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The '''Ice Climbers''' ({{ja|アイスクライマー|Aisu Kuraimā}}, ''Ice Climber'') are playable fighters in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. Alongside the rest of the veterans, they were confirmed on June 12th, 2018. Unlike ''Ultimate''{{'}}s predecessors, the Ice Climbers are now [[unlockable character|unlockable]], instead of being available from the [[starter character|start]]. Although they are a tag-team, the Ice Climbers are collectively classified as [[Fighter number|Fighter #15]]. | |||
{{s|wikipedia|Sanae Kobayashi}} voices the Ice Climbers once again in all regions, using a combination of new voice-clips and recycled ones from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''. | |||
The Ice Climbers are | The Ice Climbers are ranked 51st out of 82 on the ''Ultimate'' [[tier list]], placing them at the top of C+ tier. This is a drastic fall from their previous placement in ''Brawl'', ranking 2nd out of 38, and is by far their worst placement in the series to date. The Ice Climbers are known for having some of the greatest damage output across the cast, which is supplemented by their quick frame-data and excellent KO potential. Their relatively small size and low [[crouch]] also makes him rather hard to hit; their crouch especially allows them to avoid most grabs and some attacks. Even then, their hammers are [[disjointed hitbox]]es, giving them good range for their size. Their grab game still remains among the best across the cast; [[forward throw]] and [[back throw]] can leave the opponent in very unfavorable positions, while [[up throw]] and [[down throw]] can start combos at lower precents and KO at very high precents. Finally, their [[special move]]set boasts flexible versatility: [[Squall Hammer]] and [[Blizzard]] can both start/extend combos, [[Ice Shot]] is a decent zoning tool, and [[Belay]] is an excellent [[recovery]] for both climbers. | ||
However, if the partner is gone, the remaining climber will be drastically weakened, especially in terms of raw power and recovery. The fact that the partner has less endurance and flawed [[artificial intelligence]] compared to the leader further amplifies this issue. In addition, the Ice Climbers both have rather poor endurance, as their moderately light [[weight]] makes them susceptible to early KOs. Their poor mobility, as well as a lack of reliable projectiles, hoists a lot of problems in the [[neutral game]]. Despite having disjoints, their range is still relatively lackluster, giving them trouble approaching and fighting those that can outrange them. Finally, while covering considerable distance, their [[recovery]] is rather predictable and situational, as Belay and Squall Hammer travel rather linear distances, while their poor [[air speed]] and [[falling speed|floatiness]] make them vulnerable to edgeguarding. | |||
Overall, while not as dominating as before, the duo still retain the tools to beat out every matchup once their [[desynching|desynced]] combos and [[zero-to-death]]s have been fully mastered. As such, they still maintain excellent success in competitive play due to the efforts of players such as {{Sm|Harasen}}, {{Sm|Futari no Kiwami Ah~!}} and especially {{Sm|Big D}}. | |||
==How to unlock== | ==How to unlock== | ||
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==Attributes== | ==Attributes== | ||
The Ice Climbers are a pair of [[weight|middleweight]]s (weighing | The Ice Climbers are a pair of short [[weight|middleweight]]s (weighing the same as {{SSBU|Lucario}}, {{SSBU|Wolf}}, {{SSBU|Villager}}, {{SSBU|Mythra}}, and {{SSBU|Steve}}, residing them at the lower end of the weight class) who, true to their franchise, are known for being a slow, yet floaty duo. Together, they have the 34th highest [[jump]]ing height, the 14th lowest [[gravity]] (tied with {{SSBU|Mewtwo}} and {{SSBU|Ivysaur}}), are tied with {{SSBU|Wii Fit Trainer}} and {{SSBU|Isabelle}} for the 8th-10th slowest [[fast fall]]ing and [[falling speed]]s, the 46th fastest [[walk]]ing speeds, the 47th fastest [[dash]]ing speeds, the 21st-22nd highest [[air acceleration]], and the 9th-slowest [[air speed]]. The leader also has the 35th slowest walking speed, the 18th slowest [[running]] speed, is tied with {{SSBU|Ganondorf}} for the 3rd-4th slowest [[air speed]], and is tied with {{SSBU|Banjo & Kazooie}} for the 10th slowest [[initial dash]]. While their [[traction]] is the 2nd lowest in the game (surpassed by {{SSBU|Mii Gunner}} and {{SSBU|Banjo & Kazooie}}), their traction is among the highest in the game by the conditions of [[slippery]] surfaces, such as ice, due to wearing ice cleats. Due to these statistics, the Ice Climbers have difficulty approaching opponents, although [[wavedashing]] compensates that to a degree. In addition, their decent initial dash grants above-average distance, giving them a good [[fox-trotting|foxtrot]]. | ||
Unique to a majority of the roster, the Ice Climbers are the archetypical tag-team fighters in ''Ultimate''. Together, however, each Ice Climber is a unique character in their own right. The partner (Nana, by default) is controlled by a [[CPU]] and mimics what the leader (Popo, by default) performs with a seven-frame delay. As such, the player is essentially controlling a pair of characters at the same time with slight tweaks; the partner has increased mobility, worse [[artificial intelligence]], they will inflict less damage, receive more damage, and are knocked back farther than the leader. When separated, the partner's AI takes control over their movement, and guides them back to the leader, ignoring most opponents in their path. While one Ice Climber deals respectable damage and can KO opponents rather easily on their own, the two's power combined can make them formidable. This is supplemented by the majority of the Ice Climbers' attacks being characterized by quick speed, which allows them to consistently apply pressure to their opponents, especially against characters that cannot outmatch their attacking speed without getting heavily punished for it, such as {{SSBU|Palutena}}. | |||
Most of the Ice Climbers' grounded moveset is fairly quick and disjointed, allowing for versatile usage. Their [[neutral attack]] is quick, hits twice, and launches at a low angle, making this attack fairly good at guaranteeing follow-ups at lower percentages, giving the duo a reliable stun-lock, and allowing the Ice Climbers a quick option to keep opponents away from them, making it a useful get-off-me tool that deals respectable damage to boot. [[Forward tilt]] can be angled, and has a chance to trip opponents. It has impressive knockback growth, and can KO fellow middleweights at about 135% at the edge of Final Destination. Their [[up tilt]] is short-ranged and weak, but one of the Ice Climbers' most effective tools in their kit, hitting multiple times with low knockback and dealing excellent damage. It also allows for a direct chain into a series of [[up aerial]]s until about 115%, making it paramount in initiating combos. [[Down tilt]] is one of their quickest grounded moves, acting as a strong semi-spike that can KO at high percentages by the edge, and making follow-ups into [[dash attack]] or similar moves very easy. [[Dash attack]] has relatively fast start-up lag, can [[cross-up]] shields, sends opponents above the leader for quick transitions into up aerials, comparatively to up tilt. It also propels each Ice Climber forward, making it a viable tool for approaching. While it is useful in starting aerial combos, it can KO at very high precents while nearing the upper blast zone. | |||
Complimenting their tilts, the Ice Climbers' [[smash attacks]] are some of the strongest in the game while being surprisingly quick and rather safe for their power, making them very useful and excellent KO options in their disposal. [[Forward smash]] is the duo's strongest smash attack, dealing impressive damage despite its quick speed, and respectable knockback even at lower percentages, reliably KOing at about 70% at edge of the stage. [[Up smash]] is similarly powerful, sending opponents flying quite early and KOing fellow middleweights under 115% on grounded levels. While the move's particularly slower start-up and ending lag and mediocre base knockback make it more situational as a KOing option, it is still viable due to its quick speed, impressive damage output and respectable power. It hits in a wide area directly above and behind the Ice Climbers. [[Down smash]] launches opponents at a diagonal angle, and is the weakest of the duo's smash attacks, but is still among the strongest of its kind as it KOs middleweights at 105% at the center of Final Destination without [[rage]]. Its instantenous start-up lag also especially makes it useful as a burst or emergency KO option when none of their other options yield better results. Each Climber sweep in specific directions, allowing this move to catch rolls and surprise opponents who approach from behind. However, with only a single Ice Climber present, they become vulnerable to rolls due to the lack of a hitbox from behind. | |||
The Ice Climbers' aerial game is among the best in ''Ultimate'', being the basis of most of their combos and useful for KOs at higher precents. [[Neutral aerial]] is short-ranged, and deals weak knockback, but is also quick to start and has a long-lasting hitbox, making it passable as a [[gimp]]ing tool. When an opponent is launched upward, it also can add on some extra damage when using up tilt is unfavorable, or launch opponents directly forward to set up an edgeguard. It is also a fairly strong [[sex kick]], as the clean hit KOs fellow middleweights at about 165% by the edge with rage. [[Forward aerial]] is a disjointed and powerful hammer-swing, which deals heavy damage and is surprisingly safe for its power due to its moderate ending lag and low landing lag. While the move's sourspot can KO earlier than 135% by center stage, the partner's version of the move has a sweetspot that hides a very strong [[meteor smash]] that can net a KO at impressively low precents offstage, and acts as one of the Ice Climbers' most viable [[edgeguard]]ing tools in their kit. [[Back aerial]] can be a useful move for its quickness, large, disjointed hitbox, and respectable knockback, KOing as early as 105% when edgeguarding with it. It is deceptively strong offstage as such, and when used properly, it can allow for a [[stage spike]] and particularly useful edgeguard. It is also safe on shield, with the following Ice Climber's attack actually being positive on shield. [[Up aerial]] is the duo's strongest aerial and one of their best KO options in their kit onstage. The move has excellent juggling capabilities at low percents, and KOs most opponents at around 110-125% when used out of a [[down throw]]. [[Down aerial]] is a [[stall-then-fall]] that covers the entirety of the Ice Climbers' underside, and moves slightly diagonally forward, making it excellent at punishing opponents who attempt to juggle them and getting out of disadvantage. While the leader's attack can only KO at very high precentages, the partner's attack completely offsets that; it is a steep [[semi-spike]] that KOs middleweights at around 125% by the edge. In addition, it can be effectively used out of a short hop to attack opponents directly in front of the Ice Climbers, while also being quick to act out of makes it situational for edgeguards. | |||
