Ice Climbers (SSBB)

This article is about the Ice Climbers' appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. For other uses, see Ice Climbers.

Ice Climbers
Ice Climbers
Universe	Ice Climber
Appears in	SSBM SSBB
Availability	Starter
Tier	High (13)

The Ice Climbers (also known as Ice Climber (アイス クライマー, Aisu Kuraimā) in Japan) return in Brawl with a new texture redo. Although Popo and Nana fight as a duo, only one is directly controlled by the player- the other is computer-controlled, in a manner mimicking the player. An alternate costume change allows the player-controlled character to be Nana, rather than the usual Popo. They reside in the High Tier of the current list (13th overall), greatly aided by their deep metagame and fantastic grab game.

Attributes

The Ice Climbers are an interesting character, with two characters attacking at the same time rather than one. They can carry two items at once, and can throw two opponents at once, and if both Ice Climbers have a similar colored outfit, human opponents can be confused. However, if the computer-controlled character dies, the Ice Climbers' effictiveness is reduced until the human player dies again, when Popo and Nana will both respawn together. Interestingly, the computer player does not take damage when attacked. When both characters are together, their attacks deal large damage with good knockback. However, if they are desynchronized, the computer's attack will come slightly after the player's attack, creating many combos. The Ice Climbers are also difficult to grab, because while one player is grabbed the other can attack, interrupting the grab. They also have very useful specials: Ice Shot is a ground hugging projectile, and both Ice Climbers shoot one. Belay gives enormous recovery if both Ice Climbers are together (and also functions as a Tether if the computer grabs first); if they aren't, Squall Hammer works as an alternate recovery move. Blizzard can also freeze foes at high percentages, allowing a finishing move to be used. The Ice Climbers are additionally good edgeguarders, and have an excellent chain-grab. However, if the computer is separated from the human Ice Climber, they will not respond to attacks and will only try to get back to the human player. Their light weight makes many attacks able to separate the pair. They don't lose traction on slippery floors like ice, and Belay and Squall Hammer resynch the Ice Climbers.

Changes from Melee to Brawl

• Both Ice Climbers can grab on to a ledge at the same time.
• More attack power. Blizzard is especially buffed if the Ice Climbers are next to the opponent.
• Can have the same color costume of the blue costume. The white one is almost the same, but the gloves are different colors.
• If the partner hits another character while executing Belay, the move is still completed.
• Belay can be a Tether Recovery if the partner grabs a ledge first, then the leader reaches up to the ledge.
• Lone Ice Climber's Belay gives some slight distance.
• Partner can Squall Hammer alone.
• The Ice Climbers can become separated easier when attacked, but are a bit better by themselves.
• Squall Hammer now sends off flakes of ice. However, this only happens when both Ice Climbers are present, and is only for show.
• Their Orange costume was removed.
• Partner AI is significantly advanced so it does not die easier.

Moveset

Ground Attacks

Normal

• Neutral attack - Swing hammers in front of themselves.
• Dash attack - Give a short jump and swing hammers in front of themselves.
• Strong Side - Similar to neutral.
• Strong Up - Spin hammers over head, dealing multiple hits.
• Strong Down - Crouch and sweep hammers on ground in front of themselves.

Smash

• Side Smash - Lift hammers over head, then smash straight down.
• Up Smash - Swing hammers upwards in an arc.
• Down Smash - Sweep hammers on the ground all the way around themselves.

Other

• Ledge Attack -
• 100% Ledge Attack -
• Floor Attack -

Aerial Attacks

• Neutral Aerial - Swing in a circle with hammers outstretched.
• Forward Aerial - Lift hammers over head then swing forward, similar to the side smash. If both partners hit, the attack will be a meteor smash.
• Back Aerial - Swing hammers behind themselves.
• Up Aerial - Shove hammers above head.
• Down Aerial - A Stall-Then-Fall. The stall is minimal, and they fall quickly with hammers outstretched downward.

Grabs & Throws

• Pummel - Headbutt. Partner Climber can use other moves like Blizzard at the same time, or a jump into forward aerial as a great finisher if used right on an edge.
• Forward Throw - Hit with hammer.
• Back Throw - Spin around and hit with hammer.
• Up Throw - Throw upwards then smash with hammer.
• Down Throw - Spike on ground.

Role In the Subspace Emissary

The Ice Climbers were first seen climbing up the mountain together, possibly in pursuit of the Halberd. When Meta Knight passed them going up the mountain, the Ice Climbers took it as a challenge and jumped up the mountain with Meta Knight. Once they reached the top, the Ice Climbers celebrated with their "victory" for getting up the mountain first, until they and Meta Knight found Lucario, who was looking for a fight with Meta Knight, so the Ice Climbers watch from the side nervously. After the fight, the Halberd crashes the Great Fox into the mountain. Although Meta Knight and Lucario managed to board the Halberd, the Ice Climbers (ironically) are thrown back to the ground towards Marth, Lucas, Pokémon Trainer, and Ike. After facing some more Subspace Army troopers, the Ice Climbers teamed up with the other heroes as they journeyed into Subspace and helped them battle Tabuu.

Exclusive stickers

These stickers can only be used by the Ice Climbers or a select few including them.

• Balloon Fight Enemy: [Specials: Indirect] attack +4
• Donbe: [Slash] resistance +26
• Duck: Launch resistance +20
• F-type: [Throwing] attack +22
• Fat Hockey Player: [Specials: Indirect] attack +12
• Nana: [Specials: Direct] attack +29
• Wild Gunman: [Specials: Indirect] attack +5
• Yakuman Player: [Electric] resistance +28

Trivia

• Despite no indication in their character selection portrait unlike in Melee, the Ice Climbers' White, Black/Gray, and Red/Light Blue costumes have Nana as the lead Ice Climber. (In Melee you could tell when Nana is the lead Ice Climber because Nana has a different hairstyle.)
• When the lead Ice Climber of a CPU is Star KO'd while the partner remains on ground stage, the partner will taunt before disappearing.
• Along with Diddy Kong, Pokémon Trainer, and Jigglypuff, the Ice Climbers are one of the only characters to have a unique "Defeated/No Contest" pose different from the traditional hand clapping, with them crying while rubbing their eyes.
• Snake's quote, "Seems to me they'd get in each other's way fighting to see who gets to the top first." is a reference to the original NES Ice Climber game, where in two player mode, the objective is to reach the top of the stage first before the other player does.
• When the Ice Climbers perform a forward smash in Brawl, it looks similar to how they attack in their own game.
• In Stamina mode, it is possible for the CPU climber to die before the main climber. If this does happen, the partner will lay on the ground motionless, but not blink red.
• The lead Ice Climber is always slightly weaker than the follower.
• There is a glitch involving using Link's, Toon Link's, or Ike's Final Smash. One must get rid of the lead Ice Climber first and just before the other disappear, initiate the Final Smash. If timing is correct, Link, Toon Link, or Ike would do their Final Smash without anyone to hit. Video can be seen here and here
• Both Ice Climbers must win a microgame in the Wario Ware Inc. stage to be rewarded.
• The Ice Climbers hold the world record for Co-op Home-run Contest, reaching 24099.4 Ft while teamed with Ganondorf.

External Links

• Ice Climbers' page at Smash Bros. DOJO!!.