Phantom Slash
- For other uses of the term "Phantom", seePhantom (disambiguation).
| Phantom Slash | |
|---|---|
 Zelda using Phantom Slash inUltimate. | |
| User | Zelda |
| Universe | The Legend of Zelda |
| Article on Zelda Wiki | Phantom |
Phantom Slash (ファントムアタック,Phantom Attack) isZelda'sdown special move inSuper Smash Bros. 4 andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, replacingTransform fromSuper Smash Bros. Melee andSuper Smash Bros. Brawl due to Sheik and Zelda now being separate characters.
Overview[edit]
The move involves Zelda summoning a Phantom, a disembodied guardian suit of armor fromThe Legend of Zelda series, which attacks the opponent and disappears. It can be charged up to increase the range of the move.The Phantom is a solid object in the environment, so it can block movement and attacks of other fighters.
InSuper Smash Bros. 4[edit]
The Phantom has three different attacks, based on the charge of the move: uncharged, the Phantom does a quick and weak inwards slash; mid-charged, it does a stronger outwards slash; at maximum-charge, it does a powerful upwards slash that hits twice. While the Phantom is being shot out by Zelda, it can bereflected, which sends it in the opposite direction and changes its ownership.
The Phantom is a solid object, so fighters cannot pass through it instantly, and it can be attacked, allowing it to act as a wall. If the Phantom takes 13% damage or more during one summon, it will break, at which point it will disappear and Zelda will be unable to use Phantom Slash for another 9 seconds; a purple cloud aura will appear over Zelda's hand for the duration of this period.
Due to it acting as a solid object, making use of this move allows Zelda to control space on the stage, and defend against opponents' attacks or projectiles. Opponents passing through the Phantom (including rolling or air dodging through) can be punished by Zelda due to the relatively low end-lag of the move. The uncharged version of the move is particularly fast, allowing Zelda to summon the Phantom to force the opponent to react, while still having time to potentially shield or dodge counter-attacks.
InSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
The Phantom works slightly differently fromSmash 4. InUltimate, when charging, the Phantom appears behind Zelda and assembles itself. The move has six different charge stages. In order, they are a kick, punch, an outward slash, a downward slash, and an upwards slash. Once the Phantom is fully assembled at its sixth stage, Zelda is able to move and attack freely, while the Phantom momentarily remains still until attacking with a dashing sword slash. The Phantom can be destroyed by interrupting Zelda mid-charge or by dealing enough damage to the Phantom. If destroyed, the Phantom will remain broken on the ground for two seconds, but can be resummoned as soon as it disappears. The Phantom will not take damage from attacks that hit its shield, and will destroy projectiles while rushing forward if it has its shield.
As of patch 3.1.0, it is possible (though technically difficult) to summon the Phantom in front of Zelda by making use of acancelledRARdown aerial into the Phantom Slash. This advanced technique, which some call the "Reverse Displaced Phantom", allows the Phantom to provide the same kind of frontal protection it previously offered inSmash 4.
Easier methods of displacing the Phantom have since been found, a particularly easy one with some practice being cancelling aRAR directly into Phantom Slash, skipping thedown aerial step completely. This is most viable forNintendo Switch Pro Controller users, as canceling the RAR into the Phantom is easier due to the placement of the buttons "X" and "B" being closer together when compared to aGameCube controller.Allowing Zelda to hop backwards into a Phantom has a multitude of uses. In addition to the stage control that the Phantom normally grants, displacing the Phantom will also block a multitude of projectiles, allowing Zelda to safely charge Phantom Slash in situations where it would normally be cancelled by the projectile in question.
Instructional quotes[edit]
 case foldout |  | Summon a Phantom to slash foes in front of you. Can be charged. |
 Move List |  | Assembles a phantom, then sends it charging forward. The timing of the button press determines its attack. |
Customization[edit]
Special Move customization was added inSuper Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:
| 1. Phantom Slash | 2. Phantom Breaker | 3. Phantom Strike |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 "Summon a Phantom that slashes foes in front of you. Can be charged."
| "The Phantom travels a set distance and wears down enemy shields rapidly."
| "The summoned Phantom strikes harder than normal but will not move forward much."
|
- Phantom Slash: Default.
