Down Thrust

The Down Thrust,^{(TMC | CoH)[1][2]} also known as the Downthrust,^(TAoL)[3] and Down Thrust Attack,^(FSA)[4] is a recurring ability in the The Legend of Zelda series.^{[note 1]} It is performed by Link by jumping into the air, positioning his Sword underneath him pointing downwards, and landing on enemies sword-first to stab them from above. This technique made its debut in The Adventure of Link and has since become one of the hero's signature special moves, though it isn't as common as the Spin Attack or Jump Attack.

The Jump Thrust technique introduced in the same game is the polar opposite, as Link thrusts his sword straight up as he leaps, instead.

Overview

The Adventure of Link

In The Adventure of Link, the Down Thurst is taught to Link by a Hyrulean Knight living in the Harbor Town of Mido. However, since the main door is locked from the inside, Link must use the Jump Spell to reach the second story of the house and thus enter through its open door. The knight at the end of the basement will on Link's new skill upon talking to him.^[6] This technique proves to be useful when fighting enemies such as Daira, Fokka, Moas, or enemies that are too small to attack normally, such as Myu. When used with the Power Glove, the Down Thrust allows Link to crush rocks inside the many Temples of Hyrule.

Four Swords

In Four Swords, the Roc's Cape is required to use the Down Thrust, as it is they only way for the Links to jump.

Four Swords Adventures

In Four Swords Adventures, while the Links are jumping with the Roc's Feather or falling from ledges, they can perform this technique by pressing down on the Control Stick and the attack button at the same time. Upon landing, the attack will send out shockwaves, although they will not cause any damage to the enemies nearby. Like in The Adventure of Link, the Down Thrust can be used to break Rocks.

The Minish Cap

In The Minish Cap, the Down Thrust is a Tiger Scroll technique learned from Swiftblade. It also requires the use of the Roc's Cape.

Breath of the Wild

In Breath of the Wild, Link can perform the Down Thrust while using the Paraglider. When Link lands on the ground, he will send out a shockwave that will damage nearby enemies and knock them of their feet, disarming them. If Link lands on an enemy first, he will damage and disarm them before landing on the ground and creating the shockwave.

Crossover appearances

Cadence of Hyrule

Trivia

• The Ending Blow taught by the Hero's Spirit in Twilight Princess works very similarly to the Down Thrust, but is only used on enemies that are knocked down, including Ganondorf (which was used for the final blow). This also applies to the Fatal Blow and Parry Attack for the finishing blows of Demise and Ganondorf, respectively, in Skyward Sword and The Wind Waker.
• In A Link to the Past, Link performs a similar move when using the Quake Medallion.
  • Ironically, in the GBA remake, the four Dark Links during the final challenge in the Palace of the Four Sword are able to perform a Down Thrust using the Quake Medallion animation, which can prove difficult to dodge.

Nomenclature

Gallery

• 
  Link performing the Down Thrust in Super Smash Bros. Melee
• 
  Young Link performing the Down Thrust in Super Smash Bros. Melee
• 
  Link performing the Down Thrust in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
• 
  Toon Link performing the Down Thrust in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
• 
  Link performing the Down Thrust in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
• 
  Toon Link performing the Down Thrust in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
• 
  The special Down Thrust via Parry Attack onto Ganondorf for the final blow in The Wind Waker
• 
  The Ending Blow, a special Down Thrust used in Twilight Princess
• 
  The defeat of Demise by a special Down Thrust via Fatal Blow in Skyward Sword

Notes

References