Hookshot

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Hookshot
Link, Young Link and Toon Link using their grab aerials.
Users	Link Young Link Toon Link
Universe	The Legend of Zelda
Articles on Zelda Wiki	Hookshot Clawshot

TheHookshot, or theClawshot (which appears inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl andSuper Smash Bros. 4), is agrab aerial used byLink untilUltimate,Young Link, andToon Link which can also be used astether recoveries.

Overview[edit]

Hookshot[edit]

Link's Hookshot inMelee.

TheHookshot isLink'sgrab inSuper Smash Bros. andSuper Smash Bros. Melee,Young Link's grab inSuper Smash Bros. Melee andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, andToon Link's grab inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl,Super Smash Bros. 4, andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. InSuper Smash Bros., the hook of the Hookshot fires straight out, and then returns straight back. InMelee andBrawl, however, the Hookshot/Clawshot (respectively) fires straight out, falls to the ground, and is then slung back towards Link. Also inMelee, Link/Young Link use this to perform thewall-grapple, since the Hookshot can latch to essentially any wall at any point at appropriate distances. Using the Hookshot on an incline causes it to retract immediately, which often leaves Link vulnerable for short periods of time. This is notable onPrincess Peach's Castle. Using this technique, one can usemindgames to assist in recoveries by choosing either to sweet spot the ledge or grapple another point of the wall; however, should the wall-grapple miss or otherwise fail, Link/Young Link will be left in the "helpless" animation. Additionally, the Hookshot may be used immediately after anair dodge, meaning a directional air dodge can give additional distance before using the Hookshot.

InSuper Smash Bros. Brawl andSuper Smash Bros. 4, Toon Link uses his to perform thetether recovery and grab. Similar to Link's Clawshot, if it misses, Toon Link is left wide open. It also has two hitboxes that follow the same mechanic from Link's Clawshot. InBrawl, Toon Link's Hookshot has a shorter range in grabs and tethers compared to Link's Clawshot, but this makes it slightly faster. As it is the case with all tether recoveries inBrawl, the Clawshot/Hookshot may only latch onto theledge, makingedgehogging the recovery relatively easily. Link's and Young Link's Hookshots are based on their design inOcarina of Time (despite the latter not being able to use the Hookshot in that game). Toon Link's however, is based on its appearance inThe Wind Waker.

Toon Link's Hookshot inUltimate.
Young Link's Hookshot inUltimate.

Clawshot[edit]

Link uses his Clawshot as a recovery inSmash 4.

TheClawshot isLink's grab inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl andSuper Smash Bros. 4. Although it is very similar to the Hookshot inSuper Smash Bros. Melee, not only does it retract more quickly, but Link's newtether recovery now finds and tracks the wall, automaticallysweetspotting a nearby ledge. Also, when used in the air to attack, there are two differenthitboxes. The first is when the claw is shot out, and hits the opponent. The second hitbox is at the end of the Clawshot, when the claw closes. Also, if Link lands while using the Clawshot in the air, the move auto-cancels, which is a useful technique when combined withSHFF, quite possibly Link's best tactic for interrupting other characters' approaches. If used in contact with the ground, the move becomes a grab, and like all other tether grabs is laggy if missed. It should also be noted that if it fails, Link doesn't enter aHelpless state.In most cases, it's recommended to use the Clawshot for recovery because it helps prevent Link from getting edgeguarded by certain attacks.

The Clawshot has an invaluable edgehogging property in that it can quickly give Link more invincibility frames by pressing back after Link has grabbed the edge, and immediately pressing the grab button, releasing the Clawshot, and pressing the grab button again to instantly grab the ledge and gain invincibility frames. This technique is sometimes referred to as Zair Edgeguarding, even though it is used as anedgehogging technique.

Although the two function identically inSuper Smash Bros, the Clawshot that Link uses inTwilight Princess is a fundamentally different weapon from the Hookshot inOcarina of Time.

InSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, Link no longer has his Hookshot nor his Clawshot due to neither appearing in the gameBreath of the Wild, which his current design is based on. As a result, Snake's codec for Link on Shadow Moses Island was altered in a way (and the only one with this distinction) so that the mention of his Clawshot was removed because of this. However, Young Link and Toon Link both retain their respective Hookshot.

Link using the Clawshot inBrawl.

Sticker[edit]

Name	Game	Effect	Character(s)
Hookshot	The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time	Attack +4

Hookshot
(Zelda Ocarina of Time)

Instructional quotes[edit]

trophy description		While his Hookshot has less reach than the older Link's, you can still use it in midair as a last-ditch attempt to grab a ledge.
Smash Bros. DOJO!!		You can use the Clawshot to perform life-saving tether recoveries by aiming at available ledges. It was difficult to aim in the previous game, but this time it automatically flies to the closest ledge, so it should be pretty simple to use.Of course, it doesn't mean a thing if it can't reach its target...
fighter tips		When you fire the Clawshot by using a grab in midair, it extends a long way, making it useful against tall foes or those approaching from below.
fighter tips		Land with the Hookshot out, and you'll put it away quickly. It's handy as a feint—use it just before landing, and then surprise 'em with a different attack.
fighter tips		Using the grab button will fire the Hookshot even in midair, but you can't grab opponents with it. You can, however, use it to attack or grab edges.

Origin[edit]

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The Hookshot being used inOcarina of Time.

TheHookshot is a recurring item in theLegend of Zelda universe which allows Link to pull enemies and objects towards him and to grapple onto far away objects so that Link can reach previously inaccessible areas. It's commonly found in dungeons in order for specific dungeons to be progressed. It is available in six mainline Zelda games includingOcarina of Time andThe Wind Waker where it's obtained at Dampé's grave in the former while it is obtainable in the Wind Temple in the latter.

The Hookshot was replaced by theClawshot which has been featured in bothTwilight Princess andSkyward Sword. It is obtained in Twilight Princess after defeating Deku Toad in the Lakebed Temple.

The Hookshot inThe Wind Waker.
The Clawshot being used inTwilight Princess.

Gallery[edit]

Link's Hookshot inSmash 64.
The Hookshot as a wall-grapple inMelee.
Young Link's Hookshot inMelee.
Toon Link's Hookshot inBrawl.
Toon Link using his Hookshot inBrawl.
The Clawshot as a grab inBrawl.
Link's Clawshot missing the ledge inBrawl.
The Clawshot inSmash 4.
Link and Young Link missing their grabs inMelee; taken from a side angle.

Names in other languages[edit]

Hookshot[edit]

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