Ice Climbers (SSBU)

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Ice Climbers in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Universe	Ice Climber
Other playable appearances	in Melee in Brawl
Availability	Unlockable
Final Smash	Iceberg

“	Back in the battle after a ten-year absence! There are two of them, so does that make them twice as strong as other fighters?	”
—Super Smash Blog, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Official Site

The Ice Climbers (アイスクライマー, Ice Climber) are a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. They were confirmed on June 12th, 2018.

Changes from Super Smash Bros. Brawl

NOTE: SmashWiki is not speculative. Please refrain from adding detailed data values derived from pre-release gameplay footage, such as the E3 demo. Such data (damage values, launch trajectories, frame data, etc.) are subject to change before the official release.

Aesthetics

• Both Ice Climbers always face the screen regardless which direction either of them turn, making both their stances mirrored. Ice Climbers are currently the only characters with mirrored stance who constantly hold weapons, or, in their case, mallets.
• The Ice Climbers gain additional detail due to the game's graphical improvements. The duo now wear coats with detailed furry lining, and their boots and hammers are covered in powdered snow. They have slightly smaller heads, and the proportions of their facial features and bodies have also been adjusted.
• Nana is decidedly more expressive, cheering Popo on when he throws an opponent, and showing distress when he is grabbed.
• Either Ice Climber now hangs onto the ledge with one hand instead of two.
• Sidestep animation has been altered, showing them resting their hammers on their shoulder while looking back.

Attributes

• Like all characters, both of the Ice Climbers' jumpsquat animations now takes three frames to complete.
• The removal of chain grabbing harshly reduces the Ice Climbers' damage racking and KO abilities.

Ground attacks

• Neutral attack does more damage.
• Down tilt can be able to edge guard easier.
• Down smash is now a sweep that hits one side. The partner will use the same attack facing the other way.
• Down smash covers more horizontal ground when together.
• Down smash only hits on one side when solo.

Aerial attacks

• Ice Climbers have a new up aerial: an upwards hammer swing in a horizontal arc. Compared to the old up aerial, it provides much more horizontal range and hits in front of them, covering them more efficiently than before.

Throws/other attacks

• Nana cannot act when Popo is grabbed onto, and is forced into a panicking animation instead.
• Nana is unable to grab at all, and will taunt during Popo's throw. These changes were likely made to prevent throw setups perceived as unfair, such as moving Nana to setup an aerial spike after a down throw.
• Back throw does more damage.
• Down throw now has Popo grab the opponent with both hands, lift them up in the air, and slam them on the ground.

Special Moves

• Ice Shot now damages the Ice Climbers when it's reflected back by a normal attack.
• Squall Hammer now ends with a strong hit that deals high upward knockback after the initial spin if Popo and Nana perform the move in sync. Performing the move solo ends with a weaker hit that deals mild diagonal damage and knockback. The move also now grants recovery distance even if only one Ice Climber is present.
• Desycned Squall Hammer can be used to trap opponents between both Ice Climbers.
• Squall Hammer now makes a twinkling sound effect when used.
• Popo can now save an offstage Nana with Belay. If done close enough to her, she will simply teleport back to him and the move will continue to be performed.
• Both Ice Climbers aim Blizzard forwards on the ground, similarly to their aerial version in previous games. This increases damage output, but means that Blizzard can no longer hit opponents behind them.
• Iceberg now spins and features a teetering Polar Bear as an aesthetic element. During the move, a Condor will circle around the top of the screen, which the lead Ice Climber can grab onto.
• When paired, the Ice Climbers no longer make a "clapping" sound upon activating Iceberg.
• Iceberg lasts a shorter duration. This makes it less threatening to opponents, but also makes it less likely to lose Nana.

Alternate costumes

Nana becomes the leading, player-controlled character when using the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th costumes shown below. The stock icons for these costumes change to reflect this, but the character select portraits always show Popo in front.

File:Ice Climber Palette (SSBU).png

Gallery

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  Popo and Nana on Magicant.

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  Using Blizzard on a Metroid on Final Destination.

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  Nana grabbed by the Arcade Bunny's claw on Wii Fit Studio.

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  Using Squall Hammer on Captain Falcon on Summit.

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  Popo's forward smash on Kongo Falls.

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  Ice Climbers on Spirit Train.

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  Taunting on Skyloft.

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  With Mario, Donkey Kong, Link, Samus, Pit, Villager and Inkling on Battlefield.

Character Showcase Video

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Trivia

• One of the Ice Climber's preview pictures show them using Blizzard against a Metroid, referencing the species' weakness to cold in the Metroid series.
• In the demo, if Nana is chosen as the leader, both Ice Climbers will have all their voice clips swapped; Nana will use Popo's voice clips and vice versa.