Link (Breath of the Wild)
- This article is about the hero from Breath of the Wild, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, and Tears of the Kingdom. For other versions of the character, see Link.
Art of Link from Tears of the Kingdom
Title | Silent Knight | |
Race | ||
Gender | Male | |
Games | ||
Series | ||
Location | Hyrule | |
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| Media | ||
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Gallery | ||
Link is the hero of the Era of the Wilds, seen in Breath of the Wild, Age of Calamity, and Tears of the Kingdom.
Breath of the Wild
"Born into a family of knights and chosen by the Master Sword, Link attracts the attention of others. Aware of how many people look up to him, Link understands that it is his responsibility to set a good example at all times. However, as a result, he has become unable to express himself openly, remaining silent and expressionless. He is honest, serious, and sometimes overly committed to his duties. After becoming Zelda's appointed knight, he accompanies her everywhere as she prepares herself for Calamity Ganon's return, even though she often asks him not to. Initially, she was wary of Link because he seemed inscrutable, but she came to trust him after he saved her from an attack by the Yiga Clan.
While the century-long Slumber of Restoration heals Link's wounds, it also robs him of his memories.
Link was pretty much emotionless as the chosen knight 100 years ago, but he awakes to a time where he is relatively unknown. Only a few people who were around then are still alive. Freed from the attention and expectations of the people and without any memory of the past, this era's Link is more expressive and lighthearted than the stoic knight he was before."
Link, also known as the Hero of Hyrule, is the primary protagonist in Breath of the Wild.
One hundred years prior to the game's current events, Link was chosen by the Master Sword to become wielder of the sacred blade and the one who would defeat Calamity Ganon. At the same time, Link was made Princess Zelda's appointed knight, and most of Link's memories entail his journeys during this time as Princess Zelda's protector.
Link's skill as a knight came with ease, something that Princess Zelda was continually jealous of and angry about when looking at her own continued failures to discover the Goddess Hylia's power that rested within. At first, their relationship was tense, and Zelda assured Link that she did not need his protection. However, as Link continued to fearlessly protect her and with Calamity Ganon's imminent return, she began to open up to him and discovered that the two were not so different.
Upon Calamity Ganon's return, events rapidly took a turn to disaster as Ganon used its powers to take over Hyrule Castle, and to corrupt both the Guardians and the Divine Beasts. With nowhere left to run, Link and Zelda were left to fight on their own and survive in a world they could no longer combat. In an open field outside Hyrule, Link bravely stood against a Guardian with his last breath, continuing to defend Zelda and fulfill his role. While at this moment Zelda unlocked her true power after instead defending Link, the hero collapsed to the ground and died in Zelda's arms.
However, when all hope was lost, the Master Sword began to glow with a blue aura and a voice from within the sword spoke to Princess Zelda. The voice was Fi, who was still present within the blade after the events of Skyward Sword. Fi told Zelda that Link could still be saved if taken to the Shrine of Resurrection, where after a slumber he would eventually be revived, ready to face Calamity Ganon once more.
After one hundred years had passed, Link was awoken by Princess Zelda's voice. It is here that the game and Link's journey begins, as he attempts to regain his memories, strength, and the ability to defeat Calamity Ganon before he breaks free to destroy the world. After freeing all four Divine Beasts from Ganon's control, Link makes his way to the Sanctum of Hyrule Castle. After defeating Calamity Ganon, and his pure form of evil known as Dark Beast Ganon, Princess Zelda seals away Ganon and both Link and Zelda finally fulfill their roles as the protectors of Hyrule.
Link is shown to be an extremely capable swordsman before Calamity Ganon's return, managing to earn the respect of the Master Sword, as well as taking down some of Ganon's strongest enemies singlehandedly. After regaining his memories and with the help of ancient Sheikah technology, such as the Sheikah Slate, Link recovers his former abilities and reclaims the Master Sword once again.
Throughout Breath of the Wild, Link often has an uneasy relationship with many of the characters. Some, such as the Zora, blame Link for the death of the Champions and Hyrule's demise. Others, such as Revali and other Champions, never believed in Link's ability, and did not see him as the hero that would save Hyrule. After Link freed each of the Divine Beasts and their respective Champions' spirits, they changed their mind and stood behind Link when he eventually faced Calamity Ganon in Hyrule Castle.
Princess Zelda's Diary is the first text in the series to give an explanation for Link's persistent silence. The diary states that with so many people watching him, and with so much at stake, Link feels it necessary to stay strong and silently bear any burden. This, in turn, causes him to stop expressing his thoughts and feelings, and rather, work to fulfill the duty he was chosen for.
