Link Tips: How to Beat Heavies (Smash Ultimate)

An in-depth analysis of a Link fighting a bowser. Heavies have the common trait to have a hard time landing, and are vulnerable offstage. This guide extensively covers how to best exploit those weaknesses by using combos, positioning, edge guarding, and ledge trapping.
Music used
Life Will Change (Instrumental) - Persona 5
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Follow me on Twitter! / lxzlink
Reach me on Discord at LxZ#2876
Join the Link Discord here: / discord
#Link #Guide #SmashUltimate

[@zachhhhhhhhb]

"Try not to always use attacks after you get hit." Now i feel attacked.

[@LxZLink]

We all do it :D

[@CocoLarge.]

So im the only person who uses drift to bait an attack and spam jab when i tech

[@zachhhhhhhhb]

@@CocoLarge. now I'm the second person to do this thanks to this comment

[@N-Link]

I Now it's been 4 Month since the launch of this video, but it was amazing!!!. Keep up the good work

[@rofl_waffl]

This ain't me in the video, but we got some shared habits I need to fix :>

[@LxZLink]

Some of these are some quite classic ones! And easy fixes too !!

[@Bustnq]

Same

[@lanecallow542]

Yay finnaly am the only one whos been waiting for this the entire day lol!

[@theblackbasketball]

Are you the Link?

[@hsgemblemedge9473]

NO ME

[@Vrburai]

An interesting Link vs Bowser guide, it'd be cool to see this type of video for more characters if you're interested in doing that. Maybe against higher tiers? Or maybe do all heavies then continue to another category? Regardless of the decision on what to do next it's nice to see that you're becoming more active again! :D

[@LxZLink]

I'll try my best to keep these going!

[@mishi6693]

yea i would love to see one vs top tiers!

[@LxZLink]

@@mishi6693 The next one will be a top tier... Or at least a very very high tier. ;)

[@JustRiico_]

I 100% agree with this. I found this video extremely helpful! If you made a series like this for most of link’s matchups I’d love it 😭

[@schwade_the_bum6954]

LxZ Link do pika! That matchup demolishes me

[@Realhuman111]

Writing these notes clutch af. Best part is, this also applies with other character! Nice vid!!!

[@AsmitaElric]

Man, your videos have helped to improve my Link so much, in some cases all the way back to the basics. Awesome content.

[@jacobalexander5139]

Link most definitely doesn’t struggle with heavies, I would enjoy seeing something like this for fast characters like Roy and fox

[@LxZLink]

He doesn't, but the matchups aren't free either. Against bowser, he probably loses onstage, and must catch up with good offstage plays.

[@mishi6693]

as a link who makes similar mistakes, this was super helpful. i think people (myself included) would pay for reviews of their own games like this. thanks lxz!

[@LxZLink]

thanks for your input! Will definitely consider doing more if i have time. :)

[@ariasszabo7974]

Great content! This analysis is really helpful, even for just general play. Thank you and keep up the great work!

[@devinburnell6940]

Wow your guides just go to show me that I have a lot of improvement to make! I will definitely be labbing with your videos

[@tephradem]

I'd love to see more of these! It's not me - but I definitely have some shared habits to fix.

[@gyasirossmusic]

LxZ, you always provide really strong feedback, and both ways thanks for the content bud!

[@zacharyhempstead5730]

The fastfall detonate to cross under the stage can be useful, but only vs characters whose ledgetrapping requires setup. Not so much against Bowser, who can just run across the stage quickly.

[@LxZLink]

Agreed :)

[@tommybond4232]

This is a really good style of gameplay critique!!!

[@Esparza512]

Dude I love these videos! They help so much. Please do more! Btw, I loved that bomb to spike! It was so nice!