The | The removal of [[chain grab]]bing (and by extension, [[wobbling]]) means that the duo's [[grab]] game has become more situational and in-line with the rest of the roster, limiting its effectiveness. However, while it is not as potent as it once was, the Ice Climber's grab game is still outstanding and among the best across the cast. The Ice Climber's grab itself has been vastly changed. For starters, only the leader grabs opponents, while the partner cheers. This means that the duo can no longer grab more than one opponent at a time. Additionally, the Ice Climbers have the shortest-ranged set of grabs in the game, making it risky to attempt to grab in the first place. However, this is compensated by their grabs being among the fastest in the game. [[Forward throw]] is a basic throw with moderately strong base knockback and causes [[tumble]] from 0%, which allows it to open options for a [[tech chase|tech-chase]] or lead into an edgeguard, while its moderate knockback growth allows it to KO at very high precents at the edge with rage. [[Back throw]] has incredible base knockback at the expense of minimal knockback scaling, making it difficult to use in either combos or as a KO option, but useful in desyncs and leading to edgeguards. [[Up throw]] notably allows quick access to juggling with up aerial and leads to various follow-ups at lower precents, while it can KO at very high precentages near the upper blast zone. By far, [[down throw]] is factorized as the duo's best component of their grab game; it can KO middleweights at around 180% with rage, while it is capable of initiating aerial combos or follow-ups, desynced combos, KO confirms and juggles at low precents, all of which can be devastating. All of their aerials excluding down aerial can all be used for combos out of down throw and the opponent's placement in air can make it difficult for them to escape from a combo once it has been started, especially if desynced. | ||
The Ice Climbers' [[special]] | The Ice Climbers' [[special move]]set has very flexible versatility. Their [[neutral special move]], [[Ice Shot]], has the duo each create a slab of ice that slides across the stage, shrinking as they melt. Unlike most projectiles, the ice acts more like a [[container]] or [[soccer ball]] in that the incoming projectile is completely stop, allowing the Ice Climbers to counter most projectile-spam playstyles more easily. At extremely high percents, it can also freeze opponents, allowing use of setups or reads. If the ice get attacked by a move that deals damage, the projectile's ownership will change, allowing it to harm the Ice Climbers if collided with. The ice's decent amount of hitstun also make it useful for edgeguarding. Their [[side special]], [[Squall Hammer]], is a respectable mobility-based tool for racking up damage and approaching while being relatively safe on shield or cross-ups. Upon excessively continued presses, the attack can cover distance for recovering, which renders them [[helpless]] after usage. It is also one of the easiest methods to access desyncs available to the player. Meanwhile, the finishing hit can KO at high precentages while nearing the blast zones. Their [[up special]], [[Belay]], covers an excellent amount of distance and functions as a [[tether recovery]] as it auto-grabs any ledges within range, making it one of the best recoveries in the game. The following Ice Climber also has a window of full [[invincibility]] during its entire duration until pulling up the leader, which makes it useful for punishing or as a situational [[counterattack]] with proper timing. The partner also has a very situational, albeit strong hitbox on the way up, allowing for an early KO from the top blast zones, or a means to apply extra damage at the end of an aerial combo. Finally, [[down special]], [[Blizzard]], is a slow, read-based punishing tool that freezes opponents in their tracks and deals significant amounts of damage at point-blank range. Using the attack while an opponent is already frozen increases the freeze time slightly and can allow the duo to make space between them and their opponent if need be, or tack on extra damage while frozen. Specifically, this move is especially formidable when edgeguarding, as freezing an opponent near the edges of a stage can make it easy to nudge them off without any means to escape and/or recover. It also has [[priority]] over some other projectiles and can cancel them if the two collide. Overall, the duo's specials are all useful in specific situations and can help to create openings for additional combos or surprise KOs. | ||
An | An extremely prominent factor of playing Ice Climbers is learning how to consistently perform a crucial technique, called [[desynching]]. It is an advanced technique that allows a player to manipulate the following Ice Climber into acting slower than normally. At its most basic form, whenever the following Ice Climber is not within a specific range of the leader, the partner's AI will take manual control of the partner and return it to the leader. During this time, none of the leader's inputs are read by the partner and its AI inputs are prioritized until it has returned to the leader, and might act independently of the leader's current movements being performed. Using desyncs can allow for some remarkable combos, zero-to-deaths and setups that are completely impossible with other fighters. | ||
However, the Ice Climbers have noticeable flaws, with the biggest one being the remaining climber being drastically weakened without the partner, similar to {{SSBU|Rosalina & Luma}}. While having outstanding damage output and KO potential, it becomes heavily diminished if the partner is KO'd, and the fact that the partner sustains more damage/knockback and has flawed [[artificial intelligence]] further compounds this issue. In addition, due to the duo's fairly sub-par [[weight]] combined with being among the lightest middleweights in the game, their endurance is also unimpressive, making them quite vulnerable to early KOs, especially vertically due to their floatiness. [[Rage]] further pronounces these flaws, since damaged opponents can send the duo flying even earlier without leaving them much means of benefiting from their own rage due to their sub-par endurance. To make matters worse, if the leader is KO'd before the partner, the game counts the partner as KO'd as well. When separated, the AI guides the partner back to the leader and the partner is unable to act and defend themselves from any threats. When the leader is grabbed by an opponent, the partner will act shocked or scared and cannot attack until the leader has escaped or been thrown, which now makes previously near-guaranteed escapes from grabs impossible. The partner also has their own hidden percentage that racks up separately of the leader's and can make it easy for an opponent to KO them first. Because of this, it is important for the leader to hurry back to the partner in an attempt at defending them, though this can potentially lead the leader into dangerous situations as well. Their [[recovery]], despite covering a considerable distance, is also largely situational and predictable. If the partner is unable to reach the ledge, it can put the leader at a disadvantage, even if they successfully return back to the stage. Since the partner flings the leader at a greater height, it is possible to overshoot the ledge, leaving the leader unable to defend themselves while descending helplessly onstage due to their floatiness. In addition, Belay and Squall Hammer travel rather linear distances, and the former often inadvertently costs the partner if not [[tether recovery|tethered]], while their slow [[air speed]] and floatiness make them vulnerable to edgeguarding. Should the CPU-controlled Ice Climber get KO'd during the stock, the remaining Ice Climber will have drastically nerfed damage output, KO ability, and recovery, with Belay becoming practically useless and Squall Hammer losing a good deal of distance (whereas with both Ice Climbers, they are excellent recovering tools). | |||
Barring their situational projectile from Ice Shot, the Ice Climbers | Outside of the issues of the following Ice Climber, the duo's moveset comes with its own problems. Barring their situational projectile from [[Ice Shot]], the Ice Climbers lack a reliable projectile and can be easily [[camping|camped out]] or their projectiles turned against them. In addition, while the duo have surprisingly great range for their size due to their [[disjointed hitbox]]es, their overall [[range]] still remains sub-par. This is worsened considering the fact that their hammers are among the shortest of any weapon. As such, characters with superior disjoints can easily outrange them (specifically swordies)—notable examples being {{SSBU|Marth}} or {{SSBU|Sephiroth}}. Conversely, Blizzard's range has been nerfed significantly and is dangerous to use liberally. When combined with their poor mobility, this combines to give the duo major difficulty approaching, especially against the likes of speed demons (like {{SSBU|Fox}} or {{SSBU|Sonic}}). The duo are also vulnerable to [[juggling]], due to their aforementioned slow [[falling speed|falling]] and [[air speed]]s. Furthermore, the duo suffer from the loss of a few important tools between the transition from ''Brawl'' to ''Ultimate''. Arguably, the changes that impair the Ice Climbers most are the changes to grab-based mechanics in ''Ultimate''. The additional period of intangibility between grabs and the partner's lack of a grab makes the Ice Climbers' previously most potent tool, chain grabbing, impossible. This significantly impedes their damage output compared to ''Brawl'' or ''Melee'' and no longer gives the Ice Climbers an almost guaranteed stock off of a single grab. Desynching, in itself, can also have certain drawbacks. An accidental desync off of up tilt or down throw might make it more difficult to follow-up with the duo's combos, or can even cause the partner's attack to miss entirely, hindering the duo's damage-racking capabilities. Desyncing can also leave the following Ice Climber vulnerable because of the increase in reaction time between the leader and the partner and nerfed defenses; in particular, abilities, such as [[dodging]] and jumping, are significantly delayed, giving the opponent ample time to counterattack if properly read. Finally, the Ice Climbers suffer from being rather predictable and are forced to endure a severely poor disadvantage state. Because of their reliance on mid-air combos and some situational oddities, the general playstyle of the Ice Climbers can be easily picked apart and exploited early on in a match. In cases like this, it can become difficult, if not impossible to return to neutral or even win trade-offs without having to take serious risks. | ||