Breath of the Wild Gallery
Models & Screenshots
Wearing the Champion's Tunic from Breath of the Wild
Wearing the Hylian Set from Breath of the Wild
Wearing the Stealth Set from Breath of the Wild
Wearing the Vai Gerudo Clothes from Breath of the Wild
Wearing the Desert Voe Set from Breath of the Wild
Wearing the Rubber Set from Breath of the Wild
Wearing the Radiant Set (in daylight) from Breath of the Wild
Wearing the Phantom Set from Breath of the Wild
Wearing Midna's Helmet from Breath of the Wild
Artwork
- Main article: Gallery:Link#Breath of the Wild
Link readying an arrow
Link firing an arrow
Link on a horse rearing up
Artwork used for US & Japanese covers
Artwork used for European covers
Artwork used for DLC1: The Master Trials
Artwork used for DLC2: The Champions' Ballad
Artwork used for DLC2: The Champions' Ballad (Link version)
Key art used for Expansion Pass promotion
Creating a Champion cover
Link and Zelda
Link with a horse in Breath of the Wild artwork
Age of Calamity
"A skilled swordsman serving the royal family of Hyrule. Born to a line of imperial guards, he is renowned for his fighting skills and courage."
Weapons
- One-Handed Weapons
- Two-Handed Weapons
- Spears
Quests
Age of Calamity Gallery
Artwork
In Soldier Set
Link in Champion's Tunic with Guardian Flail
Icons
Loading icon
Tears of the Kingdom
When Tears of the Kingdom begins, Link and Zelda are exploring Beneath Hyrule Castle after Gloom started appearing. The pair find the corpse of Ganondorf, which comes to life and destroys the cavern. In the process, Ganondorf destroys Link's right arm and leaves the Master Sword decayed. Zelda falls into the crumbling ground and Link attempts to save her, but is unable to, and she disappears into a bright light. The mysterious hand that was holding Ganondorf in place saves Link and takes him to an unknown land.
Link awakens on the Great Sky Island with a functioning, but not normal, right arm. A voice guides him outside, after which he obtains the Purah Pad and reaches the Temple of Time. Unable to open it, Rauru instructs him to explore the shrines on the island and obtain their power. Through this, he obtains various abilities - Ultrahand, Fuse, and Ascend. This allows him to enter the Temple of Time, through which a vision of Zelda grants him a fourth ability - Recall. Link explores a fourth shrine, which gives him the health necessary to open the door to the back of the Temple. Here, he finds a bright ball of light, which he places the Master Sword into. The Sword disappears and travels back in time to Zelda. Zelda asks Link to find her in Hyrule, and Link makes his descent down to land.
In Hyrule, Link meets up with Purah at Lookout Landing. She finds Link's stories about all that has transpired to be wild, but advises him to meetup with the crew at Hyrule Castle for more information. While there, Link sees "Zelda" in the distance before she flies into the Sky and disappears. Purah advises that Link investigate the Regional Phenomena that have been occurring all across Hyrule to see if there is any connection.
At this point Link travels across Hyrule, helping to resolve the problems of the Rito, Gorons, Zora, and Gerudo. At each he defeats the monsters that the Demon King had sent, and at each he sees more images of "Zelda", who repeatedly disappears in front of him. When the people of Lookout Landing see "Zelda" on the floating Hyrule Castle, he flies there and chases her down. When he finds her at the Sanctum, Ganondorf appears and explains his ploy of a lookalike Zelda to distract Link while Ganondorf's power grows. Ganondorf attempts to kill Link by summoning Phantom Ganon, who Link defeats. He then attacks Link with Gloom, though the Sages prevent this from working.
Purah realizes that there was a sixth Sage in the description of the Imprisoning War who is unaccounted for. Link finds this Sage, Mineru, in the Depths, and constructs a body for her spirit to reside in. Mineru explains to Link a story of the Imprisoning War and her experiences with Zelda in the past. Zelda worked to restore the Master Sword to its normal, evil banishing state. Link now needs to find the Sword somewhere in Hyrule.
After traveling to meet the Great Deku Tree and resolving his Gloom affliction, the Tree tells Link that he can still sense the Sword's presence. He does not know, however, why the Sword is moving across Hyrule. Link finds the Sword impaled into the head of the Light Dragon and, after restoring enough of his own Stamina, retrieves it. He is given another vision of Zelda, who says that the Master Sword is key to defeating Ganondorf, and she invested her power into it.
Link then travels deep into the Depths to find Ganondorf, traveling down the same path he and Zelda originally explored. After he and the Sages fight off the Demon King's Army, Link bests him in one on one combat. The Demon King makes one final attempt to annihilate Hyrule, and consumes his Secret Stone, turning him into the Demon Dragon. With the help of the Light Dragon, Link destroys the Demon Dragon and Ganondorf.
After Ganondorf's defeat, Rauru and Sonia use their remaining power to change the Light Dragon into its original form - Princess Zelda. As Link and Zelda fall to the ground, he successfully saves her. Zelda awakens, and is happy to see that Link was able to obtain the Master Sword and defeat Ganondorf.
Tears of the Kingdom Gallery
Artwork
Key art
Other games and media
Gallery
"Era of the Wilds" Link costume from Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
"Era of the Wilds" Link from Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
Artwork of Link wearing the Champion's Tunic in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Artwork of Link wearing the Tunic of the Wild in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate box
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Breath of the Wild Link The Legend of Zelda Concert 2018 promotional art, with Kass' accordion