[@zakmendoza8817]

I was getting nervous around Krool players and found your channel haha. These types of analysis are premier. Subbed :)

[@LxZLink]

Thanks for the sub :))

[@Cystlib]

I don't really play Link but this was super helpful since I make a lot of similar mistakes, so thanks! I also really like how you compliment what he or she does well

[@dillonevans9531]

I've learned a few things about Link. 1) GSA is one of if not your best OoS option. Take advantage of it, and a good tip would be to learn which opponent moves are safe on your shield/what moves are acceptable to use GSA against as an OoS option 2) Link's U-Air, while not incredibly fast, beats a lot of heavy characters' moves that send them straight down (ex: Ganon's midair Down-B, Bowser's D-air, Bowser's midair Down-B, etc)

[@cja1374]

So happy to see another one of these videos! They are SO useful. Would have liked a more accurate title that showed what type of video it is though - I could easily have gone past this thinking 'I already know how to beat heavies'

[@LxZLink]

Thanks for your input!!! Picking titles for those isn’t easy - a lot of people prefer tips over “in-depth analysis” I’ll try to think of something better next time!

[@joakimandersson574]

Love these videos! Keep em up!

[@LxZLink]

Will try!!

[@jorgezarate9769]

Everything was amaaaazing! Thanks for this guide I really appreciate it

[@LxZLink]

Thank you :)

[@glitchygoose2492]

I don't even play link but i still learned something from this analysis. Great job

[@LxZLink]

I'm glad you did!!! :)

[@brandonchan956]

Amazing video! It was awesome to get more insight on how to play link

[@LxZLink]

Thank you!

[@eliasfriesen643]

I love these videos where you give advice

[@sonicthundershock]

Damn! I play neither of those characters but I saw so many habits and tips that I'm sure will help me +1 my game. Awesome video! Loved it!

[@LxZLink]

I'm glad you did! Yes a good portion of the vid actually has nothing to do with Link.

[@yamz_0521]

My Goodness please keep these videos coming! Would really like to see one on escaping corner pressure, minimizing disadvantage, or adapting/changing up your gameplan

[@yamz_0521]

Praying to goddess hylia that you see this

[@LxZLink]

Saw it! I think all of these videos talk about this in one way or another, i’ll try my best to pick games that really help on that!

[@yamz_0521]

@@LxZLink Nice! Will be looking forward to it!

[@comographer]

great vid want to see more of this

[@DrigoToes]

What an amazing teaching video!

[@LxZLink]

Thank you :)

[@planetary-rendez-vous]

Great analysis. It's a great example of why anyone's neutral sucks. Stop jumping and going into corners and start taking stage control and actively reacting and punishing zzz

[@LxZLink]

It doesn’t suck, he/she is actually a pretty darn good player. We all have our own habits to work on, sometimes without realizing it. That player in particular is probably one of the best links at advanced bomb combos

[@planetary-rendez-vous]

@@LxZLink I actually think he's a good Link player, not to diminish his skills. But imo he made many beginner neutral mistakes that are easily fixed such as not understanding stage control, pressuring instead of backing off, juggling or wasting your double jump everytime which I see everyone do.

[@brendanmarklin1929]

Thanks for the input, I will agree my neutral does suck pretty bad tbh haha that’s why I reached out on discord, I don’t consider myself a beginner but I do make many mistakes haha probably because I labbed out all the flashy advanced bomb combos for fun instead of advancing my neutral in any case I learned from my mistakes so that’s all that matters in the end :)

[@kevinroman806]

I'm the Link from your previous vod review, I love these! Great job on this one.

[@LxZLink]

Thanks!!

[@spadezap9728]

i needed this!

[@LxZLink]

:)

[@Damian92248]

Excellent video, and I really like how you explain all of the situations in the match. Will there be guides for every MU?

[@dougtaylor26]

MOAR OF THESE!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@Ramma.H]

This is really good

[@LxZLink]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@KASPER5000]

zdrop > footstool > spike (3:40) Nice!

[@LxZLink]

Very nice!

[@syedbilalmir6945]

Love the vid. Advice on ZSS and other top tiers would be appriciated

[@LxZLink]

Next one is ZSS, most likely! :))

[@C1nematic24]

Ahhh refreshing video once again! How you doing LxZ? I like that your being active on this platform, really appreciate it since I’m sure It can be challenging. Now if we could just get J on here... lol

[@LxZLink]

Doing great :) J does great content on twitter actually!