Overall, the Ice Climbers can be | Overall, the Ice Climbers are an interesting tag-team duo who offer amazing potential with practice, unlike other archetypical tag-team characters. Similar to {{SSBU|Rosalina & Luma}}, the duo's playstyle is a polarizing hybrid of the tag-team and glass cannon archetypes, being gifted with an extremely versatile moveset, with an outstanding damage output and combo game, excellent KO potential, dominating offstage presence, a long and flexible recovery, an impressive [[out of shield]] game despite their low traction, along with a formidable grab game in conjunction with desyncs, although they are compensated with their poor endurance, the partner's awkward properties and lackluster defensive game. The inherent complexity of controlling two characters at once can also be difficult to understand for new players, and combined with their somewhat situational moveset, and severe handicaps when the partner is lost are considerable barriers of entry. However, learning the quirks of the pair, especially desynching, can open an incredibly potent and powerful game-plan. This includes long and relatively free-form combos, many being zero-to-death options—some even being true—as well as other unique setups and mix-ups that very few characters have any proper answers for. While the aforementioned strengths and weaknesses have led to a relatively small pool of players that main the Ice Climbers, those that do and put in the effort to learn their intricacies are frequently able to bulldoze their opponents better than almost the entire roster. | ||
==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''== | ==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''== | ||
Near the end of both ''Melee'' and ''Brawl'', the Ice Climbers were considered one of the best characters among the roster due to being known for possessing arguably the greatest damage-racking capability in both installments via [[wobbling]] in the former game and infinite [[chain grab]]bing in the latter game; in particular, the Ice Climbers can even acheive a guaranteed early KO and/or [[zero-to-death]] after using them, although both of those aforementioned tactics required great practice to pull off. Most likely owing to this, the Ice Climbers received a plethora of buffs and nerfs in the transition from ''Brawl'' to ''Ultimate'', being drastically nerfed overall, although not enough to outweigh their received buffs. | |||
The Ice Climbers' KO potential and damage output have been further improved: a sizeable portion of their moveset, including [[forward smash]], [[down smash]] and [[forward aerial]], inflict more damage while retaining disproportional KO power, while other moves, such as their [[aerial attack]]s and [[up smash]], have increased knockback values as a whole. In addition, all of their throws (sans [[back throw]]) are now capable of KOing at very high precentages, giving the Ice Climbers access to newfound KO options that were previously absent from their kit; this further extends the prevalance of the Ice Climbers' most prominent key strengths in ''Ultimate'', their damage-racking capability and KO potential. | |||
The | The universal reduction of [[landing lag]] has also exponentially benefitted their aerials. Known for possessing high landing lag in their attacks in ''Brawl'', all of their aerials now have among the lowest landing lag relative to the cast in ''Ultimate''. This not only improves the safety of his aerials, but now gives them the capability to lead into follow-ups in conjunction with [[desynching]]. The Ice Climbers also have a drastically improved [[combo]] game on their own due to the removal of [[hitstun canceling]], the weakening of [[SDI]], and the aforementioned desynching remaining mostly intact, although the removal of hitstun canceling comes at the expense of making the Ice Climbers more vulnerable to combos themselves. In addition to the universal 3-frame [[jumpsquat]], this allows the Ice Climbers to make better utility of their aerial attacks. Thanks to ''Ultimate''{{'}}s improved [[freezing]] properties, [[Blizzard]] can also freeze opponents easier and longer, which can lead to high damage output, access to early and guaranteed KOs while edgeguarding, shield pressure, and follow-ups if performed correctly. | ||
Outside of this, the | However, the Ice Climbers have received several noticeable nerfs, with the most devastating ones revolving around their [[grab]] game. In particular, the Ice Climbers' grab game was drastically and adversely affected the most; the following Ice Climber now lacks the ability to grab and/or controllably act when the leader is grabbed or throwing an opponent (excluding when the partner is in the air). In addition to the expansion of invulnerability to grabs after a [[grab release]], this dramatically alters how their combo game functions: it removes the Climbers' extremely powerful [[chain grab]]bing technique in ''Brawl'' and, by extension, [[wobbling]] in ''Melee'', instead forcing them to rely on [[desynching]] in order to combo the opponent at the fullest. Moreover, the leader's grabs, while still quick relative to the cast, have noticeably more startup and ending lag, and much less range, now being the shortest set of grabs in the game. Outside of this, the Ice Climbers' moveset have received various reductions to their damage output and a considerable portion of their moveset connect less reliably and consistently when the Ice Climbers are together during the stock due to the reduction of [[hitlag]]. The following Ice Climber also has significantly worsened endurance compared to the leader due to sustaining 1.02x times increased damage/knockback from attacks, and the partner's [[artificial intelligence]] is now flawed, leading to more likely inadvertent [[self-destruct]]s and making it harder to maintain both Ice Climbers during the current stock. Upon using [[Blizzard]], the following climber also no longer performs it behind the leader when Blizzard is performed on the ground, and the move itself is less effective as a [[spacing]] tool due to its lack of knockback at maximum proximity. Finally, due to the changes in [[Belay]]'s hitboxes, the move's height can be drastically reduced if the hitbox is [[priority|out-prioritized]], and its overall size is smaller, making it harder to connect against grounded opponents. | ||
Universal changes to ''Ultimate''{{'}}s engine both assist and impair the Ice Climbers. The universal growth to mobility has improved the Ice Climbers' ability to approach and chase down their opponents; in particular, the partner is significantly more mobile compared to the leader, which makes them harder to separate. However, since their overall mobility still remains slow relative to the cast, their problematic matchups against speed demons from their previous incarnations still remain in ''Ultimate'', although the reintroduction of [[wavedashing]] compensates for that by restoring their fearsome grounded approach from ''Melee''. [[Dash-canceling]]'s expanded utility also improves the utility of their grounded attacks. The increased [[shieldstun]] and increased startup on [[shield grab]]bing notably benefits the Ice Climbers' safety on hit, due to their moveset's natural high damage output and low ending lag, making them harder to punish, yet it does not drastically compromise the Ice Climbers' own punishes due to their quick grabs, formidable grab game and improved [[out of shield]] game. Conversely, the universal nerfs to grabs make it riskier for the Ice Climbers to throw out one, as their ending lag can prove more punishable, especially since their grabs are now the shortest-ranged in the game. The revamped [[air dodging]] mechanics have significantly improved their [[edgeguarding]] game, and the reintroduction of directional [[air dodging]] has improved their recovery via either using one as a short-ranged recovery without the necessity of using [[Squall Hammer]] or Belay when separated or if the partner is gone, or to extend their recovery in a pinch with both Ice Climbers. However, this has also resulted in their air dodges becoming some of the slowest in the game, and since air dodges can only be performed once while landing, this makes them more vulnerable to edgeguarding and [[juggling]] due to their floatiness and predictable landing options. Finally, the introduction of [[rage]] improves their KO potential to an extent, but due to their rather poor endurance, damaged opponents can benefit from it by sending the Ice Climbers flying even earlier with high levels of it. | |||
Overall, the Ice Climbers are | Overall, the Ice Climbers are drastically less effective than in ''Brawl'' and ''Melee''. Their learning curve has became drastically more steep, as the removal of chain grabbing and [[wobbling]] and weakening of miscellaneous toolkits force them to rely on desynching to perform at full capacity. The duo also retain most of the flaws that plagued them in ''Brawl'' and ''Melee'', such as the difficulty in keeping the partner alive, severe handicaps when the partner is gone, sluggish aerial mobility, and susceptibility to camping, with the former issue being further pronounced as well. As such, the Ice Climbers are by far the most nerfed characters in the transition to ''Ultimate''. Though due to the buffs to both their moveset and the game's engine, combined with the game's updates offering them noticeable benefits and improvements, the duo still remain relatively viable in ''Ultimate'', albeit heavily underperforming compared to ''Melee'' and ''Brawl''. | ||
{{SSB4 to SSBU changelist|char=Ice Climbers}} | {{SSB4 to SSBU changelist|char=Ice Climbers}} | ||
==Update history== | ==Update history== | ||
Aside from glitch fixes and only three nerfs (one of them was eventually addressed), the Ice Climbers have been buffed significantly via game updates. Update 2.0.0 improved the following Ice Climber's [[artificial intelligence]] in order to make them follow the leading Ice Climber more reliably and make unintentional [[self-destruct]]s less possible, though this comes at the expense of making [[desyncing]] harder to perform and requiring more practice to execute successfully. Aside from this, [[Belay]] has been improved for recovery via its enlarged edge-grabbox, allowing it to be used as a safe [[tether recovery]] more reliably that does not often requires to sacrifice the following Ice Climber to recover. | |||
The Ice Climbers' Final Smash ([[Iceberg]]) has been granted rather significant improvements following update 3.0.0, where it increased Iceberg's power via the FS Meter, and especially update 8.0.0, where this update slows the opponents more during Iceberg's startup, sped up Iceberg's appearance and increased the peak's hitbox to make it harder to avoid, and extended the [[Condor]]'s search-radius. The latter buff is especially crucial for the Ice Climbers, as they can grab onto it more easier to control the iceberg without the risk of self-destruction. Aside from Iceberg's improvements, the Ice Climbers also benefit from the universal expansion of shield-sizes in update 7.0.0, making them much less susceptible to shield poking. | |||
Update 9.0.0 granted the Ice Climbers some of the largest improvements. This update slightly addressed one of the Ice Climbers' most overwhelming issues by reducing the partner's damage and knockback-multipliers. Alongside their improved AI since update 2.0.0, this made them less susceptible to being separated from the leader and improved their endurance by making them less vulnerable to early KOs. Belay has also received noticeable improvements, thanks to its tether recovering distance being lengthened and the leader no longer being inadvertently prevented from using it if the partner automatically performed it. Aside from these improvements, a few of their moveset received quality-of-life buffs: dash attack has slightly more range and improved consistency, down smash's knockback has been strengthened, and [[Squall Hammer]] will sweetspot edges earlier, improving its recovering potential. | |||
