Link vs. Sheik Super Smash Bros. Brawl tiers, match-up votes and discussion

One of Sheik's better matchups.

Sheik wins the neutral. Needles are very disruptive to Link's zoning, as they outrange uncharged arrows. Link's disadvantage in frame data is another big hindrance, as it forces him to (as with most heavies) bait and punish, which can be hard to do against a Sheik that knows what she is doing. Sheik gets better combos on Link because of her forward tilt (Link being a fast falling heavyweight means disaster), and Link's frame 7 nair is too slow to break it. Sheik's sheer speed advantage makes it more difficult for Link to effectively zone her, after factoring in bombs, GB, and Clawshot zair. The other main reason why Sheik is yet another Link counter is because of the offstage phase. Both can mix up their recoveries with tethers and up-b. While bomb and quickdraw arrow can be a good option for Link to cover Sheik's ledge options, Sheik has Needles for that as well. Link never wants to be sent offstage against Sheik, for Needles instantly reset his horizontal momentum. If he is not directly below a ledge when Needles hit him, he is dead. Unfortunately, Sheik has time after sending him out to charge up enough Needles to punish Link's air dodge. Fair and bair are also threats to Link since they have better knock back after a forward tilt lock. Conversely, if Link is at the ledge, his projectiles won't help him that much if Sheik is recovering low; only option for him is to throw a bomb down.

In summary, Sheik's better neutral, damage racking, and edge guarding alleviate her inferior power against Link. Link has to play more defensively, since Needles give him such a problem with setting up his zoning, not to mention how easy it is for Sheik to get punishes. I would call this lean Sheik, or 3/7.