Game Theory: Which Link Rules them All? (Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Warriors)

Game Theory is analyzing which incarnation of Link would be the deadliest warrior in a battle royale by testing different versions of the character across multiple criteria.

Hyrule Warriors represents a major departure from the traditional Zelda formula, shifting from adventure-style questing and dungeon exploration to beat 'em up style action gameplay.

The new version of Link in Hyrule Warriors displays significantly enhanced combat abilities, cutting through waves of enemies with god-like power compared to previous incarnations.

Despite the game falling outside Nintendo's established timelines, the video examines how different Links across the franchise compare in terms of power and capability.

There have been approximately eleven different incarnations of Link throughout the Zelda franchise, each with unique titles and characteristics.

• Chosen Hero (Skyward Sword) • Hero of the Minish (Minish Cap) • Adult and Child Hero of Time (Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask) • Hero of Legend (Link to the Past, Oracle games, Link's Awakening) • Hero of Twilight (Twilight Princess)

• New Hero of Hyrule (A Link Between Worlds) • Hero of Hyrule (original LoZ and LoZ 2) • Hero of Light (Four Swords Adventures) • Hero of Wind (Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass) • Hero of Trains (Spirit Tracks)

The timeline naming system creates confusion, particularly with overlapping titles like 'New Hero of Hyrule' and 'Hero of Hyrule' appearing in non-chronological order across games.

The Four Swords Links are eliminated from the competition because their true power comes from dividing into four separate entities, making a single-Link comparison unfair.

• Strength and physical power • Intelligence and problem-solving • Agility and movement speed • Mounted combat and animal companions

• Arsenal variety and weapons • Magic abilities • Sword skills and swordsmanship • Marksmanship accuracy

• Underwater maneuverability • Overall questing experience across games • Unique transformation abilities

The Hero of Twilight demonstrates the strongest natural strength, able to wrestle Gorons and carry enormous balls of steel without any strength-enhancing items.

Link's strength in the series is heavily dependent on gauntlets, power bracelets, and gloves that enhance physical capabilities beyond their base level.

• Hero of Hyrule: can push rocks his own size • Hero of Legend: can lift rocks four times his size • Hero of Time: can hurl pillars 64 times his size using Golden Gauntlets

The Hero of Time emerges as the strongest with the ability to lift and throw pillars 64 times his own size with proper technique.

Skyward Sword's Link is the only incarnation shown to have received formal education, while other versions focus on individual traits or receive instruction from unconventional sources like a tree.

Intelligence can be measured by the complexity of puzzles each Link must overcome in their respective games.

• Twilight Princess puzzles are widely considered the most difficult in the series • Notable challenging puzzles include the ice block sliding challenge in Snowpeak Ruins • The statue puzzle before obtaining the Master Sword is cited as one of the most infuriating puzzles

The Hero of Twilight is recognized as the smartest Link based on the difficulty of puzzles in his game.

Most Links move at leisurely pace around the map, but some incarnations have significantly improved mobility options.

Skyward Sword's Link can run, flip, and perform light parkour movements but fatigues easily and must drink wheatgrass to improve stamina.

• Hero of Legend with Pegasus Boots and Roc's Feather can jump and move with superior speed • Hero of Twilight can transform into a wolf with excellent jumping ability

The Hero of Legend emerges as the most agile due to having both Pegasus Boots for speed and Roc's Feather for the unique ability to jump.

• Epona (horse) provides versatility including ability to fight and shoot arrows while mounted • Loftwings require both hands to operate effectively, limiting combat options • Trains are limited by tracks and offer minimal strategic advantage • King of Red Lions boat has limited usefulness outside of water

Hero of Twilight excels with Epona, able to shoot arrows and swordfight while riding, demonstrating expert mounted warrior skills.

• Hero of Legend can use the Mermaid Suit for easy swimming and retain sword capability for fast underwater combat • Hero of Twilight has Zora Armor allowing breathing and swimming underwater with access to water bombs but no sword use

Hero of Legend gains the advantage for underwater ability due to retaining sword usage, which trumps the water bomb advantage of Twilight Princess.

• Multiple rod variants: Fire Rod, Ice Rod, Rod of Seasons • Three versions of Hookshot: Vanilla, Longshot, Switch Hook • Pegasus Boots and Roc's Cape for mobility • Magnetic Gloves and various magical items

• Two magic canes, three magic medallions • Magic cape, magic hammer, magic powder • Thirteen magic rings with ability to use five simultaneously

Spanning four games (Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons, Oracle of Ages, Link's Awakening) with approximately 38 dungeons completed, making this Link the most experienced adventurer.

Hero of Legend takes the award for best arsenal with the most diverse collection of items and magical equipment of any Link incarnation.

Hero of Hyrule from the original Legend of Zelda and Zelda II possesses the most powerful magic abilities in the franchise.

• Ability to heal himself • Summon thunder attacks • Transform into a fairy form for healing and protection

While Hero of Legend has more total magical items, the Hero of Hyrule's specific spells are more powerful and combat-effective despite lower quantity.

Hero of Hyrule is recognized as the strongest spellcaster due to the power and utility of his magical abilities.

• Hero of Hyrule learned upward and downward slashes • Minish Cap Link trained with Blade Brothers and studied Tiger Scrolls • Hero of Twilight trained with Hero's Shade to learn advanced techniques

• Mortal Draw • Helm Splitter • Back Slice • Multiple other highly advanced sword maneuvers

Hero of Twilight received instruction from Hero's Shade, who was previously the Hero of Time, giving him access to the most advanced training possible.

Hero of Twilight dominates the swordsmanship category with the most advanced and diverse combat techniques of any Link incarnation.

The Child Hero of Time from Majora's Mask emerges as the most powerful Link despite being young and spanning only two games.

• Goron Mask provides enhanced strength and defense • Deku Scrub Mask grants agility and flying capability • Zora Mask provides superior swimming and underwater combat ability • Fierce Deity Mask equips a sword twice as powerful as Master Sword with permanent magic beam

• Access to time travel experience from Ocarina of Time • Trained by Hero's Shade (his future self as Hero of Twilight) • Possesses transformation abilities no other Link has besides Twilight Princess • Fierce Deity Mask provides unmatched offensive power

Child Hero of Time combines all critical advantages: powerful transformations, time-travel experience, access to advanced training, and the devastating Fierce Deity Mask, making him the strongest Link overall.

Hero of Trains from Spirit Tracks is acknowledged as literally the weakest Link due to being bound by train tracks and limited combat capability.

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