Finally, update 13.0.1 improved the Ice Climbers once again by granting them a few impressive buffs. Belay's start-up lag was decreased, which improved both its versatility for recovery and utility as a follow-up from up tilt. Comparatively, dash attack's overall frame-data has been improved, which made it safer and improved its utility for setting up aerial pressure or leading into aerial combos. Lastly, down smash's KO power has been improved even further by strengthening its knockback scaling like in update 9.0.0. The latter improvement, in particular, has now made the Ice Climbers' down smash one of the strongest in ''Ultimate''. | |||
Overall, the Ice Climbers fare | Overall, the Ice Climbers fare drastically better than during the launch of ''Ultimate''. Although desynching requires more practice to be performed successfully, their learning curve has became less steep and their neutral game is more viable, as their KO potential has been improved, the Ice Climbers are more difficult to separate from each other and their combo game is more reliable without having to be reliant on desyncs. | ||
'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|1.2.0}}''' | '''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|1.2.0}}''' | ||
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==Moveset== | ==Moveset== | ||
<!-- Since either Ice Climber can be the leader depending on costumes, Nana and Popo are not mentioned by name, so as to not cause confusion.--> | |||
*Although the Ice Climbers have among the lowest [[traction]] in the game, their traction is completely unaffected by slippery [[terrain]], such as ice. | *Although the Ice Climbers have among the lowest [[traction]] in the game, their traction is completely unaffected by slippery [[terrain]], such as ice. | ||
*The | *The following Ice Climber will taunt whenever the leader throws an opponent. | ||
**Additionally, when the | **Additionally, when the leading Ice Climber is grabbed, the partner will panic. | ||
''For a gallery of the Ice Climbers' hitboxes, see [[Ice Climbers (SSBU)/Hitboxes|here]].'' | ''For a gallery of the Ice Climbers' hitboxes, see [[Ice Climbers (SSBU)/Hitboxes|here]].'' | ||
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|neutral1dmg=leader: 2%<br/>partner: 1.5% | |neutral1dmg=leader: 2%<br/>partner: 1.5% | ||
|neutral2dmg=leader: 3.5%<br/>partner 2.625% | |neutral2dmg=leader: 3.5%<br/>partner 2.625% | ||
|neutraldesc= | |neutraldesc=A pair of {{s|wikipedia|one-two combo}} hooks with their hammers. A great "get-off-me" tool that inflicts exceptional damage for a neutral attack with both Ice Climbers to boot. It is extremely quick due to coming out on frame 4, and both hits have somewhat low ending lag. These traits make it effective for [[jab cancel]]ing or as an [[out of shield]] option. Both hits can also [[jab lock]]. | ||
|ftiltname=Side Strike ({{ja|横たたき|Yoko Tataki}}) | |ftiltname=Side Strike ({{ja|横たたき|Yoko Tataki}}) | ||
|ftiltdmg=leader: 9%<br/>partner: 6.75% | |ftiltdmg=leader: 9%<br/>partner: 6.75% | ||
|ftiltdesc= | |ftiltdesc=Throw a horizontal straight roundhouse swipe with their hammers. It is quick, due to coming out on frame 9, possessing low ending lag and can be angled. Due to its high knockback growth, it is able to KO middleweights at around 80%-90% at the edge of {{SSBU|Final Destination}}, with its incredible speed especially making it useful for burst KOing. Its impressive disjoint also makes it viable for [[spacing]]. This makes it a useful 2-framing and [[edgeguarding]] option when angled downwards. | ||
|utiltname=Hammer Spin ({{ja|くるくるハンマー|Kurukuru Hanmā}}, ''Spinning Hammer'') | |utiltname=Hammer Spin ({{ja|くるくるハンマー|Kurukuru Hanmā}}, ''Spinning Hammer'') | ||
|utiltdmg=leader: 0.8% (hits 1 - 6), 4% (hit 7)<br/>partner: 0.6% (hits 1 - 6), 3% (hit 7) | |utiltdmg=leader: 0.8% (hits 1 - 6), 4% (hit 7)<br/>partner: 0.6% (hits 1 - 6), 3% (hit 7) | ||
|utiltdesc= | |utiltdesc=Point their hammers straight up, then twirl them in circles over their heads in a {{s|wikipedia|buzzsaw}}-like manner. This creates a lingering hitbox that hits multiple times. Altogether, it deals excellent damage, making it useful for [[juggling]] and pressuring shields. It is an extremely versatile combo starter at low/medium percents, especially on fast-fallers, due to it coming out on frame 9 and possessing both low ending lag and disjointed range. It can follow up into a chain of [[up aerial]]s at low precents, while it can follow up into [[Belay]] for a guaranteed KO combo at higher precents, especially out of [[Blizzard]]. It also covers the sizable portion of both the hammers and the upper portion of the Ice Climbers' bodies, which can give them protection above them and makes it useful as an anti-air tool despite its rather poor range, especially horizontally. The latter pratically forces the Ice Climbers to stand next to a grounded opponent to land the move in succession. | ||
|dtiltname=Shin Attack ({{ja|スネたたき|Sune Tataki}}) | |dtiltname=Shin Attack ({{ja|スネたたき|Sune Tataki}}) | ||
|dtiltdmg=leader: 6%<br/>partner: 4.5% | |dtiltdmg=leader: 6%<br/>partner: 4.5% | ||
|dtiltdesc= | |dtiltdesc=Sweep their hammers across the ground in front of themselves while crouching. A steep [[semi-spike]] that functions extremely well as both a poking option in neutral and edgeguarding option, thanks to its quick start-up, impressive range, and low ending lag. In addition, it can KO middleweights at around 140% near the edge of Final Destination, and hits low enough to [[shield stab]] opponents with tall hurtboxes. It is fairly spammable due to coming out on frame 8 and possessing minimal ending lag. When coupled with its [[tripping]] potential, and the fact that the Ice Climbers' crouch allows them to dodge several attacks with high hitboxes, it can be a very useful set-up option especially after a crouch. | ||
|dashname=Dash Strike ({{ja|ダッシュたたき|Dasshu Tataki}}) | |dashname=Dash Strike ({{ja|ダッシュたたき|Dasshu Tataki}}) | ||
|dashdmg=leader: 6%<br/>partner: 4.5% | |dashdmg=leader: 6%<br/>partner: 4.5% | ||
|dashdesc=The Ice Climbers leap forward, | |dashdesc=The Ice Climbers leap forward, lunging and ramming their hammers in front of themselves, similar to {{SSBU|Palutena}}'s dash attack. It has decent startup at frame 9 with a fairly long-lasting and disjointed hitbox, and deals vertical knockback to make it effective for initiating aerial pressure or aerial combos. It can also lead into [[cross-up]]s against shielding opponents and can KO middleweights at around 190%/165% on top of the mid/top platforms on Final Destination with high levels of [[rage]], respectively. It also gives the Ice Climbers a substaintial speed-boost and covers good distance, making it reliable for approaching. While it can lead into cross-ups, it is punishable on shield due to its ending lag. | ||
|fsmashname=Stake Smash ({{ja|クイ打ち|Kui Uchi}}) | |fsmashname=Stake Smash ({{ja|クイ打ち|Kui Uchi}}) | ||
|fsmashdmg=leader: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|12}}<br/>partner: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|9}} | |fsmashdmg=leader: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|12}}<br/>partner: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|9}} | ||
|fsmashdesc=The Ice Climbers | |fsmashdesc=Based on their standard and original attack from ''Ice Climber''. The Ice Climbers lift their hammers up, then smash them straight down to the ground. The animation is visually similar to {{SSBU|King Dedede}}'s forward smash. Due to becoming active at frame 11, it is disproportionately quick for a forward smash. It can be angled and the Ice Climbers slam their hammers at moderate distances, giving it deceptively good range. Its clean hitbox also deals respectable damage and has extremely high knockback growth, which makes it a powerful and reliable KOing option. It is among the strongest forward smashes in ''Ultimate''. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights starting at around 70%. The late hitboxes share the amount of KO potential due to their knockback reminaing intact. However, the hitbox has a deceptively short duration compared to the animation, and has noticeable ending lag (33 frames), making it unsafe on shield and punishable without wise usage. A powerful punishing option that is also capable of 2-framing reliably. | ||
|usmashname=Icicle Crasher ({{ja|つらら割り|Tsurara Wari}}) | |usmashname=Icicle Crasher ({{ja|つらら割り|Tsurara Wari}}) | ||
|usmashdmg=leader: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|11}} (hammer), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|9}} (body)<br/>partner: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|8.25}} (hammer), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|6.25}} (body) | |usmashdmg=leader: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|11}} (hammer), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|9}} (body)<br/>partner: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|8.25}} (hammer), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|6.25}} (body) | ||
|usmashdesc= | |usmashdesc=An overhead hammer-swing in a wide arc. It can hit behind the Ice Climbers, while its clean hitbox deals respectable damage and has extremely high knockback growth akin to forward smash, KOing middleweights at around 100% from anywhere on Final Destination. Has moderate startup and ending lag, coming out on frame 12 and possessing 32 frames of ending lag, which gives it decent [[interruptibility]]. Its impressive coverage and [[disjointed hitbox]]es make it useful as an out-of-shield or punishing tool against [[roll]]s or opponents with predictable landing options. Its late hitbox is noticeably weaker, but still boasts respectable KO power for an up smash, KOing middleweights at around 120% from anywhere on Final Destination. | ||
|dsmashname=Hammer Sweep ({{ja|足もと打ち|Ashimoto Uchi}}, ''Leg Strike'') | |dsmashname=Hammer Sweep ({{ja|足もと打ち|Ashimoto Uchi}}, ''Leg Strike'') | ||
|dsmashdmg=leader: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|13}}<br/>partner: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|9.75}} | |dsmashdmg=leader: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|13}}<br/>partner: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|9.75}} | ||
|dsmashdesc= | |dsmashdesc=Each Ice Climber individually sweep their hammers across the ground in specific directions (the leader sweeps in front, while the partner sweeps behind at the corresponding direction). If the partner is absent, however, the remaining Ice Climber will sweep in only a single direction. If both Ice Climbers are included during the stock, it hits in front of and behind the Ice Climbers. While not as dominating as it was in ''Brawl'', it deals respectable damage and has extremely high knockback growth like their forward and up smashes. Due to hitting on frame 9, with the fastest startup among the duo's smash attacks, it is tied with {{SSBU|Toon Link}}, {{SSBU|Mii Gunner}}, and {{SSBU|Samus}}' down smashes for being the sixth-fastest smash attack of any kind in ''Ultimate''. It launches diagonally with above-average power, KOing middleweights under 90% from anywhere on Final Destination. Additionally, it is a reliable 2-framing option that is very useful for edgeguarding as a result, as well as punishing rolls or opponent who approach the duo from behind. Due to it possessing 24 frames of ending lag and hitting on frame 9, it has the fastest interruptibility among all of the Ice Climbers' smash attacks. | ||
