The Dash Attack is a maneuver performed when Link utilizes both the Pegasus Boots and his Sword,[1][2][3] resulting in a headlong forward Sprint, sword drawn and held out in front, ready to skewer foes in the hero's path. It is one of Link's signature special techniques in all games featuring the Boots since A Link to the Past. Although it can be used to attack foes or run across the overworld at a fast pace, the attack is generally named in-game for crashing into trees to knock useful items from their branches.
Appearances[]
A Link to the Past[]
In A Link to the Past, this attack will be used automatically whenever Link uses his boots. Unlike in some later appearances, this attack can occasionally be used to open some cracked walls, a feature normally reserved for Bombs.
Link's Awakening[]
In Link's Awakening, both the boots and his sword must be equipped, but the sword can be slashed instead of just thrust during the attack. Unique to this game, if the sword is unequipped, Link will simply dash forward unarmed. Unlike other installments, different weapons can be used in the Dash Attack, like Link's Shield or Bow.
The Minish Cap[]
After obtaining the Pegasus Boots in The Minish Cap, Link must visit Swiftblade to learn the Dash Attack. The attack will be automatic whenever Link uses the boots afterwards, but before he learns it, he will just run headlong without touching the sword.
A Link Between Worlds[]
After obtaining the Pegasus Boots form the Shady Guy in A Link Between Worlds, Link can perform the attack by pressing the L Button on the Nintendo 3DS. It is used almost identically to that in A Link to the Past. However by pressing the Control Pad in the opposite direction after dashing, Link will screech to a stop with a unique animation.
Tri Force Heroes[]
The Dash Attack does not require the Pegasus Boots in Tri Force Heroes and can be performed from the beginning of the game. If Link wears the Ninja Gi, he can Dash Attack instantly and deal triple damage to Enemies.
Non-canon Appearances[]
SoulCalibur II[]
- How to perform:
Link performing the Hyper Dash Attack
In SoulCalibur II, the Dash Attack is part of Link's moveset and goes by the name of Hyper Dash Attack. It is considered to be a mid-attack and deals 90 HP worth of damage when fully charged. To perform it, the control pad must be pressed back twice followed by the vertical attack button and the kick attack button at the same time. This will cause Link to run towards his opponent while thrusting his sword forward. The more the attack is charged, the farther that Link will run. When the Hyper Dash Attack is completely charged, Link's sword will be engulfed with fire and will deal more damage.
Trivia[]
- In the PAL version of A Link to the Past, the Dash Attack enables Link to sprint at a higher speed than in the NTSC releases in a similar manner as Sonic the Hedgehog from Sega's franchise of the same name. This is because most older games in the European region run at 50Hz rather than 60Hz and it was adjusted to make up for the 16.7% slower framerate.
- In the Japan-exclusive BS Ancient Stone Tablets game for the Satellaview, the BS-X avatars' Dash Attack enables them to turn at any direction, making it easy to navigate the overworld quickly and strike multiple enemies.
- Tri Force Heroes as well as SoulCalibur II are the only cases so far where Link can perform the Dash Attack without the need of the Pegasus Boots.
Nomenclature[]
 Names in other regions  | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 | Japanese | ダッシュ斬り (Dasshugiri)[4] | Dash Slice |
| This table was generated using translation pages. | |||
References
- ↑ Art & Artifacts, Dark Horse Books, pg. 387 (ALttP)
- ↑ The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening — Nintendo Player's Guide, Nintendo of America, pg. 42
- ↑ "You learned the secret Dash Attack fighting technique! Run like the wind and attack!" — N/A (The Minish Cap)
- ↑ A Link to the Past manual, pg. 22