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 (Ice Climber;, Aisu Kuraimā), 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. Popo and Nana still fight as a duo, Nana following Popo's moves. In Melee, the player had the option to change the color of the costume and play as Nana, and you can still do this in Brawl, but 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. Fortunately (or unfortunately), this rumor has been proven wrong ever since the appearance of Popo and Nana on the Dojo website.

Strategies
At first glance (to most people, at least), the Ice Climbers appear to be weak with terrible moves. Some people will assume that they're just plain terrible and never give them a chance. Although the Ice Climbers appear weak, they're actually pretty strong, and have great up- and down-Smashes. In 4-player Brawls, the Squall Hammer truly is a blessing.

Although not very efficient aerial fighters, intense 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.

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.
 * Can repeatedly grab if properly desynched, also know to chain grab.
 * Very strong ground game
 * Hard to throw, as other Ice Climber can attack while one is grabbed.
 * Up B gives great distance.
 * Have a ground-hugging projectile.
 * Forward Aerial is a spike if Nana is with Popo.
 * Quick and powerful ground moves.
 * Ice Climbers do not share a damage meter, which can lead to Popo 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 a good recovery move since it has vertical and horizontal recovery. (Have to keep pressing the button for the vertical recovery.)
 * Belay can be a Tether Recovery if the CPU Climber grabs a ledge first, making it the only Up+B move to be both a Tether Recovery and a Normal Recovery.
 * Traction remains constant even on slippery floors like ice
 * Even if Nana dies, Popo can still fight.
 * Able to perform "Condor Combo" (Up-smash+ Air-smash+Dair Smash), which is great for racking up damage.
 * Can carry two items at once

Cons:

 * Each individual Ice Climber is weaker than your average character, making them weak while separated.
 * Few recovery options when separated.
 * If separated from Popo, Nana becomes unresponsive.
 * Many hits can separate them.
 * Awkward when fighting in the air.
 * Projectile is very weak, and weakens over distance.
 * Fairly Light.
 * Squall Hammer causes fast falling.
 * If Popo is defeated, then Nana will automatically disappear after he is gone, meaning that if it happens in a stock match, the Ice Climbers will still lose.

Changes from Melee to Brawl

 * Both Ice Climbers can grab on to a ledge
 * More attack power. Down-B is especially buffed.
 * Can have the same color costume
 * If Nana hits another character while executing Belay, the move is completed
 * Belay can be a Tether Recovery if Nana grabs a ledge first, then Popo reaches up to the ledge.
 * Lone Ice Climber's Up-b gives some distance
 * Nana can Squall Hammer by herself.
 * The Ice Climbers can become separated easier.

Role In the Subspace Emissary
The Ice Climbers were first seen climbing up the mountain together. When Meta Knight past them going up the mountain, the Ice Climbers took it as competition at first 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 Fox's ship, the Great Fox into the mountain. Although Meta Knight and Lucario managed to board the Halberd, the Ice Climbers 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 the Subspace and helped them as they battled Tabuu.

Taunts
Up: Jump around.

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

Down: Dance in as circle.

On-Screen Appearance
They ride in on 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 the attack Ice Shot is heard and the Climbers both say "Heeyah!"