|nairname=Climber Turn ({{ja|クライマーターン|Kuraimā Tān}}) | |nairname=Climber Turn ({{ja|クライマーターン|Kuraimā Tān}}) | ||
|nairdmg=leader: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|7}}<br/>partner: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|5.25}} | |nairdmg=leader: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|7}}<br/>partner: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|5.25}} | ||
|nairdesc= | |nairdesc=Perform a {{s|wikipedia|cartwheel}}ing spin with their hammers outstretched. Its minimal landing lag makes it a decent set-up option at low percents, especially for desyncs, or a tool for shield pressure when short hopped, while its high knockback growth makes it a decent anti-pressure and out of shield option. In addition, on Final Destination, it can KO middleweights under 185% at center stage and at around 150% at the ledge if hit cleanly. It has large hitboxes that cover most of the Ice Climbers' torsos, especially at the beginning, giving good protection and coverage around them. It can also edgeguard, combined with it having the second-lowest amount of ending lag out of the Ice Climbers' aerials. Due to the properties of the partner's neutral aerial, it has the properties of a [[sex kick]]. It also [[auto-cancel]]s in a short hop, making it effective for combos at lower precents. Due to coming out on frame 6, it has the fastest startup of the Ice Climbers' aerials, although this also makes it slightly slower in comparison to other sex kicks with comparable properties. | ||
|fairname=Hammer Slam ({{ja|ハンマードロップ|Hanmā Duroppu}}, ''Hammer Drop'') | |fairname=Hammer Slam ({{ja|ハンマードロップ|Hanmā Duroppu}}, ''Hammer Drop'') | ||
|fairdmg=leader: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|12}}<br/>partner: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|12}} (sweetspot), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|9}} (sourspot) | |fairdmg=leader: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|12}}<br/>partner: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|12}} (sweetspot), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|9}} (sourspot) | ||
|fairdesc= | |fairdesc=Rear their hammers backward, then swing their hammers straight downward in a manner similar to their forward smash. Due to coming out on frame 19, it has the slowest startup of the Ice Climbers' aerials, as well as having the highest amount of ending lag of 36 frames. However, it has above-average knockback scaling and excellent damage output, making it one of the strongest forward aerials in ''Ultimate''. It deals enough knockback to KO middleweights at the center of Final Destination at around 130% and 35% earlier at the edge without rage, making it fairly efficient for edgeguarding despite its short duration. Its low landing lag also allows it to be used as set-up options into other moves, especially if meteor smashing an opponent. A versatile aerial that is good for combos both synced and desynced and edgeguarding, it is capable of connecting into itself for a [[wall of pain]] or a 2-frame punish in certain instances. Auto-cancels in a full hop. The partner's hammer provides a [[sweetspot]] that can [[meteor smash]] opponents, which can KO incredibly early offstage. | ||
|bairname=Reverse Strike ({{ja|ふりむきたたき|Furimuki Tataki}}) | |bairname=Reverse Strike ({{ja|ふりむきたたき|Furimuki Tataki}}) | ||
|bairdmg=leader: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|10}}<br/>partner: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|7.5}} | |bairdmg=leader: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|10}}<br/>partner: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|7.5}} | ||
|bairdesc= | |bairdesc=Perform a quick {{s|wikipedia|backfist}} with their hammers behind themselves. It has quick startup lag, due to it coming out on frame 8. It can auto-cancel in a short hop and also deals the second-highest damage out of his aerials, and possesses excellent knockback growth, which make it a viable KOing option. While near the edge of Final Destination, its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at around 105%-110%, which is around the same KO percentages of the Ice Climbers' forward aerial. It also boasts good range due to its disjointed hitbox and its animation makes it unpredictable, which makes it a viable edge-guarding and 2-framing option, and makes it effective for a wall of pain, as well as a good approaching option in conjunction with a [[reverse aerial rush]]. It can also [[stage spike]] with proper usage, making it especially deadly off-stage. Both hits are extremely safe on shield, with the secondary climber's hit being one of the few moves that is positive on shield. | ||
|uairname=Overhead Sweep ({{ja|頭上はらい|Zujō Harai}}) | |uairname=Overhead Sweep ({{ja|頭上はらい|Zujō Harai}}) | ||
|uairdmg=leader: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|9}}<br/>partner: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|6.75}} | |uairdmg=leader: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|9}}<br/>partner: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|6.75}} | ||
|uairdesc= | |uairdesc=An overhead hammer-swing in a considerable arc. An excellent combo and juggling tool that can quickly rack up damage both desynced and synced, and can even function as a guaranteed KO confirm from [[down throw]] at around 70% on most characters. Comes out on frame 7, having the second-lowest startup of the Ice Climbers' aerials. It can also be used for continuing a combo due to its low landing lag. Can be used as an out-of-shield option if the opponent has a large enough hurtbox. Due to its impressive damage and knockback, it is the duo's strongest aerial, being powerful enough to KO middeweights at around 145% on Final Destination on grounded levels, making it a useful KO option after a full hop, or above platforms. It can auto-cancel in a [[short hop]] [[fast fall]], like their other aerials minus forward and down aerials. | ||
|dairname=Hammer Swoop ({{ja|急降下ハンマー|Kyūkōka Hanmā}}) | |dairname=Hammer Swoop ({{ja|急降下ハンマー|Kyūkōka Hanmā}}) | ||
|dairdmg=leader: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|8}}<br/>partner: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|6}} | |dairdmg=leader: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|8}}<br/>partner: {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|6}} | ||
|dairdesc= | |dairdesc=Hold their hammers below themselves and perform a {{s|wikipedia|double axe handle}} with them while falling downward. A [[stall-then-fall]], though with a slower traveling speed than comparable attacks of its kind. Additionally, it is unable to [[meteor smash]], unlike most attacks of its kind. The hitbox covers most of the Ice Climbers' underside, making it good for punishing opponents who attempt to juggle. It can be effectively used out of a short hop to attack opponents directly in front of the Ice Climbers, especially out of shield. While it can potentially cause the Ice Climbers to [[self-destruct]] while using it off-stage, their effective [[recovery]], coupled with it having the lowest ending lag of the Ice Climbers' aerials and the move traveling slower than the other stall-then-falls makes this unlikely. The partner's down aerial is a steep [[semi-spike]] that can KO middleweights at around 165% at the center of Final Destination. While having a rather good auto-canceling window and being good for edgeguarding, its usage offstage is only serviceable against characters with slow/linear or exploitable recoveries, as the leader's down aerial only starts KOing middleweights at around 185% on Final Destination at grounded levels with high rage. As a result, it typically has usage as a niche landing or out-of-shield option. | ||
|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}}) | |grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}}) | ||
|grabdesc=The leader | |grabdesc=The leader reaches in front of themselves with their free hand. All of the Ice Climbers' grabs are extremely quick, but are burdened with very short range. | ||
|pummelname=Grab Headbutt ({{ja|つかみ頭突き|Tsukami Zutsuki}}) | |pummelname=Grab Headbutt ({{ja|つかみ頭突き|Tsukami Zutsuki}}) | ||
|pummeldmg=1% | |pummeldmg=1% | ||
|pummeldesc=A headbutt | |pummeldesc=A headbutt. The partner takes no action at all. It inflicts average damage, but is among the fastest pummels in the game. | ||
|fthrowname=Hockey Shot ({{ja|ホッケーショット|Hokkē Shotto}}) | |fthrowname=Hockey Shot ({{ja|ホッケーショット|Hokkē Shotto}}) | ||
|fthrowdmg=3% (hit), 5% (throw) | |fthrowdmg=3% (hit), 5% (throw) | ||
|fthrowdesc= | |fthrowdesc=A [[wikipedia:Shot (ice hockey)|hockey shot]]. Its moderately high base knockback makes it a viable option for [[tech-chasing]] and forcing the opponent off-stage to start edge-guards. If desynced, the partner can follow-up with a forward aerial or forward smash during forward throw's animation for a guaranteed KO confirm. It also has decent knockback growth, allowing it to KO middleweights at about 192% by the edge of Final Destination with high rage. | ||
|bthrowname=Snowy Mountain Throw ({{ja|雪山投げ|Yukiyama Nage}}) | |bthrowname=Snowy Mountain Throw ({{ja|雪山投げ|Yukiyama Nage}}) | ||
|bthrowdmg=6% | |bthrowdmg=6% | ||
|bthrowdesc=The leader | |bthrowdesc=The leader heaves the opponent behind themselves in an arc, bouncing them off the ground. Its high base knockback allows it to set up edgeguards, while its somewhat low ending lag makes it versatile for combos both synced and desynced. However, its high launching angle prevents it from having true follow-ups or forcing the opponent off-stage at a unfavorable position, while its high base knockback prevents it from leading into true KO confirms at higher precents. Additionally, due to its low knockback growth, minimal damage output, combined with it launching at a very high angle, it lacks notable KO potential, not KOing at all until well past 500% even with unoptimal [[DI]]. | ||
|uthrowname=Grab Icicle Crasher ({{ja|つかみつらら割り|Tsukami Tsurara Wari}}) | |uthrowname=Grab Icicle Crasher ({{ja|つかみつらら割り|Tsukami Tsurara Wari}}) | ||
|uthrowdmg=3% (hit), 5% (throw) | |uthrowdmg=3% (hit), 5% (throw) | ||
|uthrowdesc=The leader | |uthrowdesc=The leader heaves the opponent overhead before swinging their hammer overhead in an arc, bashing them and launching them upward. It has the second-highest base knockback of all up throws at the expense of having weakest knockback growth among all up throws in ''Ultimate''. Although it lacks much versatility compared to down throw in terms of follow-up potential, it is useful for comboing and quick air-to-ground transitions, leading to up aerial and rarely neutral aerial at 0% to medium precents, and Belay at around high precents for KO combos. It also leads to access of juggling with chains of up aerials, and can KO at extremely high precents near the upper blast zone. | ||
|dthrowname=Avalanche Crusher ({{ja|なだれつぶし|Nadare Tsubushi}}) | |dthrowname=Avalanche Crusher ({{ja|なだれつぶし|Nadare Tsubushi}}) | ||
|dthrowdmg=6% | |dthrowdmg=6% | ||
