ChatGPT Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Young Link is strongest when arrow, boomerang, and bomb stall the approach just long enough for Neutral Air, Forward Air, or a fast Up B answer to take over. If Inkling spends the whole matchup solving each projectile, Young Link gets to reset before the body is ever trapped.
The stable answer is to use low profile and dash speed to move through those lanes, then meet the landing with back air, grab, and ledge carry. Because Young Link is light, one clean opening often matters more than winning a long projectile exchange.
The table shows reliable shield punishes on Rapid Jab Finisher, Down Smash, Forward Smash (2), Forward Smash (1), and Jab 3, with OOS Nair, Up Smash, Grab, and OOS Bair available when Young Link overextends at close range.
Neutral Air, Forward Air, and Back Air are still not the places to mash, and Up B reversal stays fast. It is safer to narrow the landing route first, then finish the stock once the drift is already trapped.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Inkling OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 4 | -10 |
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| Jab 2 | 6 | -7 |
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| Jab 3 | 6 | -25 |
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| Rapid Jab | 3/5/7 | — | ||
| Rapid Jab Finisher | 4 | -37 |
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| Forward Tilt | 10 | -12/-13 |
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| Up Tilt | 9 | -14 |
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| Down Tilt | 8 | -7/-8/-10 |
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| Dash Attack | 8 | -16 |
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| Forward Smash (1) | 15 | -27 |
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| Forward Smash (2) | 11 | -30 |
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| Up Smash | 10/25/41 | -22 |
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| Down Smash | 9/21 | -31/-33/-20/-21 |
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| Neutral Air | 4 | -2/-3 |
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| Forward Air | 14/24 | -3/-2 |
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| Back Air | 6/18 | -3/-3 |
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| Up Air | 5 | -9 |
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| Down Air | 13 | Bounce: ** | Fast Fall: -11/-12 |
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| Z Air | 9 | -3 |
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| Neutral B | 14—47 | -16 to -10 |
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| Side B | 27 | -8 to -4 |
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| Up B (1) | 9… | -17 |
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| Up B (2) | 8/12/16/19/22/26/31/39/47 | — | ||
| Down B | 17 | — | ||
| Grab | 12 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 14 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 15 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Do not spend the matchup only on arrow and boomerang cleanup; stay low through the lanes and take the body’s landing first.
- After blocking Rapid Jab Finisher, Down Smash, Forward Smash (2), Forward Smash (1), and Jab 3, answer immediately with OOS Nair, Up Smash, Grab, or OOS Bair.
- Once you get close, do not overpressure shield; trap the landing after Neutral Air or Forward Air before extending further.
- Prioritize kills through ledge control and high-landing coverage, where Young Link’s light weight pays off quickly.
Actions to Avoid
- Stopping for every arrow, boomerang, and bomb until Young Link gets to reset the spacing for free.
- Forcing pressure through shield and losing to the fast Up B answer.
- Mashing after every blocked Neutral Air, Forward Air, or Back Air and letting the landing drift escape.
- Overchasing offstage and losing position to bomb or spinning slash on the way back.