[@Dancing-Spirits]

I don't play link but this was an eye opener. Thanks

[@LxZLink]

I love to hear that!!

[@noahschaffner7607]

Please do more of these!

[@LxZLink]

Will do!!

[@christopherrodriguez3646]

Keep it up

[@liikufandubz7187]

amazing video as always, would love to get advice on a Terry or some shoto character. it would be great :3

[@LxZLink]

Against shotos, the gameplan is simple: we get destroyed if we box with them. As much as I hate to say it, camp these guys at all costs! And murder them offstage.

[@liikufandubz7187]

@@LxZLink Thank you very much, I don't like camping very much but if I have to, I will lmao

[@ObviousCleft]

As a Bowser player myself, there's nothing that this guy says that isn't correct. Don't DJ in the red zone, watch when we burn our own DJs and ADs and just sit under us. D-air is our only option half the time and it's so easily punished. Be patient, watch we do and and we'll just never fuckin land. Also, ALWAYS be mindful of run-off Fair. I'm jealous - you Link mains have an EXCELLENT resource with this guy.

[@LxZLink]

thank you bowser main

[@bromicorn]

If i just came back from landing after being combo'd and Bowser is waiting for an up tilt finish should i distract him with a zdrop bomb and and then a down air

[@dunktastic2247]

This is pretty interesting, even as a bowser main

[@nj3690]

Cool video

[@LxZLink]

Thanks :)

[@matenalosquedicenprimero7331]

Buen video 😔👌

[@LxZLink]

gracias(:

[@brygaard9398]

🙌🙌🙌

[@IchiNiSean]

I play young link and this is just god sent ! Thank you!

[@arshadalam4457]

Man, I had no idea a random conversationthat I saw on the Linkcord would get made into a video! You’re doing a lot for us! It seems that you are pretty knowledgeable on the Samus matchup, so I would suggest making a Samus video in the future.

[@LxZLink]

I might!!! Love this MU although it’s tough

[@andrewedmunds4583]

LxZ Link If I may, if that were to happen, I have a recent tourney set against a samus where I had lost in grand finals, perhaps if I sent you the vod you could analyze it? Not sure if this is the right place to ask that though.

[@arshadalam4457]

@@andrewedmunds4583 If he doesn’t see this, maybe try asking on the Link discord.

[@andrewedmunds4583]

@@arshadalam4457 Just the general link discord, I assume?

[@arshadalam4457]

@@andrewedmunds4583 Yup

[@Benji_Jokjo]

In this video I was asking the same questions as LxZ lol

[@IIIISai]

I see Master has a favorite, Jelous

[@MicWellz]

yo 3:56 was sexy. I havnt even practiced that.

[@LxZLink]

very sexy!! It's in my latest Nair Loops guide! :)

[@TheGreatAntoine]

I was wondering if you had tips for zoners like Zelda?

[@andreazhab]

Ok what????? This video is SO fucking good! The analysis is so spot on, there are tips and indications on what to do next, you spot every single habit and mistake they both made Can you do an analysis on my replays???? PLEASE??????? I'LL GIVE YOU ALL OF MY MONEY

[@FalcoShineShine]

why is it not letting me join the link discord?

[@georgecortes3416]

How to beat heavies with large hitboxes and (usually) poor recovery as Link: Press B.

[@Gw2Zoke]

what should you do “in the red zone?” I know that “it depends” on what the opponent does, but say they go off stage to apply pressure. Is it generally wait it out and recover low? air dodging if necessary?

[@LxZLink]

Yep, you can use your drift to dodge attacks, cover yourself with your own fair, airodge, fast fall low and upB. Jump isn't bad if the enemy constantly tries to edgeguard low, but in this video the Link was using it often too early and when it wasn't warranted.

