Hookshot

The Hookshot, as seen in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

The Hookshot is Link's grab move in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee. It is also Young Link's grab in Melee. In Melee, the size of the chain differs depending on the user but is otherwise identical. Both characters could use it as a last effort to return to the stage, like Samus's grapple beam; however, it doesn't automatically aim itself and can miss.

It returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as Toon Link's grab move. It now automatically targets the edge of the stage when preforming a Tether Recovery, which is now used by many characters. This version of the Hookshot is styled after its appearance in The Wind Waker. Aside from it's appearance and auto targeting, it is seemingly unchanged from Young Link's version of the Hook shot.

For Link the move is replaced by the Clawshot to fit his Twilight Princess look.

Clawshot

The Clawshot in action.

The Clawshot is Link's new grab move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. For the game, the name and design have been changed to fit the Twilight Princess design of Link. This move can be used as a Tether Recovery. In contrast to the Hookshot of Super Smash Bros. Melee, the Clawshot automatically targets the nearest ledge when using it as a tether recovery, which avoids the targeting process of the Hookshot, which was deemed too difficult. Aside from it's name, appearance and Auto targeting, the move is unchanged from Link's version of the Hookshot.