Zelda Dark Link appears in several spells of the popular video game series Legends of Zelda. In German it is also called Schatten Link, or in Ocarina of Time also Schwarzer Link.
This is the malicious mirror image of Link. He is usually almost completely black and uses the same equipment as Link with the same abilities. Just like Link, he doesn’t speak a word and has no background story.
He appears in the following games of the series:
- The Adventure of Link
- A Link to the Past (GBA version only)
- Four Swords Adventures
- Ocarina of Time
- Twilight Princess
- Spirit Tracks
- A Link Between Worlds
Performances of Dark Link
Zelda Dark Link has appeared in several games of the Zelda series. For example he appears in Adventures of Link, where he was conjured out of the real Link by a wizard. He must now be hit eight times. He himself can only jump and attack with his sword. However, his shield repels most of the attacks of the real link. The easiest and most effective way to attack him as a player is to attack him during his jumps, as he is the worst at this moment to defend himself.
In the game A Link to the Past (Game Boy Advance) four Dark Links appear at once. The four Dark Links each have a different color and different abilities. The green shadow link for example only hits with the sword, but can also run on link with special Pegasus boots, can jump backwards and can also make itself invisible. The red Dark Link also has the big swirl attack in its range. The blue Dark Link can jump over Link and stab at him with the sword down. The strongest of the four Dark Links is the purple link, which can also shoot down rays. They appear in a fixed order and each shadow link has the characteristics of its predecessor, plus additional abilities.
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In Ocarina of Time the black link is the miniboss in the water temple and guard of the grappling hook. He imitates every move Link makes, just like a shadow. When the real link loses concentration and doesn’t pay attention, the shadow stabs Link. To win against him, the sword is almost useless, but with a steel hammer you can hit him properly, because he himself can only copy sword and shield. You will notice that you gain the upper hand as the Dark Link gets darker and darker.
Its life force is dependent on Link’s life energy: the black Link has as many life points as Link’s heart. For example, if the player has eight hearts, the black link must be hit eight times until it is defeated.
In Oracle of Ages Dark Link has a relatively small appearance during the fight against Veran. It creates four shadows of Link, which are supposed to imitate and hinder the real Link.
Dark Link’s biggest role is in Four Swords Adventures. He appears regularly and always brings disaster with him. Although you only have to defeat one Dark Link at the beginning, later on you have to defeat four at once. Just like the normal Link, these Shadow Links can also throw bombs, shoot bows, attack with the Pegasus boots and strike with the sword.
In Twilight Princess, Zelda Dark Link does not appear in combat, but is only seen in a horrible vision of Ranelle, one of the spirits of light.
In Spirit Tracks Dark Link is well hidden and after Dosubon is defeated a staircase appears. Down here Dark Link materializes all of a sudden. Like the normal Link, Dark Link has a sword and shield and can also use bow and bomber. Especially effective is the big whirling attack is in his range.
In A Link Between Worlds, Shadow Link is not part of the story, but once again a special opponent. It appears in different places in the kingdom of Hyrule. The strength of the Shadow Link corresponds to the equipment of the player you met via StreetPass. The bounty offered for Shadow Link increases with the strength of the Shadow Link.
Look of Dark Link for Cosplay
In principle, the clothes, accessories and weapons are the same as for the normal link, just black or dark grey. So you need a dark tunic, a long-sleeved shirt under it, tight-fitting pants or leggings, chest belt, belt and knee-high boots. Of course neither sword nor shield should be missing. It is important that everything is dark and gloomy. Also the hair is black. Also the eyes are red instead of blue like in Held Link.
You can of course do it all by yourself, or you can choose a complete set from the Cosplay Online Shop. There are usually several good options here. You will also find matching wigs and of course red contact lenses and the characteristic elf ears, which are also a must for Dark Link.