarding due to its range and power. However, it leaves you vulnerable during startup and recovery, so use it wisely. It can also be used to punish predictable landings or to surprise opponents from a distance. Mastering the timing and range of this move is essential for any Zelda player. Additionally, you can use it to create space or escape from pressure. Don't overuse it, though, as it can become predictable. Vary your approach and mix it up with other moves to keep your opponent guessing.
• Side Special: Din's Fire. Next up is Din's Fire, Zelda's Side Special. This move involves Zelda launching a fiery orb that travels in a straight line. You can control the orb's trajectory slightly by angling the control stick up or down. Din's Fire is excellent for zoning and controlling space. It can be used to force opponents to approach or to punish their mistakes from a distance. The orb explodes on contact with an opponent or after traveling a certain distance, dealing significant damage and knockback. It's also useful for edge-guarding, as you can aim the orb to intercept opponents trying to recover. However, Din's Fire has a slow startup and leaves Zelda vulnerable, so it's important to use it strategically. Try to predict your opponent's movements and aim the orb accordingly. You can also use it to set up combos or to create opportunities for a follow-up attack. Mastering the timing and placement of Din's Fire is crucial for controlling the flow of the match.
• Up Special: Farore's Wind. Farore's Wind, Zelda's Up Special, is a teleport move that allows her to reappear a short distance away. You can control the direction and distance of the teleport by holding the control stick in the desired direction. Farore's Wind is invaluable for recovery, allowing Zelda to escape from precarious situations. It can also be used offensively to surprise opponents or to reposition yourself for an attack. However, Farore's Wind has a noticeable startup and leaves Zelda vulnerable during the teleport, so it's important to use it carefully. Practice different teleport angles and distances to become more unpredictable. You can also use it to evade attacks or to create space between you and your opponent. Keep in mind that Farore's Wind has a limited range, so be sure to position yourself strategically before using it. Mastering Farore's Wind is essential for Zelda's survival and offensive capabilities.
• Down Special: Phantom Slash. Finally, we have Phantom Slash, Zelda's Down Special. This move involves Zelda summoning a Phantom Knight that strikes in front of her. The strength and range of the Phantom Slash can be charged by holding down the special button. A fully charged Phantom Slash deals massive damage and knockback, making it a potent kill move. The Phantom Knight has super armor during the attack, allowing it to withstand weaker attacks. Phantom Slash is versatile for punishing predictable approaches, setting up combos, and edge-guarding. It requires precise timing and spacing. Over-relying on this move can make you predictable. It is essential to know the charge timing for different situations. Also, you can use it to control space and force opponents to approach cautiously. Practice using Phantom Slash in different situations to master its timing and range. This move is a cornerstone of Zelda's offensive strategy. The move can also be cancelled to bait out your opponent.

Standard Attacks (Ground)

• Jab: Zelda's jab is a quick, three-hit combo. It's useful for interrupting opponents and creating space.
• Forward Tilt: A simple kick forward. Good for spacing and can be angled up or down.
• Up Tilt: An upward kick that can hit opponents above you. Useful for juggling.
• Down Tilt: A low sweep that can trip opponents. Great for setting up follow-up attacks.
• Dash Attack: A leaping kick forward. Good for closing distance and punishing landings.

Aerial Attacks

• Neutral Air (Nair): Zelda spins around, hitting opponents on all sides. A reliable move for defense and offense.
• Forward Air (Fair): A forward kick. Good for spacing and edge-guarding.
• Back Air (Bair): A backward kick. Zelda's strongest aerial and a great kill option.
• Up Air (Uair): An upward kick. Useful for juggling and hitting opponents above you.
• Down Air (Dair): A downward kick with a meteor effect. Can spike opponents if timed correctly.

Advanced Techniques for Zelda

Alright, let's get into some advanced techniques that can really elevate your Zelda gameplay. These techniques require practice and precision, but they're well worth the effort.

• Perfect Pivoting: Perfect pivoting involves quickly sliding the control stick from one direction to the opposite direction to perform a sliding movement. This can be used to reposition yourself quickly and create space. For Zelda, perfect pivoting can be used to space out her attacks and to create opportunities for a follow-up. Mastering perfect pivoting can significantly improve your movement and spacing.
• Phantom Slash Canceling: As mentioned earlier, you can cancel the Phantom Slash charge by shielding. This allows you to bait out your opponent's reactions and punish them accordingly. Practice canceling Phantom Slash at different charge levels to become more unpredictable.
• Edge-Guarding with Din's Fire: Din's Fire is an excellent tool for edge-guarding. You can aim the orb to intercept opponents trying to recover and knock them away from the stage. Experiment with different angles and distances to find the most effective edge-guarding techniques. This requires prediction and timing.
• Recovery Mix-Ups: Zelda's recovery can be predictable if you always use the same option. Mix up your recovery by using Farore's Wind at different angles and distances. You can also use Lightning Kick to cover horizontal distance. This will make it harder for your opponents to edge-guard you. This unpredictability will improve your survivability.

Zelda's Strengths and Weaknesses

Understanding Zelda's strengths and weaknesses is crucial for playing her effectively. Knowing when to push your advantages and when to play defensively is key to success.

Strengths

• Zoning: Zelda excels at zoning with Din's Fire and Phantom Slash. She can control space and force opponents to approach cautiously.
• Powerful Kill Options: Zelda has several powerful kill options, including fully charged Phantom Slash, back air, and forward air. She can close out stocks quickly if given the opportunity.
• Good Recovery: Zelda's recovery is decent, thanks to Farore's Wind and Lightning Kick. She can escape from precarious situations and make it back to the stage.

Weaknesses

• Slow Startup: Many of Zelda's moves have a slow startup, making her vulnerable to rushdown tactics. She struggles against aggressive opponents who can pressure her effectively.
• Lightweight: Zelda is a lightweight character, making her susceptible to being KO'd early. She needs to play carefully and avoid getting hit.
• Predictable Recovery: Zelda's recovery can be predictable if you always use the same option. She needs to mix up her recovery to avoid being edge-guarded.

Matchups and Strategies

Certain matchups can be more challenging for Zelda than others. Here are some strategies for approaching different playstyles:

• Against Rushdown Characters: Against rushdown characters like Fox and Falco, focus on zoning and spacing. Use Din's Fire to keep them at bay and punish their approaches with Phantom Slash. Be patient and wait for them to make a mistake.
• Against Zoning Characters: Against zoning characters like Samus and Snake, you'll need to be more aggressive. Use Farore's Wind to close the distance and punish their zoning attempts. Be careful not to get caught in their traps.
• Against Heavy Characters: Against heavy characters like Ganondorf and King K. Rool, focus on landing powerful kill moves. Use fully charged Phantom Slash and back air to close out stocks quickly. Be aware of their powerful attacks and avoid getting hit.

Final Thoughts

Zelda is a rewarding character to play in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Her zoning tools, kill options, and recovery make her a versatile and formidable opponent. However, she requires practice and precision to master. By understanding her moveset, advanced techniques, strengths, and weaknesses, you can elevate your Zelda gameplay and dominate the competition. So, get out there and start practicing! With enough time and effort, you'll be able to unleash the full potential of Hyrule's princess. Good luck, and have fun! Remember to adapt your strategies based on your opponent's playstyle and character. Keep learning and experimenting to improve your Zelda game. The more you play, the better you'll become. Don't be afraid to try new things and to push your limits. The sky's the limit! With dedication and perseverance, you can become a true Zelda master. Happy smashing!