|dthrowdesc= | |dthrowdesc=A {{s|wikipedia|powerbomb}}. Due to its high knockback growth, it has the highest KO potential out of the Ice Climbers' throws, as it KOs middleweights at around 185% on Final Destination with rage. However, it deals the lowest base knockback among the duo's throws, which makes KO attempts with it best suited for later instead of earlier. It is also excellent for starting or extending combos, especially when desynced or synced. It can lead into neutral aerial from 0% to low precents, or Belay or up aerial at high precents for guaranteed KO combos. It can also lead into a chain of up aerials for juggling or racking up damage early. Due to these collective factors, this throw is considered among the best factors of the Ice Climbers' grab game. | ||
|floorfname= | |floorfname= | ||
|floorfdmg=leader: 7%<br/>partner: 5.25% | |floorfdmg=leader: 7%<br/>partner: 5.25% | ||
|floorfdesc=The Ice Climbers | |floorfdesc=The Ice Climbers spin 360°, thrusting their hammers around themselves while getting up. | ||
|floorbname= | |floorbname= | ||
|floorbdmg=leader: 7%<br/>partner: 5.25% | |floorbdmg=leader: 7%<br/>partner: 5.25% | ||
|floorbdesc= | |floorbdesc=The Ice Climbers sweep their hammers in quick arcs from back to forth while getting up. | ||
|floortname= | |floortname= | ||
|floortdmg=leader: 5%<br/>partner: 3.75% | |floortdmg=leader: 5%<br/>partner: 3.75% | ||
|floortdesc= | |floortdesc=The Ice Climbers sweep their hammers in a straight line while getting up in a similar manner to their [[floor attack|back floor attack]]. | ||
|edgename= | |edgename= | ||
|edgedmg=leader: 8%<br/>partner: 6% | |edgedmg=leader: 8%<br/>partner: 6% | ||
|edgedesc=The Ice Climbers climb up and slam their hammers in front of themselves. | |edgedesc=The Ice Climbers climb up and slam their hammers in front of themselves in a straight line. | ||
|nsname=Ice Shot | |nsname=Ice Shot | ||
|nsdmg=3.5-2.2% (ice chunks), 3.5% (hammers) | |nsdmg=3.5-2.2% (ice chunks), 3.5% (hammers) | ||
|nsdesc=Each Ice Climber | |nsdesc=Each Ice Climber summon a small stalagmite of ice and knock it straight forward with their hammer, causing it to slide along the ground, gradually shrinking as it travels. It bounces off walls and shields. The ice can freeze the opponents at high percents. Unlike most projectiles, the ice functions more like a [[container]] or [[soccer ball]] in that the incoming projectile is completely stop, allowing the Ice Climbers to counter most projectile-spamming playstyles more easily. At extremely high percents, it can also freeze opponents, allowing the usage of setups or reads. It stuns the opponent long enough to make it viable for edgeguarding or gimping vulnerable recoveries. However, similar to {{SSBU|King Dedede}}'s [[Gordo Throw]], the ice can easily be [[reflection|reflected]] with an attack that deals damage. If done so, the projectile's ownership will change, allowing it to harm the Ice Climbers if collided with. The first midair usage will pop the Ice Climbers up slightly. | ||
|ssname=Squall Hammer | |ssname=Squall Hammer | ||
|ssdmg=both: 2.2% (loop), 4% (last)<br/>leader: 1.3% (loop), 2% (last)<br/>partner: 0.975% (loop), 1.5% (last) | |ssdmg=both: 2.2% (loop), 4% (last)<br/>leader: 1.3% (loop), 2% (last)<br/>partner: 0.975% (loop), 1.5% (last) | ||
|ssdesc=The Ice Climbers stand back-to-back while spinning around an axis with their hammers outstretched, hitting opponents multiple times. The attack is concluded with them | |ssdesc=The Ice Climbers stand back-to-back while spinning around an axis with their hammers outstretched, hitting opponents multiple times. The attack is concluded with them ramming their hammers upward, which launches the opponents upward. By repeatedly tapping the special input, the Ice Climbers will rise in the air, allowing them to [[recovery|recover]]. This, however, also renders them [[helpless]] after Squall Hammer's performance. If only a solo-climber is present, the move inflicts less damage and reduced knockback, and gains less height. However, Solo Squall Hammer stalls the remaining Ice Climber's [[gravity]] with excessive [[button mashing]]. Squall Hammer is a prime key factor as a method to begin desyncs, and can trap opponents between each Ice Climber once a desync is achieved. Similar to {{SSBU|Bowser Jr.}}'s [[Clown Kart Dash]], it covers impressive horizontal distance in a short and quick amount of time (covering nearly the full length of Final Destination), allowing them to alleviate their poor approach and overall sluggish movement, especially in the air. The final hit is strong enough to KO middleweights at around 159% near the top blast zones on Final Destination without rage. As a result of these collective factors, Squall Hammer is one of the duo's most versatile tools in their kit. | ||
|usname=Belay | |usname=Belay | ||
|usdmg=16% (partner) | |usdmg=16% (partner) | ||
|usdesc=The leading Ice Climber | |usdesc=The leading Ice Climber flings the partner the air with a rope at a considerable height, slamming into opponents during the process. After covering enough distance, the partner pulls the leader upwards at an even greater distance. If nearing a [[ledge]], the partner will immediately target it, and then proceed to pull the leader to the ledge as well. During the entire duration of Belay, the partner has an [[invincibility]] frame-window upon startup and the period the hitbox is out until it dissipates, allowing for a safe [[recovery]] for both Ice Climbers. This also lets the Ice Climbers perform a pseudo-[[counterattack]] against almost all attacks that hit the Ice Climbers during startup, which makes it good for interrupting aerial approaches or attacks. Additionally, the following Ice Climber possesses a hitbox that deals powerful vertical knockback and high damage, dealing enough knockback to KO grounded middleweights at 140% on Final Destination, though it is rather difficult to use as a combo finisher due to the difficulty of aiming the partner. Without a partner, the move will grant essentially no distance. In addition, if the partner collides with an opponent or the hitbox gets [[priority|out-prioritized]], Belay's distance will reduce, similar to [[PK Thunder 2]]. Each Ice Climber becomes [[helpless]] after Belay's usage. | ||
|dsname=Blizzard | |dsname=Blizzard | ||
|dsdmg=both: 1% (far loop), 1.8% (close loop) | |dsdmg=both: 1% (far loop), 1.8% (close loop) | ||
|dsdesc=The Ice Climbers blow a | |dsdesc=The Ice Climbers blow a stream of frigid air from their palms in front of themselves, potentially freezing opponents. If using Blizzard on an already frozen opponent, they will remain frozen for a longer duration. If both Ice Climbers are present, this move can deal a maximum of 31.5%. As the name implies, it freezes opponents in their tracks, making it reliable for set-ups and follow-ups, and deals significant amounts of damage at point-blank proximity. Using the attack while an opponent is already frozen increases the freeze-time slightly and can allow the duo to make space between them and their opponent if need be, or tack on extra damage while frozen. Specifically, this move is very useful when edgeguarding or ledge trapping, as freezing an opponent near the edges of a stage can make it easy to nudge them off and near the lower blast zone without any means to escape or recover easily. It also has [[priority]] over some other projectiles and can cancel them if the two collide. | ||
|fsname=Iceberg | |fsname=Iceberg | ||
|fsdmg=13% (peak, rising), 11%/9%/7% (iceberg), 16% (Polar Bear), 5% (Condor) | |fsdmg=13% (peak, rising), 11%/9%/7% (iceberg), 16% (Polar Bear), 5% (Condor) | ||
|fsdesc=The Ice Climbers | |fsdesc=The Ice Climbers {{s|wikipedia|high-five}} each other and raise their arms up, summoning a rotating and giant iceberg to rise up from the center of the stage. If only a single Ice Climber initiates the Final Smash, the leading Ice Climber spins, lifts their hammer up while raising it. For the duration of the Final Smash, it can be directed left and right. The range of how far it can move is shown by the mist. The iceberg deals damage to opponents who touch it: the closer they are towards the peak, the more damage they receive. Towards the base of the iceberg is a Polar Bear, which has high launching power. A [[Condor]] also appears, flying above, which the Ice Climbers can grab onto. This allows the iceberg to be more easily controlled without worry of self-destruction, although the partner will be at risk of potentially being pushed offstage if they fail to grab it. Upon ending, the iceberg will lower itself, and the Condor will fly off to the side of the stage. | ||
}} | }} | ||
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| shorthop=16.75 | rshorthop=33 | | shorthop=16.75 | rshorthop=33 | ||
| djump=34.69 | rdjump=34 | | djump=34.69 | rdjump=34 | ||
}} | }} | ||
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| shorthop=16.75 | rshorthop=33 | | shorthop=16.75 | rshorthop=33 | ||
| djump=34.69 | rdjump=34 | | djump=34.69 | rdjump=34 | ||
}} | }} | ||
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===[[On-screen appearance]]=== | ===[[On-screen appearance]]=== | ||
*The Condor flies in with them hanging off its feet. | *The Condor flies in with them hanging off its feet. The Ice Climbers jump off while [[wikipedia:High five|high-fiving]] each other, and the Condor flies off. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
IceClimbersOnScreenAppearanceSSBU.gif|Ice Climbers' on-screen appearance | IceClimbersOnScreenAppearanceSSBU.gif|Ice Climbers' on-screen appearance | ||
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===[[Taunt]]s=== | ===[[Taunt]]s=== | ||
*'''Up taunt''': | *'''Up taunt''': The duo set down their hammers and jump excitedly once. Originates from their victory animation during the results screen in the ''Ice Climber'' NES game. | ||
*'''Side taunt''': | *'''Side taunt''': The duo point their hammers diagonally upward and shout "Yup!" in triumph as wind blows behind them, in a similar manner to {{SSBU|Ness}}' side taunt. | ||
*'''Down taunt''': | *'''Down taunt''': The duo dance playfully in a circle, similar to {{SSBU|King Dedede}}'s down taunt. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
SSBUIceClimbersTaunt1.gif|Ice Climbers' up taunt. | SSBUIceClimbersTaunt1.gif|Ice Climbers' up taunt. | ||
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===[[Idle pose]]s=== | ===[[Idle pose]]s=== | ||
*Both twirl their hammers. | *Both twirl their hammers. | ||
* | *Each Ice Climber looks behind themselves curiously. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
SSBUIceClimbersIdle1.gif|Ice Climbers' first idle pose. | SSBUIceClimbersIdle1.gif|Ice Climbers' first idle pose. | ||
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|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"|Cheer | ! scope="row"|Cheer | ||
|[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer English SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Japanese SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Italian SSBU.ogg]]||<center>[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Dutch SSBU.ogg|center]]</center>||[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer French SSBU.ogg|center]] | |{{NTSC}} [[File:Ice Climbers Cheer English NTSC SSBU.ogg|center]] <br> {{PAL}} [[File:Ice Climbers Cheer English PAL SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Japanese SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Italian SSBU.ogg]]||<center>[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Dutch SSBU.ogg|center]]</center>||[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer French SSBU.ogg|center]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"|Description | ! scope="row"|Description | ||
