Ice Climbers (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)


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

The Ice Climbers, also known as Ice Climber (, Aisu Kuraimā) in the Japanese versions, the ice-climbing duo from Super Smash Bros. Melee, make a return in Super Smash Bros. Brawl with a significant texture boost to their character models. 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. In Melee, the player had the option to change the color of the costume and play as Nana, and the option still exists in Brawl, however the Climbers' positions on the character select screen portrait will not change as in Melee, however, the character's stock icon will.

There was a rumor that characters such Young Link, Mr. Game & Watch and the Ice Climbers were to be excluded from the roster of Brawl due to lack of popularity. However, this rumor has been proven wrong ever since the appearance of Popo and Nana on the Dojo website.

Strategies
At first glance, the Ice Climbers may appear weak with terrible moves. However, they are actually pretty strong, and have great up- and down-Smashes. In 4-player Brawls, the Squall Hammer truly is a blessing and Blizzard is great for racking up damage with both Climber facing the same way.

Although not very efficient aerial fighters, training can lead to a better understanding of how the Ice Climbers work in the air. They can't stay up long, but can actually do lots of damage above the ground, and Belay can be a great finisher once the Ice Climbers have used up their second jump.

A talented "desyncher" can keep the Climbers apart for roughly the entire match. While Squall Hammer can be a good attack choice, a Chain grab would be a better option. The Ice Climbers' chain grab can be very hard to master, but the reward is unmatchable. The leader can continuously grab and pummel an opponent or forward throw into a forward aerial by the computer-controlled partner. However in most tournaments, this technique is banned due to bad sportsmanship, like using the Fan on somebody to build their damage up to 300% and throwing it at them.

Pros:

 * Effectively two characters acting simultaneously. This makes them slightly stronger than your average character while together. They can also be desynched to perform two actions slightly out of synch for combos.
 * If desynched, the Ice Climbers can have a good approach.
 * Can alternate grab, although banned in some tournaments
 * Very strong ground game.
 * Attacks are strong if both Ice Climbers attack.
 * Hard to throw, as other Ice Climber can attack while one is grabbed.
 * Belay gives great distance if the Ice Climbers are together.
 * Have a ground-hugging projectile.
 * Forward Aerial is a spike if both ICs are together.
 * Ice Climbers do not share a damage percentage, which can lead to the player-controlled leader not taking damage sometimes when they are attacked.
 * Can freeze enemies, which can be potentially followed up by a finisher.
 * Squall Hammer can be used as an alternative recovery move to Belay, since it greatly pushes the Ice Climber(s) forward.
 * Belay can be a Tether Recovery if the CPU Climber grabs a ledge first, making it the only Up Special Move move to be both a Tether Recovery and a Normal Recovery.
 * Traction remains constant even on slippery floors like ice.
 * Even if the partner dies, the lead Ice Climber can still fight.
 * If both Ice Climbers are wearing the same color costume it may confuse the opponent.
 * Can carry two items at once.
 * Can throw two opponents at once.
 * One Ice Climber can attack an opponent while the other one grabs the opponent.
 * Are good edgeguarders.
 * One can attack using special moves while the other is carrying a heavy item such as a party ball or crate.

Cons:

 * Slow falling speed makes them vulnerable to air combos and juggling.
 * Each individual Ice Climber is weaker than your average character, making them weak while separated.
 * Terrible recovery when separated.
 * Belay used with one Ice Climber results in little vertical height and almost no horizontal distance.
 * If separated from the leading Ice Climber, the partner becomes unresponsive.
 * Many hits can separate them.
 * Can be awkward when fighting in the air.
 * Projectile is very weak, and weakens over distance.
 * Fairly Light.
 * Squall Hammer puts the Ice Climbers into a Helpless state.
 * Slow dash speed (sixth slowest along with Olimar, Ness, and Wolf), and has the third slowest air speed along with Ivysaur.
 * Partner can be killed at low percentages when ICs are separated
 * Lead IC loses many of advantages when partner dies, such as ability to combo and KO as effectively.

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 white costume. The blue 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.

Ground Attacks
Normal Smash Other
 * 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.
 * Side Smash - Lift hammers over head, then smash straight down.
 * Up Smash - swing hammers upwards.
 * Down Smash - sweep hammers on the ground all the way around themselves.
 * 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, like side smash. If the partner hits, 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. Accelerate fall with hammers below themselves. Stall almost unnoticeable.

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.

Event Matches
Event 11: Yoshi's Rainbow - As the Ice Climbers, KO six Yoshis in the order red, pink, yellow, green, pale blue, blue.

Event 34: All-Star Battle Melee - The Ice Climbers are one of the eight opponents you must fight from Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Co-Op Event 10: The R.O.B.'s of Tomorrow - Teamed with Lucario, KO R.O.B.s of increasing size.

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.

Taunts
Up: Set down hammers and jump up and down.

Side: Point their hammers and say "Yup!", as wind blows (same as in Melee).

Down: Dance in a circle.

On-Screen Appearance
Ride in on the feet of a Condor.

Victory Pose

 * Popo and Nana sway from side to side in a straight line.
 * Both nod and high five one another.
 * Both jump up and down.

Wii Remote Choice
A sound like Ice Shot is heard and the Climbers both say "Yup!"

Credits Music

 * Ice Climber

Snake's Codec
Snake: "So those two are the Ice Climbers, huh?"

Mei Ling: "Snake, have you ever heard of a 'blood bond?'"

S: "Sure."

M: "It refers to a bond between two people that's so strong they'd die for each other. The Ice Climbers have conquered frozen glaciers and dangerous mountaintops together. I think they've formed a bond that we can't even fathom."

S: "I dunno. Seems to me they'd get in each other's way fighting to see who gets to the top first."

M: "Snake, in China they say 'Though brothers may quarrel at home, outside they defend each other from slight.'"

S: "Is that really a Chinese proverb?"

M: "Even though they may get in each other's way occasionally, they'll pull together in times of need. They're an inseparable team, Snake. Don't underestimate them!"

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 is the Ice Climber who has her mouth open while Popo is just smiling)
 * 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." may be 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.