[@sergionieto8667]

I've been watching both your videos and Izaw's to improve my Link, which type of bomb loop would be easier to practice: the fair loops or the nair loops?

[@LxZLink]

fair loops are slightly easier in my opinion :)

[@Legend_of_Leixou_]

Thanks for this great video. I'm not comfortable with this mu, I'm sure it will be very helpful 😁

[@LxZLink]

Thanks to you for your comment!

[@10XSeiga]

I'll legit pay you to review one of my replays

[@xue1379]

Yeah boi

[@hingsing1]

2:21 are there non appropriate times to use T-spike VS rev ariel spin attack by ledge? 3:22 can someone explain holding down to hit the opponent on ledge with upB? 4:42 whoa amazing downB 'true' combo by ledge, does this only work for heavy's? 6:02 at what % does point blank brang combo into ASA?

[@LxZLink]

- smash is all about risk reward. You always want to have the highest % chance to get the kill combined with the highest % to land the setup. T spike is very strong but has a trickier timing than a standard ASA which wouldve killed. - if you hold down during Up B, you don’t grab ledge. Hold down until the final swing comes out to hit them! -nope, it actually works on a lot of chars, it’s just a bit hard to setup. -depends on DI. On DI in, probably close to 0-100%. On DI away it will stop working much earlier.

[@redsun9449]

What is ASA???

[@nd710]

Can that red advice work too using other chars like Byleth or Zelda?

[@LxZLink]

Of course!

[@C1nematic24]

Also I need to get back in the Linkcord cuz im super rusty. You think you can teach us how to wavebounce and B Reverse correctly next? Thanks big dog

[@C1nematic24]

actually nvm i forgot you have a guide on that already lol

[@nigellloyd7002]

Hey, not sure if your gonna see this but i was wondering if should still use tsp jump or not, I’ve used it for a while but stuff like this has made me wonder whether it’s still viable or not, thanks if you read this lol.

[@LxZLink]

It doesn't really matter whether you use it or not. My recommendation to players is to not use it because it takes a lot of time to get used to. But if you've already got the "Muscle memory" to play with it then it's completely up to your preference :)

[@nigellloyd7002]

Thanks a lot man! :)

[@soukk935]

Against fire breath, is not better using hylian shield instead of shielding?

[@LxZLink]

If you know 100% it's coming, yes, sure (Although you won't be able to straight up beat it, so it's best to work around it anyway.) But shielding covers more options.

[@moocowp4970]

Also a couple of times he pulls bombs in relatively safe positions off stage and is told not to do that, I do that too because I figure it's always better to have a bomb than not, gives many more options for getting off ledge and it's a chance to pull one when you wouldn't have time on stage. What are the downsides to having a bomb/pulling a bomb there?

[@LxZLink]

Having a bomb gives you much less options! You can’t use your aerials at all (unless zdrops) and you’re stuck in 40 frames of lag when pulling one. As a general rule, don’t pull a bomb unless you actively need one or have a plan with one.

[@moocowp4970]

@@LxZLink hmm assuming you can z-aerials I feel like the only options it takes away are your grounded A options which are mostly his worst moves. Plus, even if you just throw it on the stage around where the opponent is it then makes the opponent have to think about whether you will detonate it or not, so it can give you some room the opponent doesn't want to be in which can help you get on stage right? My plan with bomb is usually just to have it occupy some space on stage to control space, or use it for edge traps and recovering (but that doesn't apply when I'm off stage) I agree with the endlag frames being worrying, but I feel like both times were relatively safe, particularly the first time.

[@TurtleBot354]

Best part is, casually, I play heavies, competitively, I main link. So win-win for me

[@LxZLink]

Sounds good to me!

[@markomikic322]

First like for my boi main link as me and then watch. 😅👍

[@LxZLink]

Instant heart for me!

[@edalbyek6060]

What’s SHARK?

[@TWDEColtBlooded]

My bestfriend just 5-0d me as bowser so this video will help change that

[@quintonconoly]

Can you provide a glossary for some of the acronyms you use please? Great video :) EDIT: maybe in the desc idk

[@LxZLink]

I provided them in the first few seconds of the video! But will add them in the description!

