elhinnaw
09-07-2004, 06:04 AM
Even tho most true IC fans played (and loved) them before Chu brought them to glory, there are things i think only the best IC's do. Besides what Ive written here, the most important thing to know about Ice Climbers is that they are like any other character with glaring weaknesses. In order to to make them great, you have to be able to maximize every strength and advantage they have. That being said, points 2,4, and 5 have by far the greatest significance.
1. You are what you grab
This should go without saying. Technically having tied for the fasted grab speed (Peach), and that little fact of controlling nana while throwing, grabs are not only a huge offensive tool, but key in keeping your opponents from attacking you close range.
2. Wasted chances are wasted lives (throwing)
Staying with this grabbing theme, as an Ice Climber, you CANNOT afford to waste opportunities once you grab someone. Vs a Ganondorf, you cannot afford to miss chain throwing him. Vs a SHEIK you absolutely cannot afford to miss chain throwing. Against every character that can seperate you (Marths, Peaches, even the Jigglies, etc) you absolutely cannot afford to grab them at 70% and not kill them. (there are inumerable combo's for this, but this isnt a guide)
3. Sexual preference aside, Ice Climbers must be on the bottom
One of the worst positions you can be in as an IC is in the air above an opponent. You have absolutely no priority moves that can stop someone from attacking you from below. Your dair is almost useless, bair can only hit from the side, and fair can barely hit below (and I dont know if Chu himself could time it). The Uair on the other hand, is disjointed, and very strong. Not only can it be used as a self defense attack to keep aerial predators away, but few moves will be able to beat it (GaW key and Marths Dair to name 2)
4. Think the opposite of Evangelion
Especially against greater opponents, you must be able to desynch your IC effectively. This point can easily contend for one of the most importance. By far a HUGE advantage of having two people is being able to do different moves with each of them. Whether it be edge hogging and edge gaurding at the same time, or shielding and attacking at the same time, this might be the most important thing you can do with your Ice Climbers. Everyone knows the huge disadvantage of having Nana killed, and being left alone. The ONLY way it becomes worth it to deal with that nonsense, is to use and abuse the advantage that comes along with it. (Think pot odds people)
5. Skate or Die
No one ever said you had to wavedash to be good. But if you are IC's, you wavedash, or you die. Everyone knows they are 2nd only to Lord of the Wavedash Luigi in this skill, and i doubt any character may need it more. IC are sluggish to turn, slow in speed, and of all the characters in the game, IC can afford to be hit the least (slow air speed makes easy combo's, and floating IC makes seperated IC). If for no other reason than to escape attacks and move faster across the stage, wavedashing already takes on a huge roll in preserving them.
Ironically enough, the best example I can see of how to use IC is watching a video of NEO's Roy (the only member of H2YL to claim a middle tier character as his forte). In a world where everyone and their mother plays Fox, Sheik, and Marth, Roy is the unwanted brother that NEO dominates with by absolutely imposing his strengths before his opponent tries to take on Roy's weaknesses. No other video's I've seen can quite capture how one should fight with Ice Climbers (mostly in part to the fact that Chu doesnt get them on tape) Fighting with Ice Climbers is a game of imposing your strength before your opponent takes your weakness.
1. You are what you grab
This should go without saying. Technically having tied for the fasted grab speed (Peach), and that little fact of controlling nana while throwing, grabs are not only a huge offensive tool, but key in keeping your opponents from attacking you close range.
2. Wasted chances are wasted lives (throwing)
Staying with this grabbing theme, as an Ice Climber, you CANNOT afford to waste opportunities once you grab someone. Vs a Ganondorf, you cannot afford to miss chain throwing him. Vs a SHEIK you absolutely cannot afford to miss chain throwing. Against every character that can seperate you (Marths, Peaches, even the Jigglies, etc) you absolutely cannot afford to grab them at 70% and not kill them. (there are inumerable combo's for this, but this isnt a guide)
3. Sexual preference aside, Ice Climbers must be on the bottom
One of the worst positions you can be in as an IC is in the air above an opponent. You have absolutely no priority moves that can stop someone from attacking you from below. Your dair is almost useless, bair can only hit from the side, and fair can barely hit below (and I dont know if Chu himself could time it). The Uair on the other hand, is disjointed, and very strong. Not only can it be used as a self defense attack to keep aerial predators away, but few moves will be able to beat it (GaW key and Marths Dair to name 2)
4. Think the opposite of Evangelion
Especially against greater opponents, you must be able to desynch your IC effectively. This point can easily contend for one of the most importance. By far a HUGE advantage of having two people is being able to do different moves with each of them. Whether it be edge hogging and edge gaurding at the same time, or shielding and attacking at the same time, this might be the most important thing you can do with your Ice Climbers. Everyone knows the huge disadvantage of having Nana killed, and being left alone. The ONLY way it becomes worth it to deal with that nonsense, is to use and abuse the advantage that comes along with it. (Think pot odds people)
5. Skate or Die
No one ever said you had to wavedash to be good. But if you are IC's, you wavedash, or you die. Everyone knows they are 2nd only to Lord of the Wavedash Luigi in this skill, and i doubt any character may need it more. IC are sluggish to turn, slow in speed, and of all the characters in the game, IC can afford to be hit the least (slow air speed makes easy combo's, and floating IC makes seperated IC). If for no other reason than to escape attacks and move faster across the stage, wavedashing already takes on a huge roll in preserving them.
Ironically enough, the best example I can see of how to use IC is watching a video of NEO's Roy (the only member of H2YL to claim a middle tier character as his forte). In a world where everyone and their mother plays Fox, Sheik, and Marth, Roy is the unwanted brother that NEO dominates with by absolutely imposing his strengths before his opponent tries to take on Roy's weaknesses. No other video's I've seen can quite capture how one should fight with Ice Climbers (mostly in part to the fact that Chu doesnt get them on tape) Fighting with Ice Climbers is a game of imposing your strength before your opponent takes your weakness.