Ice Climbers (PM)

The Ice Climbers are a playable character in the Brawl mod Project M.

The Ice Climbers rank 16th out of 41 on the official tier list, placed toward the bottom of the A- tier and a distant drop from their placements in Melee and Brawl, where their positions were 7th out of 26 and 2nd out of 38, respectively. Their placement on the tier list is largely due to their volatile matchup spread, as Project M's expanded cast has provided them with more troublesome matchups than Melee or Brawl despite the Ice Climbers' expanded neutral and punish options. In the Project+, they are ranked 13th in the A tier, a slight improvement over their standing in Project M.

Attributes
Ice Climbers is a duo consisting of the characters Popo and Nana. The player, in half of the retained Brawl costumes plus the alternate costume, controls Popo, and Nana will copy the player's movements under normal circumstances, and vice versa for the retained other half of the costumes. In Project M, the Ice Climbers can no longer perform most of their infamous grab infinites, but are compensated with buffed recovery options and better options in neutral. Ice Climbers are capable of dealing substantial amounts of damage; The partner will copy the player's move and has the same damage output, effectively doubling their damage output while both Climbers are alive if both attacks hit.

However, one of the Ice Climbers' biggest strengths is also their biggest weakness. A lot of their attacks are a lot better when both Popo and Nana are present, so if one of them is KO'd, the player's options are limited. A notable example, and their biggest disadvantage Ice Climbers has after the partner is defeated is the poor recovery offstage; Belay only gives a small fraction of the height the move normally gains, and although Squall Hammer can travel a fair distance, its hitbox doesn't compensate for edgehoggers.

Changes from Melee to PM
The Ice Climbers have been modified to focus more on desynching and standard combat rather than on their grab infinites from Brawl and Melee. This is an overall nerf as wobbling and grab infinites previously contributed to their success at a competitive scene. Nevertheless, their arsenal of grab combos and mixups have been greatly expanded, and the Ice Climbers still benefit greatly from chaingrabbing, as seen here. To compensate, however, they have both been made slightly more competent at fighting on their own, without the aid of their partner.

Moveset
Up to date as of version 3.6.

Note: The damage is based off one Ice Climber, due to both of them having the same damage output.

Notable tech
Labbing Discord Tech Post

Project M Ice Climbers Desyncs Off Ledge and Happy New Year Kill Setup

P+ Ice Climbers Guide - Grabs & Throws

Most historically significant players
Any number following the Smasher name indicates placement on the PMRank 2019, which recognizes the official top 50 players in the world in Project M during 2019.

See also: Category:Ice Climbers players (PM)
 * - Ranked 1st on the Colorado Project M Power Rankings.
 * - The second best Ice Climbers mains in the world. Placed 3rd at The Big Balc and 4th at Smash 'N' Splash 3.
 * - Currently ranked 7th in Massachusetts, he is one of the best active Ice Climbers players.
 * (#3) - The best Ice Climbers main in the world. Ranked 1st on the Michigan Project M Power Rankings.

Project M
The Ice Climbers received a costume based on the Polar Bear, an enemy from their origin game, .

Project+
Project+ gives the Ice Climber team colors for their Polar Bear costume. Ice Climbers also receive a costume based on typical Russian snow clothing, which was named the Tundra Climbers costume.



Z-Secret Costume: Plaid Patterned Ice Climbers

R-Secret Costume: Realistic Equipment Ice Climbers

Trivia

 * The Tundra Climbers costume in Project+ initially caused some controversey due to Nana carrying a sickle that, alongside the hammer Popo carried, is a part of the Russian flag. This was changed when the costume was released so that Nana carried a hammer similar to the one Popo carried.