- Phantom Breaker: Travels a set distance regardless of charge, but deals moreshield damage; a half-charged Phantom Breaker can break most shields in one hit.
- Phantom Strike: The Phantom appears next to Zelda regardless of charge, but deals more damage. Each possible hit except the first hit of the fully-charged Phantom Strike dealsset knockback.
Trophy[edit]
- Phantom
Sturdy guardians of the Tower of Spirits. Anjean says that normally they wouldn't attack anyone with a good heart, but evil spirits have possessed them and made them dangerous. If Link manages to stun one, Princess Zelda will swoop in and...possess it herself?!
According to Anjean, the guardians of the Tower of Spirits are attacking Link because they've been possessed by evil spirits. Luckily, Zelda can possess them too! When Link finds himself in a tight spot, she can use a Phantom's mighty strength to help him out! Not bad, eh?
Spirit[edit]
The Phantom spirit can beenhanced into Zelda fromSpirit Tracks.
| No. | Image | Name | Type | Class | Slots | Base | Max | Base | Max | Base | Max | Ability | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 258 |  | Phantom |  | ★★ | 2 | 1713 | 6878 | 788 | 3164 | 925 | 3714 | Can Be Enhanced at Lv. 99 | The Legend of Zelda Series |
Origin[edit]
Phantoms are recurring enemies in theZelda series originating fromThe Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, as guardians of a temple thatLink must visit at various points throughout the game. They are shown to be indestructible for a large portion ofPhantom Hourglass, and getting attacked by one would result in Link being sent to the beginning of the temple. Phantoms in this game come in three variations, each with their own abilities.
They reappear inThe Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks with the same function, although this time they guard theTower of Spirits and now come in four variations. After Link and Zelda head to the Tower of Spirits, they are ambushed byChancellor Cole and his apprenticeByrne who take away her body with plans to resurrect the evilMalladus. At some point, Zelda's soul becomes trapped in the Phantom, which results in hercontrolling its body, and she and Link must make use of the unique abilities of each Phantom. This mechanic proves vital to proceed through Link's quest in restoring the tower and freeing Zelda's original body from Malladus' possession.
Since Zelda has control of the Phantom inSmash, the move is directly referencingSpirit Tracks. The Phantom's design inSmash primarily draws from their appearance inSpirit Tracks, as evidenced by the decorations on their shield, although it is given a unique feminine color scheme that does not precisely match Phantom Zelda. Rather than retaining the cartoonish and cel-shaded design of the "toon"Zelda games, Zelda's Phantom inSmash is given a more detailed redesign in line with her own more realistic designs. Since Zelda's Phantom is not possessed, its eyes do not glow at all.
Gallery[edit]
The Phantom strikingFox inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Zelda using Phantom Slash inUltimate.
Phantom Slash shown by theMove List inUltimate.
Zelda using the Phantom Slash inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
 Japanese | ファントムアタック,Phantom Attack |
 English | Phantom Slash |
 French (PAL) | Lame spectrale |
 French (NTSC) | Frappe spectrale |
 German | Phantomhieb |
 Spanish | Ataque del espectro |
 Italian | Fendente Spettro |
 Chinese (Simplified) | 幻影攻击 |
 Chinese (Traditional) | 幻影攻擊 |
 Korean | 팬텀 어택,Phantom Attack |
 Dutch | Phantom-slag |
 Russian | Удар фантома |
Trivia[edit]
- Phantom Slash is Zelda's only special move that is not based on a spell fromThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
- When Phantom Slash isreflected, the color of its armor changes. Its overall tone is darker, the pink armor becomes more of a rusted color, and its blue-purple armor becomes more of a grey-tinted blue. This is reminiscent of Spirit Tracks, where a Phantom possessed by Zelda would have a lighter color scheme than an independent one.
- In theZelda games for the Nintendo DS, Phantoms are created merely by dark magic, but Zelda has not been seen to have any access to use dark magic.
- Her summoning one, however, is similar to LokomoAnjean doing so for the final battle inSpirit Tracks, albeit without the use of dark magic.
- If Zelda summons a Phantom and it gets destroyed and she is KO'd afterwards, she will be temporarily unable to use the move as usual but the purple cloud on her hand will disappear.
- A Phantom summoned by aMaster Shadow version of Zelda will be entirely black.
