Get On My Level, a Canadian fighting game championship, is banning Ice Climbers’ infamous “Wobbling” technique in this year’s tournament.
Announced by GOML, the decision came following player feedback, and fans on Twitter and Reddit are largely pleased by the news – though some fans are less than thrilled by the news. This rule applies only to Smash Bros. Melee matches, as Wobbling is impossible in all other versions of Smash. The tournament, which takes place in Toronto, Ontario from May 17-19, 2019, will also feature Tekken, Dragon Ball FighterZ and Street Fighter V.
Wobbling is a highly divisive technique use by Ice Climbers players that acts as an infinite and inescapable combo, capable of racking up damage indefinitely. By de-synching the Ice Climbers’ actions, opponents can’t get out of Popo’s grab while Nana is free to hit the player. The technique can be used on every other fighter in the game with the exception of another pair of Ice Climbers, and can lead to Nana performing a KO once enough damage has been dealt.
The technique is named after Ice Climber main Wobbles after he significantly began using the technique in tournaments. The technique itself, however, was discovered prior to this. Wobbling has been banned in tournament play elsewhere, notably in Colorado, Kentucky, Montana, South Dakota and much of Tennessee.
For more on Ice Climbers, read about why they were cut from Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS, and for more on Smash Bros. Ultimate, check out the Joker DLC and 3.0 update release window.
Colin Stevens is a news writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.