IC-Rambler
Smash Cadet
When shielding with both climbers, you will see that they both put up their shields at the same time, and tend to be very close to each other. If the opponent attempts to grab the shielding duo, which climber will be grabbed?
A majority of the time, it is actually possible to tell which climber is vulnerable to being grabbed.
Let’s take a look at the following scenario. Popo dashes forwards, dashes back, then turns around and finally shield stops. This results in Nana sliding in front of Popo. Nana and Popo both shield but Nana is in front, gradually sliding closer to Popo due to the force that pulls Nana to Popo.
When Nana is sliding towards Popo but still in front of him, it is clear that Nana would be grabbed if the opponent grabbed her from the front. But what about when Nana gets very close to Popo and comes to a stop? If grabbed from the front, Nana will still be the one who is vulnerable to being grabbed. It seems that Nana and Popo cannot occupy the same spot on the x-axis so Nana rests just in front of Popo.
However, just as Nana is in front of Popo and thus can be grabbed from the front, Popo is behind Nana and is susceptible to being grabbed from behind.
Setting up the position of these climbers to avoid being grabbed (as Popo) simply involves using movement to place one climber in front of the other.
The only factor that seems to matter is position. Shield size does not matter at all. Actually, shields don’t matter at all, and the same rules should hold true whether one is shielding or not. However, I thought I should put this into the context of shielding since it is more relevant to competitive gameplay; the opponent would much rather hit the climbers then grab them and risk being punished. Shielding may provoke a grab, however.
So as I’ve shown, a good way to put Nana in front of Popo (or rather between Popo and the opponent) is to dash dance then shield stop. There are other ways to ensure such a position. If the following are preformed, Nana will end up in front of Popo.
Also, if the opponent pushes the climbers by moving into them, Popo is always pushed back farther. If they grab after pushing the climbers, they will always grab Nana.
As far as practical applications are concerned, I'm still brainstorming. If the opponent discovers that you are trying to bait them, then this technique is pretty much useless. Perhaps you could set up a safe light-shield near the ledge when waiting out their respawn invincibility. If they grab they might get a decent punish on Nana (though depending on the MU grabbing Nana may actually be very bad for you at any % and you should avoid using this technique anyways). If they hit you, you should slide off the ledge at which point you can immediately ledgedash so Nana will grab the ledge after you (sliphog). Now both climbers have some invincibility too. At this point their invincibility might have ran out. But be careful not to be too close to the ledge as multi-hit moves like Marth's nair ruin this strat. You could also set up a double shield in the pit in the rock transformation. If they grab you there's a good possibility they will push you first (since there's not much room down there) so they'll grab Nana. All in all it's not such a great idea to actively let the opponent get a grab you. However, it's always good to be mindful of which climber would be grabbed in any situation so you will be one step ahead of the opponent if it happens.
A majority of the time, it is actually possible to tell which climber is vulnerable to being grabbed.
Let’s take a look at the following scenario. Popo dashes forwards, dashes back, then turns around and finally shield stops. This results in Nana sliding in front of Popo. Nana and Popo both shield but Nana is in front, gradually sliding closer to Popo due to the force that pulls Nana to Popo.
When Nana is sliding towards Popo but still in front of him, it is clear that Nana would be grabbed if the opponent grabbed her from the front. But what about when Nana gets very close to Popo and comes to a stop? If grabbed from the front, Nana will still be the one who is vulnerable to being grabbed. It seems that Nana and Popo cannot occupy the same spot on the x-axis so Nana rests just in front of Popo.
However, just as Nana is in front of Popo and thus can be grabbed from the front, Popo is behind Nana and is susceptible to being grabbed from behind.
Setting up the position of these climbers to avoid being grabbed (as Popo) simply involves using movement to place one climber in front of the other.
The only factor that seems to matter is position. Shield size does not matter at all. Actually, shields don’t matter at all, and the same rules should hold true whether one is shielding or not. However, I thought I should put this into the context of shielding since it is more relevant to competitive gameplay; the opponent would much rather hit the climbers then grab them and risk being punished. Shielding may provoke a grab, however.
So as I’ve shown, a good way to put Nana in front of Popo (or rather between Popo and the opponent) is to dash dance then shield stop. There are other ways to ensure such a position. If the following are preformed, Nana will end up in front of Popo.
- Dash forward then return control stick to neutral
- Run forward then return control stick to neutral
- Run forward then crouch
- Wavedash forward
Also, if the opponent pushes the climbers by moving into them, Popo is always pushed back farther. If they grab after pushing the climbers, they will always grab Nana.
As far as practical applications are concerned, I'm still brainstorming. If the opponent discovers that you are trying to bait them, then this technique is pretty much useless. Perhaps you could set up a safe light-shield near the ledge when waiting out their respawn invincibility. If they grab they might get a decent punish on Nana (though depending on the MU grabbing Nana may actually be very bad for you at any % and you should avoid using this technique anyways). If they hit you, you should slide off the ledge at which point you can immediately ledgedash so Nana will grab the ledge after you (sliphog). Now both climbers have some invincibility too. At this point their invincibility might have ran out. But be careful not to be too close to the ledge as multi-hit moves like Marth's nair ruin this strat. You could also set up a double shield in the pit in the rock transformation. If they grab you there's a good possibility they will push you first (since there's not much room down there) so they'll grab Nana. All in all it's not such a great idea to actively let the opponent get a grab you. However, it's always good to be mindful of which climber would be grabbed in any situation so you will be one step ahead of the opponent if it happens.
