Dark Link: Difference between revisions

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{{Boss

  |Model OoT= File:Dark Link.png

  |Model ST= File:Dark Link ST.png

  |Sprite ALttP= File:Dark Links.gif

  |Sprite OoA= File:Dark Link OOA.png

|gender=  

|game= {{ALttP}}<br>{{OoT}}<br>{{OoA}}<br>{{TP}}<br>{{ST}}

|other= {{OoT|Himekawa|-}}<br>{{SSBM}}<br>{{SSBB}}<BR>{{HW}}

|dungeon= [[Water Temple (Ocarina of Time)|Water Temple]] {{Exp Game|OoT}}<br>[[Black Tower]] {{Exp Game|OoA}}<br>[[Palace of the Four Sword]] {{Exp Game|ALttP&FS}}<br>[[Take 'Em All On!]] {{Exp Game|ST}}

|weakness= [[Sword]]<br>[[Megaton Hammer]]<br>[[Din's Fire]]<br>[[Broken Giant's Knife]]

|voice actor= [[Nobuyuki Hiyama]] {{Exp Game|OoT}}<br>[[Akira Sasanuma]] {{Exp Game|TP}}

{{Term/Store|Dark Link|Dark Links|Series, ALttP, OoT, OoT3D, OoA, ST}} is a dark reflection of [[Link]].<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |publisher= |page= 173 {{Exp Game|ALttP|OoT|OoT3D|OoA|ST}}}}</ref> He is one of the most enigmatic enemy characters in the {{TLoZ|Series}}, usually appearing with no backstory and no dialogue, although it is implied on numerous occasions to be merely constructed of shadow magic. Dark Link is more than just a mere battle against a monster for Link, but a battle against himself, as the young hero has to face his own strength turned against him.<ref>{{Cite|'''Dark Link'''<br>Conquer yourself!|Navi|OoT}}</ref> Due to this, Dark Link is often the ultimate challenge, and is faced as a final boss on one occasion and as the final boss of optional challenges such as the [[Palace of the Four Sword]] and [[Take 'Em All On!]].

As Link's doppelgänger, Dark Link bears a resemblance to the Link of whichever game he appears in. He wears the same clothing as Link: a tunic and a long, floppy cap, though the similarities to Link end there. His entire outfit is black or dark gray instead of green. Moreover, his hair is usually either a shadowy black or a dark gray. Dark Link tends to be left-handed, like Link. However, in some appearances (particularly when multiple copies of him appear), he has been shown to favor either hand. Another notable feature is his red eyes, which are usually the only prominent feature against his dark visage.

In the [[Game Boy Advance]] port of {{ALttP}}, after completing both the main story of {{ALttP|-}} and the multiplayer {{FS|-}} game, the [[Palace of the Four Sword]] is unlocked. The Dungeon Master is four Dark Links, each with a unique [[tunic]], corresponding to the colors of the [[Links]] that hold the [[Four Sword]]. Reaching the final room of the dungeon causes the four different colored [[Four Sword]]s to rise into the air, and following this the Dark Links will drop from above. Each Dark Link has slightly different abilities, but they all aggressively attack with sword swipes and do not open their defenses often. They are quite agile, able to leap backwards out of the way of Link's attacks. They are fought one at a time, and they get progressively more difficult. The green Dark Link uses the [[Pegasus Boots]] to suddenly dash at Link; the red Dark Link uses the [[Spin Attack|Hurricane Spin]] and the Pegasus Boots. The blue Dark Link also uses Pegasus Boots and the Hurricane Spin, and he can leap into the air to perform a [[Down Thrust]] (this is also similar to Link's use of the [[Quake Medallion]]). The purple Dark Link is the final Dark Link, and utilizes the Pegasus Boots, Hurricane Spin, Down Thrust, and the [[Sword Beam]]. Defeating each Dark Link will break the curse on the Four Sword and return it to normal.

{{Navi|Dark Link|Conquer yourself!}}

In {{OoT}}, Dark Link appears as a {{Term|OoT3D|Sub-Boss|link}} in the [[Water Temple (Ocarina of Time)|Water Temple]], where he materializes from Link's reflection in the water to confront his counterpart. Dark Link reacts to most of Link's movements and attacks, usually defending himself in the process.<ref>{{Cite manual|quote= You must time your attacks carefully to land a blow on this enemy, because it seems to anticipate your every action!|game= OoT|page= 83}}</ref> Dark Link has the same amount of health as Link; the number of [[Heart Container]]s the hero has equals the number of hits with the [[Master Sword]] it takes to defeat his doppelgänger. When hit, Dark Link will fall through the floor and spring back up afterwards. At the beginning of the battle, Dark Link is nearly transparent, but will gradually become opaque as the battle progresses. When he is fully opaque, he will become more aggressive and actively attack Link instead of simply reacting to his moves.

