Ladder (technique)

A ladder is a technique usable by a team of two players using the same character that allows them both to attain unreachable heights.

Variations

Luigi ladder

The Luigi ladder involves two Luigis repeatedly using their sourspotted Super Jump Punch against each other back and forth, allowing them to steadily climb upwards and away from the stage. An applied usage allows players to stall indefinitely against a ceiling.

The technique can be performed in all four games, though its applications can be varied. In Super Smash Bros., Super Jump Punch grants some horizontal distance, allowing to act as a method for stage jumping.

The technique's use, however, is most infamous in Melee. Changes to Luigi's Super Jump Punch causes the technique to instead send the two Luigi's straight upward, and the team can even jump up beyond the upper blast line. Applied usage of the technique can also allow for recovery options, though the lack of horizontal distance from Super Jump Punch makes this a situational use. It is not known why the Luigis are unable to KO each other while above the blast line; similar variants of the technique involving attacks like Link's Spin Attack and Samus's Screw Attack end up KOing the characters when they cross the blast line.

While carried over for Brawl, the two Luigis now KO each other upon crossing the upper blast line; despite this, it can be used for stalling against a ceiling.

In tournaments

As stalling is banned in tournaments, ladders are banned in tournament play and are sometimes specifically mentioned in tournament rulesets. While only significant in doubles, where Friendly Fire is turned on, a team can perform the technique in order to take an early lead, and from there create an effectively unbeatable stalling strategy.