Triforce Slash
| Triforce Slash | |
|---|---|
   Link's (Brawl), Toon Link's and Young Link's (Ultimate) Triforce Slash. | |
| Users | Link Toon Link Young Link |
| Universe | The Legend of Zelda |
The Triforce Slash (トライフォースラッシュ, Triforce Rush) serves as the Final Smash of Link (prior to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate), Toon Link, and Young Link.
Overview[edit]
The attack starts out with the Triforce symbol on the back of the user's hand glowing (and in SSB4's case, a large projection of the Triforce visibly being shown hovering above the user's hand). A ray of light will stun anyone horizontally in front of him. The user will then dash toward an opponent stunned by the beam and strike them repeatedly for an immense amount of damage. The ambient time stops, making it safe when used in moving stages. The Super Smash Bros Brawl: Premier Edition player's guide says that the attack can only reach two character lengths in front of the user. However, the guide is incorrect: the attack can actually reach all the way across Final Destination for Link and halfway across for Toon Link if one holds on to the special button.
This attack seems to be primarily meant for a single target, but more than one character can easily be hit simultaneously if they are close enough to each other and can even KO multiple characters. Ike's Great Aether is very similar to Triforce Slash, as they both trap the opponents in a barrage of powerful slashes, but one of Triforce Slash's advantages is that it can be done at the edge of the stage, greatly increasing the rate of KO. Apparently, another player can change the knockback angle of the final blow that ejects the opponent. When the user is pausing to charge the final blow, another player can attack the trapped player and when the user unleashes the ejecting blow, the victim will be sent flying according to the knockback of the other player's move.
Toon Link's Triforce Slash does the exact same amount of damage and number of hits as Link's, and only differs in appearance/sound effects. Toon Link's Triforce Slash has a more cartoony appearance than Link's, as a reference to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker's cartoonish graphic style. In addition to Toon Link's version being more The Wind Waker-esque, it is also a bit slower. It also has a much lower range and slightly less knockback, but on the flip side has much less startup time. The final strike at the end of his Triforce Slash has greater range than Link's, though only has around the strength of a smash attack. Note that the character will get super armor from being caught by the Final Smash, but they are also trapped in the spot where they are caught by the Triforce symbol.
In Ultimate, Young Link's Triforce Slash is much closer in appearance and function to Link's in SSB4 than to Toon Link's version.
Damage[edit]
In Brawl, the attack can deal up to 83%. The initial trapping hit deals 5% damage. Each strike will cause 4% and trap any victims for the next strike, until the 15th which ejects all but the primary target from the attack. The last strike causes 18% damage and immense knockback to the main target and anyone close enough to it. This is the same for both Links.
In SSB4 and Ultimate, Link's, Toon Link's (in SSB4), and Young Link's damage potential was lowered from 83% to 60%. The trapping hit deals 1% instead of 5%, the first 14 hits deals 3% instead of 4%, the 15th deals 2%, and the final hit deals 15% instead of 18%.
In Ultimate, Toon Link's version deals even less, with its maximum damage being reduced to just 56.2%. Instead of 3% the first 14 hits deal 2.8% and the final hit deals 14% down from 15%. However, Young Link's version retains the 60% damage output from SSB4, as well as the full knockback from said game, being one of the few returning Final Smashes to not have a knockback reduction.
Instructional quotes[edit]
 instruction booklet |
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The Triforce symbol on Link's hand flashes and binds the foe in a prison of bright light. Link then deals a blindingly-fast set of attacks that culminate in a huge final blow. |
 case foldout |
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Use the Triforce to seal and slash at foes. |
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Use the Triforce to seal foes, and then slash at them. | |
 Move List |
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Young Link dashes forward to seal an opponent in the Triforce. He then strikes them repeatedly before launching them. The initial strike must hit in order for Young Link to begin his sealing combo. |
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Toon Link charges forward and traps his foes in the Triforce. Then Toon Link strikes at foes repeatedly and launches them. Time the initial attack well, because missing the first slash leaves Toon Link hanging. |
Trophies[edit]
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]
- Triforce Slash (Link)
- Link with a Smash Ball, releasing his ultimate attack. Light flares from the Triforce symbol on the back of his hand and rushes out to meet the enemy he faces. The enemy gets trapped within the glittering Triforce, is quickly cut to shreds, and is launched by the last strike. The attack works on one enemy at a time, so it's best to go after the character in first place.
: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- Triforce Slash (Toon Link)
- Toon Link's Final Smash. Hit an enemy with the light emanating from the Triforce mark on his hand to initiate the move. The enemy will be trapped within the Triforce and be unable to move--Toon Link will then rush in close and carve up his foe at lightning speed. The final blow will break the Triforce prison and send the opponent off the screen.
In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit]
- Triforce Slash (Link)
Link makes use of the Triforce of Courage to trap foes, and then he launches a 16-blow combo. The final, mighty blow has the power to launch opponents off the stage. When Link prepares the attack, the ray of light he emits must strike a rival, or the attack will fail. Shielding will do nothing to stop this powerful attack.
Link traps a foe in mid-air with the power of the Triforce of Courage, then delivers a 16-strike sword combo. The final strike has formidable launching power. If the ray of light at the start of the attack doesn't hit, the whole thing ends there. Helpfully, though, the ray of light's range and speed are incredible, and shields won't block it.
- Triforce Slash (Toon Link)
Escapes[edit]
- One can dodge Triforce Slash by air dodging. The Triforce will appear around the player for a second, but then disappear. It only works if the player dodges at a specific time - after the user raises his hand, but before the beam of light actually shoots out.