[@quintonconoly]

LxZ Link oh oops apparently I don’t pay attention. Thanks a lot :D

[@bromicorn]

I desperately need this i got destroyed by a Bowser last night

[@MoreRon88]

Anyone have any tips fighting a damn yoshi? My friend constantly beats me with yoshi 🙁

[@moocowp4970]

I feel like this is a massive noob question but I feel I need to ask or I won't learn: At 4:36 he says to autocancel the up-air; what is autocancelling and how does one do it? (I've heard the term before but I'd always just assumed it was a matter of timing the move so it finished before landing or something like that, but apparently not)

[@LxZLink]

There’s no such thing as a dumb question! Let’s take a simple example. Imagine a character has an aerial that lasts, say, 40 frames. The hitbox comes out on frame 12 until frame 14. This means that from frame 14 to 40, they are completely vulnerable until they can act again on frame 41. If you land anywhere between frame 1 to frame 40 of that move, you will experience that move’s landing lag. The landing lag is move dependent. Sheik’s fair has very little landing lag, while Byleth’s Dair has a ton. Now enters autocancel. A great majority of the moves have autocancel windows. this means that if you land during those frames, you will skip the landing lag of the aerial. To take back our example, It is likely that this aerial would autocancel on frame 1-3 and frames 32-40. So if said character landed during the first 3 or last 8 frames of the aerial, they would experience no lag. Hope this makes sense :)

[@moocowp4970]

@@LxZLink thank you for the explanation 😊 just to confirm: by landing before the move is finalised you're cancelling the lag at the end of the move; but will still have a few frames of landing animation before you can act right?

[@moocowp4970]

Thanks for replying btw :) This is one of my favourite channels, I don't know how I came to this video so late, I usually click your videos the second i see them uploaded :)

[@LxZLink]

Moocow P nope! Autocancelling means you completely bypass the move’s landing lag.

[@moocowp4970]

@@LxZLink oh cool! Great to know! Thanks again for the info!

[@tylercaldeira4904]

Ok I’ll

[@solarupdraft]

Will you be making a series of reviews, and if so, are you collecting submissions?

[@LxZLink]

Not collecting submissions as of now, i prefer cherry picking matches where I can get a good point across. Will keep you guys updated if I do!

[@solarupdraft]

@@LxZLink I'll be here for every one of these you make, thanks for the work you put into this one.

[@TigerMultiGun]

Up smash is something with link

[@scoot2359]

the only heavy i have trouble with is dedede, he just covers everything near the ledge.

[@TheWatchmanOfTheEnd]

I played with Mr Bonesages ago (the Bowser that beat Samsora) and got my Bowser EXP then. I don't lose to other Bowsers because I'm so used to his being so good lol The only thing Link actually has to worry about in the match up is up special out of shield in my experience.

[@LxZLink]

Up-B out of shield and the constant 50/50 between side B and aerials, very strong 2-frame coverage, and low % edgeguards

[@Fed2000]

What’s the problem with using the double in that “red zone”?

[@LxZLink]

You're using your double jump, your most valuable resource, in an extremely vulnerable area. If you get hit in that spot, you're sent offstage without a double jump and you become pretty much as good as dead. Also, i didn't say "don't jump there". If a jump is warranted, fair enough. I said don't "waste" it. As in, don't use it for no reason at all. Btw, i learned that from Glutonny (the Wario, best player in Europe and arguably one of the very best in the world), so please take my word for it! :D edit: Great question, thanks for asking it!

[@sergionieto8667]

It's easy to return to the stage from that area without wasting the extra jump, also many players (myself included) try to read the jump with an attack and if it connects it will be way harder for you to recover since you're far from the ledge again and without your jump

[@Fed2000]

Thank you guys for the reply, I’m also trying to get better at the game

[@Itsme-dg9px]

5:24 was a b reverse was it not?