There are a variety of strategies for defeating Dark Link. Link can use the [[Megaton Hammer]], [[Deku Nut]]s, [[Biggoron Sword]], or use his [[sword]] while L/Z targeting him and performing a horizontal slash on the opposite side of his [[shield]], which gives Link an instant hit. Stocking up on magic [[Potion]]s and using [[Din's Fire]] is another option that makes the fight against Dark Link very easy. Din's Fire is one of the best options in both the passive and aggressive part of the battle, as it will cause damage every time, provided that Dark Link is in range. If Link performs a sword thrust, Dark Link will simply hop onto the blade of the sword (before attacking if aggressive). Once Dark Link is defeated, Link becomes able to enter a room containing the [[Longshot]].<ref>{{Cite manual|quote= After you defeat Dark Link, the bars on the northern door rise allowing you to access the room and claim the Longshot in the large chest there.|game= Ocarina of Time|page= 83}}</ref>  

Dark Link shares Link's voice, but it is heavily distorted, giving it a demonic feel.

Dark Link makes a cameo appearance during a cutscene in {{TP}} that tells the tale of how the [[Twili]] race was banished to the [[Twilight Realm]]. Portraying the powerful Interlopers who sought to control the [[Sacred Realm]], three clones of Dark Link manage to destroy Link (portraying a common citizen) before they are banished to the Twilight Realm by the [[Light Spirits]].

Dark Link appears as the final challenge of the [[Take 'Em All On!]] mini-game in [[Hyrule Castle Town|Castle Town]]. In this appearance, he attacks using a blade as dark as himself, that subsequently leaves a fitting black trail, and he can also place [[bomb]]s and shoot arrows. He can also perform a jump attack like Link, only his is higher and much slower. Dark Link also mimics Link's sword attacks when he himself is not attacking, so Link must block his attacks and then counterattack. The music played when fighting him is the same as the track used when [[Hero of Winds|Link]] chased the [[Ghost Ship (Phantom Hourglass)|Ghost Ship]] during the final boss's second phase in {{PH}}. Conversely to his appearance in {{OoT}}, he slowly fades from a pure black to a translucent gray as he takes damage, and once defeated, he falls over on his back and disappears, his eyes eerily left open during the whole animation. The room he is fought in is the only one which contains [[Heart]]s, despite Joynas's earlier warning that there is no way to recover health in the challenge rooms.<ref>{{Cite|However, you'll find nothing to restore your health inside. Nothing at all!|Hostess|ST}}</ref>

*Dark Link in {{OoT|-}} can be made to imitate most of Link's animations. Stunning Dark Link with Deku Nuts in a specific way will cause him to mirror Link's every move. This can be used to a comical effect; for example, if Link is down to a fraction of a heart and leans over panting, Dark Link will also act fatigued. Dark Link also mimics Link's idle animations, such as checking his sword and tunic. If Link puts on the Iron Boots, Dark Link will start moving as if he were also wearing them.

**In {{OoT3D}}, Dark Link will instead slide towards Link on one leg, frozen in a single frame of his running animation.{{fact}}<!--Vague statement. How does this occur?-->

*In {{ALttP|-}}, the GBA-exclusive Dark Links have the same sword and shield that Link currently has equipped, but they will always inflict the same amount of damage. If Link does not have any shield, his dark counterparts will have the Fighter's Shield.

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File:DarkLinksTwilightPrincess.jpg|{{Plural|TP|Dark Link}} representing the {{Term|TP|Dark Interloper}} from {{TP}}

File:BotW Dark Armor Screenshot.jpg|The {{Term|BotW|Dark Series}} {{Term|BotW|Armor Set}} from {{BotW|-}}

File:HW Link Dark Link Costume.png|{{Term|HW|Link}}'s {{Term|HW|Dark Link}} DLC costume from {{HW|-}}

File:HWDE Dark Link Portrait.png|{{Term|HW|Dark Link}} portrait from {{HW|-}}

  |Bosses, Mini-Bosses, Link, Swordsmen