- Certain moves which grant their user intangibility can be used to dodge the initial trapping hit of Triforce Slash.
- If Triforce Slash is performed on the partner Ice Climber, and the leader is KOed in the meantime, then the targeted Ice Climber will disappear and leave Link slashing at nothing. Additionally, the Triforce will not explode at the end, it will instead be merely pushed and vanish. If this happens while Link is dashing over to them, he'll keep going and probably dash off the edge.
- In a stamina match, if the player trapped in the Triforce Slash loses all of their HP, they will fall out and the move's user will continue to use the Triforce Slash with nothing caught inside of it.
- If Togepi uses Earthquake right beside the Triforce Slash, the player can escape.
- If Link or Toon Link targets someone behind a drop-through sloped block, he will dash onto the slope and miss the targeted enemy.
- In some cases, when he passes the enemy he will enter a helpless state if in midair.
- Toon Link's version can be canceled by throwing an item just at the right time. The Triforce will only appear for a split second, and will then disappear.
- Pit can partially block the Final Smash by using his forward smash or his dash attack, taking the damage but canceling the knockback. However, one must time this move perfectly.
Glitches[edit]
- If R.O.B. uses his up smash attack just before Toon Link activates Triforce Slash, Toon Link will throw the Triforce, but will "slingshot" forward without slashing, and, in most cases, self-destruct.
- If the Triforce Slash tries to grab the secondary Ice Climber during the invincibility period of Belay, then the attack will fail. However, for the rest of that stock, the secondary Climber's special effects, such as the puffs of smoke from dashing or jumping, will be played at a reduced speed.
- Triforce Slash will sometimes fail upon connecting. The Triforce will appear around the target for a second as if the attack was air dodged, but disappears, and the target receives 30% damage without knockback. This can be caused by certain terrains, such as the crest of a hill getting in Link/Toon Link's way.
- In Smash 4, upon activating Triforce Slash slightly above an opponent (as if trying to achieve a phantom hit), the beam of light will connect and the opponent will still freeze in place, but the rest of the attack will not play out and the opponent will simply get pushed back slightly. The cause of this is currently unknown.
- In Ultimate, the 11th hit of Young Link's version will sometimes miss against some fighters.
Triforce Slash glitch[edit]
The Triforce Slash glitch [1] is a glitch in Brawl that allows Link or Toon Link to "slide" across a curved platform.
To perform the glitch, a custom stage containing a line of fall-through diagonal platforms must be created, with a flat, standable platform that is underneath the diagonal platforms. Link/Toon Link must stand "above" the diagonal platforms, facing the target, who must be standing on the other side. If the players are positioned correctly, when Triforce Slash begins, the Triforce symbol will briefly form around the opponent, then disappear, and the target will receive about 30% damage. The user will slide a large distance up the diagonal platforms, often falling off short platforms. If he falls off, he will enter a helpless state.
Another method is to have R.O.B. use his up smash, and while he is upside down, use the Final Smash. The user will go flying and then become helpless, while R.O.B. will receive 30% damage.
Origin[edit]
This move is unique to the Super Smash Bros. series. However, it is similar to the final blow performed against Ganon during the final boss battle in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. In this game, once Ganon has been damaged enough, he falls down and Zelda uses her magic to paralyze him, leaving him vulnerable to a final strike, which consists of three slashing attacks before Link pierces through him with his sword.
Years after Triforce Slash's introduction in Brawl, a similar rush of sword strikes became one of Link's abilities in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild through dodging with perfect timing, known as Flurry Rush. However, the Triforce plays no part in the move.
Gallery[edit]
Link attacking Wario in Brawl.
Link finishing off Wario with the Triforce Slash in Brawl.
Link's Triforce Slash in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Toon Link's Triforce Slash in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Toon Link's Triforce Slash in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Young Link using Triforce Slash as shown by the Move List in Ultimate.
Toon Link using Triforce Slash as shown by the Move List in Ultimate.
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| トライフォースラッシュ, Triforce Rush | |
| Triforce Slash | |
| Frappe Triforce | |
| Triforce-Tornado | |
| Golpe Trifuerza | |
| Colpo Triforza | |
| 三角之力连斩 | |
| 三角神力連斬 | |
| 트라이포스 슬래시, Triforce Slash | |
| Triforce-slag | |
| Трифорс-Удар |
Trivia[edit]
- If the move is used on Kirby while he is using Stone, he will be seen in a T-pose for the duration of the Final Smash. Two similar Final Smashes, Meta Knight's Galaxia Darkness and Captain Falcon's Blue Falcon, exhibit the same behavior.
- Relatedly, if the move is used on a character who is firing a Super Scope, they will enter a T-pose for a split second.
- Young Link's version of Triforce Slash is the only version in which the attacker uses something other than his sword for some of the hits. During the move, Young Link kicks the opponent twice, shield bashes them, strikes with his knee, and strikes with his shoulder.
- Triforce Slash is tied with Landmaster and Critical Hit for the most holders of the same Final Smash, with each of these moves being shared by three fighters.
- Of these, Triforce Slash is the only one which is not shared by all three fighters in the same game, as Link's Final Smash was changed in Ultimate, before which Young Link was absent since Melee.
- The scream that the Links use for the finishing slash of the move is taken from one of their other moves: Link's is taken from his up special and down smash, Toon Link's is taken from his up smash, and Young Link's is taken from his down smash.
Technical data[edit]
Link:
Young Link:
Toon Link:
External links[edit]
- Confirmation
- Link's Triforce Slash
- Toon Link's Triforce Slash
- Toon Link's Triforce Slash in Super Smash Bros. 4