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|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"|Cheer | ! scope="row"|Cheer | ||
|[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer German SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Spanish SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Russian SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Korean SSBU.ogg|center]] | |[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer German SSBU.ogg|center]]||{{NTSC}} [[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Spanish NTSC SSBU.ogg|center]] <br> {{PAL}} [[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Spanish PAL SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Russian SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Ice Climbers Cheer Korean SSBU.ogg|center]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"|Description | ! scope="row"|Description | ||
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===[[Victory pose]]s=== | ===[[Victory pose]]s=== | ||
*'''Left:''' | *'''Left:''' The Ice Climbers jump indefinitely up and down with joy. Based on their victory animation during the results screen in the ''Ice Climber'' NES game, similar to their up taunt. | ||
*'''Up:''' Both nod and high-five one another before facing the | *'''Up:''' Both nod and high-five one another, with Popo chanting "Yup!" before facing the screen while smiling. | ||
*'''Right:''' Nana hides behind Popo, only showing her face as Popo shifts from left to right. | *'''Right:''' Nana hides behind Popo, only showing her face as Popo shifts from left to right while his arms are positioned next to his hips. | ||
[[File:IceClimbersVictoryThemeUltimate.ogg|thumb| | [[File:IceClimbersVictoryThemeUltimate.ogg|thumb|A flourished, albeit shortened remix directly from ''Brawl''. It is the second half of the track that plays when [[Ice Climbers|Popo or Nana]] grab the feet of the [[Condor]] at the end of a bonus stage in ''{{b|Ice Climber|game}}''.]] | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Ice Climbers Ultimate Pose 2.gif | Ice Climbers Ultimate Pose 2.gif | ||
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===Tier placement and history=== | ===Tier placement and history=== | ||
Initial opinions on the Ice Climbers' viability were rather low, a belief that held on throughout the early metagame and prior to the release of ''Ultimate''. This is due to the loss of their most devastating attributes from ''Brawl'' and ''Melee'', their infamous [[zero-to-death]] [[chain grab]]bing and [[wobbling]], respectively, along with the alterations to mechanics during the transition from ''Brawl'' to ''Ultimate'' that either heavily impaired or altogether removed several of their infamous tactics. Upon release, the Ice Climbers' competitive perception, which was estimated to be poor, has dwindled even further. Most of the community have immediately noticed their retained weakness from previous installments, some of which have been pronounced as well, ranging from the infamous difficulty of maintaining both climbers in a single stock, the partner's vulnerability, their steep learning curve, poor endurance, slow aerial mobility, their vulnerability to [[camping]] and the severe handicaps brought to the leader if the partner dies during the stock, as well as the removal of several unique combos and zero-to-deaths involving the partner from previous installments. As such, the Ice Climbers’ representation was minuscule, ranking bottom 20 with {{SSBU|King Dedede}} in representation at the end of 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AJs-mj5TTdkmkl7nhj4twJymVPTLTUdT0MBToL1cxDs/edit#gid=342014565|title=OrionRank 2019 character data}}</ref>. In addition, all the players who dedicated the duo in ''Brawl'' have completely dropped them in favour of other characters. As a result, the community has considered the Ice Climbers as either low or bottom-tier in the early metagame. | |||
Upon | |||
Following the buffs granted to the duo in patches 2.0.0 to 13.0.1, however, the duo's playerbase and competitive scene started to make surprising breakthroughs, with the few players that stuck with them discovering new [[desynching]] setups and damaging combos, as well as new versatile zero-to-deaths off of desyncs. Despite maintaining their small playerbase and a relatively sub-par representation, their results have been rather strong thanks to the strong performances from {{Sm|Kie}}, {{Sm|murasat}}, {{Sm|Daiki}}, {{Sm|????}} and especially {{Sm|Big D}}. This was enough to cause the community's opinions within the duo to rise. Nowadays, the Ice Climbers are considered by most of the community to be upper mid-tier or even high-tier, like in their current days of ''Melee''. Overall, the Ice Climbers remain as characters that should not be underestimated, although not to the extent of ''Melee'' and ''Brawl'', ranking 56th on the first tier list, although improving performances from dedicated players and the duo's ability to beat out all matchups across the board using mastered desyncs have led to several players to believe the Ice Climbers should be ranked higher, thus rising up to 51st on the second and current tier list. | |||
=={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: Duos for Days== | =={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: Duos for Days== | ||
[[File:SSBU Congratulations Ice Climbers.png|thumb|Ice Climbers' congratulations screen.]] | [[File:SSBU Congratulations Ice Climbers.png|thumb|Ice Climbers' congratulations screen.]] | ||
Referencing themselves being duos, Ice Climbers fight | Referencing themselves being duos, Ice Climbers fight a pair of characters from a given universe in each stage. Continuing the duo-dynamic theme, both {{SSBU|Master Hand}} and {{SSBU|Crazy Hand}} are fought regardless of the difficulty. | ||
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
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==Role in [[World of Light]]== | ==Role in [[World of Light]]== | ||
[[File:WoL-15IceClimbers.jpg|thumb|Finding the Ice Climbers in World of Light|left]] | [[File:WoL-15IceClimbers.jpg|thumb|Finding the Ice Climbers in World of Light|left]] | ||
Although the Ice Climbers are absent from the World of Light | Although the Ice Climbers are absent from the opening cutscene of World of Light, the duo were vaporized offscreen and later placed under [[Galeem]]'s imprisonment after unleashing his beams of light to engulf the world, along with the rest of the other fighters (excluding {{SSBU|Kirby}}). | ||
The Ice Climbers are unlocked in the southern portion of the icy mountain next to the [[Temple of Light]] (where {{SSBU|Pit}} and {{SSBU|Simon}} are unlocked), located at the top left corner of [[The Light Realm]]. Unlocking them eliminates the icy paths in order for them to be successfully traversed in both directions, as well as unblocking an additional path to the shrouded forest, making the Ice Climbers' unlock obligatory for the mode. | |||
If the Ice Climbers are chosen to be playable for the overworld after being awakened from Galeem's imprisonment, only the leading Ice Climber will appear. During [[Spirit Battle]]s or [[Adventure Mode: World of Light#Bosses|Boss Battles]], however, both Ice Climbers will be available during gameplay. As a side note, if the Ice Climbers are rescued, the player will have the access to choosing either Popo or Nana to be the leader of the duo within the story. | |||
Later, the rest of the fighters prepare their final stand against Galeem and [[Dharkon]], including the Ice Climbers among them. | |||
{{clrl}} | {{clrl}} | ||
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==[[Spirit]]== | ==[[Spirit]]== | ||
Ice Climbers' fighter spirit can be obtained by completing {{SSBU|Classic Mode}} | The Ice Climbers' fighter spirit can be obtained by completing {{SSBU|Classic Mode}}. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 300 Gold, but only after Ice Climbers have been unlocked. Unlocking the Ice Climbers in World of Light allows the player to preview the spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a fighter spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. Their fighter spirit has an alternate version that replaces it with their artwork in ''Ultimate''. | ||
<center> | <center> | ||
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SSBU Ice Climbers Number.png|Ice Climbers' fighter card. | SSBU Ice Climbers Number.png|Ice Climbers' fighter card. | ||
Ice_Climbers_unlock_notice_SSBU.jpg|Ice Climbers' unlock notice. | Ice_Climbers_unlock_notice_SSBU.jpg|Ice Climbers' unlock notice. | ||
SSBUWebsiteIceClimbers1.jpg|Ice Climbers on [[Magicant]]. | SSBUWebsiteIceClimbers1.jpg|Ice Climbers celebrating on [[Magicant]]. | ||
SSBUWebsiteIceClimbers2.jpg|Attacking a {{b|Metroid|creature}} with [[Blizzard]] on {{SSBU|Final Destination}}. | SSBUWebsiteIceClimbers2.jpg|Attacking a {{b|Metroid|creature}} with [[Blizzard]] on {{SSBU|Final Destination}}. | ||
SSBUWebsiteIceClimbers3.jpg|Nana grabbed by the [[Arcade Bunny]]'s claw on [[Wii Fit Studio]]. | SSBUWebsiteIceClimbers3.jpg|Nana grabbed by the [[Arcade Bunny]]'s claw on [[Wii Fit Studio]]. | ||
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SSBUWebsite4.jpg|[[Taunting]] on [[Skyloft]]. | SSBUWebsite4.jpg|[[Taunting]] on [[Skyloft]]. | ||
8-PlayerSSBU 1.jpg|With {{SSBU|Mario}}, {{SSBU|Donkey Kong}}, {{SSBU|Link}}, {{SSBU|Samus}}, {{SSBU|Pit}}, {{SSBU|Villager}} and {{SSBU|Inkling}} on {{SSBU|Battlefield}}. | 8-PlayerSSBU 1.jpg|With {{SSBU|Mario}}, {{SSBU|Donkey Kong}}, {{SSBU|Link}}, {{SSBU|Samus}}, {{SSBU|Pit}}, {{SSBU|Villager}} and {{SSBU|Inkling}} on {{SSBU|Battlefield}}. | ||
SSBU Congratulations Ryu.png|On {{SSBU|Ryu}}'s [[congratulations screen]]. | |||
SSBUWebsiteTogedemaru2.jpg|Ice Climbers and {{SSBU|Pit}} getting attacked by [[Togedemaru]] on [[Garden of Hope]]. | |||
Banjo_Trailer.png|Celebrating at the end of {{SSBU|Banjo & Kazooie}}'s trailer. | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*One of the Ice Climbers' preview pictures | [[File:Ice Climber's demo palettes.png|thumb|The Ice Climbers' four cut costumes (top) and the final costumes (bottom).]] | ||
*When the | *In the demo versions of ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', the second half of the Ice Climbers' costumes have shown Popo as the leader in the character selection portraits. In the final game, however, Nana is the leader instead, and the stock icons changed to reflect which costumes let the player control Nana. | ||
*One of the Ice Climbers' preview pictures show them using [[Blizzard]] against a {{b|Metroid|creature}}, referencing the species' weakness to cold in the ''Metroid'' series. | |||
*When the leading climber is grabbing and pummeling an opponent, the partner's animation will lag for every pummel-hit. | |||
*Hitting the accompanying Ice Climber will not cause [[controller]]s to shake if the vibration setting is turned on. This applies to everything from normal attacks, [[throws]], or [[Final Smash]]es. | *Hitting the accompanying Ice Climber will not cause [[controller]]s to shake if the vibration setting is turned on. This applies to everything from normal attacks, [[throws]], or [[Final Smash]]es. | ||
