User:Yo'ster/Desyncing updates

Overview

The Ice Climbers are unique in that the player is controlling two characters simultaneously. The lead climber (Popo by default) is controlled directly while the partner climber (Nana by default) is CPU-controlled and follows the player's actions on a slight delay, attacking alongside the leader. If both are separated for any reason, the partner AI will switch to prioritize returning to the leader. During this time, they are not synchronized, or "desynched", meaning the partner will not follow any player inputs until getting within a certain distance of the leader. While the partner's separate actions are unpredictable and are often unfavorable, they can be manipulated to perform basic actions like attacking an opponent.

Desynching can also be set up intentionally without having to separate the two. This is partially due to how the partner has a several frame delay during most inputs, and from having slightly different attributes from the leader: jump height, gravity, fall speed, and dash (as of Ultimate). Specific maneuvers take advantage of these by using specific means to delay the partner's actions, the most common being during grabs to allow the partner to attack a captive opponent or regrab them (though this particular method no longer applies in Ultimate due to changes made to grabs). Once both climbers are desynched, they are essentially performing different actions as long as the player continues to press buttons. Desynching can allow the player to perform a move with either climber, whilst inputting a different command to the other, which can allow for highly damaging true combos, zero-to-death strings, and even infinites. It can also be used as a means of multitasking if the player is presented with multiple desirable opportunities.