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Zelda in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: A Detailed Review

Zelda, the iconic princess from the Legend of Zelda series, makes her return in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU) with a fresh look and a refined moveset. Known for her stunning magical abilities and strategic playstyle, Zelda is a unique character who can dominate when used effectively. In this review, we'll explore her strengths and weaknesses, provide tips on how to play her effectively, and analyze her matchups against other characters.

Strengths

1. Powerful Specials:

   • Zelda's special moves, particularly Nayru's Love (Neutral Special) and Phantom Slash (Down Special), are formidable tools. Nayru's Love is excellent for reflecting projectiles and disrupting opponents, while Phantom Slash provides a powerful zoning tool that can be used for stage control and edge-guarding.

2. Versatile Recovery:

   • Her up special, Farore's Wind, allows Zelda to teleport significant distances, making her recovery one of the best in the game. It also has offensive potential, with the ability to KO opponents if they are hit by the second part of the move.

3. Kill Power:

   • Zelda possesses several moves with high knockback potential, such as her forward and back aerials (Lightning Kicks), forward smash, and up special. Her Lightning Kicks, in particular, are notorious for their ability to KO opponents at relatively low percentages when sweet-spotted.

4. Disjointed Hitboxes:

   • Moves like her forward tilt and up smash offer disjointed hitboxes, giving her an edge in spacing battles and making it easier to challenge opponents' approaches.

Weaknesses

1. Laggy Moves:

   • Many of Zelda's moves have significant startup and end lag, making her vulnerable to punishment if she whiffs attacks. This includes her smash attacks and Phantom Slash, which require careful timing and spacing.

2. Light Weight:

   • Zelda is one of the lighter characters in the game, making her susceptible to early KOs, especially against characters with strong vertical KO options.

3. Slow Ground Speed:

   • While her air speed is decent, Zelda's ground speed is relatively slow, which can make it challenging to chase down opponents or escape pressure.

How to Play Zelda Effectively

1. Master Spacing:

   • Given her susceptibility to punishment and slow speed, spacing is crucial. Utilize Phantom Slash to control the stage and force your opponent to approach. Keep opponents at bay with her disjointed hitboxes to maximize her zoning capabilities.

2. Utilize Shield and Reflect:

   • Use Nayru's Love to reflect projectiles and as a defensive option when under pressure. It's a versatile tool that can disrupt opponents' rhythm and create openings for counterattacks.

3. Sweet Spot Aerials:

   • Practice landing her Lightning Kicks consistently. These moves are essential for securing early KOs. Understanding when and where to use these aerials can turn the tide of a match.

4. Mix-Up Recovery:

   • Use Farore's Wind strategically for recovery. Its teleportation aspect can be used to mix up landing options and avoid predictable recovery paths, making it harder for opponents to edge-guard Zelda effectively.

Matchups

1. Favorable Matchups:

   • Zelda tends to perform well against characters who rely heavily on projectiles, such as Samus or Link, due to her ability to reflect them with Nayru's Love.
   • Her strong zoning tools can also give her an advantage against characters with limited mobility or poor approach options, like Ganondorf or Little Mac.

2. Unfavorable Matchups:

   • Fast, rushdown characters like Fox or Pikachu can be challenging due to their ability to close the distance quickly and exploit her laggy moves.
   • Characters with strong aerial presence and juggling capabilities, such as Mario or Cloud, can exploit her light weight and keep her in disadvantageous positions.

Conclusion

Zelda in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a character that rewards patience, precision, and strategic play. Her powerful magical abilities and zoning tools make her a formidable opponent in the right hands. By mastering her spacing, capitalizing on her strengths, and understanding her matchups, players can unlock her full potential and dominate the battlefield. Whether you are a fan of the Legend of Zelda series or a player looking for a unique character with a strategic edge, Zelda is a compelling choice in SSBU.