*When played on the world map for World of Light, only the leading Ice Climber appears. | *When played on the world-map for World of Light, only the leading Ice Climber appears. | ||
*If the partner is caught in a non-cutscene trapping [[Final Smash]] (such as [[Triforce Slash]], [[Great Aether]], or [[Omnislash]]) and the leader is KO'd, the partner will disappear, leaving the opponent attacking nothing. A similar situation occurs in ''[[Brawl]]''. | *If the partner is caught in a non-cutscene trapping [[Final Smash]] (such as [[Triforce Slash]], [[Great Aether]], or [[Omnislash]]) and the leader is KO'd, the partner will disappear, leaving the opponent attacking nothing. A similar situation occurs in ''[[Brawl]]''. | ||
*When getting hit from behind, the Ice Climbers' back-hitting/wall | *When getting hit from behind, the Ice Climbers' back-hitting/wall-bouncing hitstun animation causes them to freeze for a brief moment before going into their tumbling animation. This is due to additional frames being added past the final point of the animation. | ||
**The animation itself mimics how hitstun animations worked from ''Smash 64'' to ''Brawl''. | **The animation itself mimics how hitstun animations worked from ''Smash 64'' to ''Brawl''. | ||
**The freeze itself is a reference to the duo's dying animation in ''Ice Climber'', in which they freeze for a brief moment after touching an | **The freeze itself is a reference to the duo's dying animation in ''Ice Climber'', in which they freeze for a brief moment after touching an antagonist. | ||
*When navigating the camera around the Ice Climbers during certain animations, such as their ledge hanging animations, the fur trim on the bottom of their coats and around their wrists seem to detach from their jacket, exposing multiple gaps.<ref>[https://imgur.com/a/GtDXylS]</ref> There are also gaps when looking at their face at certain angles between the fur trim. | *When navigating the camera around the Ice Climbers during certain animations, such as their ledge-hanging animations, the fur trim on the bottom of their coats and around their wrists seem to detach from their jacket, exposing multiple gaps.<ref>[https://imgur.com/a/GtDXylS]</ref> There are also gaps when looking at their face at certain angles between the fur trim. | ||
**Additionally, zooming in on Popo's face reveals a gap between his hair and fur trim. | **Additionally, zooming in on Popo's face reveals a gap between his hair and fur trim. | ||
**Also, looking closely at Nana's hair reveals a small gap underneath between her hair and forehead. | **Also, looking closely at Nana's hair reveals a small gap underneath between her hair and forehead. | ||
*In a Stock or Stamina battle, if the leading Ice Climber gets KO'd, the vanishing effects of the partner do not appear whenever the leader respawns. | *In a Stock or Stamina battle, if the leading Ice Climber gets KO'd, the vanishing effects of the partner do not appear whenever the leader respawns. | ||
*If one looks closely at one of the Ice Climber's non-leading feet during their | *If one looks closely at one of the Ice Climber's non-leading feet during their [[wall jump tech]]ing animation, it twists the other direction during the move. This can be more easily seen if the match is currently slowed down. | ||
*While most other characters have the announcer say "(character) wins!" at the victory screen, the Ice Climbers have the announcer say "Ice Climbers win!" The "(character) win!" audio clip is | *The Ice Climbers and {{SSBU|Lucas}} are the only fighters that use sprites for their default [[fighter spirit]]s. | ||
**In Spanish, French, German, and Italian, the name tag and voice clip from the announcer on the victory screen is slightly different from the one used on the character | *The Ice Climbers, {{SSBU|Banjo & Kazooie}}, and {{SSBU|Pyra}}/{{SSBU|Mythra}}'s Classic Mode routes all share the same theme, facing dynamic duos as opponents in each round. | ||
*In the Ice Climbers' battle portrait, the | *While most other characters have the announcer say "(character) wins!" at the victory screen, the Ice Climbers have the announcer say "Ice Climbers win!" The "(character) win!" audio-clip is typically reserved for the Japanese version, though it is most likely used with the Ice Climbers because of their two-in-one nature and name. {{SSBU|Rosalina & Luma}} and Banjo & Kazooie also share this distinction. | ||
*The | **In Spanish, French, German, and Italian, the name-tag and voice-clip from the announcer on the victory screen is slightly different from the one used on the character selection screen, instead featuring a noticeable translation of "the" ('''los''', '''les''', '''die''', and '''gli''' Ice Climbers, respectively). This trait is shared with {{SSBU|Wii Fit Trainer}}, {{SSBU|Pokémon Trainer}}, {{SSBU|Villager}}, {{SSBU|Inkling}}, {{SSBU|Hero}}, [[Steve (SSBU)|Zombie, Enderman]], and the {{SSBU|Mii Fighter}}s. | ||
*While most characters have two different sets of knockback-based voice clips, the Ice Climbers are the only exception to this rule | *In the Ice Climbers' battle portrait, the following Ice Climber is slightly positioned lower than they are in their full artwork, in order to make their face fully visible. Banjo & Kazooie are the only other fighter with such an edit. | ||
**Additionally, the Ice Climbers are the only characters that retain their voice clips from ''Brawl'' but do not make | *The level of [[artificial intelligence]] for the following Ice Climber (Nana, by default) is 77 out of 100, which is slightly higher than a level-8 CPU (75 out of 100); the non-standard number is likely a pun on Nana's name, as one of the ways to say seven in Japanese is "{{ja|なな|nana}} (''nana'')".<ref>[https://twitter.com/Meshima_/status/1178095756000948224 Meshima on Twitter:] Nana AI level is 77 out of 100, slightly smarter than lv.8 CPU having 75. Probably the number of 77 comes from Japanese pronunciation (7 = "na" or "nana").</ref> | ||
***When Popo is the leader, they vocalize their medium and one of the heavy knockbacks based on a small probability. Both are missing a light knockback and 1 heavy knockback which goes unused in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and also in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. | *While most characters have two different sets of knockback-based voice-clips, the Ice Climbers are the only characters to be an exception to this rule: they vocalize either their low or high knockback-based voice-clips or remain silent, regardless of how far/fast they are launched from knockback. | ||
**Additionally, the Ice Climbers are the only characters that retain their voice-clips from ''Brawl'', but do not make usage of their unused knockback-based voice-clips, a trait shared with Link, Captain Falcon, and Ganondorf from ''Smash 4''. | |||
***When Popo is the leader, they vocalize either their medium and one of the heavy knockbacks based on a small probability. Both are missing a light knockback and 1 heavy knockback, which goes unused in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and also in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. If Nana is the leader, the Ice Climbers' knockback-based voice-clips won't play for unknown reasons. | |||
*The Ice Climbers are the only characters who have fewer dash-to-run frames when performing a pivot dash instead of a regular dash. | *The Ice Climbers are the only characters who have fewer dash-to-run frames when performing a pivot dash instead of a regular dash. | ||
*When playing on a custom stage, there | *When playing on a custom stage, there is a visual glitch in the Ice Climber's on-screen appearance where the Condor does not disappear and only does so once "GO!" appears on the screen. | ||
*If both Ice Climbers perform a smash attack with the [[Home-Run Bat]], Nana will vocalize first, which is during the windup rather than before the swing. This is a carryover from ''Brawl'', where all characters will grunt during the windup animation. This is shared with {{SSBU|Falco}}. | *If both Ice Climbers perform a smash attack with the [[Home-Run Bat]], Nana will vocalize first, which is during the windup rather than before the swing. This is a carryover from ''Brawl'', where all characters will grunt during the windup animation. This is shared with {{SSBU|Falco}}. | ||
*The Ice Climbers' [https://www.nintendo.com/amiibo/detail/ice-climbers-amiibo-super-smash-bros-series/ description] on the North American [[amiibo]] website is based on their trophy description from ''[[Melee]]''. | *The Ice Climbers' [https://www.nintendo.com/amiibo/detail/ice-climbers-amiibo-super-smash-bros-series/ description] on the North American [[amiibo]] website is based on their trophy description from ''[[Melee]]''. | ||
*Instead of being supported by a clear stand on their amiibo, the Ice Climbers are instead supported by a blue iceberg, which is not present in their official render. | *Instead of being supported by a clear stand on their amiibo, the Ice Climbers are instead supported by a blue iceberg, which is not present in their official render. | ||
*The Ice Climbers are the only characters who wield weapons at all times to be affected by [[stance mirroring]]. | *The Ice Climbers are the only characters who wield weapons at all times to be affected by [[stance mirroring]]. | ||
*The Ice Climbers seen in {{SSBU|Sora}}'s reveal trailer after everyone has been turned back into trophies are actually two Popos. | *The Ice Climbers seen in {{SSBU|Sora}}'s reveal trailer after everyone has been turned back into trophies are actually two Popos. | ||
*During [[Palutena's Guidance#Ice Climbers|Palutena's Guidance regarding the Ice Climbers]], {{SSBU|Pit}} assumes that their absence in ''SSB4'' was due to illegal teaming. This dialogue is a humorous reference to the Ice Climbers being cut due to the consistent technical issues that Masahiro Sakurai and the development team faced when attempting to make them function properly in {{for3ds}}. | *During [[Palutena's Guidance#Ice Climbers|Palutena's Guidance regarding the Ice Climbers]], {{SSBU|Pit}} assumes that their absence in ''SSB4'' was due to illegal teaming. This dialogue is a humorous reference to the Ice Climbers being cut due to the consistent technical issues that Masahiro Sakurai and the development team faced when attempting to make them function properly in {{for3ds}}. | ||
*When functioning as the | *When functioning as the following climber, Popo and Nana are the only characters capable of [[dash]]ing through other characters in ''Ultimate''. | ||
*When one Ice Climber gets KO'd off the top blast line, the other Ice Climber has a greater chance of being KO'd the same way. For example, if the leader were to get [[Screen KO]]'d, the partner likely would as well, instead of the | *When one Ice Climber gets KO'd off the top blast line, the other Ice Climber has a greater chance of being KO'd the same way. For example, if the leader were to get [[Screen KO]]'d, the partner likely would as well, instead of using the completely randomized chance from ''Melee'' and ''Brawl''. | ||
*If {{SSBU|Sephiroth}} | *If {{SSBU|Sephiroth}} performs [[Shadow Flare]] against the AI-controlled Ice Climber, they will flinch and take the initial damage, but the shadowy orbs that normally follow from this attack will not appear. | ||
==References== | ==References== |