[@LxZLink]

Oops, didn't notice that! I thought he jumped backwards but i checked and he was facing out. It was indeed a b-reverse! good catch :)

[@darklynk53]

I'm in the discord but i hace just 2 chanels, announcements and rules, where the people talk?

[@LxZLink]

Flair yourself in the #flairme channel!

[@kadeemmusicmanwilliams7069]

Forgive me but any Links struggle with Good Isabelle players?

[@LxZLink]

We win the Isabelle MU, but if it’s a good player you could absolutely struggle. They have amazing ledgetraps and decent edeguards

[@kadeemmusicmanwilliams7069]

@@LxZLink This one Isabelle player covered the edge well. This particular player manipulated my aggressiveness to his/her advantage. That cute lil face when Isabelle wins angers me haha

[@ursamajor5583]

My personal least favorite MU's are: Samus/Dark Samus, Snake, Young Link, shotos, Belmonts, Falco and R.O.B.

[@cheesebslls6203]

comments are good for the youtube algorithm

[@LxZLink]

[@Spvrtacus]

I’d like some feed backs

[@LxZLink]

These take a bit of time to make, as of now I'm not taking submissions, sorry :( will let you all know when I do !

[@rinktheredlink9317]

The bad thing about bowser to me is that he isn't as easy to z drop combo as the other heavies. He's combo food for sure but its a lot weirder comboing him than say k rool.

[@LxZLink]

K rool is the easiest char to combo in the game imo, so you're probably correct :)

[@rinktheredlink9317]

@@LxZLink every time i see I'm about to play a rool I hear evil laughter in my head.

[@lcasti1004]

Oh man, can we get a “how to beat Bayonetta” video please???

[@LxZLink]

I'll see what I can do! Vs. Bayo, shield a lot more than usual and try to bait her to push a button. Bayo has very limited tools to approach and all of them are quite unsafe. Also, Bayo will have a very easy time racking up % on you, but a very hard time killing you. So play very evasive at kill % and make her struggle to kill you.

[@lcasti1004]

LxZ Link Thank you for the tips! I’ll certainly give that a try with my next Bayo encounter. Also gonna try not to panic attack after her weak, yet seemingly endless, combos...

[@auerbacher69]

a friend of mine who i play smash against on a regular basis is a bowser main. he gon get fucked.

[@doofuscawt]

Hi

[@aaa-lp7vu]

hello, I would like to know if you have a social network to talk about a topic please. i will love for your videos and make something with it. I have twitter and discord if you agree.

[@LxZLink]

I can be joined in the link discord :) see description !

[@Catalyst313]

5:26 b-reverse, that was a b-reverse :( i learned the differences between a turnaround, b reverse and wavebounce from you and see this :(

[@LxZLink]

Yeeeees it was a b-reverse!! I didn’t notice he was facing away. Sorry!

[@Catalyst313]

@@LxZLink its np I was just shocked that it was you of all people that would make a mistake like cuz i really look up to you, and the content you make and stuff, you work way too hard tho on these videos so thats maybe why

[@schwade_the_bum6954]

Wtf I’m not the only link that struggles against bowser?

[@LxZLink]

The matchup is hard! Need to play smart and edgeguard well!

[@keith_]

bruh just spam bomb and boomerang ez wins

[@victoreduardocastanedacast9508]

O hii

[@LxZLink]

Hello :)

[@69metersbelow25]

Smashville not the best stage for him a bigger stage like Kalos would be better.Bowser hits him for free.

[@LxZLink]

Not sure I agree, since you want to get bowser offstage and make him struggle to land a small stage could be a good choice.

[@69metersbelow25]

@@LxZLink I just don't like being cornered.Thats my preference

[@Integral_RoA]

Why am I here? I don't play link.

[@LxZLink]

95% of this vid can be used for any character!

[@ericab3919]

Literally all he had to do was nair more and he would've won. Unbiased link main.

[@LxZLink]

Mhhh, Bowser is actually surprisngly well equipped to deal with Link's nair!